Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri

The court confirmed a municipal decree by Orléans mayor Serge Grouard, which had refused the burial on grounds that it risked turning the cemetery into a site of denial or glorification of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

Zigiranyirazo, once a prominent member of Rwanda’s former ruling elite, was convicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) in 2008 before being acquitted a year later on procedural grounds.

Ibuka France noted that this acquittal did not erase his historically established role within the regime that planned and executed the genocide.

His initial planned burial on August 28 was also blocked by Orléans Mayor Serge Grouard. The Diocese of Orléans Loiret in France, citing Protais Zigiranyirazo’s role in the genocide against the Tutsi, also announced that his funeral after his death on August 4, 2025, would be held without a Eucharist and without testimonies.

According to IBUKA, attempts by his family to organize a funeral in France attended by around 400 people, many linked to the former regime, constituted a profound insult to the victims, most of whom never received proper burials.

Ibuka France accused Zigiranyirazo’s relatives and supporters of using long-standing “conspiratorial rhetoric” to shift responsibility away from perpetrators and discredit victims’ associations.

The organization praised Mayor Grouard for personally defending the city’s decree before the court and also commended local mayors in Saran, Fleury-les-Aubrais, and Saint-Jean-de-la-Ruelle for firmly rejecting any burial in their municipalities.

Their stance, Ibuka France said, reflects a republican duty to resist denial, rehabilitation, or trivialization of the genocide.

Ibuka France further called on the French state to establish stronger safeguards to ensure that no municipal cemetery becomes a platform for denial or glorification of the genocide.

The organization also questioned how Zigiranyirazo’s body was transported to Orléans with only authorization from Niger and without the mandatory French consular permit, especially given that he had been barred from entering France during his lifetime.

“Ibuka France will continue, with strength and consistency, to fight denial and any attempt to glorify the genocide against the Tutsi,” the group said.

He emphasized that sustainable peace and security in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are essential for their safe and dignified return.

Grandi was welcomed by the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry in charge of Emergency Management, Aristarque Ngoga and the Mayor of Rubavu District, Prosper Murindwa. He was accompanied by UNHCR Regional Director Mamadou Balde and UNHCR Rwanda Representative, Ndeye Aissatou Masseck Ndiaye.

In his remarks, the High Commissioner highlighted that his visit aligns with the ongoing peace processes between Rwanda, the DRC and regional actors.

He commended Rwanda’s inclusive refugee programs, expressed solidarity with asylum seekers and acknowledged the tireless efforts of humanitarian partners despite global funding challenges.

“Rwanda has shown remarkable commitment to protecting those forced to flee, and we must work together to create the conditions that will allow them to return home safely,” Grandi said.

While meeting with representatives of Congolese asylum seekers, Grandi heard first-hand accounts of violence and displacement.

“We want to return home, where we were born,” said Gashati Nyanjwenge, 41, who was disabled by the FDLR while protecting his cows in Masisi territory.

“We recommend increased efforts in addressing the ongoing wars in Congo so that we can return home,” added Anatalie Mukankusi, 75, who has been at the camp for three years fleeing violence in Masisi.

Speaking to journalists after touring the camp, Grandi explained that his visit to Rwanda, which followed a stop in DR Congo, was in response to the Rwanda-DR peace agreement signed on June 27, 2025, in Washington, and the Doha Declaration of Principles.

He pledged to advocate for peace and security in eastern DRC as the foundation for safe returns, reaffirming UNHCR’s commitment to durable solutions.

Partners present at the camp raised concerns about the impact of global funding shortages on humanitarian operations, highlighting prioritisation, coordination and community engagement as key strategies to sustain support.

The High Commissioner later toured the camp, praising the conducive environment created through collaboration between the Government of Rwanda, UNHCR, and partners.

The announcement on August 29, 2025, was delivered with uncompromising language in Ankara’s parliament, where Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan underscored the depth of Türkiye’s break with Israel.

“We have completely cut off our trade with Israel. We do not allow Turkish ships to go to Israeli ports. We do not allow their planes to enter our airspace,” Fidan declared in his address to the Grand National Assembly.

He accused Israel of “committing genocide in Gaza for the past two years, ignoring basic humanitarian values right before the world’s eyes.”

