Naviair, Denmark’s air traffic control company, said operations were suspended at around 20:30 local time (1830 GMT).
Copenhagen police confirmed a “massive presence” at the airport.
According to DR, fire trucks from the Tarnby Fire Department were seen heading toward the Vilhelm Lauritzen Terminal, used for VIP traffic. No immediate police activity was observed at the main passenger terminals 2 and 3.
The urgent aid comes as part of the UAE’s global humanitarian initiatives aimed at ensuring early recovery and stability.
The UAE aid included a package of medicines for chronic diseases, along with essential medical supplies such as bandages, sutures, and necessary surgical equipment.
Dr. Tareq Ahmed Al Ameri, Chairman of the UAE Aid Agency, said, “The dispatch of medical aid to Botswana comes within the framework of the UAE’s global humanitarian role in responding swiftly to health crises, strengthening the health systems of friendly African countries, and enhancing their capacity to curb the spread of epidemics and infectious diseases.”
He added, “The UAE’s medical assistance will help support the stock of medicines and essential medical supplies for surgical operations, while also enhancing the capacity of the health sector to provide medical services to a large segment of the population who directly rely on the public healthcare system, especially children, women, and the elderly.”
In a joint statement issued in Bamako, the three countries said they had ratified the Rome Statute between 2000 and 2004 and had since cooperated with the ICC under the treaty as well as related agreements.
However, over time the ICC had “become a neo-colonial instrument of repression in the hands of imperialism” and “a global symbol of selective justice,” they said.
According to the statement, the court has failed to prosecute clear cases of war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and aggression, remaining “inexplicably, confusingly and complacently silent” toward perpetrators of such crimes, while targeting actors outside what it called the “institutionalized circle of impunity” in violation of its own statute.
The three governments said their sovereign decision to quit the Rome Statute “reflects the will of the Sahel Confederation member states to safeguard their sovereignty.” They pledged to strengthen peace and justice through home-grown mechanisms, while reaffirming their commitment to promoting and protecting human rights in line with their social values and rejecting all forms of impunity.
The statement also expressed gratitude to the United Nations and its member states, reaffirming that the Sahel Confederation countries would continue to cooperate in other appropriate frameworks to advance human rights and respect for state sovereignty.
In September 2023, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger signed the Liptako-Gourma Charter in Bamako, agreeing to establish the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
On July 6, 2024, the three countries announced the creation of the Confederation of the AES in Niamey, marking a significant step toward establishing an economic-military bloc.
“I declare today that France recognizes the State of Palestine,” Macron said at the High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia.
“The time has come. We can no longer wait,” he said, adding that “we want two states in peace and security side by side.”
With France’s recognition, over 150 countries have announced their recognition of the State of Palestine.
On Sunday, Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal formally recognized the State of Palestine to push for a “two-state solution,” as Israel pressed ahead with its offensive and annexation in Gaza despite mounting global condemnation.
“The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has gone unresolved for generations,” said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in remarks at the meeting, held on the opening day of the UN General Assembly’s High-level Week.
“Dialogue has faltered. Resolutions have been flouted. International law has been breached,” he said.
The situation is intolerable, and it is deteriorating by the hour, said the UN chief.
“We are here today to help navigate the only way out of this nightmare: A two-state solution, where two independent, sovereign, democratic states — Israel and Palestine — live side-by-side in peace and security within their secure and recognized borders on the basis of pre-1967 lines, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states — in line with international law, UN resolutions and other relevant agreements,” said Guterres.
Annalena Baerbock, president of the 80th UN General Assembly session, said the General Assembly has been very clear: “We need an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Israel must immediately facilitate the full, rapid, safe and unhindered entry and delivery of humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians. Hamas must immediately and unconditionally release all hostages.”
She emphasized that the decade-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict cannot be resolved by endless war, permanent occupation and recurrent terror, and the only way to ensure that future generations of both Palestinians and Israelis can live in peace, security and dignity is the two-state solution.
This directive comes as Israeli forces intensify their ground offensive in Gaza City, targeting Hamas infrastructure. The evacuation order exacerbates the already dire humanitarian crisis, leaving thousands without access to critical medical care.
According to the Associated Press, over 297,000 people have fled southern Gaza, though Israeli officials claim that more than 500,000 have been displaced.
Despite these efforts, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate. The United Nations reports that over 65,000 Palestinians have been killed, with 90% of Gaza’s population displaced and widespread famine reported in Gaza City.
Internationally, the evacuation order has prompted a surge of countries recognizing a Palestinian state.
