In a statement released on Wednesday, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said that the attack caused a series of explosions and a large fire at the site, leading to significant damage.
Ukrainian officials believe the strike will severely disrupt Russia’s logistics, particularly affecting its strategic bombers stationed at Engels-2, such as the Tu-95, Tu-22, and Tu-160.
These bombers are frequently used to conduct airstrikes against Ukraine as reported by local media.
In addition to the deaths in the Caribbean island country, more than 2,200 people were injured, and nearly 1,500 were kidnapped.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, expressed deep concern over the scale of the violence, calling it a severe humanitarian crisis.
He highlighted a December massacre in Port-au-Prince’s Cité Soleil area, where over 200 people were killed in a gang-led attack.
The victims, many elderly, were accused of causing the death of a gang leader’s son. The bodies were mutilated and thrown into the sea.
Other reports from OHCHR detailed 315 lynchings and 281 summary executions linked to gangs and alleged police involvement.
These incidents, coupled with widespread corruption and impunity, continue to fuel the country’s multi-dimensional crisis.
Türk emphasized the urgent need for international support, calling for strengthened efforts to restore the rule of law and accountability.
He also reiterated the need for a full implementation of the UN Security Council’s sanctions, especially regarding arms control, as illegal weapons continue to fuel the violence.
Among others, the High Commissioner urged nations to halt deportations to Haiti, where ongoing insecurity makes safe returns impossible.
The three-day meeting was officiated by Brigadier General Patrick Karuretwa, Director General of International Military Cooperation in the Ministry of Defence.
He encouraged participants to develop updated and useful documents.
“I urge you to produce refined documents that address past discrepancies” Brig Gen Karuretwa said.
According to Rwanda’s Ministry of Defence, discussions will focus on mechanisms for the occasion of the mutual defence pact, coordinating foreign affairs, defence, peace, and security policies, and mechanisms for comprehensive conflict prevention, management, and resolution.
Lt Col Francis Odhiambo Walwa from Kenya’s Defence Headquarters underscored the Northern Corridor’s role in enhancing mutual defence cooperation to promote peace and strengthen good neighborly relations among partner states.
He further highlighted the critical importance of security as a cornerstone for driving economic growth in the region.
The Northern Corridor is a regional development initiative established in 2013 during the inaugural Infrastructure Summit of the Heads of State of Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. The Republic of South Sudan became a full member of the NCIP in 2018.
Its goal was to accelerate regional growth by fostering collaboration in infrastructure, trade, and political cooperation to promote deeper regional integration.
According to the NISR’s external trade report, exports to Burundi were valued at $5.18 million in Q3 2023, but fell to $3.03 million in Q3 2024.
However, there was an improvement from the second quarter of 2024, with exports increasing from $2.18 million to $3.03 million in Q3 2024.
This drop is primarily due to strained relations between the two countries, leading to Burundi closing its land borders in January 2024.
Since then, travel between the countries has been restricted to air travel via the national airline, RwandAir.
Reexports from Rwanda to Burundi experienced an even sharper decline of 59.66%, falling from $4.04 million in Q3 2023 to $1.63 million in Q3 2024.
Compared to the second quarter of 2024, the reexport value also decreased from $2.31 million.
In terms of exports to East African Community (EAC) partner states, the report shows that Burundi ranked second for Rwanda’s domestic exports in Q3 2024, following Uganda, which received exports worth $4.2 million.
These disasters claimed 135 lives, damaged over 2,100 houses, and completely destroyed 2,763 others.
Roads and other key infrastructure were also severely impacted, particularly in the Northern, Southern, and Western Provinces, leaving over 20,000 people in urgent need of assistance.
As part of the recovery efforts, 1,322 houses are being rehabilitated through the Contingency Emergency Response Component (CERC) project, a collaboration between the Government of Rwanda and the World Bank.
According to a report from the Ministry of Emergency Management (MINEMA), 537 houses have been fully repaired, 566 are under rehabilitation, and 219 are scheduled for renovation soon.
However, reconstruction of the 2,763 completely destroyed houses has not yet commenced, as authorities continue identifying suitable land for rebuilding.
In addition to housing, 310 families across 14 disaster-affected districts have received various forms of assistance.