The measures extend a decision taken in May 2024, when Türkiye suspended direct trade with Israel, halting a commercial partnership worth nearly $7 billion the year before.

Friday’s announcement closes off every remaining avenue of cooperation, from trade to transportation, and enforces strict new maritime rules requiring ships to prove they are not connected to Israel or carrying military cargo.

At the same time, Türkiye has positioned itself as a potential humanitarian actor. The presidency confirmed that air drops of aid to Gaza are prepared and awaiting coordination with Jordan.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has matched his government’s policies with fierce criticism of Israel’s leadership.

The fallout is expected to affect regional transport and trade flows, forcing airlines and shipping companies to reroute at greater cost.

He is expected to stand trial before the General Court Martial, with charges reported to include treason, corruption, terrorism, and murder, according to local media.

Birungi’s arrest follows an investigation led by Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Lt Gen Sam Okiding.

The inquiry was launched earlier this year to scrutinize alleged misconduct within the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), particularly in intelligence and counterterrorism operations.

Findings from the probe suggest that certain UPDF officers may have fabricated or exaggerated bomb threats in Kampala as a means to obtain funds or mask illegal dealings.

Investigators also looked into misleading intelligence reports, including a claim about the death of ADF commander Meddie Nkalubo, information that had been verified under Birungi’s leadership at CMI.

The senior officer was apprehended on Friday night and immediately transferred to Makindye Prison. His case marks the first time a former CMI chief has been jailed.

Birungi’s military career has been turbulent in recent months. After being removed from CMI earlier this year, he briefly served as commander of the UPDF Mountain Division before being reassigned as a military attaché to Burundi, a role he never formally assumed.

While addressing the “Meet China in Africa” event held at an urban agriculture demonstration center in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, Jiang Feng, head of the Chinese Mission to the AU, said agricultural cooperation constitutes an important cornerstone of win-win cooperation between China and Africa.

“China’s agricultural technical assistance and transfer of advanced agricultural technologies have enriched the grain bags and vegetable baskets of the African people, and contributed to the steady advancement of agricultural modernization in Africa,” Jiang said.

He highlighted that China has established over 20 agricultural technology demonstration centers and promoted more than 300 advanced agricultural technologies in Africa, benefiting over 1 million smallholder farmers.

Noting that China has also deployed over 500 agricultural experts in Africa and offered training for nearly 9,000 agricultural talents, Jiang said China will continue to support Africa’s modernization drive to improve the well-being of its people through ensuring food security.

Patience Mhuriro-Mashapa, an agriculture and food security expert at the AU Commission, commended China’s unwavering partnership with Africa, particularly through numerous capacity-building training programs.

“Modernized agriculture can redeem Africa from perpetual food security. The best practice China is promoting aligns well with the AU agenda 2063 aspirations and the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program’s vision of building a sustainable agri-food system,” she said.

She added that China’s support for Africa’s modern agricultural development has significantly strengthened skills, enhanced institutional capacity, and fostered knowledge exchanges in the sector.

The Chinese agricultural experts at the demonstration center have introduced new agricultural technologies, provided inputs, and upgraded agricultural infrastructures for local communities, according to Melese Anshebo, deputy commissioner of Addis Ababa City Administration Farmers and Urban Agriculture Development.

The high rating reflects CCXI’s assessment of Afreximbank’s strengths including high strategic positioning, sound risk management system, flexibility in business development, very strong profitability, prudent liquidity management and very high coverage ratio of current assets on short-term debts.

The rating agency further said that it believed that Afreximbank’s ratings would remain stable over the next 12 to18 months, even after consideration of downside credit risks to the macroeconomic and operating environments affecting the Bank.

Reacting to the rating announcement, Mr. Denys Denya, Afreximbank’s Senior Executive Vice President, noted that the rating affirms the Bank’s systemic relevance to Africa and its prudent risk management.

He noted it will enhance funding diversification opportunities, particularly in China’s Panda bond market, supporting Afreximbank’s development mandate and trade facilitation between Africa and China.

Denya reiterated Afreximbank’s commitment to supporting trade finance in Africa and the Caribbean, even during challenging times. He noted the Bank’s commitment to its member states and all clients was unwavering and this resilient track record had significantly contributed to its formidable rating.

