The partnership agreement was signed by the president of the two institutions, Ahmed Yahya and Fabrice Shema Ngoga on Thursday, January 22 at the headquarters of the Mauritanian Football Federation after a three-day working visit which started on January 20.
The agreement between the FERWAFA and FFRIM will focus on improving administrative leadership and governance, internal financial management, audit and evaluation procedures within both federations, technical development, infrastructure development, training of referees, including for VAR technology, as well as the organization of friendly matches, notably for women’s football.
Other areas of partnership include; structuring and organizing national competitions, organizing international competitions and sporting events, developing strategic frameworks and target contracts binding the two federations to FIFA and CAF, digitalization, marketing and communication and exchange of best practices.
During the visit, the FERWAFA delegation participated in presentations by various departments of the Mauritanian Football Federation namely, SG office, DTN, Finance, Refereeing, Women’s Football, Beach Soccer and Futsal, TV. The visit provided an in-depth exchange of organizational methods, mechanisms of action, and strategic projects of the federation.
The two parties also agreed to establish a framework and mechanisms for ongoing consultation and regular monitoring.
Additionally, both parties have mandated their respective administrations to monitor the implementation and execution of the various agreements reached.
Against this backdrop, the vision articulated by Chinese President Xi Jinping in multiple past speeches stands out, offering a clear and consistent compass for global economic governance, one that underscores openness and justice as fundamental anchors for stability and growth.
Translating that vision into concrete actions, China has stepped up development-oriented cooperation with other Global South countries, aligning with their shared concerns amid rising uncertainties and reinforcing calls for a more inclusive and predictable world economic order.
{{Unilateralism exacts heavy toll}}
Indeed, global economic growth faces significant headwinds as escalating unilateralism and protectionist measures dampen international trade and investment flows. Indermit Gill, the World Bank Group’s chief economist, warned that the world economy is set to grow more slowly in the coming years than it did even in the troubled 1990s.
A significant factor behind this slowdown is a new round of tariffs and trade restrictions rolled out by Washington over the past year. As these measures accumulated, the average U.S. import tariff surged from 2.4 percent in early 2025 to nearly 18 percent — the highest level since the 1930s.
Such arbitrary tariffs are exacting a heavy toll. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), U.S. growth is expected to slow to 1.8 percent in 2025 and 1.5 percent in 2026, down from an average of 2.5 percent between 2015 and 2019. In Europe, U.S. tariffs on steel, aluminum and automobiles have squeezed supply chains and weakened competitiveness, prompting firms to delay investment, with the UNCTAD forecasting EU growth at just 1.3 percent in 2025.
Furthermore, Washington has wielded tariffs as a tool of geopolitical coercion, not least by threatening to impose punitive tariffs on countries that do not support the U.S. plan to “obtain” Greenland.
The weaponization of U.S. financial tools and rising unilateralism have destabilized global markets, severely constraining the strategic autonomy of developing states, Herman Tiu Laurel, president of the Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute, a Manila-based think tank, told Xinhua.
World leaders have voiced opposition to such unilateral actions. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has said, “Imposing new sanctions today would be a mistake,” while Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has warned against global trade being weaponised against weaker countries.
In a world fracturing along economic faultlines, Xi offered a clear compass. “Countries cannot thrive without an international environment of open cooperation, and no country can afford to retreat into self-imposed isolation,” he reminded global audiences.
Addressing the 2025 Virtual BRICS Summit, he reinforced the point: “Economic globalization is an irresistible trend of history.”
{{China’s approach}}
China’s approach to the global economy, as Xi observed, has consistently emphasized openness, cooperation and a long-term perspective on economic globalization.
“Whether you like it or not, the global economy is the big ocean that you cannot escape from,” Xi said in his 2017 WEF speech, warning that attempts to cut off the flows of capital, technology and people would only run counter to economic reality.
In July 2025, he told a group of new ambassadors to China that China will steadfastly expand high-standard opening up and share the benefit of its supersized market, so that the country’s advancement will bring new opportunities for other countries and inject greater certainty into global economic growth.
“China’s emphasis on openness, inclusiveness, and fairness speaks directly to the core aspirations of developing countries, which have long sought a global economic system that enables growth rather than constrains it,” Lewis Ndichu, director of research at the Nairobi-based Centre for China Africa Policy, told Xinhua.
