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Saturday 31 December 2011

Rwanda Now: Country's bright future tainted by tragic past

Rwanda Now: Country's bright future tainted by tragic past
 
 
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/africa/111218/rwanda-now-countrys-bright-future-tainted-tragic-past 

One of Africa's most dynamic countries is also its most haunted. Rwanda is working to overcome the 1994 genocide. Its economy is fast-growing and it has very little corruption. But President Paul Kagame's government is persistently accused of repression. An on-the-ground look at the contrasting facets of this compelling country.

Rwanda gallery006 2011 12 05
Musicians and dancers perform traditional numbers for Kwita Izina, the annual gorilla naming ceremony. Mountain gorillas are at the center of the Rwandan tourism industry. (Steve Terrill/GlobalPost)

Rwanda Now: Country's bright future tainted by tragic past

President Paul Kagame's impressive achievements marred by repression.

Andrew MeldrumDecember 30, 2011 06:05
KIGALI, Rwanda — Construction cranes bristle across this city's hills, showing where high-rise towers are being built at a pace to match Rwanda's rapid economic growth.
Cars, buses and motorcycle-taxis speed on smooth, divided highways while vendors sell bags of carrots, cabbages and beans. Kigali looks every inch an increasingly prosperous African capital city.
Then a young man walks by with a wedge-shaped gape in his skull. A woman's warm smile cannot hide the searing scar across her face.
This is Rwanda today. Bustling progress, haunted by the country's 1994 genocide in which some 800,000 Tutsis were butchered. About 10 percent of the country's people were killed during the 100 days of massacres. Most were killed by being hacked with machetes and most were of the Tutsi minority.
Rwanda's sparkling advances in economic growth, health and education are impressive. Women have gained in economic and political power, with one of the world's highest rates of representation in legislature, at more than 50 percent. Yet Rwanda's impressive achivements also tainted by its legacy of horror.
President Paul Kagame personifies Rwanda's duality.
Intelligent, diligent and committed, Kagame has led Rwanda from chaos to order and set the country on a path toward security and affluence. Yet Kagame is also autocratic, intolerant of criticism and his government is combative toward the press. A number of government critics have been assassinated, some ot them in exile. Others have been jailed in Rwanda, such as opposition leader Victoire Ingabire who is on trial for allegedly being a genocide revisionist.
Kagame's government denies any involvement in the killings of its critics. And of those jailed, the government says the law is merely following its course.
Kagame's government discourages open discussion of the genocide and of Rwanda's abiding ethnic tensions between the Tutsis, who make up about 15 percent of the population, and the Hutus, who account for 85 percent.
Kagame's government is dominated by Tutsis, a situation that seems to guarantee continued resentment by Hutus. Open discussion of this and any differences between Hutus and Tutsis is discouraged; those who speak about it publicly risk arrest for genocide revisionism.
"When you try to discuss relations between Tutsis and Hutus, 17 years after the genocide, you hear the same answer over and over again: 'We are all Rwandans now,'" said a longtime Kigali resident. "It's the only answer people feel safe with. It's amazing how many people stick to the Kagame line. It creates this eerie feeling that we're in a 'Stepford Rwanda' where people only say what is approved — but you know there is plenty lurking beneath."
"Rwanda is a country of dueling narratives. It is a glittering hope or a repressive country run by a dictator," said a diplomat in Kigali. "These opposing views are more stark than in most African countries. … The Kagame government sees economic growth as the key way of protecting its security. But now we are starting to see some political developments. There are nine opposition parties, but will they go anywhere? The big question is whether Kagame will run for a third term in 2017. Or will he retire and let someone else take the helm?"
Kagame was re-elected in August 2010 by a barely believable 93 percent. Many human-rights and democratic groups charged that the election was marred by violence and repression. Two opposition figures were killed and one attacked under suspicious circumstances. Several opposition candidates were refused permission to take part. Kagame firmly denies any election manipulation or violence.
Now attention is already focusing on the next election in 2017.
The crucial importance of whether Kagame runs for a third term can be understood when looking at neighboring Uganda, where President Yoweri Museveni has extended his rule to more than 25 years, and has increased repression there. Further south in Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe has kept himself in power for 31 years, ruining his country's economy in the process, and at the cost of widespread violence, killings and other human-rights abuses. A third term is a bad sign for a country's democracy.
Kagame states publicly that he has no plans to change Rwanda's constitution so that he will be able to run for another term.
"I will not be around as President come 2017," said Kagame in an interview with the International Reporting Project. But he added a qualification that suggested there might be a loophole. "Let's make judgment about 2017 when we come to 2017."
But more telling may be the statements from officials of the ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front party calling for Kagame to stay in power. The party's faithful do not say things that Kagame does not want to hear, so many in Rwanda fear that, with Kagame's blessing, the party is starting a campaign to keep Kagame in power.
Kagame has a reputation as an adroit politician and he may well choose the option of hand-picking a successor who will allow Kagame to continue calling the shots, something like the arrangement worked out between Russia's Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev. 
Rwanda has made considerable headway, especially in improving its health, education and economy. But despite efforts to put up a façade of ethnic unity, it is clear that Rwanda has daunting obstacles to strengthening its democracy.
Rwanda's challenge is to build a future that transcends its tragic past.
More from GlobalPost: Rwanda Now
Andrew Meldrum's trip to Rwanda was part of the International Reporting Project's Gatekeeper Editors' tour.
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http://fr.groups.yahoo.com/group/Democracy_Human_Rights Maître Innocent  TWAGIRAMUNGU DHR FOUNDER&OWNER Tél.mobile: 0032- 495 48 29 21 UT UNUM SINT "L'extrémisme dans la défense de la liberté n'est pas un vice; La modération dans la poursuite de la justice n'est pas une vertu". "Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice; moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue." (USA,Republican Convention 1964,Barry Morris Goldwater (1909-1998)). "Le monde ne sera pas détruit par ceux qui font le mal mais par ceux qui regardent et refusent d'agir", Albert EINSTEIN. Les messages publiés sur DHR n'engagent que la responsabilité de leurs auteurs. CONSIDERATION, TOLERANCE, PATIENCE AND MUTUAL RESPECT towards the reinforcement of GOOD GOVERNANCE,DEMOCRACY and HUMAN RIGHTS in our states. Liability and Responsibility: You are legally responsible, and solely responsible, for any content that you post to DHR. You may only post materials that you have the right or permission to distribute electronically. The owner of DHR cannot and does not guarantee the accuracy of any statements made in or materials posted to the group by participants. " BE NICE TO PEOPLE ON YOUR WAY UP, BECAUSE YOU MIGHT MEET THEM ON YOUR WAY DOWN." Jimmy DURANTE. COMBATTONS la haine SANS complaisance, PARTOUT et avec Toute ENERGIE!!!!!! Let's  rather prefer Peace, Love , Hope and Life, and get together as one!!! Inno TWAGIRA
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Understanding Rwandan future instability according to AFRICOM

