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These appointments come a few days after the National Electoral Commission officially announced the election of 12 senators chosen from local governance structures and two elected from both public and private higher learning institutions. Additionally, the Political Party Forum announced two senators elected to join the Senate.

Dr. François Xavier Kalinda

Dr. François Xavier Kalinda is the former Senate President

Dr. François Xavier Kalinda joined the Senate in January 2023 and was immediately elected as its President, replacing Dr. Iyamuremye, who had resigned. Born in Kitabi Sector, Nyamagabe District, Kalinda holds a PhD in commercial law from Strasbourg, France.

He completed his undergraduate and master’s degrees at the National University of Rwanda, and later pursued a master’s degree at the University of Ottawa in Canada. In 2015, he was elected to represent Rwanda in the East African Legislative Assembly, succeeding Céléstin Kabahizi, who had resigned.
Kalinda also served in the university’s teaching and administration, including as a law lecturer at the University of Rwanda.

Dr. Usta Kayitesi

Dr. Usta Kayitesi is the former Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Governance Board (RGB)

Dr. Usta Kayitesi is the former Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) who served from July 2019 until August 2024, when she was succeeded by Dr. Doris Uwicyeza Picard.

Prior to her role as CEO, Dr. Kayitesi was the Deputy CEO of RGB. She holds a PhD in law and has a background as a lecturer and administrator at the University of Rwanda, particularly in the College of Arts and Social Sciences.

She was also part of the seven-member commission tasked with reviewing the Constitution, as mandated by the Cabinet in 2015, where she served as Vice President of the commission.

Amb. Solina Nyirahabimana

Amb. Solina Nyirahabimana, formerly State Minister at the Ministry of Justice

Amb. Solina Nyirahabimana, formerly State Minister at the Ministry of Justice responsible for Constitutional and Legal Affairs, had previously served as Rwanda’s ambassador to Switzerland and the country’s permanent representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva until 2013.

She also held several government positions, including Minister of Gender and Family Promotion from 2018 until she transitioned to the Ministry of Justice.

Bibiane Gahamanyi Mbaye

Bibiane Gahamanyi Mbaye is a human rights activist who has been appointed as a Senator by President Kagame

Bibiane Gahamanyi Mbaye is a human rights activist with dual citizenship in Rwanda and Senegal. She is fluent in French, English, Kinyarwanda, and Swahili, with extensive experience in international human rights law, gender equality, reproductive health rights, and international partnerships.

She has worked with numerous non-governmental organizations and has held advisory roles in international human rights organizations such as International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF-Africa) and ActionAid International.

These four newly appointed senators join four others whose terms have one year to expire, as per legal provisions.

Recent elections saw senators elected from different provinces, including Dr. Nyinawamwiza Laetitia and Rugira Amandin from the Northern Province, Adrie Umuhire, Uwera Pélagie, and Cyitatire Sosthene from the Southern Province, Bideri John Bonds, Nsengiyumva Fulgence, and Mukabaramba Alvera from the Eastern Province.

Others are Havugimana Emmanuel, Mureshyankwano Marie Rose, and Niyomugabo Cyprien from the Western Province. In Kigali City, it is Nyirasafari Espérance who was elected with 55.26% of the vote.

Furthermore, Telesphore Ngarambe and Uwimbabazi Penine were elected to represent higher learning institutions, while former speaker of Parliament, Mukabalisa Donatille and Murangwa Ndangiza Hadija were elected by the Political Party Forum.

President Paul Kagame has appointed four new Senators

Sam K Nkurunziza

These modern style Apartments, consist of three rooms each at a cost of Seventy-Five Million Rwandan Francs (Frw75M)

The in charge of the project at KTN Rwanda, Jean Pierre Uwitonze explained the uniqueness of these houses.
“It is difficult to find a place in Kagarama, so it is an opportunity to find a three-room house that is close to infrastructure such as kindergartens and universities that are planned to be built neighborhood,” he said.

He also mentioned that those who are unable to pay at once, are availed with different payments plans where they were connected to the Bank of Kigali, which helped them.

“The good thing is that when you don’t have enough money, we link you with the Bank of Kigali (BK), which will give you a loan, with the house as collateral.”

