Author: Sam K. Nkurunziza

This call was made in a statement released on Monday, January 6, 2025, addressing the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC. It reads, “The European Union calls on the Democratic Republic of Congo to end its collaboration with the FDLR and other armed groups.”

The FDLR is a militia group operating in eastern DRC, predominantly composed of remnants of perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The DRC has, on various occasions, collaborated with this group, particularly in its fight against M23.

Leaders of the DRC have often defended the FDLR. For instance, in July 2024, Julien Paluku Kahongya, the former Governor of North Kivu, claimed that the FDLR consisted of elderly members, some as old as 70, in an attempt to downplay their capacity to pose a security threat.

In its statement, the EU also condemned M23’s capture of Masisi and surrounding areas in North Kivu, asserting that such actions undermine the efforts toward peaceful resolution in the region. The EU called on M23 to withdraw from the territories it has seized and to adhere to the established ceasefire truce.

While the EU issued this call, M23 has repeatedly claimed to honor ceasefire agreements but accuses the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC), allied with groups such as the FDLR, of provocation. These provocations have often led M23 to push back and reclaim territories held by FARDC and its allies.

“There is need for all parties halting hostilities and urgently implementing the resolutions agreed upon in the Luanda talks,” the EU said.

The call comes amidst intensifying clashes between M23 and the Congolese Armed Forces coalition. These battles have resulted in M23 taking control of more areas, including Masisi and Katale, a former stronghold of the FDLR militia.

The project is driven by VWMSR on behalf of Volkswagen Group Africa and was initiated by Volkswagen Group Innovation in Germany.

The Gen Farm project addresses the potential of renewable energy and a sustainable mechanization of agriculture, to shape mobility in Africa, thereby advancing Rwanda’s vision 2050 to transform the economy into a high-income nation.

This pilot e-hub will be managed by ARC Power for two years to ensure its feasibility and success, serving as a model for future expansion across the continent.

The hub will supply clean and reliable energy for essential services like electric tractors (e-tractors) and e-scooters, contributing to mechanized farming and sustainable mobility.

ARC Power provides affordable, reliable, and clean solar electricity to communities across Sub Saharan Africa. The company designs, pre-finances, and constructs both grid-tied and off-grid energy systems, delivering first-time energy access at scale.

ARC Power has received recognition for its innovative work, including the Queen’s Award for sustainable development in 2022 and the Energy Globe Award in 2023.

The hub will also provide a flexible business and training space for entrepreneurs, empowering local startups to thrive within the clean energy ecosystem.

Rwanda’s agricultural sector is at a crucial juncture, with only 5% of the country’s 1.4 million hectares of arable land currently mechanized. The Gen Farm project directly aligns with the National Agriculture Policy, which emphasizes the need for mechanization to increase productivity and reduce labor-intensive practices.

By providing renewable energy to power farming technologies, the hub will support the country’s ambitions for market-oriented, climate-resilient agriculture.

“This partnership marks a new chapter for the potential of sustainable energy and agricultural innovation in Africa,” said Karl Boyce, CEO of ARC Power.

“With our solar energy and the ongoing management of the hub, we are confident this project will not only increase agricultural productivity in this area, but also prove the viability of a sustainable model to inspire further investment in the region,” she added.

The hub is designed to foster local economic self-sufficiency by addressing specific needs within the community. In particular, the initiative will reduce the workload of women, allowing them more time for other productive activities.

Additionally, the e-hub will serve as a center for the operation and maintenance of mechanized farming equipment, linking farmers to essential tools and support.

“Our vision is to use this empowerment hub as a pilot that will demonstrate the positive impacts of renewable energy and mechanization in Africa’s rural communities,” said Serge Kamuhinda, Managing Director of VWMSR.

“This hub is not only about providing energy; it’s about creating a sustainable, scalable business model for agriculture mechanization in Africa,” he said.

A blueprint for future development by serving as a platform for innovation, the hub is expected to lead to significant positive impacts on agriculture and local entrepreneurship, helping Rwanda achieve its long-term agricultural and economic goals.

VWMSR’s Gen farm project is a key part of this initiative, and the insights gained from this pilot will help shape the company’s future in emerging markets. The wider ambition is to shape mobility in Africa for generations to come.

VWMSR serves as innovation hub for the Volkswagen Group Africa and the empowerment hub project represents Volkswagen’s first step into rural mobility in Africa.

The group, aged between 18 and 35, was accused and convicted of contributing to the growing insecurity in the capital, Kinshasa, and other urban areas. Minister of Justice, Constant Mutamba, confirmed that the executions took place at Angenga prison in the country’s northwest region.

“Forty-five individuals were executed at the end of December 2024, and 57 more were killed in the past 48 hours. The third batch will also be executed soon,” he said

The executions are part of the government’s Opération Ndobo, a special operation targeting Kuluna gangs that has resulted in the arrest of 70 more individuals, who are currently being held at Angenga prison, awaiting execution.

The DRC’s controversial decision to reinstate the death penalty, which was suspended for 18 years, has sparked debate both domestically and internationally. While some support the move as a necessary step to tackle escalating crime, human rights organizations have raised concerns over potential abuses, given the country’s flawed justice system.

The death penalty was originally abolished in the DRC in 1981 but was reinstated in 2006, mainly for military personnel convicted of treason. Although executions were halted in 2003, the government formally resumed capital punishment in March 2024, initially targeting soldiers who were accused of desertion or fleeing from battle.

