Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri

One of the major outcomes of the meeting was the approval of a draft law ratifying the Peace Agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Rwanda.

This agreement, signed in Washington D.C. on June 27, 2025, under the mediation of the United States, marks a crucial step in addressing Rwanda’s long-standing security concerns.

It aims to restore peace and stability in the Great Lakes Region and promote deeper regional economic integration.

The Government emphasized its commitment to the full implementation of this agreement and expressed hope for the conclusion of the Doha Talks, currently facilitated by the State of Qatar with the support of the African Union.

The Cabinet was also briefed on the progress made in Rwanda’s mining sector, which continues to play an important role in the country’s economic transformation.

The sector has recorded substantial growth in production, investment, and the discovery of high-value minerals. As part of efforts to sustain this momentum, the Cabinet approved several new applications for mineral, quarry, and exploration licenses.

In addition, the Cabinet approved several draft laws. Among them was the draft law ratifying a loan agreement between the Government of Rwanda and the OPEC Fund for International Development, related to the Centre of Excellence for Aviation Skills project signed in Vienna, Austria.

Another approved draft law concerns the ratification of an agreement between Rwanda and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, aimed at eliminating double taxation on income taxes and preventing tax evasion and avoidance, which was signed in Abuja, Nigeria.

In a diplomatic development, the Cabinet approved the accreditation of Lieutenant General (Rtd) Peter Kakowou Lavahun as High Commissioner of the Republic of Sierra Leone to Rwanda, with residence in Nairobi.

The Cabinet also made a number of important appointments across various ministries and public institutions.

Ambassador Vincent Karega was proposed as Rwanda’s Ambassador to the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, while Innocent Muhizi was named as the proposed High Commissioner to the Republic of Singapore. Alphonsine Mirembe was appointed as Clerk of the Chamber of Deputies.

In the Ministry of Health, Dr. Muhammed Semakula was appointed as Permanent Secretary, and Sophie Nzabananimana as Director General of Corporate Services.

The Ministry of Infrastructure saw the appointment of Gisèle Umuhumuza as Permanent Secretary and Canoth Manishimwe as Director General of Corporate Services.

In the Ministry of Environment, Fidèle Bingwa was appointed as Permanent Secretary, while Candy Basomingera took up the same role in the Ministry of Sports.

Among others, Aristarque Ngogawas named Permanent Secretary in the Ministry in charge of Emergency Management, Prudence Biraboneye was named Secretary General of the National Public Prosecution Authority, while Ambassador Jeanine Kambanda became Secretary General of the National Commission for Human Rights.

At the Water and Sanitation Corporation, Dr. Asaph Kabaasha was appointed Chief Executive Officer, and Hortense Mudenge was named Chief Executive Officer of the Kigali International Financial Center.

The Cabinet also approved appointments to commissions and government agencies.

Valerie Nyirahabineza was appointed Chairperson of the Rwanda Demobilization and Reintegration Commission, with Major General (Rtd) Jacques Nziza as Vice Chairperson. Members included Dancille Nyirarugero, Jacqueline Muhongayire, and Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi.

Claudine Dushimimana was appointed Chairperson of the Rwanda Law Reform Commission, with Andre Bucyana as Secretary General.

At the Rwanda Information Society Authority, Antoine Sebera was named Chief Executive Officer, Roger Mizero as Chief Technology Officer, and Innocent Asiimwe Mudenge as Chief of Operations and Strategy.

Claude Mwizerwa was appointed Deputy Director General of the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda, and Francis Kamanzi was named Director General of the Rwanda Cooperative Agency.

At Rwanda Development Board, Sheja Valliére has been appointed as Chief of Strategy and Communications, while Maëva Seka Haguma became Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Convention Bureau.

Gabriel Nduwayezu was also appointed Chief Digital Officer of the City of Kigali.

Amb. Nduhungirehe arrived in Chad on July 15, accompanied by Aimable Havugiyaremye, Secretary General of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS).

On the first day of the visit, Minister Nduhungirehe was received by his Chadian counterpart, Dr. Abdoulaye Sabre Fadoul. The two officials held discussions on areas of mutual interest.

On July 16, the Rwandan delegation met with President Déby and senior members of his administration to further strengthen ties between the two nations.

President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno assumed office following the death of his father, Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno, in April 2021.

Rwanda and Chad enjoy long-standing diplomatic relations. In March 2022, President Déby visited Kigali, where he expressed gratitude to President Kagame for Rwanda’s continued solidarity during challenging periods, particularly in the face of Boko Haram attacks and the aftermath of his father’s death.

At the time, President Déby said Chad was drawing inspiration from Rwanda’s governance and post-conflict recovery experience, praising its transformation over the past 31 years as a model for development across the continent.

In response, President Kagame underscored the importance of unity and cooperation in tackling shared development challenges.

