Africa

The Rhapsody of Ramaphosa: Normalising Relations with Rwanda, Uniting Africa

Published

7 years ago

March 22, 2018

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

History was made in Kigali when the one month old President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa joined 40 other African heads of states to sign a free trade agreement that tends to facilitate free movement of business related assignments across the continent without hindrance, or to put it succinctly –the rigours of procuring a visa.

That was a part, and second most important aspect of the Kigali history making event. The one the people of Rwanda and South Africa hold dear, and attached excess importance remains the reunification or the normalization of the two countries relation after almost a decade of antagonism and mutual suspicion.

The time was eight years ago; the year was 2010. The relationship between the South Africa and the Republic of Rwanda was on the verge of collapse, albeit irreversibly. Relations have been strained since 2010 after Rwanda accused South Africa of harbouring Rwandan opposition leaders. The clear case of mutual suspicion resulted in 2014 to the expulsion of diplomats on both sides. That was not all; South Africa’s visa office closed down when former Rwandan intelligence head, Vincent Karegeya was found murdered in Johannesburg.

Despite reports about improving relations over the past two years, the countries, which incidentally originate from the region, remained friends at bay as uneasy calm pervades the atmosphere. A trace of settlement was even made more difficult with South Africa’s Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, whom Rwandans believe was too close to opposition defector, former Rwandan Armed Forces chief of staff, General Kayumba Nyamwasa, still the foreign minister. They both served in diplomatic postings in India more than a decade ago.

But all that has changed today with the intimidating signature of Ramaphosa on the Kigali Declaration document. In his excitement, the South African president relapsed to the freedom fighter trance and made a raphsodised declaration that was not short of emotion.

Hear him: “I wanted to let you all know that I am here. If I don’t tell them myself, tell them on my behalf.

Tell my daughter and my son that their father was there, on the day our continent signed the African Continental Free Trade Area, in Kigali.

Tell them Paul Kagame, Amadou Issoufou, Emmerson Mnangagwa and Moussa Faki Mahamat were there too.

Tell them their father was proud on the day African boarders were removed; tell them they live in a proud, vibrant and prosperous continent, because you, their uncles and aunts were vanguard pan-Africanists who brought down the walls left by colonialists, maintained by imperialists.

Tell them, if their grandparents fought for their political independence, you achieved their economic freedom.

Tell them to be proud and free, tell them to live where they wish, from Lagos to Addis Ababa, Durban to Cassablanca: unhindered,

Tell them that Kigali isn’t their home, but only their place of origin; Africa is!

Tell them their father would have wished them to speak Igbo and Wolof and Kiswahili and Amharic and Zulu.

Tell them he would have wished them to know how to cook Jolof, Pap/fufu/ugali, and Thieboudienne.

Tell them he would have loved them to dance Rumba, guhamiriza and makossa.

Tell them to welcome all Africans to Rwanda, and travel, preferably by land, from Cape to Cairo, from Mombasa to Hergeisa.

For, thanks to you their aunts and uncles, Africa is theirs to enjoy. Amandla!”

Ramaphosa showed why he is truly an African, incorporating all facets of Africanism in his declaration. He represented tribes including the Igbo of Nigeria, food, dance and many more. He, in a few words, expressed the oneness of Africa; Africa without barriers.

As Ramaphosa, who could very well be described as the president of moment, strolled into the closing session of the African Continental Free Trade Area Business Forum, there was a mild case of continental Ramaphoria in the audience of African businesspeople, politicians, officials and hangers-on. He declared the issue of visas for Rwandese to South Africa as a matter that is solved, and got applause.

Even a Nigerian delegated remarked that the continent shared in the South Africans’ relief at the transition, admitting that ‘Change is in the air!’

Ramaphosa has clearly taking a positive step in his foreign policy path with the normalisation of relations with Rwanda.

He said: “I was talking earlier with President Kagame, and we have decided that we are going to put the relationship between South Africa and Rwanda on a much better footing.”

This he said will even be made more possible with the presence of two ‘very outstanding, beautiful ministers of international relations’, Rwanda’s Louise Mushikiwabo and South Africa’s Lindiwe Sisulu.

Arriving at the nick of time for the signing of the historic agreement, Ramaphosa hinted that: “This is a moment for the African continent. The free trade area for Africa is going to be like a flood, a free trade flood that is going to lift all the boats. It’s not so much about South Africa, but much more about all of us as countries of Africa.”

He highlighted the need for infrastructure and a single African currency, which is an integral part of the free trade area.

Meanwhile, Nigeria is one of the 12 countries whose signatures failed to decorate the historic free trade area agreement. President Muhammadu Buahri was conspicuously absent as a result of what a section of news minders say is ‘unhappiness by businesspeople back home’

Africa

Akinwumi Adesina Bags Kenya’s Highest National Honour

Published

1 month ago

March 17, 2025

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

“I am very proud to be the President that confers on you this well-deserved honor of the people of Kenya”

One of Nigeria’s finest exports, who is the President of the prestigious African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has once again, raised the bars in honours and awards acquisition.

The seasoned diplomat, who once served as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, was on Monday, March 17, 2025, conferred with the highest-rated honour in Kenya, the Chief of the Golden Heart (C.G.H) at the State House, Nairobi.

President William Ruto of Kenya, who joyfully did the honours, noted that the award was for his role in the East African country’s Last Mile Connectivity and Lake Turkana Wind Projects among other landmark achievements across Africa.

