President Faye, accompanied by Rwanda’s Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, Dr Bizimana Jean Damascène, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe, visited the memorial on Saturday, October 18, 2025.
The Kigali Genocide Memorial, located in Gisozi, Gasabo District, was inaugurated in 2004 and is the final resting place for more than 250,000 victims of the genocide.
Following his visit, President Faye reflected in the memorial’s guestbook:
“As a demonstration of my compassion and active solidarity with the Rwandan people, who have endured one of the worst human tragedies. Here, silence speaks louder than words. It reminds us of the horror of the Genocide against the Tutsi, but also of the resilience and greatness of a people who have transformed pain into hope and memory into the building of lasting peace.”
Through his message, President Faye also expressed his wish for the enduring friendship and cooperation between Rwanda and Senegal to continue to grow.
The Senegalese leader is on a three-day state visit to Rwanda, which began on October 17, 2025, aimed at reinforcing the strong ties between the two nations.
The agreements, witnessed by President Paul Kagame and his Senegalese counterpart, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, cover cooperation on visas, agriculture, health, correctional services, and Rwanda’s long-term development framework, Vision 2050.
President Faye arrived in Kigali on Friday for a three-day official visit aimed at deepening relations between the two countries. During his stay, he is expected to tour key Rwandan institutions, including the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and the Ministry of Sports, to explore avenues for collaboration in investment promotion, innovation, and youth development.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, President Kagame welcomed his Senegalese counterpart, describing the visit as a reflection of the “long-standing and productive relationship” between Rwanda and Senegal.
“Rwanda and Senegal are guided by the same values, putting people first, delivering results, and pursuing a bold, transformative vision,” President Kagame said. “Our discussions today reaffirmed our commitment to act on these principles. We also share the vision of a self-reliant, united continent guided by accountable governance and inclusive development.”
He added that both nations recognise the critical role of Africa’s youth in shaping the continent’s future, emphasising the need to provide them with a stable, fair, and innovative environment to thrive. “Their talent and resilience are undeniable. Our responsibility is to make sure they have the opportunity to meet their full potential,” Kagame noted.
President Faye, on his part, expressed deep admiration for Rwanda’s transformation journey, commending President Kagame’s leadership in turning Rwanda into one of Africa’s most inspiring success stories.
“Rwanda’s resilience and the progress it has made on the path to development since 1994 are remarkable,” Faye said, while also paying tribute to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
He hailed the strong political and diplomatic bonds between the two nations, noting that while relations are excellent, there remains untapped potential in economic and trade cooperation.
“I am convinced that we can do much more in areas such as agriculture, education, health, the digital economy, air transport, infrastructure, culture, and sports,” he said.
President Faye also proposed the creation of a Joint Cooperation Commission to review the state of Rwanda–Senegal collaboration and identify new areas of partnership.
At the continental level, both leaders reaffirmed their shared stance on key African and global issues, underlining their commitment to Africa-led development and mutual support within international platforms. President Faye praised Kagame’s leadership in driving the African Union reform process and his efforts to promote peace and security across the continent.
Rwanda and Senegal have enjoyed cordial diplomatic relations for decades, built on mutual respect and shared aspirations. The establishment of the Rwandan Embassy in Dakar in 2011 marked a turning point in their cooperation, paving the way for stronger engagement in governance, trade, and cultural exchange.
President Kagame last visited Senegal in August 2025, a visit that reinforced both nations’ determination to advance Africa’s transformation agenda through partnership, solidarity, and shared vision.
These include the Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI), Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), and Global Governance Initiative (GGI), all reflecting China’s approach to tackling transnational challenges through multilateral cooperation and a shared future for humanity.
Since their inception, the initiatives have gained support from more than 100 countries and international organizations.
The discussions took place during a one-day webinar themed “The Benefits of China’s Four Global Initiatives to Africa,” organized by Africa-China Review in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy in Rwanda.
The event brought together academics, policymakers, and experts from both regions to exchange insights on how these frameworks are driving inclusive development, peace, and cultural exchange.
