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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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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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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Remarks Given By Charge d’affaires Belinda Jackson Farrier Shared Accord 2019 – Opening Ceremony Wednesday, August 14, 2019 I am honored to join you today for the opening ceremony of Shared Accord 2019. I would like to thank the Government of Rwanda and the Rwanda Defense Force for hosting this exercise and for your long-standing …
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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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Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by Ambassador Peter H. Vrooman U.S. Embassy Kigali Independence Day Celebration July 3, 2019 Good evening! I would like to welcome you to the U.S. Embassy in Kigali and on behalf of President Trump and the people of the United States, I want to thank you for joining us to …
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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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PSDAG Project Close out Speech by Ambassador Peter H. Vrooman 6/26/2019 – Marriott Hotel To our partners in government, cooperatives, and the Rwandan businesses who all made this activity a success: Thank you all for coming to this wonderful event. Abafatanya bikorwa, Leta y’u Rwanda, amakoperative, abashoramari, mwebwe mwafashije uyu mushinga kugera kuri byinshi, Mwakoze …
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“The Enduring Partnership between the United States and Rwanda” Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of African Affairs Tibor Nagy Carnegie Mellon University Africa, Kigali, Rwanda, March 11, 2019 (Remarks as Prepared for Delivery) Thank you for this wonderful welcome to Rwanda. I spent most of my 32-year career as an American diplomat on …
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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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On behalf of the U.S. government, the U.S. Embassy, the Department of Defense, and the Department of State, I want to thank you all for participating and making Shared Accord 18 such a rewarding exercise. I also noticed that there are many invited guests, which include many Blue Helmets who have served in UN peacekeeping …
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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 …
Read More» On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, I am honored to congratulate the people of Rwanda as they celebrate their nation’s independence on July 1 and their Liberation Day on July 4. Our two countries have long enjoyed a strong partnership based on a shared commitment to promoting peace and prosperity …
Read More» Press Statement John J. Sullivan Acting Secretary of State Washington, DC April 7, 2018. We stand today with the people of Rwanda in commemorating the 1994 genocide during which more than 800,000 men, women, and children were brutally murdered. On this solemn occasion, we remember those who lost their lives and honor the courage of …
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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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Muraho! Amakuru?? Abajeunes mumeze fresh?? How is everyone feeling tonight? Are you excited to see some more great performances? A big thanks to all our partners for being here since early this morning to provide you free health services and information. How many of you have visited the various health booths here today? Let’s give …
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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 …
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Honorable Minister of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs for the Republic of Rwanda, Jeanne d’Arc De Bonheur Ladies and Gentlemen; all protocols observed – Good morning. Mwaramutse. I am here today to honor the 50 graduates of the Indego Africa program that the U.S. Embassy had the privilege to support through our Julia Taft Fund. …
Read More» Introduction Good morning. Thank you President Lindborg for your very kind and generous introduction. To you and to Ambassador Carson I am grateful for the invitation to participate in this important and timely symposium. It is always a pleasure to cross 23rd street and leave behind the 1950s federal architecture of the State Department for the …
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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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Secretary’s Remarks: World Press Freedom Day Press Statement Rex W. Tillerson Secretary of State Washington, DC May 3, 2017 Today, on World Press Freedom Day, we reaffirm our commitment to promoting the fundamental principles of a free press around the world. We honor those men and women who work tirelessly, often at great personal risk, …
Read More» Press Statement Rex W. Tillerson Secretary of State Washington, DC April 7, 2017 On this solemn day, the United States stands side-by-side with the Rwandan people in remembrance of the more than 800,000 men, women, and children killed in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. We bow our heads honoring those who suffered and the family members …
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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. …
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Today, December 1, in celebration of World AIDS Day, I can say with confidence and pride that by working together we have the ability to end AIDS in Rwanda. This last mile, however, is going to take even greater leadership, unwavering commitment, and our collective focus to ensure every dollar invested in the fight against …
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Remarks by SecretaryJohn Kerry at the Plenary of the 28th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol Convention Center, Kigali, Rwanda October 14, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, good afternoon everybody. I want to begin by thanking the president of this Meeting of the Parties, Minister Biruta, and the Government of Rwanda for the terrific job …
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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. embassy community extends its deepest condolences to the families of the two children who died in a tragic accident involving an official embassy vehicle on 14 August, 2016. We know the loss of any family member is hard, but it is especially difficult to lose a child. Ambassador Barks-Ruggles personally visited the families …
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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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Rwanda National Day On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I send best wishes to the people of Rwanda as you celebrate your 54th year of independence on July 1. Rwandans have much to be proud of about their country and their future. Rwanda has become a model on the continent …