 Understanding Rwandan future instability according to AFRICOM


Fw: *DHR* Further evidence of Paul Kagame’s destabilizing character in Eastern Congo

 

Tuesday, December 20, 2011


Further evidence of Paul Kagame's destabilizing character in Eastern Congo

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Ambrose Nizeyimana, a Rwandan blogger writes about the involvement of Rwandan troops in the DRC. While you might think this is past tense, the reality is that Paul Kagame's army is still very active in the eastern region. The story is not an easy one to understand. Alliances change very rapidly, and Rwanda often allies itself with their enemies (Hutu FDLR) in order to loot DRC's minerals. The Congolese army (FARDC) has also collaborated with the FDLR at various stages in the region's volatile history. The most important moral lesson is that, the international community needs to start shunning armed actors whether in the DRC or in Rwanda. The less legitimacy they command internationally, the close we can come to achieving peace in the region. Below is the Nizeyimana's piece. Saturday, 30 October 2010 at 18:54 – David Barouski reported on his online pages facts confirming what has always been the reality on the ground but carefully misrepresented in mainstream media, because of diverse interests they protect. The destabilizing character of Paul Kagame in Eastern Congo under different disguises is uncontestable since the time he first invaded DRC alongside Uganda and Burundi in 1996. Barouski explains that, 'Rwandan soldiers in FARDC uniforms have been spotted near some of the mining areas there.  There are also reportedly Rwandans trying to strike deals with Congolese traders in Beni-Lubero to create mining cooperatives.  Some sources claim they are planning to go to Northern Katanga and South Kivu as well.  Sources in Goma claim that, despite the smuggling, coltan stocks bought illegally before the mining ban are being smuggled to Rwanda without much problem, as the border guards and customs officials are still easily paid off.  Charcoal, ivory, wildlife, and cash crops are still smuggled as well.'The source continues highlighting other troubling development further south in the same Eastern Congo. 'In South Kivu, the FRF have allied with the FDLR.  In the past, prior to the arrest of Laurent Nkunda, the FRF was allied with the CNDP and Kigali, as pointed out in the UN Panel of Experts report of 2008.  Both groups joined, in part, because their numbers have dwindled.  The FDLR has lost about half of its capacity due to the FARDC and RDF operations.  However, RDF soldiers who deployed in the area, along with Amani Leo units, have been unable to dislodge them due to difficult terrain.  RDF soldiers are said to be fighting the FRF in Itwombe.  There is talk that the FNL may join this coalition, and other Bembe from that region may join in as well.'David Barouski goes on explaining some of the intricacies of what forces on the ground are at.Rwanda is concerned that if the FNL take to fighting again, and especially if they team up with the FDLR, the FDLR will be able to have access to inflitrate Rwanda from the southern front via Nyungwe if they can get past border security and the patrols and bases in and along the forest.  Rwanda's forces are stretched somewhat thin, as numerous soldiers have infiltrated Congo to fight and other 3,200 – 3,300 soldiers and police are in Darfur. There is also the pro-Nkundists, defected RDF soldiers, and the CND holed up in Uganda to the North.   Rwanda does not need to defend another front.  The RDF soldiers in Congo hope to severely weaken the FDLR, FPLC, pro-Nkundists, and all other anti-Rwandan militias before they can organize and possibly form an alliance.  Kigali would prefer to use smaller commando units and use their army intermittently, not as an occupying force in large numbers.After the mass rapes in Luvungi, following a meeting between President Kagame and President Kabila, the FARDC inacted the mining ban and launched a military attack in Walikale territory to defeat the Mai-Mai Cheka, FDLR led by General Mudacamura and a militia led by Colonel Emmanuel Nsengiyumva.  The militia allegedly has pro-Nkundists in its ranks.  With Kabila's permission, the RDF went to Walikale and sources claim Bosco was sent there as well.  