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Nearly 870 million people worldwide are suffering from hunger and chronic undernourishment in 2010-2012, with 98% of this number living in developing countries and 27% to be found in Africa.

The official World Food Day theme, announced each spring by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), gives focus to World Food Day observances and raises awareness and understanding of approaches to ending hunger.

“Agricultural cooperatives – key to feeding the world” is the formal wording of the 2012 theme. It has been chosen to highlight the role of cooperatives in improving food security and contributing to the eradication of hunger.

Interest in cooperatives and rural organizations is also reflected in the decision of the UN General Assembly to designate 2012 the International Year of Cooperatives.

This year’s celebration comes at a critical juncture when a part of the continent is recovering from the devastation wrought by the drought in the Horn of Africa, and the Sahel braces for severe food shortages in the coming months.

It is clear that the role of cooperatives and community organizations are critical in the fight for food security in Africa. Cooperatives satisfy their members’ needs while pursuing profit and sustainability.

They are often a key institution in rural life and for the marketing of farmer inputs and produce. Cooperatives are also crucial for fostering democracy and good governance at the local level.

With increasing threats to the use of Africa’s natural resource base and the growing foreign direct investment in land in the continent, cooperatives can play a significant role in defending farmer interest in the long term by fostering sustainable agricultural practices that ensure these natural resource assets are safe for future generations.

The African Development Bank, through its agriculture, governance and private sector departments, is well placed to support the renaissance of the cooperative movement towards truly profit seeking entities working for agricultural transformation in Africa.

The Bank undertakes to channel, where feasible, the use of local development funds in projects and programs through existing and credible agricultural cooperatives on the continent.

Six (MONUSCO) UN Peace Keepers in DRC have been seriously wounded after they fell in an ambush mounted by FDLR rebels.

The Incident happened October 16, in Buganza Village between Nyamilima and Ishasha in Kivu North. The Peacekeepers had gone to rescue villagers attacked in an ambush.

Five villagers killed were fish traders who carry their purchases on bicycles local sources said. They were killed on their way to lake Edward in Nyamilima. They fell into an ambush of suspected FDLR who shot them. All died on the spot.

The MONUSCO peacekeepers on patrol, were alerted by the gun shots and hurried to the scene of the tragedy.

It is said, the attackers opened fire on them. Local sources report there was an exchange of fire for about 30minutes. Six peacekeepers and an interpreter were wounded.

All the wounded were evacuated to Goma for care.

Bodies of the victims are still left on the road at the scene of crime.

Families of the victims are afraid to retrieve the bodies of their parents, fearing they would be targeted by Rwandan rebels.

Rwanda’s Foreign Affairs Minister Louise Mushikiwabo has told Metro in an interview that Rwanda may pursue legal action against a United Nations-appointed Group of Experts that has accused the country of stoking a military rebellion in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mushikiwabo said yesterday that the expert panel has been “hijacked” by the political agenda of its coordinator, Steven Hege, who has a long history of opposition to Rwanda government.

Minister Mushikiwabo told Metro that Mr Hege used his extremist views to demolish Rwanda’s image.

“Of course, Mr. Hege is entitled to his views as a private citizen. But his extremist views are now well known in Africa because of the platform he has been given by the United Nations.

Referencing Hege’s call, in a 2010 issues paper, for ethnic minority groups to preference their economic and other interests in favor of the majority population, regardless of circumstance; according to perhaps the leading newspaper in East Africa, Hege’s writing that certain ethnic groups “must clear a higher bar of citizenship is central to racial ideology everywhere, whether in the form of anti-Semitism of the persecution of Japanese Americans in World War II.” Minister Mushikiwabo told Metro during an Interview.

Minister Mushikiwabo noted, “the time has now come for the international community to know about the treatment being meted out to powerless countries like Rwanda through unjust, outdated and punitive international mechanisms such as the U.N. Group of Experts when it falls into the hands of individuals with a personal political agenda”.

President Paul Kagame October 16, received credentials of six envoys accredited to the Republic of Rwanda, during a special accreditation ceremony organized at Urugwiro Village.

The new envoys include that of Nigeria, who will be the first Nigerian envoy resident in Kigali, South Africa, South Korea, Italy, Ethiopia and India.

Speaking to the Press after presenting their credentials, the new envoys expressed their commitment to strengthen the existing relationship between Rwanda and their respective countries.

Ambassador Ayibakuro Peter Ogidi-Oke, the new Nigerian High Commissioner to Rwanda said his country shared a lot with Rwanda and that there were numerous experiences to share in order to boost progress in both countries.

The new South African envoy to Rwanda, High Commissioner George Nkosinati Twala said that during his tour of duty, he will focus on taking the already cordial relationship between South Africa and Rwanda a step further:

“South Africa and Rwanda are very similar in any way you look at it. We both have a dark and bright side. Rwanda’s recovery in such a short time is something that any nation in the world would like to learn from and South Africa is no exception.”

Italian envoy, Stefano Antonio Dejak whose residence will be in Uganda said that with European economies facing problems, emerging economies like Rwanda will be the next investment destination and said he would play a role in interesting Italian investors to invest in Rwanda.

Mukanyirigira Angelique 27, has been held by Police to help in the investigations of theft of over Frw5, 545, 000 from a shop in the commercial center in the city.

Mukanyirigira a mother of four is said to have stolen the money from the shop located at Quartier Matheus in which she entered pretending to be a buyer.

The shopkeeper Joseline Uwera said that Mukanyirigira in company of another woman identified as Gentille Dusabimana entered the shop pretending to be clients and later snatched Uwera’s Bag in which the money was kept.

After snatching the bag, the two left immidiately and were later arrested near Centenary House. Dusabimana had already left in a commuter taxi.

when asked where her colleague was, Mukanyirigira denied having been with anyone saying she was alone.

Mukanyirigira is currently detained at Muhima Police post.

Residents of Nyakariro sector in Rwamagana have expressed concern about bad roads that have dramatically affected their business performance.

Residents say that cars which used to supply commodities no longer use Nyakariro roads which is currently impassable.

They add that there are no better transport facilities from Nyakariro to Rwamagana adding that the bus that used to carry passengers no longer serves the region.

“We want help to get new roads; our business activities are falling. Nyakariro roads used to help transport our commodities from Rwamagana” a resident told IGIHE.

The District Mayor, Kubwimana Nehemie said the study of rehabilitating the road is under way.

Kubbwimana revealed that activities of Nyakariro road rehabilitation are expected in the beginning of next year, (2013) and the study showed about Frw500 Million will be used to rehabilitate the road.