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A unanimous decision was taken by regional leaders who attended that there was need to continue fostering political and economic stability to accelerate regional integration and industrialization.

The one-day summit drew participants from all 16 member states including Angola, Botswana, Comoros, DR Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Rwanda is not a member of SADC.

During the event, Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of Zimbabwe, took over the SADC chairmanship from his Angolan counterpart, Joao Lourenco. He called on the region to unite and collaborate to advance the development agenda for the benefit of SADC citizens.

The SADC region, Mnangangwa explained, must deploy innovative strategies across all sectors of the economy to spur regional value chains, particularly focusing on value addition and beneficiation of the abundant mineral and natural resources in the region.

He stressed the need for the SADC region to fiercely protect its sovereignty and economic independence. He assured that, during his tenure, the SADC would actively pursue and implement projects and programs aimed at advancing regional development.

At the same time, the new SADC chair expressed gratitude to the regional bloc for its support during the two decades of Western sanctions against Zimbabwe, noting that many countries in the region resisted pressure from Western nations to abandon the southern African country.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to personally thank you all for the many years of your unwavering solidarity, support, and unbreakable fraternal relations with the Republic and people of Zimbabwe. This has been against the continued heinous sanctions imposed on our country, Zimbabwe, by some Western countries,” Mnangagwa said.

“We are aware that various forms of undue pressure may have been exerted on you over the years to abandon us, yet you have remained resolute in the true spirit of our liberation wartime mantra that an injury to one is an injury to all,” the president emphasized.

Several countries and organizations have imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe over the years, mainly due to alleged human rights violations, political instability, and governance issues. Most of the countries and bodies have imposed sanctions on Zimbabwean officials and government entities in the country. The sanctions include travel bans and freezing of personal assets.

The countries and bodies that have imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe include the United States of America, the European Union (EU), United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.

In 2019, SADC declared October 25 as Anti-Sanctions Day, during which member countries engage in various activities to demonstrate solidarity with Zimbabwe and advocate for the unconditional removal of sanctions.

The 44th Ordinary Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit of Heads of State and Government was held on Saturday, August 17, 2024.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

In a stirring and impassioned speech while addressing the newly sworn in parliament on August 14, 2024, Kagame castigated efforts in place to confront a conflict that has cast long shadows over the region for decades.

With reason and conviction, The Head of State dismantled the falsehoods and that have long painted Rwanda as the villain in this tragic saga, asserting with unwavering clarity that the DRC’s problems must not, and cannot be blamed on Rwanda.

'Let me speak plainly about these issues of regional insecurity, the war that has gripped the eastern part of DRC, the simmering tensions that have pitted neighbors against each other, these are not new problems,' Kagame said.

'I addressed them the other day at the inauguration, and I address them again now: the true root of these conflicts lies not in Rwanda, but in the mire of interests and hypocrisies that refuse to confront the real causes,' he asserted.

Kagame peeled back the layers of distortion that have clouded the truth for so long describing a narrative that has been twisted and turned to serve the interests of a few, while the many suffer.
'It is a story that was told not to illuminate the truth, but to obscure it by shifting the blame away from those who must be held accountable,' he observed.

The president questioned those that allege Rwanda’s exploitation of the DRC’s resources through the supposed support of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) rebels.
'They say the FDLR returned to Rwanda only to be sent back to the DRC, to exploit their riches. But I ask, what riches? What resources are they speaking of, when the people they claim to defend live in conditions worse than my own citizens?' he wondered

He acknowledged that many of these fighters came back to Rwanda and everyone knows who they are and also addressed the concerning misrepresentation of the refugee situation in the region.
'You acknowledge that there are people who need to be resettled, yet you refuse to engage with the very refugees who are at the heart of the insecurity in this region and then you turn around and blame Rwanda? This is not just wrong, it is unacceptable!' Kagame said.

'It is clear that they have no real interest in resolving this conflict. They do not seek peace, but rather, they seek to maintain the chaos from which they benefit,'

Reflecting on a discussions held with some delegates at his inauguration, Kagame questioned why Rwanda is continually asked to clean up the mess that others have created.
But let me remind you, Rwanda’s liberation and progress was not handed to us as a gift. We fought for it, we bled for it, and we earned it,' he said

He emphasized that security is a matter of survival for Rwanda and good neighborliness cannot come at the country’s expense, or anyone else’s. He said that the problems in the DRC is not Rwanda’s to solve, and this constant narrative should not be used as a scapegoat.

'We will continue to protect our people, our interests, without fear, and without hesitation,' he stressed

Sam K Nkurunziza

In a notice to the public, the authority stated that White Vinegar and HLAAL White Vinegar, produced by Tamu Tamu Heat Spices LTD and Cheetah Group LTD, are no longer allowed to be produced, distributed, or sold on the Rwandan market.