The new drugs, Dihydroartemisinin-Piperaquine (DHAP) and Artesunate-Pyronaridine (ASPY), are both approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) for treating uncomplicated malaria in both children and adults.

Dr. Aimable Mbituyumuremyi, Malaria and Other Parasitic Diseases Division Manager at RBC stated that the reason for introducing these new medicines is that the previous ones, like Coartem, have been ineffective against malaria in Rwanda and other countries. The malaria parasite has developed resistance, making it harder for the old treatment to work.

Mbituyumuremyi explained that the first batch of the new medicines arrived in Rwanda last week and will be distributed to all hospitals under medical supervision, starting January 6, 2024.

He revealed that these new treatments would be used alongside Coartem until April 2025, after which the new drugs will become the primary treatment. “We will continue training health workers to ensure the proper use of these new medicines, as part of our long-term strategy to eliminate malaria,” he said.

Recently, the Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, addressed the recent surge in malaria cases, particularly in districts like Kicukiro, Gasabo, Bugesera, Nyamagabe, and Nyaruguru.

“We found that mosquitoes, due to the prolonged use of certain treatments, have adapted and now bite earlier in the evening before people go indoors. This behavior change has contributed to the rise in malaria cases, and it is crucial to continue using preventive measures like sleeping under treated mosquito nets and eliminating mosquito breeding sites,” Nsanzimana explained.

The Minister also reminded Rwandans that malaria is treatable and curable. “Malaria can be cured, and we urge people to seek treatment early. We have new medicines to complement the existing ones, so there should be no fear of resistance to treatment,” he said.

In recent years, the country has seen a significant reduction in malaria cases, with a 90% drop in the number of patients from 4.8 million in 2016 to 620,000 in 2024. However, malaria cases increased by 45.8% from March to October 2024, mainly due to resistance to the old treatments and changes in mosquito behavior.

Nsanzimana urged Rwandans to continue following preventive measures. “We encourage people to continue using mosquito nets and removing potential breeding grounds, such as stagnant water around their homes. Even a small bottle cap can harbor over 2,000 mosquitoes,” he said.

Heads of State, Ministers, experts, and key stakeholders from across the continent will convene to deliberate on strategies that could transform Africa’s agrifood systems over the next decade.

The summit, jointly organized by the African Union Commission (AUC) and the Government of Uganda, will center on endorsing two cornerstone documents; The Kampala CAADP Declaration and the Ten-Year CAADP Strategy and Action Plan (2026-2035).

These documents outline a vision for agricultural growth that prioritizes inclusivity, resilience, and sustainability, addressing Africa’s persistent challenges in food security, climate resilience, and rural development.

As the 2025 targets set by the 2014 Malabo Declaration approach, concerns have emerged that Africa is falling short of its ambitious goals, including eradicating hunger, boosting intra-African trade, and building resilient agricultural systems.

This extraordinary session provides a platform to recalibrate efforts and set the continent on a trajectory toward achieving these aspirations.

On the opening day, Ministers responsible for Agriculture, Rural Development, Water, and Environment will convene to review the draft documents. Discussions will then expand on January 10 to include Foreign Ministers, ensuring a multidisciplinary approach to Africa’s agricultural transformation.

The summit will culminate on January 11 with a high-level assembly of Heads of State and Government, who are expected to officially endorse the documents, solidifying their commitment to Africa’s agricultural future.
The Ten-Year CAADP strategy and action plan acknowledges the complexities of the challenges ahead.

Political instability, climate change, health crises, and barriers to gender and youth inclusion are just some of the risks the strategy aims to address.

Proposed solutions include adaptive agricultural policies, enhanced health surveillance systems, peace-building initiatives, and measures to stabilize food prices and bolster household resilience.

At its core, the summit aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 vision of “An Integrated, Prosperous, and Peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens.” Agriculture, as the backbone of the continent’s economy, is central to this vision.

By improving food security, increasing rural incomes, and fostering economic development, the CAADP agenda has the potential to lift millions out of poverty and ensure Africa can feed its growing population in the face of environmental and economic uncertainties.

Since its inception in 2003, CAADP has played a transformative role in Africa’s agricultural landscape. The program’s early milestones, guided by the Maputo Declaration, laid the foundation for improved food security and nutrition while reducing rural poverty.

The subsequent Malabo Declaration of 2014 built on this progress, introducing ambitious goals for agricultural trade, resilience, and hunger eradication. However, as highlighted during the African Union Assembly in February 2024, achieving these targets has proven challenging, necessitating this renewed focus through the post-Malabo CAADP agenda.

Uganda’s selection as the summit’s host underscores its commitment to agricultural development. As a nation with significant investment in agribusiness and rural transformation, Uganda is well-positioned to lead discussions on shaping Africa’s agrifood systems.

The country’s collaboration with the African Union Commission and development partners ensures that the summit will yield actionable outcomes to guide the continent’s agricultural policies for the next decade.

The Extraordinary Summit will also address the importance of inclusivity in agriculture. Women and youth, often marginalized in decision-making processes, will be central to the discussions.

By eliminating barriers and creating opportunities, the CAADP strategy seeks to harness the untapped potential of these groups, driving innovation and growth in the agricultural sector.

As Africa faces pressing challenges from climate change to political instability, the Kampala summit represents a decisive moment. By fostering cooperation and aligning national policies with continental goals, the African Union aims to ensure that agriculture becomes a driving force for sustainable development, economic growth, and resilience.

With its diverse assembly of leaders, experts, and stakeholders, the summit promises to set a transformative agenda for Africa’s agricultural future.