Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri

Speaking from the White House on Wednesday, Biden highlighted the significance of the agreement, which aims to halt over 15 months of fighting in Gaza, and reiterated his commitment to achieving a lasting peace.

The ceasefire agreement, announced by Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, was finalized after extensive mediation by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States.

It marks a pivotal moment in the conflict, as both sides have agreed to a phased ceasefire-for-hostages deal.

The initial phase, set to begin on Sunday, January 19, will see a 42-day cessation of hostilities.

During this period, the Israeli military will withdraw from populated areas in Gaza, allowing displaced Palestinians to return to their homes.

Biden emphasized that the agreement was aimed at ending the war and providing relief to those impacted by the prolonged conflict.

“Israel will negotiate the necessary arrangements to get to phase two, which is a permanent end of the war,” he stated, adding that achieving a sustainable peace requires dedication from all parties involved.

The deal includes significant humanitarian measures. Over the 42-day ceasefire period, 600 aid trucks, including 50 carrying essential fuel supplies, will be allowed to enter Gaza daily to address the territory’s severe humanitarian crisis.

Electricity restoration is a key priority, as much of Gaza remains in darkness due to the ongoing conflict.

Hamas has committed to releasing 33 hostages during the first phase of the agreement in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

Additional details about subsequent phases, including further prisoner exchanges and measures to ensure long-term stability, are expected to be disclosed in the coming weeks.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the agreement, calling it a vital step toward alleviating the suffering caused by the conflict.

“Our priority must be to ease the tremendous suffering caused by this conflict,” he said, reiterating the need for a two-state solution as a long-term resolution.

Despite the deal’s significance, its implementation faces political hurdles. The Israeli Security Cabinet and government are scheduled to meet on Thursday to approve the agreement.

Although Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to secure a majority, key coalition partners Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir have voiced opposition, threatening to resign unless the government commits to resuming military action in Gaza after the hostages are released.

In a joint statement, Qatar, Egypt, and the United States pledged to act as guarantors of the agreement, ensuring its full implementation.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi lauded the deal as a culmination of over a year of relentless efforts.

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates and other regional powers have expressed strong support for the agreement, emphasizing the importance of honoring commitments and alleviating the suffering of detainees and hostages.

The conflict escalated dramatically on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the abduction of 250 hostages.

The agreement, initially proposed in May 2024, represents the culmination of intermittent talks and four days of intensive negotiations in Doha.

The event at Independence Square featured prominent attendees, including former presidents Joaquim Chissano and Armando Guebuza, outgoing leader Filipe Nyusi, and international dignitaries like South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Rwanda was represented by Prime Minister, Dr. Edouard Ngirente on behalf of Pesident Paul Kagame.

In his inaugural address, Chapo outlined plans to streamline the government by reducing the number of ministries and replacing deputy minister roles with state secretaries who will report directly to ministers.

He emphasized the goal of creating a leaner, more efficient administration.

Chapo also pledged to tackle corruption, reduce privileges for state officials, privatize non-strategic state enterprises, and intensify efforts against kidnappings and organized crime.

Outgoing President Nyusi called for national unity, urging Mozambicans to rally behind Chapo’s leadership.

Current secretary-general of the ruling party Frelimo, Daniel Chapo was born in the central province of Sofala in 1977 and graduated in Law from the Eduardo Mondlane University in 2000, making him the first President of the Republic born after the country’s independence in 1975.

He won the October 2024 general election with 65.17% of the vote.

The MPs made discussed the challenges during a visit to the Rwandan Senate. The visit aimed to showcase the achievements of Rwanda during its 25 years as a member of the regional bloc.

MP Fatuma Ndangiza, who leads the team of nine Rwandan representatives in EALA, stated that while the assembly has taken steps to prepare for the single currency initiative, certain actions are pending at other levels of governance.

“There are institutions that need to be established. As a legislative body, we have passed the required laws, but at the level of the heads of state, there are agreements that need to be expedited,” said Ndangiza.

She also highlighted that some member states are lagging behind in implementing crucial measures needed to pave the way for the single currency.

“When it comes to the EAC Common Market, progress is still slow. Achieving the single currency depends heavily on the full realization of the Common Market, which is one of the two key pillars that must be implemented almost entirely,” she added.

The EAC single currency policy, introduced in 2013, aimed to prepare all necessary groundwork within a decade to launch the currency.

The project was initially well-received, as it promised to simplify regional trade by reducing reliance on the US dollar and boosting economic integration.

However, progress has been slow due to delays in implementing foundational steps.

For instance, in 2016, during a meeting of EAC central bank governors, it was reported that preliminary work on their end had been completed, raising expectations that the currency would be introduced by 2024.

One major factor delaying the project is the establishment of the East African Monetary Institute (EAMI), tasked with laying the foundation for the single currency and eventually serving as the region’s central bank.

The institute was supposed to be operational by 2015 but has yet to be established.

In 2023, Rwanda’s Central Bank Governor, John Rwangombwa, emphasized that several critical steps remain before the single currency can be launched.

However, he expressed optimism that these steps could be completed, enabling the EAC to introduce the currency by 2031.

The 40th General Assembly was presided over by the Minister of Defence, Juvenal Marizamunda, alongside RDF service Chiefs, heads of security organs, and selected members.

The 2025 business plan sets ambitious goals for ZIGAMA CSS, including increasing its gross income and raising its net profit.

Mr Nick Barigye, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, ZIGAMA CSS, highlighted the cooperative’s robust financial performance.

He revealed its total assets for 2024 and projected growth for 2025. He affirmed that the achievements underscore the cooperative’s solid foundation and commitment to enhancing the welfare of its members.