He said the Chinese rating affirmed the Bank’s preferred creditor status among its 53 member states in Africa and 13 in the Caribbean.

“CCXI’s rating is a remarkable achievement amid a challenging operating environment, and it is a demonstration of Afreximbank’s systemic relevance to Africa and the Caribbean, our key focus regions,” Denya noted.

Denya added that the rating exemplified the Bank’s resilience and would enable it to leverage the breadth and depth of the Panda market as it diversifies its funding sources globally.

The CCXI rating is expected to galvanise greater support for Afreximbank’s funding plans in the Chinese market and enhance the Bank’s market presence and credit position.

In April this year, Afreximbank successfully issued its landmark inaugural Panda bond in the China Interbank Bond Market, raising RMB 2.2 billion (US $ 303 million).

The issuance was a significant success, being oversubscribed and attracting high-quality investors, which underscored strong market confidence in the Bank’s credit profile.

This pioneering transaction not only provides Afreximbank with a new source of diversified funding in Chinese Renminbi but also establishes a crucial benchmark for other African borrowers and marks a key step in deepening financial cooperation between Africa and China.

On August 28, 2025, RIC organized a training session for leaders from different faiths and denominations, focusing on the value of AI, how it can be used productively, and the potential risks it poses. The aim was to equip them with the knowledge to guide their congregations—particularly the youth—towards the responsible use of the technology.

RIC Chairperson and Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Rwanda, Dr. Laurent Mbanda, noted that AI can play a supportive role in evangelism by assisting with research, helping to prepare and refine sermons, and enhancing learning.

“Artificial Intelligence is increasingly being used today. It has an influence on churches, and people cannot simply ignore it because it is very useful. It is also beginning to change the way we live and work.” he said.

“It is a tool for learning, for research, and for providing accurate information. But we must also acknowledge that it can be misused—spreading harmful content, misleading youth, or providing false information. That is why we must understand both its benefits and its dangers, because we cannot run away from it,” he added

Dr. Mbanda urged religious leaders to familiarize themselves with AI so they can help their followers use it wisely: “You can use AI to research the Bible and to prepare ways of teaching the Word of God, but we also need to apply our own discernment.”

He stressed that as technology continues to advance, churches should embrace it and use it responsibly. He pointed out that many churches now share sermons and messages on platforms such as YouTube, X, and Instagram, allowing them to reach wider audiences in a short time.

Julie Kandema, Deputy President of the Presbyterian Church in Rwanda (EPR), said faith leaders are ready to strengthen the use of AI in their work, confident that it will make evangelism easier.

“The whole world is moving toward AI, and religious institutions must also understand it. Many church leaders often dismiss such innovations as unnecessary, but AI also carries benefits. Learning about it helps us know how to use it properly in evangelism,” she noted.

She added that AI could also be applied in writing and composing songs for choirs, as well as in preparing different teaching materials.

Technology expert Dr. Mwangi Chege also reminded participants that AI can be highly beneficial if used well, but warned that it can also be misused—for instance, to discredit preachers through fabricated stories and false narratives. He encouraged churches to understand both the opportunities and risks of AI.

The commitment was announced on August 27, 2025, during a preparatory workshop for the 11th International Conference of the Rwanda Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (RSOG), which is set to convene more than 200 doctors from 15 countries.

Addressing RSOG members, Denis Gahizi, Head of Institutional Banking at BK, said the bank is ready to provide financial support to help doctors establish hospitals and other health-focused enterprises.

“Today we are here to join hands with you because while you are focused on safeguarding people’s health, we have a responsibility to support you with financing so that together we can continue driving the country’s development forward.” he said.

“The bank has come in as a partner to promote healthcare and to empower women working in this field. Whether one wants to build a hospital, purchase medical equipment, or invest in health-related businesses, BK is here to support those ambitions,” Gahizi added.

Kenneth Ruzindana, Secretary General of RSOG, emphasized that BK is a strong partner that not only helped organize the conference but also continues to support members in various ways.

“BK is a key partner because it has not only sponsored the organization of this conference but also supports many of our members by providing loans and services that help them advance professionally,” he stated.

Ruzindana further noted that RSOG members are eager to learn new knowledge and exchange experiences with other participants.

