In February 2025, M23 captured the area of Kitsombiro in Lubero after intense clashes with the DRC’s armed forces (FARDC).
More than eight months later, on the morning of September 25, 2025, various media outlets reported that M23 had deployed additional troops and weapons in this territory to strengthen its control over areas such as Kipese, Katondi, Munyakandomi, Vulera, and Kirumba.
Residents of these areas have expressed concern that the group could once again engage in heavy fighting with the Congolese army, with the aim of seizing key commercial towns including Butembo, Kanyabayonga, and Lubero.
M23 has not only increased its presence in Lubero but has also bolstered its forces in the localities of Rusamambu and Bukumbirwa, signaling plans to expand its control to other parts of South Kivu Province.
The AFC/M23 continues to strengthen its capabilities and influence. In recent days, the group recruited 7,437 new fighters who had undergone six months of military training at the Rumangabo military base in North Kivu Province.
These recruits include former FARDC soldiers as well as members of the Wazalendo coalition who joined M23 after capturing cities such as Goma and Bukavu.
Speaking at the UN General Assembly’s 80th session in New York, he voiced concern over the DRC’s renewed militarization and alliances with groups such as the FDLR and Wazalendo militias, accusing them of using attack drones and fighter jets against civilians, especially the Banyamulenge and other Congolese Tutsi communities.
“This goes against the letter and spirit of the Washington peace agreement,” he declared, referring to the comprehensive framework signed in June 2025 under the mediation of the U.S. President Donald Trump.
[The agreement->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/rwanda-drc-sign-historic-peace-agreement-in-washington], encompassing security, political, and economic components, was hailed as a “golden opportunity” to end a decades-long conflict rooted in bad governance, marginalization, and genocide ideology.
Despite promising meetings in Washington to implement the agreement, Nduhungirehe lamented that “progress has been moving slowly.” He accused the DRC of violating international conventions, including the 1977 OAU – Organisation of African Unity and 1989 UN conventions against the use of mercenaries, by supporting a coalition backed by foreign forces.
“Rwanda condemns these developments and calls on the DRC to reject the military solution and implement in good faith the Washington peace agreement which is a golden opportunity to end this conflict that has lasted for far too long,” he urged, emphasizing that peace in Eastern DRC is in everyone’s best interest.
{{MONUSCO’s failure and the rise of genocidal militias}}
The minister sharply criticized the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC, MONUSCO, for failing to curb the proliferation of armed groups since its establishment in 1999.
He highlighted its collaboration with a military coalition that includes the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a group subject to over 20 Security Council resolutions calling for its neutralization.
“There is an urgent need to review the legal conformity of MONUSCO’s mandate,” Nduhungirehe stated, pointing to the mission’s ineffectiveness in addressing the DRC-backed FDLR.
Of particular alarm was the emergence of the Wazalendo militia, armed and supported by the DRC government, which Amb. Nduhungirehe accused of committing atrocities reminiscent of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
“Their brutality, methods, and ideology bear an alarming resemblance to that of the genocidal militia of 1994, in Rwanda” he warned, citing abuses such as burning villages, lynching civilians, and arming children for ethnic cleansing. He called for “strong action” to halt this dangerous development before it escalates further.
{{Genocide ideology and international complicity}}
Drawing on Rwanda’s own history, Amb. Nduhungirehe underscored the persistence of genocide ideology in Eastern DRC, particularly targeting Congolese Tutsi and the Banyamulenge community.
“The targeting, persecution, and massacre of Congolese Tutsi, including the Banyamulenge community amounts to crimes against humanity which have all the early warning signs of a genocide,” he said, stressing that genocide follows clear stages defined by international law.
He condemned the international community and the UN for turning a blind eye to these atrocities, accusing the DRC of complicity by financing and arming groups with a “proven genocidal record.”
“No amount of calculated cynicism can rewrite the truth and recast perpetrators as victims,” he asserted, dismissing claims of economic motives as “corruption, bad governance, and embezzlement of public funds.”
Rwanda, having risen from the ashes of the 1994 genocide, has placed human dignity and accountability at the core of its governance.
