Kenyatta, who serves as one of the EAC-SADC Facilitators for the Eastern DRC peace process, met with Kagame to review the ongoing regional and continental efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace and addressing the root causes of the protracted conflict.
According to a statement from the Office of the President, the talks focused on durable solutions to the security crisis in eastern DRC, which continues to affect millions and threaten stability across the Great Lakes region.
Friday’s meeting follows a similar engagement by President Kagame with former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo on June 24.
During his tour of the Great Lakes region, Obasanjo, who co-chairs the peace facilitation panel alongside Kenyatta, also held talks with DRC President Félix Tshisekedi.
Obasanjo and Kenyatta are part of an expanded panel of facilitators created in March 2025 through the merger of the Nairobi and Luanda peace processes. The unified framework aims to harmonise efforts and enhance coordination among stakeholders involved in resolving the crisis in eastern DRC.
In addition to Obasanjo and Kenyatta, the facilitation panel includes other former African heads of state: Kgalema Motlanthe (South Africa), Catherine Samba-Panza (Central African Republic), and Sahle-Work Zewde (Ethiopia).
The panel is tasked with guiding peace talks between the Congolese government and armed groups, including the M23 and other factions operating in the volatile region.
The merged process also prioritises the implementation of previously agreed measures, including the disarmament of the FDLR militia, a group linked to the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
The EAC-SADC efforts are being complemented by broader international engagement, with Qatar and the United States also supporting peace initiatives aimed at restoring stability in the region.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with IGIHE, Ambassador Musa announced that the new route, operated by Sudan’s Badr Airline weekly, not only enhances connectivity but also coincides with a flourishing trade relationship now valued at $200 million annually.
Amb. Musa emphasised that the private aviation company chose Rwanda as a hub for its expanding African operations, with plans to increase flight frequency based on demand.
“It will start with one weekly flight. If the market picks up, they can consider adding more,” he stated.
Currently, flights operate from Port Sudan, as Khartoum International Airport remains under repair due to war-related damage. The route includes a stopover in Juba, further connecting East African nations and facilitating the movement of people and goods.
The connectivity is poised to bolster the $200 million annual trade between the two nations, a figure largely driven by Rwanda’s tea and coffee exports.
In a strategic shift, Sudan has redirected its tea imports, valued at $2 million in just 45 days, directly to Rwandan producers, bypassing Kenya’s Mombasa auction due to political tensions.
“Sudanese companies are coming to Rwanda directly to buy,” Amb. Musa noted.
{{A thriving Sudanese community in Rwanda
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Beyond trade, the ambassador highlighted the vibrant Sudanese community in Rwanda, now numbering over 5,000, up from 4,000 previously. This growth is fueled by academic and economic opportunities, with Sudanese residents contributing over $10 million in investments, including small factories and agricultural ventures.
“There are two or three factories right now being built and will be operating very soon,” Musa said, pointing to Sudanese companies engaging in infrastructure and export markets, particularly for Rwanda’s tropical fruits and agricultural products, which are in high demand in Sudan.
Education is a cornerstone of this partnership, with Sudanese students comprising 20% of Rwanda’s international student population.
“They feel at home,” Musa said, attributing this to Rwanda’s safety, cultural similarities, and streamlined visa processes.
According to the ambassador, 50% of the students are female, living independently, a reflection of Rwanda’s secure and supportive environment.
“There is no single Sudanese family that will allow their girl to travel to any destination unless they are confident that she is safe,” he added.
Rwanda’s open-door policies and Pan-African spirit, championed by President Paul Kagame, have made it a preferred destination for Sudanese students, especially as Sudan’s own educational infrastructure recovers from war-related damage.
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The interview revealed significant cooperation in health, with over 50 Sudanese doctors teaching and practising in Rwandan hospitals, including King Faisal and military facilities.
Additionally, more than 100 Sudanese medical graduates are training in Rwanda, with a 100% pass rate in recent medical exams, positioning Rwanda as a hub for medical internships.
“This is a good model because we have more medical graduates coming to Rwanda for internship,” Amb. Musa said, noting Sudan’s annual output of 3,000 medical students before the war.
Looking ahead, Sudan aims to leverage Rwanda’s renowned peacekeeping expertise.
“Immediately after we stop the war, one of the main areas of cooperation will be training some army units for peacekeeping in Rwanda,” the ambassador remarked, praising Rwanda’s reputation as the second-largest contributor of troops and police to UN peacekeeping missions and its role in promoting regional stability.
This aligns with plans for a forthcoming memorandum of understanding (MoU) that will formalise cooperation in seven areas, including national reconciliation, social cohesion, and constitutional building, drawing on Rwanda’s post-genocide recovery model.
{{Sudan’s path to peace and reconstruction
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Addressing the ongoing conflict in Sudan, Amb. Musa said that currently the Sudanese army controls over 75% of the country, with pockets of resistance remaining in Kordofan and Darfur.
