M23’s political spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka, stated on January 23, 2025, that while the group has assured it harbours no hostile intentions toward the peacekeeping forces, they are preparing to defend themselves against potential attacks.
M23 fighters, engaged in clashes with the Congolese army and allied forces, seized Sake, a town located just over 20 kilometres from Goma, on Thursday after repeatedly warning UN and SAMIDRC forces to stay out of the ongoing conflict.
“All signals indicate that MONUSCO and SAMIDRC are ready to attack us. Therefore, we will defend ourselves,” Kanyuka wrote on his X page.
The capture of Sake, a key strategic point, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing violence between the rebel group and government forces. M23 says it is defending the interests of minority Congolese Tutsis, many of whom have suffered discrimination and exclusion in DRC.
Footage from the Sake-Goma road showed Congolese forces, alongside UN and SADC troops, retreating eastward.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that the Congolese army has begun deploying warplanes in an effort to dislodge M23 fighters from Sake, even as the group vows to advance and capture Goma
“The people of Goma have suffered greatly, like other Congolese. The AFC/M23 is on its way to liberate them, and they must prepare to welcome this liberation. They need not fear anything: the AFC/M23 is coming to bring them peace,” the spokesperson added.
Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, made this pledge during a diplomatic reception held in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday to celebrate the incoming U.S. administration.
The event, organized by Rwanda’s Embassy in the United States and Ambassador Robert C. O’Brien, brought together members of the diplomatic corps, government officials, business leaders, and friends of Rwanda.
During the gathering, which was attended by Mathilde Mukantabana, the Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda to the United States, Minister Nduhungirehe emphasized Rwanda’s commitment to fostering stronger partnerships with the U.S. and other nations represented at the reception.
“Rwanda is committed to further strengthen its relations with the United States of America, under the Trump Administration,” he said.
Ambassador O’Brien’s presence at the gathering was particularly significant. He served as the 27th U.S. National Security Advisor between 2019 and 2021. As President Trump’s principal advisor on all aspects of American foreign policy and national security, O’Brien previously led the U.S. government’s diplomatic efforts on hostage-related matters.
The event served as a platform to celebrate the incoming U.S. administration and underscore Rwanda’s vision of continued bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
President Trump was inaugurated on Monday, January 20, after defeating Democrat Kamala Harris in the presidential election held in November last year.
Earlier in the month, President Paul Kagame expressed optimism about potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy under Trump’s leadership, particularly concerning African matters.
This includes the crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which has been fueled by ongoing clashes between the M23 rebel group and the Congolese army, along with allied militias such as the FDLR—a group composed of individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
President Kagame shared his views during a New Year press conference on January 9, 2025, where he addressed various topics.
In response to a question from an Al Jazeera journalist about what new developments might be expected from the new U.S. administration regarding the DRC, President Kagame stated that he respects the changes in leadership, acknowledging that they were made for valid reasons.
“I respect the change that has taken place in the United States because for it to happen, it must have been for very good reasons that the Americans endorsed with their vote,” he said.
Kagame also noted that while the transition represents democratic processes, the U.S.’s approach to political issues is expected to evolve.
“There are many things, even geopolitically, at least the approach, that are going to change for sure […] I think that it will be the same with the approach to how African matters may be dealt with generally, and specifically with Eastern Congo. The same might see change happen,” he remarked.
“That’s what I think from a distance, and I am just waiting for what will follow,” he added.
The President has, in the past, accused the international community of turning a blind eye to the root causes of tensions in eastern Congo. He insists that the issues stem from, among others, arbitrary drawing of borders during the colonial era and governance issues.
OpenAI said on Tuesday that it would team up with SoftBank and Oracle to build multiple data centers for artificial intelligence (AI) in the United States. The companies expect to commit 100 billion U.S. dollars to Stargate initially and invest 500 billion dollars into the venture over the next four years.
“SoftBank and OpenAI are the lead partners for Stargate, with SoftBank having financial responsibility and OpenAI having operational responsibility,” the joint statement noted.
“They don’t actually have the money,” Musk wrote in a series of posts on X on Tuesday. “SoftBank has well under $10B secured. I have that on good authority.”
Altman fired back at Musk in an X post Wednesday. “Wrong, as you surely know,” Altman said, responding to Musk’s allegation that SoftBank was short of capital.
Altman added that Stargate is great for the country. “I realize what is great for the country isn’t always what’s optimal for your companies, but in your new role, I hope you’ll mostly put America first.”
xAI, like OpenAI, is hungry for infrastructure to develop its AI systems. Musk’s company is estimated to have spent 12 billion dollars on its single data center in Memphis and could spend billions more upgrading the facility, according to a report by TechCrunch.
The growth, fueled by foreign investments in Rwandan businesses and assets, reflects the country’s increasing appeal to international investors and highlights the government’s efforts to improve its investment landscape.
FDI was the dominant contributor to Foreign Private Capital (FPC), making up 80.8% of total inflows. FPC increased by 33.8% to reach USD 888.9 million in 2023.
