The ministry said 307 Russian servicemen have “returned from Kiev-controlled territory,” while the equivalent number of Ukrainian prisoners was freed as well.
“The large-scale exchange initiated by the Russian side will continue,” the ministry said.
The swap followed the exchange of 270 servicemen and 120 civilians from each side announced on Friday.
Following their direct negotiations in Istanbul last week, Russia and Ukraine agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners on each side, marking the largest prisoner swap since the start of their conflict in 2022.
“Safety, security, and prosperity in Central Africa are in the clear interest of the United States,” the senators said in a joint release.
The statement, signed by Senators Jim Risch, Jeanne Shaheen, Chris Coons, Ted Cruz, Cory Booker, and John Cornyn, welcomed the recent diplomatic progress made through negotiations facilitated by the United States.
The lawmakers highlighted the April 25 Declaration of Principles signed in Washington D.C. as “a clear step forward” and “the latest testament to the power of U.S. engagement and leadership in this region.”
The senators urged all parties to continue negotiating in good faith and to adhere to the commitments outlined in the Declaration.
“Now is the time for all parties to redouble their efforts at the negotiating table to achieve a lasting and sustainable resolution to the conflict,” they stated.
They also emphasized the importance of including civil society in the negotiation process and ensuring that any future agreement allows for the “neutral and unimpeded access to and delivery of robust humanitarian aid.”
The ongoing U.S.-led talks, alongside mediation efforts from Qatar, Angola, France, and Togo, have brought renewed hope.
If negotiations continue on a positive trajectory, Rwanda and the DRC are expected to sign a peace agreement in June 2025 in Washington D.C., in the presence of the U.S. President Donald Trump.
As the exclusive representative of world-class brands such as Caterpillar, Manitou, Kalmar, Massey Ferguson, and the newly added FAW, Tractafric Equipment offers a comprehensive range of services, including the sale of new and used equipment, spare parts, maintenance, rentals, repairs, fleet management, and training.
For construction, mining, infrastructure development, and more, Tractafric Equipment offers globally recognized CAT and SEM machines.
Their extensive lineup includes bulldozers, excavators, wheel loaders, motor graders, and other earthmoving and material handling equipment. Available in diesel. These machines provide customers with flexible power options to suit diverse operational needs.
With a diverse fleet comprising over 100 types of machines, Tractafric Equipment supplies industrial equipment renowned for cargo handling and material movement, with capacities ranging from 1.5 to 60 tons.
Specialized machines are capable of lifting loads up to 30 meters, with brands like Manitou and Kalmar offering models powered by diesel, fuel, or electricity, catering to environmentally conscious businesses.
Given the region’s reliance on agriculture, Tractafric Equipment provides tailored solutions to enhance agricultural productivity.
Partnering with Massey Ferguson, the company supplies a range of tractors equipped with various horsepower options and specialized attachments for plowing, harrowing, fertilizing, and harvesting with exceptional precision.
Beyond equipment sales, Tractafric Equipment is a one-stop center for spare parts, offering components for trucks, tractors, machines, and more. Their inventory includes tires, oil, oil filters, and other essential parts to keep machinery running smoothly.
The company also offers generators up to 4MW and solar-powered generators ranging from small household units to industrial models capable of generating over 2,000 volts.
Additionally, Tractafric Equipment supplies mobile tower lights, which extend up to 7.6 meters, providing reliable illumination for construction sites, events, and other temporary lighting needs. They also stock 400-liter cement mixers, ideal for large-scale construction projects.
Abdourahman Youssouf Ismail, Parts & Service Manager, emphasized the importance of maintenance in protecting the value of machinery investments.
“We guide our clients on how to care for their machines because some parts require replacement every 250, 500, or 1,000 hours of use. Without proper knowledge, clients might overlook essential maintenance,” he said.
Pierre Warin, Regional Director for the Great Lakes region, underscored Tractafric Equipment’s commitment to after-sales support, highlighting that their employees receive specialized training directly from manufacturers such as Caterpillar, Perkins, and Massey Ferguson.
“We don’t just sell machines; we provide long-term value by ensuring these machines continue to perform efficiently over time,” Warin noted.
In addition to sales and maintenance, Tractafric Equipment offers rental services, allowing clients to access essential equipment for extended periods.
The company has also introduced a flexible rent-to-own program, enabling customers to acquire equipment through installment payments in partnership with financial institutions. This approach reduces financial strain while empowering clients to grow their businesses effectively.
Sales Manager Kevin Ndahinyuka noted that the company goes beyond sales to provide advisory services, helping clients select the right equipment for their specific operational needs.
“We assist clients in choosing the appropriate machinery based on their needs, and even after the purchase, we continue to support them throughout the machine’s lifecycle,” he said.
