Author: Wycliffe Nyamasege

According to the rebel coalition, the attacks targeted densely populated areas, destroying homes and prompting many residents to flee. Casualty figures have not yet been independently confirmed.

In Rutshuru, M23 reports indicate that three homes in the Kisisile area of the Bukoma groupement were destroyed, approximately three kilometres from the town centre.

Meanwhile, in Walikale’s Ikobo groupement, local residents fled or barricaded themselves in their homes after a drone strike in Buleusa. Schools in the area were suspended on October 2 as parents expressed concern for the safety of their children.

Lawrence Kanyuka, AFC/M23 spokesperson, called on the national and international community to witness what he described as the ongoing targeting of civilians by FARDC forces.

“These operations are coordinated from military headquarters in Uvira and Bujumbura,” he said, adding that AFC/M23 considers itself obliged to intervene to protect civilians.

The renewed violence comes amid efforts by international parties, including Qatar, to silence the guns in the troubled eastern region.

The Tesla and SpaceX chief’s financial leap is largely tied to Tesla’s performance on the markets. Musk controls over 12% of the company, and a rebound in its shares this year, up more than 14% so far, added billions to his fortune in a single day. The stock climbed 3.3% on Wednesday alone, contributing roughly $6 billion to his total wealth.

This milestone follows months of volatility. Earlier in the year, Tesla struggled with declining sales and tighter profit margins, putting pressure on its share price. Investor sentiment began to turn when Musk renewed his focus on his companies, stepping back into a visible leadership role.

“He’s front and centre again,” Tesla board chair Robyn Denholm remarked recently, noting his return after a spell of political activity in Washington.

To further demonstrate confidence, Musk purchased roughly $1 billion worth of Tesla stock in September. The move came as the company pushes to transform itself from a pure carmaker into a leader in artificial intelligence and robotics, a shift Musk has repeatedly described as Tesla’s future.

But Tesla is only part of the picture. His rocket firm SpaceX is estimated to be worth about $400 billion following recent private share sales, while his artificial intelligence venture xAI, launched just last year, has already been valued at $75 billion, with expectations it could soar past $200 billion in future rounds.

Together, these enterprises reflect Musk’s deepening reach into industries that investors see as defining the next era of technology.

Musk’s achievement also widens the gap between him and his closest rival on the Forbes index, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, whose wealth is pegged at $350.7 billion.

While Musk’s ascent to the $500 billion mark is historic, analysts caution that his fortune remains highly exposed to market swings. A sharp downturn in Tesla shares or changes in investor appetite for private tech valuations could significantly impact his net worth.

Still, with his portfolio spanning electric mobility, space exploration, and artificial intelligence, Musk’s influence on the global economy is unlikely to diminish anytime soon.

TIME magazine honoured Dr. Nsanzimana in the Innovation category, recognising his pioneering role in advancing public health in Rwanda and beyond. His tribute was penned by Mark Suzman, CEO of the Gates Foundation, who highlighted the minister’s commitment to reducing maternal and child mortality and ensuring equity in healthcare delivery.

“Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana says that if you want to quickly learn how a country’s health system is doing, you only have to look at two indicators: maternal and child mortality. Over the past 25 years, Rwanda has made stunning improvements on these metrics. But Dr. Nsanzimana committed to driving them even lower—because everyone deserves to survive childbirth and childhood,” Suzman wrote.

An epidemiologist by training, Dr. Nsanzimana gained international attention in 2024 after successfully leading efforts to halt a Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda, achieving the lowest recorded fatality for such an outbreak.

Since assuming office as Minister of Health, he has prioritised equitable access to proven health solutions, including scaling up nutritional support for pregnant women during the perinatal period.

The TIME100 Next list, a companion to the renowned TIME100, spotlights the “world’s most influential rising stars”. This includes leaders, innovators, advocates, artists, and change-makers who are redefining the next generation of leadership. Honourees come from diverse fields, ranging from politics and science to the arts and technology.

This year’s TIME100 Next list placed Dr. Nsanzimana among a diverse group of global innovators. His fellow honorees in this category included Afrobeats musician Rema, celebrated playwright Sanaz Toossi, de-extinction entrepreneur Ben Lamm, rising hip-hop artist GloRilla, young football phenom Lamine Yamal, and venture capital tech executive Fatoumata Ba.

Dr. Nsanzimana’s recognition not only underscores his influence on Rwanda’s health sector but also positions him as a leading voice in shaping equitable healthcare solutions for the world.

The event, held at the Kigali Marriott Hotel on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, forms part of the country’s ongoing work toward a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (2025–2028).