He described the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) as a “militia project” lacking public support, responsible for damages estimated at over $300 billion.
Despite the war, Musa emphasised resilience, stating, “Life should not stop. Even during the war, life should not stop.”
The government, led by a new prime minister and a “government of hope,” is focused on a transitional program prioritising stability, peace, and democratic elections.
To end the conflict, Sudan has offered amnesty to RSF fighters who lay down their arms, with Musa noting, “Everybody at the RSF side will come peacefully to join the Sudanese effort for peace and reconciliation. He is welcome.”
However, justice for perpetrators will be pursued through a judicial system, inspired by Rwanda’s post-1994 approach to avoiding revenge and ensuring legal accountability.
The envoy called for neighbouring countries like Kenya and regional actors, including the Emirates, to cease supporting the RSF, urging international and African Union intervention to secure sustainable peace.
Amb. Musa sees Rwanda as a beacon for Sudan’s post-conflict recovery, citing four key lessons: accountable leadership, a clear vision, effective legal mechanisms, and citizen responsibility.
“We should not outsource our problem,” he said, quoting President Kagame’s emphasis on homegrown solutions.
Sudan aims to emulate Rwanda’s success in social cohesion and national reconciliation, with delegations, including the Sudanese Minister of Justice, already engaging with Rwandan counterparts to learn from their experience.
Watch the ambassador’s previous interview below to learn more about the ongoing civil war in Sudan.
The initiative, led by the Climate High-Level Champions, aims to mobilise capital for climate ventures in developing countries and emerging markets.
Spiro’s inclusion in the RPCP Pipeline recognises its role as a key climate leader, delivering innovative, high-impact solutions that accelerate Africa’s shift to a low-carbon, sustainable future in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Founded in 2022, Spiro operates a vertically integrated platform that scales electric two-wheel mobility across eight African countries, including Rwanda, Benin, Togo, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Cameroon, and Tanzania.
Its business model includes electric bike sales via distribution partners and financiers, battery-as-a-service subscriptions through an expanding swap station network, after-sales maintenance and spare parts services, and data monetisation via licensing and analytics.
To date, Spiro has deployed more than 35,000 electric motorbikes and facilitated over 20 million battery swaps, enabling upwards of 500 million kilometres of CO₂-free travel and reducing approximately 30,000 tons of carbon emissions.
Beyond environmental benefits, the company has created over 1,000 direct and indirect jobs in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Nigeria, with women making up more than 40% of its workforce.
Spiro’s Academy also plays a crucial role in training local talent and supporting their transition into medium- and high-skilled employment.
Financially, Spiro generated USD 23 million in revenue in 2024 and projects a tenfold increase to USD 200 million in 2025. To fuel its expansion, the company is raising USD 50 million in Series A funding, complementing the USD 120 million in equity and USD 23 million in debt financing already secured.
Participation in the RPCP Pipeline will provide Spiro with increased visibility at key climate-focused events, opportunities to be featured in curated publications by the Climate Champions Team and partners, and access to a global network of climate stakeholders to foster collaboration and amplify impact.
Spiro, with over half a billion kilometres of CO₂-free travel achieved, aims to transform African economies by replacing costly fossil fuel-based transportation with affordable, locally manufactured electric mobility solutions.
The new president was installed during a celebration held in Kigali on Thursday, July 10, 2025.
A medical doctor by profession, Dr. Muderevu also serves as the national chair of the Polio Eradication Commission for all Rotary Clubs in Rwanda.
He succeeds Ida Alexandra de Cordier, who reflected on a productive year marked by key achievements, including the training of 140 nurses on pediatric cardiac care, the creation of five cooperatives producing reusable sanitary pads for schools in Burera District, and the founding of the Bwiza Initiative in Kicukiro District to support the reintegration and education of former street children.
Looking ahead, Dr. Muderevu emphasised that expanding the club’s membership base is crucial to scaling its impact.
“The more members we have, the more lives we can touch,” he said.
Among his flagship projects is the installation of a biogas facility at Ecole des Sciences Saint Louis De Montfort in Nyanza, which serves nearly 800 students. The goal is to reduce reliance on firewood for cooking, thereby protecting the environment and improving air quality.
Rotary Club Kigali-Doyen also plans to collaborate with partners to purchase a medical device for the early detection of breast cancer. Early diagnosis significantly improves recovery rates, with up to 80% of cases successfully treated when identified in time.
Founded in 1965, Rotary Club Kigali-Doyen is the oldest of Rwanda’s 12 Rotary Clubs and is preparing to celebrate its 60th anniversary of service to the community.
The court delivered the verdict on Friday, July 11, 2025, ruling that there was no reason to overturn the sentence handed down by the Nyarugenge Intermediate Court last year.
The Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge found Kazungu guilty of all 10 charges on March 8, 2024. He appealed on June 12, 2025, requesting a reduced sentence, arguing that he had cooperated during the trial, admitted guilt, and sought forgiveness.
