The latest batch of returnees, mostly women and children, crossed into Rwanda through La Corniche border post linking Goma and Rubavu.
The repatriation follows agreements reached during a tripartite meeting between Rwanda, the DRC, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on July 24, 2025.
Before returning home, the group had been staying in a transit camp in Goma after leaving various areas in eastern Congo where they had been under FDLR control.
The Mayor of Rubavu District, Prosper Mulindwa, assured the returnees that the Rwandan government has several programs in place to help them reintegrate into normal life.
“They will immediately be included in national support programs designed for low-income Rwandans to help them overcome challenges and catch up in development,” Mulindwa said. “Local communities are encouraged to assist them based on their needs and the opportunities available where they settle.”
He added that once the returnees complete their short stay at Kijote Transit Center in Nyabihu District, the government will provide each of them with a reintegration package to help them start afresh.
Adults over 18 years old will receive $188, minors $113, and every individual will be given basic food supplies worth Frw 45,000.
Delivering opening remarks at the Land Forces Commanders Symposium taking place at Intare Arena in Kigali from October 21 to 22, Kagame told participants that the unpredictable global security environment demands decisive yet measured military responses.
The two-day meeting brings together military leaders, defence experts, and key stakeholders from across Africa and beyond under the theme, “Leveraging Land Forces Capabilities for Enhanced Implementation of Peace and Security Strategies.”
Kagame said the nature of modern conflict has become increasingly complex and asymmetric, often requiring military involvement in crises that are political, humanitarian, or environmental. He emphasized that land forces play a crucial role on the front lines of such challenges.
“In these complex situations, land forces are vital. You are the first to deploy and the last to leave,” Kagame said. “Your swiftness and precision make all the difference between success and failure.”
The President warned, however, that bureaucratic hurdles and distant restrictions often undermine commanders’ ability to act effectively. He underscored the need for operational flexibility and urgency, remarking that “speed without accuracy is dangerous, and accuracy without speed is pointless.”
Kagame also highlighted the importance of civil–military cooperation, noting that land forces operate closest to the people and must always prioritize citizens’ safety and trust. “The discipline and professionalism that you show are what either build or break the public’s trust,” he said.
Turning to emerging threats, Kagame noted that the digital era has introduced new frontiers of conflict, including cyberattacks and disinformation, that can destabilize nations as effectively as traditional warfare.
He urged African nations to strengthen teamwork and assert greater sovereignty in choosing their security partnerships.
“Sovereignty today is not just about borders,” he said. “It is also about our ability to choose our partners from a position of strength and align our interests.”
Kagame reminded participants that Africa continues to face the world’s highest number of active conflicts, calling for stronger regional cooperation and continental security mechanisms.
“We cannot expect others to carry the responsibility for Africa’s security,” he said. “None of the challenges that we face are beyond our capacity to manage or resolve.”
The Head of State concluded by encouraging participants to engage in open, practical dialogue over the next two days. “I urge you to be frank with one another, share experiences and challenge assumptions,” he said. “This is how progress is going to be made.”
Rwanda’s Army Chief of Staff, Major General Vincent Nyakarundi, expressed gratitude to the countries participating in the conference, emphasizing that hosting the event in Rwanda demonstrates the country’s strong commitment to promoting cooperation and partnership in military affairs.
The meeting, which brings together commanders of land forces, was first held in France in 2024.
The Chief of Staff of the French Army, General Pierre Schill, highlighted the importance of military cooperation, saying that such collaboration is essential to achieving positive change.
“This is the very meaning of our gathering here,” he said. “It reflects our determination to strengthen our partnership, enhance coordination, and build collective security based on mutual understanding and respect. These are the foundations of tomorrow’s success.”
Gen Schill also praised the Government of Rwanda for agreeing to host the event and for the excellent organization.
“By organizing and hosting this conference for the second time, Rwanda demonstrates its firm commitment to these shared values,” he noted. “The goal is to make this forum a space for dialogue, experience-sharing, and reflection on the role of land forces in global security management.”
The conference will conclude on October 22, 2025, with participants expected to visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial at Gisozi to learn about Rwanda’s history, the events that led to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, and how it was halted.
Sarkozy, 70, became the first modern French head of state to be imprisoned. He was seen leaving his home hand in hand with his wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, before entering a police vehicle that took him to La Santé prison in the French capital.
Sarkozy issued a statement on social media before his transfer, saying that an innocent person was being imprisoned.