Co-organised by Initiatives for Peace and Human Rights (iPeace) and the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), with financial support from the African Coalition for Corporate Accountability (ACCA), the roundtable brought together government officials, private sector leaders, civil society representatives, and development partners. The goal was to explore ways to integrate international human rights and environmental standards into Rwanda’s domestic legal framework.

If adopted, the MHREDD law would position Rwanda alongside countries like France, Germany, and the European Union, which have implemented similar regulations to align corporate conduct with human rights and environmental sustainability.

In her opening remarks, Providence Umurungi, Chairperson of the NCHR, emphasised the importance of the discussions.

“Rwanda is preparing a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, which will provide a solid foundation for these discussions. Exploring a mandatory due diligence law is the next logical step to translate our commitments into tangible accountability, ensuring that economic growth goes hand-in-hand with respect for human rights and environmental protection,” she stated.

Prof. Elvis Mbembe, CEO of iPeace, highlighted the need for a uniquely Rwandan model of due diligence.

“Today is about initiating a truly Rwandan model of due diligence. By learning from global best practices and tailoring them to our context, we can create a framework that supports responsible business, protects our people and planet, and reinforces Rwanda’s leadership on the continent,” he noted.

The discussions featured expert presentations on international MHREDD frameworks and lessons learned from other jurisdictions. Participants explored how Rwanda could develop a context-specific approach while addressing current challenges in the local business environment.

Key institutions represented included the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), and the Ministry of Justice (MINIJUST), alongside civil society organisations and private sector stakeholders.

Panel discussions highlighted both the opportunities and challenges of embedding mandatory due diligence into Rwanda’s laws. While many stakeholders recognised the complexity of monitoring supply chains and enforcing compliance, there was strong consensus on the urgency of aligning Rwanda’s economic growth with international human rights and environmental standards.

The roundtable produced several key outcomes, including a shared understanding of the priorities and potential models for a Rwandan MHREDD law, a strengthened multi-stakeholder commitment to advancing the business and human rights agenda, and an agreement on follow-up actions to sustain momentum and lay the groundwork for future legislation.

Participants underscored that adopting such a law would not only safeguard people and the environment but also enhance Rwanda’s reputation as a responsible and forward-looking investment destination. By embedding sustainability and human rights into its business ecosystem, Rwanda could further differentiate itself as a leader in Africa’s drive for ethical development.

The Kigali roundtable is widely viewed as a milestone in Rwanda’s journey toward embedding corporate responsibility in its governance framework. With consensus beginning to form around the need for MHREDD legislation, the country is set to build on its reputation for progressive policymaking.

Observers note that Rwanda’s leadership in this area could inspire other African nations to pursue similar reforms, creating momentum across the continent. As multinational companies increasingly face scrutiny over their human rights and environmental practices, Rwanda’s move toward MHREDD could also strengthen its position in global markets.

As the process unfolds, stakeholders will continue to refine the framework, balancing the need for accountability with support for business growth and innovation.

The move expands the airline’s East African network, connecting Kigali with two of the region’s most popular coastal destinations.

The flights will operate four times a week—on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays—using a Boeing B737. The new service marks RwandAir’s return to Mombasa, where it last flew in 2019, and introduces Zanzibar as a fresh addition to its route map. With this expansion, RwandAir now serves three destinations in Tanzania and two in Kenya.

“Returning to Mombasa and introducing Zanzibar is another step forward in our ambitious growth journey,” said Yvonne Makolo, CEO of RwandAir. “By expanding our East African network, we are strengthening Kigali’s position as a key hub, giving our customers more opportunities to explore the region, while also opening doors for trade, tourism and stronger ties across East Africa.”

The route is designed to offer both weekend getaways and extended vacations, giving travellers convenient access to pristine beaches, vibrant marine life, and world-class leisure experiences.

Flight WB 444 will depart Kigali at 9:50 AM, arriving in Zanzibar at 12:50 PM before continuing to Mombasa, arriving at 2:35 PM. The return journey, Flight WB 445, will leave Mombasa at 5:10 PM, with a brief stop in Zanzibar before arriving back in Kigali at 8:00 PM.

As the recent winner of Skytrax’s Best African Regional Airline award, RwandAir affirms that its latest route underscores its commitment to strengthening regional connectivity and enhancing the travel experience for its customers.

RwandAir operates a fleet of 13 aircraft, serving over 144 destinations through direct flights and codeshare partnerships, connecting Africa to the world from its hub in Kigali.

Speaking at the UN Security Council briefing on September 30, Rwanda’s Permanent Representative, Ambassador Martin Ngoga, said the UN reports on eastern DRC overlooked key drivers of the conflict, including tensions between the AFC/M23 rebel group and the Kinshasa administration, as well as the security threats posed to Rwanda.

