In a statement, AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka said Burundi “serves as a rear base and command centre” for the coalition forces of the Kinshasa regime in its conflict with the rebels.
“All the bombings carried out by Soukhoï-25 fighter aircraft and drones against densely populated areas and along the entire front line are being coordinated from Burundi,” Kanyuka stated on Sunday.
Kanyuka emphasised that Burundi is not only involved in planning and directing the attacks, but its troops and Imbonerakure militia also participate directly in attacks against Congolese civilians.
“Burundi is also deploying its troops and Imbonerakure militiamen in South Kivu, where they are integrated with the FARDC, the FDLR and the Maï-Maï Wazalendo,” he added.
AFC/M23’s deputy coordinator, Bertrand Bisimwa, Bertrand Bisimwa described the actions of Burundian forces as constituting crimes against humanity and war crimes.
Since October 2025, Burundian troops have reportedly blocked all roads connecting residents in the Minembwe area of Fizi, Uvira, and Mwenga territories, restricting access to markets and healthcare services.
Brigadier General Gaspard Baratuza, spokesperson for the Burundian army, confirmed to the BBC last month that the roads had been closed, accusing local Banyamulenge communities of collaborating with armed groups, claims rejected by human rights organisations.
Clashes between Burundian forces and AFC/M23 intensified from November 26 in Mwenga territory, as Burundian troops attempted to seize areas previously held by the DRC government coalition. On November 30, AFC/M23 reported heavy Burundian casualties, with bodies hastily buried in pits and the wounded transported to Kisangani in Tshopo province for treatment.
The situation in eastern DRC remains volatile, raising concerns over the escalating involvement of foreign forces and the increasing toll on civilians, amid international efforts to resolve the conflict between the Kinshasa administration and the AFC/M23 rebels.
The conference, which coincided with the 30th anniversary of EALS, brought together legal professionals from across the East African Community (EAC) to reflect on three decades of regional cooperation, professional growth, and the advancement of the rule of law.
Nkundabarashi led the Rwandan delegation to the four-day gathering, where discussions centred on legal practice, governance reforms, and the evolving responsibilities of lawyers in strengthening justice systems in the region.
While in Addis Ababa, the delegation also paid a courtesy visit to the Embassy of Rwanda to brief officials on the conference outcomes and reinforce collaboration with Rwanda’s mission in Ethiopia.
The highlight of the forum for the Rwandan delegation was the recognition of Nkundabarashi’s continental leadership. Nkundabarashi received a special award recognising his outstanding leadership in promoting and elevating the legal profession in Rwanda, the East African region, and across the continent. His contribution as Vice President of the Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU) has positioned him as a leading voice in advocating for professional development, ethical standards, and continental legal cooperation.
In addition to receiving the award, Nkundabarashi took part in a high-level panel discussion on women’s leadership in the legal field. He showcased Rwanda’s progress in promoting gender equality, noting that the number of female advocates in the Rwanda Bar Association has grown from just seven in 1997 to 660 today.
He emphasised that gender equality is a fundamental right and highlighted the Bar’s commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind.
“We want to build a Bar that leaves no one behind. Gender equality is not a favour but a right,” he stressed.
The conference concluded with an interactive gala dinner, during which the Rwandan delegation shared elements of Rwanda’s cultural heritage through traditional dress, music, and dance. The showcase added a cultural dimension to Rwanda’s presence, reinforcing regional unity and appreciation of diversity.
The 30th anniversary of EALS highlighted the critical role of legal professionals in strengthening justice across East Africa. Rwanda’s participation, including leadership recognition and policy engagement, reflected its influence in shaping the region’s legal landscape.
The house was built by employees of the City of Kigali who are members of the RPF–Inkotanyi.
The initiative aligns with the RPF–Inkotanyi Manifesto, which prioritises the well-being of citizens, leaving no one behind, and supporting vulnerable populations to achieve sustainable development.
The handover ceremony was attended by the RPF–Inkotanyi Chairperson in Kigali and Mayor of the City, Samuel Dusengiyumva, alongside other officials, party members, and local residents.
In his remarks, Mayor Dusengiyumva commended the City of Kigali staff for turning the initiative into action and encouraged the beneficiary to maintain the property.