Britain, Canada, Australia, Portugal, and soon France have joined nearly 150 nations in formal recognition.
France has stated that diplomatic relations will depend on Hamas releasing hostages. In solidarity, tens of thousands have protested across Italy, and several French towns have hoisted Palestinian flags despite government restrictions.
In response to the escalating violence, Pope Leo XIV criticized the forced displacement of Palestinians and advocated for peace.
He called for an immediate ceasefire and the protection of civilians, emphasizing the need for dialogue and reconciliation.
The decision came as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is scheduled to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York this week, where he will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday.
The additional tariffs, introduced in retaliation for U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum imports during Trump’s first term, had covered a wide range of products, including passenger cars, fruit, rice, tobacco, alcoholic beverages, solid fuels and chemical products.
The Turkish Ministry of Trade said in a statement on Monday that the additional tariffs on certain U.S. products were terminated, following negotiations with the United States and consultations conducted under the World Trade Organization framework.
Türkiye will continue to pursue the target of achieving 100 billion U.S. dollars of trade volume with the United States as one of its fundamental objectives, the ministry said.
It added that the country will continue to develop policies aimed at strengthening trade relations and developing new areas of cooperation.
The study, which involved 292 participants from eight districts of Rwanda, focused on individuals from different categories, including youth, sex workers, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ community.
In each group, the research uncovered various issues. For instance, sex workers were found to have limited knowledge about reproductive health and lacked awareness of how to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
It was revealed that at least 75% of sex workers do not have sufficient information. Among adolescent girls, 73% lacked adequate knowledge, while 70% of LGBTQ members were also uninformed. Additionally, 50% of people with disabilities lacked adequate information.
Tanga Community staff member, Josiane Uwizeyimana, stated that the idea for this research stemmed from the desire to understand the ongoing issues affecting access to information and services related to reproductive health.
“We looked at the high rate of teenage pregnancies and wondered, ‘Why is the situation still the same despite the government’s efforts to address this problem?’ This motivated us to carry out the research,” she explained.
Djamali Shema, from the Feminist Action Development Ambition (FADA), a non-governmental organization also involved in the research, noted that LGBTQ members face a lack of information, but even those who are informed feel ashamed to seek reproductive health services at health facilities, fearing they may be ostracized or marginalized.
“There are times when people mistreat LGBTQ members, trying to make them feel outcast due to their beliefs, which makes them isolate themselves and avoid seeking reproductive health services.”
Shema suggested that one solution to this problem would be to “conduct awareness campaigns so that people understand that LGBTQ members are just like everyone else, and those who abuse them should face stronger consequences.”
She also praised the Rwandan government for the efforts made to address their health needs, including setting up special services for them at health centers.
Chantal Uwizeyimana, representing people with disabilities, emphasized that one of the main challenges identified was how people with disabilities access various services.
“There are times when these services are available at health centers, but getting there is a challenge,” she explained. She also highlighted the issue of patient confidentiality, particularly when a person with a disability is accompanied to the clinic.
She stressed that awareness campaigns are necessary, alongside infrastructure development to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities.
Hakizimana Sylvestre Samuel noted that youth, especially in rural areas, struggle with affordability, particularly when it comes to purchasing items like condoms. “It’s difficult to find the resources, especially in rural areas,” he said.
Uwizeyimana expressed hope that this research would spark more discussions on the remaining challenges in accessing information and services related to reproductive health.
She stated, “Reproductive health services are the foundation for building a better future for the country. We need to talk more about these issues to solve the problems that still exist.”
Their coffees, carefully selected to represent the future brand of Rwanda, based on the best quality coffee Rwanda can produce, have attracted numerous buyers, are slowly but surely winning international auctions, thereby steadily expanding their market.
“They taught us how to handle coffee from the farm all the way to the cup,” Moses Mbonimpaye, a coffee farmer and member of the KOPAKAKI cooperative, told IGIHE.
“Farmers knew about coffee, but the returns didn’t match their investments. An expert from JICA advised us to first help the farmer improve productivity at the tree level because that’s where it all begins,” he added.
Mbonimpaye noted that the program offered diverse training opportunities, including study tours to countries like Colombia, Costa Rica and the USA, to observe how top producers manage processing, rejuvenate old coffee trees, and prepare beans for export.
Benoit Habinshuti, representing the ARABICA Cooperative, said the process transformed their approach.
“Before, we processed coffee the way we thought best, without much ambition for the international market,” he said. “But after working with JICA, we realised the value of global trade. They showed us how to prepare coffee that meets export standards. Now, we are confident our coffee can compete internationally.”
