Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri

The Congolese army had previously stated that it was on a mission to eliminate the FDLR. However, skepticism surrounding this statement arises from the group’s longstanding ties with the Congolese army, which has collaborated with the militia for years.

The FDLR emerged in 2000, originating from the ALiR group. Its founders were former members of the Interahamwe, the militia responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, along with defeated soldiers (Ex-FAR) and some Rwandan refugees.

On June 27, 2025, Rwanda and the DRC, with the support of the United States, signed a peace agreement that included clauses for dismantling the FDLR. According to the Concept of Operations (CONOPS), before launching the operation, an awareness campaign would first urge the group’s fighters to surrender their weapons and prepare for repatriation.

On October 10, 2025, the DRC army called on FDLR fighters to surrender their arms to the DRC government or to the United Nations peacekeeping forces (MONUSCO). Following this, a group of DRC soldiers, led by Brigadier General Patrick Sasa Nzita, head of the country’s military intelligence, was sent to Walikale to lead a “campaign” urging the FDLR fighters to disarm.

However, the soldiers reported that “no FDLR fighters were seen.” When asked why the campaign was conducted in areas where the fighters were not present, they explained that these areas were the closest to the militia’s main strongholds.

{{Where is the FDLR located?}}

FDLR fighters were initially based in various areas of North Kivu, such as Rutshuru and Masisi, but attacks by the AFC/M23 group forced them to retreat to remote areas controlled by the DRC army and local militias, including Wazalendo.

AFC/M23 has indicated that some FDLR fighters have sought refuge in South Kivu, where they are collaborating with Burundian forces and other groups to launch attacks on the Banyamulenge people in the Fizi, Uvira, and Mwenga territories.

According to Rwanda’s Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), senior leaders of the FDLR are located in the Walikale territory, areas controlled by the DRC government, such as Buhaya.

These leaders include FDLR President Lt Gen Gaston Iyamuremye and the group’s military commander, Pacifique Ntawunguka, also known as ‘Gen Omega.’

The DRC army has suggested that FDLR fighters are now located in areas controlled by AFC/M23, attempting to evade responsibility for dismantling the group, although it has not officially acknowledged this.

{{FDLR’s resistance to disarmament}}

In an interview with Radio France Internationale (RFI), Lt Col Octavien Mutimura, the spokesperson for FDLR-FOCA, reiterated the group’s stance that its fighters remain in the forests of the DRC to protect “abandoned Rwandan refugees.”

Lt Col Mutimura stated that the FDLR has no intention of laying down arms, asserting that its fighters are not afraid of potential attacks in the future.
He said, “We are here to defend ourselves and protect the abandoned Rwandan refugees. Asking us to lay down our arms without honoring our request is just a dream.”

Although the FDLR claims to be protecting Rwandan refugees, Rwanda continues to receive many individuals who were held captive by the group, with support from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

The Rwandan government reports that over 5,000 Rwandans have returned since January 2025, with 222 returning in the most recent repatriation on November 6, 2025.

The FDLR targets those it knows are planning to return to Rwanda, either killing them or subjecting them to severe punishments, including torture.

Ntawiha Feza, a returnee, shared her experience with IGIHE, saying, “I feel relieved because I have made it back home. I have three children. My husband was killed. We were about to return when they killed him, and I came back alone. I am hopeful we will live well now that we’re home.”

{{Fighters}}

As AFC/M23 resumed fighting in November 2021, the DRC government repeatedly claimed that the FDLR was a small group of aging fighters, incapable of threatening Rwanda’s security.

In September 2022, President Félix Tshisekedi stated that his country had disarmed hundreds of FDLR fighters more than twice, claiming this demonstrated political will. He further asserted that the FDLR was no longer a security threat.

However, the DRC army’s collaboration with this terrorist group has been confirmed by UN experts, who have documented the ongoing ties in reports approved by the UN Security Council.

Various reports estimate the number of FDLR fighters to be between 1,500 and 3,000. Lt Col Mutimura disputed these figures, stating that the number of fighters is much higher.

In June 2025, Rwanda’s military spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Ronald Rwivanga, stated that the FDLR’s fighters were estimated to number between 7,000 and 10,000. He also noted that when they expect an attack, they blend in with civilians to shield themselves.

