Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri

Encouraged by his friend Rodney Boyd, who has visited Rwanda several times, Kirkland traveled to Kigali with limited knowledge of the country beyond the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. What he discovered far surpassed his expectations.

“When I landed in Kigali, I was struck by the bright lights and the warm greetings,” he recalled on the Connected Podcast hosted by the Embassy of Rwanda in Washington, DC.

“From airport staff to locals, everyone said, ‘Welcome home, brother.’ As a 58-year-old Black American, that sense of belonging was indescribable. I had traveled the world, but I had never truly been home.”

He described Kigali as a clean, vibrant city, with rolling hills that reminded him of San Francisco.

{{Rwanda’s resilience and unity}}

Kirkland praised Rwanda’s recovery in the three decades since the genocide, describing it as a remarkable model of resilience.

“The way the people of this country came out of the genocide in 30 years, healing, rebuilding, and taking pride in their future — most countries could not have done that. Rwandans should understand that they are exceptional,” he said.

As a former soldier, he likened the discipline and unity he observed in Rwanda — from street sweepers to executives and government officials — to values he had seen in the military.

“Rwanda’s greatest asset is its people,” he stressed. “There are skilled workers here who are determined and ready to work hard to improve their lives. I saw it everywhere — from those cleaning the streets to those leading major investments at the Rwanda Development Board.”

{{Inspired by Rwanda’s youth and innovation}}

During his visit, Kirkland engaged with young entrepreneurs at ALX Rwanda, where he heard pitches for innovative projects tackling Africa’s challenges. One idea that stood out was a courier service using travelers to deliver goods across the continent, which he described as “an Airbnb for logistics.”

He emphasized that Rwanda’s youth are not only seeking income but also creating jobs and supporting families. At the University of Rwanda and the African Leadership University (ALU), he said he saw evidence that Rwanda is among the continent’s leaders in technology and innovation.

“If an American company or any foreign investor is looking to invest here, the technology sector should be the first priority, because there are tremendous opportunities,” he noted.
He also visited a hospital and was impressed by Rwanda’s nationwide digital health system linking clinics with larger institutions. “Other countries should study this model. There is real investment potential here,” he said.

{{A favorable business climate}}

Kirkland underscored Rwanda’s welcoming environment for investors. After visiting the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), he was convinced of the country’s efficiency in facilitating business.

“The RDB allows you to register a company in six hours. That’s remarkable. It’s easier to start a business here than almost anywhere else,” he explained, citing an American entrepreneur he met who had recently launched a company in Rwanda.

Beyond technology and healthcare, he highlighted opportunities in Rwanda’s natural resources, urging U.S. investors to partner with Rwandans to unlock this potential.

{{A personal transformation}}

The trip left Kirkland deeply changed. “When I left Rwanda, I felt fuller than before. This is a place full of opportunity, and more people need to know about it. Rwanda is where you find great food, beautiful landscapes and environment, and wonderful people,” he said.

He admitted regretting that it took him nearly six decades to visit Africa but promised it would not be the same for his children.

“I told my wife after this trip that I regret it took me 58 years to come home. But for my 19-year-old son, it will not be the same. I’m planning to return to Kigali with my wife and children so they too can see what I saw,” he said.

Looking ahead, Kirkland revealed he has already discussed Africa opportunities with his superiors at Amazon. Personally, he is considering relocating or working on the continent after his corporate career.

Asked to complete the sentence “Rwanda is a place where…”, Kirkland replied: “Rwanda is a place where opportunity thrives, pride in progress shines, and beauty — both in its people and landscapes — captivates. From warm hospitality to innovative spirit, it’s a nation of promise that deserves global attention.”

Known as the “Butcher of Tumba,” Dr. Munyemana was found guilty of participating in killings in the Tumba sector, formerly in Butare prefecture. In December 2023, the Paris Court of Assize sentenced him to 24 years in prison.

The charges that led to his conviction included genocide, crimes against humanity, and complicity in these crimes.

Dr. Munyemana, who worked at Butare hospital and lectured at the Faculty of Medicine at the National University of Rwanda, appealed immediately after the ruling. Throughout his trial, he consistently denied all charges, insisting that he was innocent.

