Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri

The ceasefire ended an Israeli offensive that claimed more than 46,900 Palestinian lives, according to Gaza’s health authorities. The deadly fighting also razed much of Gaza and caused widespread hunger and diseases in the strip.

Among the three released women are Emily Damari, a 28-year-old British-Israeli and Doron Steinbrecher, a Romanian-Israeli veterinary nurse aged 30, both of whom were abducted from Kibbutz Kfar Aza outside northern Gaza, and Romi Gonen, 23, who was taken from the Nova music festival.

A live broadcast from Gaza showed the hostages, freed from 471 days of captivity, being transferred from a Hamas vehicle surrounded by armed militants to a Red Cross vehicle, which transported them to Israeli forces.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office released photos of the women embracing their mothers at a military compound outside Gaza. Later, helicopters flew them to Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, a suburb of Tel Aviv, where they received medical and psychological care.

The Red Cross earlier informed the Israeli side that their condition was “good.” However, a screenshot of Damari during a video call showed her with a bandaged hand missing two fingers, an injury sustained during her abduction by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023. Her mother, Mandy, expressed in a statement her gratitude to supporters, saying, “After 471 days, Emily is finally home.”

In Gaza, celebrations erupted in the streets, with people chanting and waving the flag of Palestine. Displaced residents began returning to their homes in northern and southern regions, only to find much of the infrastructure reduced to dust.

Under the ceasefire agreement, Israel is set to release 90 Palestinian detainees on Sunday, primarily women and children from the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. Over the next six weeks, Hamas is to release 33 hostages in phases, including women, children, men over 50, the sick, and the injured.

Deceased hostages are expected to be returned in later stages. Israel estimates that about half of the 98 hostages still held in Gaza are alive, though Hamas has not provided confirmation.

In Tel Aviv, large crowds gathered at Hostage Square to celebrate and demand adherence to the agreement. Families and friends of the hostages were seen following the news of their release, cheering and bursting into tears as the women were transferred to Israeli forces.

Netanyahu called the release “a great moment, an exciting moment…,” adding that the three “went through hell.”

Meanwhile, Israel Defense Forces Spokesman Daniel Hagari, speaking at a press briefing, warned the military was boosting forces in the West Bank and remaining prepared for military action if Hamas violates the truce.

Abu Ubaida, spokesperson for Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, said on Sunday that Al-Qassam and other Palestinian factions are committed to the ceasefire deal.

“We, along with other resistance factions, declare our full commitment to the ceasefire agreement, but this remains contingent on the enemy’s adherence,” Ubaida emphasized in a televised statement.

Also on Sunday, the first humanitarian aid trucks entered Gaza from Egypt, Palestinian sources confirmed.

Based on the ceasefire agreement, about 600 trucks loaded with humanitarian aid, including 50 fuel trucks, will enter Gaza every day to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The deal, brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, aims to end the fighting between Israel and Hamas that was triggered by Hamas’ cross-border assault on Oct. 7, 2023, which resulted in the killing of 1,200 people in Israel and the kidnapping of about 250 others.

The appreciation was voiced on January 16, 2025, as the four-year project officially came to an end during a ceremony that celebrated its achievements.

The event included testimonials from beneficiaries, coffee exhibitions, and tastings, and it was graced by coffee industry stakeholders, TechnoServe staff, and various partners, including representatives from the Government of Rwanda.

The Rwanda INC project, implemented in six districts, was funded by the European Union (EU) with a contribution of €2 million and JDE Peet’s, which provided €500,000.

It sought to enhance Rwanda’s coffee value chain by enabling farmers, washing stations, and service providers to access critical information and financing, ensuring they could produce high-quality coffee for local, regional, and international markets.

TechnoServe’s presence in Rwanda spans over 15 years, during which the organization has empowered more than 80,000 farmers and entrepreneurs.

The Rwanda INC program is one of over 15 projects TechnoServe has implemented in the country, making a profound impact on the coffee sector.

In addition to distributing over 1.9 million coffee seedlings, it supported more than 11,000 coffee farmers.

