Linguistic shift to English leads Rwanda to host its first Commonwealth summit
By DW
18 June 2022 |
5:20 pm
Rwanda is gearing up host the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting from June 20-25 in the capital Kigali. The East African country, which has dropped French in favour of English in schools, wants to use the summit to promote its tourism and hospitality sector. But NGOs that are highly critical of Rwanda's human rights record hope to put this aspect in the spotlight during the event. Our correspondents report.
In this article
Related
Related
14 May
The trial has opened of a suspect in the Rwandan genocide who fled to France. Former military policeman Philippe Hategekimana allegedly set up roadblocks to identify ethnic Tutsis, who would be murdered.
26 May
Fulgence Kayishema, a former police officer who is suspected of orchestrating the murder of thousands at a church massacre in 1994 in Rwanda, is arrested in a South African vineyard. Also, May 25 marks both the 60th anniversary of the African Union and Africa Day, a double reason to celebrate and contemplate how to overcome the challenges facing the continent.
12 Jun
Ghana remains determined to host the next Africa Games despite its worst financial crisis in decades. However, even in the wake of a multi-billion IMF loan, some supporters of the project have grown sceptical.
12 Jun
Primary schools should focus on German reading and math instead of English, the president of the German Teachers' Association has said. His remarks come as German students score lower than peers in other countries.
19 Jun
President Paul Kagame's government wants to free thousands of prisoners convicted for the 1994 Rwanda Genocide. It says the move aims to ease overcrowding in prisons and foster reintegration and reconciliation.
3 Jul
Dissident Paul Rusesabagina thanked the US for its efforts to release him from prison earlier this year. His made new criticisms of the Rwandan government in a video to mark the 61st anniversary of Rwanda's independence.
23 Jul
After one of the worst genocides in history, Rwanda is no longer recognizable. The nation is one of the safest, cleanest and most dynamic in Africa. But this awe-inspiring success story also has a downside.
16 Jul
The southern Swedish city of Malmo will host the Eurovision Song Contest for the third time, as the city had already hosted in 1992 and 2013.
14 Aug
A baby was one of two victims after a boat carrying migrants and refugees capsized off Tunisia. A similar tragedy, off the northern French coast, left six Afghan nationals dead.
27 Aug
From courts to classrooms to politics, Germany is embracing the English language. It's a bid to make the country more attractive globally, but the linguistic jump comes at a price.
6 Sep
The Bundesliga record titleholders' new advertising partner is Rwanda, where the latest sponsorship has been met with a mixture of pride and skepticism.
8 Sep
Rwandan authorities made a gruesome discovery this week at the house of an alleged serial killer in the suburbs of Kigali. They uncovered the remains of at least 10 victims who had gone missing. Investigators have revealed that the suspect lured most of his victims, primarily sex workers, to his home before robbing and subsequently killing them.
Latest
34 mins ago
Living in FESTAC Town from its construction in 1977 until the early 1990s was the aspiration of many progressive families. Today, FESTAC Town is a mere shadow of its former glory, and the roads are in urgent need of repair.
43 mins ago
Kenya's President William Ruto is promoting the East African nation as a green energy champion but the country has a way to go.
45 mins ago
The removal of fuel subsidy and subsequent increase in fuel price from about NGN180 to NGN500 in June by the current administration hit businesses and individuals across Nigeria in no small measure. But as of today, prices of fuel have taken another drastic increase from NGN500 to over NGN700. Already, NNPC filling stations across the country have adjusted and started dispensing at NGN617.
1 day ago
Presidential elections in Egypt will take place from December 10 to 12. President Abdel Fattah al Sisi is running for a third term which outcome is predictable, even more now that the election campaign has been overshadowed by the Gaza war. But also because no serious other candidate is facing him, as lamented by human rights defenders.
1 day ago
As emerging technologies like artificial intelligence transform industries, Europe's largest economy is eager to catch up with the US and China. Will it succeed?
1 day ago
As world leaders meet at the UN climate summit in Dubai, a new report shows that carbon emissions are set to hit a record high, with the potential to make climate change worse and fuel more destructive, extreme weather.
×

Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox every day of the week. Stay informed with the Guardian’s leading coverage of Nigerian and world news, business, technology and sports.