Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri

This commitment was reiterated on October 10, 2025, when management visited clients at various COPEDU Plc branches, including the Remera branch, which was acknowledged for its exceptional service delivery.

Customers shared their satisfaction with the event and appreciated the company’s thoughtful gesture.

COPEDU Plc’s CEO, Raïssa Muyango, emphasized that providing excellent service is the responsibility of every employee. Muyango particularly thanked the clients who engage with the institution daily.

“I want to reaffirm that providing top-notch service is our duty as COPEDU Plc employees, and we thank you for daily cooperation because no financial institution can exist or function without clients,” she said.

She went on to highlight some of COPEDU Plc’s services, including “E-kash,” which enables clients to send and receive money across different banks, and the “Umurabyo uratinda” loan, which allows customers to receive their requested loans within three days.

One of the standout customers at the Remera branch, Yvonne Murebwayire, shared with IGIHE that the ten years she has spent working with COPEDU Plc has significantly contributed to her sustainable development.

“I thank COPEDU Plc because over the past ten years, they have helped me grow through loans, making repayment easier and allowing my business to thrive,” she said.

Devota Umuhoza Nyiraruhango, who has also been with the bank for ten years, explained that after her husband passed away, COPEDU Plc helped her resolve financial challenges.

“I had taken a loan elsewhere with my husband, but after his death, repaying it became impossible. COPEDU Plc stepped in and gave me a loan, enabling me to settle the debt,” she said.

The Manager of the Remera Branch, Théodette Uwineza, expressed her gratitude for the award the branch received for providing exceptional service.

“We are thrilled that the management recognized and motivated us to continue performing well,” she said.

Additionally, the company has introduced a new offering in collaboration with the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD), where clients earning at least Frw 1,200,000 per month can access a housing loan of up to Frw 40 million with an interest rate of just 11%.

Those earning Frw 1,500,000 monthly can access loans of up to 60 million RWF, with a 15% interest rate.

For the past 28 years, COPEDU Plc has focused on empowering women, offering various programs to help them take on entrepreneurial ventures that generate profit.

“This is getting serious. It’s starting to affect the real economy,” he told Fox Business on Monday, without providing further details.

Bessent added that the government has been forced to “shuffle things around” in order to ensure military pay, leading to delays or suspensions of payments to other federal employees and services, including the Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo. He also confirmed that workers are being furloughed nationwide.

On Oct. 1, the first day of the shutdown, consultancy EY-Parthenon estimated that each week of closure would trim about 0.1 percentage point from quarterly U.S. GDP, equivalent to roughly 7 billion U.S. dollars in losses, while Politico, citing a White House memo, reported that the weekly economic hit could reach 15 billion dollars, potentially resulting in 43,000 additional job losses if the shutdown persists.

The Senate is due to reconvene on Tuesday and vote again on a House-passed funding measure. But it has already fallen short of the 60-vote threshold seven times. Senate Republicans have tried to win Democratic support, yet largely failed.

The political stalemate centers on disputes over health insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act — Democrats insist they must be preserved, while Republicans demand the government be reopened first.

House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters on Monday that he would not negotiate with Democratic lawmakers until they dropped policy demands on healthcare.

Accusing Democrats of “hostage-taking” with their posture in the government shutdown, Vice President JD Vance on Sunday said, “We don’t negotiate with a person who has taken the entire federal government hostage over a health care policy dispute.”

Public sentiment is fracturing on the deadlock. A poll led by Reuters and Ipsos last week showed that 67 percent of Americans place significant blame on Republicans, compared with 63 percent on Democrats.

As the impasse between the Democrats and Republicans drags on with no end in sight, the Trump administration has activated large-scale layoffs across federal agencies, including Commerce, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services and Treasury.

According to USA Today, nearly 750,000 federal employees have been furloughed and ordered not to report to work. Others, including military personnel and air traffic controllers, are required to continue working without pay until a budget deal is reached.

The U.S. government has experienced 15 shutdowns since 1980. Triggered by Democrats’ opposition to Trump’s proposed funding for the U.S.-Mexico border wall, the previous 35-day shutdown from 2018 to 2019, the longest in U.S. history, forced some 800,000 federal employees to work without pay or take unpaid leave.

“We’re barreling toward one of the longest shutdowns in American history,” warned Johnson, who leads Republican lawmakers, as the current standoff shows little sign of resolution.

“The National Assembly is dissolved, in accordance with the provisions of Article 60 of the Constitution,” the decree said.

The dissolution announcement came when the National Assembly was “in the process of collecting signatures to convene an extraordinary session aimed at impeaching the head of state,” according to local media.

Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina reportedly fled to France following intense protests, which were joined by the military. Before leaving on Sunday, he had warned of an “attempt to seize power illegally” after soldiers participated in anti-government protests in the capital, Antananarivo, marking the most significant challenge to his rule since his re-election.