The purpose of the operation appears to be to get the mine out of the hands of the FDLR and pro-Nkundists and back into the hands of Bosco and his loyalists in the FARDC and his militia the FLEC.  They can still collect illegal taxation along the routes.  That way, Rwanda, and the FLEC, can potentially at some point benefit from the cassiterite trade there while depriving anti-Rwandan militias of the funding they sorely need.  Rwanda needs to back the FLEC as a proxy against the anti-Rwandan militias and the FLEC is protecting some of the land owned by prominent RPF members and high-ranking RDF soldiers.They are also helping provide protection for the Tutsi refugee returnees, and the Rwandans who are sneaking across the border with them and settling in Masisi territory, bringing their cattle and belongings with them.  Some sources claim the new occupants of Bisie, officially one of the brigades of the 21st sector (recall the Rwandans are in FARDC uniform), might be looking to cut deals with new traders before the mining ban is lifted.  This coincides with the alleged visitation of Rwandans looking to set up joint cooperatives.  Keep an eye on Rwanda's export numbers.  The FLEC also appears to have allied with the Hutu elements of PARECO.It is also being said that the FLEC, under Bosco's command, have allegedly been helping Rwanda's DMI assassinate key ex-CNDP officers allied with Nkunda as well as CNDP moneymen allied with Nkunda.  These assassinations have occurred in Congo.  Some pro-Nkundists are now allegedly joining the FLEC's ranks or alligning themselves with the pro-Bosco FARDC elements.  Officially, Bosco is supposed to be relieved of his position in the FARDC.  Pres. Kabila is apparently beginning to move the ex-CNDP out of North Kivu, as mentioned before, but don't be surprised if the ones moved are the pro-Nkundists, not the pro-Bosco ex-CNDP soldiers.All the above developments led to General Kabarebe to visit officials in Kinshasa last week.  In addition, there was a recent meeting of the Intelligence chiefs of Rwanda (Emmanuel Ndahiro [DMI]), DRC (Jean-Pierre Daruwezi [ANR]), and Burundi (Gen. Adolphe Nshimirimana [SNR]) in Bujumbura to discuss how to coordinate intellegence between their respective countries better in order to combat the non-state armed actors.  The first step will be to appoint liason officers for each country.In this whole picture, the surprising element is the attitude of the international community which leaves free reign of internationally re-known military and political leaders accused of crimes against humanity, war crimes and acts of genocide, to operate without any condemnation. Bosco Ntaganda has an international warrant issued by ICC pending on his head. The UN report released on October 1st on crimes committed in Democratic Republic of Congo between 1993 and 2003 accuses incontestably Paul Kagame of crimes against humanity, war crimes and acts of genocide character against Hutu refugees and Hutu Congolese populations.Wouldn't it be true that MONUSCO currently in DRC as its predecessor MINUAR in Rwanda back in 1993/94 is working to protect interests of those external forces to the Great Lakes region exploiting its mineral resources, instead of peacekeeping? In that context, who would be the equivalent of General Dallaire in the case of MINUAR playing the card of destabilizing elements in Eastern Congo the same way the former facilitated the Rwandan Patriotic Front to pile up ammunitions in the country for its final control?The timing of this reported incursion in Eastern Congo at the time of the US midterm elections reminds about the last official entry in DRC of Kagame's soldiers on January 20th, 2009 on the day of the inauguration of Barack Obama. It looks as if Kagame's military advisers count significantly on any possible reaction of US while intervening in DRC. They progress only when US administration is very politically preoccupied by internal affairs. Which means analysts should preempt his next military moves when there will be general elections in US in 2012, this of course if Paul Kagame is still around.
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Fw: *DHR* Lawsuit over Rwandan genocide appealed in federal court in Denver

