Category: Information Center

A DRC opposition leader of the innovative Forces for Union and Solidarity (FONUS), Joseph Olengakoy has called upon the Congolese citizens to rise against what he called ‘Murder of the Republic’.

Olengakoy was referring to the dominant hand of MONUSCO in the management of DRC saying that the absence of a strong army in the DRC has created an imbalance in the state.

“There is a problem in the country. We are all involved in the assassination of the Republic. We must realize. Today, we are going to put in an ambulance, and soon it will be conducted to the cemetery. We must refuse it, “he said.

Olenghankoy said the Congolese must rise to take their own destiny.

“Our whole strength rests today on MONUSCO, an alien force. So, our country has no secret. All countries in the world are here. They know your languages they have mastered all your dialects. When you notice even the briefings of MONUSCO, “he argued.

The former Minister of Transport under the “1 +4”, was surprised that even the state information to be given to the national press by MONUSCO.

“What prevents our army to a press briefing a week? Here, you’ll feel the imbalance state, “he said.

Olengakoy has pledged to mobilise the opposition against government.

The three Rwandan inmates that had been nominated for the European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize 2012 have been dropped from the final list, RNA reports.

Ingabire Victoire, Bernard Ntaganda and Deogratias Mushyayidi did not pass through the EU parliament’s Foreign affairs and Development Committees which voted on Tuesday.

Ingabire was jailed 14 October 2010, for allegedly collaborating with a terrorist organization, dividing the people of Rwanda and denying the 1994 genocide against Tutsi which claimed a million lives.

The committees voted to retain only three finalists for the 2012 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. They include: Belarusian Ales Bialiatski; Russia’s Pussy Riot trio; and Iranians Nasrin Sotoudeh and Jafar Panahi.

Reports say backing for the Rwandan nominees came from Spanish organizations which were behind the indictment of 40 Rwandan officials back in 2008 for alleged role in the deaths of Spanish nationals after the genocide.

In striking off the Rwandan nominees, the EU parliament select committees said those blocks which selected Ingabire, Ntaganda and Mushyayidi, had not taken due diligence to thoroughly review the candidates.

The final winner from among the finalists (laureate) will be announced on Friday, 26 October following a decision of the EU Parliament’s Conference of Presidents.

The winner will receive €50,000 and be invited to attend the award ceremony on 12 December in Strasbourg (France).

Nyagatare district Local leaders have been cautioned against the culture of complacency in promoting Unity and reconciliation values.

The warning was made by Xaveline Uwimana the vice president of the National Unity and reconciliation commission (NURC).

The meeting brought together religious and private sector representatives in the district to discuss the progress made in promoting unity and reconciliation in the district.

Stakeholders contradicted over failure to speed up unity and reconciliation activities in the district.

NURC vice president blamed them for not working to the norms and values of true Rwandan leaders adding that this is a blame everyone should take.

The commission is attached to the office of the president that foresees every step taken in attaining reconciliation of all Rwandans.

However, Participants attributed changes in leadership positions in the district as the main reason for creepy implementation of reconciliation activities in the district.

“It doesn’t mean that if a top leader steps down all other functioning departments stops…committed people are those that even perform in transition period,” Xaveline noted

Rwanda is scheduled to host the EAC Armed Forces Field Training Exercise codenamed” Ushirikiano Imara 2012” from 15-28 October 2012.

Ushirikiano Imara means building strong relationship and reflects EAC Armed Forces commitment to work together against complex security challenges.

The Field Training Exercise aims at practicing EAC Armed Forces in planning and conducting Peace Support Operation, Disaster Management, Counter terrorism and Counter piracy.

About 1600 military, police and civilian personnel will participate in the exercise that will take place at Rwanda Military Academy- Gako, Bugesera district and on Lake Kivu in Rubavu district. The troops comprise Land, Air and Navy components.

“Ushirikiano Imara 2012” is a continuation of the EAC Command Post Exercise (CPX) held in the then Rwanda Military Academy Nyakinama in October 2011 whereby troops exercised on War Gaming procedures.

This time it will be about the field practice of the CPX War Gaming exercise.

Previously such kinds of Exercises were held in Tanzania in 2004 and 2009, Kenya in 2005 and Uganda in 2006.

EAC treaty and various agreements among which is the MOU on defence cooperation mandates Armed Forces from Partner States to cooperate in military training, joint operations, technical assistance and exchange of information as well as visits to each other’s militaries.

Police in Gasabo District is questioning a 17-year old girl, Clarice Nyinawumuntu for allegedly dumping her child in a pit latrine.

The suspect was arrested October 9. She is a resident of Nyagatovu Cell in Kimironko Sector.

She allegedly dumped her baby girl in a pit shortly after giving birth.

Police in Gasabo said the suspect was reported by a housemaid who found her bleeding in bed as she arrived for her routine duties.

The body of the baby girl was removed from the latrine and taken to KPH for postmortem.

Infanticide is punishable to a life sentence under article 143 of the penal code, upon conviction.

Rwanda National Police reported that another 17-year old girl identified as Marie Joseline Tugirurukundo, resident of Nyakabanda Cell in Niboye Sector, is detained at Kicukiro Police station for allegedly aborting a five-month foetus.

Any person who carries out self-induced abortion is liable to a term of imprisonment of one to three years and a fine of Rwf50, 000 to Rwf200, 000 upon conviction under article 162 of the new penal code.

A beer truck belonging to Bralirwa was involved in an accident yesterday leading to the destruction of over 399 beer bottles.

It’s said immediately after the accident took place; residents arrived at the scene and stole more than 12 crates of beer.

The Truck (Reg. RL 0653) was carrying 2660 Crates of beer when it failed to negotiate a sharp bend in Rusagara village in Gakenke district.

The truck driver lost control in the process and collided with another Fuso truck. No one was injured.

The beer truck driver told journalist that the reckless Fuso driver was responsible for all the mess. The Fuso truck was carrying charcoal towards Kigali.

Non Rwandan citizens living in the country will next week be registered to be issued with Electronic Identification Cards replacing the paper ‘green cards.’

The Registration exercise will be conducted at district immigration offices and immigration headquarters.

Ange Sebutege, the Communication officer at the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration,“The resident card is designed according to the wishes and proposals from non-nationals (customers) living in Rwanda and will be machine readable just like the national IDs.”

This card also gives the holder the right to access some of the services offered to nationals such as the right to obtain a driving license.

It will be launched in Gakenke, Rulindo, Gicumbi and Bugesera districts on October 15 and conclude in Huye, Gisagara, Kamonyi and Muhanga.

Burundi will adopt Rwanda’s decentralized system and performance contracts to improve service delivery in government offices.

A delegation of Burundi Members of Parliament visited the country to study the decentralized system of governance, and how it has been used to improve service delivery.

“In Burundi, we are in the process of passing laws to decentralize government services. The lessons we have learnt here will help us play our role effectively,” said Marcelline Bararufise, the leader of delegation.

Bararufise hailed Rwanda for directly engaging its citizens in decision-making, through a decentralized service delivery system.

The MPs also learned the concept of performance contracting —Imihigo— and how it helps fast-track development.

She added that the visit enabled the delegation to understand how Rwanda’s parliament enacted laws to include citizens in identification and implementation of development projects.

Ms Bararufise said her country would apply the experiences learned to help Burundi realize sustainable development.

Imihigo allowed participation of citizens in the implementation of projects.