This includes construction materials such as 12,667 iron sheets, 1,574 kilograms of galvanized wire, 1,780 kilograms of roofing nails, 423 kilograms of standard nails, and 65 iron sheet caps.
Four schools damaged during the disasters have also been supported with 931 iron sheets, 129 wires, and 77 iron sheet caps for repairs.
Meanwhile, 2,001 people in 16 districts received essential supplies, including hygiene kits, kitchenware, school supplies, and clothing for students.
Road repair efforts and the rehabilitation of the Nyundo Bridge in Rubavu District are well underway.
To address recurring flooding issues, retaining walls are being constructed along the Sebeya River, which is notorious for causing floods during the rainy season.
The Rwanda Water Resources Board (RWB) has already built 1.3 kilometers of retaining walls and implemented other flood mitigation measures, including constructing a reservoir with a capacity of two million cubic meters and planting bamboo and other vegetation to slow water flow.
In October 2024, MINEMA announced $26 million in funding secured from the World Bank for rebuilding houses for disaster-affected families.
These funds will be used to rebuild or rehabilitate 6,218 houses. To date, 2,830 houses have been completed, 2,052 are under rehabilitation, and 1,335 are still to be constructed.
Rwanda continues to prioritize disaster recovery and mitigation, with MINEMA emphasizing that relief, response, and mitigation efforts receive substantial investment worth $300 million annually.
Appearing on a talk show hosted by RadioTV10, ACP Rutikanga addressed concerns from some drivers and car owners who believe that speed cameras sometimes confuse their vehicles with others nearby.
“It is not possible, although some people have reported mistakes,” he said.
“The speed camera’s advanced smart technology operates in sync with the vehicle’s running engine. When a vehicle exceeds the speed limit, the engine generates a specific signal that the system detects without error. The camera does more than just capture the license plate; it identifies the engine first, then photographs the vehicle, including its license plate,” ACP Rutikanga explained.
He further clarified that even in cases where multiple vehicles are close together and moving at high speed, the system does not mistakenly prioritize one vehicle over another due to visibility.
“If all the vehicles are speeding, their engines generate distinct signals. The camera captures each one, even if it appears like a single flash. Every speeding vehicle is photographed, along with detailed information about its movement. No one can claim they were hiding behind another car to avoid detection,” he added.
ACP Rutikanga also spoke about motorcycles, noting that riders sometimes assume they can evade detection because speed cameras primarily capture license plates, which are located only at the back of motorcycles.
“It’s true that motorcycles only have license plates on the rear, limiting the angles from which they can be captured. However, speed cameras are not the only tools we use for traffic monitoring,” he explained.
He highlighted that other cameras at intersections record violations from multiple angles, making it possible to track various infractions.
“Some drivers challenge their fines, claiming the speed camera didn’t capture their violation. However, we present evidence from other cameras that prove otherwise,” he said.
ACP Rutikanga also revealed that while the current technology focuses on monitoring vehicle speed, it has the potential to be upgraded to detect additional offenses, such as using a mobile phone while driving or failing to fasten a seatbelt.
“The technology has the capability for such enhancements,” he concluded.
The joint investigation team—comprising the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), the National Office of Investigation (NOI), and the Defense Ministry’s investigative unit—confirmed the reissuance of the warrant in an official statement.
The Seoul Western District Court issued the new warrant after the initial one expired on Monday, following unsuccessful attempts to detain Yoon last week.
This makes Yoon the first sitting president in South Korea to face an arrest warrant, a development highlighting the intensifying legal challenges against him.
Reports suggest that the newly issued warrant may have a longer validity period than the first, which was valid for seven days.
CIO investigators and police attempted to arrest impeached President Yoon at the presidential residence on January 3, but the effort was thwarted by the presidential security service.
Yoon’s impeachment, approved by the National Assembly on December 14, suspended his presidential powers and is under constitutional court review for up to 180 days.
Accused of leading an insurrection, Yoon declared martial law on December 3, though it was swiftly overturned by the National Assembly.
The case continues to draw national and international attention.
Amb. Gashumba shared the update through her X account, where she highlighted their conversation during the Annual Reception hosted by King Frederik André Henrik Christian of Denmark on January 6, 2025.
The event, held at Christiansborg Palace, gathered diplomats and representatives to celebrate the beginning of the new year.
