Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri

“The enemy is always at the door because the devil is still the king of the world. Things should be addressed the way they are. You know that we have a neighbor to the north of our country who has not been on good terms with us, and now they continue to pursue us, accusing us of being interference in a plan to conquer the neighboring Congo,” he said.

However, political analyst Tite Gatabazi believes Ndayishimiye uses this rhetoric to divert attention from internal issues.

“He faces numerous internal challenges, including governance issues, corruption, and the shortage of basic necessities including food and fuel. To maintain control over his population, he must create an external enemy. Since he cannot find one internally, he seeks one outside the country to shift the blame for his problems,” Gatabazi told IGIHE.

Gatabazi added: “In order to distract the population from these issues, he has to reinforce the idea that Rwanda is about to attack… ‘You are asking me for this and that, but do you realize we are about to be attacked?’”

Ndayishimiye further claimed that Burundi is always prepared for any conflict, asserting, “Burundi is not a country to be trifled with. Therefore, you must be cautious and work together with your leaders and the people. What we promise is that we are always prepared for that war. Let me inform you that all the citizens are alert. Whoever dares to attack Burundi will know how the war begins but will not know how it will end.”

However, Gatabazi believes that Ndayishimiye’s leadership is marred by corruption, where the military is divided along ethnic lines, training is based on nepotism, and officials embezzle funds, making it impossible for them to have the modern equipment necessary to win a war.

“Ndayishimiye is left with only words; he knows it, he doesn’t have the resources or the military strength. We have seen this in North Kivu and South Kivu, but he continues to rely on rhetoric. However, these words have political intentions. He is trying to show Burundians that he is their leader by saying, ‘Don’t worry, Rwanda will not defeat us’.”

Despite his boastful claims, Ndayishimiye’s actions show the challenges his government faces. Burundi’s military, over 20,000 strong, has been deployed in South Kivu, where they fought alongside FARDC and FDLR terrorist group but were ultimately defeated by M23 fighters in December 2025.

According to reports, DRC President Tshisekedi has voiced dissatisfaction with the performance of the Burundian forces, questioning their failure to achieve their objectives.

Gatabazi insists that Ndayishimiye’s rhetoric is a tactic to manipulate the population.
“He knows very well that Rwanda has no plans to attack him, and that is why he continues to boast. He uses this to manipulate his people, but you can see he is afraid.”

Ndayishimiye’s reliance on his relationship with the DRC complicates his position on Rwanda.

Gatabazi explained that President Ndayishimiye’s reliance on Kinshasa is so strong that he is not ready to soften his approach towards Rwanda.

“Ndayishimiye is using rhetoric to avoid taking practical actions. If he opens the borders, he would be betraying Tshisekedi, and we know the Belgians would not approve of that. He is trying to show that he is open to talks but is also looking for ways to delay the implementation of agreements from those talks, to give himself a reason to blame others,” he added.

Since January 2024, Burundi has closed its borders with Rwanda, accusing it of supporting the RED Tabara rebels.

Rwanda has repeatedly denied these claims, emphasizing that the refugees from Burundi, who fled in 2015, are civilians and can return freely.

At the same time, Rwanda has accused Burundi of working with FDLR, a terrorist group with intentions to threaten Rwanda’s security.

Gatabazi confirmed that even before the FDLR group was involved in smuggling precious minerals through the Bujumbura market, with many of its fighters running investments in the country.

During this period, the country exported 1,226 tons of coffee, earning $7.67 million. Additionally, 985 tons of tea were shipped, bringing in $2.92 million.

Exports of vegetables contributed $452,410, while fruits generated $407,409. Rwanda also exported 19 tons of flowers, which earned $108,534, and 378 tons of livestock products, amounting to $473,159.

A significant portion of these exports went to countries including Nigeria, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.

The Government of Rwanda has set a target to increase agricultural and livestock production by 50% by 2029, aiming to enhance both food security and the country’s economic growth.

The government has outlined several initiatives to achieve this goal, focusing on boosting agricultural productivity and promoting the use of modern technology to support farmers and enhance yields.

In 2024, agriculture contributed 25% to Rwanda’s GDP. The sector has played a key role in improving the country’s GDP per capita, which grew from $754 in 2017 to $1,040 in 2024.

Agriculture remains a crucial source of employment, with 55% of jobs in rural areas and 12% in urban areas linked to the sector. By 2025, it is projected that 48% of farmers will be involved in commercial farming, while nearly 70% of Rwandans will continue to depend on agriculture for their livelihoods.

Speaking alongside Netanyahu, Trump suggested that Iran may be attempting to restore its weapons capabilities at new sites after a massive U.S. strike on Iranian facilities earlier in the year.

“We know exactly where they’re going, what they’re doing … and I hope they’re not doing it,” Trump told reporters, indicating Washington’s awareness of Tehran’s activities and the possibility of future action if the threat grows.