During the 2022 visit, Rwanda and Chad signed cooperation agreements aimed at promoting trade and investment between the two countries.

Chad, a landlocked nation surrounded by regions affected by insecurity, remains particularly vulnerable to threats from extremist groups like Boko Haram. Its capital, N’Djamena, is situated near northern Nigeria, a region often targeted by the group.

Reports that began circulating last week indicate that several individuals closely associated with General Tshiwewe have been arrested.

Among those detained are Major General Maurice Nyembo, Lieutenant Colonel Adelart Mwiza, and several of Tshiwewe’s personal bodyguards.

According to local media, Augustin Kabuya, Secretary-General of the ruling Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), informed party members on July 15, 2025, that General Tshiwewe is suspected of orchestrating a plan to kill the Head of State.

“Apparently, people don’t see the gravity of this situation,” Kabuya said. “Someone sits calmly, consults with his associates, and plans to kill a man, a father, a grandfather, the President, and people think he shouldn’t be held accountable?”

He further claimed that during questioning by security services, Gen Tshiwewe did not deny the allegations.

“Serious people know the harm he has done, and he himself did not deny it, meaning he is sitting there saying he was going to kill him,” Kabuya said.

During his time as Chief of General Staff, Gen Tshiwewe had publicly condemned acts of betrayal within the military, particularly amid the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC where the M23/AFC rebellion, reportedly backed by Rwanda, has seized vast territories.

Dr. Ngabitsinze’s appointment, made during the 14th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP14) in April 2025, ARC’s highest decision-making body, also grants him the title of United Nations Assistant Secretary-General, underscoring the strategic importance of his new role at both continental and global levels.

In its official statement, ARC described his appointment as the dawn of a “new era” for the Group, highlighting his expertise and leadership credentials.

“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Jean Chrysostome Ngabitsinze on board as he steps into his new role as ARC’s Group Director General,” the organization stated.

“As an applied economist and seasoned policymaker with a background in agricultural economics, he brings a wealth of experience that will help elevate the ARC Group to new heights,” the statement adds.

ARC further emphasized his proven leadership in government, deep understanding of Africa’s development challenges, and strong commitment to sustainable development, qualities it believes will be instrumental in driving the institution’s future direction.

Dr. Ngabitsinze has held multiple senior positions in Rwanda, including serving as Minister of Trade and Industry, Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, and as a Member of Parliament, where he chaired the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), a body responsible for overseeing the effective use of public funds.

Speaking after a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, Kallas said she was “really sad” the sanctions didn’t get approved, adding that “the ball is in Slovakia’s court.”

The European Commission unveiled its 18th sanctions package last month, targeting Russia’s energy sector, banking operations, and defense industry. Among the proposed measures is a ban on financial transactions involving Russia’s Nord Stream gas pipelines.

Slovakia, which relies heavily on Russian gas, objected to the proposed package, citing fears of supply disruptions and rising energy costs linked to a separate EU proposal to phase out Russian gas imports by early 2028.

On the topic of military support for Ukraine, Kallas said the EU would like to see the United States “share the burden” of supplying arms.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday endorsed a plan for European allies to purchase billions of dollars’ worth of American military equipment for transfer to Ukraine.

“If you promise to give the weapons, but say that somebody else is going to pay for it, it is not really given by you,” Kallas said, referring to Trump’s proposal.

The statement did not offer further details, and there was no immediate comment from the Israeli army on the airstrike.

This came as the Israeli military issued a new statement warning residents of several areas in Gaza City and in Jabalia, northern Gaza, to evacuate immediately to the western areas and then to the southern areas towards Al-Mawasi amid escalating military operations.

On March 18, Israel resumed its military operations in Gaza. At least 7,656 Palestinians have been killed and 27,314 others injured since Israel renewed its intensive strikes, bringing the total death toll since October 2023 to 58,479, and injuries to 139,355, Gaza-based health authorities said Tuesday.

Constructed on a site measuring over 7,000 square meters, the factory specializes in manufacturing high-quality wooden products using pinewood.

According to the company’s management, the processed pinewood is a viable and often superior alternative to many imported wood products.

Theophile Ndoreyaho, the Managing Director of MT Woodtec Solutions, emphasized the plant’s potential to reduce reliance on imports.

“We manufacture furniture from pinewood, which offers unique quality and can replace many products previously sourced from abroad. Our main limitation has been the lack of modern equipment, which we have now addressed,” he noted.

The plant employs 20 full-time staff and 10 part-time workers, with the capacity to produce up to 200 beds or 200 doors per month. The company’s primary market is Kigali City, though its reach is expected to grow.

The product range includes beds, living room furniture, and doors, which are in high demand by institutions and individual clients alike.

The plant is the result of a joint investment between Theophile Ndoreyaho, a native of Karongi District, and Prof. Dr. Mathias Schaefer from Germany.

