According to the police statement, Roman Lavrynovych faces three counts of arson with intent to endanger life.
The charges, authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service, relate to three incidents: a vehicle fire in NW5 on May 8, a fire at the entrance of a property in N7 on May 11, and a fire at a residential address in NW5 in the early hours of May 12.
The suspect was arrested early Tuesday in connection with a series of suspected arson attacks, including the fire at a property owned by Starmer.
The fifth-generation network is now live at Kigali Heights and the Kigali Convention Centre (KCC)—signaling the beginning of a broader rollout.
“We have the first 5G site in Rwanda at the Kigali Heights/KCC area—a proud and exciting step for us as we kick off this journey. As we move forward with our 5G rollout, we can’t wait for our customers to experience the full extent of what 5G has to offer,” MTN Rwanda shared in a post on X.
MTN Rwanda CEO Ali Monzer also posted on X, revealing that additional 5G sites will be activated soon.
“In the coming weeks, we will activate more 5G sites across high-demand zones in Kigali. We are committed to expanding coverage swiftly and strategically,” he stated.
The company began upgrading its network infrastructure back in 2020, starting in Kigali, to prepare for the deployment of cutting-edge technologies such as 5G and even 6G in the future.
These upgrades aimed to lay a strong foundation for faster, more reliable digital services across the country.
In 2023, Rwanda and China initiated discussions to enhance their collaboration in the technology sector, with a specific focus on the establishment of 5G infrastructure and mitigating cyber threats.
Talks about new areas of cooperation began during a two-day visit to Rwanda by Zhuang Rongwen, the Chinese Minister responsible for Cybersecurity.
Speaking to the press at the time, the Minister of ICT and Innovation, Ingabire Paula, informed the press that the talks with China aimed to explore how both countries could further collaborate in various technological sectors, including the implementation of 5G networks.
She emphasized, “We discussed in detail how to strengthen this relationship, not only in terms of training but also in research and development, especially regarding 5G.”
The Minister also highlighted the necessity for Rwanda to have a 5G connection, underscoring the opportunities it presents, particularly in the medical sector.
5G technology is considered a significant advancement, offering connection speeds up to a hundred times faster than 4G.
Ingabire expressed that medical services are one of the areas where Rwanda sees outstanding potential for the adoption of 5G.
{{What makes 5G a game-changer?}}
5G is more than just a faster internet connection. It enables transformative innovations, such as remote surgeries, autonomous vehicles, and smart home systems—like a fridge that alerts you if food is spoiling, or the ability to switch off an appliance remotely.
Technically, 5G is 10 to 100 times faster than 4G. In the U.S., for instance, telecom giant Verizon recorded download speeds of up to 1.0 Gbps (gigabits per second) in recent tests—allowing users to download entire movies or large files in seconds.
But speed isn’t everything. 5G drastically reduces latency—the delay between clicking something and seeing it respond. On 4G networks, this delay is around 20 milliseconds. With 5G, it drops to less than 1 millisecond, making real-time applications smoother and more responsive.
Another key benefit is 5G’s ability to connect thousands of devices simultaneously, making it ideal for the Internet of Things (IoT)—where everything from cars to household appliances can be connected to the internet and communicate with each other.
Rwanda now ranks third in Africa for internet speed and is among top countries worldwide. As of now, the number of people with 5G-compatible smartphones is growing rapidly—increasing by 10% to 15% each year—suggesting that Rwanda is well on its way to embracing this new digital era.
The commitment was reiterated on May 13, 2025, as the RUGC staff visited the Bisesero Genocide Memorial, one of four memorial sites recently inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List due to the extraordinary resistance shown by the Tutsi community there during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
During the visit, they were taken through the divisive policies introduced by Belgian colonialists, which led to the persecution and displacement of Tutsis across Rwanda beginning in 1959.
Aaron Gakoko, a genocide survivor from Bisesero, recounted his experience, revealing that the Tutsi in the region began resisting as early as 1959.
He shared how, in 1994, he personally disarmed three gendarmes and a military officer holding the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Despite the trauma they endured, Gakoko emphasized that survivors now live peacefully alongside those who once targeted them and even cooperate in daily activities.
He said, “It pains us that those who were killed are not here to witness how we, the survivors of Bisesero, have rebuilt our lives.”
By the end of April 1994, the Tutsi in Bisesero had withstood waves of attacks by Interahamwe militias.