Professor Liao Fan, Director General and Senior Fellow at the Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, described the four initiatives as “a systematic response to the challenges of our time.”
He said they aim to build “a fair, equitable, and inclusive international order” by promoting cooperation beyond zero-sum competition.
Prof. Fan also noted that together, the initiatives form “the four pillars of global stability and cooperation,” offering practical solutions to deficits in development, peace, and governance.
He emphasized Africa’s central role in advancing these frameworks, calling it “the heart of the Global South,” and praised the China–Rwanda partnership as “a vivid example of a community with a shared future for mankind.”
Prof. Wang Yongzhong, Director of the World Energy Department at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, shared lessons from China’s remarkable economic growth.
He highlighted how reforms, infrastructure investment, and openness fueled China’s rise from a closed, agrarian economy to the world’s second largest.
Prof. Wang emphasized that Africa and China are “highly complementary economies,” with Africa’s rich natural resources and young labor force aligning with China’s industrial and technological capacity.
Prof. Wang noted that Africa receives “around 40–45 percent of China’s global aid” and that Chinese foreign direct investment has driven industrialization, energy access, and connectivity across the continent.
Reforming global governance for inclusion
Dr. Felicien Ufitumukiza, Deputy CEO of the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), called for “profound reforms of international organizations” to make them more inclusive and equitable.
He argued that “no country is big enough to succeed alone” and urged for Africa’s “active participation and representation in global decision-making.”
Dr. Ufitumukiza, presented Rwanda’s home-grown Governance Scorecard as a model for accountability and self-assessment, saying it serves as “a practical tool for driving policy reform and improving institutional performance.”
Africa’s opportunity for green and digital growth
Kenyan scholar Dr. Adhere Cavince, an international relations expert, said the Global Development Initiative holds “particular significance for Africa” by supporting the continent’s ambitions in poverty reduction, digital transformation, and green energy.
He applauded China’s “zero-tariff treatment for 53 African countries” and cited renewable energy partnerships as evidence of China’s role in “transforming African livelihoods.”
Dr. Cavince also emphasized technology transfer, saying, “It is only through this kind of collaboration that Africa can drive industrialization and create jobs for its young population.”
Cooperation for shared peace and stability
Dr. Ismail Buchanan, a senior lecturer at the University of Rwanda, reflected on the Global Security Initiative, describing it as a framework for “shared responsibility and mutual stability.”
He noted that Africa’s conflicts make “security a central challenge to development” and called for partnerships based on “dialogue rather than confrontation.”
Nicholas Dweh Nimley, Managing Editor of the South Liberia Post, said China’s four initiatives offer “pathways to real transformative progress” for countries like Liberia.
He explained that the GDI aligns closely with Liberia’s priorities in “agriculture, rule of law, education, sanitation, and tourism.”
Nicholas cited China-funded projects such as the National Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Laboratory, as well as investments in “roads, hospitals, and the Capitol Building extension.”
He added that Liberia has “sent 22 agricultural experts to China to learn about food preservation” and praised China’s support in “media training and broadcasting infrastructure” as a means to strengthen cultural ties and counter negative stereotypes.
The session was moderated by Gerald Mbanda, Founder of Africa-China Review.
Virgile Rwanyagatare, Director General for Asia, Pacific and Middle East at Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted the GCI as an opportunity to deepen cooperation for the benefits of both countries’ people.
Meanwhile, China’s Ambassador to Rwanda, Gao Wenqi reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with African nations under the Four Global Initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping.
Highlighting China’s role as Africa’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years, with trade hitting $295.6 billion in 2024 among others, Amb. Gao noted that the initiatives have “moved beyond concept to practice, delivering tangible results across Africa.”
In an exclusive interview with IGIHE, Ngannou, who also serves as Chairperson of PFL Africa, said it was “easier to bring PFL Africa to Rwanda” because the nation was already prepared and aligned with the league’s long-term vision.
“Rwanda was a country that was already ahead and ready with the infrastructure, the vision, the project, so everything was aligned,” Ngannou said. “So, looking for a hosting country for PFL Africa, Rwanda was already at the top of the line because we all can see all the work that Rwanda has been doing in order to develop and to improve the sport.”
