According to Rwanda’s Office of the President, Kagame and his host President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will also hold a closed-door meeting on Wednesday before addressing a joint press conference.
The Astana International Forum is slated for May 29 through 30, will bring together global leaders and experts to discuss pressing world issues.
Rwanda’s diplomatic ties with Kazakhstan were formally established in 2016 when Rwanda appointed a representative to the Central Asian nation.
On September 25, 2024, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Olivier Nduhungirehe held a bilateral meeting with Murat Nurtleu, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79).
During this meeting, both ministers signed an agreement on Visa Exemption for citizens of both countries.
Kazakhstan is a major economic and political player in Central Asia, contributing about 60% of the region’s GDP, largely driven by oil and gas exports. The country is also rich in mineral resources.
The Astana International Forum, held annually in the capital city of Astana, began in 2008.
The forum brings together heads of state, entrepreneurs, experts, and international organizations to address global challenges such as security, international politics, energy, climate change, and economic development.
“I am considering taking Three Billion Dollars of Grant Money away from a very antisemitic Harvard, and giving it to TRADE SCHOOLS all across our land,” Trump said in a post on social media. “What a great investment that would be for the USA, and so badly needed!!!”
The Trump administration has already moved to freeze funding and block Harvard’s ability to enroll international students in an intensifying battle over what the president has cast as a failure by the Ivy League university and others to crack down on antisemitism. Harvard is the oldest and richest U.S. university with a 53 billion U.S. dollars endowment.
“Administration officials have been using that rationale to pressure schools to institute wide policy changes that university officials say infringe on free speech and their academic missions,” noted Bloomberg News in its report about the move.
“Harvard has been front and center in Trump’s campaign, with the administration already suspending more than 2.6 billion U.S. dollars in federal research money and saying the school won’t be able to receive new funding,” it added.
Speaking to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over phone, Xi once again congratulated him on assuming office.
He pointed out that as the world undergoes accelerated changes unseen in a century and the international landscape is marked by transformation and turbulence, the strategic and global significance of China-Germany and China-EU relations has become even more prominent.
A sound and stable China-Germany relationship serves both countries’ interests, and meets the expectations of various sectors in China and Europe, the Chinese president added.
China and Germany have developed their bilateral relations based on mutual respect, seeking common ground while shelving differences, and win-win cooperation, Xi stressed, calling on both sides to maintain and carry forward this fine tradition.
First, Xi called for consolidating political mutual trust. He said China views Germany as a partner, welcomes Germany’s development and prosperity, and is willing to maintain close high-level exchanges with Germany, respect each other’s core interests and consolidate the political foundation of bilateral relations.
Second, Xi urged the two sides to enhance the resilience of their ties. He said both sides should not only continue to expand the existing cooperation in traditional fields such as automobiles, mechanical manufacturing and chemical industry, but seek more collaboration in cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence and quantum technology, and strengthen exchanges and cooperation in areas including climate change and green development, contributing the wisdom and solutions of China and Germany to global sustainable development.
Third, Xi noted that bilateral cooperation should continue to gather momentum. He said that China is willing to share with Germany development opportunities brought by its high-level opening-up, adding that China hopes Germany will offer more policy support and facilitation for two-way investment, and provide a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises.
Xi pointed out that facts have fully proven that partnership is the proper positioning of China-Germany and China-EU relations, and a stable and predictable policy environment is essential to ensuring bilateral cooperation.
As major countries, he added, both sides share a common responsibility. Noting that this year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the EU, Xi said that the two sides should jointly review the successful experience in the development of China-EU relations and send a positive signal in support of multilateralism and free trade, as well as deepening openness and mutually beneficial cooperation.
For his part, Merz said that China is one of the world’s most important countries, and Germany-China relations have seen sound development, with deepened cooperation yielding fruitful results.
Bilateral cooperation is particularly significant in the current international landscape as both China and Germany are the world’s major economies, the German chancellor added.
The new German government adheres to the one-China policy, and is willing to push for greater progress in their strategic partnership in a constructive and practical manner, he said.
Germany expects to conduct closer exchanges and cooperation with China in various areas, uphold opening-up and mutual benefit, boost fair trade, safeguard world peace and jointly tackle climate change and other global challenges, Merz said.
A healthy and steady development of EU-China relations is in the interest of both sides, and Germany is willing to play an active part in this regard, he said.
The two leaders also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis.
The memorials include the Kigali Genocide Memorial at Gisozi, the Nyamata Memorial in Bugesera, the Murambi Memorial in Nyamagabe, and the Bisesero Memorial in the Western Province.
In 2022, before their designation as World Heritage Sites, these four memorials recorded over 101,000 visitors—54,845 of whom were foreigners and 46,600 Rwandans.
