In a detailed briefing to the UN Human Rights Council on June 16, Türk revealed that Congolese soldiers, alongside members of the pro-government Wazalendo militia, have engaged in killings, rapes, and looting during military operations, particularly in North and South Kivu provinces.
The abuses have occurred amid the Congolese army’s offensives against M23 rebels and other armed groups.
“Congolese soldiers and members of the DRC-backed Wazalendo militia killed, raped, and looted,” said Türk, citing preliminary findings from an ongoing fact-finding mission.
He expressed concern over a “complete disregard” for the protection of civilians during and after combat, particularly during the battle for Goma in late January, where command structures reportedly collapsed as army units retreated.
Türk’s statements follow months of warnings from human rights groups about atrocities committed by Congolese forces and their militia allies. On May 23, Human Rights Watch (HRW) documented widespread abuses by Wazalendo fighters in South Kivu, including attacks on Banyamulenge villages near Bibokoboko in early March.
Witnesses said the fighters targeted civilians based on ethnicity, declaring Banyamulenge to be “Rwandan” and vowing to “clean them out.”
“They killed seven people and destroyed homes, health centres, and schools,” a local community leader told HRW.
The UN’s findings put further scrutiny on President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration, which has formed alliances with numerous militias, including the FDLR, accused of involvement in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, to bolster its military campaign in the east.
Analysts and activists have raised alarm over the government’s apparent weaponisation of anti-Tutsi sentiment to justify violence against Congolese Tutsi communities under the pretext of fighting M23.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, Kinshasa has publicly celebrated the UN’s decision in February to establish an independent investigative mechanism into atrocities in the east. Government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya praised the resolution on X, but critics say the administration has tried to downplay or deny war crimes committed by its own forces.
Civil society groups and international observers are now questioning whether President Tshisekedi will be held accountable for what they describe as a campaign of ethnic persecution and possible crimes against humanity.
From the Bandung Conference in 1955 to today’s China-Africa cooperation frameworks, the relationship has evolved beyond symbolism into one of measurable impact. The question now is not whether Africa and China need each other, but rather why they must stand together more firmly than ever.
The recently concluded Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), held in Changsha, Hunan Province, in June 2025, served as a critical reaffirmation of this strategic alliance.
It brought together over 700 African participants, including 111 ministerial officials, three national leaders, 77 ministers, and 33 foreign ministers.
“I think that is the reason for the high attendance and high-level representation at the Changsha meeting,” said Du Xiaohui, Director of the African Affairs Department at China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, speaking to visiting journalists in Beijing on June 18, 2025.
“Because of the changes in the international landscape, the biggest source of instability has made everyone realise that there is a necessity for the global South, and for China and Africa, to send a message of solidarity,” he added.
This message was clearly articulated in the Changsha Declaration, a document which framed solidarity through four key messages: the severity of global challenges, their root causes, a shared vision of cooperation, and a commitment to action.
One such action is unilateral. “We are not seeking reciprocity from African countries,” said Du. “We are unilaterally granting the treatment to African products.”
Africans being given a fish or taught how to fish?
The numbers speak for themselves: Africa is not merely a passive recipient of Chinese aid. It is an increasingly active partner shaping its own destiny. Since the 2024 Beijing Summit, China has committed 360 billion yuan to Africa over three years.
So far, nearly 150 billion yuan—roughly 40 percent—has already been disbursed. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, China-Africa trade reached USD 72.6 billion, an increase of 2.7 percent.
Infrastructure tells an even more compelling story. China has helped Africa build and upgrade more than 100,000 kilometres of roads and 10,000 kilometres of railways. Over 1.1 million jobs have been created in just three years.
Additional investments include 13.38 billion yuan in new ventures, 55.45 billion yuan in infrastructure financing, and 40.57 billion yuan in credit to African financial institutions.
Rwanda, for instance, has emerged as a standout partner. The country has signed multiple cooperation frameworks with China, from Belt and Road agreements to partnerships in digital education and green development.
China has dispatched medical teams, constructed solar power stations, and helped set up vocational training centres. More importantly, Rwanda has leveraged these tools to fuel its transformation, from developing local manufacturing to becoming a regional leader in digital innovation. Clearly, the fishing rod is being used.
At the heart of this partnership lies a response to global inequities. In recent years, some Western countries have imposed sweeping tariffs—even on Least Developed Countries—and implemented restrictive immigration and remittance policies.
These actions, Du warned, “will cause a decrease of 0.4% in the GDP of African countries” and risk returning the world “to a system governed by the law of the jungle, where the strong prey on the weak.”