The report attributes the remarkable growth to several factors, including robust economic performance, with Rwanda maintaining an average GDP growth of 8.2% in both 2022 and 2023.
The growth in FDI inflows was driven by significant increases in equity capital, reinvested earnings, and intra-company borrowings. Equity capital alone grew by 22.7%, while reinvested earnings rose by 36.2%. Intra-company borrowings saw the highest jump at 72.9%, reflecting confidence among international parent companies in their Rwandan subsidiaries.
Sectors leading the charge included the financial sector, which attracted 21.4% of total FDI inflows, followed by manufacturing (19.1%), ICT (13.9%), and wholesale and retail trade (13.8%). Notably, real estate activities saw a drastic surge of 1,966%, demonstrating a growing demand for infrastructure development.
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Mauritius emerged as the top source of FDI, contributing 28.2% of total inflows in 2023. Investments from Mauritius were predominantly directed towards electricity, gas, financial services, and wholesale and retail trade.
India followed with a 12.2% share, focusing on ICT and education sectors, while Kenya accounted for 9.5% of the total, despite a decline compared to previous years. The United States, France, and Germany also significantly increased their investments, with growth rates of 86.6%, 408%, and a staggering 1,350%, respectively. These countries’ contributions were concentrated in real estate, manufacturing, and agriculture.
FDI’s impact extended beyond financial metrics, contributing to a 20.3% growth in employment within FPC enterprises. Over 10,000 new jobs were created, primarily in managerial and technical roles, underscoring the transformative potential of these investments in enhancing local skillsets and livelihoods.
The Rwandan government’s Second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) aims to double private investment from $2.2 billion in 2023 to $4.6 billion by 2029.
Key initiatives, such as the Manufacture and Build to Recover Program (MBRP), are expected to sustain this momentum. With USD 2.38 billion already mobilized through MBRP, the government remains optimistic about meeting its targets.
The Foreign Private Capital (FPC) survey is conducted by the Central Bank, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), and the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR).
The dam will have a height of 27.5 meters, a crest length of 377 meters, and a reservoir capacity of 6.5 million cubic meters, with a catchment area of 56.9 square kilometres.
The initiative aims to improve agricultural resilience to climate change and will facilitate the irrigation of 2,640 hectares of farmland in Gisagara District.
The concessional financing loan agreement was formalized during a signing ceremony attended by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Yusuf Murangwa, and China’s Ambassador to Rwanda, Wang Xuekun. The agreement reflects the growing economic partnership between the two nations.
The project supports Rwanda’s Second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) goals, which promote water-saving technologies to boost irrigation productivity and drive economic growth.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Minister Murangwa praised China’s continued support, noting that the partnership will help achieve Rwanda’s agricultural transformation agenda.
“China has been a steadfast development partner for Rwanda, supporting various sectors critical to our development aspirations. The Giseke Dam and irrigation project will significantly contribute to the sustainable transformation of agriculture, as outlined in NST2,” he said.
Ambassador Wang Xuekun, on his part, hailed the project as a milestone in implementing President Xi Jinping’s “10 Partnership Action Plans” for China-Africa cooperation.
“This project is a tangible outcome of the China-Rwanda collaboration and holds significant importance in advancing Rwanda’s agricultural modernization and production capacity,” Ambassador Wang remarked.
An estimated 915 households, comprising 4,578 individuals, will directly benefit from the irrigation infrastructure, enabling them to cultivate crops more efficiently.
The project is also expected to boost the commercialization of agricultural products in local and regional markets, driving economic growth in Gisagara District and beyond.
The deal reinforces the robust economic cooperation between Rwanda and China, which has seen significant investments in infrastructure, education, health, and energy.
Currently, China’s financial support to Rwanda includes $600 million in concessional loans and grants, with $450 million allocated to loans and $150 million to grants.
Mondlane of the Podemos party made the comments during an interview with the BBC, signalling a potential thaw in the icy relationship between the two political rivals.
The overture comes after months of unrest following Mozambique’s contested October 2024 election, which Chapo won with 65% of the vote. Mondlane, who secured 24%, has consistently denounced the results as fraudulent.
In the interview with the BBC, Mondlane stated that he had decided to temporarily halt protests. However, he outlined three demands as conditions for resolving the ongoing political crisis.
These include the unconditional release of 5,000 individuals detained during the demonstrations, financial compensation for the families of those killed by security forces, and the provision of free medical treatment for those injured in the post-election unrest.
“If [President Chapo] meets these conditions, I will open a window for negotiations,” Mondlane told the BBC. He added that he would be willing to serve in Chapo’s government if the president genuinely sought dialogue.
President Chapo of the Frelimo party was inaugurated on January 15, 2025, in Maputo in a ceremony conducted under heavy security.
Addressing around 2,500 attendees, Chapo vowed to unify the nation, stating, “Together, we will restore patriotism and pride in being Mozambican.”
He also pledged to combat corruption and deliver reforms aimed at decentralizing power, promoting human rights, and improving the economy.
“Mozambique cannot remain a hostage to corruption, nepotism, and incompetence,” Chapo declared.