The meeting focused on advancing the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire plan that the United States helped broker between Israel and Hamas. Trump emphasized the need for Hamas to disarm, warning the militant group of serious consequences if it fails to do so. Israel and Hamas have accused each other of breaching the existing ceasefire, complicating efforts to move the peace process forward.

Trump also discussed broader regional security concerns, including Iran’s growing influence and military activities and the role of Hezbollah in Lebanon. Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s interest in ensuring the durability of the Gaza ceasefire and addressing Tehran’s strategic ambitions.

The Gaza ceasefire agreement, first reached in October after two years of intense conflict, envisioned a series of steps including a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces from the enclave, increased humanitarian aid, and the deployment of international peacekeeping forces. However, progress has stalled amid mutual distrust and key conditions that both sides have struggled to fulfill.

In addition to warning Iran and Hamas, Trump reiterated his support for Israel’s leadership in pursuing regional stability, even as differing views on issues such as the Israeli‑occupied West Bank persisted between the two leaders.

The announcement was made by a newly-appointed spokesperson, who assumed the same nom de guerre, Abu Obeida, during a televised press conference.

The new spokesperson, wearing the uniform associated with the title, confirmed that Abu Obeida, whose real name was Hudhaifa Samir Al-Kahlout and also known as Abu Ibrahim, had died.

He said Abu Obeida “remained connected to his people during the darkest circumstances” and confirmed that several other senior leaders were also killed, including former Hamas military leader Mohammed Sinwar.

In 2005, Abu Obeida was appointed the military group’s official spokesperson.

He became widely known after announcing the capture of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in 2006 and later gained prominence during Israeli military offensives on Gaza, particularly in 2014.

Abu Obeida delivered his last recorded statement on July 18, and was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza on Aug. 30, according to sources within Hamas.

On Aug. 31, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that the spokesman of Hamas’s armed wing, Abu Obeida, had been killed in a strike in the Gaza Strip.

This meeting was part of his official visit to Brazzaville, which included a series of other engagements.

“Amb. Bazivamo, after conveying the greetings of the Chairman of the RPF Inkotanyi, His Excellency President Paul Kagame, who wished them good health and prosperity in their endeavors, presented Rwanda’s national development agenda. He also took the opportunity to remind them that, as Rwandans, they should actively contribute to these efforts,” reads a statement from RPF Inkotanyi shared on X account.

Amb. Bazivamo reminded the Rwandans that Rwanda, their homeland, fully supports them in their development endeavors and that the country stands ready to assist them in every possible way.

He also encouraged the Rwandan community to uphold core Rwandan values, particularly the principles of unity, collaboration, and integrity.

Amb. Bazivamo also extended his heartfelt wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year in 2026 to all those present.

Amb. Bazivamo is currently in Congo, where he was invited to attend the sixth congress of the ruling political party, Parti Congolais du Travail (PCT).

He noted with satisfaction the similarities in inclusive governance and the pro – people centeredness between RPF Inkotanyi and PCT and renewed the party’s commitment to advance bilateral cooperation with PCT and through the two political formations, bilateral relations between Rwanda and the Republic of Congo.

The two countries have long enjoyed diplomatic and political relations. Rwanda opened its embassy in Congo-Brazzaville in August 2016.

In 2011, Rwanda and Congo-Brazzaville signed several agreements in key sectors such as aviation, tourism, energy, security, justice, environmental protection and fisheries.

In 2023, President Denis Sassou Nguesso of Congo-Brazzaville visited Rwanda, significantly boosting bilateral relations between the two countries.

The visit occurred a few hours after Congo-Brazzaville had granted Rwandans visa-free access. This visit also resulted in the signing of eight additional cooperation agreements, bringing the total number of agreements between the two nations to 33, following the signing of 25 agreements during President Kagame’s visit to Congo-Brazzaville in April 2022.

According to Reuters, the exercises involve the deployment of warships, fighter jets, artillery, and other military assets, simulating attacks on maritime and land-based targets, as well as military blockades and encirclement tactics near Taiwan’s major ports.

These drills are seen as part of China’s continued efforts to assert its sovereignty over Taiwan, which it considers a breakaway province.

This latest round of military exercises follows increased U.S. support for Taiwan, highlighted by an $11.1 billion arms sale approved by Washington in recent weeks. This sale, the largest of its kind, has exacerbated the already tense situation, prompting Beijing to express its strong disapproval through military action.

China has framed the exercises as a warning against any form of “Taiwan independence” and external interference in its domestic affairs. The PLA’s exercises focus on simulated strikes and a show of force, meant to underscore China’s capability and readiness to take action if necessary.

Taiwan, in response, condemned the military drills as an act of military intimidation designed to undermine peace and stability in the region.

Taiwanese defense officials reported detecting a significant number of Chinese aircraft and naval vessels near the island, which prompted Taiwan’s military to raise its alert levels and conduct its own rapid-response exercises.