{{Building skills and confidence}}
JICA’s interventions have been especially impactful for coffee cooperatives, which received technical assistance, training, and exposure to global best practices. They have transformed the industry, helping them achieve higher yields and reach broader international markets.
The collaboration began in 2013 when JICA committed to assisting Rwandan coffee farmers and exporters in producing beans of exceptional quality—authentic, flavorful, and competitive on the global stage.
In 2017, this commitment expanded through partnerships with the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) and the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Board (RAB).
Together, they launched two major projects focused on strengthening the entire coffee value chain. These initiatives aimed to equip farmers and processors with the technical knowledge and marketing skills needed to elevate Rwanda’s coffee internationally.
{{Rwanda to the world }}
In 2024, JICA and NAEB introduced Best of Rwanda, an initiative designed to promote Rwandan coffee on the global stage. The initiative invites coffee processors to present their best beans, and the top 19 selected from nearly 300 nationwide entries, were auctioned to international buyers in 2024.
At these auctions, the highest price has spiked over Frw 100,000 per kilogram, and the other top 18 sells for no less than Frw 50,000 per kilogram, while the recent international purchase price for Rwanda’s coffee averages Frw 10,000 per kilogram.
Kosuke Nakajima, a JICA expert, emphasized that Rwandan coffee is steadily building a strong reputation worldwide and reaffirmed JICA’s commitment to supporting both farmers and exporters.
He added that ongoing efforts are focused on developing a distinctive Rwanda Coffee Brand—a label that can stand out globally, just as other coffee-producing nations have successfully done.
Participants in Best of Rwanda highlight that even those who don’t win international bids benefit from the exposure.
By observing peers and learning from international buyers, they gain insights into how to further refine their products. Many say the showcase is invaluable, drawing attention from major international companies and opening new doors for the sector.
The farmers’ appreciation comes as JICA marks 20 years since reopening its Rwanda office, where it has supported several sectors, including coffee.
But tensions that erupted early 2022 between the two neighbors derailed much of that progress. Some projects were suspended, while others slowed to a near standstill.
Among the most affected were the joint construction of a major hydroelectric plant, conservation of the Virunga parks, gold refining agreements, petroleum exploration in Lake Kivu, and the planned model village in Goma.
{{The Ruzizi III power plant}}
One of the flagship projects delayed by the diplomatic fallout is the Ruzizi III hydropower station, a joint initiative of Rwanda, the DRC, and Burundi.
In 2016, the three countries agreed to harness the Ruzizi River to produce 147 megawatts of electricity. Backed by the World Bank, the European Union, and the African Development Bank, the project was valued at $450 million and was expected to be completed by 2024.
However, regional disputes disrupted cooperation, causing repeated delays. Costs have since ballooned to an estimated $800 million. Earlier this month, Rwanda’s Minister of Infrastructure, Dr. Jimmy Gasore, inspected the site and announced that construction will formally begin in January 2026 and conclude by 2030.
Each partner country will contribute around $266 million and receive roughly 68 megawatts of power.
{{Park conservation efforts}}
In 2014, Rwanda, the DRC, and Uganda signed a pact to protect the Virunga mountain range and surrounding parks, an area spanning over 7,900 square kilometers.
Through the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration (GVTC), the countries sought to coordinate anti-poaching operations and counter armed groups destabilizing the region, such as the FDLR.
Those efforts stalled after hostilities resumed. In October 2022, Kinshasa accused Rwanda of smuggling gorillas and monkeys, allegations Rwanda’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Robert Kayinamura, dismissed as “a colonial mindset.”
“For the past 28 years, Rwanda has been blamed for everything; lack of water, lack of electricity, lack of roads,” he said. “We need to move beyond this mentality and focus on real solutions.”
{{Gold refining agreement}}
The DRC, home to vast mineral wealth, has long struggled to add value to its resources due to limited refining capacity. In contrast, Rwanda operates the Gasabo Gold Refinery in Kigali.
In June 2021, the two countries signed an agreement allowing Congolese gold to be processed in Rwanda through a partnership between Sakima (Socièté Aurifère du Kivu et Maniema), a state-owned company in the DRC, and Rwanda’s Dither Ltd.
But just a year later, after M23 rebels seized Bunagana, Kinshasa suspended the deal, accusing Rwanda of backing the rebels; allegations Kigali has consistently denied.
{{Goma’s model village}}
The eruption of Mount Nyiragongo in May 2021 destroyed more than 1,000 homes on the outskirts of Goma. In a gesture of solidarity, President Paul Kagame visited the area and pledged to help rebuild, promising a modern settlement similar to Rwanda’s Kinigi model village in Musanze.