For starters, the C.G.H. is the highest award in Kenya and is mostly given to sitting heads of state or exceptional global leaders. This signifies that Adesina, for his global glories, developmental strides, efforts at uniting Africans through via economic options, equate in status with a sitting president of Kenya. The award was some days earlier also given to His Highness Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan V.

Speaking elatedly after giving the award to Adesina, with all the accompanying paraphernalia, President Ruto hailed the AfDB President, saying he deserves the honour for his commitment and distinguished service to the people of Kenya.

He noted: “I am very proud to be the President that confers on you this well-deserved honor of the people of Kenya. It is an honor that I have the privilege as President but on behalf of the government and the people of Kenya to award you for the distinguished service, the commitment you have demonstrated, and the passion you have worked with to see to it that in every way even before you became the President of the African Development Bank.”

Responding, Adesina, who was flanked by his beloved wife, many other aides, colleagues and associates including the Chairman, Ovation Media Group, Chief Dele Momodu, thanked President Ruto for honoring him with the prestigious award saying it is a rare privilege to be conferred with the award.

“Your Excellency President Ruto I am most grateful to you for conferring me today with the prestigious honor of the Chief of Order of the Golden Heart (C.G.H), Kenya’s highest and most distinguished honor.

“I am very humbled for your incredible kindness what a great honor, what a rare privilege, what a historic recognition. The country that I love so much, Kenya, loves me back, appreciates and celebrates my leadership at the African Develpment Bank. Thank you, Mr. President,” said the AfDB President.

He added, “On behalf of my dear wife and your sister, Grace, the Board of Directors at the African Development Bank, our boards of governance, the management and staff of the African Development Bank and on my own behalf, I accept this honour with great humilty.”

A statement shared on their verified X handle after the award, the Kenyan State House noted in part that, “President William Ruto has thanked the African Development Bank (AfDB) for working with Kenya to drive critical areas of the country’s growth in the past 60 years.

“The President made the remarks when he conferred AfDB President and Chairman of the Board Akinwumi Adesina with the Chief of the Order of Golden Heart (CGH) award in Monday at State House, Nairobi.”

“It is an honour that I have the privilege as President, and on behalf of the people of Kenya, to award you for the distinguished service, commitment, and passion you have demonstrated for our country,” Ruto was qouted as saying.

Akinwumi was elected President of Africa Development Bank in 2015, and has remained in office till date.

The AfDB President’s speech is produced in full next page…

Africa

Mahama Nominates Youth Leader, John Opare Addo in New Ministerial List

Published

3 months ago

January 18, 2025

Eric

President John Mahama has released another batch of ministerial nominees. National Democratic Congress Youth Organiser George Opare Addo has been selected to head the newly created Ministry for Youth Development and Empowerment.

A statement from the presidency shows that more familiar names feature in the list, with Haruna Iddrisu nominated as the Education Minister-designate in his latest batch of nominations and Eric Opoku nominated as the Minister for Food and Agriculture.

These nominees join the three non-regional ministerial picks already nominated and vetted. Ten regional minister picks were also previously nominated but have not been vetted.

Two of the nominees, Joseph Nelson for the Western Region Minister and Amelia Arthur, are from the Western Region, which has prompted some praise from the NDC in the region.

George Opare-Addo is a lawyer, local government official, business executive, and accomplished party organiser. His political activism and organisational skills earned him the position of National Youth Organizer of the NDC, a role he has held since 2018. He is also a former Municipal Chief Executive for the Akuapem North Municipal Assembly.

Africa

Mozambique Prison Break: 33 Persons Killed, 1500 Inmates Escape

Published

4 months ago

December 26, 2024

Eric

A suspected riot inside a jail in Mozambique’s capital has left at least 33 people dead and 15 injured, while more than 1,500 prisoners escaped, authorities said.

Police General Commander, Bernardino Rafael, confirmed on Wednesday that 150 of the prisoners who fled the prison in Maputo have been recaptured.

Mozambique is experiencing escalating civil unrest linked to October’s disputed election, which extended long-ruling party Frelimo’s stay in power. Opposition groups and their supporters claim the vote was rigged.

While Rafael blamed protests outside the prison for encouraging the riot, Justice Minister Helena Kida told local private broadcaster Miramar TV that the unrest was started inside the prison and had nothing to do with protests outside.

“The confrontations after that resulted in 33 deaths and 15 injured in the vicinity of the jail,” Rafael told a media briefing.

The identities of those killed and injured were unclear.

A report by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) said the prisoners overpowered guards and seized AK-47 rifles, allowing them to escape the correctional facility.

Mozambican journalist, Clemente Carlos, told SABC that the escapees likely took advantage of the Christmas holiday season, when fewer guards were on duty compared with regular working days.

“This shocking incident raises urgent questions about the state of security and the justice system in Mozambique,” Adriano Nuvunga, director of the Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Mozambique, wrote on X on Wednesday.

“Now, more than ever, it is critical for authorities, civil society, and international partners to collaborate to ensure public safety and address the systemic challenges that led to this situation.”

Meanwhile, at least 21 people, including two police officers, were confirmed dead during two days of violence over election results on Monday and Tuesday, including attacks on petrol stations, police stations, and banks.

The fatalities brought the death toll in the country to 151 since October 21, according to Plataforma Decide, an election monitoring group.

Al Jazeera