{{Repeated shielding patterns}}

Under international pressure, in September 2024, the DRC army initiated operations aimed at dismantling FDLR strongholds in areas near the city of Sake, including Shove, Kimoka, Lupango, and Mubambiro.

Before these operations began, Gen Maj Peter Cirimwami, the then Governor of North Kivu, notified senior FDLR leaders, prompting them to relocate their positions.

On September 23 and 24, elite forces led by Lt Col Donatien Bawili carried out attacks in these areas. On September 25 and 26, the 11th Brigade, led by Gen Papi Lupende, also launched an assault in Rusayo. It was later revealed that the forces fighting the DRC army were members of the APCLS group, led by Janvier Karairi, not the FDLR.

While UN experts suggest that these attacks were not specifically targeting the FDLR, Lt Col Mutimura reported that the group lost “many fighters and significant equipment” during the September 2024 operations.

Lt Col Mutimura’s statement attempts to clarify that the FDLR is not collaborating with the DRC army, but strong evidence points to a partnership, particularly in the context of their shared fight against the AFC/M23.

On January 25, 2025, the wife of President Tshisekedi visited wounded soldiers being treated at the Kokolo and Tshatshi military hospitals. Among the injured, one soldier was found with a tattoo representing the elite FDLR unit, known as CRAP.

Ahead of the World Cycling Championship, which took place from September 21-28, 2025, several roads in Kigali were temporarily cleared of speed bumps to ensure smooth traffic flow and facilitate the event’s organization.

Some of the roads affected include Downtown – Nyamirambo, Nyabugogo-Kimisagara – Nyamiramo, and Sopetrade-Kimihurura.

City of Kigali spokesperson Ntirenganya Emma Claudine clarified that the removal of the speed bumps is not permanent, as they play an important role in reducing vehicle speeds.

“The reinstatement of speed bumps will depend on the specific location and its conditions. In some areas, the speed bumps will be restored, while in others, alternative traffic signs and measures will be put in place to manage speed more effectively. Each area will be assessed individually. Reducing speed on the roads is not only about speed bumps; other methods, such as signage, will also be used,” she explained.

Although Ntirenganya did not provide a specific date the work will begin, she confirmed that relevant authorities are currently evaluating the logistics of the restoration, based on the characteristics of each area.

The seventh biennial Scientific Conference on Medical Products Regulation in Africa (SCoMRA VII) was held in Kenya’s coastal city of Mombasa, with delegates reflecting on the growing urgency to address vulnerabilities exposed by emergencies like the Ebola outbreak and COVID-19.

John Munyu, chairperson of Kenya’s Pharmacy and Poisons Board, said unlocking Africa’s potential in health product manufacturing and trade is a continental priority.

“Africa imports over 90 percent of its medicines and produces less than one percent of its vaccines. This is not just a statistic; it reflects our dependence and vulnerability, which the COVID-19 pandemic painfully exposed,” he said.

“SCoMRA VII is not merely a conference; it is a strategic platform to make this vision real to catalyze local manufacturing, support intra-African trade under the Africa Continental Free Trade Area, and ensure that quality, safe, and effective medical products reach every African,” he added.

African Medicines Agency (AMA)’s Director-General Delese Mimi Darko underscored the institution’s commitment to supporting local pharmaceutical manufacturing across Africa.

Darko said increased regional production will improve access to safe, affordable, and high-quality medical products, while reducing dependence on imports.

Symerre Grey-Johnson, director of human capital and institutional development at the African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development, said Africa has made strategic moves to actualize medical product manufacturing through the establishment of the AMA.

Grey-Johnson noted that the establishment provides predictable regulatory functions and authoritative continental leadership, ensuring long-term sustainability for Africa’s health future.

These Rwandans had spent three days at a temporary disarmament and reintegration center in Goma before their return.

According to MONUSCO, a total of 49 Rwandans were repatriated, all of whom expressed joy at returning home and urged their compatriots still in the forests to lay down their arms and live peacefully with others.

From January to October 2025, MONUSCO facilitated the repatriation of 54 Rwandan ex-combatants, mostly from the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), together with 44 of their family members.

Upon arrival in Rwanda, the ex-combatants are taken to the Mutobo Demobilization and Reintegration Center in Musanze District, operated by the Rwanda Demobilization and Reintegration Commission (RDRC), where they receive training to help them reintegrate into civilian life and achieve self-reliance.