Against this backdrop, China’s gestures take on deeper meaning. President Xi Jinping’s message to the Changsha meeting announced that China will grant zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent of tariff lines to 53 African countries, covering both LDCs and non-LDCs.
“This is not a restriction,” said Du. “It is China’s effort in carefully reviewing domestic and international procedures—a method we have developed, something we must do.”
To date, 27 African countries have signed the Comprehensive Agreement on Deepening Economic Partnership Agreement (CATIPA) with China—essentially a modern, high-standard free trade deal. It not only lowers tariffs but also eases non-tariff barriers such as customs clearance, market access, and quality inspections.
Beyond trade, the partnership is expanding into green industries, artificial intelligence, e-commerce, payment systems, and even rule-of-law and security frameworks.
“People say that Africa is lagging behind in technology, but we don’t think so,” said Du. “China is ready to make China’s opportunities the opportunities of Africa.”
Why do Africa and China need to stand firmly together? Because in a world increasingly fractured by power politics, rising protectionism, and climate emergencies, the two sides offer each other something rare: mutual respect, real results, and a shared vision.
From zero-tariff commitments to cooperation in AI, the partnership is no longer about aid or dependency—it’s about rebalancing global power.
As Du put it: “We are ready to work with our African friends to be personally involved in and contribute to higher-quality cooperation between our two sides.”
The ceremony, held as part of the Dutch royal palace’s diplomatic engagements, sets the stage for Ambassador Dushimimana to deepen Rwanda–Netherlands cooperation across sectors such as trade, development, and diplomacy.
A seasoned public servant, Dushimimana previously served as a senator and the Governor of Western Province. He was appointed to the ambassadorial role in December 2024.
He replaces Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, who was named Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in June of the same year.
Beyond traditional diplomacy, Ambassador Dushimimana is expected to actively engage with the Rwandan community abroad and foster partnerships with Dutch institutions, with a focus on areas like education, climate action, and inclusive development.
Rwanda and the Netherlands established formal diplomatic relations on October 1, 1964. However, diplomatic engagement between the two countries started earlier, with the first contacts dating back to 1957 when the Heineken Group established a brewery in Rwanda.
Following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, the Netherlands was among the first countries to offer humanitarian aid and has since become a reliable partner in Rwanda’s recovery and development.
The Rwandan Embassy in the Netherlands was established on November 1, 2006.
The announcement comes as the artist gears up for the MTN Iwacu Muzika Festival, where he is among seven artists confirmed to headline the nationwide tour.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with IGIHE, the ‘Mowana’ crooner revealed that the celebration will go beyond the main tour.
“Besides the concert I’m planning in Kigali, I’m also considering taking the celebration across different countries. Spending 20 years making music that people enjoy is not something I take lightly. I want to connect with my fans and celebrate together,” he said.
While he didn’t disclose a specific date for the Kigali concert, King James assured fans that plans are in motion and that more details will be shared after the MTN Iwacu Muzika Festival wraps up.
King James joins a stellar line-up for this year’s MTN Iwacu Muzika Festival, including Riderman, Juno Kizigenza, Ariel Wayz, Kevin Kade, Kivumbi King, and Nel Ngabo.
The festival, known for showcasing homegrown talent, will tour multiple districts, offering fans a chance to enjoy live performances across the country.
The tour is set to kick off on July 5, 2025, in Musanze, before moving to Gicumbi on July 12 and Nyagatare on July 19. It will then head to Ngoma on July 26, followed by Huye on August 2. The performances will continue in Rusizi on August 9, with the final show taking place in Rubavu on August 16, 2025.
Rwanda’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, James Musoni, has said that the people of Zimbabwe are grateful for President Paul Kagame’s role in helping the country raise its voice in the fight to have economic sanctions lifted.
In 2000, under the leadership of Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe made the decision to repossess land that had been allocated to white settlers during colonial times, returning it to Black farmers.
The move sparked diplomatic tensions between Zimbabwe and countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and the European Union (EU).
These nations swiftly imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe, with the United States implementing economic sanctions in 2001, followed by the EU and other countries in 2002. These sanctions severely crippled Zimbabwe’s economy and remain in place to this day.
However, in 2017, during and after his tenure as Chairperson of the African Union, President Kagame actively advocated for the lifting of those sanctions, amplifying Zimbabwe’s voice on the global stage.
In a recent interview, Ambassador Musoni told RBA that President Kagame’s efforts had a significant impact, resulting in the removal of some sanctions, and that the remaining ones could also be lifted in the near future.