The first phase of 48 houses is already available on the market

KTN Rwanda also continues to help Rwandans find good places to live in different parts of the country.
KTN Rwanda is a company with experience in connecting buyers and sellers of their property. Its specialty is that it helps its clients to track the land they have bought and to process all the documents including those living abroad.

If you are interested in working with KTN Rwanda, you can visit www.ktnrwanda.com or call +250783001414 or 0789 000 422.

These houses are located in Kagarama in Kicukiro District.

Different parts of Kigali are also visible from the appartments

They are houses built in as Apartments

A resident of these houses has a good view of Amahoro Stadium.

Occupants of these houses also have views of different parts of Remera

IGIHE

Mukuralinda made the disclosure during an interview with RBA on Sunday.

On July 31, 2024, representatives from Rwanda, the DRC, and Angola agreed that all hostilities between the warring factions in the DRC should cease by August 4, 2024. The parties also agreed that the FDLR terrorist group should be dismantled.

This decision stemmed from a proposal by the DRC delegation during the Luanda talks on March 21, 2024.

If implemented successfully, the dismantling of the FDLR could significantly contribute to ending the conflict, as the group is seen as a major driver of insecurity in the region.

Although the DRC government expressed its commitment to honoring this agreement, contradictions surfaced during Luanda talks on September 14, 2024.

Before these ministerial-level discussions resumed, military and intelligence experts from Rwanda, the DRC, and Angola had met in Rubavu on August 29-30, 2024, where they agreed on a plan to dismantle the FDLR.

Mukuralinda disclosed that during the September 14 Luanda talks, DRC representatives backtracked on their earlier commitment, refusing the proposed plan to dismantle the FDLR.

“When they arrived at the meeting, those who were supposed to present the report did so. If our minister said, ‘We signed at 1 AM,’ you can understand that it was challenging. These difficulties must have involved changes because the plan to dismantle the FDLR was no longer on the table,” he remarked.

Mukuralinda referenced a 1 AM message from Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe, who noted that the meeting minutes were signed after facing difficulties.

He further commented, 'If you analyze the situation, it’s the mediator who should explain the changes. However, if he didn’t say anything, and those who promised us a plan to dismantle the FDLR haven’t provided one, it shows that something changed.'

He also criticized President Félix Tshisekedi’s plan to welcome into the DRC, six Rwandans who faced genocide charges.

These individuals, temporarily hosted in Niger, include some who completed their sentences and others who were acquitted.

Among them is Capt. Innocent Sagahutu, who has attempted to enter the DRC illegally to join the FDLR, along with Protais Zigiranyirazo, the brother-in-law of former Rwandan President Juvénal Habyarimana.

Mukuralinda emphasized that Tshisekedi’s shifting position, particularly his willingness to align with individuals who openly seek to overthrow the Rwandan government, highlights his duplicity.

He noted, “If you change and collaborate with people who openly declare they want to overthrow Rwanda’s government, then who is contradicting? If there has been a contradiction, who would dare stop them and say, 'Everything we were about to do must stop’? It’s the Head of State!”

As the Luanda talks move forward, Mukuralinda asserted that the process is revealing which party genuinely lacks the will to resolve issues that led to conflicts between both countries.

“Today, as these talks continue, they expose who lacks willingness. Yet, just recently, he was the one loudly accusing Rwanda of being the cause. Let these talks continue until the true instigator becomes clear, even though they are already exposed,” he stated.

Mukuralinda concluded by assuring that Rwanda will remain actively engaged in the Luanda talks but will also continue to take the necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of its citizens.

The Deputy Spokesperson of the Rwandan Government, Alain Mukuralinda has shed light on DRC’s contradictions in Luanda talks.

IGIHE

Twitter/@AFCWimbledon

The statement was made Saturday by Bankole Adeoye, AU commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, in line with the International Day of Peace, which is annually commemorated on Sept. 21.

The AU commissioner said this year’s edition of the International Day of Peace, which is commemorated under the theme “Cultivating a Culture of Peace,” is being observed amid growing threats of intractable terrorism, insurgency, and armed conflicts in different parts of the African continent.