On October 30, the RDRC reintegrated 143 former FDLR combatants who had completed between three and six months of training at the Mutobo center.

The commission reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing support for those who choose to return peacefully.

Broadcasting from September to October on ST Zone, ST Novela E, and the StarTimes ON streaming platform, the series is designed to strengthen cultural understanding and build deeper ties between China, Africa, and the global community.

This season trails a diverse group of African and international participants, from creatives and entrepreneurs to adventurers, as they share authentic experiences of living, working, and exploring in modern-day China.

Through their lenses, viewers journey across the country’s most compelling destinations: the peaceful beauty of Taizhou, the dynamic rhythm of Chongqing, the historical charm of Chongzhou, the coastal culture of Fujian, the ancient desert landscapes of Dunhuang, and the spiritual heights of Wudang Mountain.

By spotlighting regions beyond China’s major cities, “A Glimpse of China in the New Era” reveals the country’s vast cultural diversity, evolving local lifestyles, and the sense of opportunity that continues to draw foreigners into China’s rapid transformation.

“Our audience will enjoy powerful cross-cultural stories while gaining a deeper appreciation of China’s cultural depth, seen through the relatable perspectives of foreigners living here,” said Lizzie LYU, Marketing Director of StarTimes.

“This documentary is both visually compelling and educational, a bridge for cultural exchange between Africa and China.”

Beyond its on-air content, StarTimes is also supporting offline activities inspired by the series, encouraging cultural exchange, community engagement, and meaningful dialogue.

With its immersive storytelling and striking imagery, “A Glimpse of China in the New Era” celebrates the spirit of curiosity, collaboration, and friendship that connects people across borders.

The Simandou deposit is the world’s largest known untapped iron ore reserve, estimated to contain approximately 3 to 4 billion tonnes of high-grade recoverable iron ore.

The project is expected to reach full production capacity by 2030, with an annual output of around 120 million tonnes.

On Wednesday, President Kagame and his host, President Mamadi Doumbouya, will address the opening of this year’s Transform Africa Summit (TAS), organized by the Smart Africa Alliance under the theme “AI for Africa: Innovate Locally, Impact Globally.”

The Summit, which convenes every other year in Rwanda-home to the Smart Africa Secretariat, brings together leaders and innovators to explore how artificial intelligence can advance Africa’s economic integration, strengthen governance, and foster innovation across the continent.

Rwanda and Guinea enjoy existing cordial relations reinforced through exchanges of visits and cooperation in different areas.

President Kagame last visited Guinea Conakry on Monday, May 13, 2024. He had made a similar trip to Guinea from April 17-18, 2023, which resulted in the signing of an agreement on the creation of a joint cooperation committee between Rwanda and Guinea.

The committee covers areas such as agriculture, ICT, education, mining, and security.

At the time, President Kagame and Doumbouya also witnessed the inauguration of a highway interchange connecting Kagbélen to Conakry that was named after President Kagame.

The project was initiated to ease movement between major industrial cities and Conakry, as well as with neighbouring countries.

In October 2024, both countries also signed a partnership agreement, committing to collaboration across several strategic sectors, including technology, agriculture, investment, services, tourism, energy, and trade.

Meanwhile, General Doumbouya was in Rwanda in May 2025 for a friendly visit aimed at strengthening the strong ties between the two countries.

Upon his arrival, President Doumbouya was warmly welcomed by the Guinean community in Rwanda during a celebratory event held in Kigali.

This visit marked President Doumbouya’s return to Rwanda after his previous trip in August 2024, when he attended the inauguration of President Paul Kagame following his re-election.

Earlier, in January 2024, he had visited to reaffirm the commitment to bilateral cooperation.

Guinea is located on the west coast of Africa, bordered by Guinea-Bissau to the northwest, Senegal to the north, Mali to the northeast, Côte d’Ivoire to the east, Liberia to the southeast, and Sierra Leone to the south.

Its capital and largest city is Conakry, which is situated on the Atlantic coast. Guinea covers an area of approximately 245,857 square kilometers, making it a medium-sized country in the region.

As of recent estimates, Guinea has a population of around 14 million people, with a youthful demographic and a substantial portion of the population living in rural areas.