“They thank President Kagame for his efforts in advocating for the removal of the sanctions imposed on them. His voice has consistently stood out, calling for an end to these sanctions on Zimbabwe. Progress has already been made — some sanctions have been lifted and others are in the process,” he said.
“His role is deeply appreciated. You hear this in government circles, among private sector players, and from ordinary citizens,” he added.
Relations between Rwanda and Zimbabwe took a major step forward in 2019 when both countries opened embassies and began signing various cooperation agreements.
Since 2022, the two nations have signed trade agreements, with entrepreneurs from both sides commending the benefits that have emerged from their collaboration.
Zimbabwe has also sent over 150 teachers to Rwanda through bilateral agreements on workforce exchange, and Ambassador Musoni confirmed that more teachers are expected to arrive from Zimbabwe this September to contribute further to Rwanda’s education sector.
The agreement was formalised on Tuesday, June 17, at the OPEC Fund Development Forum 2025 in Vienna, Austria, where Rwanda’s Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Yusuf Murangwa, and OPEC Fund President Abdulhamid Alkhalifa announced the deal.
The financing allocated for the 2025–2028 period will be channelled into key sectors identified as critical to Rwanda’s long-term growth. These include agriculture and food systems (with a focus on irrigation and post-harvest management), renewable energy—particularly solar power—transport (notably in the aviation sector), and environmental restoration.
The framework is designed to support Rwanda’s development priorities, including the expansion of quality infrastructure, improved access to essential basic services, and the promotion of entrepreneurship and private sector growth.
The agreement is part of a broader theme at this year’s forum, “A Transition That Empowers Our Tomorrow,” highlighting global commitments to inclusive and climate-resilient development pathways.
The OPEC Fund for International Development is a development finance institution established by OPEC member states in 1976. It provides financing to support the economic and social progress of developing countries.
“As he has said many times, President Trump does not want TikTok to go dark,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. “This extension will last 90 days, which the Administration will spend working to ensure this deal is closed so that the American people can continue to use TikTok with the assurance that their data is safe and secure.”
This marks the third extension since Trump took office in January. He initially signed an executive order delaying the TikTok ban by 75 days, saying it would permit his administration “an opportunity to determine the appropriate course of action with respect to TikTok.” In April, he granted another 75-day extension to avoid disrupting the app’s operations. The latest extension expires on June 19.
In his first term, Trump signed an executive order effectively seeking to ban the app in the United States unless ByteDance sold its U.S. operations to an American company, but the order didn’t go into effect amid legal challenges.
In April 2024, then-President Joe Biden signed a law giving ByteDance 270 days to sell TikTok, citing national security concerns that critics called unfounded. Under the law, failure to comply would require app store operators like Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their platforms starting Jan. 19, 2025.
The app went dark for hours and resumed its service on Jan 19, one day before Trump’s inauguration for his second term.
Media reports indicate that Mutamba submitted his resignation on Tuesday, May 17 and has since been accepted by President Félix Tshisekedi.
The resignation comes just days after the National Assembly voted overwhelmingly to authorise legal proceedings against Mutamba before the Court of Cassation.
The vote saw 322 of the 363 participating Members of Parliament support the move, with only 29 opposed and 12 abstaining.
Mutamba’s departure marks a dramatic fall for the young minister, who was appointed to the post in May 2024 with a mandate to reform what he had described as a “sick” judicial system.
However, Mutamba quickly found himself entangled in a scandal over the alleged diversion of funds meant for the construction of Kisangani Prison in Tshopo Province.
A parliamentary commission established to investigate the matter heard testimony from Mutamba in which he admitted that the $19 million had been misappropriated and transferred to the account of a fictitious company. He also issued a public apology during the hearing.
Despite admitting to the financial irregularities, Mutamba has insisted that the charges against him are politically motivated. He claims he is the victim of a personal vendetta led by Prosecutor General Firmin Mvonde, whom he accused of retaliating against his anti-corruption initiatives.
Mutamba also alleged that Mvonde himself is under scrutiny over the purchase of a €900,000 house in Belgium, raising questions about the prosecutor’s integrity.
The unfolding scandal has further exposed deep tensions within the DRC’s justice system and raises serious questions about the government’s ability to implement judicial reforms in the face of entrenched corruption and political infighting.
As the legal case moves forward, Mutamba’s resignation signals the beginning of what could be a lengthy and high-profile prosecution—one that may test the very system he had vowed to clean up.
Rwanda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office, Ambassador Urujeni Bakuramutsa, made the call while delivering a statement during the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the situation in eastern DRC at the 59th Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Ambassador Bakuramutsa expressed deep concern over what she described as an alarming increase in hostile actions against Rwanda originating from the DRC since late 2021.