As a result, on May 3, 1994, a so-called “security meeting” was held where a decision was made to deploy more soldiers and Interahamwemilitia to eliminate the Tutsi in Bisesero.
This led to massive, organized assaults, including the particularly deadly attack on May 13, 1994, in which over 30,000 Tutsis were massacred in a single day.
Vedaste Ngarambe, President of the Karongi District Council and head of IBUKA (the umbrella association of Genocide survivor organizations) in the district, commended the RUGC staff for visiting the memorial, noting the importance of youth involvement.
He said, “We urge you to help us fight against genocide ideology and denial. Bisesero is unique because the Tutsi here chose to resist the Interahamwe militias together. Their guiding principle was, ‘It is better to die fighting than to die fleeing.’”
The CEO of RUGC Gaston Gasore highlighted how those who wanted Rwanda to vanish from the world map sowed hatred among Rwandans—people who once shared food, intermarried, and lived as one. He stressed that the country is now striving to reverse that painful history.
“Our tragic past is teaching us the value of unity,” Gasore said. “We believe that the values we’ve learned here will help us, as we still face a long journey. Genocide ideology remains present among both older generations and the youth. That’s why we, as young people, must rise up and use social media platforms to fight it.”
Out of over 60,000 Tutsis who lived in Bisesero before the genocide, only 1,300 survived. These survivors later rebuilt their lives, and repopulated the area. Today, the Bisesero Genocide Memorial is the final resting place of more than 50,000 genocide victims.
A promising development took place on April 25, 2025, when Rwanda and the DRC—facilitated by the United States—signed a framework agreement aimed at restoring peace in the region.
This seemed to signal a potential end to the DRC’s recurring pattern of blaming Rwanda for its internal problems, a narrative that had produced no real solutions or peace for the region.
Optimism grew further when the U.S. announced that both Rwanda and the DRC would sign a peace agreement in Washington D.C. in June 2025, an accord expected to spark renewed development cooperation among the three countries.
In the DRC’s official communication channels, key officials like Minister Kayikwamba and Government Spokesperson Patrick Muyaya had noticeably toned down their rhetoric against Rwanda, particularly after both sides agreed in April to avoid any form of provocation.
However, after a long silence, Minister Kayikwamba recently resurfaced in an interview with Germany’s Deutsche Welle, once again accusing Rwanda of destabilising eastern DRC and of mistreating UN peacekeepers from MONUSCO.
“We have a very large peacekeeping mission, but one of our neighbouring countries — namely Rwanda — is one of the biggest contributors to peacekeeping operations. At the same time, this country violates our territorial integrity and has also been linked to violence against peacekeepers,” she said.
When asked whether the DRC recognises Rwanda’s security concerns, Kayikwamba responded dismissively: “Are the tens of thousands of people who have died Congolese or Rwandan? They are Congolese. Are the women who have been raped Congolese or Rwandan? They are Congolese,” she said.
The Rwandan government has consistently rejected these allegations, maintaining that the DRC is using Rwanda as a scapegoat to distract the international community from the root causes of its insecurity, including poor governance and persecution of Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese citizens.
Reacting to Kayikwamba’s comments, the Spokesperson of the Government of Rwanda, Yolande Makolo, strongly dismissed the accusations and directly challenged the DRC’s narrative, highlighting the failure of the Congolese government to take responsibility for internal atrocities.
“The Congolese foreign minister’s outrage is misplaced, and it cannot cover up the failure of the Congolese government to protect Congolese citizens, not from Rwanda, but from the Congolese government itself,” Makolo stated.
She pointedly questioned the source of the ongoing violence in eastern DRC, clarifying that the violence is homegrown, not imported.
“Who is killing? The victims are Congolese, so are the perpetrators. It is not Rwandans killing in Beni, Ituri, Kwamouth, Goma, Minembwe or Uvira. It is Congolese armed groups, VDP/Wazalendo and their allies, FARDC/FDLR, that are supported and financed by the DRC government,” she said.
Addressing the minister’s claims about sexual violence, Makolo continued: “Who is raping? Reports consistently point to Congolese armed groups, FARDC/FDLR, VDP/Wazalendo and predatory state forces. Do not distort this truth.”
