Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri

The President shared his message on X on January 28, 2024, the same day Pastor Warren was born in 1954 in San Jose, California.

“Dear Pastor Rick Warren—Jeannette and I send our warmest greetings to you and Kay. Also, we take this opportunity to wish you ALL the best for your birthday today and many years ahead of good health! Bless,” he posted.

Pastor Warren is a close friend of President Kagame and has often spoken about their unique relationship.

He has expressed deep admiration for Rwanda’s resilience, highlighting how remarkable it is for the country to rebuild itself after the devastating 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, which claimed over a million lives and left many displaced.

Over the years, Pastor Warren has been actively involved in various initiatives in Rwanda. Recently, he attended Rwanda Day in Washington, D.C., on February 2-3, 2024, where he delivered a speech encouraging Rwandans to defend and love their country.

In 2023, while in Rwanda for the national prayer breakfast, Pastor Warren reflected on a special bond he has with the country—owning cows gifted to him by a Rwandan, which have since multiplied.

Pastor Warren has also been a vocal defender of Rwanda against its critics. In 2019, he noted that those who speak negatively about the country do so because they are unwilling to acknowledge its achievements.

He praised Rwanda as one of the best places to live, citing its transformation from a tragic past into a model nation.

Pastor Warren first visited Rwanda in 2004 and has since described the country’s progress as extraordinary.

Following the success of his book The Purpose Driven Life, Rwanda invited his Saddleback Church to send volunteers to support the country’s development efforts. This led to the launch of the Peace Plan humanitarian development program in 2005.

To date, over 4,000 churches in Rwanda have partnered with the Peace Plan, helping thousands of volunteers implement community development projects across the country.

The President shared an update on his X platform on January 29, 2025, stating: “Had a productive conversation with US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio on the need to ensure a ceasefire in Eastern DRC and address the root causes of the conflict once and for all, and on the importance of deepening our bilateral ties based upon respect for our respective national interests. I look forward to working with the Trump Administration to create the prosperity and security that the people of our region deserve.”

This conversation took place amid escalating clashes between the M23 rebel group and the Congolese army, which have intensified in recent days. The M23 has gained control of Goma and surrounding areas, forcing numerous FARDC soldiers, allied militias, and foreign forces such as SAMIDRC and mercenaries to either surrender or flee to Rwanda.

The situation was followed by protests in Kinshasa on January 28, 2025, where demonstrators, backed by the Congolese government, gathered outside the embassies of Rwanda, the United States, Uganda, Kenya, and France, accusing these nations of supporting M23’s advances in Goma.

Speaking at a diplomatic reception at the Kigali Convention Centre on January 16, 2025, President Kagame reiterated that resolving the crisis in eastern DRC requires addressing its root causes rather than blaming Rwanda for Congo’s internal challenges.

He also questioned the effectiveness of UN peacekeeping forces, which have been in DRC for over 30 years without achieving meaningful results.

Additionally, he highlighted the continued presence of perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in eastern DRC.

Military spokesperson Felix Kulayigye told Xinhua that Uganda has been assigned an additional sector previously covered by Burundian forces.

Kulayigye explained that reinforcing Uganda’s presence in Somalia is necessary since the current number of troops is insufficient to manage both sectors.

He added that deployment will commence once AUSSOM finalizes the required paperwork.

Uganda has been part of peacekeeping efforts in Somalia since 2007. Until January, Burundi was among the countries contributing troops to the mission, alongside Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda.

Additionally, over 600 residents living near the border have been relocated to a camp in Nyabihu District for safety.

Fighting in the area has intensified since the capture of Goma by the M23 rebel group.

FARDC, alongside allied groups such as the FDLR terrorist group and Wazalendo militia, has been firing across the Rwandan border.

Rwanda’s military reported intercepting some projectiles, but stray bullets resulted in casualties and injuries.

Speaking to RBA, Mukuralinda confirmed the death toll had risen to nine.

Earlier, Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) Spokesperson Brig Gen Ronald Rwivanga told IGIHE that 35 people had been injured by gunfire from FARDC coalition, with some in critical condition.

Mukuralinda also reported that 681 residents near the border fled to avoid the gunfire and are now being housed at the Kijote Camp in Bigogwe Sector, Nyabihu District. Additionally, five houses in Rubavu District were damaged.

Despite the tension, Mukuralinda assured residents in Rubavu of their safety, emphasizing that the RDF is actively protecting the population. He noted that gunfire heard on Monday had significantly subsided.

Addressing rumors circulating on social media about FARDC troops allegedly crossing into Rwanda, Mukuralinda dismissed these claims.

“There’s been misinformation suggesting that FARDC, FDLR, and Wazalendo forces crossed the Rwandan border, causing destruction and taking control of some administratice offices. None of this is true. The situation is under control, and Rwanda’s security forces are ensuring the safety of the population,” he said.

He clarified that any FARDC soldiers seen in Rwanda had surrendered with their weapons and were in the custody of the RDF.

Mukuralinda also highlighted Rwanda’s ongoing support for refugees fleeing Goma. So far, over 1,200 Congolese refugees have crossed into Rwanda and have been relocated to the Rugerero Transit Camp.