According to AP, his legal team immediately filed a request for release following his detention.
The former president was convicted last month for participating in a scheme that allegedly funneled money from Libya’s regime, then led by Muammar Gaddafi, into his 2007 election campaign. He continues to deny the charges and has appealed the ruling, while also contesting the judge’s decision to imprison him pending that appeal.
Sarkozy’s journey from the Élysée Palace to the infamous La Santé prison has drawn widespread attention in France. Before leaving home, he was joined by his children and grandchildren and waved to hundreds of supporters gathered outside his residence in an upscale Paris neighborhood. Many in the crowd chanted his name, sang the French national anthem, and displayed flags bearing messages such as “Courage Nicolas, return soon” and “True France with Nicolas.”
Several members of his family, including his sons Jean, Pierre, and Louis, his daughter Giulia, and his grandchildren, were present. One Paris resident told AP she came to show support, calling Sarkozy a man who had always served with dignity and expressing frustration over what she described as “injustice.”
President Emmanuel Macron hosted Sarkozy at the Élysée Palace last week. Macron said it was appropriate, on a human level, to receive one of his predecessors, while emphasizing the independence of the judiciary.
Sarkozy’s lawyers told French media that he will be held in solitary confinement for security reasons. Lawyer Christophe Ingrain said the experience had only strengthened his client’s determination to prove his innocence and revealed that Sarkozy plans to write a book about his time in prison. Another member of his legal team, Jean-Michel Darrois, told France Info that Sarkozy had mentally prepared himself for isolation, packing warm sweaters and earplugs to cope with the conditions.
Sarkozy had told La Tribune Dimanche newspaper he was unafraid of imprisonment and intended to face it “with his head held high.” He also told Le Figaro that he planned to bring three books, including Alexandre Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo, the story of a man who escapes wrongful imprisonment to seek revenge.
A Paris judge ruled that Sarkozy must begin serving his sentence immediately, citing the seriousness of the offense and its impact on public trust. Under the decision, Sarkozy can only request conditional release after entering prison, and the appeals court will have up to two months to review his petition.
The celebration took place on October 17, 2025, as the institution reflected on its long journey supporting hospitals and health centers across Rwanda.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, praised BUFMAR for its significant contribution to reducing preventable deaths and improving life expectancy in Rwanda.
“When BUFMAR was founded, life expectancy was below 45 years. Today, it has risen to over 70 years,” he said. “Maternal deaths have declined thanks to better access to equipment, trained personnel, and essential medicines, all areas where BUFMAR has played a major role. Child mortality has also dropped, and this improvement has directly boosted life expectancy.”
Dr. Nsanzimana explained that in the year 2000, 1,000 mothers out of every 100,000 live births died during childbirth. With around 500,000 births each year, that figure has reduced to 105 maternal deaths per 100,000.
“We aim to reduce that number to between 70 and 50 by 2028,” he said. “To achieve this, we need hospitals equipped with reliable instruments, modern ultrasound machines, available and affordable medicines, and trained personnel. That’s where BUFMAR’s contribution is critical.”
The minister encouraged BUFMAR to expand its operations beyond Rwanda, to support other African countries struggling with similar healthcare challenges, revealing that five countries have already expressed interest in benefiting from BUFMAR’s services and experience.
BUFMAR’s Director General, Mrs. Monique Gahongayire, said that reaching 50 years is a major milestone that reflects the institution’s resilience and consistent service to Rwanda’s health system.
“After the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, many institutions closed, and BUFMAR was not spared. Some staff were killed, others fled, and infrastructure was destroyed,” she recalled. “Continuing operations afterward felt like starting from zero, but we are proud that our mission never completely stopped.”
She also highlighted BUFMAR’s uniqueness as an interfaith initiative that unites different religious congregations under a shared purpose: “BUFMAR is a symbol, an example, and a testimony that when people come together for a noble cause, even with their differences, they can achieve great things.”
Gahongayire added that the organization plans to work more closely with the government and private sector to explore local manufacturing of certain medical supplies.
“Because Rwanda is a landlocked country, importing supplies is costly, not due to national issues but because of transport, currency fluctuations, and distance from ports. We are now exploring ways to start producing some of these items here in Rwanda,” she explained.
Cardinal Antoine Kambanda, Archbishop of Kigali, said BUFMAR’s 50 years symbolize the power of unity among religious institutions in serving the nation.
