The order would authorize the Department of Defense, the secretary of defense and subordinate officials to use secondary titles such as “Department of War,” “Secretary of War,” and “Deputy Secretary of War” in official correspondence and public communications, according to a White House fact sheet.
It also instructs Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth to recommend actions, including legislative and executive actions, to make the renaming permanent. A full legal change would still require congressional approval.
“Defense is too defensive,” Trump said in the Oval Office last month. “And we want to be defensive, but we want to be offensive too if we have to be. So, it just sounded to me like a better name.”
Hegseth had argued that changing the name is “not just about words — it’s about the warrior ethos.” Critics warned it could incur high costs and distract from security priorities.
U.S. Senator Andy Kim said the renaming was a childish idea, adding: “Americans want to prevent wars, not tout them,” according to a BBC report.
The Department of War, created in 1789, directed the U.S. Army and oversaw the country’s military through both World Wars before being consolidated into the Department of Defense in the late 1940s.
The figures were released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) during the 9th edition of the Aviation Africa Summit and Exhibition that opened in Kigali on 4 September 2025.
The meeting has brought together more than 1,600 aviation stakeholders to discuss strategies for advancing the industry.
IATA’s report “The Value of Air Transport to Rwanda,” which covered the year 2023, highlighted the value of air transport to Rwanda, showing that the sector directly supports over 29,000 jobs nationwide.
This includes employment created by airlines, airports, on-site businesses, air navigation services, and aircraft manufacturing and maintenance.
The report further noted that more than 2,900 people are directly employed in Rwanda’s aviation sector, generating $8.9 million, equivalent to 0.1% of GDP.
Overall, the air transport value chain contributed $160.2 million (1.1% of GDP) and supported 42,000 jobs through supply chains, employee spending, and tourism-related activities.
Every year, international visitors are estimated to contribute nearly $688 million to Rwanda’s economy through purchases of goods and services from local businesses.
The report also underscored aviation’s critical role in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), stating: “Air transport contributes to quality education, social and family connectivity, cultural exchange, and community development. By working together, nations can expand productivity, promote sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty.”
In 2023, Rwanda’s airports handled around 16,500 tonnes of cargo, while 95% of all passenger traffic was international, amounting to 447,400 trips. Domestic flights accounted for just 5%.
Regionally, 56% of Rwandan travelers flew within Africa, 21% to Europe, and 12% to North America. The top 10 destinations were Nairobi, Kampala, Brussels, Johannesburg, Dubai, Lagos, Paris, Dar es Salaam, Bujumbura, and London.
Since 2014, Rwanda’s international air connectivity has grown by 23% within Africa and by 326% with the rest of the world.
Passenger flow data shows that 66% of travelers either ended their journey in Rwanda or continued by road and other transport modes, while 34% transited through Kigali International Airport to other destinations.
Looking ahead, RwandAir is projected to carry 1.2 million passengers by 2026, up from 1 million in 2023/2024. By 2028/2029, passengers are expected to reach 2.1 million, supported by a fleet expansion to 21 aircrafts.
However, Rwanda’s exports declined by 2.95% in July 2025 compared to June, and by 55.11% year-on-year. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) remained the leading export destination, accounting for $38.65 million or 35.3% of total exports.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) ranked second with imports worth $34.68 million (31.67%), followed by China, which imported goods valued at $1.36 million (11.29%).
Imports into Rwanda also fell, dropping by 10.75% in July 2025 compared to June, and by 32.2% year-on-year. China was the country’s largest source of imports, supplying goods worth $95.94 million (23.23%).
Tanzania followed with $46.9 million (11.36%), while Kenya supplied $35.94 million (8.7%).
The UAE accounted for $35.73 million or 8.65% of Rwanda’s imports in July, while imports from India were valued at $25.29 million, representing 6.12% of the total.
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His participation in the naming ceremony is part of his official visit to Rwanda from September 4–7, 2025, marking his first mission to Africa since assuming the role of Director General in January.
This year’s edition will celebrate the naming of 40 baby mountain gorillas, including 18 born in 2024, underscoring Rwanda’s continued commitment to conservation and community-based tourism.