Recently, Tractafric Equipment expanded its offerings with the introduction of the FAW J6P truck tractors and tippers, manufactured by the leading Chinese brand FAW.
Designed for mining, construction, and agriculture, these robust trucks offer payload capacities ranging from 7,000 to 18,000 kg, with a 6×4 transmission system ensuring reliable performance in demanding conditions.
As the region continues to develop rapidly, Tractafric Equipment remains steadfast in its mission to provide top-tier heavy machinery solutions while maintaining a customer-centric approach. “Our mission remains the same: to be the go-to provider of heavy machinery solutions, delivering the best value to our clients,” the company stated.
For business inquiries, Tractafric Equipment’s offices are located in Kigali, Rwanda at KK 6 Ave, Magerwa Road. They can also be reached at +250 788 366 000 for Rwanda and +257 79 33 93 37 for Burundi.
Stay updated with Tractafric Equipment by following them on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn at Tractafric Equipment Rwanda & Tractafric Equipment Burundi.
Visit their website at https://www.tractafric-equipment.com/en/rwanda–burundi.html for more information.
The signing took place at CISI’s London headquarters during a high-level visit organised by TheCityUK under the Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC) Skills Council initiative.
The Rwandan delegation, comprising senior representatives from government, regulators, the stock exchange, and financial development institutions, explored how to address financial services skills gaps in the sector.
The visit forms part of Rwanda’s wider strategy to develop a robust and inclusive financial ecosystem.
Signed by CISI CEO Tracy Vegro OBE and CMA Chief Executive Thapelo Tsheole, the MoU sets out a framework to build capacity in Rwanda’s capital markets through mandatory qualifications and an annual continuing professional development (CPD) requirement.
A key pillar of the agreement is a new three-part licensing pathway for Rwandan capital markets practitioners. This includes CISI’s International Introduction to Securities & Investment qualification, an updated Rwanda Regulatory Assessment, and a role-specific technical unit – a model aligned with international standards and best practice.
The introduction of CPD as a condition for licence renewal will help ensure that practitioners maintain up-to-date knowledge and skills that are fit for the future. These reforms align with Rwanda’s broader goals to position Kigali as an International Financial Centre.
Commenting on the development, Tracy Vegro OBE, CISI CEO stated, “CISI is committed to working in partnership with the CMA to support its delivery of an innovative, premium suite of qualifications, lifelong learning CPD and membership for Rwandan financial services practitioners. Enhanced standards, skills and knowledge are crucial in building a professional financial services sector and essential in maintaining consumer trust and confidence.”
Thapelo Tsheole, CEO of CMA described the MoU as a significant milestone in the journey towards enhancing the professionalism and integrity of Rwanda’s capital markets.
“Through this partnership with the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment, we are introducing a qualifications-led licensing programme that will equip our market practitioners with the necessary skills and ethical standards to thrive in an increasingly complex financial landscape.
“This initiative aligns with our vision to position Rwanda as a competitive financial centre and supports the implementation of the Capital Market Long-Term Development Strategy, which is pivotal to our long-term economic development goals.”
This renewed collaboration marks a significant step in Rwanda’s capital markets development and reinforces CISI’s role as a key strategic partner in advancing financial sector skills across Africa.
The ceremony took place at the UN Headquarters in New York, where Amb. Ngoga conveyed warm greetings on behalf of President Paul Kagame, the Government of Rwanda, and the Rwandan people.
“I bring you warm greetings from the President, the Government, and the people of RwandaI take the role with commitment to work with you, and everyone in the United Nations family to engage constructively to advance shared ideas,” he said.
Amb. Ngoga succeeds Ernest Rwamucyo, who served as Rwanda’s Permanent Representative to the UN since October 2023. He was posted to Kenya where he oversees Rwanda’s interests.
Amb. Ngoga is a seasoned Rwandan diplomat and public servant with extensive experience in law, governance, and regional integration. Born on March 2, 1968, in Kagera, United Republic of Tanzania, he is married and fluent in English, Kiswahili, and Kinyarwanda.
Before his appointment as Rwanda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amb. Ngoga served as High Commissioner to the Republic of Kenya and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and UN-Habitat.
From 2017 to 2022, he was Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), following his earlier role as a Member of Parliament within the same institution from 2015 to 2017.
Amb. Ngoga played a key role in Rwanda’s justice system, having served as the country’s Prosecutor General from 2006 to 2013, and Deputy Prosecutor General from 2003 to 2006.
Between 1999 and 2003, he was Rwanda’s Special Representative to the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) in Arusha, Tanzania.
His earlier roles include Deputy Head of Public Prosecutions in Butare Province and Head of the Legal Department in Rwanda’s Ministry of Labour and Public Services.
Amb. Ngoga holds a Master’s degree in Genocide Studies and Prevention from the University of Rwanda, and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Dar es Salaam, completed in 1996.
