Rwanda - The African Mirror

Jul

2021

Rwanda deploys troops to Mozambique

RWANDA has started deploying a 1 000-strong force to Mozambique to help the country combat an escalating Islamic State-linked insurgency that threatens its stability. Last month, the 16-member Southern African Development Community (SADC) approved the deployment of a joint force to help Mozambique respond to the conflict that is concentrated in the northern Cabo Delgado province. Soldiers from Rwanda, which is not a member of SADC, would fight alongside Mozambique's forces and SADC troops, the Rwandan government said. Fighting erupted in October 2017 and thousands of civilians, soldiers and insurgents have been killed in the violence. "The Rwandan contingent will…

May

2021

By The African Mirror

Zamalek crowned maiden BAL Champions

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO EGYPTIAN team Zamalek became winners of the inaugural Basketball Africa League (BAL) defeating finalist US Monastir 76-63 at the Kigali Arena in Kigali, Rwanda. Monastir led by a slim margin after the first quarter and the first portion of the second, until Zamalek clawed their way back to lead 44-42 at halftime. Power Forward Micheal Fakude led Zamalek with 15 points off the bench in the final. Mohab Yasser and Souleyman Diabate proved the difference in the encounter as the 18-year-old Yasser scored 14 points for the Egyptians. Diabate also scored 14 points, together with 6 assists and…

May

2021

By The African Mirror

Hosts Rwanda off to good start at Basketball Africa League

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO RWANDA’S very own Patriots started proceedings in the maiden Basketball Africa League (BAL) game with a dominant 83-60 win over Nigeria’s outfit Rivers Hoopers. The Nigerian side was tapped, in part due to the strength of their roster, to dominate the opening fixture against home side BBC Patriots at the Kigali Arena in Kigali, Rwanda. The Patriots were led by power forward Brandon Costner, finishing with a game-high 20 points, and center Prince Ibeh who registered 11 points and 11 rebounds. https://twitter.com/theBAL/status/1394000949602136075 Forward Taren Sullivan and Nigerian international Ben Uzoh led the way for the Rivers Hoopers -…

May

2021

By The African Mirror

A hoop dream come true

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO THE dreams of African basketball players around the globe to play the sport at the highest level on African soil will be realized at the Kigali Arena in Rwanda in the inaugural Basketball Africa League (BAL). The 26-game tournament tips-of on May 16 - with the final being played on May 30. The Basketball Africa League (BAL) is the first partnership with the National Basketball Association (NBA) outside of North America. The inaugural league, formed in collaboration with the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), includes club teams from African countries such as Algeria, Angola, Cameroon, Egypt, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco,…

Apr

2021

By The African Mirror

#kwibuka27…Rwanda marks 27 years since genocide

NEWS

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER UNITED NATIONS secretary-general Antonio Guterres has urged the world to heed the lessons of one of Africa’s worst genocides during which over a millon Tutsis were systematically killed. In an special message to mark the the 27th anniversary of the genocide and declared as an International Day for Reflection, Guterres said: “On this day, we honour those who were murdered, we reflect on the suffering and we recognize the resilience of those who have survived. As we join in solidarity with the people of Rwanda, we must take a hard look at today's world and ensure that…

Mar

2021

By The African Mirror

How men can support maternal health: lessons from Rwanda

HEALTH

RWANDA has seen an improvement in public health over the past 20 years. The maternal health field has benefited greatly from such improvements. In particular, the country has seen a remarkable reduction in deaths related to pregnancy. But more must still be done to meet key national and international maternal health targets. Achieving continued improvement will require identifying and acting on new opportunities, including deepening men’s involvement in maternal health. GERMAINE TUYISENGE, Postdoctoral Fellow, Simon Fraser University VALORIE A. CROOKS, Professor, Department of Geography and Canada Research Chair in Health Service Geographies, Simon Fraser University In Rwanda, as with most…

Mar

2021

By The African Mirror

Kenya calls first vaccines ‘bazookas’, Rwanda secures Pfizer shots

COVID-19

OMAR MOHAMMED and CLEMENT UWIRIGIYIMANA KENYA received over a million doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday, while Rwanda said it was the first in Africa to secure shots from Pfizer, as efforts to inoculate the world's poorest nations accelerated. With fewer resources and tougher logistics than other regions, African nations are racing to secure the doses needed to protect their roughly 1.3 billion people and allow the safe reopening of economies. Africa has been relatively lightly hit by the coronavirus relative to other regions, recording 104,000 deaths, according to a Reuters tally, That is lower than national tallies…

Feb

2021

By The African Mirror

The golden quartet of Afrobasket

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO FORTY games - over 2016 minutes - of blood, sweat and some tears during thrilling action at the African Basketball Championship (Afrobasket) have produced the continent’s top four basketball nations. The qualifying window, which took place in the two cities Monastir, Tunisia and Yaounde Cameroon, produced four teams, reigning Champions Tunisia, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Egypt who outclassed their group mates. These four teams have yet to lose a fixture in the six qualifying games played and seek to take their brilliant form into the Afrobasket finals held in Kigali, Rwanda from August 24 to September 5. Tunisia,…

Feb

2021

By The African Mirror

Basketball; Africa’s Best of Best

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO ALAS, the African Basketball Championship (Afrobasket) qualifiers have come to a conclusion. The drama and talent on show intoxicated fans, leaving eyes wanting as we await the Afrobasket finals in Kigali, Rwanda. In the enthusiasm for what is to come, The African Mirror brings you the stand-out performers from the tournament held in Tunisia and Cameroon. Salah Mejri (Tunisia) Mejri’s presence on the floor cannot be understated, defensively and offensively, the Tunisian has been his team’s pivot. If you needed an indication as to how impactful the center has been Tunisia have yet to lose a game throughout…

Feb

2021

By The African Mirror

Nigeria off to a great start

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO OPENING day of the African basketball championship (Afrobasket) qualifiers started in electrifying fashion in Monastir with Nigeria staking their claim as Africa’s finest. Nigeria prevailed as winners (75-70) against an impressive South Sudan team in the latter’s first continental competition. D’Tigers (Nigeria national men’s team) had to pry the victory away from the determined South Sudan team coached by former National Basketball Association (NBA) All-star Luol Deng. https://twitter.com/AfroBasket/status/1362137886557155328 Currently ranked number one in Africa, under the guidance of new head coach Mdon Udofia, Nigeria booked their ticket to the main Afrobasket showcase scheduled for late 2021. Point guard…