Latest news with #Kagame


Morocco World
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
Italy-Algeria Summit: Abdelmadjid Tebboune Embarrasses Himself With Isolated Support for Polisario
Rabat – Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has once again put himself in an isolated position by expressing support for Polisario's separatism claims in Western Sahara. Following a meeting and discussions with Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Tebboune claimed the European country 'shares' Algeria's perspective on the Western Sahara dispute, asserting 'a perfect convergence' of views between the two countries regarding Polisario's right to 'self-determination.' Yet a statement by the Italian government conveyed a different story, omitting any mention of the country's reported support for the Polisario's outdated self-determination cause. In the declaration it issued following the Italian-Algerian summit on July 23, the Italian government instead announced its commitment toward a balanced, mutually acceptable political solution in line with UN resolutions. 'On the issue of Western Sahara, both parties reiterated their support for the efforts of the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy, Mr. Staffan de Mistura, to relaunch direct negotiations and achieve a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution, in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the relevant Security Council resolutions,' the statement said. The joint declaration reveals a clear divergence from Tebboune's claims, and the Italian response comes as no surprise. Tebboune's recent claims reflect a familiar approach deployed by the Algerian regime. In recent years, Algeria has repeatedly used international and regional forums to promote Polisario's separatist agenda in southern Morocco. Tebboune deployed the same approach in June with Rwanda, and he was caught red-handed disseminating false information regarding the country's position on Western Sahara. Following a meeting with Rwandan president Paul Kagame in June, Tebboune and Algerian mouthpiece media claimed that Kagame had joined his Algerian counterpart in stressing their alleged support for the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination. Yet, Kagame's official website published a communique detailing his remarks with no explicit or implicit mention of Rwanda's support for Polisario's self-determination and referendum aspirations. Such distortion attempts by Algeria show the Algerian regime's desperation to undermine Morocco's growing momentum in the Sahara dossier. Algeria's desperation comes as more countries now embrace the Moroccan Autonomy plan as the most serious and credible path to a lasting political solution to the Western Sahara dispute. Even in Italy, many MPs are viewing the autonomy initiative as a viable political solution to end the long-standing dispute. In 2020, several Italian political parties formed a parliamentary group to voice their support for the initiative. 'Our objective is to reinforce the United Nations' efforts to reach a pragmatic, political, and realistic solution based on compromise,' they said. 'Numerous European states consider the autonomy plan as the most serious and credible solution to put an end to this dispute.' Morocco believes it is only a matter of time before more countries from the EU and beyond join the growing chorus in support of diplomatic pragmatism and political compromise as the only horizon for peace, security, and prosperity in the Sahara. Currently, as many as 114 countries support the Moroccan Autonomy Plan, viewing it as the most viable route to a genuine and sustainable end to the Sahara dispute. Tags: Algeria and polisarioAlgeria and the Western Sahara

Business Insider
a day ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Rwandan president Kagame sacks prime minister in major cabinet reshuffle, names replacement
Rwandan President Paul Kagame has replaced Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente in a broader leadership reshuffle, signalling a notable shift in the country's executive structure. Rwandan President Paul Kagame has replaced Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente with Justin Nsengiyumva, a former banker. Nsengiyumva has expressed his commitment to advancing Rwanda's national priorities under Kagame's vision. The reshuffle indicates a strategy by Kagame to align the leadership with Rwanda's development agenda. Ngirente, who had served as prime minister since 2017, was relieved of his duties on Wednesday, according to a statement from the government spokesperson' s office. He is succeeded by Justin Nsengiyumva, a former banker with a background in public administration and economic policy. ' I fully embrace the responsibility entrusted to me and remain committed to advancing our national priorities with integrity and purpose. I will give all I have in me to help you [President] achieve your great vision for this country,' Nsengiyumva said following his appointment. Under Rwanda's Constitution, the appointment of a new prime minister triggers the formation of a new Cabinet within 15 days, setting the stage for further changes in the country's leadership. Leadership change marks push to reshape government While the government has not provided an official reason for the change, the move is widely seen as part of President Kagame's broader strategy to recalibrate key leadership roles in line with Rwanda's evolving development agenda. Ngirente's dismissal ends a nearly seven-year tenure during which he spearheaded a range of policy initiatives focused on economic growth, infrastructure expansion, and regional cooperation. His replacement reflects Kagame's sustained emphasis on technocratic leadership and economic expertise—an approach seen as crucial to maintaining Rwanda's status as one of Africa's fastest-growing economies amid a shifting regional landscape. The shake-up is the latest in a series of high-level changes that underscore Kagame's firm grip on power and the centralised nature of governance in Rwanda.

Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Rwanda's Kagame appoints central banker as new prime minister
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Rwanda's President Paul Kagame arrives at the African Union Commission (AUC) headquarters during the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, February 15, 2025. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri/File Photo KIGALI - President Paul Kagame has replaced Rwanda's long-serving prime minister, naming the deputy governor of the central bank, who was once pardoned for a corruption conviction, to the role responsible for the government's day-to-day operations. The appointment of Justin Nsengiyumva, the former prime secretary at the education ministry who holds a PhD in economics from the University of Leicester, was announced by the office of the government spokesperson in a post on X late on Wednesday. The post did not say why the incumbent, Edouard Ngirente, was dropped. Ngirente, who had been prime minister since 2017, thanked Kagame on X, writing: "This journey has been deeply enriching." Kagame appointed Nsengiyumva as deputy governor at the National Bank of Rwanda earlier this year. Nsengiyumva's official biography says he has worked for the British government, including as senior economist for the Office of Rail and Road. Prior to his work in the UK, Nsengiyumva served as permanent secretary at Rwanda's education ministry. In 2008, while serving in that role, he was arrested for alleged corruption and later convicted, according to the state-owned New Times newspaper. Kagame pardoned him in March 2023 alongside 380 others in unrelated cases, the New Times reported. A Rwandan government spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for a comment. Rwanda last held elections in 2024 when Kagame was re-elected with 99.18% of the vote, extending his near quarter-century in office. REUTERS


Reuters
a day ago
- Business
- Reuters
Rwandan President Kagame appoints new prime minister
KIGALI, July 24 (Reuters) - Rwandan President Paul Kagame has replaced the country's prime minister, naming the deputy governor of the central bank to the role without explaining the decision. The appointment of Justin Nsengiyumva, a former British government worker who holds a PhD in economics from the University of Leicester, was announced by the office of the government spokesperson in a post on X late on Wednesday. The post did not say why the incumbent, Edouard Ngirente, was dropped. Ngirente, who had been prime minister since 2017, thanked Kagame on X, but did not elaborate on the reasons for his departure. "This journey has been deeply enriching," he said. In Rwanda, the prime minister is the head of government and is responsible for the running of the government's day-to-day operations. Rwanda last held elections in 2024 when Kagame was re-elected with 99.18% of the vote, extending his near quarter-century in office.


The Star
a day ago
- Business
- The Star
Rwandan President Kagame appoints new prime minister
KIGALI (Reuters) -Rwandan President Paul Kagame has replaced the country's prime minister, naming the deputy governor of the central bank to the role without explaining the decision. The appointment of Justin Nsengiyumva, a former British government worker who holds a PhD in economics from the University of Leicester, was announced by the office of the government spokesperson in a post on X late on Wednesday. The post did not say why the incumbent, Edouard Ngirente, was dropped. Ngirente, who had been prime minister since 2017, thanked Kagame on X, but did not elaborate on the reasons for his departure. "This journey has been deeply enriching," he said. In Rwanda, the prime minister is the head of government and is responsible for the running of the government's day-to-day operations. Rwanda last held elections in 2024 when Kagame was re-elected with 99.18% of the vote, extending his near quarter-century in office. (Reporting by Philbert Girinema; Writing by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by Kate Mayberry)