At the time, Richard Gisagara, lawyer for civil parties, explained: “It is Munyemana’s lawyers who filed the appeal because they were not satisfied with the ruling. It is not surprising since their entire defense was based on denying the crimes altogether. They never asked for leniency; instead, they demanded full acquittal.”

Proceedings are set to begin with the appointment of an independent jury on 15 September 2025, before the substantive hearings start the following day. The appeal trial is scheduled to conclude on 24 October 2025.

{{Background of Dr. Munyemana}}

According to Rwanda’s former National Commission for the Fight against Genocide (CNLG), Dr. Munyemana was born on 9 October 1955 in Mbare, Musambira Commune, Gitarama Prefecture.

After completing his medical studies at the National University of Rwanda in Butare, he pursued postgraduate training at Bordeaux II University in France, specializing in gynecology and obstetrics.

During the genocide, he lived in Gitwa cell in Tumba. Witnesses testified that he was directly involved in killings there and in other areas such as Butare town.

One witness recalled a meeting on 17 April 1994, chaired by the then sector executive secretary François Bwanakeye, where Dr. Munyemana declared: “The enemy is among us. I am hosting 15 Hutus from Kigembe who fled after the Inkotanyi entered through Burundi.”

Witnesses further testified that during the genocide he wore military-style attire, carried a spear and later a firearm, and held keys to the Tumba sector offices, where he allegedly imprisoned Tutsi before they were killed.

Dr. Munyemana is also reported to have been a close ally of Jean Kambanda, the former Prime Minister in the so-called interim government of 1994. Kambanda himself admitted his role in the genocide and was sentenced to life imprisonment.

The remarks were made in Kigali on 12 September 2025, during celebrations of the United Nations International Day for South-South and Triangular Cooperation, an event that brought together government officials, diplomats, private sector actors, and representatives of international organizations.

United Nations Resident Coordinator in Rwanda, Ozonnia Ojielo, emphasized that cooperation among developing nations is now indispensable in tackling global challenges.

“We gather at a time when our world faces unprecedented challenges, from climate change and food insecurity to mounting debt burdens and widening digital divides,” he said. “These complex issues demand solutions that are locally rooted, globally connected, and collectively owned. Dear friends, cooperation is no longer optional. It is essential.”

Ojielo praised Rwanda’s contribution through the Rwanda Cooperation Initiative (RCI), describing it as a model for knowledge exchange.

“Rwanda, through the Rwanda Cooperation Initiative, has committed itself to sharing knowledge with other countries. I see this as extraordinary, because being a developing country does not mean it has nothing to share with others,” he said.

Clementine Mukeka, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized that developing countries should build solutions by leveraging the resources they already possess.

Since 2018, Rwanda has hosted more than 700 delegations from over 70 countries, showcasing innovations in digital governance, service delivery, and socio-economic transformation. Ojielo cited Rwanda’s support to Eswatini and Guinea in digital transformation as concrete examples of how home-grown solutions can be adapted elsewhere.

“These initiatives demonstrate that Rwanda is helping to turn local innovation into global impact, a model of what South-South Cooperation can achieve when vision meets action,” he added.

In her address, Uwase Patricie, CEO of the Rwanda Cooperation Initiative, stressed that Africa is no longer waiting for answers from outside but is actively creating its own solutions.

“Allow me to begin with a simple thought: Africa is no longer waiting for solutions, Africa is building them,” she declared. “In a world where crises too often dominate headlines, it is easy to believe that answers must come from elsewhere. But here, in Kigali today, and across the Global South, we are writing a different story, a story of shared innovation, collective resilience, and opportunity born from cooperation.”

Highlighting Rwanda’s partnerships across the continent, Uwase noted: “We have walked with our brothers and sisters from Chad to Eswatini, from Guinea to Lesotho — not as teachers, not as students, but as partners. Together, we have built e-tax systems, procurement platforms, and financial reforms. Together, we have proved that development is not imported, it is exchanged.”

Looking ahead, she announced that Rwanda will host the Annual Convention on South-South and Triangular Cooperation in December 2025. The gathering in Kigali will bring together governments, innovators, and partners to design the next generation of cooperation.

“If there has ever been a time for Africa to rise, that time is now. If there has ever been a generation bold enough to lead that rise, it is this one. And if there has ever been a place where cooperation can turn into transformation, it is here, in Rwanda, with all of you. Let us rise together,” Uwase said.