“This conference is a platform to share insights related to our profession, especially scientific exchanges aligned with our mission to improve the health of women and children. It will enhance the knowledge of our members and expose them to the latest developments in our field.”

Dr. Mireille Aimée Uwineza from King Faisal Hospital said the leadership training offered ahead of the conference would strengthen doctors’ confidence and ability to take on leadership roles.

“We came here for leadership training, which will help us become better physician leaders. In the past, most of us focused only on treatment and didn’t see leadership or decision-making positions as our role. But we have realized that they matter because they allow us to influence decisions and ensure that our goals as doctors are achieved,” she noted.

“I urge the council to act without delay and authorize an international force, supported by the United Nations through logistical and operational backing, and predictable financing,” he told a Security Council meeting on Haiti.

Security measures must go hand-in-hand with increased pressure on those fueling the violence in Haiti. This includes an effective arms embargo, as well as a targeted expansion of sanctions against gang leaders, financiers, arms traffickers, and others connected to them, said Guterres.

Dorothy Shea, acting U.S. representative to the United Nations, said Thursday that her country and Panama are tabling a draft Security Council resolution on the establishment of a “Gang Suppression Force” and a UN Support Office.

She explained that the UN Support Office would ensure the mission has the tools at its disposal to fight the gangs and ensure that the Haitian state can meet the foundational needs of its people.

The next international force must be resourced to hold territory, secure infrastructure, and complement the Haitian National Police. In parallel, a comprehensive approach is required to disrupt gang financing, arms trafficking, and other illicit flows fueling instability, she said.

Currently, a Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission is deployed in Haiti. Although the MSS is endorsed by the Security Council, it is not a UN operation.

It remains unclear whether the proposed Gang Suppression Force will replace the MSS or will be built on it.

In 2024, Rwanda’s total imports were valued at $6.5 billion, more than double the $3.1 billion recorded in 2017. This sharp rise widened the trade deficit to $2.3 billion, underscoring the challenge of narrowing the gap between imports and exports.

Fuel remains by far the largest item on Rwanda’s import bill. In 2024, petroleum products worth $680 million entered the country, compared to $621 million the previous year — a 9.5 percent increase largely driven by rising global prices and growing domestic demand.

Rice was the second most imported commodity. Despite being widely grown in the country, imports surged to $317 million in 2024, up from $239 million the year before — a jump of nearly 33 percent.

According to official data, national rice demand stood at almost 597,000 tonnes, while domestic production was limited to just under 142,000 tonnes.

Farmers, however, remain optimistic about closing the gap. Jean Baptiste Bucyanayandi, president of a cooperative in Gisagara District’s Cyiri Marshland, said his members cultivate more than 250 hectares, producing around 1,000 tonnes annually.

The rice is processed at Gikonko Rice Factory for the local market. With improved seed varieties that mature within four to five months, he believes Rwanda has the potential to significantly scale up its production and eventually satisfy domestic demand.

Other essential goods also continue to weigh heavily on the import ledger. Sugar imports reached $238 million in 2024, up from $192 million the previous year. Cooking oils, particularly palm oil, accounted for $207 million, though this was a decline compared to $237 million in 2023. Motor vehicle imports were valued at $108 million, slightly down from $113 million, while cement purchases rose sharply to $94 million, up from $67 million.

Fish imports also increased, reaching $92 million in 2024, compared to $70 million of the previous year. The demand for electrical cables and equipment climbed to $85 million, up from $62 million.

Medical supplies and pharmaceuticals, meanwhile, registered a slight drop to $82 million from $91 million, and imports of electronic goods such as televisions and audio systems fell considerably, from $142 million in 2023 to $75 million in 2024.

Despite the reliance on these imports, Rwanda has set ambitious targets to expand exports. Government projections indicate that export revenues will more than double, rising from $3.5 billion in 2024 to $7.3 billion by 2029. At the same time, the ratio of exports to imports is expected to improve significantly, from 61 percent in 2023 to 77 percent in 2029.

Central to this plan is the Made in Rwanda policy, which aims to increase domestic manufacturing and promote local value addition. Authorities expect the value of exports to grow at an average annual rate of 13 percent, driven by investment in agro-processing, light manufacturing, and service industries.