Additionally, Taiwan highlighted its military readiness with footage of U.S.-supplied systems, such as the HIMARS rocket artillery, as a testament to its ability to defend itself against external threats.

Despite these escalatory moves, Taiwan’s financial markets have remained relatively stable, with investors continuing to show confidence amid growing geopolitical pressure.

China’s longstanding policy on Taiwan remains one of reunification, with Beijing.

In a speech broadcast by the Houthi-run Al-Masirah television channel, al-Houthi stated that his forces consider “any Israeli presence in the Somaliland region a military target,” “aggression against Somalia and Yemen, and a threat to the security of the region.”

He added that the group would take “all possible supportive measures to stand with the brotherly Somali people.”

Al-Houthi, whose movement controls large parts of northern Yemen, indicated that Israel aims to “make Somaliland a foothold for hostile activities against Somalia, African countries, Yemen, and other Arab countries,” a move he said would destabilize an already fragile region.

He also called for a “firm and serious” Arab and Islamic stance in support of Somalia and its people, urging collective action to counter what he characterized as Israeli expansionism.

Meanwhile, several Arab and Muslim countries issued a joint statement on Saturday condemning Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, and reaffirmed their support for Somalia’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

On the evening of December 27, 2025, the state broadcaster RTNC featured Major General Sylvain Ekenge in a segment ostensibly providing updates on security in eastern DRC, particularly South Kivu amid ongoing conflict.

While the primary focus was on military developments, the discussion largely shifted to attacks on Rwandans and Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese, especially Tutsis, whom Ekenge accused of deception.

He warned viewers to be cautious about marrying Tutsi women, alleging that traditional leaders facilitate such unions only for the woman’s relatives, such as cousins or uncles, to later intervene.

Ekenge claimed these relatives father children with the wife, attributing the offspring to supposed genetic dominance in the Tutsi community, and described the practice as a scam to infiltrate marriages.

Minister Nduhungirehe noted that this came after the DRC government had cooperated with the FDLR terrorist group in attacks on Banyamulenge in Minembwe and hosted Jean-Claude Mubenga in Kinshasa, where the latter allegedly called Tutsis “cockroaches” and a virus that must be eradicated.

He added that General Ekenge was now endorsing Gitera’s document.

“The spokesperson of the Congolese army now, FARDC, is adopting on national television RTNC the first of the ‘Ten Commandments of the Hutu’ [1990] from the extremist Rwandan newspaper Kangura,” he said.

Gitera founded the Association for the Social Promotion of the Masses (APROSOMA), which fostered division and hatred among Rwandans. He issued the set of ten commandments during a party meeting in Ngoma, Butare, on September 27, 1959.

The first prohibited Hutus from trusting Tutsis, while subsequent ones forbade praising them, forming relationships with them, among others designed to divide Rwandans.

These ideas were later republished and expanded in Kangura, a magazine that promoted genocidal ideology, in its December 1990 edition.

Minister Nduhungirehe observed that General Ekenge appeared to be drawing from material by intellectuals such as Professor Filip Reyntjens , as the term “intelligence” (often used by the Belgian academic to describe Tutsis) was a focus of the military officer’s remarks.

“This Congolese general does not stop there and even goes as far as repeating colonial theories that laid the foundation for the ‘ethnic’ division and the Genocide against the Tutsi, specifically the idea that the Tutsi are ‘Nilotics’ who conquered Rwanda and oppressed the Hutu, even appropriating ‘their Bantu language’’ Kinyarwanda,” Nduhungirehe said.

The minister concluded by warning that, even if President Félix Tshisekedi dismisses General Ekenge due to embarrassment or Western advice, the Congolese Tutsi community would still suffer the consequences of his words unless the international community responds decisively.

“I don’t have deadlines. You know what my deadline is? Getting the war ended,” Trump told reporters at the start of his meeting with visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.

Asked whether their Sunday talks will lead to a peace deal, Trump said: “It depends — I do believe we have the makings of a deal,” noting that the Ukraine crisis has proved difficult to solve.

Zelensky said his talks with Trump will focus on the latest draft of a 20-point peace plan and the sequencing of a settlement.

“It’s very important our teams talk about strategy — how to make step-by-step, and to bring peace closer,” Zelensky said.

Ahead of the meeting with Zelensky, Trump said on Truth Social that he “had a good and very productive telephone call” with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

During the phone call, Trump and Putin agreed that a temporary ceasefire would only prolong the Ukraine crisis, Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov said.

The two presidents “hold broadly similar views that the temporary ceasefire proposed by the Ukrainians and Europeans, under the pretext of preparing for a referendum or other pretexts, will only prolong the conflict and risk a resumption of hostilities,” Ushakov said.

During the Florida talks, Trump and Zelensky are expected to discuss possible ceasefire arrangements, a proposed demilitarized zone, the management of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, territorial control of the Donbas region, and security guarantees following the end of the crisis.