The Kigali event marks a new chapter in the Professional Fighters League’s expansion across the continent. After successful rounds in Cape Town and Johannesburg, the league has now brought its semifinals to Rwanda, the first time a PFL event has been staged in East Africa and the country’s official debut on the global mixed martial arts (MMA) stage.
“After seeing the facilities and the arena, it was clear Rwanda was ready,” Ngannou added, referring to the BK Arena. “Besides the infrastructure and the organisation surrounding it, the excitement about the event itself is very impressive.”
He noted that Rwanda’s progress reflects its ambition to build a strong sports sector, something he believes can inspire other African countries.
“One of the things that made it easier for me as an African was not having to worry about a visa when coming here as a Cameroonian,” he said.
{{A fighter shaped by struggle
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Ngannou’s story is one of perseverance and self-belief, a rise from poverty to global success. Born in Batié, Cameroon, he grew up in extreme hardship, working in a sand mine as a child to afford school supplies and help his family survive.
At 26, he left home to pursue a dream of becoming a professional fighter, embarking on a dangerous journey through the Sahara and across Europe. Along the way, he endured detention and months of homelessness in Paris, but he never lost hope.
“Regardless of where or how far back you start, it’s never too late to win a race,” he said. “When your biggest competitor is yourself, we tend to be our own obstacle by doubting ourselves.”
That resilience carried him to become one of the most feared fighters in the world, first as UFC Heavyweight Champion and now as the inaugural PFL Super Fights Heavyweight Champion.
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As Chairman of PFL Africa, Ngannou said his goal is to help develop local talent and provide African fighters with the resources and platform to compete globally.
“The long-term vision for PFL Africa is to encourage those African talents, those African fighters who have a dream of fighting on the higher stage, and to grow local talent that can compete on the global stage,” he explained. “It’s not just about events, but about talent development, infrastructure, and education.”
He added that he feels a responsibility to bridge the gap for fighters who don’t have the same resources as those in other regions.
“At the end of the day, I’m still a fighter,” he said. “I always see myself as a fighter and try to do what is best for fighters.”
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When asked what still scares him after years of facing the world’s toughest opponents, Ngannou gave a simple answer.
“The only thing that really scares me is to give up and to wake up someday and find out that I didn’t give it all,” he said. “That’s my biggest fear.”
He urged young Africans to overcome self-doubt and pursue their dreams relentlessly.
“Don’t be your own opponent,” he said. “The biggest fight you will ever have is the one against yourself.”
Ngannou believes Rwanda’s hosting of PFL Africa 3 is only the beginning of a new era for combat sports on the continent.
“We are soon to have local fighters coming out of here and from the region,” he said. “With their support, they can reach my level or even higher, so we can build the biggest community together.”
The Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) is a diplomatic framework proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in March 2023.
Presented as a response to perceived global division, it advocates for respect for civilizational diversity, peaceful coexistence, and cultural exchange.
Speaking at a one-day webinar themed “The Benefits of China’s Four Global Initiatives to Africa,” Virgile Rwanyagatare, Director General for Asia, Pacific and Middle East at Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Rwanda believes the GCI provides an opportunity to deepen people-to-people collaboration between the two countries.
“Rwanda believes that through the GCI, we can deepen collaboration with China in tourism, arts, education, and media, strengthening the foundations of friendship and mutual understanding between African and Chinese peoples,” Rwanyagatare said.
The webinar, organized by Africa-China Review in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy in Rwanda, brought together policymakers, scholars, and experts from both sides to discuss how Africa can leverage China’s Four Global Initiatives; the Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI), Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), and Global Governance Initiative (GGI).
These initiatives reflect China’s wisdom in tackling transnational challenges through multilateral cooperation and a shared future for humanity.
Since their inception, they have gained support from over 100 countries and international organizations.
Rwanyagatare commended China for being a trusted partner in Rwanda’s development journey, particularly through investments in infrastructure, health, technology, and education.