Adeoye said in some instances of such continental peace and security perils, “the concept of protection of civilians is collapsing and genocide is either real or looming, driven by injustice, intolerance, exclusion, poverty, inequality and climate change challenges.”

He warned that the concerning phenomenon poses “a grave threat to Africa and, indeed, to the global stability, peace, and prosperity.” He also underscored the need to expedite cross-sectoral, inclusive, and locally-owned response efforts that aimed to address conflict and post-conflict situations across the continent, mainly security challenges in the Horn of Africa, the Lake Chad Basin, the Sahel, and the Great Lakes regions, among others.

Noting that the 55-member continental organization has prioritized conflict prevention by strengthening early warning mechanisms, preventive diplomacy, inclusive peacemaking, and peace missions, Adeoye called on Africans from all walks of life to redouble efforts in achieving peace through sustainable development, good governance, and the protection of human rights.

“We urge all Africans, especially women and youth, to actively engage in policy-making and peace-building initiatives. Together, let us build on the African values of Ubuntu (an African traditional philosophy of “I am because we are”), solidarity, dialogue, and cooperation and to concretely build peace,” Adeoye said.

This photo taken on Feb. 14, 2024, shows the headquarters of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)

Xinhua

He spoke at an event to mark CRBC Rwanda Office’s 50th anniversary in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, Saturday evening.

“This anniversary not only highlights CRBC’s long life but also underscores its significant impact on Rwanda’s development, particularly connecting our communities and promoting our economic growth,” said Ngirente.

The CRBC has constructed more than 1,500 km of roads across the East African country, including both completed projects and ongoing ones, according to the prime minister.

These key roadways, he said, have significantly contributed to upgrading Rwanda’s transportation networks, increased market access, and created thousands of jobs while improving the quality of life for Rwandans.

Ngirente noted the partnership has also facilitated technology transfer and skills development, providing local workers with invaluable experience through their involvement in various projects.

In addition, he said the improved infrastructure has attracted foreign investment to Rwanda, making it an increasingly attractive destination for business operations.

“I am confident that the achievements of the past 50 years provide a strong foundation upon which we will build even greater successes in the future. Together, we can continue to build infrastructure that not only meets the needs of today but also paves the way for a brighter and more sustainable future,” Ngirente said.

The event featured dragon dance, a traditional Chinese dance performance.

Over the past 50 years, CRBC has created over 500,000 jobs in Rwanda, according to information from the Chinese Embassy in Kigali.

It has successively undertaken over 60 major projects, of which, ten are ongoing. It employs over 2,200 local staff members, accounting for more than 96 percent of the whole team, among whom nearly 20 percent are women.

Lin Hang, charge d’affaires ad interim at the Chinese Embassy in Kigali, said infrastructure works by CRBC echoed so well with bilateral relations between China and Rwanda, recently elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

“Through half a century, the world has changed a lot, so has Rwanda, but there’s something not changing, the commitment to each other, CRBC is always there with Rwanda, to best showcase China’s solidarity and brotherhood with our Rwanda people,” she said.

Lin noted that to CRBC, serving the people first and better and making everyone’s dream come true, is their dream, and their belief despite the challenges of living in remote areas due to the nature of their job.

“I have a dream, CRBC will help finish another 30 percent of unraveled roads in Rwanda, and extend the roads to every corner of Rwanda. I also have a dream, to make the first railway with the highest international standard happen in Rwanda,” she said.

Guo Meng, the director general of the China Road and Bridge Corporation Rwanda Office, thanked all the friends who have generously supported the development of their office and the employees who have contributed to its growth.

Zhao Lianzhi, the deputy managing director of CRBC Headquarters, said in response to the Rwandan government’s call for green and sustainable development, the company has expanded its business to focus on people’s livelihoods, enhancing the well-being of the Rwandan people.

“It is about growing together with Rwanda’s economic development. As one of the first Chinese enterprises to enter Rwanda, we have always remained committed to the Rwandan market, even during the most challenging times. As one project after another has been completed and put into use, the economic development along the project routes has also steadily improved. Watching the cities transform day by day, we deeply feel that our work is meaningful, which motivates us to continue our efforts,” Zhao said.

The event to mark CRBC Rwanda Office’s 50th anniversary in Kigali was celebrated on Saturday evening.

Xinhua