Last week was marked by major headlines in and involving Rwanda. It is the week when the country started to receive delegations from around the world ahead of the 2022 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). There were also stories around the on-going ethnic violence and tensions in DR Congo, the controversy around UK’s plan to send migrants to Rwanda, among others. We look back at 10 quotable quotes from the stories: 1. “London, welcome to Kigali!” With high-level personalities like His Royal Highness Prince Charles, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and representatives from the Foreign Office and the Commonwealth Secretariat attending the Summit, the United Kingdom will be represented at their highest levels.” Rwanda’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Johnston Busingye warmly welcomed delegates of the Commonwealth heads of Government Meeting, as he rooted for making CHOGM 2022 a memorable summit for all participants. 2. “These issues cannot and will not be solved by one single person, one single organ, or country. We face them collectively and we should solve them collectively. As young people, we simply cannot afford to stand on the side lines and not get involved in driving solutions to our global and common challenges”. Co-chair of Commonwealth Youth Forum International Task Force, Alodie Iradukunda on what the forum means for a young person to live in the 21st Century. 3. We can begin to be a part of the conversations of the world from this capital of Rwanda to talk about climate action, innovation, young people leading progressive change in Africa. Jacod Eyeru, a youth representative from Uganda, said as the Commonwealth Youth Forum kicked off, expressing how the gathering represents an opportunity for the youth to shape their future. 4. “Hate speech leads to violence and divides us, where on the contrary, we must strengthen cohesion and live together. This is what Congolese men and women need. This is what all people in the Great Lakes region need.” Bintou Keita, Head of the United Nations Mission in DR Congo (MONUSCO), said as she condemned the proliferation of hate speech and violence in eastern DR Congo. 5. “There are a number of unemployed women in Kigali and the transport sector is a great opportunity that women who have different issues should tap into.” Martine Urujeni, the Vice Mayor in charge of Socio-Economic Affairs in the City of Kigali, said while she addressed how women will benefit and generate income from electric motorcycles. 6. “We encourage people involved in cross-border activities to abstain from anything that would result in them being harmed. They should first make sure they are safe before crossing over. We understand some have their businesses in DRC,” he said. Ildephonse Kambogo, the Mayor of Rubavu District advised Rwandans that cross to the Democratic Republic of Congo for business. 7. “Yes I’m in Rwanda, I’m performing and also speaking.” Rwandan-British choreographer Sherry Silver speaking to The New Times about her upcoming performance at CHOGM. 8. “We see that the trend is changing, we see that people are happy about what we are doing. So, what drives me about coffee is the impact. Coffee is just a single bean, picked from a tree, washed, roasted and then boiled in the cup but the impact goes back to the community.” Stafford Rubagumya, Founder of Stafford Coffee Brewers, on how the perception of ‘coffee being for the rich,’ and how they are working to break it through availing affordable options. 9. “We are happy to note that CHOGM, this time around, is to be hosted by one of the partner states of the East African Community, Rwanda. I think it is important that we call upon all the East Africans and all the partner states to stand in solidarity with Rwanda as they host this.” East African Community Secretary-General Peter Mathuki on what it means for an EAC member state to host The Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting. 10. “They will be looked after and supported to start a new life here, we will provide them with legal support and translation services along with decent accommodation facilities. For those who will want to leave Rwanda, we will support them to head back to their country of origin or to a third country,” The government spokesperson, Yolande Makolo, addressing a news conference in Kigali on the Rwanda-UK migration and economic development partnership under which London is seeking to transfer asylum-seekers and refugees to Rwanda.
