Author: Wycliffe Nyamasege

The meeting held on August 7-8 marks a critical step forward in implementing the Peace Agreement signed between the two countries in Washington, D.C., on June 27, 2025.

The JSCM is responsible for overseeing the execution of the Harmonised Plan for the Neutralisation of the FDLR militia group, as well as managing the lifting of defensive measures by Rwanda, all outlined in the Peace Agreement.

The Mechanism also serves as a platform for intelligence and information sharing, facilitating cooperation between the DRC and Rwanda to enhance regional security.

At the meeting, the permanent members—the DRC and Rwanda—adopted terms of reference to govern future sessions and began discussions on practical steps toward implementing the Peace Agreement.

Observers from the United States, the State of Qatar, the African Union Commission, and the Representative of the African Union Mediator participated actively, providing support to ensure the impartial and effective advancement of the peace process.

In a joint statement on Saturday, both countries expressed gratitude for the contributions and partnership of the African Union, the United States, and Qatar in supporting peaceful resolution efforts in the region.

U.S. Senior Advisor for Africa Massad Boulos highlighted the importance of the joint security mechanism, stating that this cooperation is essential to transforming the Peace Agreement into lasting peace and stability for the communities impacted by conflict.

“This cooperation is what will turn the Peace Agreement into lasting peace and stability for communities in the region,” he stated.

The meeting marks a hopeful milestone in efforts to promote stability in the Great Lakes region. Follow-up meetings are expected in the coming days.

The course was jointly conducted by the RDF and the Qatar Armed Forces, aiming to enhance tactical skills and operational readiness.

The pass-out ceremony was presided over by the RDF Chief of Defence Staff, General MK Mubarakh, and attended by Ali Bin Hamad, Chargé d’Affaires of the State of Qatar to Rwanda, alongside senior RDF generals and a delegation from the Qatar Armed Forces.

The intensive programme covered four key areas: VIP protection, counter-terrorism, anti-riot operations, and fighting in built-up areas (FIBUA). These modules were designed to equip RDF Military Police personnel with advanced capabilities to respond effectively to emerging security challenges, protect high-profile individuals, and maintain public order.

In his remarks, General Mubarakh expressed gratitude to the Qatar Armed Forces for their continued support and partnership. He highlighted the importance of such joint initiatives in strengthening the RDF’s operational capacity and regional security cooperation.

“Readiness in today’s security environment requires not only robust institutions but also well-trained personnel capable of responding decisively to a wide range of threats. It is within this context that we deeply value our bilateral cooperation with the Qatar Armed Forces, as we continue to promote mutual benefits and a shared commitment to addressing evolving security threats,” said the CDS.

Maj Nader Alhajri, Chief of Training, praised the RDF for its dedication to deepening the partnership between Qatar and Rwanda through joint initiatives such as this training programme.

“This course was conducted as part of the cooperation between our two countries. The skills acquired will enable RDF Military Police to perform their duties with increased efficiency and professionalism,” he said.

The successful completion of this training marks another milestone in the strategic partnership between Rwanda and Qatar, demonstrating their shared commitment to enhancing security capabilities and regional stability.

During a visit to Kirehe District on August 8, 2025, the Prime Minister toured the Nasho irrigation project, which covers the Nasho and Mpanga sectors.

The project was launched in 2015 by businessman Howard G. Buffett and officially inaugurated by President Kagame in 2020. With an investment of $54 million, the initiative aims to help local farmers cultivate crops despite frequent droughts.

A 3.3-megawatt solar power system was installed to operate irrigation pumps, and 144 houses were built to provide better living conditions for farming families.

The Nasho Irrigation Cooperative (NAICO) has 2,099 members farming 1,173 hectares with 63 rotating irrigation machines.

NAICO Chairman Christophe Rwisumbura explained that before irrigation, crop yields were low due to harsh sun and drought. The cooperative members used to plant small amounts of corn and beans, and soybeans were not cultivated.

“Now, with irrigation, farmers consolidate their land, receive expert advice, use improved seeds, and achieve higher yields,” said Rwisumbura.

He noted that yields have increased to over six tons per hectare for some crops, with 2.5 tons per hectare for soybeans. Farmers have also started growing pigeon peas and chilli peppers to increase income.

The cooperative recently generated profits of 1.3 billion Rwandan francs, which were invested in treasury bonds at the National Bank of Rwanda. Dividends are distributed to members every six months according to the size of their land.

Rwisumbura added, “Farmers now afford health insurance, improve their homes, and ensure students pay school fees on time, issues that were difficult before.”

He expressed optimism about increasing yields to nine tons per hectare, even during the dry season.

Farmer Violette Kansangire shared her experience, explaining that before irrigation, poverty was widespread due to long droughts. After irrigation began, her harvests increased from two tons to nine tons per hectare. She also expanded her farm to eight hectares and improved her living standards.

Another long-time resident of Nasho Sector thanked the President for helping secure irrigation support, which enabled him to rebuild his house and now plan to buy a motorcycle.

