Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri

Moon Hyung-bae, acting chief of the court, read a ruling on Yoon’s impeachment, which was broadcast live nationwide, saying it was a unanimous decision of eight justices.

Moon said Yoon broke his duty of protecting the constitution as he damaged the constitutional institutions, such as the National Assembly, and violated the basic rights of people by mobilizing the military and the police.

Moon stressed that the benefit of protecting the constitution through Yoon’s dismissal will overwhelmingly exceed the national loss from his dismissal.

Yoon declared an emergency martial law on the night of Dec. 3 last year, but it was revoked by the opposition-led National Assembly hours later.

Throughout the midnight hours of the botched martial law attempt, military helicopters landed at the National Assembly and hundreds of armed special forces troops broke into the parliamentary building.

By law, the ruling comes into force immediately after the reading, and a snap presidential election is required to be held within 60 days. The election is expected to fall in late May or early June.

The conservative leader officially lost all presidential power, becoming the country’s second sitting president to be forcibly removed from power following former conservative President Park Geun-hye’s ouster through impeachment in 2017.

Yoon also became the third leader to be impeached by the National Assembly in the country’s constitutional history. Late liberal President Roh Moo-hyun was reinstated in the presidency after impeachment in 2004.

Since the passage of Yoon’s impeachment motion on Dec. 14 last year, a total of 11 hearings have been held in the constitutional court until Feb. 25.

It took 111 days before the court’s final verdict, compared to 92 days for Park’s impeachment and 64 days for Roh’s impeachment.

Yoon was apprehended in the presidential office on Jan. 15 and was indicted under detention on Jan. 26 as a suspected ringleader of insurrection, becoming the country’s first sitting president to be arrested and prosecuted.

If convicted of the insurrection ringleader, Yoon could face the death penalty or life imprisonment.

He was released on March 8 as the prosecution decided not to appeal against a court’s release approval.

Yoon will be stripped of most privileges granted to a former president, including a monthly pension, one chauffeur and three secretaries. Free medicine and the cost of a personal office will not be given to him.

For the forcibly ousted president, the period during which the presidential security service provides guards will be reduced from 10 years to five years. After the five-year period, police officers will guard Yoon and his wife.

Kwon young-se, interim chief of the ruling People Power Party, apologized to people over the constitutional court’s decision, saying his party will take it seriously and humbly accept it.

He emphasized that there should never be violence or extreme action in any case, calling on supporters to overcome the current crisis in peace and order.

Lee Jae-myung, chief of the main liberal opposition Democratic Party, expressed his sincere respect for and gratitude to ordinary people who stood against soldiers and armored vehicles at the time of martial law imposition.

The most-favored presidential hopeful added that the unarmed people dramatically revived democracy by peacefully confronting the armed forces, vowing to do his best to prevent the repeated tragedy of the constitution’s destruction.

Following the impeachment verdict, anti-Yoon demonstrators were seen crying tears of joy, hugging each other and cheering in celebration near the constitutional court, with some holding signs that read “Immediately dismiss Yoon, the ringleader of insurrection.”

Yoon’s supporters, who rallied just hundreds of meters away on the street, reacted furiously. A man wearing a helmet and a gas mask was caught red-handed after breaking the window of a police bus, parked for a police line along the court, with a club.

Hemmed in by police officers, other supporters burst into tears, rocked barricades and even swore at riot policemen.

A recent Gallup Korea survey showed that almost six out of 10 South Koreans consented to Yoon’s ouster while 37 percent objected to his impeachment.

It was based on a poll of 1,001 voters conducted from Tuesday to Thursday. It had a plus and minus 3.1 percentage points in margin of error with a 95 percent confidence level.

Security was ramped up nationwide. The police issued the highest level of emergency order to deploy about 20,000 riot policemen across the country for expected protests and crowd control.

Of the total, some 14,000 riot policemen were deployed in Seoul to prevent possible conflicts near the constitutional court, the presidential residence and the parliament.

Police commandos, as well as paramedics and ambulances, were on standby around the court to respond to possible emergencies.

“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing away of our colleague, Alain Mukuralinda, Deputy Government Spokesperson,” reads part of a statement released on the morning of Friday, March 4, 2025.

“The Government of Rwanda extends its sincere condolences to his family, loved ones, and all those who had the honour of working alongside him,” adds the statement.

Mukuralinda, who once served as a Prosecutor and later as the Spokesperson for the National Public Prosecution Authority, died aged 55 at King Faisal Hospital.

In addition to his work in justice and politics, Mukuralinda was known for his humility. He was also a well-known figure in the entertainment industry, having been a celebrated musician under the stage name “Alain Muku.”