Chapo affirmed his pledge to create job opportunities for the nation’s youth, adding that economic revitalization was key to stability.
“We must recover our country economically… it’s easy to destroy, but building is not an easy task,” he said.
President Chapo has also indicated openness to forming an inclusive government.
“We are considering profiles of individuals who demonstrate competence, patriotism, and meritocracy,” Chapo said, referring to ongoing discussions about involving opposition members in governance.
In a message shared on X, President Kagame described the incident as tragic, extending his condolences to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the bereaved families. He also wished a quick recovery to those who were injured.
“My heartfelt condolences to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the people of Türkiye for the tragic loss of life in the devastating fire at the ski resort in Bolu. Our thoughts are with the bereaved families and all those affected by this tragedy. We extend our wishes for recovery to those injured,” he wrote on Wednesday morning.
The tragedy occurred early Wednesday at the Grand Kartal Hotel, located in the popular Kartalkaya ski resort in the Bolu mountains of western Turkey.
The 12-storey hotel, which housed 238 registered guests, was engulfed in flames after the fire broke out on the restaurant floor at around 3:30 a.m. local time.
Survivors recounted harrowing scenes of panic as they scrambled to escape, with some jumping from windows to evade the smoke-filled corridors.
The incident occurred at the height of Turkey’s winter tourism season, as many families from Istanbul and Ankara had travelled to the Bolu mountains for skiing.
The fire has sparked widespread grief and anger in Turkey, with Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirming the detention of nine people, including the hotel owner, in connection with the tragedy.
Authorities are investigating the hotel’s safety measures, as survivors reported that no fire alarms were activated during the incident, leaving guests to navigate the dark, smoke-filled building without guidance.
The Turkish government is working to identify victims, with DNA tests being conducted at a forensic institute.
The hotel management issued a statement expressing profound sorrow and pledged full cooperation with authorities to uncover the cause of the disaster.
President Erdoğan declared Wednesday a day of national mourning to honour the victims.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the WHO also said it looks forward to maintaining its partnership through constructive dialogue. It reaffirmed its commitment to addressing the root causes of diseases, strengthening health systems, and detecting, preventing, and responding to health emergencies, such as disease outbreaks.
The organization emphasized its crucial role in safeguarding global health and safety, including the well-being of the American people.
The statement highlighted that the United States has been a founding member of the WHO since 1948 and has played a vital role in shaping and governing the organization with other 193 member states, actively participating in the World Health Assembly and the WHO Executive Board.
The WHO acknowledged the contributions of American institutions to its mission and the mutual benefits derived from the U.S. membership.
The statement also underscored the historic reforms undertaken by the WHO over the past seven years developed collaboratively with the United States and other member states. These reforms aim to enhance the organization’s accountability, cost-effectiveness, and global impact, with ongoing efforts to strengthen these achievements.
This development followed battles that began on January 20, 2025, with a coalition of DRC forces, which included Wazalendo militias and Burundian troops.
The capture of the town was strategically important for the militants as the route is frequently used by Burundian forces and members of the Imbonerakure militia travelling northward into North Kivu province to reinforce DRC forces in their fight against M23.
Before seizing Minova, M23 captured several other areas in South Kivu province, including Lumbishi, Numbi, and Shanje, beginning on January 18. All these locations are within Kalehe territory.
The fighting leading up to the fall of Minova prompted many residents to flee, with many heading toward the city of Goma or seeking refuge on Idjwi Island via Lake Kivu.
Separately, on January 20, clashes were reported in areas surrounding the town of Sake, located a short distance from Minova. Reports indicate that M23 forces stationed in Busangara sought to dislodge the DRC coalition forces from their positions in Kimoka.
Kimoka holds significant strategic value, having served as a critical stronghold for the DRC coalition since 2024 in their efforts to protect the city of Goma from falling into M23’s control.
M23 aims to end the violence and persecution of Congolese Tutsis carried out by the country’s armed forces and allied militias, including the FDLR, a group composed of individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
The agreement was signed on Monday, January 20, 2025, by Clementine Mukeka, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Ambassador Hamid Asghar Khan, Additional Foreign Secretary for Africa.
The MoU establishes a foundation for closer collaboration between the two nations.
During the discussions, both parties explored ways to expand cooperation in diplomacy and identified opportunities for mutual benefit.
They agreed on potential areas of partnership, including trade and investment, defence and security, education, culture, science, technology, and agriculture.
Following the MoU signing, a delegation of Pakistani military officials, led by Maj Gen Muneer-ud-Din, Director General of Foreign Military Cooperation at the Joint Staff Headquarters of the Pakistan Armed Forces (PAF), held discussions with Rwanda’s Minister of Defense, Juvenal Marizamunda, and the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) Chief of Staff, Maj Gen Vincent Nyakarundi.
During their three-day visit to Rwanda, the delegation will explore avenues to enhance cooperation between the Rwandan Defense Forces and Pakistan’s security institutions.
Their itinerary includes visits to the Gako Military Academy, the Kigali Genocide Memorial at Gisozi, and the Campaign Against Genocide Museum at the Parliamentary Building.