Karongi District Mayor, Gerard Muzungu, noted that the plant also offers opportunities for hands-on training and employment to graduates from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) schools.

“This facility provides a platform for vocational graduates to gain practical skills, and some have already been employed here. It’s an important step toward boosting local development and contributing to the national economy,” he stated.

The Minister of Public Service and Labour, Christine Nkulikiyinka, urged Rwandan entrepreneurs to be proactive in attracting international investors.

“If Ndoreyaho was able to convince a German investor to commit $1 million, it’s an example others should follow. Rwanda is a promising country for investment.”

Construction of the plant is valued at $500,000, with machinery and equipment making up the remaining $500,000, totaling an investment of $1 million.

The motion was passed with 299 votes in favor, above a required minimum of 226, lawmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak said in a post on Telegram.

The government-run Ukrinform news agency said one of the reasons for this decision is “the asymmetric conditions,” given that Russia is not a party to the convention, adding that the suspension would last until the complete cessation of the conflict.

Ukraine ratified the convention in 2005. Last month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree to withdraw the country from the treaty.

Buhari, who served as Nigerian president from 2015 to 2023, died Sunday in a clinic in London where he had been receiving medical treatment. He was aged 82.

The late former president’s body, draped in the national colors, arrived in Katsina from London on Tuesday afternoon. His body was lowered into the grave at 5:50 p.m. local time, preceded by a military parade and a 21-gun salute by the armed forces.

The atmosphere in Daura was a mix of sorrow and reverence as thousands paid their last respects to a leader who significantly shaped Nigeria’s contemporary history. Security was exceptionally tight, with a heavy presence of military and police personnel ensuring a smooth and dignified proceeding.

President Bola Tinubu, who had earlier declared a seven-day national mourning period with flags flown at half-mast, attended the final rites of passage of his predecessor. Dignitaries, including serving and past West African leaders, family members, and a mammoth crowd of mourners, witnessed the burial rites.

Earlier, in his eulogy, Tinubu described Buhari as a “patriotic statesman” whose contributions to national unity and development would forever be etched in the annals of Nigerian history. “He served our nation with dedication and an unyielding spirit,” the president said, emphasizing Buhari’s legacy of discipline and service.

Born on Dec. 17, 1942, Buhari had a distinguished career in both the military and civilian governance. He spent years in political activism before successfully contesting the presidency in 2015, becoming the first opposition candidate to defeat an incumbent president in Nigeria’s history. He was re-elected in 2019 and handed over power to Tinubu on May 29, 2023.

During his two terms as president, Buhari’s administration focused on three key areas: security, anti-corruption, and economic diversification. He launched significant campaigns against the Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast and worked to recover looted public funds.

His tenure also saw efforts to boost agriculture and infrastructure development, though it was marked by economic challenges.

In May 2025, the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) imposed a three-month suspension on the monthly prayer gatherings held at Kwa Yezu Nyirimpuhwe, citing the sanctuary’s failure to meet certain regulatory standards.

RGB instructed the Kabgayi Diocese to implement specific measures before activities could resume. These included ensuring freedom of worship for all attendees, creating adequate parking facilities, establishing separate routes for pedestrians and vehicles, and providing quiet spaces where vulnerable individuals could participate in prayers undisturbed.

To comply with these requirements, the management of the sanctuary has launched comprehensive renovation works aimed at upgrading the facilities and improving safety for the large crowds who visit the site.

Father Dominique Ngendahayo Tumaine, Acting Director of the Kwa Yezu Nyirimpuhwe Sanctuary, has told IGIHE that the renovations officially started on July 7, 2025.

“Visitors deserve freedom of movement, with clear pathways for people and designated areas for vehicles,” Father Tumaine explained. “A new road is being constructed from the main tarmac road, passing beneath the shrine and connecting to a parking area being developed on diocesan land.
This infrastructure is expected to significantly enhance security and order.”

In addition, four large digital screens are set to be installed at various points around the sanctuary, enabling worshippers to follow services even from a distance. These will especially benefit vulnerable groups such as the elderly, pregnant women, and others who may find it difficult to access the main prayer grounds.

“One giant screen will be inside Ruhango Parish Church, another at the main entrance visible to people outside, a third in the parking area, and a fourth will be placed wherever else it might be required,” Father Tumaine noted.

Security measures will also include installing surveillance cameras to monitor all activities within the sanctuary premises.

Addressing concerns about the possible purchase of land from residents living near the Peace Plain, Father Tumaine clarified that for now, land acquisitions have been paused since the current available space is sufficient for implementing RGB’s recommendations. However, he indicated that additional land may be acquired in the future for further expansion of the site.

Prayer gatherings at the sanctuary in 1991. Today, the sanctuary is an important religious tourism destination, attracting pilgrims from across Rwanda and internationally. The site regularly hosts crowds exceeding 100,000 worshippers on the first Sunday of each month.