He was born in 1970 and attended primary school in Rugunga. He completed his secondary education in Rwamagana, where he studied accounting. In 1991, he joined the University of Rwanda but didn’t stay long, as he moved to Belgium to study law.

During his time as a prosecutor, he handled major cases in the country, including those involving perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

He was a cheerful person who loved socializing and making people laugh. He also had a deep passion for football and even managed a youth football team.

He composed the Rwandan national football team’s anthem “Tsinda Batsinde” , along with several other popular songs.

ANNOUNCEMENT

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing away of our colleague Alain Mukuralinda, Deputy Government Spokesperson.
—

ITANGAZO

Tubabajwe no gutangaza urupfu rw’Umuvugizi wa Guverinoma wungirije, Bwana Alain Mukuralinda.
—

COMMUNIQUÉ

Nous avons la… pic.twitter.com/mIX9ytYbfc

— Rwanda Government Communications (@RwandaOGS) April 4, 2025

The Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, Dr. Jean Damascène Bizimana shared this update during a press conference ahead of the 31st Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

While he acknowledged that some individuals exploit hate speech and genocide denial for personal gain, Dr. Bizimana emphasized the challenge of monitoring such content, as many platforms cite difficulties in interpreting messages written in Kinyarwanda.

To counter this, Minister Bizimana said, requires translating and reporting such content, despite the complexity of the task.

“We will continue working with the owners of these platforms to ensure that those individuals are held accountable, without restricting people’s right to express their opinions,” he noted.

The minister reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to freedom of expression, as enshrined in the Constitution, but emphasized that hate speech and genocide denial constitute crimes that will not be tolerated.

Dr. Bizimana urged social media users to engage in respectful discussions and refrain from insults or misinformation. He also stressed the importance of educating younger generations to resist genocide ideology, noting that many young people are misled by distorted historical narratives.

The minister linked genocide ideology to Rwanda’s colonial past, where divisive teachings fueled ethnic tensions.

He also pointed out that over 60,000 genocide perpetrators have been reintegrated into society, contributing to national development, and warned against repeat offenses, which would be met with severe consequences.

As Rwanda continues to promote unity, social media accountability remains a crucial tool in preventing the spread of harmful rhetoric.

According to AP, the 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, causing widespread destruction of buildings, roads, and bridges across multiple regions.

Hospitals and health centers were severely damaged, leaving thousands in urgent need of medical care.

The World Health Organization reported that four hospitals were completely destroyed, with 32 more partially damaged. Mobile hospitals from India and a Russian-Belarusian medical unit have been deployed to assist.

With many survivors left homeless or avoiding unsafe buildings, temporary shelters are being set up in open fields under extreme heat. More than 1,550 international rescuers from 17 countries are working alongside local teams to provide aid.

The disaster has worsened Myanmar’s already dire humanitarian crisis. Even before the quake, over 3 million people were displaced, and nearly 20 million were in need of assistance due to ongoing conflict. In response, the military declared a temporary ceasefire until April 22, though reports indicate continued fighting in some areas.

Meanwhile, in Bangkok, where the earthquake caused the collapse of a high-rise under construction, the death toll has reached 22, with 35 others injured. Rescue teams continue searching for possible survivors.

With communication down and some areas still inaccessible, authorities fear the death toll could rise further as more information emerges.

He explained that these measures were necessary due to ongoing security threats posed by the FDLR, a terrorist group formed by individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Amb. Nkulikiyimfura illustrated the severity of the threat by comparing the distance between Kigali and FDLR’s bases, 170 kilometers, to the distance between Paris and Reims. For three decades, he noted, Rwanda has faced a persistent security challenge along its border, necessitating strong defensive actions to protect its sovereignty.

Despite sanctions imposed by the U.S., the United Nations, and the European Union, FDLR continues to operate freely with the support of the Congolese government.

Amb. Nkulikiyimfura emphasized that instead of dismantling the group, the Congolese army (FARDC) collaborates with it, further endangering Rwanda’s security.

He also criticized MONUSCO, the UN peacekeeping mission in DRC, for failing to neutralize FDLR despite its decades-long presence in the region.

Referring to recent security incidents, he highlighted that after the M23 rebels took control of Goma on January 27, 2025, FARDC forces launched artillery strikes into Rwanda’s Rubavu district, killing 16 civilians.

He revealed that intelligence reports confirmed a coordinated plan involving FDLR, FARDC, Burundian forces, SAMIDRC troops, and European mercenaries to carry out a large-scale attack against Rwanda.

