Author: Wycliffe Nyamasege

After taking over, opposition fighters appeared on state television channels to announce what they described as the fall of Damascus and the end of President Bashar al-Assad’s rule.

A man in military fatigues, flanked by armed fighters, read a statement on air, calling it “Statement No. 1.” He claimed that rebel units had captured Damascus.

Opposition activists said the rebel fighters entered the Syrian capital at dawn Sunday, according to the Britain-based war monitor Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The monitor said hundreds of government soldiers were ordered to withdraw from Damascus International Airport and were seen removing their military uniforms and donning civilian clothing.

Multiple media outlets have reported that al-Assad has left the country, citing rebel forces.

Reporters in Damascus witnessed intense gunshots reverberating through the streets with heavy traffic caused by cars departing the capital.

Civilians took to the streets, waving the “revolution flag,” an older flag used in Syria before the rule of Hafez al-Assad, the late father of Bashar al-Assad.

Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Al-Jallali announced his readiness to cooperate with any leadership chosen by the Syrian people.

Opposition military leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammad Al-Julani, declared Al-Jallali would oversee public institutions until an official transfer of authority is completed.

“We extend our hands to every Syrian citizen committed to safeguarding the country’s resources,” Al-Jallali said in a televised address. “Syria belongs to all Syrians, and I urge everyone to think rationally about the nation’s best interests.”

Al-Julani instructed opposition forces in Damascus to refrain from approaching public institutions and banned celebratory gunfire. “These facilities will remain under the supervision of the former prime minister until they are handed over formally,” he said in a statement.

The opposition celebrated the release of prisoners from Sednaya Prison near Damascus. The prison was emptied as security forces withdrew.

Flight data from the tracking platform FlightRadar24 showed a Syrian Air jet departing Damascus amid reports of opposition control of the capital. Initially heading toward the Alawite-dominated coastal region, the aircraft abruptly changed course before disappearing from radar, raising speculation about a possible evacuation of senior government figures.

Earlier Sunday, opposition fighters secured full control of Homs, a pivotal city and strategic crossroads, after a brief but intense battle. The victory severed connections between Damascus and the coastal strongholds of al-Assad’s Alawite community.

“The fall of Homs marks a historic moment,” Al-Julani said, urging his fighters to show restraint toward those who surrender. Thousands of prisoners in the city were freed as security forces fled, reportedly setting fire to government documents before departing.

The allegations, attributed to a Reuters report, claimed that nearly 20 officers had submitted letters of resignation over the past two months.

In a statement released by MSS Force Commander Godfrey Otunge, the mission refuted the claims, terming them as “inaccurate and malicious.”

Otunge stated that all MSS personnel have received their salaries and allowances, adding that no officer has resigned or submitted resignation letters.

“Reuters News did not reach out to the MSS for clarification, and the information being disseminated is both inaccurate and malicious. All MSS personnel have received their salaries, including monthly allowances, and no MSS officer has tendered their resignation as alleged,” the statement read.

The MSS reiterated that its officers remain motivated and dedicated to their mission of supporting the Haitian National Police (HNP) in combating gang violence and restoring stability to the nation.

Reuters had reported that three anonymous Kenyan officers claimed they had not been paid since September and had submitted resignation letters without receiving a response.

Kenyan National Police Chief Douglas Kanja had earlier addressed the issue during a news conference, stating that officers had been paid up to the end of October.

Kenya deployed 400 police officers to Haiti in June as part of a United Nations-backed initiative to stabilize the Caribbean nation, which has been plagued by gang violence. The MSS, expected to comprise 2,500 personnel from about 10 countries, has faced some challenges, including funding and staffing shortfalls.

Despite these hurdles, the MSS reaffirmed its commitment to helping Haiti restore peace and security.

“The MSS remains resolute in its mission to help Haiti reclaim its glory and restore peace and security for its people,” Otunge said.