“The latest report on eastern DRC reflects troubling omissions. Chief among them is the failure to sufficiently address one of the most dangerous drivers of violence, and that is hate speech and identity-based persecution. The report does not address the issue of mercenaries,” Ngoga said.

{{FDLR’s decades-long menace
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Ngoga accused the DRC government of continuing to back the FDLR, remnants of the militia responsible for the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, despite repeated concerns raised by Rwanda.

“FDLR, that is backed by the DRC government, has its origin in the force that killed 1 million Rwandans. It is the only genocidal group that remained in its military formation, in known locations, with the same intentions, undisturbed for a period of 31 years,” he said.

Ngoga warned that the FDLR’s presence in eastern DRC directly threatens Rwanda’s security. “It happened once to us in ’94. We took advice from preachers and hid in churches, and we were slaughtered like cows. It will never happen again. FDLR are Rwandans, and in Rwanda is where they should be, and this is what we are asking the DRC to do,” he said.

He added that, unlike neighbouring countries like Tanzania that disarmed and repatriated perpetrators of the 1994 genocide, the DRC has chosen to arm and support the group.

“The problem we have with the DRC is they chose the opposite direction: to arm them, reorganise them, continue to support them until now. And we have a report 31 years later that says they even have strongholds in the DRC. These are people who killed our people, want to continue killing…They should be neutralised.”

He questioned MONUSCO’s role, noting: “MONUSCO cooperates with the DRC government, DRC army, knowing FDLR is within the DRC army. And what MONUSCO does, and this is on record, is to avoid units and battalions in which FDLR is deployed. Formally, that is the position of MONUSCO. What does complicity mean?”

{{Mercenaries are a growing concern
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Ngoga also raised alarm over mercenaries operating in eastern DRC, saying they have been consistently overlooked in UN reporting. This comes amid reports that the DRC has enlisted mercenaries from the private security firm of former US Navy SEAL officer Erik Prince, months after Romanian mercenaries were forced to flee following the M23 offensive in Goma.

“There are mercenaries now. There were mercenaries before. When they were thrashed out of the forest, everyone was there to see. Why is it that the Security Council treats this as a non-issue, and why is it that MONUSCO does not consider this as an issue?” he asked, urging the UN to address their presence as a serious threat to regional stability.

{{UN reporting and hate speech
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Ngoga criticised the UN for underreporting key facts and portraying armed groups in a biased manner. He also highlighted the dangers of hate speech targeting Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese communities.

“I have seen reports of the Security Council where you quote from social media postings. Who has not seen hate speech on social media, in classrooms, in churches, where hate is taught to 10-year-olds? Only last week, some people were being tormented because they had long noses. Those who know the history of the region know what it means. What a long nose means—it means death to some people,” he said.

{{Call for a credible peace process
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While criticising the UN, Rwanda reiterated its commitment to the Washington Peace Agreement and the Doha process, which provide structured and inclusive frameworks for dialogue, addressing governance, exclusion, armed groups, and ethnic tensions.

“This is a one-time chance to bring lasting peace to the DRC, and the Security Council must lend its unequivocal support. Rwanda is fully committed to this process, and we shall implement it to the letter,” Ngoga said.

He also stressed the importance of humanitarian access and the safe return of refugees. “Some of the refugees are already returning to Rwanda, and mechanisms are in place to receive them,” he said.

{{Rwanda’s right to self-defence
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At the same time, Ngoga reminded the Council that Rwanda has faced repeated cross-border attacks from the DRC over three decades and stressed that Rwanda will continue to defend itself in the face of threats.

“If 21 attacks by a non-state group supported by a state member of the UN do not constitute the reason to activate Article 51 of the Charter, which threshold exists?” he asked, stressing Rwanda’s right to defend its citizens.

The announcement was made on September 30, 2025, during the East Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF) conference held in Kigali. The event brought together farmers from across the East African Community (EAC) and various partners to discuss strategies for food self-sufficiency and long-term agricultural development.

This latest contribution adds to over Frw 127 billion that the EU had previously provided through the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

Elise Hadman, Deputy Head for Western Africa at the EU’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships, praised EAFF’s 20 years of supporting small-scale farmers and noted that over Frw 170 billion has been channelled to farmer associations through the EU-Bank of Kigali ‘Global Gateway Strategy’.

Hadman said, “So far, farmer associations and food processors have received over 75 million Euros (127 billion Rwandan Francs) from the EU in partnership with BK through the IFAD fund. Today, we are pleased to confirm an additional 26 million Euros (44 billion Rwandan Francs), bringing total support to over 170 billion Rwandan Francs.”

She added that the EU remains committed to advancing agricultural development across the continent to ensure food self-sufficiency.