Both speakers urged African countries to embrace innovation and cooperation as tools for transformation. Ojielo called on nations to “learn from each other, innovate together, and deliver results,” while Uwase challenged leaders to see climate change, digital divides, and youth unemployment as opportunities for green growth, inclusive technology, and enterprise development.

The launch marks a defining moment in how finance, innovation, and social protection come together to advance e-mobility in Rwanda, through collaboration between NCBA, Kabisa, and Sonarwa General and Sonarwa Life.

Commenting on the development, Maurice Toroitich, Managing Director of NCBA Bank Rwanda said: “By financing affordable, electric solutions, Umurabyo is all about improving livelihoods and laying the foundation for a sustainable and greener Rwanda.”

The initiative aligns with NCBA’s Change the Story agenda, which includes USD 230 million in green lending, planting 10 million trees by 2030, and rolling out electric charging stations across all NCBA branches in East Africa, several of which are already operational in Rwanda.

“We are committed to playing a key role in our shared responsibility to build sustainable cities,” added Pophia Muhoza, Managing Director of Kabisa. “As a company, what we offer is more than EVs, we are providing the entire ecosystem of private and commercial electric vehicles, charging stations, and after-sales services. We won’t just be selling these cars to drivers; we will charge them and repair them.”

{{Cleaner cities, better livelihoods}}

At its core, Umurabyo removes one of the biggest barriers to electric vehicle adoption: upfront cost. NCBA Bank Rwanda has committed to providing 100% financing, with the vehicle itself serving as collateral.

For drivers, the benefits of going electric are immediate and measurable.

“Currently, I use about Frw 35,000 per day on fuel and drive about 200 kilometers.This comes to almost Frw 900,000 per month to drive 4,800 kilometers. With Umurabyo, a full electric charge that drives 300 kilometers and costs only Frw 12,000. If I drive the same 4,800 kilometers in the month, I will be spending only 192,000frw on charging. I save more than 700,000 every month on fuel,” said Kirundeke Assuman, a driver who received his taxi cab.

“Most of us bought old vehicles that we drive all day for hundreds of kilometers. As a result, we are always in garages repairing them. I spend over Frw 200,000 every month on spare parts and repairs. The Umurabyo I have now is brand new, reducing the time I will spend at the garage and the hours I miss from work,” said Kirundeke Asumani as he appreciated his new Umurabyo.

Over the course of a month, the savings exceed one million francs, money that can improve the livelihood of Rwandan drivers.

Drivers earning at least Frw 1.5 million a month and without an existing bank loan are eligible to apply immediately. Each package combines a competitively priced vehicle, affordable repayment terms, and comprehensive auto and life insurance coverage from Sonarwa, ensuring both drivers and their families are protected against financial risk.

This product shows how public-private partnerships can provide practical solutions to everyday challenges. With its rollout, Kigali stands to reduce urban pollution and carbon emissions, improve air quality, and move closer to Rwanda’s national climate goals.

The most serious disaster happened on Thursday evening on the Congo River near the village of Malange, in Lukolela territory. A whaleboat carrying nearly 500 people caught fire and capsized. The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs confirmed that 107 people were killed, while 209 survived. At least 146 passengers remain missing.

Just a day earlier, in Basankusu territory, another motorised boat capsized, killing 86 people, most of them students. Local authorities said several more passengers are still unaccounted for.

According to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, the Thursday accident was caused by “improper loading and night navigation.” Civil society groups in the region warned that the actual death toll could be higher, as many passengers were travelling without being registered.

River transport is a primary means of travel in DR Congo’s remote areas, but accidents are frequent. Boats are often overloaded, poorly maintained, and lack basic safety equipment such as life jackets. Navigation at night, combined with weak rescue infrastructure, makes accidents especially deadly.

Rescue operations are ongoing, with survivors receiving medical treatment and support from local authorities and volunteers. Families of the victims have begun to bury their loved ones, while search teams continue looking for those still missing.

Government officials have pledged assistance to the families of the deceased and survivors who lost their belongings. An investigation into both accidents has been launched, with authorities vowing to hold those responsible accountable.

Deadly boat accidents are common in the DR Congo, where vast rivers cut through remote provinces and road networks are scarce or impassable. With limited alternatives, many communities rely on river transport despite the dangers.