The directive follows inspections that established the two companies were illegally operating as food processing facilities and did not comply with safety requirements set by the Rwanda FDA.

'Rwanda FDA orders immediate closure of both facilities and a complete halt to the production, sale, distribution and use of their food products, including but not limited to Discovery White Vinegar and HLAAL White Vinegar, produced by Tamu Tamu Heat Spices LTD and Cheetah Group LTD, respectively,' reads a statement issued by FDA on August 17, 2024.

'For the sake of protecting public health, the general public is informed that the two products indicated above (all lots) are not allowed to be produced, distributed, and sold on the Rwandan market.'

The two banned vinegar brands.

The Rwanda FDA has urged consumers who have purchased the products to immediately stop using them and dispose of them properly.

Additionally, the public has been cautioned against consuming other products produced by the affected companies.

'The general public is also informed that all other food products processed by the aforementioned facilities are likewise prohibited from entering the Rwandan market,' the authority said.

Rwanda FDA was established in February 2018 to safeguard public health by regulating human and veterinary medicines, vaccines and other biological products, processed foods, poisons, medicated cosmetics, medical devices, household chemical substances, tobacco, and tobacco products.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

The UAE’s efforts in Sudan range from humanitarian relief to medical support and reconstruction.

IGIHE

The Africa Soft Power Summit was recently hosted in Kigali by a panel that included some of Africa’s most enterprising minds in the business of sports.

The panel moderated by Michelle Moore, MA BA, featured Nkechi Obi, CEO of Sport Nigeria LTD/GTE, Natasha Camy, Co-owner of the Cape Town Tigers (BAL contenders), Founder & CEO of Referee Ready Academy, Kyle John Schofield Director, QA Venue Solutions (BK Arena) and Michael Finley Head of Basketball Business Development at NBA Africa.

Some of the key take away points on how to power the sports economy through innovation and inclusion are some of the following:

Connectivity: The more people have access to devices, the more content they can consume. This is a game changer because better content means better proof of concept and model across the continent.

Data: There needs to be a significant data gap in the sports business. Investment is driven by data, meaning more data on the market will strengthen the value proposition for sports investments in Africa. We need to share more insights across different facets of the sports business to make the landscape more competitive and drive growth.

Taxes: Having a sports event to tour different cities is excellent business; however, taxes contribute almost 60% of the cost. Strategic partnerships across borders would make it more affordable for business and bring sports experiences closer to the fans across borders.

Value chain: A value chain across Africa is vital for the growth of sports businesses in Africa. Investment, capacity building, and manufacturing are the pillars on which this value chain will be built across the continent. Because of the value chain, BAL, for example, can offer the same quality experience in different cities on the continent.

Supporting startups: NBA has created demand on the continent! How can we open a portal for startups to provide homegrown solutions to problems around the BAL and other sports in Africa.

Capacity Building: Training, hands-on work opportunities and exposure are essential to having a local workforce and entrepreneurs to meet the demand for sports businesses to thrive.

Shifting the focus from athletes alone We focus on athletes without venues, facilities, capacity development, and infrastructure. Athletes require a value chain that can help them fully optimize their careers.

Community Impact: Sports should involve and support the communities. Programs that facilitate knowledge exchange, upskilling and access to income-generating opportunities in sports are the impact-driven approach sports businesses should consider.

The writer is the Marketing and Communications Director at Global Events Africa, a marketing and communications professional with several years of experience spanning various sectors.

Paul Atwine

Beyond the celebratory mood that characterized the event, the attendance of Heads of State and Governments from 24 African countries was the most noteworthy and outstanding observation. Although it is common for heads of state to attend presidential inauguration ceremonies, the high turnout of African heads of state is significant in the context of Rwanda’s diplomacy.

Traditionally, African countries have prioritized Western nations in their foreign relations for obvious reasons such as colonial legacies, economic assistance, and political influence.

Rwanda was no different. However, in the aftermath of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, the country, under the leadership of President Kagame, has pursued a different approach of South-to-South Cooperation in Africa. This approach places Rwanda’s relations with fellow African countries at the center of its international affairs.

Despite being a small, landlocked country, Rwanda has extended its political and military support to other African nations. Rwanda is now a major contributor to UN peacekeeping missions, with its troops participating in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). Bilaterally, Rwanda has also sent troops to Cabo Delgado Province in Mozambique to stabilize the region affected by terrorism and insecurity.

Several African countries have been sending their delegates to Kigali to learn from Rwanda’s development in governance, ICT, healthcare, agriculture, anti-corruption efforts, and post-conflict reconstruction, to name but a few. Such efforts, coupled with President Kagame’s prominent stature on the continent, position Rwanda as a country capable of projecting its influence beyond its borders.