“This is an interfaith organization, for 50 years, different churches have worked together to ensure people access affordable, quality healthcare,” he said. “It’s a sign that the Church can make a lasting contribution to the country’s well-being.”
Founded in 1975, BUFMAR specializes in the supply of medicines and medical equipment such as syringes, gloves, masks, surgical tools, X-ray machines, and other essential hospital devices.
It also supports capacity building through training programs and technical assistance to hospitals and health centers.
Today, BUFMAR works with 163 health facilities, including 18 hospitals and 145 health centers affiliated with the Catholic Church and other denominations.
The celebration concluded with gratitude to First Lady Jeannette Kagame, who sent her congratulations, and wished the institution a joyful Golden Jubilee.
Israeli drones flew intensively and at low altitudes over the villages of Al-Zahrani in southern Lebanon, and over Beirut and its southern suburbs, said the report.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it targeted Hezbollah’s “terrorist infrastructure” in southern Lebanon and accused the group of reorganizing in the south of the country.
“The presence of the terror infrastructure sites and the activity of the Hezbollah terrorist organization constitute a violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon,” the IDF said.
A ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel has been in effect since Nov. 27, 2024, ending months of cross-border clashes that erupted after the start of the Gaza war.
However, despite the truce, the Israeli army has occasionally launched strikes inside Lebanon, claiming to target Hezbollah “threats,” while maintaining troops at five positions along the Lebanese border after the deadline for a full withdrawal expired on Feb. 18.
He made these remarks in response to growing tensions within the Anglican Church of Rwanda, following the arrest and imprisonment of Dr. Samuel Mugisha, the former Bishop of Shyira Diocese, who was accused of embezzling church funds.
In the aftermath of his arrest, the situation escalated as informal group meetings were held among church members, and one pastor went as far as taking the Archbishop to court.
{{The origin of the internal disputes}}
On January 21, 2025, the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) arrested Dr. Samuel Mugiraneza Mugisha, then Bishop of Shyira Diocese, on allegations of embezzling church property for personal benefit while still in office.
Following his arrest, the former Bishop of Gahini Diocese, Bishop Alexis Bilindabagabo, wrote to other bishops on February 19, 2025, raising seven questions, including accusations that bishops were blaming Mugisha for acts they themselves commit.
He accused some bishops of using church vehicles as personal property, grazing cattle on church land, and allowing their wives to lead the Mothers’ Union. He questioned why they had reported Mugisha to prosecutors, who later released him.
On October 8, 2025, Bilindabagabo wrote another letter titled “The Truth Will Set You Free”, saying that the alleged offenses committed by Bishop Mugisha were actually usual practices within the Church.
“It is shocking to see a bishop handcuffed and imprisoned for nine months. When you attend his court hearings, you realize that what he’s accused of is common practice among bishops, things that happen daily in every diocese,” he wrote.
He went on to argue that grazing cattle on church land is a long-standing Anglican tradition, not a crime. He urged fellow bishops to defend Mugisha, saying what he did was customary within the Church.
{{The Church’s official response}}
On October 14, 2025, the Anglican Church of Rwanda released a statement expressing concern about the behavior of some retired clergy who continued to interfere in Church leadership without any mandate.
During the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Butare Diocese on Sunday, Archbishop Laurent Mbanda addressed the media, emphasizing accountability within the Church.
On the issue of Bishop Mugiraneza’s imprisonment, he said: “It’s not surprising for someone to be held accountable. People make mistakes, we are all human. What matters most is recognizing those mistakes, humbling yourself before God, and asking for forgiveness from both God and those you have wronged.”
He added that any bishop who wishes to operate independently of Church authority is no longer fit to serve: “If there is a bishop who wants to act outside the Church’s guidance, his time is over. Some think that because they acted in a certain way, others should too, but that’s a misconception.”
Archbishop Mbanda noted that it’s not the first time a Rwandan Anglican bishop has been imprisoned over accountability issues, citing similar past incidents.
{{Reaction to Bishop Bilindabagabo’s letters}}
When asked about the letters written by retired Bishop Bilindabagabo, Dr. Mbanda said he would not comment in detail, explaining that everyone’s actions are known to God: “He knows what he did, and so do you. Don’t ask me about it, he will answer to God. I too will answer to God for my actions.”
He criticized those spreading false information about the Church, saying: “We condemn those who tell lies about the Church, those who invent stories they don’t know about. There’s no reason to publicly humiliate others.”