Speaking at the opening of the East Africa Community (EAC) Inter-Parliamentary Games in Mombasa on Saturday, December 7, 2024, President Ruto highlighted the significant impact this expansion would have on the movement of goods and people within East Africa.

“We have now agreed with Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC that the Standard Gauge Railway will be extended from Naivasha to Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC so that we both can use the SGR whenever we are going to these places,” he said.

The SGR extension is expected to strengthen the transportation network within the East African Community (EAC), a move that will greatly boost intra-regional trade, which currently stands at 28%.

Furthermore, the expansion is seen as a stepping stone toward greater continental integration, particularly within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Work has already begun on the SGR project in Uganda, with the first phase covering a 272 km stretch from Malaba to Kampala. This phase is slated for completion in four years. In Kenya, plans to develop the Naivasha to Kisumu line are in top gear.

The SGR extension is poised to revolutionize sectors such as agriculture, trade, tourism, and transport in the regions it serves.

“This project will not only benefit the countries directly involved but will also enhance economic cooperation throughout East Africa,” said Kenya’s Transport Principal Secretary Mohamed Daghar.

The development is part of a broader initiative under the East African Railway Master Plan, which aims to replace the region’s aging meter-gauge railways. The plan includes integrating the rail systems of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, with further links planned to Rwanda and the DRC.

Ruto’s remarks come months after officials from the neighbouring countries signed a new agreement to expedite the SGR extension to Rwanda.

The agreement, reached during a meeting in Mombasa in May 2024, aims to overcome funding challenges that had previously delayed the project. The meeting included representatives from Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and the DRC. Rwanda’s Minister of Infrastructure, Jimmy Gasore, attended the meeting.

Then Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who has since been transferred to the Ministry of Sports, expressed confidence in the project’s success.

“This historic agreement will facilitate joint resource mobilization and fast-track the completion of the SGR sections from Naivasha to Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC,” he stated.

“It’s a crucial step toward creating economic hubs along the corridor, transforming regions with stop stations into centers of commerce.”

The construction of Kenya’s SGR cost $3.6 billion, financed by a loan from China’s Exim Bank. The SGR has significantly reduced the cost of transporting cargo from the Port of Mombasa to the hinterlands.

As part of his visit, CG Murenzi attended the graduation ceremony for the second intake of the Senior Management Development Course in Corrections (SMDCC) on December 6, 2024, at Chikurubi Dam View.

Among the 44 graduates were five senior RCS officers who completed the first-ever intake of this course for Rwanda.

The event, graced by Zimbabwe’s Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Ziyambi Ziyambi, brought together high-ranking government officials and other dignitaries, including Rwanda’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, James Musoni.

The SMDCC, which began in January 2024, equipped Rwandan officers with skills in senior leadership and prison management. They earned diplomas in Entrepreneurship and Leadership from the Zimbabwe Open University, certificates in prison administration and management from the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service Staff College, and a certificate in ideology from the Chitepo School of Ideology.

“This milestone reflects Rwanda’s commitment to enhancing correctional best practices through regional and international collaboration,” CG Murenzi said.

During the visit, the Rwandan delegation is also scheduled to visit Marondera Female Open Correctional Institution and Mazoe Farm Prison. The facilities serve as models for inmate rehabilitation, reformation, and reintegration, particularly through open prison systems. The benchmarking will inform the establishment of halfway social reintegration centres in Rwanda, aimed at easing inmates’ transition back into society.

The collaboration between Rwanda and Zimbabwe in corrections is anchored in a 2021 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in Harare. The MoU outlines areas of cooperation, including joint projects, staff training exchange programs, and shared correctional innovations.

In March 2023, Zimbabwe’s Commissioner General of Prisons, CG Dr. Moses Chihobvu, visited Rwanda for a benchmarking mission.

Among the highlights of the visit was Rwanda’s use of biogas technology in correctional facilities, which significantly reduces operational costs. Dr. Chihobvu expressed interest in adopting this innovation in Zimbabwe as part of the ongoing bilateral engagements.