Top among the concerns is the alliance between the Congolese Army and the FDLR, a UN-sanctioned armed group composed of elements responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The envoy maintained that the FDLR continues to operate in the Great Lakes region, spreading genocidal ideology.
“The reinforced collaboration between the Congolese Army and the FDLR poses a direct threat to regional stability and cannot be ignored,” Ambassador Bakuramutsa stated, noting that the eastern DRC is home to around 200 armed groups contributing to persistent insecurity.
Rwanda also cited multiple acts of aggression from Congolese forces, including cross-border shelling, airspace violations by DRC military jets, and the disappearance of Rwandan nationals within Congolese territory.
The Rwandan envoy also pointed to what she termed an “organised campaign of hate speech and incitement” targeting Congolese citizens of Rwandan descent.
Rwanda expressed concerns over the public call for regime change in Rwanda by President Félix Tshisekedi of the DRC and President Evariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi, which Kigali described as an unprecedented and dangerous escalation.
Ambassador Bakuramutsa also noted that the M23, which the DRC accuses Rwanda of backing, is a movement composed of Congolese citizens from marginalised, Kinyarwanda-speaking communities, whose grievances stem from systemic discrimination and human rights violations, not from foreign sponsorship.
“Their grievances are rooted in structural exclusion, hate speech, and persecution—governance failures that must be addressed by the DRC government,” she said.
Reaffirming Kigali’s commitment to peace, the Rwandan envoy highlighted Rwanda’s active role in the African-led peace framework and parallel initiatives in Doha and Washington. She also endorsed the inclusion of humanitarian corridors within the regional peace process spearheaded by the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Rwanda appealed to the international community to support these African-led efforts politically and humanitarianly, stressing that local solutions are essential to resolving regional instability.
“Rwanda stands ready to engage in constructive dialogue, provided that the work of the fact-finding mission remains impartial and free from politicisation,” said Bakuramutsa.
“Only by addressing the structural drivers of conflict in eastern DRC can the Council begin to restore trust and relevance in a region too often failed by the international community.”
The statement comes amid efforts by Qatar and the United States to resolve the conflict, with a peace deal expected to be signed on June 15 between the DRC and Rwanda now delayed.
Rwanda participated in the 59th Session of the Human Rights Council and delivered a statement during the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the situation in Eastern DRC.
Key highlights: 1️⃣ Instability stems from the DRC government's failure to address internal governance and… pic.twitter.com/KXscdLxo3h
The announcement was made on June 16 by the Minister of State for Local Government, Marie Solange Kayisire, while addressing the Senate’s Committee on Social Affairs and Human Rights.
The state minister revealed that, of Rwanda’s 60 islands, only 14 are currently inhabited. Following the planned relocations, only three islands, Nkombo, Bugarura, and Birwa, will remain settled.
“These relocations are necessary. The geography of these islands poses serious risks to residents, and delivering services like clean water, electricity, and healthcare is often more expensive than resettlement itself,” Kayisire explained.
The relocation will affect more than 4,600 households, impacting over 25,000 people.
The islands earmarked for resettlement include Mwegerera and Mukira in Musanze District; Munanira and Bigwa in Burera; Sharita and Mazane in Bugesera; Gihaya in Rusizi; and Mushungo, Muzira, Kirehe, Ruzi, and Tereri in Nyamasheke District.
In Musanze’s Mwegerera and Mukira islands, 38 families rely on boats to ferry their children to schools on the mainland, while in Bigwa, 78 families live without stable solar power and basic infrastructure.
Kayisire said the relocation process has already begun in some areas. For instance, 26 families have started moving from Munanira, with costs estimated at Rwf127.6 million. In Sharita, 212 families were previously relocated under government IDP programmes, with 84 families still awaiting relocation. The district requires Rwf2.5 billion to complete the process.
Lawmakers welcomed the plan but called for fair compensation and detailed demographic planning.
“We need to know the numbers of women, children, and elders involved so we can design appropriate support,” said Senator Jean Pierre Dusingizemungu.
Kayisire emphasised that relocated families are being integrated into government social protection programmes like Girinka and income-generating initiatives.
“We are not only offering safer environments but ensuring long-term support and resilience for these communities,” she said.
![Du Xiaohui [right], addressing journalists in Beijing, emphasized that China’s cooperation with Africa is not about reciprocity, but about long-term partnership.](https://en-images.igihe.com/jpg/du_xiaohui_right_addressing_journalists_in_beijing_emphasized_that_china_s_cooperation_with_africa_is_not_about_reciprocity_but_about_long-term_partnership.jpg)