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Besides creating jobs and improving livelihoods through irrigation, a new nearly 35-kilometre paved road has been constructed, connecting the irrigated fields to main transport routes.

NAICO Executive Director Shyaka Nshuti said the road has greatly facilitated access to markets and made it easier for farmers to transport fertilisers.

“Before, poor roads limited buyers and transport options. Now, trucks carrying 40 to 50 tons can easily access the farms, making marketing much easier,” he said.

Prime Minister Nsengiyumva praised the progress made by Nasho farmers and urged them to increase production, aiming to raise yields from 10 to 12 tons per hectare. He encouraged youth to work diligently and assured that local authorities are ready to provide support.

“Keep going, we support you. Whatever you need, local authorities are there. This is a program strongly supported by the government. Tell us what you need, and we will assist. When you are happy, we are happy,” he said.

Currently, NAICO farms maize, soybeans, beans, pigeon peas, and chilli peppers, with some produce exported abroad.

Lungu, who served as Zambia’s head of state from 2015 to 2021, died on June 5, 2025, in Pretoria while undergoing medical treatment. Plans for his burial in Johannesburg on June 25 were halted by the Pretoria High Court just hours before a private funeral ceremony was set to begin.

The Zambian government had approached the South African court to block the burial in South Africa, arguing that Lungu, as a former president, should be accorded a state funeral in Lusaka, the Zambian capital, consistent with the tradition for all presidents since independence in 1964.

The dispute arose because Lungu’s family wished to bury him in South Africa without the presence of his successor, President Hakainde Hichilema, a longtime political rival. The family claimed Lungu did not want Hichilema to attend the funeral. However, the Zambian government insisted that as a former head of state, Lungu belonged to the nation and should be honoured with a state funeral at a designated site in Lusaka.

On Friday, the judge in Pretoria ruled that Lungu’s remains must be handed over to a representative of Zambia’s court system to facilitate repatriation. The decision brought relief to the government but was an emotional moment for Lungu’s family, with his sister Bertha Lungu visibly moved by the ruling.

The conflict over Lungu’s final resting place is the latest chapter in a prolonged political feud between the former president and his successor, which has now extended beyond Lungu’s death.

Initially, both the government and the family had agreed on a state funeral, but disagreements over the ceremony’s logistics and symbolism led to the family planning a private burial in South Africa. This prompted the government to seek legal intervention to reclaim control of the process.

In its court filing, the Zambian government argued that private wishes should not supersede national interests, citing a precedent from 2021 when the family of Zambia’s founding president, Kenneth Kaunda, also opposed a state funeral, but the court overruled them.

The UN offices recently accused AFC/M23 of involvement in the deaths of 169 and 319 civilians in several localities within Rutshuru Territory between July 9 and 21, 2025. AFC/M23 dismissed the claims as unsubstantiated and politically motivated.

In a statement released on Thursday night, AFC/M23 questioned the credibility of the UN report, noting that many of the cited areas located within Virunga National Park are protected zones where farming is prohibited. The group argued that the alleged civilian massacres could not have occurred in “nonexistent farmlands,” calling into question the validity of the allegations.

AFC/M23 also criticised the UNJHRO’s investigative approach, accusing it of relying on sources aligned with the Kinshasa government without conducting independent verification. The group condemned the UN for allegedly releasing the report before AFC/M23 could respond, which they say fueled misinformation amplified by media outlets such as Reuters.

Furthermore, AFC/M23 challenged the OHCHR’s reliance on reports from armed groups and local organisations with no presence in the affected areas, including Wazalendo, FDLR, and the Rutshuru Territory Youth Council. The group called for an independent investigation and invited the UN offices to participate.

The statement also accused the UN of selectively ignoring documented atrocities committed by the Congolese government forces and their allies, including massacres of Banyamulenge and Hema communities, drone strikes on civilian areas, and repression of dissent.

“AFC/M23 strongly condemns this biased report, which propagates misinformation and undermines peace efforts. We hereby demand the immediate retraction of Report BCNUDH/OD/138/2025 and a public apology, as well as an independent investigation into the origins of these false allegations and internal accountability at the UNJHRO,” said the rebel coalition’s spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka.

The group has also urged the UN to address bias and ensure equal scrutiny of all parties involved in violations.

“AFC/M23 remains committed to protecting civilians and will not tolerate defamation or political weaponisation by institutions mandated to uphold impartiality,” he added.

The rebel group controls large swathes of territory in eastern DRC and is currently engaged in talks with the Kinshasa administration through a Qatar-led process aimed at ending the longstanding stalemate, which they attribute to the marginalisation and persecution of Kinyarwanda-speaking communities.

The 53-year-old, who had been living in Norway under the false identity of Franky Dusabe, was received and subsequently arrested at Kigali International Airport on Friday morning.

According to the NPPA, he was born in 1972 in Bitabage Cell, Ndaro Sector, Ngororero District, in Rwanda’s Western Province. At the time of the genocide, he was a student living in the same district.