“Kwita Izina is more than a celebration—it is a living symbol of Rwanda’s dedication to community-led conservation, sustainable landscapes, and ecotourism – all vital pillars of green growth. As GGGI, we recognize that true green growth happens when conservation, community empowerment, and economic opportunity come together, and we are committed to supporting Rwanda’s efforts in these areas,” said Sang-Hyup Kim.
“I am deeply honored to join this milestone event and witness firsthand the incredible work being done to protect mountain gorillas and their habitat. Events like this are essential not only for wildlife protection but also for inspiring bolder climate action for people, nature, and the planet,” he added.
Launched in 2006, Kwita Izina celebrates the birth of baby mountain gorillas underscoring Rwanda’s commitment to conservation and biodiversity.
Over the past 20 years, it has become one of Africa’s leading events on conservation and sustainable tourism, attracting global icons, conservationists, and thousands of attendees annually.
At previous events, the King of England, King Charles III, Sir David Attenborough, Audrey Azoulay (UNESCO’s Director-General), Zurab Pololikashvili (Secretary General of UNWTO), and Andrew Mitchell MP (UK Minister of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office), and various sporting and cultural celebrities have served as Baby Gorilla Namers, highlighting the event’s international significance. To date, 397 baby gorillas have been named through this celebrated ceremony.
The theme for this year, “A legacy of community centered conservation, securing a sustainable future for all,” highlights the vital role of communities, rangers, and researchers in protecting Rwanda’s biodiversity.
Through its Sustainable Landscapes program, GGGI works with Member States and partners to design and implement policies, innovative financing instruments, such as debt-for-nature swaps and green bonds and mobilize green investments to protect and restore vital ecosystems and unlock the full potential of their natural capital.
During his visit, Director-General Kim will also attend the High-Level Conservation Gala in Kigali, hosted by the Government of Rwanda, which will mark the official launch of the Volcanoes National Park expansion project.
GGGI is exploring ways to support this initiative, building on previous engagements with Rwanda Development Board (RDB) on the Masterplan for the expansion project. The Volcanoes National Park is expected to be expanded by 3,740 hectares—an increase of 23 percent of its current size—to provide more space for the world’s endangered mountain gorilla.
In addition, Director-General Kim will hold bilateral meetings with government officials and development partners to strengthen existing collaborations and explore new opportunities to accelerate Rwanda’s green growth and climate resilience agenda.
During an online media briefing on Thursday evening, Yap Boum II, deputy incident manager for mpox at the Africa CDC, said that 29 mpox-affected African countries have reported 185,994 cases since the start of last year. Of these, 51,969 were confirmed, and 1,987 related deaths were recorded.
Data from the African Union’s specialized healthcare agency showed that the continent has reported 105,697 mpox cases so far in 2025, surpassing last year’s total of 80,297.
Due to improving continental mpox response efforts, the Africa CDC witnessed a “continuous decline” in both confirmed and suspected cases over the past weeks, especially when compared to this year’s peak season recorded around May.
Data from the Africa CDC showed that the average weekly confirmed cases fell by 52 percent, from a peak of 1,441 weekly average cases in May to 695 cases over the past five weeks.
The Africa CDC further commended the increase in testing coverage as a positive development, with testing coverage moving from 30 percent to 66 percent from all suspected cases over the last six weeks.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, was first detected in laboratory monkeys in 1958. It is a rare viral disease typically transmitted through body fluids, respiratory droplets and contaminated materials. The infection often causes fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes.
The Africa CDC, in August last year, declared the ongoing mpox outbreak a public health emergency of continental security. Shortly afterward, the World Health Organization designated the viral disease as a public health emergency of international concern.
Defrin said in a briefing that as part of the assault, which he said began “in recent weeks,” tens of thousands of reservists have been mobilized to join regular forces currently maneuvering in the Zeitoun neighborhood in the southeast of the city and in Sheikh Radwan in the north.
“Hamas will meet the full force of the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) in Gaza City,” Defrin said. “We will increase the pressure on Hamas until its defeat.”
Defrin showed aerial video footage of several blocks exploding, which he said was the destruction of underground infrastructure in Zeitoun.
His remarks came a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected Hamas’ offer to pursue a “comprehensive deal” to end the war and secure the release of hostages, describing it as “spin.”
