While COVID-19 means that July 4th – America’s Independence Day and Rwanda’s Liberation Day will look very different than years past, we have a special way this year to help our friends and partners in Rwanda turn the clock back to 1776. I am delighted to announce that this weekend Embassy Kigali will host a …
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U.S. EMBASSY KIGALI PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION April 24, 2020 Kigali, Rwanda New Funding Continues Strong U.S. Government Support of Rwanda’s COVID-19 Response The U.S. Embassy in Kigali announced today more than four million U.S. dollars in additional emergency funding for Rwanda’s COVID-19 response. These donations continue the U.S. government’s strong support of Rwanda’s public health sector and will expand …
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Remarks for Ambassador Peter Vrooman Rwanda Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment (RPHIA) Release Event Tuesday, October 22, 2019 « as prepared for delivery » Good afternoon. We are at a historic moment in the global HIV/AIDS response, reaching the last few miles on the road towards epidemic control. Rwanda is a global leader in the fight …
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We are an odd couple, perhaps, a first-time ambassador in his 50s and a long-time advocate for persons with disabilities who just turned 30. But we share more than just a Harvard University degree. For us, inclusion is personal. We believe that everyone needs to play a role in including persons with disabilities more fully …
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Remarks for Ambassador Peter Vrooman Closing Ceremony of Shared Accord 19 Wednesday, August 28, 2019 (As prepared) LTG Balla Keita (MINUSCA CJTF), BG John Baptist (RDF), BG Lapthe Chau Flora, BG Eli Hadji Babacar Faye (UN DPKO), BG Robert Kabage (AU), Good morning. I am honored to join you today as we close Shared Accord …
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Good afternoon! Mwiriwe! I would like to thank the Réseau Rwandais des Personnes Vivant avec le VIH/SIDA (RPP+) and its chairperson, Sylvie Muneza, as well as Her Excellency Minister of Health, Diane Gashumba, and the Mayor of Nyarugenge, Kayisime Nzaramba, and others here. Together, all of us will be able to fight discrimination and stigma, …
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Nyakubahwa Minisitiri na mwe mwese muri hano, Honorable Minister and others gathered here Mwaramutse. Good Morning. I am delighted to be here this morning to recognize your commitment to promoting the rights of people with disabilities and to improving learning for every child in Rwanda. As the Minister just observed: “Disability does not mean inability.” …
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Ambassador Vrooman Promotes Health Messages at Tour du Rwanda Concert Series.
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Nyakubahwa Minisitiri w’Ubutegetsi bw’Igihugu Muyobozi w’Inama y’igihugu y’abafite ubumuga (NCPD) Bayobozi b’amashyirahamwe y’abafite ubumuga Banyacyubahiro muteraniye hano All protocols observed. Miriwe, Ngendeye ku nsanganyamatsiko y’uyu munsi ariyo “ ariyo, “Kuremera abafite Ubumuga, Kutabaheza no Kubaha Amahirwe nk’ay’abandi” [In keeping with the theme of this event, “Empowering Persons with Disabilities and Ensuring Inclusiveness and Equality”,] Uyu …
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Honorable Minister of Health, Dr. Diane Gashumba Governor of the Northern Province, Honorable Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi Director General of the Rwanda Biomedical Center, Dr. Jeanine Condo Banyacyubahiro muteraniye hano, Mwaramutse! Today as we celebrate World AIDS Day, I can say with confidence and pride that by working together we have the ability to control …
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I am delighted to be here today to celebrate the incredible accomplishments of the USAID -funded Maternal and Child Survival Program, and the launch of our new Ingobyi activity. We’ve already heard from both of these important projects about their achievements and goals toward making sure that babies and mothers across Rwanda are treated with the …
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Ambassador Vrooman Remarks at the Launch of USAID’s Feed the Future “Nguriza Nshore” Activity September 20, 2018 Kigali Convention Center Thank you for joining me this morning in launching the U.S. government’s new Feed the Future Nguriza Nshore activity. Our Feed the Future program has promoted agricultural-led economic growth in Rwanda over the past five …
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The U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda, Peter Vrooman, was the guest of honor August 28 at the closing ceremony of Shared Accord 2018 at the Rwandan Military Academy in Gako, Rwanda. Ambassador Vrooman was joined by the Rwandan Defence Forces Army Chief of Staff, Lt Gen Jacques Musemakweli, who presided over the closing ceremony of the …