NASA is now targeting April 2026 for Artemis II, its first crewed moon mission, and mid-2027 for Artemis III, a historic moon landing mission exploring the lunar South Pole region.

Artemis III will be the first mission to return U.S. astronauts to the surface of the moon in more than 50 years.

The agency previously set September 2025 for Artemis II, and September 2026 for Artemis III.

The delay came after NASA concluded the examination of a technical problem happened during the agency’s Artemis I mission in 2022.

The Artemis I flight test, carrying the Orion spacecraft, was launched on Nov. 16, 2022, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Artemis I mission was the first integrated flight test of the agency’s deep space exploration systems: the Orion spacecraft, the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, and ground systems.

During the Artemis I mission, the Orion spacecraft experienced an unexpected char loss across its heat shield, according to NASA.

Extensive analysis, including from more than 100 tests at unique facilities across the country, determined the heat shield on Artemis I did not allow for enough of the gases generated inside a material called Avcoat to escape, which caused some of the material to crack and break off.

Avcoat is designed to wear away as it heats up and is a key material in the thermal protection system that guards Orion and its crew from the nearly 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit of temperatures that are generated when Orion returns from the moon through Earth’s atmosphere, according to NASA.

Approximately 200 Avcoat samples were removed from the Artemis I heat shield at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama for analysis and inspection.

“We took our heat shield investigation process extremely seriously with crew safety as the driving force behind the investigation,” said Howard Hu, manager of Orion Program, NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. “The process was extensive. We gave the team the time needed to investigate every possible cause, and they worked tirelessly to ensure we understood the phenomenon and the necessary steps to mitigate this issue for future missions.”

Engineers already are assembling and integrating the Orion spacecraft for Artemis III based on lessons learned from Artemis I and implementing enhancements to how heat shields for crewed returns from lunar landing missions are manufactured, to achieve uniformity and consistent permeability, according to NASA.

The Orion spacecraft, built by NASA and prime contractor Lockheed Martin, is currently the only spacecraft capable of crewed deep space flight and high-speed return to Earth from the vicinity of the moon.

On NASA’s Artemis moon exploration missions, Orion will carry the crew to space, provide emergency abort capability, sustain the crew during space travel, and provide safe re-entry from deep space return velocities.

With the Artemis campaign, NASA plans to land the first woman, first person of color, and its first international partner astronaut on the moon, and establish long-term exploration for scientific discovery and preparation for human missions to Mars.

The launch is expected by January 2025 and will be spearheaded by the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC). It will mark a major step forward in the country’s efforts to curb new infections and offer innovative treatment solutions for individuals at high risk of contracting the virus.

The drug, known as long-acting cabotegravir (CAB-LA), is a new form of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). It offers an alternative to daily oral PrEP, requiring only a bi-monthly injection following two initial doses spaced four weeks apart.

Approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2022, CAB-LA has been described as a “safe and highly effective prevention tool” for individuals at substantial risk of HIV infection.

According to Dr. Basile Ikuzo, Director of the HIV Prevention Unit at RBC, the drug will initially be introduced on a pilot basis at two health centres.

“We aim to assess client acceptability and determine if it can be a new intervention. If the feedback is positive, we plan to scale it up across the country,” Dr. Ikuzo said in a recent interview with The New Times.

Rwanda’s adoption of CAB-LA also addresses the challenges of adhering to oral PrEP. Many individuals find it difficult to maintain a daily pill routine, making long-acting injectables a more convenient and reliable option.

The rollout will initially target high-risk groups, including female sex workers and discordant couples. Currently, over 10,000 individuals in Rwanda use oral PrEP, representing 30% of those identified as high-risk. The new initiative aims to expand access to prevention services and further lower HIV prevalence among vulnerable groups.

The introduction of CAB-LA aligns with Rwanda’s commitment to meeting and surpassing the UNAIDS “95-95-95” targets, which aim to ensure that 95% of people living with HIV are diagnosed, 95% of those diagnosed receive antiretroviral therapy, and 95% of those on treatment achieve viral suppression.

