According to Rwanda’s Presidency, their discussions focused on opportunities to amplify training, research and engagement with mathematical sciences in Rwanda. The discussions were also attended by the Minister of Education, Joseph Nsengimana.
AIMS, which began operating in Rwanda in 2016 with support from the Rwandan Government, is now part of the AIMS Global Network, joining its centers in South Africa, Senegal, Ghana, and Cameroon.
Since its establishment in Rwanda, AIMS Rwanda has contributed significantly to the job market, producing over 410 graduates who are playing a key role in building Africa’s knowledge-based economy, with 38% of them being women or girls.
On the same day, President Kagame also received Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, President of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) and candidate for the African Development Bank (AfDB) presidency.
Dr. Tah delivered a message on behalf of President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani of Mauritania.
Dusingizemungu was reacting to a message shared by French researcher Le Drian on X (formerly Twitter) on March 20, in which he wrongly accused Rwanda of using propaganda to justify its alleged “brutal aggression” in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Le Drian claimed that Rwanda was highlighting past colonial atrocities committed by Belgium, acknowledging these as outdated horrors that were “far removed from the current reality.”
In his statements, Le Drian suggested that Rwanda was using “panafricanism washing” to deflect from its actions in the DRC, a region currently facing serious security issues.
He further criticized certain Rwandan individuals for making “supremacist” remarks, which he claimed were offensive to the Congolese people.
In response, Senator Dusingizemungu criticized Le Drian’s perspective, asserting that the accusations against Rwanda were based on misinformation and ignored the real and ongoing threats faced by Rwandophones, particularly Tutsis, in the DRC.
Dusingizemungu highlighted that “hate speech and serious human rights violations are targeting Rwandophone Congolese, mainly Tutsi,” orchestrated by DRC authorities in collaboration with the FDLR, a terrorist group formed by remnants of the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. This coalition aims to destabilize Rwanda and pursue genocidal goals.
Dusingizemungu also stressed that Rwanda’s defensive actions in response to this coalition are fully justified.
“Rwanda cannot be crushed. The defensive measures taken in response to this coalition of forces aiming to halt Rwanda’s development are fully justified. Ignoring this reality raises serious concerns about the motivations behind such accusations,” he stated.
The DRC has placed the blame for the ongoing conflict on Rwanda, following the resurgence of the M23 rebel group, which fights for the rights of marginalized Banyamulenge and Congolese Tutsi communities.
Rwanda has consistently refuted these accusations, urging DRC to address its internal issues rather than engaging in blame games.
Rwanda has also accused DRC of collaborating with the FDLR during the conflict with the M23, with the goal of destabilizing Rwanda after the defeat of M23.
Additionally, DRC has been pushing for sanctions against Rwanda, with some countries reportedly backing this move due to their mineral interests in DRC.
Belgium, in particular, has been accused of lobbying for sanctions against Rwanda in various international institutions, leading to a breakdown in relations between the two countries. This led to severe diplomatic rift, where Rwanda expelled all Belgian diplomats within 48 hours early this week
Despite the DRC’s attempts to place the blame on Rwanda, Rwanda has maintained that these allegations are part of a broader effort to divert attention from the DRC’s internal issues, including poor governance.
Rwanda has also affirmed its commitment to safeguarding its territorial integrity and maintaining peace in the region.
“Due to the closure of London Heathrow Airport until 23:59 on March 21, flight WB711 on March 20 from London to Kigali and flight WB710 on March 21 have been cancelled,” RwandAir said in a statement, assuring affected passengers that updates would be provided as soon as there were changes to the situation at Heathrow Airport.
Heathrow Airport experienced a power outage starting on the night of March 20, 2025, following a fire that damaged the Hayes substation transformer, which supplies electricity to the airport.
The airport management immediately announced that all operations would be halted until 11:59 PM on March 21, 2025, to ensure the safety of passengers and staff, with no one allowed to enter the airport until operations resumed.
International media reports indicated that over 10,000 flights were cancelled due to the power issue.