The country is home to a rich cultural diversity, with several ethnic groups such as the Fulani, Mandinka, and Susu, and the

French is the official language of the country. However, many indigenous languages, such as Fula, Maninka, and Susu, are widely spoken across the country.

The economy of Guinea is heavily reliant on natural resources, particularly mining.

The country is a major global supplier of bauxite, holding some of the largest known reserves in the world, and also produces significant amounts of gold, diamonds, and iron ore.

Agriculture also plays a crucial role in the economy, with rice, maize, and cassava being staple crops, while fishing and livestock farming contribute to the rural economy.

At the opening ceremony, COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev called to meet the goals of the climate summit held last year in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.

COP30 President Andre Correa do Lago thanked Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva for appointing him and reiterated that COP30 must present solutions.

Despite recent setbacks, the living conditions of populations around the world can and must continue to improve, Correa do Lago emphasized. “Science, education, culture are the path that we have to follow,” he said.

Multilateralism is definitely the way forward in the fight against climate change, he said.

A series of topics, including climate adaptation, just transition, and implementation of the Paris Agreement’s global balance, are expected to be discussed at the event.

Delegations of over 190 countries and regions have registered to participate in the conference, which runs through Nov. 21, according to the COP30 presidency.

The conference, organized by G20 Presidency South Africa in collaboration with the African Union (AU) at the AU headquarters in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa.

AU Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry, and Minerals Francisca Tatchouop Belobe addressed the event that the resilience of African nations is being tested by an unsustainable debt burden and a financial system that penalizes Africa.

“The rising debt burden is a cause for Africa’s financial constraints,” Belobe said, highlighting that in 2024 alone, debt service payments exceeded 70 billion U.S. dollars as a significant number of African governments are spending more on servicing debt than on investing in human development.

Noting that Africa’s public debt has grown from approximately 100 billion dollars in the 1990s to roughly 1.8 trillion dollars now, or about two-thirds of the continent’s GDP, she said the continent’s rising costs of public debt servicing are diverting scarce resources.

The AU commissioner said about 57 percent of Africa’s population lives in countries where debt servicing surpasses social spending, underscoring that the situation is “unsustainable, not only economically but morally.”

“Such iniquities in the global financial system restrained African nations of the means to invest in what truly matters, such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, energy transition, and the green and digital economies that will define the future,” Belobe warned.

The AU commissioner called for a partnership that treats Africa “not as a risk to be managed, but as a partner to be empowered.” She also outlined AU initiatives, including efforts to establish an African debt monitoring mechanism for fiscal transparency and Africa’s financial autonomy.

South Africa’s Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Alvin Botes stressed the urgency of the dialogue to address “one of our foremost priorities — ensuring debt sustainability for low-income countries.”

He said the policy space available to developing countries is significantly constrained by their debt servicing obligations, with many countries paying more for debt costs than critical development enablers like social welfare, health care, and education.

“We are working to ensure that the sovereign credit ratings are fair and transparent and to address high risk premiums for developing economies,” Botes said, adding that South Africa is reviewing the cost of capital during its G20 presidency.

The high-level dialogue served as a critical platform for experts and policymakers to amplify Africa’s collective voice within the G20. Participants pushed for fairer global financing, lower cost of capital, and reforms that drive sustainable growth.

He was seen leaving the prison this afternoon, according to local media reports.

On Sept. 25, the Paris Criminal Court sentenced Sarkozy to five years in prison for criminal conspiracy related to alleged Libyan financing of his 2007 presidential campaign. Although he has appealed the verdict, the judges ordered the sentence to take immediate effect, citing the “exceptional seriousness” of the offenses.

Sarkozy was imprisoned on October 21, becoming the first former French president in modern history to serve a prison sentence. His lawyers immediately lodged an appeal and requested his release.

During Monday morning’s hearing, the former head of state appeared via videoconference from his cell. He described his detention as “hard, very hard, certainly for any prisoner.”

The court of appeal ruled that his continued detention was no longer the only means of preventing the risks outlined in the Code of Criminal Procedure, such as pressure on witnesses, collusion, flight risk, or reoffending.

It therefore ordered his release, subject to strict judicial supervision, including a ban on leaving French territory. In addition, the court imposed extended contact restrictions, noting his “capacity to influence various government departments” as a former president.