In 2007, the Gacaca Court of Nyange convicted him in absentia, sentencing him to 19 years in prison for his role in the Genocide against the Tutsi. The NPPA says he will now face trial before Rwandan courts.

His return follows a lengthy legal battle in Norway. Gasana was arrested in Oslo in October 2022 after an investigation by the Norwegian Criminal Investigation Service (Kripos). The Oslo Court approved his extradition in September 2023, a decision upheld by the appellate court in April 2024 and later by the Supreme Court in June 2024. The Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Cabinet gave final approval in February 2025, paving the way for his handover.

Norwegian police attorney Thea Elize Kjaeraas stated in June that Gasana’s extradition was in line with Norway’s commitment to international agreements, including United Nations conventions on preventing genocide.

In its statement, the NPPA expressed appreciation for Norway’s cooperation.

“The National Public Prosecution Authority of Rwanda thanks the cooperation of the judicial authorities of Norway in the fight against crimes in general, as well as their role in the fight against the culture of impunity,” NPPA spokesperson Nkusi Faustin said in a statement.

Gasana’s extradition adds to a growing list of genocide fugitives returned to Rwanda in recent years, as the country continues its pursuit of justice for the 1994 atrocities.

Among the most recent cases is that of Ahmed Napoleon Mbonyunkiza, who was extradited from the United States in March this year. Other genocide suspects previously deported by the U.S. to Rwanda include Dr. Léopold Munyakazi (2016), Marie Claire Mukeshimana (2011), Jean Mary Vianney Mudahinyuka (2011), and Enos Iragaba Kagaba (2005).

Ingabire faces six criminal charges, including forming a criminal group, inciting unrest, undermining the government, disseminating false information intended to discredit the state abroad, spreading rumours, and planning acts intended to destabilise public order.

On August 4, Ingabire appeared before the Nyarugenge Intermediate Court to appeal the lower court’s July ruling, seeking provisional release. She submitted eight arguments in support of her request, challenging the legality of her continued detention.

Her appeal cited, among others, alleged procedural violations, the expiration of statutory limits on certain charges, inconsistencies between the law used to detain her and constitutional provisions, and the assertion that she had not been granted adequate legal representation. Ingabire argued that her preferred lawyer from Kenya had been denied temporary practice rights in Rwanda.

In its ruling, the court found that Ingabire had been adequately represented by Me Gatera Gashabana throughout all proceedings, and dismissed claims of legal misrepresentation. It further ruled that the Prosecution had acted within its rights in submitting its response through the court’s electronic filing system, even if submitted late.

The court also rejected Ingabire’s challenge to the constitutionality of Article 106, which was used as the legal basis for her detention. It held that the issue was not directly relevant to the decision taken by the lower court.

Addressing the defence’s claim that certain charges, such as inciting public disorder and spreading rumours, were time-barred, the court concluded that investigations were ongoing and that the alleged offences continued to have legal effect, particularly in the case of online content that remains publicly accessible.

The court cited several elements to justify continued detention, including audio recordings allegedly involving Ingabire and others discussing protest planning, testimony from associates, and digital evidence linked to platforms such as YouTube and Umubavu TV. It also referenced communication between Ingabire and alleged co-conspirators, including messages instructing the distribution of anti-government leaflets.

Claims that the evidence was unlawfully obtained were also dismissed, with the court noting that such matters would be considered at the substantive trial stage rather than during the remand process.

The court ultimately found that the prosecution had presented sufficient grounds to justify Ingabire’s continued detention as investigations proceed, and ruled that she remain held at Nyarugenge Prison in Mageragere.

He made the remarks during a training session held in July 2025, which brought together district-level representatives of nurses and midwives affiliated with RNMU.

Gitembagara pointed out that the nursing and midwifery professions remain economically underdeveloped, making it vital for professionals in these fields to explore alternative sources of income to boost their financial security.

“When you look at many nurses, they earn around 200,000 Rwandan Francs, whether in rural or urban areas, and this amount is often insufficient to invest in even a small side business,” he said. “We are currently in discussions with Muganga SACCO to explore support programmes that can facilitate these projects.”

He further emphasised that supporting professionals in this field also contributes to women’s empowerment, as approximately 65% of nurses and midwives are women.

The training also covered key topics related to labour rights and the legal frameworks governing the nursing and midwifery professions. Participants were equipped with knowledge on how to protect and advocate for their rights in the workplace.

Legal expert Hobess Nkundimana highlighted that nurses and midwives often dedicate the majority of their time to work, which can make them vulnerable to unfair treatment due to limited legal awareness.

“Understanding labour laws will help them contribute meaningfully to human resource management processes, ensuring that decisions are made fairly — whether in favour of the employer or the employee,” Nkundimana said.

Rwanda currently has over 14,000 nurses and midwives in active practice, with more than 12,000 registered under RNMU.

The two-day training was attended by representatives from all 30 districts across the country.