Rwanda has made notable progress in addressing HIV/AIDS, with prevalence rates among high-risk groups showing a steady decline. For instance, HIV prevalence among female sex workers has decreased from 45% a decade ago to 35%. Overall, the HIV prevalence rate among Rwandans aged 15-64 stands at 3%, according to the 2019 Rwanda Population-based HIV Impact Assessment (RPHIA).

The Ministry of Health has emphasized the importance of maintaining preventive measures while embracing new solutions.

Minister of Health, Dr. Nsanzimana Sabin, believes that long-acting injectables could alleviate the burden on individuals who require lifelong HIV treatment.

“This approach offers a practical alternative to the daily regimen, ensuring better adherence and improving quality of life,” Dr. Nsanzimana said during a previous address.

The House unanimously gave a nod to President Paul Kagame’s nominees during a sitting on Thursday, December 5, 2024.

The approval followed thorough vetting by the Senate Committee on Political Affairs and Governance.

“After vetting the qualifications of the nominees and conducting interviews with them, as well as reviewing the responsibilities of the Supreme Court, the Committee concluded that the nominees have the knowledge and experience that would enable them to perform the duties they have been nominated for,” the Committee Chairperson, Senator Usta Kaitesi, told the Senate.

President Kagame [made the appointments on Tuesday, December 3->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/domitilla-mukantaganzwa-appointed-president-of-the-supreme-court?var_mode=preview], with the nominees expected to serve for a five-year term, renewable once.

Mukantaganzwa will succeed Faustin Ntezilyayo as Rwanda’s Chief Justice. She is set to become the country’s sixth Chief Justice since the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and the second female to hold the top position, following Aloysie Cyanzayire, who led the Rwandan judiciary from 2003 to 2011.

Until her appointment, the 60-year-old served as the Chairperson of the Rwanda Law Reform Commission (RLRC), a position she assumed in December 2019.

She is renowned for her central role and contributions to the success of the Gacaca Jurisdiction, which was tasked with handling cases related to the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. She led the institution from 2003 until 2012 when she concluded its mandate and presented a comprehensive report to the government.

Mukantaganzwa was also one of the commissioners who drafted the 2003 Rwandan Constitution.

On the other hand, Justice Hitiyaremye has served as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Rwanda since 2019.

{{France’s Minority Government falls in historic no-confidence vote
}}

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government was o Wednesday evening ousted by a no-confidence vote, marking a historic first since Georges Pompidou’s administration was toppled in 1962.

The vote followed Barnier’s controversial move to push through the 2025 social security budget without parliamentary approval. With 331 lawmakers supporting the motion, Barnier’s tenure as prime minister—already the shortest in the history of the Fifth Republic—came to an abrupt end.

The no-confidence motion was spearheaded by the New Popular Front (NFP), a coalition of left-leaning parties, and supported by the far-right National Rally (RN), led by Marine Le Pen. This cross-spectrum alliance reflects the increasingly fragmented nature of French politics.

President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to dissolve parliament in June had already set the stage for a deeply divided legislature following snap elections in July.

With new elections constitutionally barred until mid-2025, the political landscape in France remains fraught.

President Macron must now navigate the complex process of appointing a caretaker government, which will oversee operations in the short term but faces significant challenges in achieving long-term stability. Financial markets have already shown signs of concern, with France’s borrowing costs spiking amid the turmoil.

This development places France at a critical juncture, further complicating the European Union’s dynamics as Germany grapples with its own electoral uncertainties and the U.S. prepares for Donald Trump’s return to the White House in January.

{{Kenya sued at East African Court of Justice
}}

Kenya is facing a legal battle at the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) over its decision to grant diplomatic immunities to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The case, filed by Kenyan petitioners Sigi Waigumo Mwanzia and Gichohi Waweru on November 28, 2024, accuses Kenya of breaching the East African Community (EAC) Treaty and its own Constitution by failing to ensure transparency, public participation, and accountability in the process.