 
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_19643670#.Tv3gSoU93vk.email 

DENVER AND THE WEST

Lawsuit over Rwandan genocide appealed in federal court in Denver

POSTED: 12/30/2011 01:00:00 AM MSTUPDATED: 12/30/2011 06:14:37 AM MST
By John Ingold
The Denver Post




Rwandan President Paul Kagame speaks with journalists in September in Paris. The widows of former presidents of Rwanda and Burundi accuse Kagame of plotting to assassinate their husbands.(AFP/Getty Images file)

A lawsuit that seeks to upend the way the world sees the Rwandan genocide has made its way to 18th and Stout streets.
Last month, the widows of the former presidents of Rwanda and neighboring Burundi filed a notice of appeal with the Denver-based 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, challenging the dismissal of their lawsuit against current Rwandan President Paul Kagame. The widows claim that Kagame gave the order to assassinate their husbands, an allegation that Kagame vehemently denies and that has never been conclusively settled.
"There is a completely different narrative about what happened in Rwanda than is commonly known," said Peter Erlinder, a Minnesota law professor who is representing the widows.
The unusual court filing challenges the story of one of the bloodiest acts of genocide in recent world history — a 100-day massacre in 1994 in which an estimated 800,000 people were killed.
That massacre was triggered by an April 6, 1994, missile attack that took down the plane carrying Rwandan President Juvenal Habyarimana and Burundi President Cyprien Ntaryamira. The death toll over the next three months was equivalent to the combined populations of Denver, Lakewood, Littleton and Englewood.
The accepted view is that many of the atrocities were committed by loyalists to the Hutu government and against minority Tutsis and their moderate Hutu supporters. By the end of the killings, Kagame — a Tutsi and the then-leader of a rebel group — was in charge of Rwanda.
The lawsuit's accusation is that Tutsis provoked the genocide in order to seize power. Erlinder goes further, saying Hutus had no plans in advance to commit the killings.
"These killings werenotas a result of a 'pre-planned government-led genocide' or 'conspiracy,' " the lawsuit says.
That, said University of Denver law professor David Akerson, is flat wrong.
Akerson was for three years the manager of the