Following their inscription on the World Heritage List in 2024, total visitor numbers surged to more than 193,000. The number of foreign visitors more than doubled, exceeding 120,000, while Rwandan visitors increased to over 73,000.
Veneranda Ingabire, Executive Director of Memory and Genocide prevention at the Ministry of National Unity, told RBA that the 54.2% rise in foreign visitors reflects the memorials’ growing international visibility.
She noted that the world has embraced the responsibility to promote these sites’ significance and encourage more visits to deepen understanding.
Lydie Mutesi from Aegis Trust, the organization managing the Kigali Genocide Memorial, emphasized that their team has been strengthened with new knowledge and capacity to professionally accommodate the increasing number of visitors.
Enhanced training ensures that Rwanda’s history is preserved and communicated effectively, allowing the memorials’ message to resonate worldwide.
The four Genocide Memorials were officially inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on September 20, 2023, marking a major milestone in their preservation and global recognition.
Speaking at a press conference in Berlin, German Federal Foreign Office spokesperson Kathrin Deschauer said there was no formalized military cooperation with Uganda.
The Ugandan military said Sunday that it has suspended all defense and military cooperation with Germany in response to “credible intelligence reports” that German Ambassador to Uganda Mathias Schauer is actively engaged in subversive activities in the country.
Deschauer noted that Germany was not aware of any background or context that could explain such allegations.
Han and Choi have been under investigation as suspects of insurrection and prevented from leaving the country in the middle of this month.
The police special investigative unit summoned Han and Choi as well as Lee Sang-min, former interior minister who was prohibited from leaving the country last December, for questioning on Monday.
The three former government officials were suspected of being involved in the botched martial law bid by former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who was removed from office in April.
These include Eswatini, Guinea, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Zimbabwe, Georgia, France, Poland, Oman, Suriname, and Canada. The move is expected to strengthen Rwanda’s international connectivity and support its ambitions in aviation, trade, and tourism.
During the same session, the Cabinet also adopted a national data sharing policy aimed at establishing a secure and legally compliant framework for sharing data across public institutions.
The Cabinet further approved periodic reports on Rwanda’s implementation of international human rights treaties.
Additionally, a Ministerial Order concerning the guardianship of children by the state and regulations on intercountry adoption was approved.
The meeting also noted upcoming national events. The 18ᵗʰ National Agriculture Show is scheduled to take place in Mulindi, Kigali, from June 18 to 27, 2025.
Rwanda will also host the 2025 International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Annual Meeting in Kigali from October 6 to 10.
The launch event took place on Friday at the MIC Branch, BPR’s flagship location for the Ikamba proposition, and brought together women entrepreneurs, key partners such as GIZ,Access to Finance Rwanda (AFR), and the KCB Foundation, as well as BPR Bank’s management and staff.
Ikamba combines both financial and non-financial services tailored to the needs of WSMEs. These include flexible cash-flow-based loans of up to Frw 100 million, reduced transaction fees, smart savings options, and access to dedicated WSME branches with personalized support.
Additionally, members benefit from business insights, capacity-building programs, and discounted access to the BPR Biashara Club, all geared toward fostering business growth and financial inclusion.
In her remarks, Patience Mutesi, Managing Director of BPR Bank Rwanda, emphasized the bank’s commitment to economic inclusion: “With Ikamba, we are making a bold statement – that Rwandan women in business deserve more than just access to finance; they deserve a partner that understands their unique journeys.
“We are proud to launch this proposition at our MIC Branch, with plans to roll it out to more branches across the country. Ikamba reflects our values of inclusivity, resilience, and innovation.”
BPR is partnering with Access to Finance Rwanda (AFR) and GIZ to bring Ikamba to life.
Commenting on the development, Jean Bosco Iyacu, CEO of AFR, remarked: “Ikamba is a result of strategic co-design with BPR Bank to unlock financing for women entrepreneurs in a way that is practical, scalable, and sustainable.
“We are proud to support this initiative, which aligns with our mission to facilitate a diverse and inclusive financial sector that supports increased resilience and sustainable livelihoods for all and contributes to Rwanda’s economic transformation.”
BPR’s MIC Branch is the first dedicated location to roll out the Ikamba proposition. The bank plans to expand to additional branches over time to ensure broader accessibility and continued support for women entrepreneurs across Rwanda.
Unlike previous editions organized in collaboration with the Rwandan Embassy and Charleroi city authorities, this year’s event was independently coordinated by the local Rwandan community in Charleroi.
The commemoration was attended by key figures including Eugène Twagiramutabazi, President of Ibuka Mémoire & Justice – Belgique; Pamela Kamuzima, head of DRB-Rugali Section Charleroi; and Lina Mukandori, representing the association of genocide survivors in the city.
Also present was Marina Shumbusho, 24, who gave a moving testimony as a child born to genocide survivors. Friends of Rwanda and members of the diaspora from various parts of Belgium also joined the event.