In a statement, Rajoelina condemned the actions as unconstitutional and undemocratic. The warning came after dramatic scenes on Saturday when soldiers from the elite CAPSAT unit, which played a key role in the 2009 uprising that brought Rajoelina to power, joined protesters at the Place du 13 Mai.

The troops, welcomed by cheering crowds, urged security forces to “refuse orders to shoot” and condemned police violence against demonstrators.

The protests, initially sparked by power outages and water shortages, have expanded into a broader call for political reform, demanding Rajoelina’s resignation, an apology for police violence, and the dissolution of the Senate and electoral commission.

The bank reaffirmed its commitment during the closing ceremony of Customer Week, where the management emphasized that any goal an individual sets is achievable, which was the central theme of this special week dedicated to the customers and employees of the bank.

Throughout the week, the bank highlighted various initiatives aimed at empowering customers, including the ‘Ikamba’ program, designed to help women engaged in small and medium-sized businesses access loans without requiring collateral.

The week also included a session where customers shared their feedback, expressing both their concerns and satisfaction with the bank, while exploring various technological solutions easing access to services.

During this week, BPR Bank honored some of its longstanding customers, including Louis Nsengiyumva, who was the first customer of the bank and received two cows as a token of appreciation.

BPR Bank Rwanda also acknowledged the contributions of its employees in delivering diverse services, with special recognition given to Marie Grace Nyinawabiru, who has been with the bank for over 30 years. She was awarded a two-million-franc prize for her outstanding long-term service.

Among others, the bank interacted with and expressed appreciation to potato farmers from various cooperatives in Musanze District, as well as rice farmers in the Bugarama Sector of Rusizi District. These farmers were commended for their trust and the continued collaboration they have maintained with the bank.

The bank, which began operations in 1975, currently has 73 branches across the country.

The purpose of the visit is to strengthen the existing defence cooperation between the Gambia Armed Forces and the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF).

As part of his visit, Lieutenant General Cham visited RDF Headquarters on Monday, October 13, where he held meetings with the Minister of Defence, Juvenal Marizamunda, and the Chief of Defence Staff of the RDF, General MK Mubarakh.

During the meeting, Lieutenant General Cham was briefed on regional security dynamics and Rwanda’s contributions to peace and security in Africa.

He also visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where he paid respect to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Additionally, he toured the Campaign against Genocide Museum.

Throughout his visit, the Chief of Defence Staff of the Gambia Armed Forces will also visit institutions affiliated with the Ministry of Defence and the Rwanda Defence Force.

Gathering leaders from more than 20 countries as well as regional and international organizations, the summit is co-chaired by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump.

The summit will discuss ending the war in the Gaza Strip, enhancing efforts to bring peace and stability to the Middle East, and ushering in a new phase of regional security and stability, according to the Egyptian presidency.

The ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas entered into effect on Friday, following three days of intensive negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh between the two sides mediated by Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye and the United States.

The first phase of the plan includes Israeli troop withdrawals from Gaza City, Rafah, Khan Younis, and the north, and the opening of five crossings for aid, and the exchange of hostages and prisoners.

Hamas announced earlier in the day that it had handed over all 20 of the remaining live hostages, who were captured during the attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

Meanwhile, Israeli authorities have begun releasing nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners as part of the exchange deal.

More than two years of Israeli military operations have devastated Gaza, killing over 67,000 people and triggering famine, according to Gaza’s health authorities and UN-backed food experts.

Sarkozy was notified of the conditions of his incarceration at the request of the National Financial Prosecutor’s Office (PNF). For reasons of security and discretion, details regarding the arrangements will not be made public.

According to a source close to the case cited by BFMTV, Sarkozy is expected to serve his sentence at La Sante Prison in Paris. The interval before Oct. 21 will allow him time to organize his personal and professional affairs.

Once in custody, his defense team will be able to file a request for release before the Court of Appeals, which will have two months to issue a ruling.

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 campaign. Although he has appealed, the judges ordered that the sentence be enforced immediately, citing the “exceptional seriousness” of the offenses.

Sarkozy will become the first former French president in contemporary history to serve a prison sentence.

The fair, which ran from October 10 to 12, was officially inaugurated by the Polish Minister of Tourism and Sports.

Through the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Rwandan companies joined global participants in showcasing the country’s diverse tourism offerings.

Godfrey Rurangwa, Business Operations Manager at Makario Safaris, expressed that the fair provided an invaluable opportunity to build connections and learn from industry peers.

“We were able to engage with counterparts in the sector, exchange ideas about potential collaborations, and discuss ways to mutually promote our platforms in both Rwanda and Poland. This is a great starting point to attract tourists from Poland and the region,” he said.

Rurangwa also expressed his gratitude to the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and the Rwandan Embassy in Poland for their logistical and institutional support.

