President Paul Kagame of Rwanda has ordered the withdrawal of all Rwandan military forces from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) border towns, effective immediately.
The troops will regroup in the capital Kigali, according to a letter from the Rwandan Prime Minister. The stated reason for the withdrawal is to protect Kigali and critical infrastructure.
However, sources within the South African government suggest that the real reason for the retreat is to avoid a full-scale military confrontation with South Africa. Tensions between Rwanda and South Africa have been escalating since the death of 13 South African soldiers in the region.
Kagame
South African insiders claim that the country was prepared to deploy its full military might, including long-range ballistic missiles, Navy Seals, and Commando Units, in retaliation for the loss of its soldiers. This alleged threat has sparked concerns about the potential for a large-scale conflict in the region.
The situation is complex, with multiple actors involved. The United Nations Secretary-General has called for the withdrawal of Rwandan forces from the DRC, citing concerns about the escalating violence.
The Lilongwe Asian Business Community on Monday handed over two repaired fire engines to the Lilongwe City Council (LCC). The fire engines, which were repaired at a cost of K5 million, are expected to boost the city’s firefighting capabilities and enhance its response to emergencies.
According to Anis Ismael, a representative of the Lilongwe Asian Business Community, the decision to repair the fire engines was motivated by a recent fire scare in Lilongwe’s Area 2. During the incident, the LCC’s response was delayed due to faulty fire engines, highlighting the need for reliable firefighting equipment.
“We were moved by the incident and decided to take action to support the city council,” Ismael explained. “We believe that the repaired fire engines will make a significant difference in the city’s ability to respond to emergencies and keep its residents safe.”
Lilongwe City Mayor Councillor Esther Sagawa praised the Lilongwe Asian Business Community for their generosity and commitment to the city’s well-being. “We are grateful for the support of the Lilongwe Asian Business Community,” Sagawa said. “Their contribution will undoubtedly enhance our ability to provide effective firefighting services to the city’s residents.”
The Lilongwe Asian Business Community is also working on repairing one more fire engine, which is expected to be completed soon. This additional fire engine will further boost the city’s firefighting capabilities and provide an added layer of safety and security for its residents.
The donation of the repaired fire engines is a testament to the strong partnership between the Lilongwe Asian Business Community and the LCC. It demonstrates the community’s commitment to supporting the city’s development and well-being, and highlights the importance of public-private partnerships in addressing the city’s challenges.
As the city continues to grow and develop, the need for reliable firefighting services will only continue to increase. The Lilongwe Asian Business Community’s donation of the repaired fire engines is a significant step towards addressing this need, and will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the city’s safety and well-being.
Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) has with immediate effect suspended all programs funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) following the US government’s directive to halt all work and expenditures on USAID-funded projects.
According to a statement issued to staff and students, all activities related to USAID-funded programs have been put on hold until further guidance from the funder and staff members working on these projects have been instructed to cease work immediately.
Additionally, students who were receiving support from USAID-funded projects have been informed that their funding is no longer available and have been advised to either seek alternative funding sources or consider discontinuing their studies.
The Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and fairness in its upcoming by-elections, set to commence on February 14,2025.
According to Party spokes person Jessie Kabwira, the MCP has learned valuable lessons from past experiences, particularly regarding the challenges posed by independent MPs.
To ensure the integrity of the electoral process, the MCP will utilize a secret ballot system, allowing voters to cast their votes for their preferred candidates without fear of reprisal. This approach marks a significant departure from the party’s previous methods, where voters would publicly declare their support by standing behind a candidate.
Kabwira
Kabwira emphasized that the MCP is dedicated to conducting free and fair elections, starting with areas where the party does not currently have a Member of Parliament. This strategic approach will enable the party to strengthen its presence in these regions and provide effective representation for its constituents.
The MCP’s commitment to transparency and accountability is a welcome development, particularly in light of the party’s past experiences with independent MPs. By prioritizing fairness and integrity, the MCP aims to promote a culture of trust among its members and supporters, ultimately strengthening its position as a leading political party in Malawi.
As the by-elections approach, the MCP is poised to demonstrate its commitment to democratic principles and transparency. With its secret ballot system and focus on fairness, the party is set to conduct elections that truly reflect the will of its members and supporters.
The Development Aid from People to People (DAPP) Dowa, says it will implement a 4-year- Building a brighter future for girls’ and children living with disabilities project targeting 21 primary school teachers in three zones (Boma, Kapita and Mvera) who will be capacitated in innovative pedagogical skills to improve learner’s performance in Dowa district.
DAPP Malawi has worked in the Education sector for over 20 years, apart from the four Teachers Training Colleges, it is continuing implementing a number of projects in the sector and the project is part of DAPP Malawi’s continued efforts to support the Ministry of Education in providing quality, inclusive and equitable education in Malawi.
Ndamiwe Munthali-the project will provide quality, inclusive and equitable education.
Building a brighter future for girls’ project is aligned with National Education Sector Investment Plan and Malawi 2063 blue print, DAPP and FEDOMA will use their experience to ensure achievements of the project outcomes.
Presenting the project to the District executive committee (Dec) in Dowa, DAPP Malawi Programs Officer Ndamiwe Munthali, said the project will improve schools’ hygiene and sanitation which affects attendance particularly among early graders and girls.
Munthali said the project will engage relevant structures and stakeholders to advocate for accountability of rights on duty bearers to protect girls and learners with disabilities with a purpose of improving equitable access to quality learning for all children in primary education.
He said the project will increase the number of girls including children with disabilities attending primary education, and teachers who use inclusive teaching methodologies and child friendly techniques in their teaching.
The officer said the project will also increase awareness and participation of community members in inclusive and girls’ education and enhanced initiatives to improve gender and inclusive education in school based Continuous Professional Developments (CPD).
“The project will train 210 teachers about disability mainstreaming and inclusiveness, train members from mother groups, PTAs, SMCs in disability mainstreaming, train Area Disability Forum and student teachers at Dowa DAPP TTC in inclusive education,” said Munthali.
On project sustainability, Munthali said the project will partner closely with the Ministry of Education, community engagement working with existing structures, investing in teacher trainings and leveraging the existence of the Dowa DAPP Teachers Training College.
DAPP Dowa will implement Building a brighter future for girls’ and children with disabilities project alongside with their main partners FEDOMA, UFF Finland- Finish Disability Organization and the Ministry of Education.
According to statistics, Dowa has 208,968 learners in its 246 public primary schools of which 8,030 are learners with disabilities.