During his inauguration speech, President Kagame reminded his listeners that 'there is no longer room for the powerful to impose their vision about how others ought to live, or to create narratives that falsify the truth. This must always be resisted, even when under pressure.' This was Kagame’s call for self-reliance, a theme that Rwandans are familiar with.

Over the last thirty years, the Rwandan government has promoted the concept of Home Grown Solutions, encouraging Rwandans to be self-reliant and leaders to be accountable to the people. A close look at Rwanda-Africa relations suggests an attempt to promote the same values of self-reliance and accountability beyond Rwanda’s borders.

In the same speech, Kagame said, “We Africans are people who have consistently fought injustice. We don’t need any lessons about how best to do so. And we must all humbly acknowledge the necessity to adapt our political and governance systems to our specific conditions and the expectations of our citizens.”

President Kagame has been vocal and proactive in calling out African heads of state who wait on the West for solutions to their problems. His confidence in Africans’ ability to solve Africa’s problems stems from his own country’s experiences. Rwanda’s reconstruction and development have earned Kagame the legitimacy to speak to and on behalf of Africa about its potential.

Rwanda has not only managed to grow its image and influence in Africa; but also has embarked on an ambitious journey to use African multilateralism to create a more robust and integrated Africa. It is still too early to say whether Rwanda will be successful in its attempt, but it is evident that Rwanda strengthened its political ties with many African countries in the process, as observed at Kagame’s inauguration.

The writer is a Learning Coach at the African Leadership University with BA in International Studies from Yonsei University and MA in China Studies (Politics and International Relations) from Yenching Academy of Peking University.

More than 20 Heads of State attended President Kagame’s inauguration.

Claudine Ukubereyimfura is a Learning Coach at the African Leadership University with BA in International Studies from Yonsei University and MA in China Studies.

Claudine Ukubereyimfura

The concept of mandatory military training for Rwandan high school graduates gained attention during recent election campaigns, with the Social Democratic Party (PSD) advocating for a year of military training after high school to instill values and foster national service.

PSD believes this initiative would enhance the youth’s understanding of their role in safeguarding the nation’s integrity.

During a press conference on Friday, August 16, 2024, the RDF leadership addressed ongoing reforms within the Reserve Force, including new pathways for youth entry into this unit. Brig Gen Rwivanga reiterated that Rwanda has not implemented a mandatory military training system.

He stated, “While some countries have compulsory military service, we offer the ‘Indangamirwa’ civic education program, which is not mandatory. Unlike other nations where military training is compulsory for all high school graduates, in Rwanda, participation is a choice.”

He also clarified that the option available in Rwanda allows individuals aged 18 and above to join the Reserve Force, which is distinct from the compulsory military training programs in other countries.

Responding to journalist’s inquiry to know whether the newly announced youth recruitment into the Reserve Force was related to the previously suggested idea of mandatory military service for high school graduates, Brig Gen Rwivanga confirmed that the two are unrelated, emphasizing that Rwanda does not have a mandatory military training programe.

Currently, the RDF has opened registration for Rwandan youth interested in joining the military service through the Reserve Force.

The Reserve Force is one of the four components of the RDF alongside the Army, the Air Force, and the Military Health Service, traditionally comprised of retired regular soldiers who continued to contribute to national security before full retirement.

The RDF has now introduced two additional pathways for entry into the Reserve Force: one for young people who meet specific criteria and another for individuals with specialized skills, regardless of age.

Recruited youth will serve in the Reserve Force, ready to be called upon for military duties as needed. The RDF has invited interested young people to register for entry into the Reserve Force, with selected candidates undergoing six months of training at Gabiro Combat Training Center.

Eligible candidates include those who have completed at least secondary education, with varying age limits depending on their educational level. Secondary school graduates must be not older than 25 years, IPRC graduates not older than 26 years, and bachelor’s degree holders aged 28 years and below.

The Spokesperson of the Rwanda Defense Force (RDF), Brigadier General Ronald Rwivanga.

IGIHE

Land is widely regarded as a valuable asset that never loses its worth, with many considering land ownership as the best way to secure wealth. Ordinarily, the government is the largest land owner the Catholic Church holds the second-largest amount of land in Rwanda.

Sources reveal that the Catholic Church first acquired land during the German colonial era, significantly expanding its holdings during the Belgian colonial period and beyond.

The land law established by Belgian colonizers in 1943 granted religious institutions, research organizations, and government entities the right to request unused land from colonial authorities, which was often provided at no cost.

In an exclusive interview with IGIHE, Bishop Rukamba confirmed that the Catholic Church owns vast amounts of land, though he did not specify the exact amount.