Similarly, Walter Marcel, representing Mapendano Voyages, also thanked the RDB for facilitating participation.

He noted that the fair was an excellent platform to highlight Rwanda’s attractions, including Nyungwe, Akagera National Park (home to the Big Five), and the gorillas in Virunga National Park.

“It is a privilege for us to be present at TT Warsaw 2025. Rwanda is a country of remarkable beauty, with stunning landscapes, safety, and cleanliness, it deserves to be visited more,” he said.

For Marcel, the fair provided a unique opportunity to directly engage with visitors and Polish tourism professionals, dispelling misconceptions and offering concrete reasons for future travelers to choose Rwanda.

Both Rurangwa and Marcel stressed shared goals, such as strengthening commercial ties between agencies, exchanging digital promotion tools, and creating offers tailored to the European market.

Participants from Rwanda believe TT Warsaw 2025 has laid the foundation for the sustainable development of tourism between Rwanda and Poland.

Aimable Rutagarama, Chairman of the Chamber of Tourism, explained that the fair provided a valuable opportunity to tap into new markets and showcase Rwanda’s attractions to the world, positioning the country as a gateway to the region.

The fair, which brought together key players from the global travel and tourism industry, proved to be an ideal platform for showcasing Rwanda’s tourism offerings.

This marked Rwanda’s first appearance as a main partner of the event, and the country’s stand generated significant interest.

Represented by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Rwanda had a prominent space where engaging visuals highlighted the diverse tourist attractions the country has to offer.

The opening ceremony, which was presided over by the Polish Minister of Tourism and Sports, was attended by Rwanda’s Ambassador to Poland, Prof. Anastase Shyaka.

Amb. Shyaka praised the growing bilateral relations between the two countries and expressed his gratitude to the organizers for the unprecedented partnership.

He also emphasized the significance of the Visit Rwanda brand, noting its powerful appeal to tourists from around the globe.

Taking advantage of this visibility, Amb. Shyaka invited TT Warsaw 2025 attendees and visitors to plan a trip to Rwanda and experience the country’s rich cultural and natural offerings firsthand.

The closing ceremony of the fair was marked by a celebration of Rwanda’s cultural heritage, with a spotlight on the Visit Rwanda brand and lively Rwandan dance performances.

In an interview with IGIHE, Amb. Shyaka thanked organizers, and all tourism sector players, including eight Rwandan companies present at the fair.

Kazimierz Cwikla, vice‑president of Ptak Warsaw Expo, largest exhibition center in Poland, hailed Rwanda for an exemplary collaboration and promised continued collaboration.

Throughout the event, Itorero Icyeza ballet captivated attendees with performances showcasing Rwanda’s cultural beauty through songs and traditional dance.

Rwanda was specially recognized as one of the event’s main partners and for its excellence at the trade show. The country was also awarded a certificate and medal of recognition for quality and innovation by PTAK Warsaw Expo.

During his remarks at the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels, Belgium, on Thursday, October 9, 2025, Tshisekedi stated that ending the conflict in eastern DRC rests between him and President Kagame. He also called on the Rwandan President to order AFC/M23 to cease hostilities.

Rwanda strongly rejected Tshisekedi’s remarks reminding him that the issue of AFC/M23 is under his jurisdiction.

Speaking to RBA on Sunday, Minister Nduhungirehe condemned Tshisekedi’s actions as political theatre.

“Tshisekedi should stop playing this game and instead sit down, read and implement signed agreements. There are the Washington agreements regarding the elimination of FDLR [terrorist group formed by individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi] and removal of defensive measures. This was discussed in Washington recently, and we agreed that October 1st was the starting date for the 90-day plan,” he said.

He emphasized that the issue of AFC/M23 must be addressed through the Doha talks, where the group has been engaged in dialogue with the DRC government.

“On the other hand, there are the Doha talks where AFC/M23 engage with the DRC government to discuss the underlying reasons for the situation in Eastern Congo between the Congolese people. They are seeking a long-term solution. This means all the issues concerning M23 must be addressed in Doha.”

Regarding Tshisekedi’s comments asking President Kagame to instruct AFC/M23 to cease hostilities, Amb. Nduhungirehe said, “President Tshisekedi should not come to Brussels and stir things up, telling President Kagame to instruct M23 to withdraw its troops. That is an attempt to mislead the public. He should sit down and implement the Washington agreements and expedite the Doha agreements, as he is the one delaying them due to issues he does not accept or act upon.”

Last week, Bertrand Bisimwa, the deputy coordinator of AFC/M23 responsible for political affairs, told President Tshisekedi that President Paul Kagame has no connection to the group and suggested that President Tshisekedi should reconcile with the group by fulfilling his promises.

M23 fighters resumed fighting in 2021 in response to Kinshasa’s failure to address grievances, including the marginalization of the Congolese and Tutsi communities.