Igihe

Author: b_igi_adm1n

  • Malawi Suspends Hosting AU Summit

    The Republic of Malawi has cancelled hosting of the African Union Summit Next Month arguing that they would not accept Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir to step on their soil because of his indictment on international war Crimes charges.

    “After considering the interests of Malawians, I want to inform Malawians that the Cabinet met today (Friday) and decided it was not interested to accept the conditions by the African Union, therefore Malawi is not hosting the summit,” Vice President Khumbo Kachali said on state radio.

    Kachali said the country had received a communication from the AU commission that as a host country Malawi was required to invite all presidents including Bashir.

    “The commission said if Malawi was not willing to host al-Bashir, the venue should be shifted to another country,” he said, adding that the summit would be hosted by Ethiopia.

    Sudan on Thursday said it had urged the pan-African bloc to shift the summit to its Addis Ababa headquarters after the host nation’s refusal to welcome Bashir.

    In response, the commission had written Malawi commanding it to either accept al-Bashir or forget hosting the summit.

    “While we have obligations to abide by the decisions of the African Union we are also under an obligation to abide by international laws including the Roman Statute,” said Kachali.

    Sudan’s president is wanted by The International Criminal Court on charges of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in the country’s troubled Darfur region.

    Malawi’s new president, Joyce Banda, said in May that she wanted Bashir to stay away from the summit scheduled in Lilongwe on July 9-16, to avoid straining ties with key donors for her impoverished country.

    Under current ICC rules, its members including Malawi have a duty to arrest Bashir, who has visited several countries, including some court signatories, without any action being taken.

    Earlier this week, ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo told the UN Security Council that failure to detain him and other Sudanese officials accused of war crimes and genocide was “a direct challenge to the council’s authority.”

  • Monusco to Give Ulimitted Support to DRC Forces

    The Deputy Special Representative of Secretary-General of the UN in the DRC, Leila Zerrougui, has announced support Armed Forces of DRC (FARDC) in a campaign to neutralize armed groups operating in North Kivu.

    She made the announcement on Friday 8 June, following the visit with members of the central government in the town of Bunagana, in Rutshuru (North Kivu).

    This visit was to assess the security situation in the province characterised by armed violence in all jurisdictions.

    Zerrougui noted armed groups constitute a threat to civilians in North Kivu and should put them out of harm’s way.

    “Our soldiers (Monusco) have received clear instructions to give full support to the FARDC as part of our mandate. We will consider the protection of civilian populations in areas that are most at risk to neutralize the armed groups,” she said.

    She added that the UN mission working with the FARDC to act against armed groups that destabilize the region.

    “Whether it is the FDLR, Raya Mutomboki, Cheka Group, we believe that all are negative groups that target civilians. And therefore, they must be neutralised and Monusco will support the FARDC to do, “she said.

  • Youth Urged to Collaborate with Security Organs

    Rwandan Youth have been urged to collaborate with security organs through information sharing aimed at promoting peace and order.

    The Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Musoni Protais made the appeal Friday while addressing residents of Kiramuruzi sector, Gatsibo District in the Eastern province as part of the ongoing commemoration of Police week.

    “Police cannot be everywhere, that’s why we need collaboration of citizens so that security loopholes can be sealed for overall security,” Minister Musoni said.

    Emmanuel K. Gasana the Inspector General of Police noted that the youth are known to engage in criminal activities for various reasons.

    Rwandan youth should be nurtured to be responsible adults and this should begin now.

  • Nigeria Appoints Envoy to East African Community

    The Federal Republic of Nigeria has appointed an envoy to the East African Community.

    The Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Republic of Tanzania presented to the EAC Secretary General a letter of accreditation as his country’s envoy to the Community.

    HE Dr. Ishaya Samaila Majanbu presented his letter of accreditation to Amb. Dr. Richard Sezibera at a brief ceremony held at the EAC headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania, where the High Commissioner declared that the Federal Republic of Nigeria was happy to identify with the EAC.

    HE Dr. Majanbu lauded the progress registered by the Community since its revival, saying it was an inspiration for the other regional economic communities on the African continent.

    He spoke of the need to encourage deeper integration through increased business exchanges and expressed his country’s readiness to share experiences with the EAC for the mutual benefit of the two.

    Amb. Sezibera on his part conveyed the EAC’s condolences to the Nigerian people following the tragic air crash that occurred in Lagos last Sunday claiming more than 150 lives.