He also acknowledged the significance of the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) as a platform translating South-South cooperation into tangible outcomes.
He noted that the four initiatives align with Africa’s Agenda 2063 and Rwanda’s Vision 2050, both of which emphasize inclusive growth, peace, and global collaboration.
“Rwanda remains committed to strengthening its excellent relations with the People’s Republic of China, with active engagements in the implementation of the Four Global Initiatives for the benefit of our peoples,” he concluded.
China’s Ambassador to Rwanda, Gao Wenqi, also reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Rwanda and other African nations under the Four Global Initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping.
Speaking at the webinar themed “The Benefits of China’s Four Global Initiatives to Africa”, Amb. Gao said the initiatives have “moved beyond concept to practice,” delivering tangible results across Africa.
He highlighted China’s role as Africa’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years, with bilateral trade reaching a record $295.6 billion in 2024, and noted that in June 2025, China granted zero-tariff treatment to 53 African countries, further boosting access to Chinese markets.
On peace and security, Gao reaffirmed China’s support for “African solutions to African problems,” emphasizing Beijing’s contributions to UN peacekeeping operations, military training, and regional stability efforts.
He also underscored growing cooperation in education and culture, citing platforms such as the China-Africa Youth Festival, Confucius Institutes, and Luban Workshops, as well as over 2,000 Rwandan students currently studying in China.
The ambassador further explained that China’s approach to global governance reform is grounded in its successful domestic governance model, emphasizing efficiency, integrity, and transparency, principles reflected in the country’s “Eight-Point Regulation.”
The latter is a set of regulations stipulated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in 2012 aimed at instilling more discipline among party members and making the party “closer to the masses”.
The session was moderated by Gerald Mbanda, Founder of Africa-China Review.
Speaking in a media interview ahead of his performance at the Friends of Amstel concert in Kigali on Saturday, October 18, 2025, Bien reflected on his special connection with Rwanda and how deeply his music resonates with Rwandans.
“My art has been understood by Rwandans better than by people in Kenya. Rwandans, and people around the world, have truly embraced my craft,” he said.
“When I come to Kigali, I feel a connection—maybe because I look Rwandese. I think if I trace my ancestry, I’m probably from here. I’m from Western Kenya, and our people share similarities with Rwandans in how we live and what we eat. We eat the same things you do!”
Bien also spoke about his admiration for President Paul Kagame and Rwanda’s vision for the future.
“I’m also a big admirer of President Kagame and the future Rwanda is building. I envy the leadership you have and wish you all the best. My love for Rwanda comes from a place of purity, and it’s received with humility. When I sing from the heart, it resonates deeply with Rwandans,” he said.
During the interview, Bien hinted at a possible on-stage collaboration during the upcoming concert.
“I think we should perform our song together. It’s not new; it’s been around, but we have to sing it together,” he said.
His fellow artist, Mike Kayihura, also shared that he is gradually rebuilding his career after previous management challenges.
“I’d say I’m taking it step by step, doing what I can as an artist,” he said.
The Friends of Amstel concert, now in its third edition in Kigali, follows previous successful events featuring Johnny Drille in 2023 and Bnxn Buju in 2024. This year’s edition will be held at Zaria Court, with all 2,500 tickets sold out two days before the event.
The incident followed an armed robbery on October 16, 2025, at a branch of Rawbank in the Congolese capital. Security forces responding to the scene reportedly faced difficulties entering the bank as they engaged in a firefight with the robbers, who had taken several hostages, including bank staff and customers.
Footage later emerged showing soldiers escorting a woman, beating and stripping her naked before forcing her into a military vehicle. It was subsequently revealed that the woman was Honorine Porche Masamba, whom the soldiers accused of being one of the robbers involved in the attack.
Minister Shabani confirmed that the soldiers belonged to the 14th Military Region, which covers Kinshasa.
“They have been arrested and are awaiting trial. Their battalion commander has been suspended,” he said.
Reports have since surfaced suggesting that the woman may have been sexually assaulted while being transported to the place of detention. Human rights advocates and members of the public have called on authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation to establish the full truth and ensure accountability.