“Makuza, and those who have previously received houses in this community, we ask that you take care of your homes, keep them clean, and ensure they remain in good condition. When we conduct follow-up visits, we hope to find them well-kept. As City leadership, we remain committed to providing infrastructure to improve your well-being,” he said.
The house was constructed through collaboration between multiple institutions. The Special Cell of City of Kigali staff carried out community work and contributed funds according to work categories. Ruliba Clay provided bricks, and the Special Cell of Nyarugenge District assisted with purchasing household items.
Makuza Jean Claude expressed his gratitude to all parties involved.
“I am very thankful and promise to take good care of this house, setting an example for others,” he said.
Makuza was selected based on several criteria, including having a disability that prevents him from working, lacking immovable property, being widowed, receiving no other assistance, and supporting a family of eight struggling to meet basic needs. The construction of the house provides an immediate solution to the family’s difficult living conditions while supporting broader efforts to assist the most vulnerable.
Ahead of the handover, leaders and residents participated in tree planting across the village as part of the ongoing #IgitiCyanjye (My Tree) campaign, which aims to plant three million trees over the next five years. The initiative promotes proper tree care and growth while contributing to climate change mitigation efforts.
Inger Andersen, UNEP’s executive director, said on Friday at a briefing that UNEA-7 will take place against a backdrop of a fragile geopolitical landscape, necessitating global solidarity to tackle pressing ecological challenges such as climate change.
“UNEA-7 will focus on how we can strengthen multilateralism to deliver united, inclusive action across every strand of the triple planetary crisis, treating it as the single, interconnected challenge it is,” Andersen said.
More than 3,000 delegates, including 55 environment ministers from across the globe, are expected to participate in UNEA-7 that will run under the theme of “Advancing Sustainable Solutions for a Resilient Planet,” Andersen said.
She added that the five-day forum will discuss 19 draft resolutions and decisions covering artificial intelligence, minerals and metals, tackling wildfires, and hydrological cycles.
While acknowledging that ecological challenges, including pollution, planetary warming, and habitat loss, have intensified, Andersen stressed that UNEA-7 offers a chance to reset global environmental governance and deliver lasting solutions.
Radhika Ochalik, UNEP’s director of governance affairs, said that delegations will share successful case studies on the implementation of international environmental treaties that advance the green agenda.
Besides side events covering a wide range of topics, UNEA-7 will also feature exhibitions, high-level panel discussions, while negotiations on draft resolutions will be conducted throughout the forum, according to Ochalik.
She revealed that draft resolutions have been organised around four clusters: nature and climate; governance and law; chemicals, waste, and pollution; and strategic and procedural matters, such as the approval of UNEP’s medium-term strategy for 2026-2029.
Deborah Barasa, cabinet secretary in Kenya’s Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry, said that Kenya will leverage its role as host of UNEA-7 to champion an ambitious and inclusive green agenda that benefits communities and the planet.
Held biennially since 2014, UNEA is the world’s highest-level decision-making body on the environment, enjoying universal membership of all 193 UN member states, alongside major groups like civil society, the private sector, and academia.
The model, approved by the Cabinet on 28 November, is designed to improve efficiency, passenger experience and accountability across the city’s bus network.
At the centre of the reform is Ecofleet Solutions, a newly created state-owned company that will coordinate, supervise and professionalise bus operations in the capital.
The model shifts focus from revenue-driven operations to service-based performance, a move authorities say will eliminate chronic overcrowding and long waits that have plagued commuters.
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Under the new system, Ecofleet Solutions will monitor the city’s entire public transport ecosystem, from route planning and bus deployment to daily service quality. Private operators will continue to own buses and employ staff, but financial management, monitoring and performance evaluation will fall under Ecofleet.
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The new model introduces tighter operational controls across the public transport system, including a strict limit of ten minutes for buses at terminals and no more than three minutes at regular stops.
Fare collection will shift entirely to centralised digital systems, while operators will be compensated based on service quality rather than passenger numbers.
The framework also imposes firm penalties for any cash transactions or other forms of non-compliance, signalling a move toward a more orderly and accountable urban transport network.