“For many in the Global South, openness is not about unfettered liberalization but about meaningful access to markets, technology and finance on equitable terms. China’s proposals resonate because they recognize this distinction and place development at the center of globalization,” he said.
Amid evolving global dynamics, China has been resolutely committed to reform and opening-up. The launch of the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) in December 2025 exemplifies China’s push for high-standard opening up, with expanded zero-tariff coverage and more market-oriented, business-friendly rules facilitating freer flows of goods.
During a trip to Hainan, Xi described the FTP as a landmark move reflecting China’s commitment to unwaveringly expand high-standard opening-up and promote an open world economy.
Hainan should play a leading role in advancing high-standard opening up through strengthening coordinated development with the neighboring Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and deeply integrating into the Belt and Road cooperation, he added.
Thanks to its strategic location, the Hainan FTP is expected to serve as a new platform for international engagements in various sectors — from tourism and modern services to high-tech industries and agriculture — benefiting ASEAN countries in particular, said Christine Susanna Tjhin, director of strategic communication and research at Indonesia’s Gentala Institute.
{{Fairer economic order}}
Amidst global economic storms, Global South countries bear the brunt of the economic squeeze, a fact crystallized in a recent World Bank finding: by the end of 2025, nearly all advanced economies had seen per capita incomes rise above their 2019 levels, while about one in four developing economies remained below pre-pandemic income levels.
“Rising uncertainty and geopolitical fragmentation, alongside slower growth, are currently the most worrying challenges for the global economy, especially for developing countries that depend on open trade and stable investment flows,” Deni Friawan, an economic researcher at the Jakarta-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, told Xinhua.
As a result, more developing countries are increasingly calling for fairer participation in economic globalization.
In December 2024, Xi held a meeting with the leaders of major international economic organizations, reaffirmed China’s commitment to collaborative global progress: “China is ready to work with the major international economic organizations to practice multilateralism, promote international cooperation and support the development of Global South countries, so as to advance an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and build a just world of common development.”
“Global South economies require a balanced international environment that combines openness, stability, and access to affordable financing,” said Asif Javed, associate research fellow at Pakistan’s Sustainable Development Policy Institute. “Trade and investment should be fair and inclusive so that developing countries may integrate into global value chains.”
This growing chorus for partnership is now materializing in the economic realm. The expansion of trade and supply chain cooperation under the upgraded China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 framework and the steady implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area both underscored a growing willingness among emerging economies to seek stability through more coordinated economic engagement.
“There is a clear convergence between President Xi’s emphasis on dialogue-based governance and the Global South’s aspiration for a more balanced and cooperative global economic order,” Alok Kumar Pathak, associate fellow at the BRICS Institute India, told Xinhua.
That convergence, observers noted, is increasingly reflected in projects under various initiatives. In Africa alone, China has helped build and upgrade over 10,000 km of railways, nearly 100,000 km of roads, while rolling out more than 200,000 km of fiber-optic cable, supporting industrialization and regional connectivity.
The Chinese-built Magufuli Bridge across Lake Victoria in Tanzania was inaugurated in June 2025, marking another landmark project under the Belt and Road Initiative. As the longest bridge in East and Central Africa, it not only improves local transportation but also enhances connectivity with neighboring countries. The bridge stands as a symbol of Tanzania’s self-reliance and a catalyst for regional development, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan said at the inauguration ceremony.
On top of infrastructure, China’s growing role in technology transfer and digitalization is reshaping development possibilities, said Ndichu. “Its engagement increasingly emphasizes capacity building, skills development, and value-chain integration rather than simple resource extraction.”
“China functions as both a stabilizing anchor and a key driver of industrial upgrading across the Global South,” said Herman Tiu Laurel.
“By prioritizing infrastructure development and technological innovation, China offers developing countries the practical means to build sustainable growth and achieve genuine economic autonomy,” he said.
Ismael Buchanan, senior lecturer in the Department of Political Science at the University of Rwanda, said China’s emphasis on inclusiveness aligns with the desire to ensure that the benefits of globalization are shared more broadly, rather than concentrated in a few advanced economies.
“China has offered additional development options for Global South countries. This engagement complements existing international efforts and contributes to a more diversified and balanced global economic system,” he added.
