Author: Wycliffe Nyamasege

In a statement issued on Thursday, July 31, the EAC Secretariat warned that unilateral measures restricting freedoms guaranteed under the EAC Common Market Protocol undermine the bloc’s efforts toward regional economic integration.

“Partner States shall not reverse or restrict sectors and trades they have previously liberalised,” the Secretariat said, adding that “unilateral backtracking on these commitments is inconsistent with the obligations under the Protocol.”

The statement comes just three days after the Government of Tanzania gazetted a directive prohibiting non-citizens from engaging in a wide range of business activities. The new restrictions, published on July 28, prevent foreigners from operating mobile money services, repairing electronic devices, running tour companies, or engaging in small-scale mining and media operations, among other sectors.

The order, issued by Trade Minister Selemani Saidi Jafo, also limits foreign involvement in real estate, parcel delivery, cleaning services, salon operations (unless tourism-related), and wholesale and retail trade, except for supermarkets and speciality outlets that support local producers.

Under the new regulations, foreign nationals found violating the ban face fines of no less than 10 million Tanzanian shillings (approximately Frw 5.6 million), up to six months in prison, and the revocation of residence permits and visas. Tanzanians aiding such activities also risk penalties of up to 5 million shillings or three months’ imprisonment.

Tanzanian authorities say the decision is aimed at protecting local businesses and promoting citizen participation in the economy. However, critics warn it could damage cross-border trade and investment, particularly within the EAC framework that guarantees the free movement of people, goods, services, and capital.

The EAC Secretariat noted that the Common Market Protocol, ratified by all Partner States, prohibits reversing liberalised sectors and commits countries to resolving disputes amicably through established institutions.

The Secretariat added that it is reviewing compliance levels among Partner States and will present its findings during the next meeting of the Sectoral Council on Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment.

“The EAC remains committed to fostering a seamless regional integration process,” the statement said, urging Partner States to uphold the principles outlined in the Treaty and Protocols governing the Community.

The East African Community (EAC) is a regional bloc consisting of eight countries: Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. Somalia became a full member in March 2024.

The meeting was attended by observers from the United States, the State of Qatar, the Republic of Togo (representing the African Union), and the African Union Commission.

According to a joint statement released on Thursday night, the Joint Oversight Committee serves as a platform for both implementation and dispute resolution. It is mandated to handle complaints regarding violations of the agreement, take corrective measures, and help settle disputes amicably.

“The Committee is responsible for receiving complaints about violations of the agreement, taking appropriate measures to address violations, and amicably settling disputes,” the joint statement released by the U.S. Department of State spokesperson reads in part.

During the meeting, committee members selected their chairpersons, established the terms of reference for future engagements, reviewed progress made so far, and prepared for the first session of the Joint Security Coordination Mechanism scheduled for August 4 in Washington.

The peace agreement includes two core commitments: dismantling the FDLR armed group, deemed a threat to Rwanda and the region, and lifting Rwanda’s defensive measures. Both steps are to be guided by a mutually agreed roadmap from October 2024 under the Luanda process.

Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe told Rwanda’s Parliament on July 30 that the Joint Security Coordination Mechanism would be responsible for these actions and has been given a 90-day mandate, extendable by 30 days.

The Rwandan government has reiterated that the dismantling of the FDLR, comprising remnants of the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, must precede any easing of its defensive posture.

Rwanda Defence Force spokesperson Brig. Gen. Ronald Rwivanga stated in June 2025 that the FDLR consists of an estimated 7,000 to 10,000 fighters. UN expert reports have indicated the group cooperates with DRC forces and armed coalitions such as the Wazalendo alliance, including CMC-FDP and APCLS.

According to a statement from the Office of the President, the two leaders discussed ongoing cooperation and the future of Rwanda’s collaboration with the Bank, ahead of Dr. Tah’s official assumption of office in September.

Dr. Tah, a former Mauritanian finance minister, was elected in May to lead the AfDB, succeeding Nigeria’s Akinwumi Adesina, whose ten-year tenure concludes later this year.

He secured more than three-quarters of shareholder votes in a tightly contested election, beating four other candidates, including Senegal’s Amadou Hott and South Africa’s Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala.

He is expected to formally begin his term on September 1, taking charge of an institution that has played an increasingly pivotal role in Rwanda’s infrastructure and energy development.

The African Development Bank has, in recent years, scaled up its support to Rwanda, financing major infrastructure and energy initiatives aligned with the country’s Vision 2050.