The initiative also trained 53 young professionals in collaboration with the Coffee Quality Institute, fostering their growth in the coffee sector.

Additionally, 50 Coffee Washing Stations received support to improve their quality and operational efficiency, further strengthening Rwanda’s coffee production capabilities.

Dr. Olivier Kamana, the Permanent Secretary at MINAGRI, praised TechnoServe for its critical role in advancing the nation’s coffee industry.

He highlighted the productive collaboration between TechnoServe and the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB), noting the development of quality and sustainable guidelines that will benefit the coffee sector for years to come.

“The decision to transfer ownership of the Digital Farmer Extension Monitoring System to NAEB demonstrates your commitment to ensuring the long-term sustainability of these interventions,” he noted.

Dr. Kamana reaffirmed the government’s dedication to building upon the achievements of the Rwanda INC project and pledged to expand its successful interventions to other Coffee Washing Stations across the country.

The impact of the project extended to individuals and businesses across the coffee sector.

Christine Vuguziga, co-founder of Ngoma Coffee Washing Station in Nyamasheke District, described how the project transformed her operations.

“The project enabled us to plant 40,000 new coffee trees, which grow faster and adapt to climate changes. We also use a digital application that helps our agronomists address farmers’ issues, resulting in better yields,” she said.

Similarly, Manasseh Hategekimana, a graduate from IPRC Huye College in crop production, expressed his gratitude for the training he received through TechnoServe and the Coffee Quality Institute.

“Before the training, I didn’t see coffee farming as a viable career for youth. But after gaining skills and earning a Professional Certificate, I got employed immediately.

“Today, I’m an agronomist at the Land of Thousand Hills Coffee Company. I encourage more young people to explore opportunities in coffee farming and processing because it’s a lucrative industry,” Hategekimana shared.

Sophie Duchanoy, TechnoServe Rwanda’s Country Manager, reflected on the project’s success in elevating the value of Rwandan coffee in local and international markets.

She expressed her deepest gratitude to the EU, JDE Peet’s, and the Government of Rwanda for their trust and support, which enabled the program to achieve its goals.

“By supporting farmers, washing stations, and service providers, the program has facilitated access to critical information and financing needed to produce high-quality coffee for local, regional, and international markets,” she noted.

Amparo Gonzalez Diez, team leader of the Agriculture and Rural Development section at the EU delegation to Rwanda, commended the project for its emphasis on youth involvement and modern practices while pledging the EU’s continued support for Rwanda’s coffee sector.

Although the Rwanda INC project has concluded, TechnoServe remains active in Rwanda through the ReGenerate Rwanda project, funded by the Swedish Embassy.

This initiative aims to sustainably increase incomes for 30,000 individuals living in poverty in the Western and Southern Provinces.

By collaborating with private sector partners, the project seeks to develop innovative business solutions that address unmet demands for essential products and services.

With a focus on inclusivity, the project integrates women and youth as key drivers of transformative growth, advancing regenerative economic models that promise to build a sustainable future for Rwanda’s coffee industry and beyond.

The Head of State was accompanied by various officials at the airport during the reception of his Togolese counterpart.

President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé last visited Rwanda in August 2024, when he attended President Kagame’s inauguration ceremony at Amahoro Stadium.

In 2018, the governments of Rwanda and Togo signed a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) that will enhance Rwanda’s airspace expansion in West Africa.

As the agreement was signed in May 2018, Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye, then State Minister in the Ministry of Infrastructure, noted that Rwanda could easily export produce like potatoes and flowers to Togo.

In 2018, a team from Togo’s anti-corruption agency (Haplucia) praised Rwanda’s policies on preventing and combating corruption.

In 2023, Togo’s Foreign Minister, Robert Dussey, wrote a message in Kinyarwanda commending President Kagame’s exemplary leadership and urging Rwandans to continue loving their country and leadership.

Ugandan Minister of Health Jane Ruth Aceng told reporters that the World Health Organization (WHO) had alerted Uganda about the suspected outbreak in Tanzania’s Kagera region, which shares a border with Uganda.