This does not include the personnel of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East who died in the war in Gaza, since they were not deliberately targeted, said the UN Staff Union Standing Committee on the Security and Independence of the International Civil Service.
By nationality, six UN personnel killed were from Bangladesh, five from Sudan, two from South Africa, one each from South Sudan, Uruguay, Tunisia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Palestine, Kenya and Zambia, according to the committee.
The UN Interim Security Force for Abyei was again the deadliest mission for peacekeepers, with six fatalities, followed by the UN peacekeeping missions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in the Central African Republic, with three deaths each.
At least five UN personnel were killed in deliberate attacks in 2024, and at least 11 in 2023, said the committee.
The event will take place on January 29, 2026, at the Mövenpick Hotel in Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan.
The primary aim of this festival is to showcase Rwanda’s renowned coffee, which has gained international acclaim, to the Pakistani market.
The event seeks to promote business and investment opportunities in the Rwandan coffee sector.
Rwanda is recognized for producing unique, high-altitude coffee known for its exceptional flavor and quality. The country’s coffee is celebrated globally for its distinct taste and appearance, making it a sought-after product.
The Rwanda Coffee Festival 2026 will bring together a variety of stakeholders, including government officials, Rwanda’s representatives, foreign diplomats, coffee experts, traders, coffee processors, investors, and many others.
The event will feature a range of activities, such as professional coffee preparation demonstrations, a documentary screening that traces the journey of Rwandan coffee from the farm to the cup, and opportunities for Pakistani traders to explore Rwandan coffee exports.
Coffee has become one of Rwanda’s most valuable cash crops, significantly contributing to the country’s economy. In 2025, NAEB reported that the value of Rwanda’s coffee exports exceeded Rwf 216 billion, marking a substantial increase from Rwf 129 billion in 2024.
The agreement was signed between the UAE Aid Agency and OCHA, in the presence of Dr. Tareq Ahmed Al Ameri, Chairman of the UAE Aid Agency. It was signed by Rashid Salem Al Shamsi, Executive Director of Logistics Support at the UAE Aid Agency, and Sajeda Al Shawa, Head of OCHA’s Office in the UAE.
“In light of the ongoing conflict in Sudan, the UAE continues its urgent humanitarian response and stands in solidarity with those affected by this tragic and devastating civil war. The UAE remains committed to supporting international efforts to meet pressing humanitarian needs and save lives in conflict-ridden areas,” Dr. Al Ameri said.
He further noted that the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Sudan, including large-scale displacement to neighbouring countries such as Chad, South Sudan, Uganda, and Ethiopia, requires intensified collective humanitarian efforts and swift responses to ensure early recovery, stability, and the mitigation of severe challenges faced by people.
Al Shawa expressed her sincere appreciation to the UAE for its generous contribution of $5 million to the Sudan Humanitarian Fund.
She said, “This significant contribution will enhance the collective efforts led by the United Nations, through OCHA and its partners, to reach vulnerable communities in Sudan. It will support the timely delivery of life-saving assistance in line with humanitarian principles. At a time of unprecedented humanitarian needs, this contribution reflects the UAE’s steadfast commitment to solidarity and humanitarian leadership, and its dedication to ensuring aid reaches those most in need.”
The UAE continues to provide sustained humanitarian support to the people of Sudan as part of its long-standing commitment to addressing the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Over the past decade (2015–2025), the UAE has provided $4.24 billion in assistance to Sudan. Since the outbreak of the current crisis (2023–2025), the UAE has allocated $784 million in humanitarian aid.
The UAE reiterates the importance of collective action with regional and international partners and underscores the need for a humanitarian ceasefire to protect civilians and facilitate the safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance, contributing to stability and peace for the Sudanese people.
The plan was outlined by RSSB Director General Regis Rugemanshuro during a meeting with Members of Parliament serving on the Committee on Social Affairs.
He explained that RSSB is refining several retirement savings programs to prevent citizens from facing financial hardship once they are no longer able to work.
To improve compliance and transparency, RSSB has introduced systems that make it easier for employers to remit employees’ contributions, while allowing workers to track their contributions more easily. These measures are supported by the Ishema digital platform, which provides clear and accessible information on social security payments.