With a career spanning diplomacy, regional leadership, and transitional justice, Amb. Ngoga brings a wealth of experience to his current role in representing Rwanda on the global stage.
Rwanda is recognized as a key partner of the United Nations, particularly in peacekeeping. It is currently the fourth-largest contributor of troops to UN peace operations globally.
In addition to its peacekeeping role, Rwanda has played a significant humanitarian role by hosting refugees evacuated from Libya since 2019, under an agreement with the United Nations and the African Union.
These refugees are temporarily housed at the Gashora Emergency Transit Centre as they await resettlement in third countries.
Last week, the United Nations announced a new $1.04 billion cooperation framework with Rwanda, covering the period 2025 to 2029.
The funding aims to advance Rwanda’s national development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He made these remarks during the company’s celebration of International Labour Day, held to honor and appreciate staff contributions over the past year.
“The most important person in any company is the one who works there,” Bahizi said. “Every achievement and potential the organization has are rooted in its employees. That’s why we continually remind them of their value to the company’s growth and performance.”
The day was marked by a range of engaging activities designed to promote wellness, camaraderie, and team spirit. Staff and management participated in team-building exercises, football, volleyball, and other interactive games.
Bahizi emphasized that these activities serve more than just entertainment—they are vital to both personal well-being and professional performance.
“These games allow employees to unwind and maintain strong physical health, which in turn sharpens the mind. Second, they’re deeply educational.” he noted.
He added that the games reflect real workplace dynamics, highlighting how teamwork, communication, and mutual support are essential in overcoming challenges and achieving collective goals.
Touching on the growing discussion around automation and artificial intelligence (AI), Bahizi dismissed the idea that technology could fully replace the human workforce.
“Yes, we have machines and technologies like AI, and some believe these will replace people. But they haven’t—and won’t. Technology is created and run by humans. Once we adapt to one tool, we go on to create the next,” he explained.
The celebration concluded with an awards ceremony, recognizing employees who have shown outstanding behavior, dedication, and service both over the past year and throughout their careers with the company.
Kayitesi Sylvie, a BK Insurance employee, shared that seeing her colleagues recognized inspired her to work even harder with the hope of being celebrated in the future.
In his closing remarks, Bahizi expressed gratitude to all staff and reaffirmed that the company’s continued growth rests on their daily commitment and teamwork.
He urged employees to remain passionate, collaborative, and resilient—encouraging them to uphold strong work ethics and uplift each other as one team.
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This initiative is part of a wider effort to promote education and empower young people in the region.
Colonel Simon Rocky Nyagasaza, Commander of the Rwanda Level 2+ Hospital, stated that the initiative aims to support the ambitions of young minds and to help cultivate their potential to become future leaders of the nation.
He urged the students to remain dedicated to their studies in pursuit of their goals.
The leader of Yandumo II Village, René Maradounguo thanked Rwandan contingents for their continued support.
He called for further assistance in the areas of health, education, and sanitation, and reaffirmed the community’s commitment to continued cooperation with the Rwandan peacekeepers in maintaining peace and security.
The meeting was confirmed by the Office of the President, which reported that discussions focused on expanding ServiceNow’s AI-powered digital workflow solutions in Rwanda.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) at BK Arena, where both Kagame and Camara attended the matchup between APR BBC and MBB South Africa, part of the ongoing Nile Conference in Kigali.
ServiceNow, a global leader in digital workflow solutions, has been steadily growing its presence across Africa, with active operations in Kenya, South Africa, and other emerging markets.
The company supports a variety of initiatives, including renewable energy projects and the promotion of green investment in the private sector.
Additionally, ServiceNow hosts high-level events such as the ServiceNow Africa Summit, which brings together investors, policymakers, and tech innovators to explore technology-driven approaches to solving regional challenges.
ServiceNow is particularly focused on helping both government and private sector institutions find technology-based solutions, with a strong emphasis on artificial intelligence, a focus area that aligns with the country’s national priorities in technology and innovation.
This decision overturns a 2024 ruling by a French court, which had dismissed the case on the grounds of insufficient evidence.
The Collectif des Parties Civiles pour le Rwanda (CPCR), rights group dedicated to prosecuting genocide suspects, successfully appealed the dismissal.
The Paris Court of Appeal ordered a renewed investigation into Mbarushimana’s alleged role in the atrocities.
Speaking with IGIHE, CPCR co-founder Dafroza Gauthier welcomed the ruling.
“We are pleased that the judiciary has agreed to reopen the investigation to uncover new evidence,” she said.
Mbarushimana worked for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) during the genocide.
In April 1994, after the UN evacuated foreign staff from Rwanda, he was tasked with protecting local employees. Hired by the UN in 1992, he was dismissed in 2001 following allegations of involvement in the deaths of 32 people, including UN staff.