Aceng said health authorities have identified Uganda’s border districts of Kyotera, Isingiro, Rakai, Kalangala, and Ntungamo as being at immediate high risk of disease importation.

According to the ministry, no confirmed or suspected cases of MVD — characterized by symptoms such as headache, high fever, back pain, diarrhea, vomiting with blood, body weakness, and external bleeding — have been reported in Uganda.

“We are aware that in addition to cross-border movements through the designated points of entry, there is rapid movement in the non-designated points of entry,” Aceng said. “We have heightened points of entry surveillance, active case search, and public health communication in the high-risk border districts.”

The WHO has classified the regional risk as high, citing Kagera’s strategic role as a transit hub with extensive cross-border movement involving Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

“We advise the population to remain calm, especially the population in the high-risk districts,” said Aceng. “They should remain vigilant and report any individual with the signs and symptoms consistent with Marburg and suspicious deaths to the nearest health facility. The ministry will monitor the situation and provide timely updates.”

MVD is a highly virulent disease causing hemorrhagic fever, with a fatality rate of up to 88 percent, according to the WHO. The virus, which is zoonotic, is transmitted to humans through direct contact with body fluids of infected individuals or contaminated materials such as blood, tissues, or surfaces.

A modular operating theatre is a specially designed surgical room that is built using pre-fabricated, modular components.

This allows for flexibility in its design, enabling it to be customized and adapted to meet specific needs or requirements.

It can be expanded or modified easily, depending on future needs, and is equipped with advanced medical technology for performing surgeries.

The event was graced by the CEO of King Faisal Hospital Rwanda, alongside the CEO of Alvo Medical, the esteemed manufacturer of advanced Operating Room (OR) solutions.

Also in attendance were the Deputy CEO (DCEO) and the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of KFH, along with theatre users, including surgeons, anesthetists, and nursing staff, who will directly benefit from this cutting-edge facility.

The newly inaugurated modular theatre is equipped with the latest technology designed to support complex cardiac procedures, significantly enhancing patient safety and improving surgical outcomes.

In his address, the CEO of KFH reaffirmed the hospital’s commitment to advancing surgical care through innovative OR solutions.

He proudly announced that all 18 theatres planned in the hospital’s expansion project will be built to an even higher standard than the newly inaugurated one.

He emphasized that KFH will no longer construct theatres below this level of excellence.

The CEO of Alvo Medical expressed pride in partnering with KFH to deliver this modern, high-performance surgical environment.

He highlighted Alvo Medical’s commitment to providing innovative and sustainable medical infrastructure capable of serving hospitals for up to 20 years.

King Faisal Hospital has made significant strides in advancing healthcare. In May 2024, the hospital announced that over 300 patients, including children aged between 100 and 150, had undergone heart surgery in the past three years using cardiac catheterization procedure.

In January 2024, it was also reported that in the previous year, more than 175 patients had undergone surgery for heart related diseases, while 18 patients received kidney transplant services in Rwanda.

Besides, the foundation stone for the expansion of King Faisal Hospital, a project that will increase its capacity threefold was laid on July 22, 2024.

The expansion is expected to add nearly 88,000 square meters to the hospital, with a focus on treating rare diseases that are not commonly treated in Rwanda, such as heart surgeries, cancer treatments, and others.

During this meeting, they explored potential areas for further strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation between Rwanda and Azerbaijan in multiple sectors.

So far, the two countries have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on political consultations and a visa waiver agreement for service and diplomatic passports.

As Ambassador Lt Gen (Rtd) Charles Kayonga presented his credentials to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in October 2024, both countries expressed their desire to collaborate in advancing various sectors.

At that time, Amb. Kayonga highlighted potential areas of collaboration, including trade, investment, science, education, and humanitarian efforts.

In a recent interview with an Azerbaijani newspaper, Amb. Kayonga shared that the two countries could engage in mutually beneficial trade.

On November 13, 2024, President Paul Kagame met with President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, where they discussed the partnership between the two countries in advancing key sectors.

The two heads of state focused on strengthening cooperation in areas such as investment, trade, and knowledge exchange to ensure the successful implementation of their objectives.