Dr. Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe, Rwanda’s Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, noted that the funding will help farmers, food processors, and agricultural institutions access capital to expand operations and mitigate the effects of climate change.

“As we celebrate 20 years of the EAFF, we look forward to advancing long-term agriculture that benefits the entire region. When we receive funding, we must use it to increase production, not for celebrations. This is what will help reduce Africa’s food import gap,” he said.

It is expected that EU agricultural support to Rwanda will total 500 million Euros between 2020 and 2030.

During the conference, officials were also taken through a range of agricultural produce processed by local farmers, highlighting the impact of EU support on Rwanda’s agricultural sector.

In a brief statement shared on Wednesday morning, U.S. Senior Advisor for Africa Massad Boulos said the negotiations focus on deepening cooperation in energy, infrastructure, transparent mineral supply chains, health, tourism, and trade.

He emphasised that the REIF “will reinforce peace and benefit millions across the Great Lakes region, helping communities build a stake in lasting stability and shared prosperity.”

The ongoing talks mark a critical step in translating the commitments made under the Washington Declaration of Principles in April and the Peace Agreement signed on June 27, 2025, into concrete economic action.

{{Anchored in shared prosperity
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The REIF is designed as a forward-looking platform that seeks to unlock investment, dismantle the economic drivers of conflict, and create opportunities for industrial development and job creation. Both Rwanda and the DRC have pledged to ensure that revenues from natural resources benefit local communities, while working to formalise artisanal mining and attract responsible global investment.

The framework’s priorities span a wide range of sectors. Rwanda and the DRC have committed to reforming the mineral sector by eradicating illicit trade and building a transparent, world-class mining industry.

In energy, the two countries will focus on completing the Ruzizi III hydropower project, exploiting Lake Kivu’s methane gas sustainably, and expanding electricity access. Infrastructure development is also central, with planned investments in transport, logistics, warehousing, ICT, and projects linked to the U.S.-backed Lobito Corridor.

The partnership extends to conservation and tourism through coordinated park management, biodiversity protection, and a harmonised revenue-sharing model. In public health, both governments will strengthen cross-border responses to disease outbreaks, share information, and collaborate on health research and innovation.

Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe, previously told Parliament that while economic cooperation is a central pillar of the Washington peace agreement, separate frameworks would follow. The REIF now provides the foundation for those agreements, setting out a roadmap from principle to execution.

It’s hard to believe that a few decades ago, this area was bare land. Today, it is the largest man-made ecological forest park in East China, covering 68,000 mu (over 45 square kilometres) with a forest coverage rate of 90%.

When you climb the tallest observation tower, from the top, you can see an uninterrupted sea of green. The wind carried a freshness I hadn’t felt anywhere else. With 628 plant species, 342 bird species, and nearly 30 mammals, this forest is not only a shelter for wildlife but also a living testament to human commitment to ecological restoration.

UNESCO has even recognised it as a rare, unpolluted coastal destination along the western Pacific coast, and standing there, I understood why.

A short drive away, I found myself immersed in one of the world’s most important coastal wetland ecosystems, the Dongtai Tiaozini Wetland Reserve.

The name “Tiaozini” comes from the strip-like creeks that shape its landscape. With 1.29 million mu (about 860 square kilometres) of intertidal wetlands, it’s the largest of its kind in the world, serving as a critical stopover on the East Asian–Australasian Flyway for migratory birds.

Here, I watched spoon-billed sandpipers and oriental storks through telescopes, guided by experts who explained their migration patterns. I was struck by how these fragile birds travel thousands of kilometres every year, depending on this exact spot to survive.

The feeling of witnessing rare species in their natural habitat was both humbling and unforgettable.

Next, I visited the Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve, home to the world’s largest wild population of milu deer. Once extinct in China, these deer were reintroduced in 1986 with just 39 individuals. Today, the reserve spans 40,000 mu and shelters more than 8,500 milu, including 3,673 living in the wild.

Seeing them roam freely against the backdrop of wetlands was like stepping into a storybook. The reserve also protects over 400 other animal species, making it a global model for endangered species protection.

My journey through Yancheng’s ecological wonders concluded at Jianhu Jiulongkou National Wetland Park, a lagoon-like landscape where nine rivers converge.

What amazed me most was that it’s China’s first carbon-neutral scenic spot, combining wetland restoration with low-carbon tourism. Walking along its wooden pathways, I felt as though I was in a living classroom, one where conservation and tourism coexist in perfect balance.

Yancheng is often called “the Oriental Wetland and the Pearl of the Yellow Sea,” and after visiting these places, I understood the title deeply. This is not just a destination; it’s a living example of how people and nature can thrive together. For travellers who love eco-tourism, biodiversity, and meaningful journeys, Yancheng offers experiences that are both breathtaking and enlightening.