UN war crimes investigator Tony Greig reported that Mbarushimana personally shot two victims and was implicated in the killing of Florence Ngirumpatse, UNDP’s human resources chief in Rwanda, and several Tutsi children she had sheltered, aged 8 to 18.
Greig’s findings, submitted to the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), included testimonies from 25 witnesses alleging Mbarushimana’s direct involvement in the massacre and support for the Interahamwe militia, which spearheaded the genocide.
On April 7, 2024, Rwandan President Paul Kagame publicly criticized Mbarushimana’s freedom, noting that Florence Ngirumpatse was his cousin.
Kagame further disclosed that his cousin was betrayed by a colleague to the killers and celebrated after her death.
He expressed his disappointment that no action was ever taken against the UNDP staffer despite evidence implicating him.
“It later emerged that a Rwandan working at the UNDP betrayed his Tutsi colleague to the killers. Witnesses remember him celebrating Florence’s murder the night after the attack. He continued his career with the UN for many years even after evidence implicating him emerged. He is still a free man now living in France,” Kagame narrated.
In 2008, the CPCR requested an investigation into Mbarushimana by the Paris court handling crimes against humanity.
French authorities dismissed the case in October 2024, citing insufficient evidence and unreliable witness testimony.
The CPCR appealed, arguing that the ruling ignored critical testimonies and a UN internal report detailing Mbarushimana’s alleged crimes.
On May 21, 2025, the Paris Court of Appeal acknowledged these oversights, ordering a re-examination of evidence and new witness interviews. The reopened investigation has renewed hopes for accountability.
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Mbarushimana’s alleged crimes extend beyond 1994. He is linked to the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a terrorist group operating in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, where he reportedly served as Executive Secretary.
In 2010, the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrested him in France on 13 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by FDLR fighters in 2009.
The ICC released him in 2011 citing insufficient evidence, and he has since lived freely in France.
Among the envoys were Sylver Aboubakar Minko Mi Nseme of Gabon, Vu Thanh Huyen of Vietnam, Viacheslav Yatsiuk of Ukraine, and others representing Chad, South Sudan, Argentina, Somalia, Tanzania, Angola, Sudan, and Norway.
A particularly notable development is the appointment of Viacheslav Yatsiuk as Ukraine’s new ambassador to Rwanda. He replaces Andrii Pravednyk, who had served in the role from 2021 until February 2025.
This follows the recent opening of Ukraine’s first embassy in Kigali on April 18, 2024—an important milestone in the bilateral relationship.
The embassy is currently headed by a Chargé d’Affaires as preparations continue for Ambassador Yatsiuk to officially assume his duties.
Ambassador Yatsiuk spoke warmly of the commonalities between Ukraine and Rwanda, noting that although the two countries are separated by more than 6,000 kilometers, they share histories of resilience.
He emphasized Ukraine’s deep respect for Rwanda’s progress under President Kagame’s leadership and expressed hope for Rwanda’s support as Ukraine continues to defend its sovereignty amid ongoing conflict with Russia.
He also identified areas of potential collaboration, including agriculture, technology, fertilizer production, and broader economic development.
The new ambassador from Vietnam, Vu Thanh Huyen, will be based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, while overseeing Vietnam’s diplomatic interests in Rwanda.
Vietnam and Rwanda established formal relations in 1975, and the partnership has been strengthened over the years.
A milestone in this relationship came in 2008 when President Kagame visited Vietnam, resulting in cooperation agreements in agriculture, health, and education. Today, the two countries continue to work toward shared goals such as sustainable development and economic transparency.
One of the most symbolic moments of the day was the appointment of Dr. Sylver Aboubakar Minko Mi Nseme as Gabon’s first ambassador based in Kigali.
Although Gabon and Rwanda have had diplomatic relations since 1976, the position had remained vacant since 2016. Dr. Minko Mi Nseme’s appointment marks a renewed commitment to deepen ties, especially in education, culture, and trade.
He emphasized the importance of collaboration, noting that over 2,000 Gabonese students are currently studying in Rwanda.
Ambassador Dr. Habib Gallus Kambanga of Tanzania pledged to focus on enhancing cooperation and trade between the two neighboring nations. Similarly, Ilyas Ali Hassan of Somalia affirmed his intent to strengthen bilateral relations.
From Sudan, Ambassador Khalid Musa Dafalla expressed admiration for Rwanda’s achievements in peacebuilding and national reconciliation, highlighting opportunities for agricultural trade.
Paul Malong Akaro of South Sudan echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the appeal of Rwanda’s education sector, which continues to attract students from his country.
Chad’s Ambassador Abdelkerim Ahmadaye Bakhit, who last visited Rwanda five years ago, shared his appreciation for the development he witnessed upon his return.
He affirmed that Chad could draw valuable lessons from Rwanda’s progress, particularly in the area of education.
