Author: Wycliffe Nyamasege

The decision, reached during a meeting of the EALA Commission and Committee Chairpersons on February 6, 2025, comes as the Assembly struggles with financial constraints linked to delayed contributions from some East African Community (EAC) Partner States.

“This decision was reached during a Sitting of the EALA Commission and Committee Chairpersons held on the 6th February 2025, to review the Assembly’s calendar,” EALA stated in a statement.

The cash crunch has been an ongoing issue, with some Partner States failing to remit their financial obligations on time. In recent years, South Sudan and Burundi have been among the worst defaulters, with South Sudan alone owing over $22 million in past contributions, as reported in late 2022.

The financial instability has forced EALA to suspend legislative sessions and other critical activities in the past.

In response to the crisis, Joseph Ntakirutimana, Speaker of EALA, has initiated discussions with key EAC leaders to resolve the matter.

“The Speaker of EALA has initiated a follow-up discussion with the Hon. Beatrice Asukul Moe, The Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers, and H.E. Veronica Mueni Nduva, the Secretary General of the East African Community, to urge Partner States that have outstanding contributions to remit their dues promptly to enable the resumption of activities,” the statement added.

A review of the financial situation is expected within the next three weeks. In the meantime, the Assembly has reaffirmed its dedication to fostering regional integration despite the setback.

“EALA remains committed to its mandate of promoting regional integration through Legislation, Oversight, and Representation. We are optimistic that the ongoing consultations will yield positive outcomes, allowing the Assembly to resume its critical functions as soon as it is practicable,” EALA assured in its statement.

The financial challenges facing EALA point to the broader issue of funding sustainability within the EAC. Without timely contributions from Partner States, the regional legislative body risks further disruptions, which could hinder the progress of key legislative and oversight functions necessary for deepening East African integration.

The decision, which Trump announced in an exclusive interview with the New York Post, is part of his broader crackdown on his most vocal opponents.

Among those affected are Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, New York Attorney General Letitia James, former National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Biden’s Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, and attorneys Andrew Weissmann, Mark Zaid, and Norm Eisen.

The move follows Trump’s decision to revoke President Joe Biden’s security clearance and access to daily intelligence briefings just a day earlier.

Revoking these clearances means the individuals may be unable to enter key federal buildings, including courthouses, prisons, and law enforcement facilities. This could impede their ability to carry out official duties, particularly for those involved in ongoing legal cases against Trump.

Trump has made no secret of his animosity toward the targeted individuals. In reference to Blinken, he told the New York Post, “Bad guy. Take away his passes.”

Blinken played a key role in the infamous “Dirty 51” letter, which dismissed the contents of Hunter Biden’s laptop as Russian disinformation ahead of the 2020 election.

James and Bragg have both been instrumental in legal actions against Trump. James pursued a civil fraud case that resulted in Trump being ordered to pay over $450 million, while Bragg oversaw the “hush money” case involving Stormy Daniels. Trump has vowed to ensure both are treated “exactly the same” as Biden in terms of clearance restrictions.

The revocation also affects key figures involved in Trump’s past legal troubles. Sullivan, who was Hillary Clinton’s chief foreign policy adviser in 2016, is among those targeted. Monaco, who oversaw the Department of Justice’s response to the January 6 insurrection, has also been affected.

Weissmann, known for his role as lead prosecutor in Robert Mueller’s investigation into Trump’s alleged ties to Russian election interference, is another high-profile individual impacted.

Meanwhile, attorneys Zaid and Eisen, who were involved in Trump’s 2019 impeachment, have also had their security clearances revoked.

Trump’s decision is seen as retaliation for Biden’s 2021 move to block him from accessing intelligence briefings, a courtesy typically extended to former presidents. At the time, Biden cited Trump’s ‘erratic behaviour’ and concerns about his handling of classified information.

The training, which lasted four and a half months, was designed to equip participants with the necessary skills to serve as professional company commanders, platoon commanders, company sergeant majors, and platoon sergeants.

RDF Chief of Defence Staff, General MK Mubarakh presided over the graduation ceremony on Saturday, February 8. He lauded the trainees for their dedication, discipline, and sacrifice, which enabled them to reach this significant milestone.

At the same time, General Mubarakh stressed the importance of continuous military training in ensuring operational effectiveness and readiness to address evolving security challenges.

“It is the norm in any military that, to operate effectively, officers and NCOs must undertake rigorous training continuously. Military training prepares individuals to effectively perform physically and mentally demanding tasks at the highest possible levels of proficiency. Training pays off with significant achievements in theatre and routine force duties. This is in line with leadership guidance as constantly stressed by the Commander-in-Chief of the RDF,” said General Mubarakh.

He urged the graduates to apply the knowledge and skills gained from the training in their respective roles while upholding discipline as a core value of the RDF.

The comprehensive program focused on enhancing military skills, tactical planning, leadership, and administrative management, reinforcing RDF’s commitment to professionalism and preparedness for present and future security challenges.

The completion of this training marks another step in the RDF’s mission to strengthen the capabilities of Rwanda’s security forces, ensuring they remain well-equipped to maintain national and regional stability.

In a post on X, Makolo dismissed the claims published by the British newspaper, noting that the article’s content was unsurprising given the authors’ history.

The story was written by two journalists, including Michela Wrong, who is known for publishing narratives that discredit Rwanda.

Published on February 7, 2025, the article alleges that more than 600 Rwandan soldiers have died in eastern DRC while fighting alongside M23 against FARDC. However, the authors provided no evidence to support the claims.

Makolo pointed out that one of the major flaws in the article is the lack of credible sources, with all quoted individuals reportedly choosing to remain anonymous.