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Good evening – Mwiriwe! On behalf of President Trump and the people of the United States, I want to thank you for joining us to celebrate the 242nd anniversary of our Independence – just a day late. July 4th marked the 24th Liberation Day for Rwanda, so that is why we are celebrating today. July …
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Mwiriwe! Good Afternoon! Thank you, ladies, for your beautiful and moving performances and speeches. Let’s give them another round of applause. And thank you Sifa, Solange, and Hasha for sharing with us your remarkable testimonies. Your ability to overcome the difficulties you have faced, and how you found hope and the resilience to reach for …
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Op-Ed By Erica Barks-Ruggles, U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda. In celebration of World AIDS Day, I can say with confidence and pride that by working together we have the ability to control the HIV epidemic in Rwanda by 2020. This last mile, however, is going to take even greater leadership, unwavering commitment, and our collective focus …
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Mwaramutse. Good morning. I’d like to start by thanking all of you for joining us here today as we gear up to recognize World AIDS Day on December 1st. I am always happy to talk about the great partnership the U.S. Embassy has with Rwanda to end the HIV epidemic; particularly our work with the …
Read More» On September 30th, 2017, the United States Ambassador to Rwanda Erica Barks-Ruggles authorized over 42 million RWF for immediate emergency response to destruction caused by September’s heavy rain storms. The relief funds will aid families whose needs were identified by the Government of Rwanda’s Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs (MIDIMAR). The aid was …
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Good evening – Mwiriwe! Thank you for joining us this evening to celebrate the 241st anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America. I want to especially thank our guest of honor, The Honorable Minister Francois Kanimba for joining us in our celebrations this evening. Minister of Trade and East African Affairs, Hon. …
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On June 6, U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda Erica J. Barks-Ruggles, hosted an interfaith Iftar to observe Ramadan and honor the Muslim community in Rwanda. Around 120 guests representing prominent members of the Muslim community, other religious, government, and civil society leaders, and Embassy staff responded to the invitation. Deputy Mufti Sheikh Swaleh Nshimiyimana was the …
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Employees of the U.S. Embassy in Kigali held a memorial ceremony to honor 26 Mission employees who lost their lives during the genocide. Over 200 people participated in the event, including employees from the U.S. Department of State, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Department of Defense and …
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On March 22, U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda Erica J. Barks-Ruggles honored three Rwandan women at an event held at her residence to celebrate Women’s History Month. The three women, selected from nominations submitted by U.S. Embassy Kigali’s 40,085 Facebook fans, were recognized with the Embassy’s third annual Rwandan Women of Courage awards for their exceptional …
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Ambassador Barks-Ruggles, Erica’ speech on the Handover ceremony of the Africa Military Education Program (AMEP) Medical Modeling and Simulation Project. Tuesday, February 7th, 2016 Rwanda Military Hospital, Kanombe ———————————————- Good morning! All protocols observed. Thank you for making this Medical Modeling and Simulation (MMS) center a huge success. This project represents our strong partnership in supporting peacekeeping. …
Read More» Announcement: International Women’s Day is approaching and the U.S. Embassy wants to hear about your heroes! Please send us a Facebook message or e-mail to KigaliPublicAffairs@state.gov by February 28 telling us about a Rwandan woman who inspires you by her courage and commitment to make her community a better place. She could be a teacher, doctor, …
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Ambassador Erica J. Barks-Ruggles speech at the Agriculture Land Information System Launch October 11, 2016, 1:30-3:10 PM Hotel des Milles Collines, Kigali, Rwanda Honorable Minister of State in Charge of Agriculture, Fulgence Nsengiyumva, CEO of Rwanda Agriculture Board, Bill Kayonga, CEO of Private Sector Federation, Mr. Stephen Ruzibiza, Acting Head of Investment Promotion for the …
