Weekly review

Former FDLR commander calls for release of hostages A former senior commander of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), Colonel Elie Mutarambirwa, on Tuesday, appealed to his former colleagues to let those willing to abandon rebel activities, return home. Mutarambirwa made the appeal during a ceremony to discharge 249 ex-combatants who had completed a three month demobilization and reintegration course at Mutobo Demobilization and Reintegration Centre in Musanze District. The ex-combatants discharged included five officers and 2 women, from various rebel groups including FDLR-Foca RUD, Maimai and FARDC operating in Eastern DRC. Rwanda to chair UN peace Commission Rwanda’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Eugène-Richard Gasana, was, on Wednesday, elected by acclamation as Chairperson of the Peace-building Commission (PBC), for the year 2011; according to Rwanda’s Permanent Mission to the UN.Gasana was the only candidate, endorsed on Monday by the African Group. 2011 is Africa’s turn to hold the rotational PBC presidency. He replaces Peter Wittig; Germany’s permanent representative at the UN.The PBC was created in 2005 by the UN General Assembly and the Security Council. RFI to expand Rwanda coverage Following the restoration of diplomatic relations between Rwanda and France, the Managing Director of Radio France International (RFI), Genevieve Goetzinger, has announced that her media house is set to expand its coverage across the country.Goetzinger, who is on a one-week working visit to Rwanda, said in an interview that her visit is aimed at hiring correspondents. RFI is a French internal news radio station that broadcasts worldwide via its FM network. Parties’ Forum gets new leadership The National Consultative Forum for Political Organisations held its General Assembly and elected MP Jacqueline Mukakanyamugenge as its spokesperson. The forum is a platform for dialogue and exchange of ideas among political organisations on the country’s problems and national policies. Mukakanyamugenge, who is also the vice president of PSD, replaced Phoebe Kanyange of PSP who has been at the helm of the forum for the past six months. Also elected was the deputy spokesperson of the forum, Henriette Mukakarangwa Sebera.Sebera, who is also a member of parliament on the PL party ticket, replaced Christine Mukabunani of PS-Imberakuri. BBC to shut down Short Wave Kinyarwanda broadcast In a bid to cut spending, the BBC World Service, on Wednesday, announced it will cease broadcasting Great Lakes service for Rwanda and Burundi in the Short Wave (SW) frequency. This means that beginning in March, listeners outside the Great Lakes region will not able capture BBC Gahuzamiryango news program as the British broadcaster considers closing most of it foreign language news programmes. Beginning March, the SW frequency will close as a result of cutbacks in British government funding for the BBC. Listeners who mainly live in Europe, the Americas and other continents, will only be able to follow the programming online. The development came after the argument that SW is no longer listened too as most people have turned to FM. KBS lays off 40 The Management of Kigali Bus Services (KBS) has laid off 40 employees - 20 drivers and 20 touts - as it embarks on a massive restructuring process, following a slump in profits. Speaking to The New Times on Thursday, Alex Mugisha, the KBS Operations Manager, confirmed the development. “The decision is part of our restructuring process and tour business is currently slow, hence the lay off,” he said. Mugisha added that those affected would be rehired should business boom again. KBS currently has 46 vehicles, including 41 coasters and 5 coaches and was employing 160 staff. Ends