In July, the Bank approved over €173 million (approximately Frw 288 billion) to support the government’s Energy Sector Result-Based Financing (RBF II) program.

The initiative seeks to modernise the electricity grid, expand access to clean energy, and strengthen institutional capacity. An additional €86 million in co-financing will come from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), raising the total project envelope to more than €260 million.

The program is expected to connect 200,000 households to the national grid, provide 50,000 off-grid electricity connections, and distribute clean cooking devices to 100,000 households and hundreds of public institutions. Street lighting is also planned across 200 kilometres of roads in Rwanda’s secondary cities.

The energy initiative builds on a $305 million program launched by the Bank in 2018 and forms part of AfDB’s High-5 priorities, particularly “Light Up and Power Africa” and “Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa.”

In June, the AfDB also approved a $500,000 grant to fund a feasibility study for Kigali’s proposed urban cable car system, which aims to become the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa.

The 5.5-kilometre aerial transit line is expected to ease traffic congestion in the capital, cut carbon emissions, and provide fast, affordable mobility options to tens of thousands of commuters daily.

The project, valued at $100 million, will link major transport corridors, including Nyabugogo Taxi Park, the Central Business District, the Kigali Convention Centre, and key sports and entertainment venues. Construction is set to begin in late 2026, with commissioning expected in 2028.

The initiative is aligned with Rwanda’s Green Taxonomy, E-Mobility Strategy, and its Climate and Nature Finance Strategy. The project also supports the country’s goal to reduce carbon emissions by 38% by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

AfDB officials have praised the project as a model for green and inclusive public transport systems across Africa.

Thursday’s meeting comes as Rwanda prepares for a new phase in its partnership with the AfDB under Dr. Tah’s leadership. His visit to Kigali, ahead of his swearing-in, is seen as a signal of continued collaboration and mutual confidence.

In the previous legislature, the Assembly included representatives from CNDD-FDD, CNL, and UPRONA. According to the law governing parliamentary operations, the bureau is required to consist of three members from different political parties.

However, on July 29, 2025, as lawmakers convened to vote on a revised internal parliamentary regulation, disagreement emerged over the provision mandating that the bureau be composed of a President and two Vice Presidents from different parties. Some MPs argued that this requirement no longer applied in a one-party legislature and could be misleading.

Former Speaker of the National Assembly, Gelase Daniel Ndabirabe, proposed replacing the phrase “must be composed” with “may be composed” of members from different political parties, citing the current reality in which CNDD-FDD holds all the seats.

“You could say, ‘may be from multiple parties,’ but let’s not enforce that multi-party requirement outright. If we do, won’t outsiders claim, ‘We told you so’?” Ndabirabe remarked.

MP Bikebako Gerard warned that the term “may” could also introduce ambiguity and instead suggested removing the entire clause referencing multi-party composition altogether.

“The word ‘may’ might cause more confusion than simply removing the phrase ‘must include multiple parties,’ especially since future assemblies might operate under different political circumstances. If, for instance, the law remains the same, but only CNDD-FDD is represented, where would we find other parties to meet the requirement?” he said.

MP Zache Misago argued that criticism about a single-party parliament was to be expected but reflected the will of the people.

“Outsiders will keep saying this is a one-party legislature, and we should be ready for that—because it’s what the citizens chose.”

MP Rédempteur Gahitira pointed out that although CNDD-FDD holds 108 out of 111 seats, the remaining three belong to representatives of the Batwa ethnic group, some of whom may be affiliated with other political parties such as CNL or UPRONA. He suggested that the Batwa MPs could satisfy the legal requirement for political diversity in the bureau.

“Today, we have 111 members in the National Assembly—108 from CNDD-FDD and three Batwa. Among the Batwa, one might be from CNL, another from UPRONA. Yet, we insist this is a one-party parliament? How does that add up?” he asked.

However, MP Emmanuel Ndorimana rejected Gahitira’s argument, clarifying that the Batwa representatives were not elected to represent political parties but their ethnic group. Therefore, he said, they should not be counted toward political diversity in the bureau.

“Listening to this discussion, one might think we’re afraid of being called a one-party parliament. But even if that’s said, it’s the result of the people’s choice. The three Batwa MPs were not officially elected under any party banner, so we cannot assume their affiliation,” Ndorimana stated.

After nearly four hours of debate, lawmakers agreed to amend the provision, replacing “must be composed” with “may be composed” of members from different political parties. The change legally accommodates the current single-party scenario without violating the existing Constitution.