A Rwanda Patriotic Front rebel walks past wreckage from a plane crash that killed Rwandan President Juvenal Habyarimana and Burundi President Cyprien Ntaryamira on April 6, 1994. (Associated Press file)
prosecution's evidence section at the United Nations criminal tribunal for Rwanda. Akerson said evidence showed ruling Hutus had weapons caches around the country in preparation for violence and lists of Tutsis to target. There is no doubt the Hutus organized in advance to commit the killings, Akerson said.
An alternate theory on the assassinations of Habyarimana and Ntaryamira is that they were killed by hard-line Hutus as a pretext for the genocide.
"It is very clear that it was a well-planned genocide," Akerson said. Killings, he said, sometimes went on at a rate of more than 10,000 per day.
"It is statistically impossible that it erupted in such a coordinated and consistent manner across the country" without it being pre-planned, Akerson said.
Genocide denial
Erlinder is a controversial figure. He was jailed last year for several weeks in Rwanda on charges of genocide denial. Until earlier this year, he was a defense attorney at the Rwanda tribunal for Hutu genocide suspects. He was barred from the tribunal after he refused to appear at the court in Tanzania, saying he feared for his safety.
Erlinder said a trove of suppressed evidence files supports his version of events, and he pointed to several acquittals and sentence-reductions at the tribunal as proof that the prosecution's version of the genocide is flawed.
Erlinder said he was approached by the former presidents' widows to take on the lawsuit. He filed

Rwandan President Juvenal Habyarimana and his wife, Agathe, attend an official meeting in April 1977 at the Elysee Palace in Paris. Agathe Habyarimana and Sylvana Ntaryamira, widow of former Burundi President Cyprien Ntaryamira, claim current Rwandan President Paul Kagame ordered their husbands' deaths. (STF/AFP/Getty Images file)
the suit last year in federal court under the Alien Tort Claims Act, which allows for U.S. courts to have jurisdictions over human-rights abuses committed in other countries. The case was filed in Oklahoma because of Kagame's ties to Oklahoma Christian University, where, among other connections, he spoke at graduation last year.
Leader's immunity
After the lawsuit was filed, Kagame's attorneys argued he should be immune under a head-of-state exemption. The U.S. government concurred that Kagame can't be sued while in office. Based on that concurrence, the federal district judge in Oklahoma dismissed the case.
Erlinder is asking the 10th Circuit to re-instate the lawsuit, saying the court shouldn't merely defer to the executive branch.
Oral arguments aren't expected until mid-2012 at the earliest.
According to the Justice Department, no judge has ever gone against an executive branch head-of-state determination. But Ved Nanda, a professor of international law at the University of Denver, said Erlinder isn't automatically sunk. Nanda said the Alien Tort law might allow lawsuits against heads of state who commit human-rights atrocities.
The 10th Circuit "cannot ignore the head-of-state immunity from the executive," Nanda said. "But they are permitted under the Alien Tort Claims statute to bring cases against heads of state."
John Ingold: 303-954-1068 orjingold@denverpost.com


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Activités récentes:
http://fr.groups.yahoo.com/group/Democracy_Human_Rights Maître Innocent  TWAGIRAMUNGU DHR FOUNDER&OWNER Tél.mobile: 0032- 495 48 29 21 UT UNUM SINT "L'extrémisme dans la défense de la liberté n'est pas un vice; La modération dans la poursuite de la justice n'est pas une vertu". "Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice; moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue." (USA,Republican Convention 1964,Barry Morris Goldwater (1909-1998)). "Le monde ne sera pas détruit par ceux qui font le mal mais par ceux qui regardent et refusent d'agir", Albert EINSTEIN. Les messages publiés sur DHR n'engagent que la responsabilité de leurs auteurs. CONSIDERATION, TOLERANCE, PATIENCE AND MUTUAL RESPECT towards the reinforcement of GOOD GOVERNANCE,DEMOCRACY and HUMAN RIGHTS in our states. Liability and Responsibility: You are legally responsible, and solely responsible, for any content that you post to DHR. You may only post materials that you have the right or permission to distribute electronically. The owner of DHR cannot and does not guarantee the accuracy of any statements made in or materials posted to the group by participants. " BE NICE TO PEOPLE ON YOUR WAY UP, BECAUSE YOU MIGHT MEET THEM ON YOUR WAY DOWN." Jimmy DURANTE. COMBATTONS la haine SANS complaisance, PARTOUT et avec Toute ENERGIE!!!!!! Let's  rather prefer Peace, Love , Hope and Life, and get together as one!!! Inno TWAGIRA
.