“All anonymous sources and conjecture. Ridiculous of the Guardian to build a story with no story. ‘We hear that….’ Not surprising given one of the authors wrote a whole book based on rumours. Pathetic,” Makolo wrote on Friday.

She added, “There is a real story to be told about the people of this region and our desire for peace and progress – but that’s too much to ask of the Guardian and these heartless armchair hacks.”

Although Makolo did not explicitly name the author of the book, many linked her remarks to Michela Wrong, who previously published a book targeting Rwanda and its leadership.

Rwanda has frequently been accused of supporting M23, with the Congolese government calling for sanctions against Kigali. However, Rwanda has consistently denied these allegations, instead accusing the DRC of collaborating with the FDLR, an armed group composed of individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Rwanda has presented evidence to support its claims, asserting that FDLR fighters are actively engaged in the ongoing conflict alongside the Congolese army.

M23’s newly appointed Governor of North Kivu Province, Bahati ‘Erasto’ Musanga Joseph, made these remarks following his official inauguration on February 6, 2025.

North Kivu’s former governor, Maj. Gen. Peter Cirimwami, was shot by M23 fighters on the front lines during a recent battle with government forces.

Videos circulated on social media on January 27, 2025—the day M23 seized control of Goma—showed large numbers of inmates running out of the prison.

Bahati stated that the escaped prisoners who remain at large are among the “problems” facing the new administration.

“This city is facing three major problems. The first is that the prison was holding criminals. All of those criminals have been released; they are now out. They escaped—the government freed them before we arrived here [in Goma],” he told the media.

He added that the new leadership of North Kivu is working with local authorities to apprehend “all criminals” seeking to disrupt security, including the escaped inmates from Munzenze Prison.

The move, announced on Thursday, has sparked global condemnation while receiving support from some quarters.

The sanctions come in response to the ICC’s recent arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged war crimes in Gaza, which Israel denies, and a Hamas commander.

Trump accused the court of engaging in “illegitimate and baseless actions” that threaten U.S. sovereignty and national security interests.

In a statement, the ICC condemned the sanctions and vowed to continue its judicial work.

“The court stands firmly by its personnel and pledges to continue providing justice and hope to millions of innocent victims of atrocities across the world,” the ICC said, urging its 125 member states to support its staff.

Trump’s executive order has drawn sharp criticism from European leaders. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the sanctions, stating that the ICC “must be able to freely pursue the fight against global impunity.”

Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp also voiced regret, emphasizing the court’s role in combating war crimes.

Meanwhile, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a staunch Trump ally, praised the move, suggesting it was time for Hungary to reconsider its participation in the ICC.

“New winds are blowing in international politics. We call it the Trump-tornado,” Orban posted on X.

The sanctions include asset freezes and travel bans on designated ICC officials and their families. Court officials met in The Hague on Friday to assess the implications of these measures, which could significantly impact the court’s operations.

The U.S. has historically opposed ICC jurisdiction over its nationals. During his first administration, Trump imposed similar sanctions on former ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda over investigations into alleged American war crimes in Afghanistan. Those sanctions were later lifted by President Joe Biden’s administration.

The ICC has faced resistance from powerful nations before. In 2023, Russia banned ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan and placed him on a wanted list after the court issued an arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin over the alleged deportation of Ukrainian children.

In response to increasing pressure on the ICC, a coalition of nations, including South Africa and Malaysia, recently formed the ‘Hague Group’ to defend the court’s authority and rulings.

The UN has urged Washington to reverse its decision, warning that the sanctions undermine international justice efforts. However, Trump and his allies remain firm in their stance, arguing that the ICC unfairly targets Israel and threatens U.S. national security interests.

The remains were transported through the main Rwanda-DRC border crossing, La Corniche, around noon on Friday in a truck belonging to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the DRC (MONUSCO). They were escorted by other UN vehicles.

After arriving in Rwanda, the convoy continued to the Cyanika border post, from where it was set to proceed to Kampala, Uganda. The bodies will later be flown to South Africa via Entebbe International Airport.

Four other bodies, two each of deceased soldiers from Malawi and Tanzania, were also repatriated from Goma on Friday.

Some of the soldiers were killed in the battle to capture Goma City, while others perished in clashes in Sake involving M23, the Congolese military, and allied coalition forces.

Earlier reports indicated that the bodies had begun to decompose and [remained scattered in different locations->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/decomposing-bodies-of-sa-soldiers-left-unattended-in-goma?var_mode=calcul], having not been placed in hospital mortuaries.

The repatriation was initially scheduled for Wednesday but was delayed due to negotiations between M23, South Africa and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which is contributing troops to the eastern Congo.

The bodies were cleared for transport after M23, which now controls Goma, agreed to hand them over to South Africa through MONUSCO, the UN mission in the region.

The repatriation of the bodies is a sigh of relief for the South African Defence Force (SANDF) and the South African government, which had come under heavy criticism from members of parliament over the mission in eastern Congo.

Members of the South African Parliament on Tuesday rejected Defense Minister Angelina Matsie Motshekga’s explanation that South African soldiers were sent to the DRC to restore peace in the eastern region.

The MPs argued that the true nature of the mission was unclear, with some asserting that the troops should be withdrawn immediately.

Amid pressure on the government to recall the troops, President Cyril Ramaphosa, during a State of the Nation address on Thursday, hinted at bringing the soldiers home in response to growing calls for a political solution to the conflict in the eastern region.

The conflict pits the Congolese government against the M23 rebel group, which is fighting the marginalization and persecution of Congolese Rwandophones—a situation that has persisted for decades.

Heads of state from the East African Community and SADC will be holding an extraordinary summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, this weekend to address the escalating conflict.