The report, released on 12 September, is based on more than 300 interviews with defectors and escapees. It paints a stark picture of life under one of the world’s most secretive regimes, where surveillance has expanded, punishments have grown harsher, and ordinary citizens live under constant fear.

According to the UN findings, sharing foreign media, particularly South Korean dramas, can now result in the death penalty under laws introduced in recent years.

James Heenan, head of the UN Human Rights Office for North Korea, told reporters in Geneva: “Executions have taken place under these new laws, including for distributing foreign TV shows.”

The report adds that executions have increased for both ordinary crimes and so-called political crimes, marking a wider effort by the regime to block outside influence and reinforce ideological control.

The study describes a state where technology has extended government surveillance into nearly every aspect of daily life. Citizens are monitored “in all parts of life,” the report states, with those suspected of defiance often facing severe punishment.

Testimonies also reveal that children from poor families are being forced into hazardous labour. Many are recruited into “shock brigades” and sent to work in coal mines and construction sites. Families unable to pay bribes face harsher treatment, highlighting the inequality within the system.

The UN report stresses that North Korea remains one of the most repressive states in the world. It documents widespread violations, including public executions, torture, sexual violence, deliberate starvation, and mass imprisonment. Between 80,000 and 120,000 people are estimated to be held in political prison camps.

Although investigators noted minor improvements such as reduced violence by guards in detention and some reforms aimed at strengthening fair trial guarantees they concluded that overall repression has intensified since around 2014.

Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, warned that without change, “the people of the DPRK will continue to live in fear and suffer increasing brutality.”

On Friday, September 12, 2025, UN member states endorsed the New York Declaration, a seven-page framework prepared with the involvement of France and Saudi Arabia.

The declaration, first approved by the UN in July 2025, lays out steps for the implementation of the two-state solution.

The idea of dividing the land between Israelis and Palestinians is not new; it was first endorsed by the UN in 1947. However, repeated challenges have prevented its implementation, leading to renewed debate in recent years.

According to the New York Declaration, the plan should be carried out within 15 months, in phases. It envisions the creation of a sovereign, independent, economically viable, and democratic state of Palestine — but without a standing army.

It also requires Hamas to disarm and transfer governance of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority, while foreign nations would formally recognize Palestine as a state.

On Friday, Rwanda voted in support of this framework, alongside countries such as France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, and Qatar. In total, 142 countries voted in favor, while 10 opposed — including Israel, the United States, Tonga, and Hungary.

Another 12 countries abstained, among them the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guatemala, Ethiopia, Fiji, South Sudan, and Samoa.

Rwanda’s vote came just one day after issuing a statement condemning recent Israeli strikes in Qatar that targeted leaders of Hamas.

The ship carries 2,500 tonnes of food, shelter, and medical supplies, in implementation of the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

This comes as part of the UAE’s relief bridge to support the friendly Afghan people following the earthquake that struck the eastern regions of the country.

The Joint Operations Command confirmed that the ship was prepared in cooperation with the UAE Aid Agency with the participation of several charitable and humanitarian organisations and institutions in the UAE, reflecting the spirit of national solidarity and the integration of efforts among various entities to provide urgent relief support to Afghanistan.

The Emirati aid ship comes within the framework of the UAE’s keenness to strengthen the urgent humanitarian response for the friendly Afghan people, helping them overcome the repercussions of these exceptional circumstances and working to meet their basic needs.

This humanitarian support reflects the noble values adopted by the UAE, aimed at enhancing peace and stability in the region, providing aid and assistance to those affected by humanitarian crises, and affirming its commitment to supporting relief efforts around the world.

CRBC was among the first international firms to resume operations in Rwanda after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, partnering with the government to help rebuild a nation that had been devastated.

Recently, CRBC drew renewed attention in Rwanda after the Ministry of Infrastructure confirmed its partnership with the company to introduce self-flying air taxis in the country.

These electric drones, known as eVTOLs, are manufactured by the Chinese company EHang. They are 100% electric, capable of carrying either two passengers or more than 620 pounds of cargo. Each drone can cover a distance of up to 30 kilometers and sustain a flight of about 25 minutes per charge.

Huang Qilin, Director General of the CRBC Rwanda Office, described the partnership as a bridge between innovation in China and Rwanda.