Read More» Good afternoon. Thank you for joining me here today for the Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund Grant Signing Ceremony . I want to thank Mr. Apollo Munanura, Director General for the Rwanda Cooperative Agency for being here today. I am excited to join with you as we welcome nine (9) new cooperatives to the list of 171 Self-Help grant recipients since 1999. These …
Read More» The U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda Launches the 5th Annual “Everybody Reads Rwanda” Initiative On September 15, 2016, U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda Erica Barks-Ruggles launched the Embassy’s 5th Annual Everybody Reads Rwanda Campaign. On hand for the campaign launch was Ministry of Education Director of Cross-Cutting Programs Sylvie Uwimbabazi, U.S. Embassy officials, educators, civil society …
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Kigali – U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda Erica Barks-Ruggles swore in 26 new Peace Corps Volunteers today at her residence in Kacyiru. These Volunteers will work in Rwanda’s health sector, becoming part of the Rwandan Government’sFirst 1000 Days Initiative. Following today’s ceremony, the Volunteers will travel outside of Kigali to the villages and health centers in …
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Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Janine Kambanda– thank you for joining us this evening to celebrate the 240th anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America. Thank you also to all the other members of the Rwandan government in attendance tonight: Minister of Trade and Industry, Francois Kanimba Minister of State in the Ministry of …
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Africa Carbon Forum I am excited to be here today to share the perspective of the United States and to talk about our partnership with Rwanda on climate change. Last December, countries of the world spoke with one voice in adopting the Paris Agreement. And for the first time, we have an ambitious, durable climate …
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As-salamu alaykum. Ahlan wa sahlan bikum. Muraho. Welcome to my home. I want to especially welcome and thank Mufti Sheikh Salim Hitimana for being here with us this evening. Congratulations to you on your recent election by the Supreme Muslim Council of Rwanda. My team and I look forward to working with you during your term. …
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Your Excellency Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda; Honorable Minister of Infrastructure James Musoni; President and CEO of ContourGlobal Joseph Brandt; Country Director of ContourGlobal Jarmo Gummerus Governor of Western Province Caritas Mukandasira Mayor of Karongi District Francois Ndayisaba Local Officials, Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, all Protocols Observed. I am very honored …
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Mwiriwe (Good Afternoon). Director General of the Research and Documentation Center on the Genocide at the National Commission for the Fight against the Genocide, Dr. Jean Damascene Gasanabo, Representative of the Ibuka Association, Second Vice President Freddy Mutanguha, Survivor orphans, Widows, Relatives, Friends of our fallen colleagues, U.S. Embassy colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen I am …
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Your Excellency Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, Honorable Minister of Finance Ambassador Claver Gatete Honorable Minister of Infrastructure James Musoni WASAC CEO James Sano Culligan East Africa and Central Asia (EACA) CEO Beyhan Nakiboglu and Senior Vice President Laurence Bower Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, all Protocols Observed. I am very honored …
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U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda Erica J. Barks-Ruggles honored three Rwandan women today at a tea held at the U.S. Embassy to celebrate International Women’s Day. The women were chosen from nominations submitted by U.S. Embassy Kigali’s 33,000 Facebook fans to receive the Embassy’s 2016 Rwandan Women of Courage award for their inspiring example of leadership …
Read More» Ambassador Erica J. Barks-Ruggles Independence Day Speech, July 9, 2015 Minister Mushikiwabo – thank you for joining us this evening to celebrate the 239th anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America. Honorable Ministers, Members of Parliament, Permanent Secretaries, other colleagues from the Government of Rwanda, fellow members of the diplomatic corps, leaders …
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