The model will remove incentives for operators to overload buses or delay departures, a common source of complaints among Kigali commuters.
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Advanced technology will underpin the new transport framework. Real-time systems will track bus movements, delays and overall performance. Updated timetables, both physical and digital, will be displayed at bus stops, while smartphone users will be able to locate nearby stops, track arrival times and view bus routes.
Payment options will widen beyond Tap & Go to include bank cards and Mobile Money, all routed through Ecofleet’s centralised payment system.
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Rwanda aims to transition to a fully electric public bus fleet by the end of 2026. Ecofleet will introduce 190 electric buses of its own and lease an additional 110 from private operators. The initial rollout will focus on the Downtown–Sonatubes–Remera corridor before expanding to other key routes, including Sonatubes–Gahanga and Nyabugogo–Gishushu.
The system formally launches on December 2, 2025, with infrastructure preparations nearing completion.
Minister of State for Infrastructure Eng. Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye emphasised that fares will not change during the trial period, urging residents to take advantage of the improved system.
“Buses will be cleaner, safer and more reliable,” he said, adding that senior officials will also rely on public transport to demonstrate confidence in the reform.
The overhaul builds on earlier commitments made during the 18th National Umushyikirano Council in February 2023, when the government pledged to reinforce Kigali’s transport system with more than 300 new buses. With government-backed subsidies, operators have already acquired around 200 buses, all of which have arrived in the city.
Pilot tests on the Kabuga–Nyabugogo corridor in May 2025 helped inform the new model by assessing the feasibility of non-waiting, high-frequency bus operations.
The inaugural Africa Cycling Excellence Awards (ACEA) ceremony honoured Africa’s cyclists of the year on Saturday evening in Kigali, in the presence of Rwanda’s Minister of State for Sports, Rwego Ngarambe, CAC President Yao Allah-Kouamé and Freddy Kamuzinzi, promoter of ACEA.
In the men’s category, Girmay topped the rankings ahead of fellow Eritreans Henok Mulubrhan and Milkias Maekele, who had also been shortlisted in the top three.
The Eritrean has been voted Africa’s best cyclist for the fifth time, following his successes in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2024. The former Tour de France green jersey winner has once again had a magnificent season, with podium finishes in the biggest races proving his consistency at the highest level worldwide.
On the women’s side, Kim Le Court edged out Ethiopia’s Kahsay Tsige Kiros and Selam Amha Gerefiel.
The Mauritian rider demonstrated her talent this season by winning a stage of the Tour de France and becoming the first African woman to wear the yellow jersey (for four days). She also won the classic Liège-Bastogne-Liège in the spring, the first time an African rider has won a World Tour event.
The finalists had been narrowed down from a larger pool of 18 cyclists, which included two Rwandans: Ingabire Diane and Nirere Xaveline.
For this first award in the amateur category reserved for riders who do not belong to a professional UCI team, Burkina Faso champion Paul Daumont won over the jury members with his dedication and experience, which have made him one of the most successful cyclists on the continent for several years.
He took first place ahead of South African Blaine Kieck, winner of several races in France, and Malian Tiemoko Diamouténé, who won stages in three major national tours, in Mali, Côte d’Ivoire and Togo.
Eritrea’s national team was crowned Team of the Year after outperforming Rwanda and Mauritius.
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The awards also honoured outstanding cyclists within the East African Community (EAC). In this category, Nsengiyumva Odette from Burundi won the women’s award, while Charles Kagimu of Uganda claimed the men’s title.
In Rwanda, Masengesho Vainqueur of Benediction Club was named the best male cyclist of the year, with Nirere Xaveline, who races for Team Amani of Kenya, winning the women’s award.
Rwanda has also been selected to host the ACEA awards again in 2026 before the event rotates to other countries on the continent.
The three-day meeting, which closed on Friday, November 28, brought together more than 25 stock exchanges, policymakers, institutional investors, and development partners, all converging on Rwanda’s capital to map out strategies for a more interconnected, resilient, and investment-friendly Africa.
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One of the most significant announcements came from the Rwanda Stock Exchange (RSE), which launched its Multicurrency Denominated Securities Market Segment (MDS). The new platform will allow securities to be issued and traded in various global and regional currencies, a move expected to deepen market liquidity, attract diverse investors, and simplify cross-border trading.
