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Source : http://www.ukwezi.rw/mu-rwanda/3/article/Dr-Kayumba-Christope-yavuze-amasomo-yavanye-muri-gereza-agiye-kwandikamo-ibitabo

Dr. Christophe Kayumba, an expert in the Rwandan media Industry, has received a special gift upon arrival at home after a year in prison where he had been incarcerated for alleged misconduct at Kigali International Airport.

When Kayumba arrived at his home, he was greeted with various gifts from his relatives and his mother.

On the photos he posted on his Twitter wall Dr. Kayumba was given a very large rosary, one of the hallmarks of a rooted family in the Catholic faith.

Kayumba has been released in recent days by the Rwandan judiciary.

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Source : https://www.topafricanews.com/2020/12/10/dr-christophe-kayumba-senior-rwandan-journalist-receives-special-gift-upon-arrival-from-the-prison/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dr-christophe-kayumba-senior-rwandan-journalist-receives-special-gift-upon-arrival-from-the-prison

U.S. Department of the Treasury
Press Release
December 9, 2020

 

Global Magnitsky designations target corrupt actors and their networks on International Anti-Corruption Day

Washington — Today, on International Anti-Corruption Day, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is targeting corrupt actors and their networks across several countries in Africa and Asia. Today's actions are taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13818, which builds upon and implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, and targets perpetrators of corruption and serious human rights abuse. 

'On International Anti-Corruption Day, Treasury remains fully committed to imposing costs on those who facilitate corruption at the expense of the people,' said Deputy Secretary Justin G. Muzinich.  

To raise public awareness for anti-corruption initiatives, International Anti-Corruption Day has been observed annually on December 9 since the United Nations General Assembly adopted the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) on October 31, 2003. There are currently 187 States parties to the UNCAC. In addition to sending a message against corrupt behavior, Treasury uses its tools to increase transparency, accountability, and the rule of law. With these designations, Treasury encourages all governments to implement anti-money laundering reforms to address corruption vulnerabilities.  

CORRUPTION IN LIBERIA: HARRY VARNEY GBOTO-NAMBI SHERMAN

Harry Varney Gboto-Nambi Sherman (Sherman), now a prominent lawyer, Liberian senator, and Chair of the Liberian Senate Judiciary Committee, offered bribes to multiple judges associated with his trial for a 2010 bribery scheme, and he had an undisclosed conflict of interest with the judge who ultimately returned a not guilty verdict in July 2019. Sherman has routinely paid judges to decide cases in his favor, and he has allegedly facilitated payments to Liberian politicians to support impeachment of a judge who has ruled against him.  

In the 2010 scheme that led to this trial, Sherman was hired by a British mining company in an effort to obtain one of Liberia's last remaining mining assets, the Wologizi iron ore concession. Sherman advised the company that, in order to obtain the contract, they first had to get Liberia's procurement and concessions law changed by bribing senior officials. In 2016, Sherman was indicted by the Liberian government, along with several other government officials, for their involvement in the USD 950,000 bribery scheme. In 2019, the presiding judge acquitted all individuals accused of being involved in the bribery scheme. Sherman's acts of bribery demonstrate a larger pattern of behavior to exercise influence over the Liberian judiciary and the Ministry of Justice.

Sherman is designated for being a foreign person who is a current or former government official responsible for or complicit in, or directly or indirectly engaged in, corruption, including the misappropriation of state assets, the expropriation of private assets for personal gain, corruption related to government contracts or the extraction of natural resources, or bribery.

CORRUPTION IN THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC: RAIMBEK MATRAIMOV

Raimbek Matraimov (Matraimov), a former deputy of the Kyrgyz Customs Service, was involved in a customs scheme in which at least USD 700 million was laundered from the Kyrgyz Republic. The scheme involved a company and their evasion of customs fees. The company would bribe customs officials, and, in return, these customs officials would clear more expensive products as low-value goods allowing for maximum profits. Additionally, the company's goods would pass more quickly through customs terminals. The goods of other companies, not associated with this company and not paying bribes, would often be thoroughly inspected, unloaded from the trucks, and sit in customs warehouses for weeks, if not months. Matraimov used his position to ensure that the company's goods would be able to seamlessly pass through the borders of the Kyrgyz Republic. Matraimov was in charge of collecting and distributing bribes that came from this company. Furthermore, Matraimov assisted this company in smuggling cash into the Kyrgyz Republic via couriers. When these couriers, carrying a large amount of cash, would be approached by Kyrgyz law enforcement at an airport, the couriers would use Matraimov's name in an attempt to continue with their journey. Matraimov, utilizing his former position as deputy of the Kyrgyz Customs Service, made hundreds of millions of dollars as a result of his involvement in the customs scheme. 