She also denied accusations of Rwandan military aggression, including bombing of Congolese territories, and instead turned the spotlight on DRC’s own military conduct: “Bombs? There are no Rwandan bombs. The DRC army has bombed civilians indiscriminately, including in Rwanda. Who is bombing Minembwe? It is FARDC and VDP/Wazalendo targeting Banyamulenge, those same Congolese who you refuse to acknowledge by name.”
Makolo further criticised Kinshasa’s lack of commitment to peace agreements and accused the DRC of consistently undermining regional peace efforts.
“Who is violating peace agreements? The DRC government signs commitments they don’t uphold: Nairobi, Luanda, Addis Ababa… At every turn, it is the DRC that undermines peace efforts – refusing dialogue, reigniting hostilities, instrumentalising armed groups, repeatedly recruiting mercenaries,” she asserted.
While the DRC accuses Rwanda of breaching its sovereignty, Rwanda counters that the DRC harbours and supports the FDLR, a terrorist group committed to destabilising Rwanda.
Rwanda has also reminded the world of statements by DRC President Félix Tshisekedi, in which he openly expressed a desire to overthrow the Rwandan government.
As a result, Rwanda has strengthened its border security. These measures enabled the country to defend itself against attacks launched by FARDC forces on January 27, as the M23/AFC coalition took control of Goma.
These attacks killed 16 civilians in Rwanda’s Rubavu District, injured 161 others, and damaged 200 homes.
The flight departed from Ramon Airport in Israel, transiting through the Karam Abu Salem crossing, and transported 101 injured individuals, accompanied by 87 family members.
To date, 2,630 patients and their relatives have arrived in the UAE—an effort that reflects the country’s commitment to delivering essential medical care to Palestinians.
Sultan Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Development and International Organisations and Vice Chairman of the UAE Aid Agency, emphasized that the initiative reflects the UAE’s long-standing support for the Palestinian people and its solidarity with Gaza during the ongoing crisis.
“The UAE humanitarian initiatives contribute to alleviating the disastrous impacts endured by residents of the Strip, particularly children, women, and the elderly,” he noted.
Al Shamsi added, “During this critical time, the UAE will spare no effort to extend help to the Palestinians and launch initiatives for their aid whether by land, sea, or air. We will continue to closely work – through our leading and pioneering role – with the United Nations and our international partners to intensify the necessary efforts to alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, and ensure the urgent, safe, unhindered, and sustainable delivery of aid at a wide scale and through all possible means.”
The UAE remains one of the leading countries in providing aid to the people of Gaza. Since the onset of the crisis in October 2023, the country has delivered more than 40% of the total aid reaching the region.
Al Shamsi reaffirmed that the UAE’s ongoing medical evacuation efforts underscore the nation’s dedication to offering advanced healthcare to injured Palestinians and contributing meaningfully to broader humanitarian relief efforts in these critical times.
He also reiterated the UAE’s commitment to taking all necessary measures to support the people of Gaza amid these challenging conditions.
Since the beginning of the crisis, the UAE has made significant strides in providing high-level healthcare to those affected, including services at its field hospital in southern Gaza and through a hospital ship anchored at Al-Arish Port.
In addition, the UAE has mounted a large-scale relief response for the Palestinian people, delivering over 65,000 tonnes of food, medical supplies, and other essential aid.
Speaking on BFMTV, Barrot said, “Our response is immediate, it is firm.”
Algeria summoned the French charge d’affaires in Algiers on Sunday and demanded the immediate expulsion of several French embassy employees over “serious breaches” of diplomatic protocol, Algerian media reported.
The move follows what Algerian authorities called “serious and repeated violations” by the French side, including the appointment of diplomatic and consular staff without prior notification or formal accreditation, in violation of international norms and bilateral agreements.
The diplomatic rift between Algiers and Paris has deepened in recent months due to disagreements over immigration issues and policies, and historical grievances, among others.
In April, Algeria ordered the removal of 12 French embassy employees following the detention of an Algerian consular officer in France — a move that prompted reciprocal action from Paris.
This disclosure was made by the Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, before parliamentarians on Tuesday.
He also noted that the Ministry has sought ways to bridge gaps for projects previously funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
According to Dr. Nsanzimana, more than Frw16.5 billion has been allocated specifically for the purchase of medical equipment.
Overall, the Ministry of Health and its affiliated institutions have been allocated over Frw 333.5 billion for the 2025/2026 budget.
This represents an increase from the Frw 330.2 billion in the revised 2024/2025 budget.