The relationship between Azerbaijan and Rwanda began in 2017. Azerbaijan has an ambassador to Rwanda, based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, while Ambassador Kayonga is based in Ankara, Turkey.

Dr. Kadozi brings 14 years of extensive experience in capacity building, focusing on business, economics, energy utilization, and environmental conservation.

His academic career includes teaching and research roles at leading institutions such as the University of Rwanda and Kigali Independent University (ULK), where he taught master’s students in economics and development while conducting training sessions across various sectors.

Over the years, he has mentored more than 50 students conducting research at undergraduate, master’s, and PhD levels. These students hailed from Rwanda, Europe, and the United States.

In 2019, Dr. Kadozi earned a PhD in economics from the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands. His academic credentials also include a master’s degree from Tsinghua University in China and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Rwanda, further cementing his expertise.

The Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB) also welcomed new leadership, with Dr. Flora Mutezigaju appointed as Deputy Director General.

Dr. Mutezigaju holds a PhD in inclusive education for persons with disabilities from Kenyatta University in Kenya, where she also completed her master’s degree.

She joined UNICEF in August 2023 as an education specialist and, in 2021, worked with the World Bank on promoting inclusive education. Prior to that, in 2018, she served as the Director of Inclusive Education Development at REB.

Another notable appointment is Carlène Seconde Umutoni, who became the Deputy Director General of the National Examination and School Inspection Authority (NESA).

She transitioned from MINEDUC, where she worked since 2021. Previously, from 2018 to 2021, she managed projects at MTN Rwanda. Umutoni holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees from AUCA, showcasing her strong academic foundation.

Further changes in MINEDUC saw Rose Baguma appointed as the Head of the Education Policy department.

Adia Umulisa now heads the education sector planning, monitoring, and evaluation department, while Jimmy Christian Byukusenge takes on responsibilities as the Director General of Corporate Services.

Esther Shaban Tuyizere has been named an advisor to the Minister of Education, and Jean Baptiste Doxa Niyibizi assumes the role of legal analyst.

New provincial education coordinators have also been appointed. Emmanuel Butera oversees the Eastern Province, Augustin Uwimana is responsible for the Northern Province, Christophe Nsengiyaremye takes charge of the Southern Province, Eric Niyongabo leads in Kigali City, and Jean de Dieu Ntaganira manages education coordination in the Western Province.

Beyond the education sector, other significant appointments include Dr. Edgar Kalimba as Deputy Director General for Medical Services at King Faisal Hospital (KFH). The hospital also established a new board chaired by Dr. Thierry Kalisa, with Dr. Natalie McCall as Vice Chair.

Other board members include Israel Bimpe, Dr. Sanctus Musafiri, Dr. Regis Hitiman, Flora Nsinga, Theogene Maniragaba, Jeannette Rwigamba, and Natacha Butera.

Lastly, Agnes Muhongerwa was named Deputy Chief Gender Monitor in charge of Gender-Based Violence at the Gender Monitoring Office.

During a press briefing on January 16, 2025, Brigadier General Baratuza acknowledged the losses, stating: “Death is possible because they are not exchanging flowers at war. That is what they signed up for. Even in a bathroom, one can slip and fall to their death. On the battlefield, we say they have fallen with honor.”

The statement came in response to reports of heavy casualties during clashes with the M23 rebel group in Ngungu, Masisi Territory, on January 14.

Allegations have surfaced accusing the Burundian government of concealing information about the fatalities, reportedly transporting bodies to hospital morgues in Bujumbura under secrecy before burial.

While some reports suggest that around 200 Burundian soldiers were killed in Ngungu, Brigadier General Baratuza characterized these figures as exaggerated.

The M23 rebel group has previously shown captured Burundian soldiers in their custody, with some pleading for international assistance to return home.

However, in December 2023, Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye denied these claims, stating that the individuals in question were not Burundian soldiers but members of the RED Tabara rebel group.

This statement drew criticism, with families of the captured soldiers confirming their identities as members of the Burundian national army.

Burundian troops have been deployed in North Kivu province since November 2023 under an agreement signed between the Burundian and DRC governments in August the same year.