Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri

“You have my assurance,” Trump said in a Fox News interview, a day after hosting a White House summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other European leaders.

Trump said on Monday during meetings at the White House that the United States would be “involved” in security guarantees for Ukraine after its war with Russia but did not elaborate. He added more clarity in the morning interview with “Fox & Friends.”

“When it comes to security, they’re willing to put people on the ground,” Trump said, referring to the European countries.

“We’re willing to help them with things, especially probably … by air because there’s nobody that has the kind of stuff we have.”

“The issue of security guarantees for Ukraine — and potential U.S. involvement in them — has proved to be a sticking point as Trump works to broker peace between Ukraine and Russia,” reported The Washington Post about the development.

“European leaders have been encouraged that Trump appears open to a U.S. role in peacekeeping in Ukraine, but that could complicate negotiations with Russia, which has spent years working to counter increased military support for Ukraine by its allies,” it noted.

The White House rarely hosts so many foreign dignitaries at once as it did on Monday, when Zelensky and European leaders arrived to discuss the Russia-Ukraine conflict with Trump.

The Monday meetings at the White House mainly focused on security guarantees for Ukraine and a possible trilateral meeting between Russia, Ukraine and the United States. Disagreements remain on some key issues, such as whether a ceasefire is necessary before further negotiations.

The latest talks came three days after the U.S. and Russian presidents met in the U.S. state of Alaska, when progress was reportedly made but no deal was announced.

The burnt area has more than doubled compared with last week’s tally of 439,568 hectares, underscoring the rapid spread of wildfires in recent days.

According to the JRC’s latest weekly update, this year’s figure far exceeds the 19-year average of 244,000 hectares typically seen by mid-August.

A total of 1,736 major blazes, defined as fires larger than 30 hectares, have been detected in the EU so far, compared with 1,185 during the same period last year. The surge has pushed estimated carbon dioxide emissions to 31.9 million tonnes, almost three times higher than a year earlier.

Looking ahead, the fire danger forecast for Aug. 19-25 suggests easing conditions in the southern part of Europe, including Spain, France, Italy, the Balkans, and Greece. However, risk levels are set to climb in northern and northwestern parts of the continent.

Ireland, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, northern Germany, Poland, Denmark, and parts of Sweden and Finland face “very high to very extreme” anomalies in fire danger. Elevated risks are also forecast along the Danube basin in Austria, Hungary, and Romania.

On average, over 60,000 forest fires break out in the EU each year, burning some 500,000 hectares, nearly twice the area of Luxembourg, and causing human casualties and economic losses of around 2 billion euros (about 2.33 billion U.S. dollars), according to JRC data. (1 euro = 1.17 U.S. dollar)

Maj Gen (Rtd) Yaache from Ghana was part of the African contingent serving under the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR).

He recalled that when the UN Security Council decided to reduce the number of its troops in Rwanda to just 270 soldiers in 1994, both UNAMIR commander Gen Roméo Dallaire and Ghanaian Gen Henry Kwami Anyidoho opposed the move, warning of the dangers facing the Tutsi population.

Despite the withdrawal, some Ghanaian soldiers under Gen Anyidoho chose to remain behind and displayed remarkable courage by protecting thousands of Tutsis with very limited equipment and manpower. During the genocide, Ghanaian peacekeepers managed to rescue around 30,000 people.

Yaache first arrived in Rwanda in February 1994, two months before the genocide erupted. He was responsible for monitoring operations in Byumba prefecture, a demilitarized zone. Once the killings began, he played a key role in evacuating Tutsi civilians, helping them find food, and relocating them to safer areas.

Speaking to Rwandan youth recently, Yaache explained that UNAMIR’s mandate was to oversee the peace process between the Rwandan government of President Juvénal Habyarimana, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), and allied parties.

The peacekeepers were supposed to prevent violations of the accords and report any threats to peace back to the UN but Yaache highlighted that signs of impending dangers were ignored.

“Even from the field, I could see dark clouds of uncertainty forming, the same was true in the capital. The General pleaded with the UN, warning them that signs of looming trouble were evident.”

{{Gen Dallaire’s ignored warnings}}

On January 10, 1994, Gen Dallaire informed superiors at the UN Headquarters, warning that genocide was being planned and requesting permission to seize hidden weapons meant for the Interahamwe militia.

Instead of authorizing action, UN officials instructed him to share the intelligence with the very authorities accused of preparing the killings.

The following day, Dallaire was told by senior UN officials, including Kofi Annan, not to act outside his mandate. He was advised instead to inform President Habyarimana.

