Rwanda Roundup: Eastern Congo violence, Rwanda asylum bill, feeder roads
M23-backed violence in Congo
Tensions have persisted in eastern Congo since the mid-1990s, following the Rwandan genocide, leading to two major conflicts with catastrophic casualties. As reported by Bloomberg, the conflict, which intensified notably towards the end of 2021, involves multiple armed factions, deep-rooted ethnic tensions, and the involvement of at least five national militaries. The current situation has reached a level of severity unmatched in over a decade. Notably, among the groups active in the area are Hutu militias responsible for the 1994 Rwandan genocide, which led to the formation of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) after fleeing into Congo. This group has now allied with Congo's army, the FARDC, against the M23. According to UN investigators, since late 2022, the M23 has expanded its territorial control twofold and, in February, encircled the vital hub of Goma. This action has cut off vital supplies from some of the world's most lucrative deposits of tin ore and coltan, essential minerals for semiconductors and mobile phones.
Sunak impatient over Rwanda asylum bill
The United Kingdom's effort to relocate migrants to Rwanda encountered opposition once more in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Chancellor Sunak, addressing GB News at a press conference this morning, expressed his frustration, stating, "Regarding Rwanda, the situation is straightforward. There has been repeated obstruction in passing this bill. Once again, we faced resistance this week, with Labour peers obstructing our efforts. It's incredibly frustrating. Patience is wearing thin for everyone, including myself." However, despite the challenges, the Prime Minister is determined to resolve the matter by April 22 at any cost. According to a five-year arrangement, the government has proposed sending certain asylum seekers who arrive in the UK to Rwanda for processing their claims. If their applications are approved, they may receive refugee status and permission to remain in the UK. Alternatively, if their claims are unsuccessful, they have the option to seek settlement in Rwanda based on other criteria or apply for asylum in another designated "safe third country".
Feeder roads in Rwanda
Rwanda boasts a robust road network, encompassing approximately 30,000 km of both classified and unclassified roads. Its classified road density, at 27 km per 100 km², is comparatively high among neighbouring countries. However, despite the government's endeavours in road rehabilitation, the network remains inadequate. Many farmers still lack sufficient connectivity to access input and output markets, leaving approximately 3.9 million rural residents disconnected. Reliefweb, however, reports that the government is keen on enhancing connectivity in agricultural regions by improving feeder roads to higher standards. However, limited resources pose a significant challenge to realising this ambition.
Key figure in 2019 border closure in Rwanda passes away
Tribert Rujugiro Ayabatwa, a prominent Rwandan businessman and a central figure in the 2019 border closure, has passed away at the age of 82 in the UAE. Accused of backing dissidents, he held a vast business empire across multiple African nations. His relationship with President Kagame soured in 2010. In 2022, the EACJ awarded him $1 million following Rwanda's takeover and sale of his mall. Rujugiro departed Rwanda in 2009 amid legal issues involving tax evasion and money laundering charges in the UK. According to family sources cited by The Monitor, he passed away at his Dubai residence on Tuesday evening, aged 82, while watching a movie with his grandson after dinner. Rujugiro was renowned for his investments in Rwanda and Uganda, particularly in the tobacco sector.
Rwanda bill concerns
Dr Aidan McQuade, an advocate against slavery, has relinquished his honorary OBE in protest against the UK government's Rwanda asylum program, which fails to offer protection to victims of modern slavery. He criticized the government's refusal to heed calls for safeguarding trafficking survivors and voiced concerns regarding its implications for human rights and the fight against slavery. The government declined to respond. The Supreme Court has ruled the plans unlawful, and as of now, no asylum seekers have been relocated to Rwanda. In a letter directed to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Dr McQuade expressed that it was a decision he could no longer morally justify. The former director of Anti-Slavery International confirmed that he returned the honour by mail earlier this week, as reported by the BBC.