“At the annual reception hosted by Their Majesties, I had the honor of meeting Queen Mary, a passionate advocate for Global Health, who praised Rwanda’s health progress,” Dr. Gashumba posted on X.
The Queen expressed a strong interest in strengthening ties between Rwanda and Denmark, especially with the anticipated opening of the Danish Embassy in Kigali.
Queen Mary Elizabeth also acknowledged the collaboration between the Maternity Foundation—an organization she supports, which advocates for maternal and child health worldwide—and the Rwanda Nurses and Midwives Association (RMA). This partnership aims to ensure safe childbirth for mothers in Rwanda.
“This conversation reaffirmed the power of partnerships to transform lives and build a healthier future for all. Together, we explored how strong partnerships can transform communities,” Dr. Gashumba remarked.
{{Rwanda’s maternal and child health achievements}}
Over the past two decades, Rwanda has reduced maternal mortality by 80%, showcasing its dedication to improving healthcare systems.
According to the Statistical Year Book 2024 by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), maternal mortality rates have fallen from 1,071 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2000 to 203 per 100,000.
This decline reflects the success of targeted healthcare policies and investments in maternal health.
Key contributors include increased antenatal care coverage, with 98% of mothers in Rwanda receiving at least one antenatal visit by 2023. Early detection and timely interventions have played a vital role in preventing maternal deaths.
Skilled birth attendance has also improved significantly, with 94% of deliveries now assisted by trained health professionals, ensuring safer outcomes for both mothers and newborns.
Additionally, infant and under-five mortality rates have seen notable reductions. Infant mortality decreased from 107 per 1,000 live births in 2000 to 33 in 2023, while under-five mortality dropped from 196 to 45 per 1,000 live births.
According to reports, the earthquake, centered in Tsogo Township, Dingri County, struck at 9:05 a.m. (Beijing Time). Within a 20-km radius of the epicenter, 27 villages with around 6,900 residents were severely impacted.
Authorities reported 407 people rescued and over 30,000 residents relocated as temperatures in the region dropped to minus 17 degrees Celsius.
In the worst-hit areas of Tsogo and Chamco, many homes were reduced to rubble, forcing residents to seek shelter in open spaces.
Tragic losses were reported in Chamco’s Gurum Village, where 22 people, including 11 children, perished.
{{Nationwide rescue efforts}}
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for “all-out rescue efforts” to minimize casualties. More than 12,000 rescuers, including firefighters, police, and soldiers, have been deployed.
Relief supplies, including cotton tents, winter coats, and specialized materials for the cold, have been dispatched to the quake-hit areas.
The government has allocated 200 million yuan (approximately 27.8 million USD) to support relief and post-disaster emergency recovery. Resettlement sites are operational, providing shelter, food, and water. Telecommunications in the hardest-hit areas have been restored.
Dingri County, with a population of over 61,000, lies on the northern slope of the Himalayas, bordering Nepal.
It is home to the northern base camp of Mount Qomolangma. While the Mount Qomolangma scenic area has been temporarily closed, no damage has been reported to Tashilhunpo Monastery in Xigaze.
Rescue efforts and recovery continue in the wake of this devastating earthquake.
The fighters, hailing from Rubavu District, crossed the plain separating Rwanda and the DRC, traveling from their Kibati base in Nyiragongo Territory. They entered Rwanda through Kigezi Village, Kageshi Cell, in Busasamana Sector.
Rubavu District Mayor Mulindwa Prosper confirmed to IGIHE that the combatants are currently under the care of Rwandan authorities.
Officials are engaging with them to help them understand the development and progress of their home country.
“We, as local leaders, are responsible for welcoming them, providing them with information about their country, and helping them reintegrate before they return to the community. These individuals have been living in another country and involved in combat for some time. We are still educating them,” said Mayor Mulindwa.
The mayor commended their decision to return home peacefully, noting that they did not pose any security threat during their entry into Rwanda.
He also reassured others who wish to follow suit that they will be received in a similar manner.
Upon receiving the news of their surrender, local village leaders informed superiors, who in turn called on security forces to facilitate the fighters’ reception.
The combatants handed over three AK-47 rifles and one communication device upon entering Rwanda.
The individuals leave behind comrades still aligned with the Congolese military in their ongoing conflict with the M23 rebel group, which continues to capture territories in North Kivu Province.