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Fw: *DHR* Rwanda Now: Betting on economic growth

 
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/africa/111218/rwanda-economy-growth 

One of Africa's most dynamic countries is also its most haunted. Rwanda is working to overcome the 1994 genocide. Its economy is fast-growing and it has very little corruption. But President Paul Kagame's government is persistently accused of repression. An on-the-ground look at the contrasting facets of this compelling country.

Rwanda gallery031 2011 12 05
Kigali is developing rapidly and entire regions are under construction. (Steve Terrill/GlobalPost)

Rwanda Now: Betting on economic growth

Rwanda tames corruption and uses radical business reforms to boost its economy.

Andrew MeldrumDecember 30, 2011 06:05
KIGALI, Rwanda — The two-year-old stock market in this small central African backwater is not exactly bustling with billion-dollar deals.
But stock brokers here have earnest ambitions to become a financial powerhouse, and not everyone thinks they're crazy; on the contrary, they're actually making real progress.
The country synonymous with genocide is aiming to become the economic powerhouse of East and Central Africa. 
For now, Rwanda's stock exchange resembles a middle-school classroom more than Wall Street. It consists of a white board where a young man occasionally writes up an offer with a black Sharpie. Above the whiteboard is a portrait of President Paul Kagame. Nearby is a wooden-handled bell, used to open and close trading.
David Mitali, 28, snaps open his cell phone and advises a broker about Bralirwa Brewery. An "operations manager" at the exchange, he knows Bralirwa well: it is one of only four listed stocks; the exchange also handles government bonds.
"The Rwanda Stock Exchange aims to become the financial center in east Africa," says Mitali, who has worked here since it opened. He enthusiastically lists reasons why Kigali may succeed.
"We're developing a good reputation for being user friendly," he says. "No tricky, tricky business here. No corruption. We are becoming a market where investors like to do business."
"The security of the country is good. Our economy is fast developing. Investors are coming here to invest in the wider region," he adds.
There is some truth to Mitali's assertions.
Seventeen years ago, the genocide here killed some 800,000 people, leaving most of the country's 11 million people deeply traumatized. But now, its determined  president, former army general Paul Kagame, is working hard to transform Rwanda into the most business friendly country in East Africa.
More from GlobalPost: Rwanda's unspoken history
Kagame is making real progress. GDP growth has averaged 8 percent since 2004. In 1995, 100 percent of the government budget came from foreign aid. In 2011, it has fallen to 40 percent. The government aims to get that to zero.
If there were a "most improved player" award for business cultures, Rwanda would be a contender.
Just three years ago, in the World Bank's list of best places to do business, Rwanda ranked a dismal 150th. This year, it has leaped to 58th. One innovation that has helped this: Rwanda changed its official language from French to English last year, to accommodate commerce from neighboring countries Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.
More remarkably, Rwanda now ties the United States as the ninth-easiest country in which to start a business, according to the World Bank's 2011 Doing Business Survey. That's up from 71st in 2008.
That 'can-do' business climate is evident at the offices of the Rwanda Development Board. There, one recent morning, about 50 Rwandans sat in rows, each clutching papers to register new companies.
Large posters proclaim "1-Day Business Registration." From the sound of stamps thumping on papers and the flow of smiling people leaving the room, the office is keeping its promise.
"When we started in January 2009, eight different institutions were needed to approve investments. Now we have one," said Clare Akamanzi, chief operating office of the Rwanda Development Board. "Our main objective is to spur economic development through the private sector. Every year we look at what needs to be improved to get more economic development."
And they implement their ideas.
One example: Just across the hall from the business permit office, Rwandans can apply for business loans.
These days, construction permits require just one application, and approvals take less than 30 days.
That innovation is having a tangible impact on Kigali. Outside the stock market, the streets clang with the construction of shiny office towers that are fast becoming the city's defining feature. The stock exchange is in one of the new towers. Nearby skyscrapers house the Bank of Kigali, Ecobank, the Rwandan Central Bank and Ernst and Young.
The city's business men and women in suits and carrying briefcases are aiming to make Kigali the rival of Nairobi for East African business.
Rwanda still has a long way to go.
A majority of Rwandans still live on less than 50 cents per day, according to the CIA World Factbook, with 77 percent on less than $1.25 daily. With a population growth rate of 2.7 percent, Rwanda needs annual GDP growth of 8 percent to sustainably reduce poverty and increase revenues.