Additionally, weapons—including missiles, drones, and heavy artillery—were discovered less than five kilometers from Rwanda’s border, indicating an imminent threat.

In light of these developments, the ambassador reaffirmed that Rwanda’s defensive measures are necessary and justified to ensure national security.

The year-on-year increase is a result of the identification of additional assets that were subsequently frozen, local media Swissinfo cited the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) as saying.

In addition, 14 real estate assets of individuals, companies or entities targeted by the European Union’s (EU) sanctions against Russia have been taken over by Switzerland.

According to the SECO, the Swiss authority has expanded its list of sanctions against Russia as it adopts the additional measures decided by the EU against Russia.

On Feb. 24, the EU adopted further measures against Russia as part of its 16th package of sanctions, which includes measures in the areas of goods, finance and services. (1 Swiss franc = 1.13 U.S. dollar)

He made these remarks on April 2, 2025, while addressing the Senate plenary session on the country’s preparedness to combat disasters that affect various regions during the rainy season.

He emphasized that continuous monitoring is conducted to ensure the safety of residents before disasters strike.

Minister Murasira also highlighted that the assessment identified more than 25,000 hectares of farmland, approximately 200 infrastructures, and 23 public buildings such as offices and churches as vulnerable to disasters.

In terms of districts, 88 households in Rusizi District are at high risk, while Rubavu has 452, Rutsiro 424, Nyabihu 364, and Nyamasheke 100 households at risk of being affected by disasters.

“We closely monitor these areas and ensure that if any warning signs emerge, we alert people in advance or be prepared to respond promptly,” he said.

He emphasized that the rainy season is when disasters are most severe, with lightning being a major cause of fatalities throughout the year.

The Ministry in charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA) highlighted that districts such as Rubavu, Rutsiro, and Nyabihu have the highest disaster risk levels. Therefore, continuous monitoring is conducted to provide early warnings and ensure rapid intervention in case of an emergency.

Minister Murasira stated, “We have identified specific areas prone to disasters, and we prioritize thorough inspections in those locations.”

He further confirmed that Rwanda’s overall disaster resilience level is currently at 46%.

“Our resilience is still low. Research on disaster resilience across different sectors, such as infrastructure and agriculture, indicates that we stand at 46% nationally. Some areas have better resilience, while others are highly vulnerable. The lower the resilience, the higher the susceptibility to disasters, even minor ones, like light winds that can damage homes,” he explained.

MINEMA stressed that disaster-affected areas require immediate response and restoration efforts, as delays can worsen the damage and increase future risks.

Rwanda has identified 14 designated relocation sites where affected individuals can be resettled in case of a disaster.

Statistics show that natural disasters caused damages worth over 222.3 billion Rwandan Francs in 2023.

The tour, which spans several key districts, is designed to strengthen partnerships with local leaders, gain a deeper understanding of regional business needs, and gather direct feedback from customers. Through this initiative, I&M Bank seeks to ensure its services remain responsive and relevant to the diverse economic landscape of Rwanda.

Mr. Mutimura kicked off the tour with visits to six districts: Rwamagana, Muhanga, Huye, Gicumbi, Musanze, and Rubavu. During these visits, he engaged directly with customers at their workplaces, enabling the Bank to better understand the unique challenges and opportunities faced in each region. This hands-on approach underscores the Bank’s commitment to offering tailored financial solutions that foster inclusive economic growth.

“The core purpose of these visits is to deepen our understanding of regional needs and ensure our services are aligned with local dynamics,” said Mr. Mutimura. “By engaging with customers directly, we gain invaluable insights into their businesses and challenges. This approach supports our strategy of delivering customer delight, ensuring that we are not only meeting but exceeding expectations.”

A major highlight of the tour was the unveiling of the newly expanded I&M Bank branch in Huye, now operating as a fully-fledged business center. This transformation reflects the Bank’s continued investment in enhancing service delivery and creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

“The development of the Huye branch is a clear demonstration of how we are responding to the evolving needs of local businesses,” the CEO added. “It’s not just about expanding our footprint; it’s about creating spaces where entrepreneurs and enterprises can grow with our support.”

The stakeholder engagement tour also serves to align the Bank’s operations with Rwanda’s broader economic agenda. By adopting a customer-centric strategy, I&M Bank continues to play a key role in promoting regional development and supporting the country’s long-term goals.

As the tour progresses, additional district visits are planned in the coming weeks. Mr. Mutimura emphasized the importance of maintaining strong connections with communities to ensure the Bank’s products and services continue to evolve in line with customer expectations.