On July 31, 2025, following the amended law, Gelase Daniel Ndabirabe was re-elected Speaker of the National Assembly, Fabrice Nkurunziza was elected First Deputy Speaker, and Boussessia Nkezimana was elected Second Deputy Speaker.

The ceasefire, facilitated by the State of Qatar, included commitments by both parties to remain within their respective zones of control, halt any further territorial advances, and cease hostilities to enable meaningful peace negotiations. The agreement was viewed as a critical step toward a broader peace accord.

However, in a statement issued on July 30, AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka alleged that even before the ceasefire was formalised, the DRC government and its coalition forces had already deployed large numbers of Burundian troops to various locations in South Kivu Province, including Luvungi, Lubarika, Masango, and Kihumba.

Kanyuka detailed several incidents which he said amounted to deliberate breaches of the ceasefire. According to him, on July 18, coalition forces destroyed civilian homes, looted over 150 livestock in the Gahwera area, and sent reinforcements to areas such as Boko, Kabumbe, and Mukwezi, reportedly with the aim of encircling Bijombo and other villages home to members of the Banyamulenge community.

“On July 21, multiple attacks were launched in Kahororo, Dengu, and Buzeke within the Minembwe region. The following day, an assault occurred in Luke and surrounding areas of Masisi territory. On July 23, the densely populated area of Bukununu in Lubero was also attacked,” Kanyuka reported.

He went on to allege that on July 25, government troops attacked Luke, located in the Nyamaboko I groupement. The following day, on July 26, coalition forces reportedly carried out another offensive in Bitonge, escalating tensions further despite the ceasefire being in effect.

On July 29, Kanyuka said an attack targeted civilians in Minyanja and nearby areas. A shell struck a Fuso truck in Giseguro, approximately 17 kilometres from Kiwanja, resulting in the deaths of four civilians. He described this as one of the most recent and tragic violations.

According to Kanyuka, the most recent breach occurred on the morning of July 30, when DRC coalition forces allegedly launched yet another attack in Muheto, a densely populated area of Masisi. He stressed that these repeated military actions continue to cause significant civilian casualties and displacement.

He emphasised that such violations undermine the credibility of the DRC government’s commitment to the peace process.

While reaffirming AFC/M23’s willingness to resolve the conflict through political dialogue, Kanyuka warned that the group also bears the responsibility of protecting civilians and would take decisive action to neutralise any security threats.

“AFC/M23 remains committed to peace but cannot stand by as civilians are attacked. We have a duty to defend our people,” he stated.

Despite the ceasefire signed on July 19, AFC/M23 accuses the DRC government of demonstrating bad faith and continuing military operations in violation of the agreed terms.

The request was made on 30 July 2025, during his return to court, where he is accused of embezzling $19 million from a project aimed at constructing the Kisangani Prison in Tshopo Province during his tenure as Justice Minister.

At the 23 July hearing, Mutamba denied the embezzlement allegations, stating that the funds remain in the account of Zion Construction SARL, the company awarded the prison construction contract.

He said, “As I stand before you, the $19 million in question remains in the bank. Justice Minister Constant Mutamba never took a single dollar. How does one embezzle money they never touched?”

Mutamba argued that the Kisangani Prison project was not solely under his authority, emphasising that other senior officials were involved in key decisions. He therefore requested the court to summon Prime Minister Judith Suminwa, former Justice Minister Rose Mutombo, Inspector General of Finance Jules Alingete, the Minister of Sports, the Minister of Infrastructure and Public Works, and the Executive Secretary of the National Financial Intelligence Committee (CENALEF) to provide testimony.

He further accused Prime Minister Suminwa and the Prosecutor General at the Court of Cassation, Firmin Mvonde, of attempting to eliminate him to conceal their own misconduct.

The Office of the Prosecutor expressed its willingness to summon other individuals from the Ministry of Justice, officials from the FRIVAO Fund (established to manage reparations for victims of crimes committed by Ugandan forces in Kisangani), and those involved in transferring the funds to Zion Construction, so they may offer their accounts in court.

The prosecution maintains that the $19 million was transferred to Zion Construction’s account in violation of the law, and that Mutamba played a key role as the official responsible for overseeing the prison construction project.

While Mutamba previously told Parliament that the funds had been misdirected to a fictitious company, an error for which he apologised, he later revised his position in court, stating that the funds were lawfully transferred to Zion Construction through approved procedures.

The next court hearing is scheduled for August 4, 2025. Should the court deem it necessary, the Prime Minister and other officials named by Mutamba may be summoned to testify.