Congolese officials later toured Kinigi to study its design, and it was agreed that Rwanda would supply construction materials. The model village, estimated to cost over 26 billion Rwandan francs, was to be inaugurated on July 4, 2022.
By then, however, relations had soured, leading to setbacks in the implementation of the project.
{{Lake Kivu oil exploration}}
In 2017, Rwanda and the DRC signed an agreement to jointly explore petroleum deposits in Lake Kivu. The deal followed discussions between the two presidents in 2016 and aimed to identify reserves, estimate quantities, and plan for joint exploitation.
Following the Bunagana crisis, Kinshasa suspended cooperation and accused Kigali of supporting M23 rebels. Rwanda proceeded with exploration on its side of the lake. In January 2025, Kigali announced it had identified 13 potential petroleum blocks.
The discovery angered Kinshasa, prompting Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka to instruct her Minister of Hydrocarbons, Aimé Sakombi Molendo, to demand explanations from Rwanda Mining Board (RMB).
{{A path to reconciliation?}}
Since 2022, Angola and other mediators have attempted to restore relations. In September of that year, Presidents Kagame and Tshisekedi last met in New York, with President Emmanuel Macron of France facilitating talks.
In March 2025, the United States helped broker a peace framework, culminating in a June 27 agreement aimed at ending hostilities.
If relations improve, key joint projects including Ruzizi III, cross-border conservation and mineral processing could be revived, renewing hopes of regional integration.
Although the country’s leaders have avoided openly addressing the issue, signs of discontent have been visible since 2023, when President Évariste Ndayishimiye deployed troops to fight against the M23 armed group in the Democratic Republic of Congo. From the lowest ranks to the top command, fear and unease have spread across the army.
After suffering heavy defeats in battles fought in Masisi territory, North Kivu province, many Burundian soldiers refused to continue fighting. Some deserted, while hundreds of others were arrested in Bujumbura and other locations, accused of disobeying orders from their superiors.
Official decrees issued by President Ndayishimiye between 2 January 2023 and 29 August 2025 confirm that more than 30 officers have been struck off the army roster. On this basis, the Head of State declared that these individuals are no longer members of the national armed forces.
Among those who deserted were nine Colonels or Lieutenant Colonels. They include Col Nizigiyimana Pierre Claver, Lt Col Barikore Alexis, Lt Col Nindereye Angelus, Lt Col Nkurunziza Willy, Lt Col Habarugira Diomède, Lt Col Ndikumagenge Apollinaire, Lt Col Nahimana Daphrose, Lt Col Ndayishimiye Jean Baptiste and Lt Col Hatungimana Philbert.
Presidential records indicate that the most recent Colonel to be removed from the army rolls was Lt Col Nindereye Angelus, service number SSO813, whose name was struck off on 11 June 2025. The most senior among them, Col Nizigiyimana Pierre Claver, service number SS0274, was officially dismissed on 8 April 2025.
Other senior officers holding the rank of Major who were dismissed for desertion include Maj Nkengurutse Melance, who was removed on 21 February 2025, Maj Nkeshimana Eddy Germain, who was removed on 19 November 2024, Maj Ndizeye Ildephonse, Maj Ntakabanyura Eric and Maj Ntungwanayo Alphonse, who was removed on 13 December 2023.
In addition, 13 Captains and four Lieutenants are reported to have deserted the Burundian army during the same period.
{{Will the pressure intensify?}}
Burundian troops have been heavily deployed in South Kivu province, particularly in areas near Bujumbura such as the city of Uvira. Alongside Congolese forces, the Wazalendo militias, and FDLR elements, they are preparing for clashes with the M23 rebels.
The M23 movement has not been idle. It continues to expand by recruiting and training new fighters. For example, on 14 September 2025 the group enrolled more than 7,400 combatants who had undergone six months of training at the Rumangabo military camp in Rutshuru territory. The movement also possesses significant weaponry seized from the Congolese army coalition.
The Commander of M23, Major General Sultani Makenga, announced on 2 September that he intends to capture more key cities in the DRC, including Kalemie in Tanganyika province. To achieve that objective, however, he stressed that taking control of Uvira is essential.
With M23 fighters continuing to expand their arsenal and territory, the likelihood of a large-scale conflict is high, and the pressure on Burundian troops stationed near Bujumbura would become immense.
Should Burundi’s forces be overpowered once again by M23, they could be forced to retreat toward Bujumbura. Yet, if they remain under strict orders to continue fighting in the DRC, new waves of desertions among senior officers may emerge, echoing the pattern of the past two years.