To put this into perspective, the health sector’s budget for 2023/2024 stood at Frw 274.1 billion, and Frw 273.9 billion was used in 2022/2023.
Despite the challenges faced due to the halt in funding for certain projects by USAID and Enabel, Dr. Nsanzimana emphasised that the Ministry responded by adjusting its planning priorities, focusing on the most urgent needs, and ensuring the effective use of the limited available resources.
Alternative funding sources were identified among new partners. Although the exact size of the funding gap was not disclosed, Dr. Nsanzimana told IGIHE that the strategies implemented helped prevent potential disruptions to the health sector.
“What we did was to look for alternative sources of funding, both within the government and from other partners. We also sought ways to combine activities that could generate greater impact using fewer resources. Additionally, we postponed non-urgent projects to the next fiscal year,” he noted.
The government also expects the health budget to grow further in the 2026/2027 fiscal year, reaching Frw 361.1 billion.
In the 2025/2026 fiscal year, the Ministry of Health will receive Frw 66 billion. The Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) will receive Frw 232.9 billion, up from Frw 225 billion in the previous year.
Rwanda FDA has been allocated Frw 8.9 billion, while the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK) will receive Frw 12.4 billion. The University Teaching Hospital of Butare (CHUB) is set to get Frw 8.09 billion, and the Neuropsychiatric Hospital at Caraes Ndera will receive Frw 4.3 billion.
In addition to these allocations, several hospitals are expected to generate revenue during the fiscal year. CHUK is projected to bring in over Frw 17.2 billion, CHUB over Frw 10.2 billion, and Caraes Ndera more than Frw 5.1 billion.
The Ministry has also laid out a number of key infrastructure projects. These include the expansion of Ruhengeri Hospital, where Frw2.5 billion will be spent this year on initial works. The entire project is expected to cost over Frw 111 billion and is scheduled for completion by 2026.
Construction of the new Muhororo Hospital in Ngororero District is also planned, with over Frw 1.8 billion to be spent this fiscal year.
The full project is projected to cost more than Frw 10 billion by 2028. Meanwhile, Phase II of the Kabgayi Hospital construction will begin, with Frw1.5 billion allocated, and a new maternity ward at Kibagabaga Hospital will receive Frw1 billion this year, though the full project will eventually require more than Frw 10 billion.
Dr. Nsanzimana further revealed that the government will continue building a modern laboratory for Rwanda FDA, designed to meet international standards.
This lab is expected to serve as a key facility for the African Center of Excellence for Biomedical Engineering and eHealth (CEBE), which is based in Rwanda. The total cost of the lab project exceeds Frw 10.1 billion, with Frw 1.4 billion earmarked for the upcoming fiscal year.
Lastly, the construction of the National Health Laboratory Services will continue, with Frw 2.7 billion allocated for 2025/2026. This is part of a broader project that will eventually cost more than Frw 86.4 billion.
The decorated officers of Rwanda Formed Police Unit-One (RWAFPU-1) are deployed in Malakal, Upper Nile State, where they largely charged with protection of civilians in camps, who were displaced by conflicts.
The medal pinning ceremony was presided over by Paul Adejoh Ebikwo, Officer In Charge (OIC) Head of Field Office, Malakal. It was also attended by other high profile UN officials, peacekeepers from other contributing countries as well as South Sudan government officials and security organs.
Ebikwo expressed gratitude to the Rwandan peacekeepers for their unwavering commitment and relentless efforts in executing their mission to protect and support vulnerable populations residing in IDP Camps.
“These medals represent the exceptional professionalism and commitment you have demonstrated in safeguarding peace and security for the people of South Sudan,” Ebikwo said.
He also commended the Government of Rwanda for its visionary leadership and active contribution to global peace and security efforts.
Commissioner of Police (CP) Felly Bahizi Rutagerura, the UNMISS Chief of Operations, also thanked the Rwandan Police peacekeepers for supporting the local communities through various social and development initiatives.
Rwanda started deploying Police peacekeepers in South Sudan in 2015. Currently, there are two Rwandan Formed Police Units; RWAFPU1, based in Malakal in Upper Nile State, and RWAFPU-3, operating in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.
Since late last year, it has been reported that the Tshisekedi administration remains committed to working with mercenaries, even after the failure of the Romanian contingent. These efforts have recently intensified.