Despite Rwanda's fertile soils and abundant rainfall, food production often does not meet demand, requiring imports. Rwanda continues to receive substantial aid money and obtained IMF-World Bank Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) initiative debt relief in 2005-06.
The country does not have oil or other significant resources or major industry. It's a mountainous territory about the size of Maryland, and has the highest population density in sub-Saharan Africa. This is particularly problematic because 86 percent of the population subsists on traditional agriculture, according to the United Nations. The scarcity of land means the country must rapidly develop its economy to give Rwandans an alternative to tilling the soil.
To transform Rwanda into a linchpin for regional trade, the country has opened 24-hour border operations, to promote the flow of cargo and people.
Rwanda joined the East African Community, whose other members are Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Burundi. The government is aligning Rwanda's budget, trade, and immigration policies with its regional partners.
Although Rwanda is looking East, it is also reaching West. It is angling to become the trade conduit for eastern Congo's wealth of minerals and also to provide goods and services for that country.
"There is lots of trade between Congo and Rwanda, and it's growing," said Aloys Tegera, director of research for the Pole Institute of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Standing by the teeming border of between Gisenyi, in Rwanda, and Goma, eastern Congo, Tegera points to trucks lined up to transport minerals into Rwanda.
And nearby he shows pedestrians streaming from Rwanda into Congo, carrying fruits, vegetables and freshly butchered meat.
In dramatic contrast to the order and neatness on the Rwandan side of the border, eastern Congo is chaotic. It is easy to see why businessmen say that going from Rwanda to Congo is "like going from Switzerland to Somalia."
"Across the border we don't have a functioning state. Congo's banking system is not good, and many Congolese are setting up bank accounts here in Rwanda," said Tegera. "Many Congo teachers come over to teach in Rwanda, and many people prefer to use the Rwanda postal service."
Leveraging its position between East and Central Africa is an important strategy the Kagame government is using to boost Rwanda's economy, said Tegera.
"Rwanda's reputation for little corruption and good business services is making the country attractive," he said. "Many Congolese are coming to Rwanda to do business."
Andrew Meldrum reported this article under a "Gatekeeper Fellowship" from the International Reporting Project.
More from GlobalPost: Rwanda Now
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Activités récentes:
http://fr.groups.yahoo.com/group/Democracy_Human_Rights Maître Innocent  TWAGIRAMUNGU DHR FOUNDER&OWNER Tél.mobile: 0032- 495 48 29 21 UT UNUM SINT "L'extrémisme dans la défense de la liberté n'est pas un vice; La modération dans la poursuite de la justice n'est pas une vertu". "Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice; moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue." (USA,Republican Convention 1964,Barry Morris Goldwater (1909-1998)). "Le monde ne sera pas détruit par ceux qui font le mal mais par ceux qui regardent et refusent d'agir", Albert EINSTEIN. Les messages publiés sur DHR n'engagent que la responsabilité de leurs auteurs. CONSIDERATION, TOLERANCE, PATIENCE AND MUTUAL RESPECT towards the reinforcement of GOOD GOVERNANCE,DEMOCRACY and HUMAN RIGHTS in our states. Liability and Responsibility: You are legally responsible, and solely responsible, for any content that you post to DHR. You may only post materials that you have the right or permission to distribute electronically. The owner of DHR cannot and does not guarantee the accuracy of any statements made in or materials posted to the group by participants. " BE NICE TO PEOPLE ON YOUR WAY UP, BECAUSE YOU MIGHT MEET THEM ON YOUR WAY DOWN." Jimmy DURANTE. COMBATTONS la haine SANS complaisance, PARTOUT et avec Toute ENERGIE!!!!!! Let's  rather prefer Peace, Love , Hope and Life, and get together as one!!! Inno TWAGIRA
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-“The root cause of the Rwandan tragedy of 1994 is the long and past historical ethnic dominance of one minority ethnic group to the other majority ethnic group. Ignoring this reality is giving a black cheque for the Rwandan people’s future and deepening resentment, hostility and hatred between the two groups.”

-« Ce dont j’ai le plus peur, c’est des gens qui croient que, du jour au lendemain, on peut prendre une société, lui tordre le cou et en faire une autre ».

-“The hate of men will pass, and dictators die, and the power they took from the people will return to the people. And so long as men die, liberty will never perish.”

-“I have loved justice and hated iniquity: therefore I die in exile.

-“The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.”

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