Matraimov is designated for being a foreign person who is a current or former government official responsible for or complicit in, or directly or indirectly engaged in, corruption, including the misappropriation of state assets, the expropriation of private assets for personal gain, corruption related to government contracts or the extraction of natural resources, or bribery.

CORRUPTION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA: BROKEN TOOTH

Wan Kuok Koi, also commonly known as 'Broken Tooth,' is a member of the Communist Party of China's (CCP) Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and is a leader of the 14K Triad, one of the largest Chinese organized criminal organizations in the world that engages in drug trafficking, illegal gambling, racketeering, human trafficking, and a range of other criminal activities. In addition to bribery, corruption, and graft, the 14K Triad has engaged in similar illicit activities in Palau. 

Broken Tooth is designated for being a foreign person who is a leader or official of an entity, including any government entity, that has engaged in, or whose members have engaged in, corruption, including the misappropriation of state assets, the expropriation of private assets for personal gain, corruption related to government contracts or the extraction of natural resources, or bribery.  

OFAC also designated three entities that are owned or controlled by Broken Tooth:

•Â Â   World Hongmen History and Culture Association, based in Cambodia and established in 2018 by Broken Tooth;
•Â Â   Dongmei Group, based in Hong Kong; and
•Â Â   Palau China Hung-Mun Cultural Association, based in Palau.

In 2018, Broken Tooth established the headquarters of the World Hongmen History and Culture Association in Cambodia. Hongmen (or 'Hung Mun') is a global Chinese fraternal organization established in the mid-1600s and is synonymous with 'Triad' in Hong Kong and Macau. The 14K Triad is utilizing Broken Tooth's World Hongmen History and Culture Association as an effort to legitimize itself.  

The World Hongmen History and Culture Association has managed to co-opt elite figures in Malaysia and Cambodia. This continues a pattern of overseas Chinese actors trying to paper over illegal criminal activities by framing their actions in terms of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the China Dream, or other major initiatives of the CCP. The World Hongmen History and Culture Association is spreading across Southeast Asia, establishing a powerful business network involved in the development and launching of crypto currencies, real estate, and most recently a security company specialized in protecting BRI investments.  

The Chinese enterprises behind the BRI projects have several things in common: their leadership has links to criminal networks or actors involved in illicit activities in other parts of Southeast Asia, as well as China; they have pre-existing organizations engaged in casinos and crypto currencies; they advertise themselves online to be associated with Beijing's BRI and flaunt connections with key Chinese government agencies; and all of them have established associations that actively seek to assist Chinese nationals.

In addition to furthering the CCP's BRI via the World Hongmen History and Culture Association, Broken Tooth also heads the Dongmei Group. The Dongmei Group is the key investor in the Saixigang Zone in Burma. 

SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS

As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the persons above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or otherwise exempt, OFAC's regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons. The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any blocked person or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.

GLOBAL MAGNITSKY

Building upon the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, the President signed E.O. 13818 on December 20, 2017, in which the President found that the prevalence of human rights abuse and corruption that have their source, in whole or in substantial part, outside the United States, had reached such scope and gravity that it threatens the stability of international political and economic systems. Human rights abuse and corruption undermine the values that form an essential foundation of stable, secure, and functioning societies; have devastating impacts on individuals; weaken democratic institutions; degrade the rule of law; perpetuate violent conflicts; facilitate the activities of dangerous persons; and undermine economic markets. The United States seeks to impose tangible and significant consequences on those who commit serious human rights abuse or engage in corruption, as well as to protect the financial system of the United States from abuse by these same persons. 

View more information on the individuals and entities designated today.

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The post U.S Treasury Sanctions Corrupt Actors in Africa and Asia appeared first on TOP AFRICA NEWS.

Source : https://www.topafricanews.com/2020/12/10/u-s-treasury-sanctions-corrupt-actors-in-africa-and-asia/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=u-s-treasury-sanctions-corrupt-actors-in-africa-and-asia

President Paul Kagame, the Commander-in-Chief of the Rwanda Defense Forces, donated 20 cows to needy families in Burera District in Cyanika Sector.

The donation ceremony took place on Wednesday this week in Kabyiniro Cell in Cyanika Sector.

The Governor of the Northern Province, Gatabazi JMV, along with the Chief of Reserve Forces in the Northern Province  , Maj Gen Eric Murokore, presented the cows to the people on behalf of President Kagame.

Governor Gatabazi commended the cooperation between the people and the security services, local authorities and the people of Burera District for their contribution to the security of the area and the fight against cross-border crime and drugs trafficking as some of the most common crimes in this region bordering Uganda.

He said the cows, which President Kagame had given to the people, were a 'symbol of love, unity and development' in their efforts to achieve lasting security and development in the region.

Uwimana Marie Chantal, a mother of five, was given a cow. She said she and her children will benefit a lot from this cow given by the President of the Republic including milk which will make them healthier and help them in farming as they will get more fertilizer.