RwandAir has been flying to London daily for many years. Since May 9, 2024, the airline has been operating from Heathrow Airport, Terminal 4, with flights between London and Kigali. This decision was made following an increase in passengers traveling from the UK to Rwanda.
Typically, passengers departing from Kigali to Heathrow fly at 13:45 and arrive at 23:45, while another flight departs at 23:25, arriving in the UK at 07:45.
In 2023, Heathrow Airport ranked as the fourth busiest airport globally, with 83.9 million passengers passing through.
Dr. Jackson and his delegation were welcomed by President Kagame, who was flanked by Minister of Defense Juvenal Marizamunda, the Secretary General of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) Emmanuel Havugiyaremye, and Government Spokesperson Yolande Makolo.
The visit took place amidst growing security concerns in the region, particularly in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the DRC government has accused Rwanda of supporting M23 rebels in their conflict with the Congolese army.
Rwanda has denied these accusations, instead pointing to DRC’s alleged collaboration with the FDLR terrorist group, which Rwanda claims aims to destabilize its security.
Rwanda also argues that the allegations are part of attempts to mislead the international community and distract from the root causes of the region’s instability, including long-standing governance challenges in the DRC.
DRC has called on the United States and other nations to impose sanctions on Rwanda. However, Rwanda has stated that if sanctions were a viable solution to the regional instability, the situation would have improved by now.
While DRC officials continue to engage with the U.S. to push for sanctions in an effort to secure mining agreements, Rwanda remains focused on continuing diplomatic dialogues with various international partners.
Leaders from the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) held a joint summit in Tanzania on February 8, 2025, emphasizing the importance of political dialogue between the conflicting parties for achieving long-term peace and stability in the region.
This development was confirmed by Rwanda’s presidency via their official X account.
Further details about the content of the discussions between President Kagame and Malik Agar on March 20, 2025, were not disclosed.
Sudan has been grappling with an ongoing conflict that erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.
The war has resulted in widespread destruction, causing severe loss of life and displacement. The United Nations estimates that the conflict has claimed thousands of lives, with tens of thousands more injured and millions forced to flee their homes.
Recently, Sudan’s army has made some progress in reclaiming areas previously held by the RSF, though the situation remains volatile. Despite the army’s territorial gains, the war continues to have a devastating impact on civilians and the country’s infrastructure.
The ceremony took place on March 19, 2025, at the office of President Marcos Jr. in Manila, the capital of the Philippines.
During the event, Amb. Mukasine conveyed formal greetings from President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, wishing President Marcos Jr. all the best.
The Rwandan diplomat emphasized her commitment to strengthening the already positive relationship between the two countries and advancing cooperation in various sectors, including trade and diplomacy.
President Marcos Jr. assured Amb. Mukasine of his full support in carrying out her duties, expressing gratitude to President Paul Kagame and the people of Rwanda for their continued support of the Philippines. He reaffirmed his commitment to further enhancing the friendly relations between their nations.
Rwanda and the Philippines have maintained strong diplomatic ties over the years.
In 2018, the Philippine government announced that its citizens could visit Rwanda for up to 90 days without a visa, and Rwandans could also visit the Philippines as long as they showed proof of their departure within the allowed period.
In 2019, Rwanda and the Philippines signed an aviation agreement. The two nations also collaborate in areas such as trade, education, and healthcare.
During her time in the Philippines, Amb. Mukasine met with the Rwandan community there, engaging in discussions about their lives and providing updates on Rwanda’s development. She encouraged them to continue contributing to the country’s progress.
The Rwandan community in the Philippines is primarily made up of students, with numbers steadily increasing. These students are enrolled in various universities across the country, studying fields such as health, engineering, technology, and more.
In addition to her role in the Philippines, Amb. Mukasine also oversees Rwanda’s interests in other countries, including Japan, Malaysia, and Thailand.
Following this, she joined other African women entrepreneurs at the Élysée Palace for a special celebration of International Women’s Day, where she was invited to honor the role of women in business and development.
