In Rwanda, UN envoy stresses need to rebuild trust among countries in Great Lakes region
1 May 2013 � A senior United Nations envoy visiting Rwanda today highlighted the importance of restoring trust among countries in the Great Lakes region to ensure long-term peace in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and beyond.
�If we can bring about peace, which we must, and stop the armed groups of all kinds from operating in the eastern DRC, this will help Rwanda, it will help the region,� said Mary Robinson, the Secretary-General�s Special Envoy for Africa�s Great Lakes Region, in remarks to the press.
Her stop in the Rwandan capital, Kigali is part of a regional tour to encourage implementation of the accord she has called a �framework for hope,� which was signed by 11 countries in February aimed at ending decades of conflict and suffering in DRC and the wider region.
�I believe the real heart of this is to rebuild and strengthen the trust between the countries of the region by each of them implementing, rigorously and transparently, the commitments,� she said.
Mrs. Robinson explained that her role would not be �to come up with the solution to the conflicts� but rather to encourage ownership of the agreement and its implementation by the Governments and the people within each country who would be the beneficiaries.
While in Kigali, she spoke by telephone with President Paul Kagame who was travelling outside the country, and met with senior Government officials, as well as with civil society organizations.
Mrs. Robinson said she was encouraged by her conversations with Mr. Kagame and Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo, who confirmed the Government�s commitment to work towards the implementation by all signatories of their commitments in the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the DRC and the Region.
Last November the M23 rebel group � made up of former members of the DRC national army (FARDC) who mutinied in April 2012 � occupied Goma. Clashes between the Government and rebels displaced more than 130,000 people in and around the city, and sent another 47,000 fleeing to neighbouring South Kivu province. Amidst widespread condemnation and calls for their withdrawal, the M23 fighters pulled out after 11 days.
In the wake of those events, the Security Council in March authorized the deployment of an intervention brigade within MONUSCO to carry out targeted offensive operations, with or without the Congolese national army, against armed groups that threaten peace in eastern DRC.
Mrs. Robinson�s next stop in her visit to the region will be Kampala, Uganda. She will then travel to Burundi, South Africa and Ethiopia.
Source: UN News Centre
May 3, 2013 No Comments
Rwanda rated top business reformer in World Bank Doing Business in EAC 2013 Report
During the launch of the World Bank�s �Doing Business in the East African Community (EAC) 2013� report today in Kigali, Rwanda was named the top EAC economy to introduce regulatory reforms that have improved the business environment between 2005 and 2012. Globally, Rwanda is rated 52nd.
The World Bank report also highlights Rwanda�s success in cutting red tape and encouraging private sector led growth. �Rwanda�s commitment to private sector development has facilitated growth in exports, domestic investment and foreign direct investment inflows�and the implementation of effective fiscal policies supported by structural and institutional reforms.�
Rwanda was also ranked the second economy globally to advance in closing the gap to the frontier. The frontier is the highest performance observed on each indicator in the report. The better an economy is doing, the closer it is to 100. Rwanda has gone from 38 in 2006 to 64.5 in 2013.
This was facilitated by the implementation of 23 regulatory reforms since 2005 to facilitate a competitive and easy business process.
In her remarks during the report launch, Minister Monique Mukaluriza called on EAC member states to harmonise policies and laws. �Policies and protocols to improve the business environment for our entrepreneurs should be fast tracked.�
The report says that over the last year, improvements were observed in all five EAC economies. The report also highlights that e-government initiatives in the region provide an opportunity for easy access to information as well as increasing transparency.
The report ranked EAC as a regional bloc higher, on average, than COMESA, SADC and ECOWAS.
Source: Republic of Rwanda (www.gov.rw)
May 3, 2013 No Comments
David Nduwimana to launch new album in Rwanda
Kigali’s long-awaited gospel crusade starts on Wednesday, May 8-10 at Foundation church Remera beginning at 4 p.m. The crusade will also feature the launch of the album for Burundi’s famous gospel artiste, David Nduwimana.
The Yesu ni Inyishu album comprises 1o singles -Yesu wewe nizigira, Yesu Vyirato yyanje, Yesu ni Inyishu, Ico nifuza, Mwami ndaje, Naratoranijwe, Yesu n’inyishu nizindi, among others. Gospel rhythms will highlight the day, as artistes worship and praise the Lord through famous gospel songs. Headlined to perform include Patience Bizimana and Aime Uwimana as well as Burundian famed gospel singer Apollinaire Habonimana.
Nduwimana is known for his great music which made him popular as gospel musician. His music is combined with messages. Organisers said everyone is welcome to attend and enjoy the gospel music and heart-warming stories designed to encourage and inspire people.
The concert is free. CDs, DVDs and hand-crafted Bible musical instruments will be available for sale. According Women Foundation Ministries, the organisers of the gigs, the event is aimed at cementing good faith among young Rwandans to divert from the earthly distractions and focus the attention to God.
David Nduwimana’s career:
The 29-year-old, Nduwimana grew up in the hands of God in the Emmanuel church in Burundi, where since his childhood he exercised his talent at the Sunday school.
At 12 years, he finished his primary studies and enrolled for high school studies at Lycee municipal de Kinama. At school he led a praise and worship team in the Biblical group.
It was during the same year that he became deeply interested in his favourite instrument, the guitar.
Nduwimana’s role model is Apollinaire Habonimana and his dream was fulfilled in 2001, when he met him after Sunday Service at “Palais des Arts et de la Culture” (the Palace of Arts and the Culture) in Bujumbura.
Then, his talent and artistic spirit began to emerge. In June 2005, he met the Mauritian and Kenyan pastors, who encouraged him to move the gospel to Nairobi.
Source: The New Times
May 3, 2013 No Comments