“This showed that the mission was fully aware of the trouble that was brewing. We saw the telltale signs. Not from the very beginning, but as events unfolded, there was no shortage of warnings, and the UN’s attention was repeatedly drawn to them,” Yaache stressed.

When the genocide began in April 1994, the UN again failed to act decisively, even hesitating to recognize the killings as genocide.

The situation worsened after Belgian troops withdrew from UNAMIR, leaving thousands of Tutsis in the arms of Interahamwe militia, including those massacred at the École Technique Officielle (ETO) in Kicukiro.

The affected facilities include the Gihira plant in Rubavu District, the Gihengeri plant in Gicumbi District, and the Cyondo plant in Nyagatare District.

WASAC confirmed that the Gihira plant, which had temporarily stopped operations, has resumed water supply, restoring services to consumers in the surrounding sectors, including Rubavu, Nyamyumba, Gisenyi, and Rugerero.

Situated along the Sebeya River, the Gihira plant has a daily treatment capacity of 23,000 cubic meters. Any disruption at this facility can significantly impact water availability in the district.

The Gihengeri Water Treatment Plant, serving Gicumbi District, has a daily capacity of 3,500 cubic meters, while the Cyondo plant in Nyagatare District produces up to 4,000 cubic meters per day. Both facilities also temporarily halted operations due to the heavy rains.

Heavy rainfall often disrupts water treatment operations, as rivers supplying these plants become heavily contaminated, making water treatment challenging. In such instances, temporary suspension is necessary until water quality stabilizes.

Since July 2025, the country has experienced unusually heavy rains for the dry season. On August 16 and 17, particularly intense rainfall led to floods. The Ministry of Emergency Management (MINEMA) reported that these floods claimed five lives and injured 25 people.

AFC/M23’s deputy coordinator, Bertrand Bisimwa, confirmed that his group’s delegation would focus on key issues including a permanent ceasefire and the release of prisoners.

“As part of the implementation of the Declaration of Principles of July 19, 2025, a technical team from our Movement will travel to Doha to examine the practical arrangements for the application of the ceasefire and the release of prisoners in accordance with the said declaration,” he shared on X.

The Congolese government also announced that it would send its own representatives, stressing that their mandate is to protect national interests during the discussions.

According to the timeline agreed in Qatar, both sides were expected to meet their commitments by July 29, paving the way for peace talks scheduled to begin no later than August 8. Chief among these commitments was the permanent suspension of hostilities. However, despite the agreement, the two parties have continued to accuse one another of violations.

Tensions have further deepened over the question of detainees. AFC/M23 accuses the Congolese government of refusing to release around 700 people—including its members and suspected supporters. Kinshasa insists the prisoners will only be freed after a final peace deal is signed.

As a result, peace talks failed to open on August 8, and the broader agreement, initially expected by August 18, was not signed. Qatar, acting as mediator, has acknowledged the setbacks but says it remains in close contact with both parties to encourage consensus.

While AFC/M23 has agreed to send a delegation to Doha, it has emphasized that the mission’s mandate will be strictly limited. This stance signals that the group is holding firm on its demand that prisoners be released before it fully commits to peace negotiations.

The appointment marks a significant milestone in the bank’s journey to strengthen its commitment to delivering outstanding financial services and contributing to innovation, aligned with Rwanda’s sustainable development goals.

Serge Atikossie brings extensive experience in financial services and leadership positions. He is expected to ensure excellent governance and further enhance the bank’s engagement with clients.

Bank of Africa Rwanda emphasized that his client-focused approach aligns perfectly with the institution’s mission to provide Rwandans with financial services that are accessible, efficient, and transparent.

Speaking on his appointment, Serge Atikossie expressed his enthusiasm and commitment: “I am honoured to join Bank of Africa – Rwanda and lead a team that is deeply committed to serving customers and supporting Rwanda’s economic growth. Together, we will build on the bank’s strong achievements, introduce innovative solutions, and continue to deliver value to our clients, partners, and communities.”

Vincent Istasse, who served as Managing Director of Bank of Africa Rwanda for the past two years, played a pivotal role in the bank’s growth and in strengthening relationships with clients.

He expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in him and wished his successor success in continuing the bank’s development.

“It has been a privilege to serve as Managing Director of Bank of Africa – Rwanda. I am proud of what we have accomplished as a team and I am confident that Mr Serge Atikossie will take the bank to even greater heights,” he stated.

Bank of Africa Rwanda also thanked its clients, partners, and stakeholders for their continued trust and collaboration.