ZIGAMA CSS is a cooperative bank composed of members from various security organisations, including the Rwanda Defence Force, Rwanda National Police, Rwanda Correctional Services, National Intelligence and Security Service, Rwanda Investigation Bureau, and Rwanda Forensic Institute.

The bank continues to grow, having announced in December 2023 that it was expected to earn Frw35.7 billion that year, up from Frw22.8 billion in 2022, which was an increase from Frw17.7 billion in 2021.

In February and March 2024, Rwanda made history as the first Sub-Saharan African nation to host an ATP Challenger event.

The “ATP Challenger 50 Tour” featured over 60 players ranked 150th and higher worldwide, marking a significant milestone for tennis in the region.

On January 14, 2025, the Rwanda Tennis Federation announced that the “ATP Challenger 75 Tour” and “ATP Challenger 100 Tour” will be held from February 24 to March 1, 2025, and March 3 to March 9, 2025, respectively.

The first tournament, the ATP Challenger 75 Tour, will award 75 ranking points to the champion, while the ATP Challenger 100 Tour in the second week will offer 100 points.

Both tournaments are part of the ATP Challenger Tour, a platform designed for players aiming to improve their rankings and qualify for ATP Tour and Grand Slam events.

The 2024 ATP Challenger 50 Tour in Rwanda was a resounding success, with Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak defeating Argentina’s Marco Trungelliti in straight sets (6-4, 6-4) to claim the title.

The final match saw an illustrious audience, including President Paul Kagame, First Lady Jeannette Kagame, ATP Challenger Tour Director Eric Lamquet, Confederation of African Tennis (CAT) President Jean Claude Talon, Rwandan Tennis Federation President Théoneste Karenzi, and tennis legend Yannick Noah, the 1983 Roland Garros champion.

The ATP Challenger Tour has been a springboard for some of the biggest names in tennis.

Players like Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, ranked world No. 3, and former world No. 1 stars such as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Roddick, all rose through the Challenger circuit.

Argentina’s Juan Martin Del Potro, the 2009 US Open champion, also began his journey in the series.

Rwanda’s continued involvement in hosting these tournaments reinforces its position as a key destination for professional tennis in Africa, fostering the growth of the sport and inspiring the next generation of players.

The figure, reported by the UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Tuesday, represents a threefold increase from the 315,000 displaced in December 2023.

In Port-au-Prince, the capital, the displacement rate nearly doubled, driven by violence, collapsing healthcare services, and worsening food insecurity.

Most displaced individuals, including many children, came from the metropolitan area and sought refuge in rural provinces or relied on overstretched host communities for shelter. Only a small number managed to find refuge in temporary camps.

Adding to the strain, over 200,000 Haitians were deported back to Haiti last year, exacerbating pressure on the country’s limited social services. Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, criticized the deportations, noting that Haiti lacks basic services and remains engulfed in violence.

The situation worsened with severe flooding in late 2024, affecting more than 315,000 people nationwide.

Despite the challenges, international efforts provided some relief: the World Food Programme (WFP) assisted 1.7 million people with food aid and school meals, while the IOM delivered 18 million liters of clean water and rehabilitated water systems to benefit affected families.

UN agencies emphasized the urgent need for sustained humanitarian support and long-term solutions to address the root causes of Haiti’s crisis. For 2025, the UN and its partners are seeking $900 million to assist 4 million Haitians, highlighting the scale of the ongoing humanitarian challenge.

The summit, themed “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations,” will be held at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

It will include meetings of the AU Executive Council, consisting of foreign ministers, from February 12 to 13, followed by a gathering of African heads of state and government on February 15 and 16.

Elections to determine the next AUC chairperson for the 2025-2028 term, along with the other senior leadership roles, will occur during these sessions.

All eight senior positions, including deputy chairperson and six commissioners, are open for candidates, with portfolio assignments reflecting regional representation.

Candidates for the AUC chairperson position—Mahamoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti, Raila Odinga of Kenya, and Richard Randriamandrato of Madagascar—recently shared their visions in a live debate.

They outlined strategies for implementing Agenda 2063, the AU’s long-term plan for a peaceful, prosperous, and united Africa.

The summit’s theme also underscores the AU’s commitment to reparatory justice. The organization has long advocated for reparations for historical injustices against Africans and people of African descent, emphasizing the restitution of cultural artifacts looted during colonization.

Since its founding in 1963, the AU has taken steps to advance this cause, aligning it with the broader goal of decolonization and justice for Africa’s heritage.

Rwanda’s Presidency has announced that the Heads of State discussed their continued commitment to the mutually beneficial cooperation between Rwanda and UAE and ‘the acceleration of sustainable development’.

Kagame arrived in the UAE on January 13, to attend the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), which focuses on exploring ways to increase cooperation in addressing the impacts of climate change.

The opening ceremony which took place after discussions between the two leaders, also brought together other heads of state and government from various countries, policy-makers and sustainability industry leaders among others.

Speaking at the event, Kagame highlighted that the global sustainability agenda has not yet delivered on its promise, particularly for Africa.

He stressed the need to adopt affordable, scalable, and economically viable technology to fast-track development, while concurrently building a low-carbon economy.

During the opening, 11 winners of the 16th edition of the Zayed Sustainability Prize were recognized for their innovative sustainability solutions.

The governments of Rwanda and the UAE have long maintained excellent relations, with cooperation in key sectors of the economy.

The UAE has consistently been one of the top destinations for Rwandan exports.

A report by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda revealed that in the third quarter of 2024 (July-September), Rwandan exports to the UAE were valued at $446.51 million dollars.