Mbanda dismissed claims that he is the source of division within the Church, saying history will speak for itself.
He explained that the former Bishop of Shyira Diocese, Dr. Samuel Mugisha, had already resigned on November 29, 2024, and that his resignation letter was read to the other bishops.
{{Archbishop Mbanda taken to court}}
Archbishop Dr. Laurent Mbanda has been taken to court by Pastor Fabien Byiringiro and former Shyira Diocese parish leader, Japhet Rukundo, who filed two separate lawsuits against him.
The first case, filed at the Nyarugenge Intermediate Court in Nyamirambo, accuses Dr. Mbanda of leading the Anglican Church of Rwanda unlawfully, arguing that he has already reached the official retirement age.
According to information obtained by IGIHE, the court set a distant hearing date for this case, prompting the plaintiffs to file a second, urgent case.
The second case, filed under urgent procedure, seeks a court order prohibiting Archbishop Mbanda from making decisions on behalf of the Anglican Church of Rwanda.
Their arguments include claims that he makes unilateral decisions without consulting others and that he has already reached retirement age.
The case has been postponed twice and is now expected to resume at the end of this month in the Nyarugenge Intermediate Court.
Dr. Mbanda declined to comment on the individuals who took him to court, stating that he could not speak about matters that are before the judiciary.
He said: “I can only tell you one thing. I did not appoint myself. That’s one. Secondly, I did not lack anything else to do, nor did I have nowhere to go. And thirdly, we must thank God because sometimes He uses unexpected people or circumstances to take you exactly where He wants you to be.”
Dr. Mbanda urged members of the Anglican Church to remain steadfast in their faith, draw closer to God, and avoid spreading rumors, reminding them that the Church belongs to them and needs their prayers.
He also called on them to pray for the former Bishop of Shyira Diocese so that God may reveal the truth in due time.
Dr. Mbanda added: “Someone once said that those who are not on the field never score a goal. You may cheer and even criticize those playing, but you can’t score if you’re not in the game.”
Archbishop Laurent Mbanda was elected to lead the Anglican Church of Rwanda in 2018. In June 2023, he was re-elected to continue serving as Archbishop until October next year.
“We are encouraged that the parties have reaffirmed their commitments to implementing the ceasefire in Gaza and commend the steadfast efforts of the mediators,” said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. “We remain concerned by all acts of violence in Gaza and the reported attacks and strikes that took place yesterday.”
Dujarric urged the parties to honor all their commitments, ensure the protection of civilians and avoid any actions that could lead to a renewal of hostilities and undermine humanitarian operations.
“We reiterate the Secretary-General’s call for the release of the remains of all the deceased hostages,” he added.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said its partners successfully resumed the distribution of food parcels to thousands of families in Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis for the first time in months.
The office said that for the first time, Israeli authorities on Sunday allowed the United Nations to deploy monitors at the Kissufim crossing and that the office welcomes the development for the much-needed visibility into that segment of the humanitarian pipeline.
OCHA said UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher wrapped up his visit to the Gaza Strip over the weekend.
On Saturday, he visited a UN Children’s Fund nutrition center and witnessed some road clearance projects run by the UN Development Programme.
Fletcher left the strip later on Saturday through the Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem crossing.
On Sunday, he met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, where they discussed the massive humanitarian needs in Gaza, the 60-day aid scale-up scheme, the importance of sustaining the ceasefire, the situation in the West Bank and the path to long-term peace, said OCHA.
In Jerusalem on Monday, Fletcher met with the UN humanitarian country team of the occupied Palestinian territory, bringing together about 15 UN entities and representatives of some 200 international and local nongovernmental organizations.
Fletcher and the Minderoo Foundation of Australia announced a contribution of 10 million Australian dollars (about 6.5 million U.S. dollars) from the Minderoo Foundation for humanitarian efforts in Gaza, delivered in close coordination with the 60-day plan.
In the West Bank, OCHA said that between Oct. 7 and 13, 71 settler attacks were documented, half of which were related to the current olive harvest season. The incidents, affecting Palestinians in 27 villages, included attacks on harvesters, theft of crops and harvesting equipment, and vandalism of olive trees, resulting in casualties and property damage.
According to the Council of the EU, the proposal would prohibit imports of Russian gas from Jan. 1, 2026, while allowing a limited transition period for existing contracts. Short-term contracts may continue until June 17, 2026, and long-term contracts may run until Jan. 1, 2028.
