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Kagame At Ifad

President Kagame has called for investments in research and new technologies to raise production and value addition especially for staple food crops in developing countries. The as he delivered a key note address at the annual meeting of the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) in Rome Wednesday.

The president explained that to break the cycle of drought and famine in Africa there is need to intensify irrigation and manage water resources better But says the ultimate long-term solutions to investment in agriculture will come from greater involvement of the private sector

Adding that to meet the twin objectives of feeding a growing population and protecting the environment we have to do what works. President kagame stated the right policies and adequate investment in agriculture can increase food production while protecting the environment.

He affirmed that smallholder agriculture in most developing countries is the source of livelihood and food supply.He added Agricultural GDP in Rwanda has grown at an average of 8%, ensuring food security and higher incomes for farmers

Legislator Dies

Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) Member of Parliament representing Nyarugenge District, Kigali City Tharcisse Shamakokera, has passed away. The 68-year old former secondary school teacher, Officer in charge of social affairs in the President’s Office, Officer in the General Secretariat of RPF- Inkontanyi and Deputy Secretary General in the Office of the Prime Minister in charge of Cabinet Affairs, passed away Tuesday night after a long illness.

African Graft

Over 148 billion US dollars is lost annually in Africa through corruption. This is disclosed as African experts working on anti-corruption matters Tuesday embarked on a two day meeting to reflect on their role in advancing the continent’s anti corruption agenda.

Speaking in Kigali Said Adejumobi, from the economic commission for Africa said Bureaucracy and politics alone are not the only way through which money is taken out the continent.

He said illegal financial systems that involves exaggerating costs for projects is also affecting the continent.

Soldiers Released

A Rwandese peacekeeper is among the group of 49 released by Rebels in Sudan's Darfur regionThe United Nations-African Union peacekeeping mission (UNAMID) troops mainly from Senegal were held by the Justice and Equality Movement rebels for entering rebel-held territory.

The rebels Monday said the peacekeepers inclusive of one from Yemen and another from Ghana had been under suspicion since they were accompanied by three individuals suspected of being security officials and were held for investigation

Envoy Recalled

Rwanda’s Foreign Affairs minister Louise Mushikiwabo says there should be no doubt on the government’s commitment to build strong diplomatic ties with France.

This as France recalled its ambassador from Kigali for consultations after the alleged refusal by the government to approve his successor. French Foreign Ministry spokesman Vincent Floreani, said ambassador Laurent Cortini was recalled for consultation as they consider the situation.

The French weekly Jeune Afrique had mid-February revealed of the apparent refusal of the appointment of Helene Le Gal, currently Consul of France in Quebec.

It’s reportted that Le Gal would be too close to the Foreign Minister Alain Juppe, regarded as hostile to Rwanda government, prompting the refusal to approve her appointment.