“We are Rwanda’s steadfast friends. We are a bridge linking innovations from China with those in Rwanda. We want Rwanda to become a model for Africa,” he said.

The company is currently in discussions with the Rwandan government on how this drone technology can be scaled up to support transportation and tourism.

Huang emphasized CRBC’s broader ambition to contribute significantly to Rwanda’s economic growth through the transfer of advanced technologies.

“I call on other companies from China and around the world to invest in Rwanda. This country offers one of the best environments for investment,” he added.

Over the past five decades, CRBC has played a key role in Rwanda’s infrastructure development. According to Huang, the company has been responsible for building 70% of the paved roads in the country.

He said CRBC has already implemented more than 60 major construction projects in Rwanda, with a combined value exceeding $1 billion.

“Just think about the time we have been here. We want Rwanda to achieve its vision of becoming a prosperous nation, and we are determined to play our part. Our ambition is to remain in Rwanda for more than 100 years, with each decade marked by visible achievements,” said Huang Qilin.

Among CRBC’s landmark projects is the Kivu Belt Road, which runs along the shores of Lake Kivu, connecting the districts of Rubavu, Rutsiro, Karongi, Nyamasheke, and Rusizi. The road was completed in 2017.

Over the past 15 years, CRBC has also built 36 kilometers of roads in different parts of Kigali. Seven years ago, it embarked on another project to construct an additional 54 kilometers of road networks.

“Three years ago, we completed the Sonatubes–Gahanga road project. It continues to play an important role in Rwanda’s development,” Huang noted.

Beyond roads, CRBC has made significant contributions to other strategic infrastructure. The company is part of the consortium constructing the Bugesera International Airport, expected to be completed in 2028.

Once operational, the airport will handle up to eight million passengers annually and 150,000 tons of cargo.

Huang said CRBC is also responsible for building the airport’s primary cargo terminal.

“This facility will house equipment capable of processing more than 10,000 tons. It will be the largest steel structure of its kind in Rwanda,” he explained.

Regionally, CRBC is the company behind the 472-kilometer Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) linking the Kenyan cities of Mombasa and Nairobi.

Huang added that the firm is also looking ahead to the possibility of extending the SGR network further to connect Kenya and Uganda.

In Rwanda, one of the most frequently discussed railway projects is the line connecting Rwanda and Tanzania.

An agreement to construct the Isaka–Kigali railway, covering 532 kilometers, was signed on March 9, 2018. The project was initially valued at $3.6 billion.

Tanzania, which borders Rwanda to the east, is expected to serve as the main transit route for the railway line into Rwanda. Markers have already been placed along the proposed route.

Under the agreement, Rwanda is responsible for contributing more than $1.5 billion, while Tanzania, which covers the larger portion of the line, is expected to provide over $2.5 billion.

“What we want is to ensure that, based on our capacity, we fulfill everything required for the construction of a railway in Rwanda. It would be a highly beneficial project,” Huang Qilin said.
CRBC operates in more than 30 African countries, with each branch capable of delivering large-scale national projects.

By 2024, the company had built approximately 1,500 kilometers of roads in West Africa. In Rwanda alone, over its 50 years of presence, CRBC has created more than 500,000 jobs.

The company employs more than 2,200 Rwandans, who represent 96% of its workforce, with women making up around 20%.

The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran is assessing whether the materials can be accessed and in what condition, said Araghchi in an interview during his visit to Cairo.

Once the assessment is completed, he said, a report will be submitted to the Supreme National Security Council, which will decide on the next steps based on Iran’s security considerations.

The foreign minister stressed that under Iran’s agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency signed on Tuesday, no inspection has been conducted to date, nor is there any consensus to carry out.

He said the accord recognizes that cooperation with the agency must take place under new conditions, shaped by both security concerns and a law passed by the Iranian parliament.

Araghchi noted that the agreement will remain valid only as long as no hostile action is taken against Iran, including activation of the so-called “snapback” mechanism to reinstate UN sanctions. He warned that should the mechanism be triggered, “the agreement will no longer be valid” and Iran would respond accordingly.

He reiterated that Iran has told its European counterparts that military action and the “snapback” mechanism cannot resolve the nuclear issue, warning such steps would only complicate the situation.

The agreement signed in Cairo on Tuesday aims to establish a new framework for cooperation following Israeli and U.S. attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities in June.