Author: Wycliffe Nyamasege

In a communiqué issued late on Saturday, the AU called on all parties to exercise restraint and uphold international law to prevent further escalation and preserve regional stability.

“The African Union reaffirms its steadfast commitment to the fundamental principles of international law, including respect for the sovereignty of States, their territorial integrity, and the right of peoples to self-determination,” the statement said.

“Complex internal challenges facing Venezuela can only be sustainably addressed through inclusive political dialogue among Venezuelans themselves.”

The AU emphasised the importance of dialogue, peaceful settlement of disputes, and respect for constitutional and institutional frameworks, underscoring the need for cooperation and peaceful coexistence among nations. It expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people and reiterated its commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region.

The call came after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Speaking from Florida on Saturday, Trump said the United States would “run” Venezuela temporarily to ensure a “safe, proper and judicious transition” of power. He also warned of the possibility of further military action, including the potential deployment of ground troops.

The operation, executed without congressional authorisation, has drawn widespread criticism. Legal experts and foreign leaders warned that it could violate international law and destabilise the region.

The US has intensified its military operations in recent months, citing efforts to combat alleged drug smuggling linked to Venezuela, including strikes on speedboats and ports. Over the past few weeks, Trump has made repeated references to military actions in Venezuelan territory, with prior reports indicating strikes in Zulia, an oil-rich state, and the seizure of two sanctioned oil tankers.

The United Nations also voiced deep concern over the escalation on Saturday. UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the developments as “deeply alarming” and a “dangerous precedent,” emphasising the need for all actors to fully respect international law, including the UN Charter.

“The Secretary-General calls on all actors in Venezuela to engage in inclusive dialogue, in full respect of human rights and the rule of law,” his spokesperson said.

The UN Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting on Monday to address the situation. Somalia, which holds the rotating presidency of the Council this month, confirmed that the meeting would take place at 10 a.m. EST (5 p.m. Kigali time). The session is expected to discuss the legality and regional implications of the U.S. operation, as well as potential measures to de-escalate tensions.

Rodriguez made the statement during a live speech on a state-run television station Saturday afternoon, adding that Venezuela will never become a colony of any country.

Accompanied by the ministers of the interior, foreign affairs and other officials, the vice president demanded that the United States release Maduro and his wife, and urged the Venezuelan people to remain calm, face the challenges together and defend national sovereignty.

Noting that the attack on Venezuela may happen in any other country in the region in the future, Rodriguez said Venezuela is ready to defend its natural resources and will never become a colony of any country or a slave of any empire.

The United States launched a large-scale military operation against Venezuela in the early hours of Saturday, seizing Maduro and his wife.

U.S. President Donald Trump claimed at a press conference Saturday morning that Rodriguez had been sworn in as president of Venezuela, and that Secretary of State Marco Rubio “just had a conversation” with her.

“She’s essentially willing to do what we think is necessary to make Venezuela great again,” Trump claimed while speaking to reporters.

The international community is deeply shocked by the U.S. raid on Maduro, strongly condemning the blatant use of force against a sovereign state and action against its president.

Speaking at a press conference in Florida on Saturday, Trump said Washington would govern Venezuela until a “safe, proper and judicious transition” to new leadership could be achieved. He said the US wanted to avoid a scenario in which Maduro’s removal resulted in another government that perpetuated the country’s long-running political and economic crisis.

“We’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” Trump said. “We can’t take a chance that somebody else takes over Venezuela that doesn’t have the good of the Venezuelan people in mind.”

Trump’s remarks came hours after he announced on Truth Social that US forces had carried out strikes on Venezuela and captured Maduro and Flores. In a subsequent phone interview with Fox News, he confirmed that the pair were being transferred to New York, where Maduro has been indicted and could appear in court as early as Monday.

The operation, which US officials said had been planned for months and executed without congressional authorisation, marks a dramatic escalation in Washington’s campaign against Maduro.

The US has intensified its military operations in recent months, citing efforts to combat alleged drug smuggling linked to Venezuela, including strikes on speedboats and ports. Over the past few weeks, Trump has made repeated references to military actions in Venezuelan territory, with prior reports indicating strikes in Zulia, an oil-rich state, and the seizure of two sanctioned oil tankers.

Trump did not spell out what US governance of Venezuela would entail but said American oil companies were ready to invest billions of dollars to repair the country’s dilapidated oil infrastructure.