Bank of Africa is a commercial bank operating in over 18 African countries. In Rwanda, it started operations in 2015 and has steadily grown its footprint, now operating 14 branches nationwide, eight in Kigali and six in other provinces.

On Friday, Putin and Trump concluded a high-stakes summit in Anchorage, the U.S. state of Alaska.

“President Putin expressed satisfaction with the manner in which his talks with President Trump proceeded and the emerging alignment on the peace process,” the South African presidency said in a statement.

According to the presidency, Ramaphosa appreciated the briefing from Putin while also stressing the need for “more compromise on key issues for lasting peace to be attained between Russia and Ukraine.”

Both leaders once again pledged to maintain open lines of communication and to continue their cooperation on issues of bilateral interests, the presidency added.

Ramaphosa, along with other African leaders, has also been mediating to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

On Monday, Trump is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and some European leaders at the White House.

In a statement, the government said it is “astonished” by the persistence of certain UN agencies in Burkina Faso in deliberately and carelessly using ambiguous terminology, concealing a clear intention to legitimize or redefine the barbarity that the Burkinabe people have suffered for a decade.

It said an official clarification had already been issued on March 25, after representatives of the agencies concerned were summoned.

The statement added that for her role in co-chairing the drafting of a report “compiling data without objective sources, without evidence or justification, and conveying serious and false information,” Flore-Smereczniak had been declared “persona non grata.”

Given that she unilaterally confirmed information without legally acceptable evidence and submitted it to such a strategic body as the UN Security Council, and to preserve and strengthen the important achievements of cooperation between Burkina Faso and the UN, the government considered that Flore-Smereczniak is “no longer a credible interlocutor,” read the statement.

The government reaffirmed its commitment to the UN ideals, acknowledging its contributions in the context of security and humanitarian challenges, and reiterated its readiness to continue working with the UN through its representatives and country teams “for genuine and sincere cooperation,” it said.

Earlier in 2025, the UN published a report titled “Children and armed conflict in Burkina Faso”, alleging violations against children in the West African country.

The donation took place on Sunday, 17 August 2025, in Kinyinya Sector, Gasabo District, Kigali City, where the foundation routinely carries out initiatives to assist individuals affected by cancer.

This contribution was part of the foundation’s ongoing awareness campaign, ‘Turi Kumwe’ (We Are Together), which seeks to demonstrate solidarity with cancer patients, survivors, and those currently undergoing treatment, ensuring they feel supported and not alone.

Raissa Umutoni, founder of the organisation and sister of Yvan Buravan, explained that the ‘Turi Kumwe’ initiative was inspired by her brother’s passing.

“This is our third year running the campaign. We aim to reach out to those who have lost loved ones to cancer, support those currently battling the disease, and remind the healthy to take care of their health. Even minor health concerns should prompt a medical checkup. We want people to understand that cancer should not create fear but awareness,” she stated.

Umutoni emphasized the critical message that early detection significantly increases the likelihood of successful treatment. She reflected that if Buravan had been aware of his condition earlier, it might have been manageable.

“Understanding that early intervention can save lives is crucial. Among us are survivors, patients still fighting, and others unaffected by the disease, we thank God for their wellbeing,” she added.

She also noted the emotional challenge of facing a cancer diagnosis and the importance of encouraging frequent screenings to avoid late detection.

“Buravan remained strong despite our initial disbelief. Had he known the possibilities of early detection, the outcome could have been different. There were times we thought it was impossible, and doctors sought alternative explanations before sharing the prognosis. We are grateful that his actions and legacy continue to guide us today.”

In addition to the awareness campaign, YB Foundation aimed to provide practical support to patients at Bethania Home Care by donating 1,109 liters of fuel, valued at over Rwf 2 million, to facilitate easier access to medical services.

Sr. Helena L. Katebera, Executive Director of Bethania Health Care, expressed gratitude to YB Foundation, noting that despite Buravan’s passing, he left a lasting impact.

“We are deeply grateful. Your late colleague left a remarkable legacy, which continues to positively impact lives. This was part of God’s plan, ensuring he left something meaningful behind.”

Bethania Health Care continues to assist individuals affected by cancer, particularly those with limited resources for treatment.

The ‘Turi Kumwe’ campaign began in Bugesera in 2022, following the death of Yvan Buravan on 17 August 2022 at a hospital in India, where he had sought treatment for aggressive cancer.

The campaign’s most recent activities were held last year during a commemorative concert at BK Arena, which included voluntary cancer screenings and other initiatives to raise awareness.