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Source : https://www.topafricanews.com/2020/12/10/kagame-donates-cows-to-burera-residents/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kagame-donates-cows-to-burera-residents

Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/cost-of-corruption-much-higher-than-taking-it-headon-kagame

Source : http://www.ukwezi.rw/mu-rwanda/2/article/Gakenke-Imodoka-ihetse-amakaziye-y-inzoga-yakoze-impanuka-abaturage-barazinywa-barasinda-bararwana

Ntabwo byaroshye hagati y’umukinnyi w’umunyarwanda usiganwa ku magare, Mugisha Moise n’umutoza we muri SACA, Niyonshuti Adrien aho uyu mukinnyi yanditse asaba gutandukana n’iyi kipe aho ashinja uyu mutoza kumuhohotera akanamukubita.

Ikibazo cya Mugisha Moise na SACA ndetse n’umutoza we muri iyi kipe, cyakwirakwiye nyuma y’uko avuye muri Cameroun mu mpera z’ukwezi gushyize na Team Rwanda aho yari yegukanye Grand Prix Chantal Biya.

Ni bwo hasohotse ibaruwa isaba gusesa amasezerano na SACA, ni nyuma yo kuvuga ko yagiranye ikibazo n’umutoza Adrien Niyonshuti bakanga kugikemura kikaba kimaze igihe kinini, bityo akaba asaba gutanduka n’iyi kipe.

Mugisha Moise(wambaye umuhindo) aheruka kwegukana Grand Prix Chantal Biya

Aganira na ISIMBI, Mugisha Moise yagize ati'tumaze igihe kinini dufitanye amakimbiranye, nyamara nkagenda mbitangaza ko batarimo kubikemura nk’uko bikwiye. Ejobundi mvuye muri Cameroun mbasaba kuba najya kwitoreza mu rugo kugira ngo turebe ko uko ibyo bibazo byagabanuka, noneho barangije barambwira ngo ninjye mu rugo, ngezeyo hashize iminsi 2 barambwira ngo duhe ibikoresho byacu.'

Yakomeje agira ati'Narababajije nti ko munyatse ibikoresho ntabwo nkiri umukinnyi wanyu? Barambwira ngo ibindi ndabimenya mpageze. Ngezeyo bampaye ibaruwa inyihanangiriza, nti se nakoze iki? Ibintu bigenda gutyo, ndababaza ngo nta gare ndibujyane? Ngo turaba tubitekerezaho taha gutyo, ndavuga ngo ntakundi bananyatse ibikoresho byabo nibwo nahise nandika iriya baruwa isesa amasezerano.'

SACA ngo yamwantse n’ibikoresho

ISIMBI yifuje kumenya icyo ubuyobozi bwa SACA bubivugaho cyane umutoza Adrien Niyonshuti ushyirwa mu majwi n’umukinnyi Moise, aho amushinja kumukubita n’ibindi ariko uyu mutoza ntiyaboneka kuko kuri uyu wa Gatatu yafashe indege yerekeza mu Butaliyani aho umugore we n’abana be bari.

Amwe mu makuru ISIMBI yabashje kumenya avuye muri iyi kipe ya SACA ni uko Mugisha Moise arimo kwigumura kugira ngo atandukane n’iyi kipe abe yakwerekeza muri Benediction Ignite abe ari nayo azakinira muri Tour du Rwanda 2021.

Amakuru avuga ko iyi kipe yamaze kumwegera ndetse bumvikana ibintu byose hasigaye ko arangizanya na SACA ubundi agahita asinyira iyi kipe, ibintu SACA ititeguye kuba yakora ngo isese amasezerano ye.

Bivugwa ko ubwo bari muri Cameroun yasabwe(na bamwe bo muri Benediction Ignite bari kumwe) kugera mu Rwanda ahita arangiza gahunda bamwizeza ko bazanazana n’inshuti ye y’umukanishi witwa Issa na we wasezerewe na SACA.

Kukijyanye no gukubita uyu mukinnyi kwa Adrien, umuntu wahaye amakuru ISIMBI avuga ko byose ari urwitwazo ahubwo na we yari afite imyitwarire itari myiza aho yigeze no gucira amazi umutoza we Adrien abishaka, ngo yamuhaye amazi ari mu modoka bari mu myitozo, imodoka inyuraho undi nawe uko yagendaga ayigeze iruhande acira amazi Adrien wari mu mudoka.

Yabaye uwa 2 muri Tour du Rwanda 2020

Ikindi batumva ni ukuntu ibintu byabaye kera bigarutse uyu munsi Tour du Rwanda yegereje.

Kuri iyi ngingo, Mugisha Moise yabwiye ISIMBI ko bamubeshyera atigeze acira amazi Adrien ndetse ko nta n’ibiganiro na Benediction Ignite byigeze bibaho.

