Unmasking Hidden Wealth: Testimonies from Rwanda’s Mining Sector Reveal Depth of Illicit Financial Flows

In Rwanda’s lush, mineral-rich landscapes, an industry thrives in silence and secrecy. The mining sector, a major contributor to the nation’s economy, has recently come under scrutiny as insiders and communities speak out about illicit financial flows (IFFs) that may be enabling tax evasion, corruption, and environmental destruction. This story brings to light the hidden impact of financial misconduct in the sector, featuring testimonies from those directly affected by these practices. The Testimony of a Former Mine Worker John (not his real name) worked as a site manager at one…

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Rwanda Gears Up for Kwita Izina 2024: Celebrating Conservation and Community

BY NIKUZE NKUSI Daine As September approaches, Rwanda is abuzz with preparations for Kwita Izina 2024, the country’s annual gorilla naming ceremony that celebrates conservation efforts and the protection of the endangered mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. This year’s event, set to take place on October 18th, promises to be a grand celebration, bringing together conservationists, celebrities, and local communities from across the globe. Kwita Izina, inspired by the traditional Rwandan naming ceremony for newborns, is a unique event where newly born gorilla infants are named in the presence…

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DRC Launches Monkeypox Vaccination Campaign Amid Rising Cases

BY TUYISHIME Eric The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has launched a widespread vaccination campaign to combat the recent surge in monkeypox cases. The campaign comes in response to the country’s increasing number of infections, with health authorities aiming to protect vulnerable populations and curb the virus’s spread. Monkeypox, a viral disease that has been spreading in several parts of Africa, presents symptoms similar to smallpox, including fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes. In the DRC, it has been a public health concern for years, but recent outbreaks have…

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“SIKOSA” Unites The Ben, Kevin Kade, and Element removed from Kevin Kade’s YouTube channel

By ANGE KAYITESI The Rwandan music scene has been buzzing with excitement following the release of “SIKOSA,” a new collaboration between The Ben, Kevin Kade, and Element. This unexpected trio has created a track that is quickly becoming a favorite among fans, blending their unique styles to create a memorable and infectious song, It was as a result removed from Kevin Kade’s YouTube channel on Thursday before it was recovered a day later. “SIKOSA” is a powerful fusion of The Ben’s soulful melodies, Kevin Kade’s fresh and dynamic lyrics, and…

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Nine priority sectors for new industrial policy in Rwanda

The Cabinet, on August 23, approved Rwanda Industrial Policy which the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM) indicated aims to contribute to Rwanda’s Vision 2050 by accelerating the structural transformation of the country and enabling the development of a competitive and export-oriented private sector. The 10-year industrial policy runs from 2024 through 2034. The new policy has five pillars, namely improving industrial capabilities in export-oriented industries, increasing the level of investment & access to finance, developing technology, science and innovation capabilities, building the required infrastructure and spatial planning, and supporting…

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Samuel Dusengiyumva re-elected Mayor of Kigali

BY TUYISHIME Eric Samuel Dusengiyumva has been re-elected Mayor of Kigali, Rwanda’s bustling capital, in a major political event. The re-election marks a continuation of Dusengiyumva’s leadership, which has been characterised by a strong focus on urban development, expanding infrastructure and improving the quality of life for Kigali residents. Background and Achievements Dusengiyumva first assumed office as mayor during a period when Kigali was undergoing rapid urbanization. His administration focused on several key areas: Urban Planning and Infrastructure: Under his leadership, Kigali has seen extensive development in its infrastructure. This…

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Africa’s inaugural AI summit brings 1000 global leaders to Kigali

In the next two months, Kigali will be the focal point as 1000 leaders from the global Artificial Intelligence (AI) ecosystem will gather from October 8 to 9, at Kigali Convention Centre, for Africa’s inauguration AI summit. This event, hosted by the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Rwanda (C4IR Rwanda) in collaboration with the World Economic Forum (WEF), is set to advance an ambitious vision for Africa’s leadership in the age of Al. The two-day summit will attract a diverse range of participants, including heads of state, ministers, industry…

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Democrats ‘enthused’ as Harris prepares to accept nomination at Chicago convention

US Vice President Kamala Harris has enjoyed a steady rise in her favorability ratings, with her party members energized over her candidacy as the Democratic National Convention opens in Chicago Monday. But thousands of activists calling for a Gaza ceasefire are expected to converge at the convention, exposing increasing opposition, particularly among young voters, over the Biden’s administration handling of the Middle East conflict. A refreshed Democratic Party reintroduces itself to a divided nation this week, having been transformed by the money, momentum, relief and even joy that followed Vice President Kamala Harris‘…

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UN warns of soaring child malnutrition in Yemen’s government-held areas

Child malnutrition is soaring in Yemen’s government-controlled areas, UNICEF said on Sunday, citing the latest report by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) initiative. The UN children’s agency said the increased rates were “driven by the compounded effect of disease outbreaks (cholera and measles), high food insecurity, limited access to safe drinking water, and economic decline”. A United Nations task force on Sunday warned of soaring child malnutrition in Yemen‘s government-controlled areas, reporting “extremely critical” levels of malnutrition in parts of the country’s south for the first time. “The number of children under…

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Parliament: New speaker to be elected by August 22

The swearing-in of Rwanda’s new Members of Parliament (MPs)  also called Deputies is expected by August 22, going by a provision in the constitution that stipulates that before assuming their duties, lawmakers must take an oath of office within 30 days after being elected. This means that they will take an oath before August 22, but not after that date. Article 66 of the constitution, which talks about the commencement of office for Members of Parliament, provides that before assuming his or her duties, a member of Parliament takes the…

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