Meanwhile, efforts are underway to reopen schools in Rubavu, which were temporarily closed due to the conflict. Authorities aim to reassure students and resume classes, with schools expected to reopen by Wednesday.

The capture of the airport occurred less than 48 hours after M23 seized the city of Goma. Confirming the development on his X account, Lt. Col. Ngoma stated, “The airport of Goma is fully secured by the lions [M23 forces].”

On January 26, 2025, M23 shut down the airspace over the airport, claiming it was being used by the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) and allied militias to transport weapons that endangered civilians.

Meanwhile, the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), particularly around Goma, continues to escalate.

Goma International Airport is a critical hub for North Kivu, serving as the region’s primary gateway for air transport. As of 2020, the facility could accommodate up to seven Airbus A320 planes simultaneously.

The airport has long been a vital logistical base for FARDC, United Nations peacekeeping operations (MONUSCO), international organizations, and commercial entities operating in eastern DRC.

EAPCCO is a coalition of 14 East African nations working together to combat transnational crimes that affect member states.

Typically, all member countries participate in such meetings to collectively make decisions. However, any absent member is expected to provide a reason for their nonattendance.

At the start of the first session, which gathered representatives of criminal investigation agencies from member countries, only 13 out of 14 countries were present.

The DRC was the only nation absent. IGIHE has learnt that DRC did not provide an explanation for its absence.

The DRC’s decision not to attend comes at a time when relations between Rwanda and the DRC remain strained.

According to EAPCCO regulations, an absent member that does not provide a reason cannot prevent the meeting from proceeding or stop decisions from being made.

However, once decisions are approved, any absent country has the right to object to specific resolutions or opt not to implement them within its jurisdiction.

The decision-making process at the EAPCCO General Assembly occurs in three stages. In the first stage, representatives of criminal investigation agencies draft a report outlining the year’s agreed priorities.

This report is then submitted to police chiefs during the second session, where it is reviewed and adjusted. Finally, the revised report is presented to ministers responsible for police affairs in member countries for final approval.

Established in 1998, EAPCCO consists of 14 member states namely; Rwanda, Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and DRC.

Those who fled surrendered following the capture of Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu, by the M23 armed group in the early hours of January 27, 2025.

Brig Gen Ronald Rwivanga confirmed this to the French news agency AFP on January 27, 2025.

“More than 120 FARDC and Wazalendo fighters came this morning; we disarmed them just like we have done for many others in the past years,” Brig Gen Rwivanga said.

He explained that the men were received near the Rwandan town of Gisenyi, adjacent to the embattled city of Goma. The Rwandan government has made arrangements for their temporary accommodation.

While the FARDC soldiers and Wazalendo fighters crossed into Rwanda, fighting persisted in parts of Goma between M23 fighters and those who refused to surrender.

Additionally, Brig Gen Rwivanga revealed that FARDC, Wazalendo, and FDLR forces shelled Rwandan soil killing five civilians and injuring around 35 in Rubavu District.

However, RDF intercepted some of fired rockets.

However, restrictions related to arms and arms dealings will remain in effect, according to Kaja Kallas, the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy.

Following a ministerial meeting, Kallas stated the EU aims to act swiftly while maintaining flexibility to reimpose sanctions if conditions deteriorate.

The decision reflects the bloc’s attempt to balance reconstruction support with maintaining leverage over unresolved issues in Syria.

Kallas also reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to a two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, emphasizing the need for equality in peace negotiations.

Her comments followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial suggestion of relocating Palestinians to other countries.

In a related update, the EU Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah crossing, which monitors the Gaza-Egypt border, will resume operations in February.

The initiative, supported by Palestine, Israel, and Egypt, aims to reinforce the ceasefire in the region.

Addressing broader geopolitical issues, Kallas underscored the importance of European unity in strengthening policies rather than merely responding to external actions, such as U.S. discussions about Greenland.

The development was confirmed via a statement posted on the South African Presidency’s X account.

“The two heads of state have agreed on the urgent need for a ceasefire and the resumption of peace talks by all parties to the conflict,” the statement noted.

On January 28, 2025, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, described the discussions between President Kagame and President Ramaphosa as productive and consensual.

As President Ramaphosa visited Rwanda in April 2024, he and President Kagame had agreed that a political solution would be much beneficial in ending the conflict in eastern DRC.

At the time, South African troops participating in the SADC mission had been operating alongside the DRC military and armed groups such as FDLR, the Wazalendo coalition, and European mercenaries to combat M23 rebels for nearly five months.

After returning to South Africa, President Ramaphosa stated that the activities happening there risk destabilizing Rwanda, particularly those involving FDLR.

Despite President Ramaphosa’s comments about shifting focus, South African troops under the SADC mission continued to fight alongside DRC forces against M23.

This persisted until January 27, 2025, when M23 captured the city of Goma. South Africa confirmed that between January 23 and January 24, 2025, nine of its soldiers were killed in the conflict. Seven were part of the SADC mission, while two were serving under the United Nations peacekeeping mission.

Malawi, which also has troops in the SADC mission, reported that three of its soldiers were killed in two days of fighting against M23 rebels in the town of Sake and surrounding areas.

Reports suggest that just before M23 took control of Goma, soldiers under the SADC mission, along with UN peacekeepers, surrendered and awaited evacuation back to their home countries.