Amb. Nduhungirehe thanked the UN for establishing April 7 as the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and commended the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda for prosecuting perpetrators.
However, he urged the international community to act decisively to prevent a repeat of related atrocities in the DRC.
{{Rwanda’s broader vision for peace and development}}
Beyond the DRC crisis, Nduhungirehe reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to global peace and sustainable development.
He called for UN Security Council reform, noting that Africa, with its 1.2 billion people, deserves permanent membership given its centrality to the Council’s conflict agenda.
He also emphasized Rwanda’s alignment with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, advocating for a shift from aid to trade to foster self-reliance among developing nations.
“Development aid must serve as a tool for solidarity and progress, not as a weapon of coercion,” he said.
The minister highlighted Rwanda’s leadership in peacekeeping, including its championing of the 2015 Kigali Principles on civilian protection and the revitalization of the African Union Peace Fund, which has mobilized over $400 million.
Rwanda’s bilateral peace efforts in the Central African Republic and Mozambique have also advanced South-South cooperation and Pan-African solidarity.
In closing, Nduhungirehe reaffirmed Rwanda’s readiness to work with UN member states to strengthen the organization’s role in peace, justice, and sustainable development.
“While the challenges and solutions for multilateralism are clear, it is political will that must guide us today to build a UN fit for purpose,” he said, urging collective action to address human rights abuses, climate change, and global interconnectedness for future generations.
“Its expiry would not only undermine those gains, but also remove the link to the Generalized System of Preferences, which has been so critical to many of our exporters,” Ramaphosa said.
Speaking at the South Africa-U.S. Trade and Investment Dialogue on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday night, Ramaphosa said industries such as agriculture and automotive manufacturing have significantly benefited from AGOA.
Implemented by former U.S. President Bill Clinton’s administration in 2000, AGOA provides duty-free treatment to goods from designated sub-Saharan African countries.
Ramaphosa acknowledged the problems between South Africa and the United States, particularly since January this year. “New challenges have emerged in our trade relationship, not least the reciprocal tariffs recently imposed on South African exports. These measures have already disrupted supply chains and created uncertainty for both our exporters and American importers,” Ramaphosa said.
At the 20th AGOA Forum in Johannesburg in November 2023, leaders and trade ministers called for a longer extension of the act and for its expansion to support greater investment, including the building of factories. However, the recent imposition of the U.S. tariffs on African countries has cast uncertainty over the future of AGOA.
The Paris court handed him five-year sentence, but cleared him of other charges, including passive corruption and illegal campaign financing.
Sarkozy, who maintains that the case is politically motivated, was accused of accepting millions of euros from Gaddafi in exchange for helping improve Libya’s international image.
While the court found insufficient evidence to link Sarkozy directly to illegal campaign financing, Judge Nathalie Gavarino stated that Sarkozy allowed aides to reach out to Libyan officials for financial support.
The investigation, which began in 2013, was based on allegations from Saif al-Islam, Gaddafi’s son, and Lebanese businessman Ziad Takieddine, who claimed to have proof of the funding. Takieddine alleged that the €50 million payments continued even after Sarkozy became president.
Sarkozy’s wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, was charged with hiding evidence related to the case and committing fraud, charges she denies. Since losing re-election in 2012, Sarkozy has faced multiple legal battles, including a 2024 ruling for overspending in his 2012 re-election campaign.
The former president, who was sentenced to one year in prison for bribing a judge in 2021, is expected to be sentenced in this case later today.
Israeli forces continued their offensive across the Gaza Strip, carrying out strikes on 170 separate targets in the past 24 hours. Footage showed tanks in southwestern Gaza City, where heavy bombardments have triggered a mass exodus of residents.
Citing security sources, several Israeli media outlets reported on Wednesday that about 700,000 residents have already fled Gaza City, which previously had an estimated population of around 1 million.
The Israeli military said in a statement that its strikes hit “terrorists, military structures, weapons storage facilities and terror infrastructure sites.” Health authorities in Gaza reported at least 24 people killed over the past day.