“This development supports diversified investment opportunities, enhanced market depth, and improved cross-border capital flow efficiency,” said RSE.
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Sustainability also took centre stage with the unveiling of the Green Exchange Window, another RSE-led innovation. The dedicated platform will facilitate the listing and trading of green bonds, ESG-linked products, and environmentally focused instruments.
The initiative positions Kigali as an emerging hub for sustainable finance in Africa, offering investors greater transparency and expanding avenues for climate-aligned investment.
Delegates said the window is poised to play an essential role in mobilising capital for renewable energy projects, climate adaptation, and conservation efforts, areas expected to attract growing international interest.
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At the forum, ASEA members renewed pledges under the African Exchanges Linkage Project (AELP), an initiative that seeks to boost cross-border trading by harmonising technology and market infrastructure. The commitment supports wider goals of building deeper, more unified African capital markets capable of attracting global institutional capital.
In a virtual address, the Secretary General of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) highlighted the alignment between ASEA’s market integration agenda and the AfCFTA Investment Protocol. He stressed that stronger governance and liquidity will be crucial as Africa positions itself for enhanced competitiveness.
“I believe that the ACFTA protocol on investment is well poised to position our continent for competitiveness. This is where your work becomes indispensable by deepening liquidity, strengthening governance and enhancing cross-border cooperation. Africa’s Securities exchanges are shifting our economies from dependence on short-term lending to more diversified, resilient financial systems”.
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Another highlight of the Kigali conference was the inauguration of the Pan-Africa ESG Awards, the continent’s first awards dedicated to recognising excellence in environmental stewardship, social impact, and corporate governance.
The awards aim to set new standards in sustainability reporting and encourage companies to adopt stronger ESG practices in line with global investment trends.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, ASEA President and CEO of the Rwanda Stock Exchange, Pierre Celestin Rwabukumba, praised the collective resolve displayed at the conference.
“Hosting ASEA 2025 has demonstrated what is possible when African markets come together with a shared vision,” he said. “The initiatives launched here, including the Pan-African ESG Awards and the Multicurrency Denominated Securities Market Segment, signal a new chapter for our continent. Rwanda is proud to contribute to a future where Africa’s markets are more integrated, more innovative, and more globally competitive.”
The Kigali conference reaffirmed Africa’s commitment to advancing regulatory harmonisation, expanding sustainable finance, strengthening commodities and derivatives markets, and integrating digital infrastructure across exchanges.
As the continent steps up efforts to build more open and resilient capital markets, the measures unveiled in Kigali are expected to shape the next phase of Africa’s financial integration agenda.
The troops completed their basic military training under the guidance of instructors from the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) on Saturday, marking another milestone in the growing defence cooperation between the two nations.
The pass-out ceremony, held at Camp Kassai Military Barracks in Bangui, was presided over by President Faustin Archange Touadéra, who applauded the newly enrolled soldiers for their commitment and resilience throughout the programme.
Alongside the new recruits, 121 platoon sergeants graduated from a six-month leadership course also delivered by RDF instructors. The group is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping discipline, coordination, and operational efficiency within the ranks of the FACA.
Maj Gen Vincent Nyakarundi, the RDF Army Chief of Staff, attended the ceremony as a distinguished guest. In his remarks, he congratulated the graduates and urged them to uphold professionalism, competence, and discipline as they assume their duties. He encouraged the new platoon sergeants to lead by example and provide consistent support and guidance to their commanders.
Gen Victor Yacoub, Deputy Chief of Staff of the FACA, expressed deep appreciation for Rwanda’s continued support, noting that the RDF has now trained a total of 2,409 soldiers in basic military skills and 300 non-commissioned officers. He commended the trainees for demonstrating discipline and dedication throughout the programme.
The ceremony featured demonstrations of key competencies acquired during training, including marksmanship, martial arts and map-reading skills that highlight the operational readiness of the new recruits.
Rwandan forces first deployed to the Central African Republic in 2014 as part of peacekeeping efforts following civil unrest in 2012. Initially under the African Union mission MISCA, and later the United Nations mission MINUSCA, Rwandan troops have played a key role in protecting civilians, safeguarding UN facilities, and providing security for the Head of State and his family.
