Metro

Rwanda ready to receive first batch of migrants from the UK

Published

3 years ago

June 13, 2022

As the June 14 deadline for the deportation of asylum seekers from the United Kingdom to Rwanda, the East African country says it is getting ready to greet the first set of migrants when their flight arrive on Tuesday.

Despite worldwide opposition to the plan by the British government to transfer the migrants to Rwanda, including the United Nations, Pope Francis, Prince Charles and human rights activists, the UK says the plan will still proceed with the first batch of 30 migrants expected to be air lifted on Tuesday.

An official of a committee set up by Kigali to see that the migrants are welcomed properly and are given all the comfort and assistance they require, said the arriving asylum seekers will be housed at a four-star facility in the capital, the Hope Hostel.

“Rwanda is a good country that loves Rwandans and foreigners, we welcome the migrants warmly.

“Their new homes have been prepared and they will be safe. We are happy because others have come to seek shelter here. Rwanda is recognized for its hospitality,” the committee member said.

The Hope Hostel manager, Ismael Bakina, also echoed the same sentiments.

“This is not a prison. It’s a home like our home. Just, we serve them, the migrants, as a hotel. In a hotel, a person will be free in everything they want. So when they want to go out of the hotel, no problem,” Bakina, said while taking journalists around thr hostel.

Since the plan worth £120 million to Rwanda was signed in April, it has been widely slammed by human rights groups but also by politicians of all parties from both countries.

While some British politicians have kicked against the plan, back home in Rwanda, opposition figures have also kicked against the moves.

Victoire Ingabire, the president of the opposition Development and Liberty for All Party, said in a statement on Sunday:

“We have thousands of young Rwandans who do not have jobs. If you cannot give work to your own population, to your young people, if the Rwandan youth do not have jobs, how can the government promote work for these refugees who are going to come here to Rwanda?”

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Metro

Zambia: Expert warns of food security threat due to climate change

Published

9 minutes ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A prominent Zambian climate-smart agriculture expert, Oliver Bulaya, has warned of a collapse of the county’s agricultural sector with a potential threat to food security due to the worsening impact of climate change.

Bulaya, who bared his mind in an interview with Zambia Monitor on Friday, warned that ignoring the crisis could lead to severe disruptions in the country’s food supply and economy.

“Unless concerted efforts are made, the country will continue facing dire consequences from climate change,” the expert noted.

He lamented a growing trend of farmers relocating to regions experiencing above-normal rainfall, such as the northern block, as they struggle with losses caused by climate variability.

Bulaya emphasized that the once-reliable rainfall areas like North-Western Zambia are now experiencing lower precipitation, as seen during the 2023/2024 farming season and cautioned that poor farming practices, which had already strained the Southern region, could lead to similar challenges in other parts of the country if proactive measures were not implemented.

Metro

Outrage over murder of Nigerian beaten to death by South Africans inside estate security office

Published

5 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Nigerian community, under the auspices of Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), has raised the alarm over the murder of a 37-year-old Nigerian, Julius Chukwunta, who was beaten to death by four South Africans inside an estate.

According to the association, Chukwunta, a native of Aninri Local Government Area in Enugu State, was reportedly attacked on Saturday, December 7, while driving to his residence in Midrand Protea Estate.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the President-General of NICASA, Dr Frank Onyekwelu, Chukwunta was blocked by the four men while approaching his residence.

Onyekwelu stated that information available to the association noted that after attempting to pass through, Chukwunta was met with resistance by the assailants, prompting him to seek help at the security office of the estate.

“At that moment, the four men allegedly attacked him, leaving him severely injured with a head wound,” the PG said.

“His female companion, who was sitting in the car, rushed to the security office and discovered him bleeding on the ground.

“In spite of attempts to call for help, the security office and residents did not assist in calling the police or an ambulance.

“After an hour, Chukwunta’s partner contacted her father, who, along with other family members, took him to Tembisa General Hospital.

“Chukwunta was placed on life support but later succumbed to his injuries and died at the Tembisa General Hospital on December 10, 2024.”

Onyekwelu also confirmed that the case was reported to the police by Chukwunta’s partner at the Midrand Police Station and was registered under file number 262/12/2024.

The NICASA President said the four suspects, aged 20, 24, 27, and 28, were arrested, and the case was presented in Alexandra Magistrate Court on December 13, 2024, where they were charged with murder.

“The court proceedings on December 18, 2024, saw three of the suspects granted bail of R10,000 each, while the fourth had not yet applied for bail. The case was adjourned to February 3, 2025.”

Onyekwelu however, expressed disappointment at the proceedings, wondering why three of the suspects were released on bail and vowed that the Nigerian community would continue to demand justice for Chukwunta and support his family.

He emphasised that the community would not rest until justice was served and the value of Nigerian lives was upheld in South Africa.