Weekly review

Nigerian President VisitsPresident Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was on a two day official visit to the country. Shortly after arrival, he greeted the waiting delegation of top government officials and diplomatic corps before holding a short meeting with President Kagame at the VIP Lounge. The Nigerian President, along with his 21-member delegation comprising Ministers, businessmen, senators and other top government officials was hosted to a diner at Kigali Serena Hotel. The Nigerian leader visited the genocide memorial at Gisozi, where he laid a wreath in honour of the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Jonathan held talks with his host, President Paul Kagame, and a joint press conference at Urugwiro Village. The Nigerian President, along with his 21-member delegation comprising Ministers, businessmen, senators and other top government officials proceeded to Kigali Serena Hotel where he was hosted to a dinner. ICTR files another case for referral to Rwanda The Prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), Hassan Bubacar Jallow filed an application to refer the case of Genocide-suspect Bernard Munyagishari to Rwanda, for trial. Munyagishari, the former head of the Interahamwe militia in Gisenyi, is charged with five counts that include Genocide, and rape as a Crime against Humanity during the Genocide that claimed over one million lives. The prosecutor filed the request on Monday. In his six-month report to the UN Security Council in June 2011, Prosecutor Jallow said he was planning to file five additional requests for the transfer of cases, involving four fugitives and one detainee. Ingabire asks Court to leave out pieces of evidence In the ongoing trial of the head of the unregistered FDU-Inkingi party Victoire Umuhoza Ingabire takes, the defendant requested the High Court to remove some of the evidence in the file. Ingabire made the plea on Wednesday during a hearing of her defence’s claims of lack of territorial jurisdiction by the court to try some charges against her and on issues of non-retroactivity of the law. After the response from prosecution on the objections that Ingabire’s defence raised last week, the presiding Judge Alice Rulisa gave Ingabire the floor. Ingabire affirmed her defence’s demand that court remove two of the three pieces of evidence used against her on the charge of Genocide ideology and divisionism. The evidences in question are declarations that were made by Ingabire in July and October 2000. According to prosecution, they contain ideas of genocide denial and divisionism as well as sectarianism. She observed that she is only be obliged to explain the 2010 declarations she made upon her arrival in Rwanda. Muhanga Sacco struggles to recover Rwf150million in loansThe Muhanga branch of the Umwalimu Teachers Savings and Credit Scheme is struggling to recover close to Rwf150 million loaned out to teachers, officials said.“ This money was loaned to 60 teachers in Kamonyi and Muhanga districts in 2008 but most of them either disappeared or changed their careers,” Pacifique Rugambwa, the area Sacco manager said. Rugambwa disclosed this during celebrations to mark the Teacher’s Day held in Nyamabuye Sector, on Wednesday. Rugambwa said that the outstanding unpaid loans have affected the allocation of more loans. He however, disclosed that the Sacco is following up the defaulters with the help of the two districts. Habumuremyi appointed Prime Minister President Paul Kagame on Thursday appointed Pierre Damien Habumuremyi as the new Prime Minister. Habumuremyi replaces Bernard Makuza who has been Prime Minister for more than 10 years. Makuza was appointed to the Senate. According to the constitution, the President appoints eight senators out of the 26 in the Upper Chamber of Parliament. In the first phase, he appointed four Senators. Other Senators appointed by the President include, Ombudsman Tito Rutaremara, Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Jean Damascene Ntawukuriryayo and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Internal Security, Penelope Kantarama. Speaking to The New Times, Makuza said that he was delighted with his new appointment and thanked the President for his continued trust in him. Gov’t sells its stake in MTN Government sealed a deal to sell its stake in MTN Rwandacell as part of its commitment to promote accelerated economic growth and liberalise the mobile telecommunications market. According to news reports, the transaction, which was concluded in Kigali last week and brokered by Renaissance Capital, saw MTN Group increase its ownership in MTN Rwanda from 55 percent to 80 percent. Crystal Ventures Limited and the Government of Rwanda have collectively sold a 25 percent stake in MTN Rwandacell Limited to South African mobile services provider MTN Group Limited (MTN). Crystal Ventures will retain a 20 percent interest in MTN Rwanda and will remain an active minority shareholder in the company, while MTN Group will increase its controlling majority to 80 percent. In a statement, Prof Manasseh Nshuti, the Chairman of Crystal Ventures, said his company held its investment in MTN Rwanda since its inception 13 years ago and together created the largest telecommunications company in Rwanda with more than 2.7 million subscribers. Ends