National

KIGALI - Rwanda Revenue Authority and customs authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that provides a cooperation framework between both institutions.The agreement covers areas of trade facilitation through information exchange on smuggling or illicit trade, capacity building and research in areas that improve cross-border trade.

KIGALI - Rwanda will send four military helicopters to the UN-AU Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), to facilitate the peacekeeping mission.This was disclosed, yesterday, by the Defense Spokesperson, Lt. Col. Jill Rutaremara, shortly after a meeting between Dane Smith, the new U.S. Senior Advisor on Darfur and Defence Minister, Gen. James Kabarebe.

Kirehe-The Rwanda-Tanzanian border at Rusumo will, by the end of the year, operate round the clock, the Mayor of Kirehe, Protais Murayire, has disclosed. Currently, the Rusumo border post closes at 5.30 p.m., mainly due to lack of electricity.“An agreement has been reached between the government and power utility firm EWSA to extend power to the border. This will help boost trade,” Murayire said.

The Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), Abdirahin Haithar Abdi, has congratulated the incoming EAC Secretary General Dr Richard Sezibera upon his appointment and promised the Assembly’s full support.
 “We as EALA assure Dr. Sezibera of our full support and are confident that under his leadership, he shall drive the EAC with impetus, new energy and vigour,” Abdi said in a statement sent to The New Times yesterday.

Rubavu- Colonel Jean Damascene Nizeyimana, the Deputy Commander of a brigade of RUD-Urunana militia, operating in Walikale province, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has joined other senior members of FDLR, in defecting and returning home.RUD-Urunana is a faction of the Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda (FDLR) which was declared a terrorist group by the United Nations.

Musanze- Top government officials from Congo Brazzaville, visited and interacted with repatriated ex-combatants at the Mutobo Demobilisation Centre, in Musanze District .The delegation which was led by Col. Francis Nde’, commended Rwanda’s efforts of reintegrating the ex-combatants, and the commitment to restore peace.

KIGALI - Kigali City Council (KCC) authorities will, next week, hold a meeting with the developers of the Muhima Commuter Terminal to discuss new ways of completing the modern parking yard.The terminal, to be built in the former Kigali Central Police Station in Muhima, was scheduled to be completed last month.

Project Ubuzima has entered the third of testing an anti-HIV gel for women.This is the final phase before the manufacturing of the product, which is believed to reduce the risk of HIV infection among women.