Rwandan President Kagame appoints new prime minister
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 - 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. REUTERS
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
12 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Sheng Siong to open first store in Orchard by end August
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Renovation works for the store were first spotted in May. SINGAPORE - Supermarket operator Sheng Siong is set to open its first store in the Orchard Road area at The Cathay shopping mall. A spokesperson for the supermarket told The Straits Times that the 6,500 sq ft store is expected to open by the end of August. The spokesperson added: 'Sheng Siong previously operated a store in the Tekka area, and over the years, customers have expressed their hope for Sheng Siong to have a presence in the central area. 'The Cathay is surrounded by residential developments, and we believe it is a convenient spot for daily grocery needs.' Renovation works for the store were first spotted in May, when a Reddit user posted photos of the ongoing construction at Basement 1 of the mall. According to Sheng Siong's website, the supermarket currently has 82 outlets across the country, with the majority located in the North-east. The supermarket operator recorded a 6.1 per cent increase in net profit to $38.5 million for the first quarter ended March 31, from $36.3 million the year before. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 60 years of building Singapore World Trump deploys nuclear submarines in row with Russia Singapore Man in army uniform allegedly vaping on bus released from SAF custody; investigations ongoing Asia 'Like me? Approach me directly, okay?': Inside a matchmaking event for China's wealthy Opinion America is tearing down another great public institution Life The story of you: What might Singapore look like for those born today? Opinion Quiet zones in public spaces can help people recharge in the city Revenue grew 7.1 per cent to $403 million, from $376.2 million in the corresponding period in 2024. This was thanks to contributions from eight new stores opening in the quarter and FY2024, as well as higher festive sales during Hari Raya in March, said the company on April 29.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Missing Kenya football tickets blamed on govt protest fears
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Kenya President William Ruto's government has been accused of buying up tickets in the stadium to avoid hostile chants from protestors. NAIROBI – As Kenya prepares its biggest-ever football hosting job this weekend, locals are wondering why they can't buy tickets, with some accusing the government of filling the stadium with its supporters to avoid hostile chants. Kenya has seen multiple deadly protests for more than a year over economic stagnation and police brutality, leaving dozens dead or missing. It is hoping for a more positive vibe as it co-hosts the African Nations Championship (CHAN) with Tanzania and Uganda in August. But local fans are puzzled over the difficulty of securing tickets for Kenya's first match, against Democratic Republic of Congo, at Nairobi's 48,000-capacity Kasarani Stadium on Aug 3. Tickets have been sold out since July 28 evening – the result of a 'more than eager' fanbase, according to Nicholas Musonye, head of the local organising committee. Some die-hard supporters find that hard to believe. 'We haven't found any fan who managed to buy a ticket,' said a Kenyan sports journalist, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals by the government due to the 'political' nature of the issue. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 60 years of building Singapore World Trump deploys nuclear submarines in row with Russia World 'Optimistic' Bessent says US has makings of a deal with China Asia Not 'the end of the story'; some relief in Asia-Pacific over new Trump tariffs but concerns remain Singapore Man in SAF custody after allegedly vaping on bus while in army uniform Asia 'Like me? Approach me directly, okay?': Inside a matchmaking event for China's wealthy Opinion America is tearing down another great public institution Opinion Quiet zones in public spaces can help people recharge in the city He accuses the government of President William Ruto of buying up tickets in a bid to avoid chants like 'Ruto Must Go' that have become widely used since the protests began. He added that the government was likely handing tickets to people less likely to be critical. PropesaTV, an online media critical of Mr Ruto, told its 150,000 followers on X that the government had 'bought over half of the Kenya v Congo CHAN opening-match tickets in a bid to stop or avoid the chants'. It said tickets were being distributed to 'government supporters' who will be transported to the stadium by bus from Kibera, a huge Nairobi slum that has seen fewer protests against the president than other areas. A resident of the neighbourhood, also asking to remain anonymous, said he saw a 'massive' group of people hired by local officials to 'register' and collect personal data in exchange for tickets to the match. Kariuki Ngunjiri, a national youth leader for the president's party, said he had 'not seen the accusations'. 'Tickets are available online, we are encouraging a lot of people to come in large numbers on Sunday and enjoy the game,' he said, though tickets could not be found then or since by AFP. Kenyan Football Federation president Hussein Mohammed told AFP he was not responsible for ticketing, which falls under Confederation of African Football (CAF). CAF did not respond to a request for comment. Last week, Musonye of the organising committee told the Kenyan parliament that 'the current prevailing situation in the country, concerning the Gen Z protests, has been identified as a potential risk that can affect the safe delivery of the tournament'. AFP
Business Times
an hour ago
- Business Times
Barclays latest British lender to quit climate banking alliance
[LONDON] Barclays has become the latest British lender to quit the Net Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA), the bank said on Friday (Aug 1), arguing that the departure of several global lenders has left it no longer fit to support the bank's green transition. Barclays' decision to quit the foremost banking alliance focused on tackling climate change follows that of HSBC and several major US banks and raises questions about the ability of the group to influence change in the sector going forward. 'After consideration, we have decided to withdraw from the Net Zero Banking Alliance,' the bank said. The bank added that its commitment to be net zero by 2050 remained unchanged and that it still saw a commercial opportunity for itself and its clients in the energy transition. Earlier this week, Barclays published the first update on its sustainability strategy in several years and said that it made £500 million (S$857 million) in revenue from sustainable and low-carbon transition finance in 2024. Jeanne Martin, co-director of corporate engagement at responsible investment NGO ShareAction, called the decision to leave the Net Zero Banking Alliance 'incredibly disappointing and a step in the wrong direction at a time when the dangers of climate change are rapidly mounting'. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 12.30 pm ESG Insights An exclusive weekly report on the latest environmental, social and governance issues. Sign Up Sign Up Barclays said that the alliance was no longer fit for its purpose: 'With the departure of most of the global banks, the organisation no longer has the membership to support our transition.' The NZBA, a global initiative launched by the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative, lists more than 100 members on its website, including leading international financial institutions. A spokesperson for the alliance said that it remains focused on 'supporting its members to lead on climate by addressing the barriers preventing their clients from investing in the net-zero transition.' The NZBA earlier this year overhauled its rules after the departure of key members, with banks voting to ditch some of its more stringent membership rules. REUTERS