According to the military, troops also killed militants and dismantled Hamas infrastructure, including positions used to ambush soldiers.
The army reported the death of Staff Sergeant Chalachew Shimon Demalash, 21, from Beersheba, who was killed by sniper fire in northern Gaza.
In a separate incident, Hamas attempted to shoot down an Israeli combat helicopter with a projectile, which failed to hit its target. The military said no injuries or damage were reported.
Before his departure, Netanyahu said his UN address would “condemn those leaders who, instead of denouncing (Hamas), want to give them a state in the heart of the Land of Israel. That will not happen.”
He added that he would meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, their fourth meeting since Trump’s reelection, to discuss the Gaza war and regional opportunities, which he claimed have been created by Israel’s recent military attacks across the Middle East.
The Israeli strikes in Gaza have killed at least 65,419 Palestinians since October 2023, according to the Gaza health authorities.
As part of the Hotel’s ongoing dedication to social impact and educational empowerment, the team visited GS Rutunga School to donate essential school supplies to 100 students on September 19, 2025 , helping them begin their academic journey with confidence and enthusiasm.
Each student received a comprehensive package including a set of twelve notebooks, pens, pencils, rulers, a mathematical instrument set and school bag.
This initiative reflects Marriott International’s belief that investing in education is investing in a brighter future.
The smiles and excitement on the students’ faces also served as a powerful reminder of the transformative impact of even the simplest acts of kindness.
This outreach is part of Marriott’s broader Spirit to Serve philosophy, which encourages associates to engage in volunteerism and community service by stepping beyond the workplace.
This victory follows another milestone earlier this month, when BK teams triumphed at the Interbank Tournament by winning in swimming, basketball, and volleyball, underscoring the bank’s growing culture of sports excellence.
Rwanda has set ambitious goals in sports, seeing it not only as a source of entertainment but also as a driver of development. With programs that encourage mass participation and investment in infrastructure, the government is working toward a vision where athletics contribute directly to social cohesion and economic growth.
Bank of Kigali continuously embeds sports into its culture, and it has positioned itself not only as a financial leader, but as an advocate for employee well-being and community development.
Inside BK, sports serve as a catalyst for resilience, teamwork, and collaboration. Outside its walls, the bank’s investments in various sports initiatives such as executive golf tournaments, basketball competitions and others reflect a belief that sports are platforms where talent, and opportunity converge.
The 2025 Corporate League also celebrated individual achievements, with BK’s own Shyaka Olivier earning the title of Most Valuable Player (MVP).
Speaking after the championship, Dr. Diane Karusisi, CEO of Bank of Kigali, said:
“I am deeply proud of our Bank of Kigali family. Winning both the Corporate League and the Interbank Tournament shows that when we come together with passion and purpose, there are no limits to what we can achieve. Sport at BK is not just about trophies, it is about wellness and teamwork.
As BK prepares to represent Rwanda in the East Africa Corporate League, it sees its mission aligned with the country’s broader sports agenda: using athletics as a tool to nurture talent, promote inclusion, and strengthen national pride.
For Bank of Kigali, these victories in the pool, on the court, and on the field, do more than make the institution proud, they also contribute to Rwanda’s vision of a healthier nation, stronger sports culture, and the sector’s development.
Amb. Nduhungirehe said President Tshisekedi should not dare accuse others of genocide when the Congolese army and allied armed groups are killing Congolese Tutsis.
It has been nearly four years since renewed war broke out in eastern DRC, triggered by systematic attacks on Congolese Tutsis, especially in North and South Kivu provinces.
While addressing the 80th session of the UN General Assembly on September 24, 2025, President Tshisekedi told world leaders that they should acknowledge the existence of genocide taking place in the eastern part of his country.
He did not specify which community or group is being targeted, but insisted that what is happening in the east “is not a normal war but a silent genocide.”
Reacting to his request , Minister Nduhungirehe took to X to slash Tshisekedi for accusing others of crimes being committed by his own forces.