Israel’s new assault on Gaza City, already devastated by nearly two years of intensive attacks, drew condemnation over its impact on civilians. Israeli strikes have destroyed much of the city’s infrastructure, large parts of the population have been displaced multiple times, and aid groups say famine is taking hold.
Since Oct. 7, 2023, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has killed 64,232 people and injured 161,583 others, Gaza-based health authorities said Thursday, adding that starvation and malnutrition in Gaza have caused 370 deaths, including 131 children.
Speaking alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at a press conference following the meeting of the “Coalition of the Willing,” Macron said the countries would contribute to a “reassurance force” that could deploy troops in Ukraine or provide support on land, at sea, or in the air.
He added after the summit, participants held a call with U.S. President Donald Trump and the United States is expected to finalize its contributions to the security guarantees in the coming days.
Zelensky welcomed the announcement as a “concrete” step forward and stressed that a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, whether bilateral or trilateral, is “necessary” for advancing peace efforts.
The announcement followed a virtual meeting of the coalition on Thursday, co-chaired by Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The group, which brought together around 30 countries, mostly European, has committed to providing security guarantees to Ukraine.
Apuk Ayuel Mayen, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said the country was able to receive seven third-country nationals and a South Sudanese national on July 5, based on bilateral engagement with the Trump administration.
“There are no discussions on deportations, and there is no deal that has been signed in regards to that. There was bilateral engagement around deporting the seven deportees between our government and the government of the United States,” Mayen told journalists in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.
The third-country nationals deported to South Sudan include two people from Myanmar, two from Cuba, and one each from Vietnam, Laos, and Mexico.
In addition, Mayen said that 23 South Sudanese who were earlier deported from the United States have been reunited with their family members.
The facility, which cost 2.68 billion Rwandan francs, will provide inmates with skills training, family reconnection programs, and opportunities to participate in community activities such as Umuganda (community work).
The center was inaugurated on September 3, 2025, in Muhazi Sector, Rwamagana District, and will accommodate prisoners who have between six months and one year left to serve.
It has a capacity of 2,500 inmates, starting with an initial group of 250 transferred from different prisons across the country.
{{Preparing inmates for life after prison}}
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister of Internal Security Dr. Vincent Biruta said the center is part of Rwanda’s broader effort to rehabilitate inmates and prepare them for life after prison.
“You will return to your families, joining other Rwandans, including some with whom you may have had conflicts that led you to prison. This program is designed to prepare you for all that—so that when you leave, you are reformed individuals who can contribute to your families and to the nation,” he said.
RCS Commissioner General Evariste Murenzi explained that while many prisoners change for the better during incarceration, reintegrating into society would remain a challenge after years behind bars.
“This is why we created this facility—to train inmates who are close to completing their sentences in how to readjust to family and community life. It is a model project that will be replicated across all provinces, complementing the usual rehabilitation methods,” he said.
{{Unique features of the center}}
Rwanda currently has more than 76,000 inmates held in 13 prisons nationwide. Unlike traditional prisons, which are secured with eight-to-ten-meter-high fences, the new facility is enclosed by walls only two to three meters high. It also operates with fewer warders, most of whom will not carry weapons.
Prisoners admitted to the center are carefully selected based on good behavior and having served at least two years of their sentence.
One of the first beneficiaries, Mukaniyonshuti Jeanette, said life at the center feels different from regular prison.
“Here it feels like home compared to where we came from. In other prisons, warders escorted us everywhere and even visits required long queues. Here we are more at ease,” she said.
Family visits, skills training, and reconciliation
Inmates at the center will be allowed short-term leave to visit family and friends, including attending weddings, funerals, or visiting sick relatives in hospital.
They will also receive six-month to one-year vocational training courses in areas such as hairdressing, beauty, tailoring, weaving, carpentry, and construction. Those already skilled will be supported in finding markets, joining cooperatives, and connecting with private-sector partners.
In addition, inmates will undergo counseling in mental health, social reintegration, and reconciliation, including facilitated dialogue with victims or families they may have wronged in order to seek forgiveness and promote healing.
They will also participate in community development activities such as Umuganda, house construction for vulnerable families, and national commemoration events.
The center was constructed by the Government of Rwanda with support from the Starling Foundation and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