American mercenary Erik Dean Prince, founder of the private military company Blackwater, has recently signed an agreement with the Congolese government to provide security for the country’s mines and oversee tax collection systems. This agreement was finalized in January 2025, following extended negotiations between both parties.
IGIHE learnt from credible sources that through his company Blackwater, Prince has been recruiting mercenaries—predominantly Colombians—for deployment to DR Congo.
{{ColombianMercenaries already active in Ukraine and Sudan}}
Former Colombian soldiers have increasingly entered the global mercenary market and are now among the most sought-after worldwide. During the height of the Ukraine-Russia war, many Colombians joined the conflict, fighting on behalf of the Ukrainian government.
They were reportedly promised salaries of up to 19 million Colombian pesos per month (approximately $4,300). Recruitment ads flooded platforms like TikTok, prompting eager applicants to fly from Bogotá to Madrid, then onward to Poland before entering Ukraine.
The lucrative offers drew many former Colombian soldiers into the mercenary field. In Mexico, Colombian ex-military personnel are also highly sought after by drug cartels for smuggling and security operations.
In Africa, Colombians have also been spotted in Sudan. Recent reports indicated that over 300 of them were fighting alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group.
Since the early 2000s, Colombian mercenaries have operated in conflict zones including Russia, Yemen, Libya, Somalia, and Afghanistan. In Yemen, they were reportedly earning up to $7,000 per month.
In 2021, Colombian mercenaries were also implicated in the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse. Seventeen Colombians were arrested and are currently detained in Port-au-Prince.
More than 300 Colombian mercenaries have reportedly died in Ukraine since the war began.
{{Rwanda’s concerns over DR Congo’s intentions}}
Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe, recently told Mama Urwa Gasabo TV that despite ongoing negotiations between Rwanda, the DR Congo, and the M23 group, evidence suggests the Congolese government is still preparing for war.
He said this concern has been brought to the attention of mediators, including Qatar and the United States.
“We have raised our concerns with the mediators that, while talks are ongoing, the Congolese government continues to pursue war. They are still importing weapons and hiring mercenaries, even after the Romanian forces were defeated—they are now recruiting new ones,” Nduhungirehe said.
{{U.S. distances itself from Erik Prince’s activities}}
While the United States plays a key role in mediating between Rwanda and the DR Congo, one of its own citizens—Erik Prince—is actively engaged in efforts to deploy mercenaries to the Congolese government.
Sources indicate that Prince’s actions are not supported by the U.S. government. In fact, a 2024 United Nations report revealed that Prince had proposed deploying up to 2,500 mercenaries to the DR Congo.
Prince, a former member of the elite U.S. Navy SEALs (1993–1995), founded Blackwater after leaving the military following the death of his father, Edgar Prince.
He went on to work closely with the U.S. government on various military and security missions.
It was once reported that when the UN peacekeeping mission MONUSCO withdraws from the DR Congo, Blackwater could assume security responsibilities in some regions.
According to a White House statement, the investment commitment involves agreements spanning various sectors, including “energy security, defense industry, technology leadership, and access to global infrastructure and critical minerals.”
Among the deals was “the largest defense sales agreement in history — nearly 142 billion dollars,” the statement said.
As part of the defense agreement, the United States will provide Saudi Arabia with “state-of-the-art warfighting equipment and services from over a dozen U.S. defense firms.”
“This deal represents a significant investment in Saudi Arabia’s defense and regional security, built on American systems and training,” the statement added.
Speaking later at an investment forum, the U.S. president announced that he would lift sanctions on Syria.
“I will be ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria in order to give them a chance,” Trump said, noting that the United States had taken the first steps toward normalizing relations with Damascus.
While praising ties with Saudi Arabia, Trump expressed hope that the kingdom would join the Abraham Accords.
The Abraham Accords, brokered by the United States during Trump’s first term in office, aimed to normalize relations between Israel and Arab nations.
U.S. efforts to promote normalization between Israel and Arab countries stalled amid Washington’s support for Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, which has killed more than 52,900 Palestinians since October 2023 and drawn widespread regional criticism.
On potential peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, Trump said Secretary of State Marco Rubio would travel to Türkiye later this week to join the negotiations.
Trump is on a four-day trip to the Middle East from Tuesday to Friday, his first major foreign visit since taking office in January. Saudi Arabia is the first stop of his tour, which will also include Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