The immunities, granted through a gazette notice on October 4, 2024, sparked public debate. Critics argue such privileges are typically reserved for diplomatic missions, not private entities.

The petitioners demand an explanation of how the foundation qualified under Kenya’s Privileges and Immunities Act and access to related documentation. The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has also filed a separate case, leading the High Court to suspend the immunities pending a hearing.

Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi, had earlier defended the decision, emphasizing the foundation’s substantial contributions to development and adherence to legal frameworks. However, questions linger about the broader implications of extending diplomatic protections to philanthropic organizations.

{{Karua returns to Kenya after delays in obtaining practice license in Uganda
}}

Kenyan lawyer Martha Karua has returned to Kenya after failing to secure a temporary practicing license from the Uganda Law Council, delaying her plans to lead the defense of Ugandan opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye.

Karua visited Uganda on December 1, 2024, to obtain the necessary certification but was unsuccessful. Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, a member of Besigye’s legal team, stated that the team remains hopeful the license will be approved soon.

The legal team sought an adjournment in Besigye’s case to allow time for Karua’s certification, but the General Court Martial rescheduled the hearing to December 10, 2024, citing scheduling conflicts.

Besigye and his ally Abeid Lutale face charges including illegal possession of firearms and activities undermining national security following their controversial arrest in Nairobi, Kenya, while in the city to attend the launch of Karua’s book. Both remain remanded at Luzira Prison.

The charges have drawn criticism from rights activists, who argue they are politically
motivated, with questions raised about the military court’s jurisdiction over civilians.

Besigye, a veteran opposition figure and four-time presidential candidate, has faced repeated arrests for anti-government protests.

{{Trump nominates Jared Isaacman to head NASA
}}

United States President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Jared Isaacman, a tech billionaire and private astronaut, to lead NASA.

Isaacman, known for funding and participating in SpaceX’s private space missions, would replace the outgoing administrator, Bill Nelson, if confirmed by the Senate.

Isaacman, 41, is the founder of Shift4 Payments and an accomplished fighter pilot. He collaborated with SpaceX in 2022, making history with the first private spacewalk while testing customized spacewalking suits. His nomination signals NASA’s continued reliance on private companies like SpaceX, which plays a central role in the Artemis program aimed at returning humans to the moon.

Isaacman’s leadership is expected to deepen NASA’s focus on commercial partnerships and expand exploration efforts, including missions to Mars.

Trump highlighted Isaacman’s potential to drive breakthroughs in space science, technology, and exploration. Critics have noted Isaacman’s lack of government experience but acknowledged his expertise in private space ventures.

This early appointment aligns with Trump’s push to accelerate space exploration and expand the commercial space sector, with support from Elon Musk, a close collaborator and major donor to Trump’s campaign.

{{Rwanda to unveil Rubavu Port
}}

Rwanda is set to officially launch the Rubavu Port on December 6, a state-of-the-art facility designed to boost regional trade and connectivity, particularly with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Situated on Lake Kivu in Nyamyumba Sector, this two-hectare port features cargo and passenger terminals and has been operational in a pilot phase since June 2024. It can handle 700,000 tonnes of cargo and 2.7 million passengers annually, with facilities including a wastewater treatment plant, petrol station, and accommodations for staff.

The project, funded by Invest International and TradeMark Africa, aims to lower trade costs and improve efficiency in transporting goods like cement, beverages, and dairy products across Lake Kivu. It also supports local communities by creating jobs and fostering tourism. Officials anticipate significant economic benefits, including streamlined logistics, reduced tariffs, and fewer cross-border trade bottlenecks.

Rubavu Port is part of a larger initiative, the Lake Kivu Harbour Transport Project, which includes the development of additional ports in Rusizi, Karongi, and Nkora.

The project aims to transform Rwanda into a regional trade corridor, reducing the cost per metric ton of goods transported across Lake Kivu by nearly 60% while promoting greener and safer alternatives to road transport.