Rugemanshuro noted that RSSB is legally mandated to recover unpaid contributions from defaulting employers. Enforcement measures include administrative penalties, as provided by law, and in some cases the freezing of bank accounts belonging to non-compliant institutions.
However, he acknowledged that enforcement can be sensitive when it comes to public institutions.
“In the case of government entities such as health facilities, freezing accounts could disrupt essential services and create bigger problems than those we are trying to address,” he said.
Despite these challenges, RSSB continues to intensify efforts to recover outstanding pension contributions in line with legal and operational procedures. Digital reminder systems are being rolled out, alongside data-driven recovery methods that identify high-risk defaulters and guide enforcement actions where necessary.
In 2025, RSSB significantly increased the minimum benefits paid to retirees and to beneficiaries of work-related injury schemes. The minimum pension rose from Rwf 13,000 to Rwf 33,710.
As a result, beneficiaries who previously received Rwf 20,000 now receive Rwf 47,710, while those earning Rwf 50,000 now receive Rwf 92,710. Payments for beneficiaries at the Rwf 100,000 level increased to Rwf 155,210, those receiving Rwf 500,000 now get Rwf 580,210, and beneficiaries who previously earned Rwf 1,000,000 now receive Rwf 1,095,210.
RSSB said the increases follow the rise in contribution rates from 6% to 12%, a move Rugemanshuro described as essential for improving members’ welfare and supporting broader national development.
{{Ejo Heza to play a central role}}
Rugemanshuro stressed that the long-term goal is not only to expand coverage, but also to encourage Rwandans to save regularly and in sufficient amounts.
He said the Ejo Heza long-term savings scheme will be a key pillar of this strategy. The program currently has more than four million registered savers, including workers in the informal sector.
“Just as health insurance has become universal in Rwanda, the goal is for every Rwandan to save for retirement,” he said. “This process has already begun through schemes like Ejo Heza. Over the next five years, the program will be strengthened, and benefits for members will be improved.”
Using a medical analogy, Rugemanshuro explained that consistency matters. “If a doctor prescribes medicine to be taken three times a day, taking it only once means the treatment is incomplete. In the same way, saving occasionally is not enough. Our aim is to put in place measures that encourage frequent and adequate saving.”
RSSB emphasized that promoting a culture of saving should start early, so that citizens reach retirement age with meaningful financial security.
In 2025 alone, RSSB paid benefits to 58,115 people, including old-age pensions, early retirement benefits, disability benefits unrelated to work, and survivor benefits paid to families of deceased contributors.
The figure is the first official death toll released by Iranian authorities since demonstrations erupted in late December. Officials had previously acknowledged “several thousand” deaths without providing a precise number. According to the report, 2,427 of those killed were described as “innocent civilians and security forces.”
The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency has estimated the death toll at 4,560, though this figure has not been independently verified.
Separately, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency said more than 460 government buildings were damaged or set ablaze during the protests, while over 700 banks were attacked or burned. It added that more than 480 mosques were also targeted.
Protests broke out in dozens of Iranian cities in late December following a sharp depreciation of the rial. Authorities acknowledged the demonstrations and said they were willing to address economic grievances, while warning against violence and vandalism.
The protests began peacefully but later turned violent, resulting in casualties and widespread damage to public property, mosques, government buildings, and banks, particularly on Jan. 8 and 9. Iranian officials have blamed the violence on the United States and Israel.
In an opinion article published Tuesday in the Wall Street Journal, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said the “violent phase of the unrest lasted less than 72 hours” before security forces brought the protests under control.
He added that U.S. threats against Iran “gave plotters an incentive” to pursue what he described as a strategy of “maximum bloodshed.”
Araghchi also said that while Iran “will always choose peace over war,” if the country faced new attacks, “our powerful armed forces have no qualms about firing back with everything we have,” citing a contrast with the “restraint” Iran showed in June 2025.
In just four days, the country exported a total of 9,185 tons of agricultural products. This included 1,177 tons of coffee, which generated $7.6 million, and 982 tons of tea, contributing over $2.8 million.
Additionally, Rwanda exported 363 tons of vegetables, yielding over $ 464,000, and 367 tons of fruits, earning over $427,000. A further 13 tons of flowers brought in approximately $70,000.
The main export markets included the United Kingdom, Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, France, and various African countries.