“We’re going to have our very large United States oil companies go in, fix the badly broken infrastructure and start making money for the country,” he said, adding that Venezuela’s oil wealth would ensure the operation would not cost US taxpayers.

Trump also warned that further military action was possible, saying the US was prepared to launch a “second and much larger attack” if necessary, and did not rule out deploying ground troops. “We’re not afraid of boots on the ground,” he said.

US Attorney General Pam Bondi said Maduro would “face the full wrath” of the US justice system. Charges unsealed on Saturday include narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy and weapons offences. Federal prosecutors allege Maduro used state institutions to facilitate large-scale drug trafficking to the United States, claims he has long denied.

The announcement drew swift criticism from legal experts and foreign leaders, who warned the operation could violate international law and destabilise the region. With Washington yet to clarify how it plans to govern Venezuela or for how long, uncertainty looms over the country’s political future.

“The European Union calls for de-escalation and a resolution in full respect of international law and the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations,” he wrote on X.

He said the bloc would continue to support a peaceful, democratic and inclusive solution in Venezuela, and backed efforts by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, working with member states, to ensure the safety of European citizens in the country.

Earlier on Saturday, Kallas said the EU was closely monitoring developments and called for restraint, stressing that the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter must be respected.

Kallas said she had spoken with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the EU ambassador in Caracas, adding that the safety of EU citizens in Venezuela was the bloc’s top priority.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States has struck Venezuela and captured its President Nicolas Maduro, who was flown out of the country along with his wife.

Venezuela on Saturday denounced a “military aggression” by the United States, after large explosions were heard and aircraft were seen over the capital Caracas earlier in the day.

The report describes the crisis as endemic, systemic and worsening, noting that while armed conflict remains a major driver, cases have been documented in communities across all provinces and have risen sharply since 2022.

Data compiled by child protection and gender-based violence service providers show that the scale of abuse continues to grow. In 2024, nearly 45,000 cases of sexual violence against children were recorded, representing almost 40 per cent of all reported sexual violence cases nationwide, three times higher than in 2022. UNICEF warns that the true toll is likely far higher due to widespread under-reporting caused by fear, stigma, insecurity and limited access to services.

“Case workers describe mothers walking for hours to reach clinics with daughters who can no longer walk after being assaulted. Families say that fear of stigma and retaliation often keeps them from reporting the abuse,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “Stories like these are repeated across provinces, exposing an entrenched crisis driven by insecurity, inequality and weak support systems.”

The report highlights distinct regional patterns. The highest number of cases has been recorded in conflict-affected eastern provinces, particularly North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri, where displacement and weakened protection systems expose children to extreme risk. However, significant numbers have also been documented in Kinshasa and the Kasai region, where poverty, food insecurity and school dropout increase girls’ vulnerability to exploitation and early marriage.

Adolescent girls account for the largest and growing share of survivors nationwide, UNICEF said. Boys are also victims of sexual violence but remain significantly under-represented in reported cases. Children with disabilities face heightened risks, as physical, social and communication barriers increase their vulnerability and limit access to care and justice.

Separate UN-verified data cited in the report show that cases of sexual violence against children were already high in 2022 and 2023, before rising by nearly 30 per cent in 2024. Preliminary figures from early 2025 suggest the situation remains acute, with cases reported in the first six months potentially accounting for more than 80 per cent of the total recorded last year.

Survivors often suffer severe physical injuries, unwanted pregnancies, increased risks of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, and long-lasting psychological harm, including anxiety, depression and social rejection. Yet access to life-saving support remains limited.

The global UN organisation, dedicated to providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide, said it is working with the Congolese government and partners to provide survivor-centred services, including clinical care, psychosocial support, safe spaces and case management. Between 2022 and 2024, the number of child survivors assisted by UNICEF increased by 143 per cent, reaching more than 24,200 children in the most affected provinces in 2024.

However, insecurity and global funding cuts have forced many UNICEF-supported safe spaces, mobile clinics and community-based protection programmes to scale back or close. By mid-2025, only 23 per cent of gender-based violence interventions were funded, down from 48 per cent in 2022, placing hundreds of thousands of children, about 300,000 of them in conflict-affected eastern regions, at risk of losing access to critical support.