In 2020, Rwanda reinforced its support through additional troop deployments and military training programs for the Central African Republic’s armed forces.
According to a statement from the Presidency’s Office of Communication and Public Relations, the new government consists of 23 ministries and five secretariats of state.
Key appointments include Joao Bernardo Vieira as minister of foreign affairs, international cooperation and communities, Mamasaliu Embalo as minister of interior and public order, and former foreign minister Carlos Pinto Pereira as minister of justice and human rights.
All members of the new cabinet are said to be linked to the electoral camp of deposed President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, with four having served in the previous government.
Earlier, Inta-A appointed Tomas Djassi as chief of general staff of the armed forces and Ilidio Vieira Te as prime minister and minister of finance.
Guinea-Bissau held presidential and parliamentary elections on November 23, with Embalo seeking re-election. The results were initially expected on Thursday.
On Wednesday, the military declared it had taken “full control” of state authority to counter “attempts by certain political actors to undermine national stability,” subsequently dismissing Embalo. Senior military officer Inta-A was sworn in as transitional president on Thursday for a one-year term.
The event, held at KFH, brought together parents who previously delivered premature babies at the hospital, their children, neonatal specialists, and hospital leaders. It served as an opportunity to highlight the burden of premature births, celebrate success stories, and recognise the critical role of healthcare professionals in improving survival rates.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), one in every ten babies globally is born prematurely. At KFH alone, between 170 and 200 premature infants are admitted annually, all requiring specialised care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The unit provides respiratory support, assisted feeding, and monitored thermal regulation through incubators to stabilise infants until they reach appropriate developmental milestones.
Dr Nkuranga John Baptist, a neonatal expert at KFH, said premature births can be triggered by multiple factors, many of which are linked to maternal health and lifestyle.
“A mother who manages her weight, reduces work-related stress, attends all eight antenatal visits, and receives timely monitoring if she has conditions such as diabetes or hypertension significantly lowers the risk of delivering prematurely,” he said. He added that women carrying multiple babies require more intensive follow-up.
Parents who shared their experiences described the emotional and physical toll of caring for premature infants. Venutse Niyonsaba, who delivered quadruplets after 14 years without conceiving, said the period was one of the most difficult in her life.
“You can imagine the joy of finally having children after 14 years, only to find that all four need critical care, and their mother also requires surgery. It is a journey I would never wish on anyone,” she said.
Fridorine Sekiza, whose baby was born at 26 weeks and spent three months in the NICU, noted that many parents are unprepared for the experience.
“You return home after delivery, but leave your baby in the hospital. People don’t know whether to congratulate you or console you. These are difficult moments, but we appreciate the doctors who help our babies survive,” she said.
Dr Athanase Rukundo, Acting Head of Clinical and Public Health at the Ministry of Health, said premature birth remains a recognised national concern, and efforts are underway to strengthen the referral and care system.
“We are aware of challenges such as the limited number of ambulances equipped to transport premature infants, and discussions are ongoing to address this. We are also working to ensure all hospitals receive essential equipment and to increase the number of specialised staff to reduce premature infant mortality,” he said.
WHO representative Dr Theopista Kabuteni encouraged parents to adopt Kangaroo Mother Care, a method involving prolonged skin-to-skin contact between the parent and the baby to stabilise temperature, promote breastfeeding, and improve survival outcomes.
UNICEF’s Dr Manzi Emmanuel commended parents for their resilience and praised the strong collaboration between WHO, UNICEF, the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), and the Ministry of Health in improving child health indicators.
As part of the commemoration, KFH offered training sessions for parents on breastfeeding, Kangaroo Mother Care, and other essential practices for managing premature infants.
Ministry of Health data shows that Rwanda records between 37,000 and 40,000 births annually, with premature babies accounting for about 10%. Complications related to premature birth contribute to 36% of newborn deaths in the country, while 60% of premature infants die before reaching one year. Overall, 45% of under-five deaths occur among children born prematurely.
The event concluded with testimonies from parents and a visit to families with infants still receiving care in the NICU, during which KFH distributed gifts to all mothers.
