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The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Government Spokesperson, Louise Mushikiwabo, said today that Rwanda had lost a good friend and a respected advocate for Africa in the passing of late Donald Payne who died Tuesday in New Jersey.

“Representative Payne was a true champion of human rights. He took the time to understand what was happening around the world, particularly in Africa, and advocated on these issues with passion and conviction in the US Congress.”

“We in Rwanda appreciated his efforts in trying to tell his country and the world the truth about the genocide that happened in here 1994. On behalf of people of Rwanda, we join his family and his government in mourning the death of this extraordinary man.”

Donald Payne was recognized by Rwanda in 2010 with the “Umurinzi – Campaign against Genocide Medal” for his role in fighting genocide through his advocacy actions. “Umurinzi” is the name of a tree that is known in Rwandan folk tales for its protective powers.

The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda has granted an early release to former Rwandan military officer, Lieutenant Colonel Tharcisse Muvunyi, after having served more than twelve years of a 15-year jail term for his role in the 1994 genocide.

According to a press statement, on April 18, 2011 Muvunyi wrote to the ICTR President requesting an early release since he had served two thirds of his sentence.

In his first trial, the ex-officer had been sentenced to 25 years in prison for genocide, direct and public incitement to commit genocide and other inhumane acts.

But, the Appeals Chamber overturned the lower court’s judgment on August 29, 2008, and ordered a new trial on only one count of direct and public incitement to commit genocide, throwing out other charges on grounds of errors in the indictment.

The single charge of direct and public incitement to commit genocide related particularly to a speech Muvunyi made at Gikore Commercial Centre, Butare Prefecture, southern Rwanda, in May 1994. Muvunyi was accused of using Kinyarwanda proverbs to encourage Hutus to kill Tutsis.

The Chamber found him guilty over the event that led to killings of ethnic Tutsis. He was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment with credit on the time already spent in custody since his arrest in 2000.

Two other ICTR convicts have already been granted early release. They include former head of Rwandan Tea Authority, Michel Bagaragaza, who was set free on December 1, 2011 and ex-Rwandan Mayor, Juvenal Rugambarara released from jail on February 8, 2012.

Bagaragaza served his sentence in Sweden whereas Rugambarara was doing the same in Benin. Muvunyi, who was in the custody of ICTR at the time of decision for his early release, did not plead guilty to the charges as was the case for Rugambarara and Bagaragaza.

According to the ICTR Spokesperson, Roland Amoussouga, Muvunyi has already been set free and has arrived at the Safe House where other acquitted persons stay under the supervision of the Tribunal.

The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) Tuesday began hearing the first of eight additional witnesses whom the prosecutor intends to challenge the alibi defense of the former Planning Minister Augustin Ngirabatware.

Investigator in the office of the prosecutor of the ICTR, Senegalese Massamba Ndiaye has rejected claims by the accused that he was on mission in several foreign countries, including Senegal, France, Gabon, Switzerland, Belgium, Cameroon and Togo from 21 April to July 1994.

Regarding Senegal, the former minister claims to have met during this period the country’s top officials, including Foreign Minister at the time, Moustapha Niasse.

But, the investigator said Ndiaye, M.Niasse denies receiving Ngirabatware during this period. The investigator said he had asked the Senegalese diplomat on the issue three times between January 9, 2011 and February 1.

The witness continued his testimony Wednesday.Three of the seven rebuttal witnesses are already at the ICTR in Arusha, Tanzania, while the other four will be heard by video link from Dakar.

Prosecuted for genocide and crimes against humanity, the former minister is accused of primarily been the main instigator of the massacres of Tutsis in his home commune Nyamyumba north of the country in 1994.

What he denies by denying having set foot in Nyamyumba during the massacres.Ph.D. in economics from the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, Ngirabatware was in his country, teaching at the National University of Rwanda (1986-1994) and Minister of Planning (1990-1994). During his exile from July 1994, he worked in various research institutes in Gabon and France.

Arrested in Germany on 17 September 2007, it is in the hands of the ICTR since October 8, 2008.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has said that the successful efforts to provide greater access to drinking water are a testament to all who see the MDGs not as a dream, but as a vital tool for improving the lives of millions of the poorest people.

According to a report by the World Health Organisation by UNICEF, they are over 780 million people are still without access to improved sources of drinking water and 2.5 billion lack improved sanitation.

The World Health Organsation says if current trends continue, the numbers will remain high in 2015, where over 605 million people will be without an improved drinking water source and 2.4 billion people will lack access to improved sanitation.

Many countries are off track in meeting the MDG sanitation target, including much of sub-Saharan Africa and several countries in Asia.

The report also discusses the beginnings of a process to develop new water, sanitation and hygiene goals.

An alternative indicator has been developed to measure progress in sanitation which will represent the proportion of the current population that gained access between1995 and 2010.

But certain individual countries have achieved these desired proportions of populations that have achieved sustainable access to safe drinking water.

Some of these countries are notably, Rwanda, Angola Cape Verde, Gambia, Botswana and Malawi.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is one of the remarkable countries for having added 10 million new users of improved sanitation facilities.

The Rwandan association for the promotion of family welfare ARBEF is embroiled in fights resulting from accusations among the leadership citing Nepotism, mismanagement of funds and interference.

Dr. Osee Sebatunzi, the board chair and Dr. Nyabyenda Laurien are pointing accusing fingers at each other for poor management of the association.

The wrangles are due to a disagreement over who should be in office as the board chair following last Saturday’s General Assembly in which, Dr. Sebatunzi was ousted and subsequently replaced.