UNICEF has called on the government, parties to the conflict, civil society and international partners to prevent and end all forms of sexual violence against children, strengthen accountability through investigations and prosecutions, and increase sustained investment in protection and prevention services.

“Addressing this crisis of sexual violence requires an immediate response and adherence to international law in conflict settings,” Russell said. “Perpetrators must be held accountable, and women and children must have access to protection and support.”

The event, organised by the Rwanda Community Abroad (RCA) with the support of the Rwanda Embassy, was attended by Ambassador Major General Joseph Nzabamwita and his spouse. It drew mainly Rwandan students from various universities, alongside embassy staff and their family members.

In his opening remarks, RCA Russia leader Alex Rukeratabaro thanked the Ambassador for attending the celebrations and for his continued support of community activities that promote unity and Rwandan culture in the Russian Federation. He also welcomed new members to the community and encouraged them to actively take part in RCA programmes and initiatives.

Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Nzabamwita shared key highlights from President Paul Kagame’s end-of-year message, reflecting on Rwanda’s milestones in 2025, the country’s continued progress, and the critical role of young people in sustaining these gains. He emphasised the importance of innovation and youth participation in addressing national challenges and shaping Rwanda’s future.

The Ambassador recalled several achievements that enhanced Rwanda’s international standing during the year, including the inaugural International Security Conference on Africa (ISCA), now led by former Ambassador of Rwanda to Russia Lt Gen Frank Mushyo Kamanzi, as well as the annual Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa (NEISA).

He also commended the RCA football team for reaching the quarter-finals of the UN Games of Friendship tournament held last September, where Rwanda received a trophy for having the best fans. Ambassador Nzabamwita encouraged new students to volunteer in various community activities, including sports teams, traditional dance troupes, music and cultural preservation initiatives, as well as event organisation and protocol, as a way of positively representing Rwanda abroad.

The celebrations continued in a lively and festive atmosphere, with guests sharing meals, drinks and dances. The evening featured performances by the cultural dance troupe Imena mu Nganzo, a live music band and other entertainment, marking a warm and reflective start to the new year for the Rwandan community in Russia.

“The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolás Maduro,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social account, adding that further details would be shared later.

Earlier on Saturday, Maduro declared a state of emergency, accusing the United States of “very serious military aggression” after explosions and aircraft-like sounds were reported across Caracas. Footage published by Venezuelan television station NTN24 showed plumes of smoke rising from the city, with eyewitnesses describing chaotic scenes. “My heart was pumping and legs were shaking,” one resident told the BBC.

The US has intensified its military operations in recent months, citing efforts to combat alleged drug smuggling linked to Venezuela, including strikes on speedboats and ports. Over the past few weeks, Trump has made repeated references to military actions in Venezuelan territory, with prior reports indicating strikes in Zulia, an oil-rich state, and the seizure of two sanctioned oil tankers.

The Venezuelan government has condemned the US actions, calling them “extremely serious military aggression” and urging grassroots organisations and militias to mobilise in response. Maduro has consistently accused the Trump administration of attempting to force regime change in Caracas.

Their two-year term officially started on January 1, but Friday was the first working day of the council for 2026 after the Christmas and New Year break.

A flag installation ceremony was held to mark the start of their responsibilities.

Kazakh UN ambassador Kairat Umarov, who co-hosted the ceremony, congratulated the five new council members and wished them “perseverance, unity of purpose, and success” in their term.

“We hope that you will make meaningful contributions over the next two years to address critical global challenges and reinforce the council’s mandate to promote peace and security,” he said.

The installation of flags serves as a visible reminder that service on the Security Council is both a privilege and a responsibility. It marks the beginning of the demanding mandate carried out on behalf of the entire UN membership, said Umarov.

Somali UN ambassador Abukar Dahir Osman, as president of the Security Council for the month of January and co-host of the ceremony, welcomed the five new members and wished them a successful and impactful term.

“Over the coming two years, your voices and your efforts will be essential in guiding our collective pursuit of peace and security,” he said.

The Security Council has a unique mandate to respond to threats to peace and to foster cooperation, and to support the most vulnerable by working together, upholding the principles of multilateralism, and demonstrating respect for the UN Charter, said Osman.

The five countries replaced Algeria, Guyana, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone and Slovenia.

The 15-member Security Council has five permanent members, including Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States, and 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the UN General Assembly. Five non-permanent members are replaced each year.