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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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Dear Reader: If there is a single theme to this year’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, it is the conviction that there is nothing inevitable about trafficking in human beings. That conviction is where the process of change really begins—with the realization that just because a certain abuse has taken place in the past doesn’t …
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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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John Kerry Press Briefing Room Washington, DC SECRETARY KERRY: Good afternoon, everybody. Thanks for being here. I’m going to make a statement and I have to run from here to an NSC meeting on a number of issues, so forgive me if I dash out of here. I’m not trying to avoid you, but Tom …
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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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Commemoration of the 22nd Anniversary of the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda We stand today with the people of Rwanda in paying tribute to the more than 800,000 men, women, and children who were savagely murdered in the Rwandan genocide twenty-two years ago. We grieve for those innocent lives lost, for the families and friends who …
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Statement by the President on the 22nd Anniversary of the Genocide in Rwanda Twenty-two years after the genocide, we stand with the people of Rwanda to commemorate the more than 800,000 men, women, and children whose lives were lost during 100 days of unspeakable violence. We honor not just the victims but also those who …
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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. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker today made the following statement about her visit to Rwanda, which is taking place from January 27-28, 2016. “Today I am joined in Kigali by the group of senior executives who comprise the President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa. Their charge is to provide recommendations to President …
Read More» Press Statement John Kirby Spokesperson, Bureau of Public Affairs Washington, DC January 2, 2016 The United States is deeply disappointed that President Paul Kagame has announced his intention to run for a third term in office. With this decision, President Kagame ignores an historic opportunity to reinforce and solidify the democratic institutions the Rwandan people …
Read More» The United States is disappointed that a referendum was called on short notice to amend the Rwandan constitution and introduce exceptions to term limits. While we commend the people of Rwanda for peacefully exercising their civic rights, we regret that the arrangements for the referendum failed to provide sufficient time and opportunity for political debate …
Read More» Statement by Secretary Kerry on World AIDS Day 2015 On World AIDS Day, we recognize the millions of people impacted by HIV/AIDS – the lives lost and the families forever torn apart by this disease. We also acknowledge the heroic and life-saving work of partners from governments, the private sector, civil society, and faith-based organizations …
Read More» The United States is alarmed by the escalating violence in Burundi and dangerous, irresponsible rhetoric on the part of the government, loyalist militias, violent anti-government forces and criminal elements. The United States will support the region and our partners in the international community so that those who commit or incite violence are held accountable. We are …
Read More» Honorable Minister of Infrastructure James Musoni, Jean Bosco Mugiraneza, CEO of Rwanda Energy Group, Zelda Weitz, Chief Operating Officer for Symbion Power, USA, fellow diplomatic colleagues, distinguished guests, Good Morning. Mwaramutse and Karibu! As I know I will have forgotten someone I would like to lean on my favorite phrase here in Rwanda – All …
Read More» Thank you, President [Mireille] Ballestrazzi, for that kind introduction – and for your tireless work to foster greater cooperation among the world’s law enforcement agencies. Thank you also to Secretary General [Jürgen] Stock for your leadership at Interpol (International Criminal Police Organization) and your dedication to justice. My thanks as well to my colleagues from …
Read More» Statement by the President on the Occasion of Hajj and Eid al-Adha As more than 2 million Muslims from around the world and across the United States mark the end of their holy pilgrimage of Hajj in Mecca, Michelle and I extend our warmest wishes to Muslims around the world celebrating Eid al-Adha. This pilgrimage …
Read More» On Eid al-Adha Teresa and I extend our best wishes to Muslims around the world for a blessed Eid al-Adha. We congratulate the nearly three million Muslims – including thousands of Americans – who are performing Hajj this year in fulfillment of one of the fundamental pillars of their faith. Eid al-Adha is a special …
Read More» Constitutional Reform Commission Press Statement John Kirby Department Spokesperson Washington, DC September 4, 2015 The United States notes with concern the decision by Rwanda’s Parliament and President Paul Kagame to establish a Constitutional Reform Commission that may amend or remove executive term limits and permit President Kagame to seek a third term in 2017. We …
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 …
Read More» Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC July 1, 2015 On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of Rwanda on the 53nd anniversary of your independence on July 1. On this day, we recognize Rwanda’s many achievements since its independence. Rwanda is widely recognized …
Read More» U.S. Embassy Kigali June 6, 2015 The United States Embassy shares the disappointment of the United Kingdom and the European Union Heads of Mission in Rwanda regarding the decision to extend the suspension of BBC’s Kinyarwanda service indefinitely. As President Obama stated in April 2014, “the Rwandan genocide was neither an accident nor unavoidable. It …
Read More» Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC February 18, 2015 I welcome the completion and launch of an 8.5 MW solar installation in Rwanda by Gigawatt Global. This is the first utility-scale solar project to come online under the U.S.-Africa Clean Energy Finance (ACEF) program, which is now an integral part of Power …
Read More» A Letter to the Rwandan People: Erica Barks-Ruggles, United States Ambassador Muraho? (How are you?). After just one week in Rwanda, my heart has been warmed by the welcome that I have received and the beauty of the Rwandan people. Each person I have met has greeted me with sincere smiles and well wishes for …
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