Ati'njyewe namuciriye turi he? Oya yibeshya mfite abagabo barenga batatu twari kumwe ntabwo nigeze mucira amazi yimbeshyera.'

Kwerekeza muri Benediction yagize ati'Tour du Rwanda nari kuzayikina muri SACA iyo ibibazo bitaba, ubu nta kipe mfite n’imyitozo yarahagaze kuko nta gare bararinyatse, Benediction ntaho mpurira nayo hariya twagiye nk’ikipe y’igihugu ntabwo twagiye nka Benediction, ibyo ni ibyo barimo kwitekerereza ni ugushaka ibihimbano bavuga. Nta hantu nigeze mpurira nabo n’ubwo dutaha mu nzira imwe ntaho duhurira kuko baba Nyabihu nkaba muri Musanze.'

Mugisha Moïse usigaranye umwaka w’amasezerano wa SACA, yatangiye kwitabira amarushanwa mpuzamahanga mu 2018, yatwaye Shampiyona ya Afurika n’iy’u Rwanda mu batarengeje imyaka 23 mu 2019. Yatwaye kandi Umudali w’Umuringa mu mikino nyafurika iheruka kubera muri Maroc abakinnyi basiganwa n’ibihe (Individual Time Trial). Yabaye kandi uwa kabiri muri Tour du Rwanda ya 2020.

Ninyonshuti Adrien ashinjwa na Mugisha kumuhohotera akanamukubita

Source : http://isimbi.rw/siporo/article/gucira-amazi-umutoza-kwigumura-ashaka-gukinira-benediction-mugisha-moise-ati-ibyo-ni-ibinyoma

Oxford Business Group and International Sugar Organisation to team up for new focus report

Africa, December 2020: Africa, December 2020: A major initiative under way to boost sugar output in Africa and encourage sustainable intra-continental growth across the industry will be explored in a detailed focus report by Oxford Business Group (OBG), in partnership with the International Sugar Organisation (ISO).

Titled 'Sugar in Africa: Building Value in the African Sugar Ecosystem', the report will provide in-depth analysis of the industry in an easy-to-navigate and accessible format, focusing on key data and infographics relating to production across the continent. It will also feature interviews with high-level industry representatives.

The report will shine a spotlight on the newly established Africa Sugar Development Task Force (ASDTF), which will be spearheading regional efforts to reposition the industry as a catalyst for growth within the agricultural sector.

It will give a detailed breakdown of sugar production by country, providing comparative information, such as performance, yield, contribution to national GDP, imports versus exports and employment figures.

The report will also consider the challenges that producers face, led by infrastructure shortfalls, which are hindering the free trade of goods across borders. In addition, subscribers will find coverage of the key role that the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is expected to play in streamlining intra-regional trade and encouraging best practices.

Commenting at the partnership signing, José Orive, Executive Director, ISO, said that while the region is well advanced in terms of sugar production, attracting investment will be contingent on improving infrastructure and establishing a legal framework for free trade within Africa.

'Africa is an unusual region for us in that production has remained stagnant, at around 10m tonnes, while consumption has risen in line with demographic growth,' he said. 'The Africa Sugar Development Task Force will be focusing in the coming year on securing as many long-term investments as possible, consolidating the framework for the AfCFTA and enlisting political and industry support for the industry.'

Karine Loehman, OBG's Managing Director for Africa, added that demand growth for food, a heightened interest in food security and efforts among some nations to diversify their economies had led to a renewed focus on agriculture, which bode well for the sugar industry.

'Agriculture accounts for around 15% of Africa's GDP, with the figure closer to 23% in sub-Saharan Africa,' she said. 'While the sector requires significant investment, the Africa Sugar Development Task Force's plans to make sugar a driver of sustainable agri-business growth will be instrumental in meeting rising demand and supporting broader economic expansion across the continent.'

'Sugar in Africa: Building Value in the African Sugar Ecosystem' will form part of a series of tailored reports which OBG is currently producing with its partners, alongside other highly relevant, go-to research tools, including a range of country-specific Covid-19 Economic Impact Assessment articles and interviews.

 

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The post Efforts under way to make Africa's Sugar Industry a catalyst for Agricultural growth appeared first on TOP AFRICA NEWS.

Source : https://www.topafricanews.com/2020/12/10/efforts-under-way-to-make-africas-sugar-industry-a-catalyst-for-agricultural-growth/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=efforts-under-way-to-make-africas-sugar-industry-a-catalyst-for-agricultural-growth

Source : http://www.ukwezi.rw/mu-rwanda/3/article/Mu-mafoto-Perezida-Kagame-yahaye-inka-20-abaturage-bo-mu-Cyanika

Source : http://www.ukwezi.rw/mu-rwanda/3/article/Rutsiro-Abakozi-13-bari-bakurikiranyweho-kunyereza-umutungo-wa-Leta-bagizwe-abere