The International Criminal Court officially has a new Prosecutor that begun working on Wednesday after taking oath at a ceremony held at the Seat of the Court in The Hague, The Netherlands.

Karim Asad Ahmad Khan QC a national of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland will serve as Prosecutor for a period of nine years.

“I solemnly undertake that I will perform my duties and exercise my powers as Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court honourably, faithfully, impartially and conscientiously, and that I will respect the confidentiality of investigations and prosecutions,” Khan declared.

Khan then signed his oath before the ICC Registrar, Mr Peter Lewis, and delivered his first remarks as the Prosecutor of the ICC.

“The Rome Statute architecture is a promise to the future that tomorrow need not be as bleak and sorrowful as yesterday”, stated Prosecutor Khan.

“I am truly and sincerely humbled at my opportunity to serve, and the responsibilities that have been entrusted in me. I will do my outmost to discharge those responsibilities without fear or favour, faithfully and with integrity, and in full conformity with solemn declaration that I have just given”, he added.

Subject to provisions of Article 45 of the Rome Statute, founding treaty of the ICC, the ceremony was held in open court.

The ceremony was presided over by ICC President, Judge Piotr Hofmański.

“While Judges are the ones who ultimately decide on the verdict in each case, it is also true that those cases would never reach the judges without the Prosecutor’s decision to bring them to court,” President Hofmański noted.

He also said that It is the Prosecutor who is responsible for the way in which preliminary examinations, investigations and prosecutions are conducted, and how evidence for the prosecution is selected and presented.

“On behalf of the Court, I offer heartfelt congratulations to Mr Karim Asad Ahmad Khan QC. As President of the Court, I look forward to working with him to strengthen our joint institution”, he added.

A delegation of 28 senior military officers from the National Defence College of Nigeria is in Rwanda for a regional study tour from 12 to 19 June 2021.

The delegation, led by Brig Gen Aniedi EDET paid a courtesy call to Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) Army Chief of Staff (ACOS) Lieutenant General Mubarakh Muganga after which they received a presentation on the RDF roles and organisation.

The Team leader and Director of Coordination of the visiting team spoke at length on their tour in Rwanda, thanking RDF for a warm welcome extended to the delegation so far.

“For this year, we are eight teams going to other parts of the world, but team seven came to Rwanda to particularly explore the strides achieved in the area of Digital healthcare in Rwanda and draw lessons

General EDET noted that the selection of Rwanda was mainly motivated by the existing partnership between Rwanda and Nigeria. “Rwanda is a very strategic partner to Nigeria…”  Rwanda and Nigerian militaries have exchange training programme at the senior command and staff course level that has been going on for quite some time.

The delegation from NDC started their official tour yesterday. They visited Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre where they paid respect to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

During their week-long tour, the delegation will also visit the Ministry of Health, Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA), Zigama CSS, Military Medical Insurance, Rwanda Military Hospital, Campaign Against Genocide Museum, Huye Museum and other key government and public institutions.

The U.S. Embassy has announced that twelve dynamic and experienced young Rwandans have been selected to participate in the 2021 Young African Leadership Initiative, Mandela Washington Fellowship.

Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic and with the health, safety, and well-being of Fellows and Partners as the highest priority, the 2021 will be organized virtually.

While participating at home, Fellows will participate in virtual Leadership Institute, which will include leadership training, mentoring, and professional development. Each Institute will offer insights into U.S. society and will help strengthen connections between the United States and Africa by establishing partnerships between Fellows, local communities, and private businesses.  Fellows will also network with U.S. community members.

After their Leadership Institutes, Fellows will participate in a virtual Summit.  Additionally, up to 100 competitively-selected Fellows will virtually engage in professional development with U.S. organizations in the public, private, or non-profit sector.  

Fellows can participate in alumni programming after their Fellowships to further build their professional skills and networks.

Launched in 2014, the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) and embodies the U.S. commitment to invest in the future of Africa.

YALI was created in 2010 and supports young Africans as they spur economic growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and security across Africa.  

Since 2014, nearly 4,400 young leaders from every country in Sub-Saharan Africa have participated in the Mandela Washington Fellowship.

Since the inaugural of Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI) Washington Fellowship last held in 2014, there are 66 Rwandans that have been awarded to attend the prestigious Fellowship.

This year’s recipients include, Marie Christelle Igihozo, Mary Musoni, Niceson Karungi, Elie Habimana, Jean Claude Mbonigaba, Sheila Uwase, Germaine Umuraza, Shilla Ndegeya, Gisele Kayitasirwa Ituze, Jean Paul Sekarema, Donat Nzigiyimana, and Justin Byiringiro Murengera.