    The Secretary General welcomed the move to enhance cooperation between the EAC and Nigeria, noting that the latter would provide especially valuable lessons for the bloc in its quest to become a single state, citing the fact that Nigeria is one of the few federal states on the continent.

    He also observed that the bloc, which has recorded significant oil finds in recent times, would harness this newly enhanced relationship to pick lessons from Nigeria with regard to exploitation and management of petroleum resources.

  • Police Takes anti Narcotics Campaign to Schools

    There is a growing concern of drug abuse in secondary schools where consumption of narcotics including; Cannabis and kanyanga are very prevalent.

    The Police will reach out secondary schools students through awareness campaign against drug abuse and alcohol consumption.

    The campaigns are aimed at encouraging the youth to refrain from drug trafficking and consumption that are harmful to their lives and instead shift their focus towards national development.

    The campaign is part of the Police week, an annual event marked by many activities countrywide aimed at supporting the public in different areas.

    Over the two-week course, a series of activities have been organized by the Police force and local authorities to support the population on issues relating to economic development and improved human security.

    The 2012 Police week focuses on the eradication of drug abuse and gender based violence. These two are big issues that Police hopes to address in the interest of the population especially the youth.

  • Sustainable Tourism Vital to Green Economy

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    Rwanda’s 2012 gorilla naming ceremony scheduled on 16th June 2012 will attract thousands of people from different parts of the world.

    Under the theme “Sustainable tourism for a green economy”, the ceremony aims at recognizing conservation efforts by local communities.

    Expected at the Kwita Iziana ceremony include the chairman of International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP).

    A series of accompanying events have been organized including; 3Km marathon, schools soccer, tennis, cycling and music performances.

    Kwita Izina ceremony is a platform to create awareness about protection of the remaining wild mountain gorillas as well as the conservation of Parc National Du Volcan (PNV).

    The Head of Department Tourism and Conservation at RDB, Rica Rwigamba says that since 2005, about 141 mountain gorillas have been named.

    In a census conducted in April 2010 showed a 26.3% increase of the mountain gorillas over the past seven years, with an average 3.7% annual growth rate.

    Rwigamba explains that the population of mountain gorillas is approximately 800. However, there are over 480 gorillas on the Rwandan side.

    Between 2005 and 2011, over Frw1.4 Billion has been expended to support local communities especially improving local infrastructure, water access, schools and handcraft among others.

    Growth in tourism revenues would not be possible without the protection of mountain gorillas and conservation of their habitat.

    The International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP) is a new grassroots travel & tourism coalition of global destinations committed to Quality Service & Green Growth.

    Rwigamba has also assured the public that the Gorillas are safe in their habitat on the Rwandan side despite the ongoing war in the DRCongo.
    Early May a Congolese rebel group M23 entered the gorillas’ habitat and set up an operating base at Runyoni, a strategic peak in the Rutshuru territory.

    Gun fire, rockets, mortars and anti-aircraft guns are fired towards Virunga park.

    However, Rwigamba explains that the damage caused by the war in DRC has not been assessed because Rwandan side does not deploy beyond the boundary although before the uprising, park authorities from both sides conducted joint patrols.

    Rwigamba cautions tourists infected with flu and cough not to get any closer to the mountain gorillas, “anybody found sick of cough and flu will be denied access to the gorillas and will be refunded”.

    Responding to querries about Poaching , Rwigamba explained that the vice has tremendously dropped since 2005 in the Virunga Park. Most of the former poachers are currently engaged in income generating activities and have since dropped poaching activities.

    ICTP is a new grassroots travel & tourism coalition of global destinations committed to Quality Service & Green Growth.

    The Department of tourism and conservation at RDB is also working closely with East African tourism platform, Association of Hotels in the region and regional media in a bid to make the Kwita Izina Ceremony a regional concept.

  • Nyungwe Animal Attack Victims to get Compensation

    Inhabitants of areas surrounding Nyungwe National Park whose poperty were destroyed by wild animals from the park, shall be compensated very soon.

    The announcement was made by the Head of Nyungwe park Rugerinyange Louis.

    This was during a meeting held between Park authorities and stakeholders in the conservation of the park.

    Nyungwe park spans between Rusizi and Nyamasheke districts. The meeting also agreed on strategies that would control any fire outbreaks in the park.

    The meeting also reccommended punishment of anybody found engaging in illegal activities within the Park including poaching, illegal mining of minerals during the dry season.