The Imbonerakure, the youth wing of Burundi’s ruling CNDD-FDD party, were trained at the Makamba military camp. They originate from regions including Kabarore, Bukinanyana, Mabayi, Mugina, and Rugombo, formerly part of Cibitoke Province in northwestern Burundi.
The FLN operates mainly in South Kivu Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Kibira Forest in Burundi. Both groups are said to collaborate in operations targeting the Rwandan government, particularly in Minembwe and other parts of Fizi Territory.
Between 2018 and 2019, the FLN launched a series of attacks in southwestern Rwanda, killing and injuring civilians and destroying property, including vehicles. These assaults were reportedly launched from bases in the Kibira Forest, where the group had been hosted by Burundian authorities.
According to credible reports, FLN fighters operating in the Kidote area of Lemera Group, Uvira Territory, recently received over 200 Imbonerakure members under the command of Colonel Fabien Mukeshimana, also known as Kamayi. Another 200 recruits were reportedly dispatched to Lubarika in Uvira, where they joined FLN units led by Major General Dieudonné Hategekimana, alias Théophile.
In mid-August 2025, Burundian military intelligence officials are said to have met Major General Hategekimana, urging him to collaborate with them and the DRC Armed Forces (FARDC) in Uvira and other areas bordering Rwanda. Sources indicate that the FLN commander was assured the cooperation would lead to financial and logistical support from the DRC government.
A senior Burundian intelligence officer alleged that both President Ndayishimiye and his predecessor Pierre Nkurunziza had long supported the FDLR and FLN, citing ideological alignment rooted in ethnic animosity.
“Ndayishimiye and Nkurunziza supported FDLR and FLN because they shared the ideology of hating the Tutsi,” the officer said. “The ruling CNDD-FDD party still promotes this tribalist agenda and believes supporting these groups can destabilise Rwanda’s FPR-led government.”
Burundian photojournalist Teddy Mazina echoed similar sentiments during an August 2025 interview on The Long Form, asserting that the CNDD-FDD and the FDLR share a long-standing anti-Tutsi ideology, which underpins their cooperation.
Mazina said that under Ndayishimiye’s administration, the Burundian government has allowed FDLR elements to operate freely — providing them with resources and enabling them to trade, settle, and organise within the country. He further recalled that during the May 2015 coup attempt against Nkurunziza, FDLR fighters from the DRC reportedly intervened to defend his government.
“We have FDLR in Bujumbura,” Mazina said. “There is testimony that they came to defend Nkurunziza’s government when the coup failed. Cooperation has never stopped. In Bujumbura, there are Rwandans identifying as FDLR civilians who have lived in Burundi since 2010, owning many shops. The money they make from Congo flows into Burundi.”
Reports further indicate that around 20,000 Burundian troops are currently stationed in South Kivu Province, particularly in Uvira Territory, maintaining active coordination with the FDLR and facilitating the movement of leaders from both groups between Bujumbura and other locations.
In a post on X, the IDF said that the coffin, escorted by IDF troops, crossed the border into Israel on its way to the National Institute for Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv for identification procedures.
The IDF urged the public “to act with sensitivity and wait for official identification, which will first be communicated to the families of the deceased hostages.”
This was the 10th body of an Israeli hostage that Hamas has handed over this week, out of 28 bodies it is obliged to return under the first phase of the Gaza peace plan.
Hamas on Monday released 20 live Israeli hostages who had been held in Gaza for two years.
“During the past night, from 11 p.m. (2000 GMT) on Oct. 16 to 7 a.m. (0400 GMT) on Oct. 17, air defense duty systems intercepted and destroyed 61 Ukrainian fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles,” the defense ministry said in a statement.
Thirty-two drones were downed over Crimea and 13 over the Rostov Region, it added.
Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency imposed flight restrictions at multiple Russian airports overnight for safety reasons, lifting them on Friday morning. In the city of Sochi, over a dozen flights were delayed due to the restrictions, and one flight was diverted to another airport, according to the local airport.