This event was dedicated to women’s entrepreneurship in Africa, with a focus on agribusiness and tech (healthtech, fintech), highlighting exceptional women entrepreneurs who have developed their businesses and contributed to relations between Africa and France.
The gathering saw the presence of key international leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, who reaffirmed France’s commitment to supporting female entrepreneurship across Africa.
He spoke passionately about the Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) initiative, led by the African Development Bank, which has already distributed over €1.2 billion to more than 24,000 women entrepreneurs across 44 African countries.
The initiative aims to close the financing gap that holds back so many female entrepreneurs, giving them the financial support necessary to scale their businesses.
In an interview with IGIHE, Umutoni shared her thoughts on the dynamic and rapidly evolving entrepreneurial landscape, emphasizing the creativity and resilience of African entrepreneurs.
She said, “What struck me was the creativity and resilience of entrepreneurs in the face of the challenges of a rapidly changing sector, where opportunities and challenges go hand in hand. Africa has immense potential to harness, and these exchanges further reinforce my belief that agribusiness is a vital lever for development.”
During the event, roundtable discussions provided a platform for entrepreneurs to exchange experiences and discuss the challenges they face, particularly regarding access to financing and the pivotal role of mentorship in their growth.
These conversations were crucial in shaping the future of female entrepreneurship in Africa, ensuring that women have the resources and networks they need to thrive.
The event concluded with an inspiring speech by Thani Mohamed-Soilihi, Delegate Minister in charge of Francophonie and International Partnerships, under the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, who reaffirmed France’s commitment to feminist diplomacy on the African continent.
She highlighted the significant role that women entrepreneurs play in shaping the future of Africa’s economy and development.
This gathering was a true celebration of the transformative power of women in business, highlighting their impact on economic growth in Africa.
Despite the challenges, the future is bright for women entrepreneurs like Ritha Umutoni, who are determined to turn their ideas into reality and drive meaningful change across the continent.
While speaking at a gathering at the Vision de Jésus-Christ Church on March 16, 2025, President Ndayishimiye stated that Rwanda was the root cause of the ethnic tensions in Burundi, which began in 1959, and also in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since 1996.
He said, “You know, in Burundi, we were brought problems in 1959, stemming from what happened in Rwanda. The Congolese also faced issues after 1996, which were brought by what happened in Rwanda. Why should our countries face all these issues coming from Rwanda? They too need to solve their problems and stop interfering with ours. In Burundi, we have no Hutu or Tutsi, we are all Burundians. If others focus on ethnicity, that is their concern.”
In an interview with IGIHE, Bamvuginyumvira explained that the ethnic divisions, hatred, and violence in the region were caused by colonial powers, particularly the Europeans, who spread the “poison” of ethnicity, but that the people of Rwanda, Burundi, and the DRC failed to recognize it.
“I think what he said was inaccurate because when you look at the history of Burundi, Rwanda, and Congo, what connects us is the suffering we endured, mostly due to ethnic divisions, but those divisions were imposed on us by the Europeans, who misinterpreted them. Once they left, we didn’t realize the poison of ethnicity they left behind,” he said.
Bamvuginyumvira emphasized that the ethnic conflict in the region was planted by Belgian colonizers, pointing out that this issue is only present in the three countries that were colonized by Belgium, while other countries in the region, like Tanzania, remain peaceful.
“What we share in these three countries is that we were ruled by the Belgians. It is impossible to explain why only three countries in the region have refugees. Why are there no refugees from Tanzania in Burundi? None in Congo, none in Rwanda?”
To address the issue of refugees from these three countries, Bamvuginyumvira suggested that Burundi, Rwanda, and the DRC should hold a comprehensive meeting to discuss the repatriation of refugees.
In front of the church congregation led by Pastor Isidore Mbayahaga, President Ndayishimiye denied any intention to exterminate the Tutsis, as has been alleged in connection with the FDLR rebel group and the DRC government.
Bamvuginyumvira pointed out that some individuals in the Burundian government cooperate with the FDLR, a group composed of individuals responsible for the 1994 Rwandan genocide against the Tutsi, and that they have a shared agenda to topple the Rwandan government.