In a related twist Dr. Sebantuzi and one Dr. Nyabenda are blaming each other for poor management of the association. They are also disagreeing on employing new members of staff.

Dr Sebatunzi the current board chair accuses his rival of nepotism saying that he only hired his relatives.

“ARBEF is operational in all provinces, all the clinics and banks are working but he is not authorized to transact any business on behalf of ARBEF.” He said

However, Dr. Nyabyenda accuses Sebantuzi saying he is interfering with his work yet he too hired two of his in-laws. He says Sebatunzi’s in-laws were the cause of disagreements between him and other staff members.

“They have family relations. Look at it this way, you are the president, I am your in-law and I’m also your employee, isn’t that a close relation. This is what caused problems in ARBEF, nothing else.” Dr. Nyabyenda explained.

The rifts have prompted meetings with members of the association but none of them has bore positive results as both men refuse to take responsibility for any mistakes.

The ministry of local government has since the violent wrangles intervened.

Jean-Claude Nsengiyumva the EAC deputy secretary general (Productive and Social Sectors) has pleaded with EAC partner states and stakeholders to make concerted efforts to avert Gender-based violence through increased awareness “to which this first EAC Gender Week will contribute.”

“Gender-based violence is a deadly crime, a social menace and a costly public health problem, especially during armed conflicts,” Nsengiyumva said.

The East African Community (EAC) secretariat considers Women and children as the most affected victims of civilian violence and armed conflicts.

“Civilians, particularly women and children, account for the vast majority of those adversely affected by armed conflicts,” says Nsengiyumva.

In a statement issued at the weekend ahead of the Gender Week which will coincide with the International Women’s Day on 8th March, Nsengiyumva said gender-based violence was equally a deadly menace.

According to Nsengiyumva, the week-long event that begins today will bring to focus the critical need to engender the EAC policies and strategies towards improving the lot of women, especially against violence.

The secretariat, in collaboration with the German Agency for International Co-operation (GIZ), East African Sub-Regional Support Initiative (EASSI) and Arusha Municipality, have jointly organised a series of activities to mark the week from today till Friday in Arusha.

The event coincides with the World International Women’s Day linked to the UN Secretary General’s Campaign to End Violence Against Women UNiTe on March 9. International sports icon, Ambassador Dr Tegla Loroupe of Kenya, former two-time world record holder in women’s marathon, will be the special guest during the event.

Ambassador Loroupe is well known in the region as a firm activist against women and children violence.She has, among others, reformed a significant number of armed warring cattle rustlers in Northern Kenya, Southern Sudan, North-Eastern Uganda and Ethiopia.

She is famous for having brought considerable peace to these troubled areas, something that has won her numerous regional and international awards.

Among highlights of the activities was a workshop to sensitise EAC staff on how to mainstream gender in their programmes and activities.

Additional reporting
The Citizen

Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) troops serving in Darfur at Zamzam, have handed to the Turba community fully furnished classrooms and an office with the required furniture and text books. The event was held on 5 March 2012.

The school facility is capable of accommodating 256 students. This project was funded by UNAMID under the program of Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) and implemented by Rwanbatt27 (13 InfBn).

The project was commissioned by the UNAMID Force Commander, Lt. Gen. Patrick NYAMVUMBA who commended the Rwanda Battalion for a job well done in constructing the largest structure so far since the mission started implementing QIPs.

The Force Commander, who was the Guest of Honor at the occasion, was accompanied by Commander Sector North and Staff officers from Force and Sector North HQ, handed over the school to the community elders in presence of the Representative of Darfur Ministry of Education in El –Fasherand the people of TURBA Village.

Residents of Turba were full of praises to UNAMID and Rwanda troops in particular for this great achievement that will have a lasting impact to the present and future generations.

The Representative of the Ministry of Education in El -Fasherthanked UNAMID and Rwanda troops in particular for the good gesture extended to TURBA people. He acknowledged the existing excellent relationship between the military and Turba community.

This Thursday 8th of March 2012, the world will commemorate International Women’s Day .Various campaigns will be launched around the world including Rwanda to promote awareness and gender equality by empowering and developing capacities of women.

The Ministry of Gender and family promotion for Rwanda theme this year is “connecting girls and inspiring women to sustain families”.

There are four main issues that we want to face, the promotion of economic empowerment of women, promotion of education for girls, women and good governance and malnutrition.

Other International and different Rwandan organizations in Kigali In cooperation with the GIZ this month will campaign their theme “zero tolerance for violence against women” will be portrayed through film campaign’s that will be set off by the launch of a competition for young Rwandan filmmakers who are interested in creating an idea, a treatment and a sample script for a film to deal with violence against women.

The film director that wins will show his finished film at the Gala that will be held on 30th November 2012 concluding the film festival which will celebrate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

The film directors have been given a deadline for the 30th of April. An independent jury will select the best project.

In other parts of the world like Egypt “The Forgotten Writers Foundation”: The foundation which was created after the Egyptian revolution, issues annual story competitions that deal with cultural and social original issues about “Women’s Domination” that is important for the understanding of how different sexes from different cultures define and feel about such facts.

In Belgium the Atlantic Treaty Association is holding a panel debate to discuss women’s security issues.

A panel of experts including Dr. Stefanie Babst, NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy, a PhD Student at the University of East London and Ms. Kristin Durant, President of the Youth Atlantic Treaty Association among the few who will discuss issues such as women treated as objects and targets of violence.

This year in Sudan the Sudanese Women Empowerment for Peace (SuWEP) will coordinate a day long festival at the Nubian Club., Khartoum.