The proposal also requires energy companies to disclose the origin and duration of all gas import contracts to enhance transparency and monitoring.
However, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto criticized the plan, saying on social media platform X that “With RePowerEU, our safe energy supply is being killed.”
He argued that the policy “destroys the energy security of EU member states” and that “energy should not be about politics.”
The initiative still needs to be negotiated with the European Parliament before becoming law. Once approved, the regulation will form part of the wider REPowerEU plan, launched in 2022 to accelerate the transition away from Russian fossil fuels.
According to EU estimation, Russian gas still accounts for about 13 percent of EU imports in 2025, worth over 15 billion euros (17.49 billion U.S. dollars) annually.
The event took place on October 19, 2025, as part of an advocacy campaign aimed at vaccinating children and raising awareness about the prevention of polio.
The campaign took place during a community sports event in Kigali, where members of Rotary Clubs in Rwanda walked from BK Arena to the Kigali Convention Centre.
The campaign was also attended by the Governor of District 9150, which includes Rwanda and nine other countries, on his visit to Rotary Clubs in Rwanda.
Victor Zinda, who contracted the disease at a young age, shared how his life has been significantly impacted by the disability caused by polio.
“My parents told me I contracted polio when I was just one year old. The only way to prevent it is through vaccination because it is extremely painful and deadly. It paralyzes parts of the body, and that’s what happened to me. I suffered a lot because I was in a refugee camp. Imagine combining the challenges of being a refugee with the disability caused by polio,” he said.
Despite his disability, Zinda refused to give up. He rebuilt his life, got married, wrote a book, and began humanitarian work aimed at helping people with disabilities and combating diseases that cause disabilities.
Sibomana Hassan, the head of the Immunization Program at the Rwanda Biomedical Centre, explained that polio is a disease that causes severe disabilities or death, with no cure, but vaccines remain the key to preventing the disease.
Dr. Alexis Muderevu, Chair of the Rotary Rwanda Polio Committee and President of the Rotary Club Kigali, emphasized that although Rwanda was declared polio-free in 2004, the virus remains present in some neighboring countries, calling for continued vigilance to prevent its resurgence.
He stated, “Without continuous awareness campaigns, people may become complacent and believe polio is gone. However, in neighboring countries, the disease is still present. Due to the movement of people, there is a possibility that polio could return to Rwanda.”
He continued, “Vaccinating children against polio is essential, and hygiene is critical. Parents with young children are at high risk if they do not maintain proper hygiene.”
Dr. Muderevu also stressed that preventing polio requires good hygiene practices, especially with drinking water, food, handwashing, and using the toilet, as these practices are vital in preventing the transmission of the virus.
He acknowledged the leadership of the Rwandan government who joined the sports event alongside Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who was completing his visit to Rwanda.
Dr. Muderevu also thanked the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for their continued partnership in the fight against polio.
Suman Alla, the Deputy Governor of District 9150 in Rwanda, highlighted the importance of addressing health issues like polio, noting that countries such as Chad have already invested $3 million to eradicate the disease, while across Africa, over $1 billion has been spent to eliminate polio.
The festival took place at the State Tretyakov Gallery with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State Tretyakov Gallery.
In his remarks, Rwanda’s Ambassador to Russia, Major General Joseph Nzabamwita reflected on Rwanda’s journey over the past thirty years, describing how the country has rebuilt itself from tragedy into a story of unity and progress.
He emphasized the role of cultural traditions in Rwanda’s socio-economic development, noting that heritage promotion remains central to the nation’s identity.
“Culture is a bridge that connects people and helps us see one another beyond borders,” he said. “It deepens understanding and strengthens bonds of friendship, all in the spirit of genuine people-to-people diplomacy.”
The ambassador thanked the festival organizers for providing a platform for Rwanda’s cultural troupe, Imena mu Nganzo, to share the country’s story through dance and music.
Founded by Rwandan students in Moscow, the troupe represents a new generation of Rwandans who keep their homeland close through art.
Their vibrant performance captivated the audience, bringing Rwanda’s rhythm and heartbeat to Moscow. The audience responded with admiration, with many expressing eagerness to experience more of Rwanda’s culture.
The “Africa. Together into the Future” Festival has become a major annual event celebrating African art, film, and music, while strengthening partnerships between Russia and African nations.