  • Getting Ready for ‘Kwita Izina’

    “Kwita Izina” from is derived from its original concept and definition in the Rwandan culture–a respected child naming ceremony.

    Traditionally the child’s name was given by the father, clan members, friends and well wishers. Names were carefully chosen in order to avoid any kind of discomfort for the child when grown up and they had to have a meaning.

    From that ceremony rose a big event also called “kwita izina”. This one is not about naming children but baby mountain gorillas.

    In one of the most beautiful, magnificent and majestic places in Rwanda, in the Virunga Mountains situated in the Northern Province of the country where six Volcanoes form a chain is a mountain forest, home to the Mountain Gorillas.

    They used to be in danger, they were killed, their territory was invaded and as time passed by they reduced in number.

    In 1925, a measure was taken by creating the Volcanoes National Park which was the first national park to be created in Africa. Its creation was majorly to avoid or even stop poaching and other kinds of invasions.

    Today, mountain gorillas live freely and have multiplied thanks to national conservation efforts, local population and also the support from the international community.

    Through the years, Rwanda has been working tirelessly promoting conservation of gorillas as well as keeping the ecosystem that provide life and support to both humans and gorillas.

    Kwita Izina event has been existent for 8 years now and happens annually. It is a big event because local big personalities are present, international personalities are also invited to attend.

    The names given to baby Gorillas are from the big personalities present on that day. Some names are given according to the gorilla’s behavior or character.

    The gorillas live in groups and in different parts of the mountain, this is to let them feel free to use their territory as they wish, to live in families and clans and also for the conservation authorities to easily control and take care of them.

    Mountain Gorillas are not very numerous worldwide and they are very wonderful creatures genetically close to humans at 98% of DNA smillarity.

    Celebrating their existence and caring for them by naming them is the least thing we can do.

  • New Innovations Needed To Promote Housing Sector

    The Prime Minister Dr. Pierre Damien Habumuremyi has challenged Africans to come up with new innovations to promote the housing sector.

    The Pan-Afrique meeting (Shelter Afrique 31st Annual General meeting) hosted in kigali on low income housing supply, is held under the theme “Financing Low Cost Housing in Africa: Meeting the challenges”.

    The meeting aims at addressing housing needs of the populations.

    Dr. Habumuremyi asked Africans to promote the housing sector through, new innovations, to reduce on the costs of construction materials and to reduce importation of construction materials such as doors and iron sheets.

    The chairman of the board of directors of Shelter Afrique, Elias N. Mpondela said that participants will learn from experiences of other countries in providing low cost housing.

    Rwanda’s Minister for Infrastructure Albert Nsengiyumva revealed that since Rwanda joined Shelter Afrique in 1987 it has received enormous funding to boost its construction sector.

    Rwanda is yet to raise its stakes in Shelter Africa from US$34000 to US$2 Million.

    Shelter African has 43 member countries. Annual General Meeting will approve the application by Cote D’Ivoire to join this growing body of countries keen to improve housing in Africa as its 44th member.

  • Kenya Adopts Online Business Registration

    Kenya has announced that in the next three months, it will be possible to register businesses online.

    The Finance minister Njeru Githae told Kenya’s Parliament that the country is set to roll out the electronic registration of businesses within the next three months.

    Rwanda is currently the only country in the East African region where online registration of businesses is fully embraced—it only takes six hours to register a business in Rwanda.

    The e-registration in Kenya will ensure that investors have an easy time setting up businesses in the country.

    He added that a Bill –Business Regulation Bill– to simplify the process was in the works and will make it to Parliament as soon as possible to make that dream a reality.

    Julius Kones (Konoin) had noted the long processes and multiple licenses required to set up and operate business in the country, saying they had made Kenya less attractive for foreign and even local entrepreneurs.

    “Why does the government require a Bill to set up an e-registry when you already have a government policy on e-governance?” posed the Konoin MP.

    Dr. Kones said that the 2011-2012 Doing Business Report that was prepared by the International Finance Corporation and the World Bank had passed an indictment on Kenya as an investment destination.

    Kenya was ranked number 109 in the world. Rwanda is ranked number 1 in the region and 3rd in Africa.

    “What reform measures has the government taken to simplify payment of taxes and regulations for investors and what achievements have been made in improving the business environment to attract new investments in the country?” posed Dr Kones.

    It is then that the Finance minister said that the government was aware that the business regulation environment was haphazard and that the processes too were inordinately long.