“Ndayishimiye is a member of the CNDD-FDD party, and it has been evident that some of the leaders around him work with the FDLR, which fled to Congo. They share weapons in exchange for gold to assist them in returning to Rwanda. This is documented,” he said.
Bamvuginyumvira also revealed that there are reports that the FDLR operates in the Kibira Forest and sometimes clashes with the Burundian military, searching for food in areas like the Mabayi Commune in Cibitoke Province.
“When this happens and the President makes these statements, it’s contradictory. His words and actions don’t align,” he noted.
Regarding President Ndayishimiye’s claim that there are no ethnic divisions in Burundi, Bamvuginyumvira argued that while the President may publicly deny it, his government still operates under an ethnic system in secret, undermining Tutsi Burundians.
He stated, “Ethnicity is considered in secret because they say, ‘Let’s maintain Hutus in power.’ Hutu leaders.’ You hear them say, ‘The Tutsis want to take over, the Rwandans want to help the Tutsis.’ This is an evident propaganda. Some Burundians can say, ‘It’s true,’ or others may disagree.”
Bamvuginyumvira also commented on the closure of Burundi’s border with Rwanda in January 2024, stating that it hurt the people of Burundi, explaining that no country benefits from a strained relationship. He suggested that dialogue should continue to resolve the conflict.
“We were called Ruanda-Urundi during colonial times, and the capital was Bujumbura. Why can’t we continue this history in a positive way and maintain a good relationship? Why should we fight? It’s foolish because Rwanda gains nothing from a breakdown in relations with Burundi, and I don’t see any benefit for Burundi in not having good relations with Rwanda.”
Before Ndayishimiye’s remarks, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, had stated that both countries were continuing talks and were on the right path to resolving the tensions.
Minister Nduhungirehe made this statement after the Rwandan and Burundian intelligence delegations met twice for discussions in both countries.
Gen Muhoozi landed at Kigali International Airport on the evening of Thursday, March 20, 2025, where he was received by his counterpart, Gen Mubarak Muganga.
Gen Muhoozi had announced his plans to visit Rwanda in February 2025 .
During his visit, Gen Muhoozi is expected to discuss with the leadership of the Rwanda Defense Forces (RDF) the ongoing collaboration between the two countries and regional security issues.
This marks Gen Muhoozi’s second visit to Rwanda, having previously been in the country in August 2024 to attend the swearing-in ceremony of President Paul Kagame.
The rain which poured down on the evening of March 18, 2025, affected the entire district, with the hardest-hit areas being the sectors of Remera, Murambi, Kiziguro, and Kiramuruzi. These sectors saw severe damage to homes and infrastructure.
Gatsibo District Mayor, Richard Gasana, told IGIHE that, as of the latest count, 126 homes, including kitchens, were destroyed. Additionally, 60 hectares of banana plantations, which are widespread in the affected areas, were severely damaged.
“This rainfall impacted the whole district but caused the most destruction in Remera, Kiziguro, Murambi, and Kiramuruzi. We’ve counted 126 destroyed homes, including kitchens. We are still collecting data. Some residents had their roofs blown off, while others saw their kitchens destroyed. Additionally, 60 hectares of banana plantations were heavily damaged,” he said.
Gasana explained that immediate relief efforts included providing temporary shelter for affected families, with many seeking refuge with neighbours. The district is currently working to secure roofing materials to repair the damaged homes.
He noted that some families are managing to source their own roofing materials and carry out repairs independently, while the district is focusing on assisting those without the means to do so.
Gasana also urged residents to take preventive measures, such as reinforcing their roofs, as the region continues to experience heavy rainfall, often accompanied by strong winds that can cause further damage to homes if not adequately secured.
The Ministry of Emergency Management (MINEMA) recently issued a warning to Rwandans to remain cautious during this period of heavy rainfall, as flooding and lightning strikes can sometimes prove fatal.
MINEMA’s statistics show that disasters resulted in the loss of 191 lives in 2024.