In her remarks, Lina Mukandori reflected on Rwanda’s painful past, noting that 31 years ago, ethnic division led to atrocities where people turned against neighbors, friends, and even close relatives.
“Over the past three decades, Rwanda has chosen a different path—one of unity, rebuilding, and dignity,” she said.
She also addressed genocide denial, especially claims that the genocide began only after the 1994 plane crash that killed President Juvénal Habyarimana. “That’s not true,” she stated, referencing genocide researcher Gregory H. Stanton’s work on the stages of genocide planning.
Eugène Twagiramutabazi commended the youth for their involvement in organizing the event. “We remember, no matter what. Remembrance is not mine or yours—it belongs to all of us,” he said.
As in previous years, the ceremony also honored the 10 Belgian peacekeepers killed in Rwanda on April 7, 1994—including Charleroi natives Corporal Alain Debatty, First Lieutenant Thierry Lotin, and Corporal Marc Uyttebroeck.
The event began with the laying of wreaths at the Genocide Memorial in Parc Reine Astrid, a park in central Charleroi that also holds monuments tied to World War history.
A walk to remember followed, carried out under heavy rain, but continued undeterred, as participants remained committed to the cause.
The final segment included testimonies, solemn songs, reflection, and a night vigil featuring remembrance music and photos of victims—honoring their names, lives, and legacies.
The announcement was made on Monday morning via a statement shared on X by the movement’s coordinator, Corneille Nangaa, marking a significant political moment in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Kabila’s return to the eastern city comes after an extended period abroad, primarily spent in South Africa and Zimbabwe, where he lived in forced exile.
According to AFC/M23, his decision to return via Goma is being seen as both symbolic and strategic.
“The return of this prominent political figure is warmly received. He made the right choice by coming back rather than remaining in forced exile,” the statement read.
AFC/M23 emphasised that Goma is currently the only part of the country free from political persecution, arbitrary arrests, hate speech, and tribal discrimination.
Since February, the movement claims Goma has hosted delegations from diverse backgrounds, including a joint mission from the Church of Christ in Congo (ECC) and the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO), which AFC/M23 says blessed the peace efforts under their control.
The group also positioned Goma as a safe haven for political actors who wish to operate freely.
“The gates of Goma—which are also the gates of Congo—are wide open to all compatriots who wish to carry out political activities in a republican spirit,” they said.
{{Katumbi’s reaction}}
Kabila’s return has also drawn sharp political reactions. Moïse Katumbi, a leading opposition figure and former Katanga governor, echoed the sentiments shared by Nangaa, through a pointed message posted on X.
“I stand with you, dear coordinator @CNangaa. What you said is true, painful, and powerful. Those who were supposed to lead the fight for justice and freedom have fallen short. They’ve forgotten why they once rose up,” Katumbi wrote.
He contrasted Kinshasa’s current leadership with the environment in Goma, saying, “While Kinshasa crushes, humiliates, insults, and divides, Goma welcomes, protects, and unites. Even Joseph Kabila is returning there. That alone shows how far Tshisekedi’s regime has pushed away all the values of the Republic.”
Katumbi ended his statement with a call for change: “Our only wish today is to remove Tshisekedi from power. Congo deserves better than this disguised dictatorship, this institutionalised tribalism, and this incompetence turned into a system. Thank you for saying out loud what so many are quietly thinking. The people will decide.”
Last week, DRC senators voted to lift Joseph Kabila’s immunity, paving the way for possible prosecution over alleged links to the M23 rebel group. The move followed the seizure of his assets by authorities who accused him of supporting the rebels.
The situation intensified amid reports that Kabila had visited Goma in April—claims he has firmly denied.
In an address to Congolese on May 23, 2025, Kabila clarified he had not been to Goma but plans to visit soon, dismissing the accusations as politically motivated and based on rumors.
He also noted that even if such a visit had occurred, it would have been in the spirit of dialogue with fellow Congolese, especially given the government’s ongoing peace talks with M23 leaders in Qatar.
The AFC/M23 claims to fight for the rights of marginalised communities, particularly Kinyarwanda-speaking groups long subjected to persecution in eastern Congo.
Following a major offensive, the group now controls key territories, including the cities of Bukavu and Goma, which it seized in January 2025.
Recent mediation efforts by the U.S. and Qatar led to talks between M23 and the Congolese government. However, tensions remain high, with Kinshasa reportedly committed to continued military action.
After the withdrawal of Romanian mercenaries defeated by M23, President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration is now said to be seeking new mercenaries from Colombia.
As Kabila’s reemergence and Katumbi’s defiance converge in the eastern region, the political climate in the DRC appears to be shifting, possibly setting the stage for deeper opposition alignment ahead of future national transitions.