However, he highlighted that a large portion of the land is used for the benefit of Rwandans.

“People say it, and it could be true because our land is not just for ourselves. For example, the government recently built schools; many of them were built on Church land. We use Church land to build schools, residences for priests, health facilities, and work with Christians or help them to exploit the land,' he said.

Data from the Ministry of Education shows that schools owned by the Catholic Church or those managed in partnership with the government total 142, accounting for 28.2% of owned schools.

Bishop Rukamba emphasized that in areas where the land is cultivated by a large number of citizens, reclaiming it could lead to significant problems for the government. Therefore, they decided to allow the citizens to continue using the land.

“There are many fields cultivated by citizens, and they give a small token in return. For example, in Save, a large number of people cultivate the land because it is one of the oldest parishes, with many people depending on that land. Removing them would cause significant issues for the government.”

Bishop Rukamba confirmed that although the land is cultivated by citizens, it remains registered under the Catholic Church.

IGIHE was unable to determine the exact amount of land owned by the Catholic Church in Rwanda, but within its nine dioceses and around 200 parishes, the Church holds substantial tracts of land used for infrastructure and other activities.

The fifth Rwanda Population and Housing Census (RPHC5) in 2022 revealed that the Catholic Church has over 5 million followers, accounting for 40% of the Rwandan population, followed by ADEPR with 21%.

Earlier this week, Pope Francis appointed Father Jean Bosco Ntagungira to replace Bishop Rukamba as the new leader of the Butare Diocese, as the latter steps into retirement.

The first Catholic Church was established in Save in 1900.

IGIHE

The Ministry of Defence reported that the training completed on 16th August 2024, included specialized courses for Company Commanders, Platoon Commanders, Sergeant Majors, and Platoon Sergeants.

The rigorous program focused on enhancing military skills, leadership abilities, command and control, strategic thinking, and tactical proficiency.

This achievement marks a significant milestone in the RDF’s ongoing efforts to professionalize its forces and prepare them for future challenges.

The graduation ceremony was officiated by Maj Gen Denis Rutaha, Commandant of CTC-Gabiro, on behalf of the RDF Chief of Defence Staff.

In his remarks, Maj Gen Rutaha congratulated the graduates and highlighted the importance of career courses in building a capable and responsive military force.

'I congratulate you for this achievement and the RDF at large. The career course in RDF has a big role. Remember, the skills and knowledge acquired here today will help you to respond to the current challenges,' said Maj Gen Rutaha.

These courses are part of existing training programs designed to build a professional and highly skilled army.

Captain Junior Nkuranga was awarded as the overall best performer.

Some of graduates posing for a group photo upon completion of the intensive military career course.

The rigorous program focused on enhancing military skills, leadership abilities, command and control, strategic thinking, and tactical proficiency.

IGIHE

In the new appointments, Judith Uwizeye continues in her role as Minister in the Office of the President while Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe retains his position as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.

These were very instrumental in strengthening Rwanda’s international relationships and enhancing the country’s global standing in the previous cabinet.

Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, previously at the helm of the Rwanda Biomedical Centre, takes over as Minister of Health as Rwanda continues to advance healthcare reforms and adding up its public health infrastructure building on the successes achieved during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Paula Ingabire remains Minister of ICT and Innovation as Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja steps into the role of Minister of Justice and Attorney General. The former President of the East African Court of Justice is now tasked with ensuring that Rwanda’s judicial system remains strong.

Inès Mpambara has been appointed Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office as Yusuf Murangwa, takes over the Finance and Economic Planning docket. Richard Nyirishema and Prudence Sebahizi steps in as Minister of Sports, Trade and Industry respectively.

Other appointments include Dr. Jean-Damascène Bizimana as Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, Dr. Ildephonse Musafiri as Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, who is expected work to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability.

Dr. Jimmy Gasore is the new Minister of Infrastructure, will oversee the development of critical infrastructure projects, while Ms. Consolée Uwimana continues to serve as Minister of Gender and Family Promotion.

Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Albert Murasira remains Minister of Disaster Preparedness and Dr. Valentine Uwamariya was retained as Minister of Environment.

Others are Gaspard Twagirayezu, Ambassador Christine Nkulikiyinka, Dr. Jean Nepo Abdallah Utumatwishima, Gaspard Twagiray in charge of Education, Labor and Public Service, Youth and Culture respectively.
This comes shortly after, the newly appointed Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente took oath and after the swearing-in of new members of parliament.

According to Rwanda’s constitution, Cabinet members are appointed within 15 days preceding the appointment of the Prime Minister. This new cabinet, reflects a strategic blend of continuity and change, positioning Rwanda to meet its goals and continue its path toward sustainable development and prosperity

Sam K Nkurunziza