“He has armed, supported, and financed the FDLR Rwandan genocidaires, and even integrated them into his own national army, the FARDC, alongside the Nyatura and other ethnic-based militias. He created an armed militia called ‘Wazalendo’ to which he provided money, weapons, and ammunition,” he noted.
Amb. Nduhungirehe reminded the public that Tshisekedi turned a blind eye when this militia, together with the FDLR and Nyatura, set fire to more than 300 homes belonging to Congolese Tutsis in October 2023, in the village of Nturo, Masisi territory, North Kivu province.
“He remained silent when Wazalendo lynched, burned alive, and even cannibalized several of his own FARDC officers, for the simple “crime” of being born Tutsi. He said nothing when videos circulated showing children armed by this same militia, with Wazalendo adults asking those children if they were ready ‘to kill the Banyarwanda’ ” he said.
“He uttered no word when Wazalendo leaders gave the Banyamulenge and other Congolese Tutsis ten days to leave DRC territory and “return home to Rwanda,” added Amb. Nduhungirehe.
Meanwhile, despite ongoing peace talks between the DRC government and the M23 rebel group in Qatar, FARDC has continued to launch heavy attacks — including air strikes, drones, and other heavy weapons — on areas controlled by M23.
For example, on September 19, 2025, M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka reported that FARDC launched airstrikes using Sukhoi-25 jets and CH-4 drones on highly populated areas such as Bibwe, Chysto, Hembe, and Nyange, killing many civilians.
Amb. Nduhungirehe questioned how President Tshisekedi could ignore such atrocities and still accuse others of genocide before the United Nations.
“And after all that, he dares to stand on the prestigious platform of the United Nations in New York to accuse others of genocide? A simple mirror would have sufficed!” he concluded.
According to the National Crime Agency (NCA), NCA officers arrested a man in his 40s in West Sussex Tuesday evening on suspicion of “Computer Misuse Act offences.”
“He has been released on conditional bail,” an announcement added while providing no more details.
“Although this arrest is a positive step, the investigation into this incident is in its early stages and remains ongoing,” said Paul Foster, head of the NCA’s National Cyber Crime Unit.
The cyberattack targeted Collins Aerospace, the service provider for the check-in and boarding systems. Airports in air hubs such as London, Brussels and Berlin reported delays and cancellations of flights after the attack over the weekend, which forced them to use manual check-in and boarding.
“Let us be clear: humanity’s fate cannot be left to an algorithm. Humans must always retain authority over life-and-death decisions,” he told an open debate of the Security Council on AI and international peace and security.
The Security Council and UN member states must ensure that military use of AI remains in full compliance with international law and the UN Charter. Human control and judgment must be preserved in every use of force, he said.
AI is no longer a distant horizon. It is here, transforming daily life, the information space, and the global economy at breathtaking speed. The question is not whether AI will influence international peace and security, but how the world will shape that influence, said Guterres.
Without guardrails, AI can be weaponized. AI-enabled cyberattacks can disrupt or destroy critical infrastructure in minutes. The ability to fabricate and manipulate audio and video threatens information integrity, fuels polarization, and can trigger diplomatic crises. And the massive energy and water demands of large-scale models, coupled with competition over critical minerals, are creating new drivers of tension, he warned.
Guterres said coherent global regulatory frameworks for AI must be in place.
Governments, platforms, media and civil society must cooperate to detect and deter AI-generated deception — from disinformation campaigns to deepfakes targeting peace processes, humanitarian access and elections, he said.
“We need transparency in the entire AI life cycle: rapid and verified attribution of information sources and their dissemination, and systemic safeguards to prevent AI systems from spreading disinformation and igniting violence,” he said.
There is also a need to close the AI capacity gap, said Guterres. “Technology can accelerate sustainable development, foster stability and peace. We must create space for all nations to shape our AI future.”
From nuclear arms control to aviation safety, the international community has risen to the challenge of technologies that could destabilize societies, by agreeing to rules, by building institutions, and by insisting on human dignity, he said. “The window is closing to shape AI — for peace, for justice, for humanity. We must act without delay.”