Rwanda also exported 6,008 tons of other agricultural and livestock products to the United States, Oman, and multiple African nations, generating over $3.2 million. Livestock products accounted for 274 tons, contributing more than $467,000.
For the 2025/26 financial year, the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources expects agricultural exports to generate over $1 billion.
Rwanda aims to boost its export volume by 13% annually, with a target of doubling the agricultural export value to $7.3 billion by 2029.
Rwanda has firmly positioned itself as one of Africa’s top [travel destinations->https://www.silverbacktour.com/], with impressive growth in tourism over the years. In 2024, the country welcomed over 1.36 million visitors, generating a record $647 million in revenue.
This growth is expected to continue in 2025, with RDB targeting over $700 million in tourism revenue, driven by sustained investment in conservation, infrastructure, and global events. By 2029, Rwanda aims to boost its tourism revenue to $1.1 billion annually, up from $620 million in 2023, as part of its National Strategy for Transformation (NST2).
A big part of this success comes from protecting nature. There are now over 1,060 mountain gorillas in the world, and many live safely in Volcanoes National Park. Money from visits pays for guards, land care, and help for nearby communities. It’s a simple idea that works: people come to see the animals, and that helps keep them safe.
But Rwanda offers much more than gorillas. You can watch playful golden monkeys jumping in the bamboo one day, then drive to Akagera National Park the next to see lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and buffalo on open plains.
In Nyungwe Forest, you can zip-line high above the trees or walk quiet trails to find chimpanzees. Lake Kivu has calm beaches perfect for swimming, boating, or just relaxing. And in Kigali, the city feels alive with good food, street art, and busy markets selling local handmade items.
Travel here is easy and safe. Rwanda ranks among the safest countries in the world on the 2026 safety lists, with clean streets. Roads are good, hotels range from cozy lodges to modern chains, and everything connects well.
Many visitors work with [travel and tour operators->https://visitandtourrwanda.com/] who take care of permits, drives, and plans so you don’t have to worry. These local experts know the best spots and help make trips smooth from start to finish.
What really stands out is how kind Rwandans are. People smile easily, chat openly, and make you feel at home. Adding culture makes it even better: strong drum shows that get your heart beating, beautiful Intore dances (now on UNESCO’s world heritage list), or visits to places like the King’s Palace Museum that share old stories.
All this is really just a small taste of what Rwanda has. There are hidden paths, quiet retreats, and more surprises waiting. If you’re thinking about your next trip, now is the perfect time to choose Rwanda. Travel and tour operators are there to guide you every step, 2026 could turn into your best travel year yet in the Land of a Thousand Hills.
[Related article: Five things to know about Akagera National Park->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/top-five-things-to-know-about-akagera-national-park]
Yamagami admitted to the crime during the trial, and while he expressed remorse, his defense raised complex issues regarding his troubled upbringing and resentment toward the Unification Church, which his mother was deeply involved in.
Yamagami’s defense team argued that he was a victim of religious abuse, claiming that his mother’s devotion to the church financially ruined the family.
They presented evidence that the family lost 100 million yen ($633,000) to the church, leaving Yamagami bitter toward Abe, whose connections to the church were revealed during the investigation.
Yamagami believed that Abe’s ties to the controversial group indirectly caused his family’s downfall, fueling his desire for revenge.
However, the prosecution countered that Yamagami’s act was cold-blooded and malicious, with Judge Shinichi Tanaka describing his actions as “despicable and extremely malicious” because Yamagami shot Abe from behind during an unguarded moment.
Yamagami, who had assembled a homemade gun from metal pipes and duct tape, shot Abe twice, killing him instantly. His actions triggered a national investigation into the Unification Church, which had been criticized for its financial exploitation of followers and its ties to Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
The case also led to the resignation of several ministers whose connections to the church were exposed. Despite his defense team’s plea for a lighter sentence, arguing that Yamagami’s violent act was an emotional response to his family’s suffering, many felt that the crime could not be justified.
In a tearful testimony, Akie Abe, the widow of the former Prime Minister, spoke of the profound sorrow her husband’s death caused.
“I just wanted him to stay alive,” she said. The Unification Church, a South Korean-founded organization, has faced scrutiny for its aggressive financial demands and its controversial mass weddings.
Last year, a Tokyo court revoked the church’s religious corporation status due to its coercive donation practices.