Kazungu was convicted of crimes including premeditated murder, torture, concealing and dismembering bodies, unlawful detention, and unauthorised access to computer systems. He was sentenced to life imprisonment and ordered to pay a fine of Frw 10 million, as well as Frw 30 million in compensation to the victims’ families.
Following a detailed review, the High Court dismissed Kazungu’s appeal and upheld both the life sentence and the compensation order of Frw 30 million.
Kazungu was taken into custody in September 2023 after police discovered multiple bodies buried in a pit behind his home. Most of his victims were women. He subsequently confessed to the killings.
The Minister of Emergency Management (MINEMA), Major General (Retired) Albert Murasira, laid the foundation stone for new homes to be built for 870 families in Rubavu District during a ceremony held in Rugerero Sector, Muhira Cell, Gitebe II Village.
Minister Murasira told the families that this housing project is a fulfilment of a promise made by President Paul Kagame.
“He sent me to encourage you to stay strong and assured you that he still remembers you. This project to rebuild your homes was pledged during his visit after the disaster, and we continue to appreciate how you supported one another during that difficult time,” he said.
He also reminded the beneficiaries of the importance of self-reliance, noting that although the government is there to support them, they too must actively participate in their own recovery.
Minister Murasira added that since the disaster occurred, the government has not neglected those affected but has been working to mobilise resources to assist them.
One of the beneficiaries who has already been rehoused, Nirere Chantal, said she had lost hope while living in a camp.
“But now I have a home of my own. Long live the Government of Rwanda for giving me a reason to smile again,” she said.
The government plans to build new homes for 2,978 families across seven districts in the Northern and Western provinces, following the devastation caused by the May 2023 disasters.
The families to be rehoused are located in Karongi, Rutsiro, Rubavu, Nyabihu, Ngororero, Burera, and Musanze districts.
The disasters, caused by heavy overnight rainfall between May 2 and 3, 2023, struck the Northern, Western, and Southern provinces, leaving 135 people dead, partially damaging more than 2,100 homes, and completely destroying around 2,763 others.
Trump posted a letter addressed to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on his social media platform Truth Social, criticizing Canada for retaliating against previous U.S. tariffs.
He pointed out that the new tariff is in part caused by the flow of fentanyl from Canada, as well as allegedly unfair trade practices, and that he would “consider an adjustment” to the tariffs if Canada cooperated with the United States to stop the flow of fentanyl.
Trump used basically the same wording in the letter as that in the more than 20 letters sent to leaders of other countries earlier this week, such as warning them not to retaliate, urging them to move companies to the United States and the rates may be adjustable if they cooperate.
According to an NBC News report, Trump said that blanket tariffs of 15-20 percent will be imposed on most trading partners.
“We’re just going to say all of the remaining countries are going to pay, whether it’s 20 percent or 15 percent. We’ll work that out now,” Trump told NBC News in a phone interview.
The Trump administration had previously imposed a 25 percent tariff on Canadian goods, but later exempted products covered under the U.S.-Canada-Mexico trade deal.
The roll-call vote, held at noon in Strasbourg, ended with 360 votes against the motion, 175 in favor, and 18 abstentions, falling short of the two-thirds majority required for passage.
{{From Pfizer texts to election interference
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The no-confidence motion marked the first no-confidence vote in the European Parliament since 2014 and brought to the forefront growing criticism of von der Leyen’s leadership style.
Romanian lawmaker Gheorghe Piperea initiated the motion, accusing von der Leyen of refusing to disclose text messages exchanged with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla during negotiations for COVID-19 vaccine contracts in 2021, raising concerns about transparency.
Piperea also accused the European Commission of inefficiencies and potential misuse of funds, as well as interference in elections in member states such as Romania and Germany.
The motion garnered some support, including from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who publicly endorsed the motion on Wednesday, tweeting “Time to go” alongside a photo of von der Leyen on social media platform X.
Addressing the parliament earlier this week, von der Leyen defended the Commission’s pandemic decisions as being in Europe’s best interest, likening her contact with Pfizer to “seeking advice from the best epidemiologists and virologists in the world.”
{{“Last chance” for von der Leyen
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Despite surviving the vote, von der Leyen faces growing criticism from various parliamentary groups. Concerns have been raised about a rightward shift within von der Leyen’s center-right European People’s Party (EPP), aimed at advancing certain legislative agendas, including efforts to roll back green policies.
“Our vote today is not an endorsement of the direction of the Commission. It is undeniable that the Commission and its President are losing support in recent months,” the Greens/EFA group co-president Bas Eickhout said in a statement, calling on the Commission to stop rolling back the Green Deal.
Valerie Hayer, the president of the pro-business Renew Europe group, wrote on X that although they voted against the motion, their support for von der Leyen is not unconditional. She urged von der Leyen to take control of her political family to “put an end to alliances with the far-right.”
The centre-left Socialists and Democrats (S&D), the European Parliament’s second-largest political group, had previously threatened to abstain. However, after securing budget concessions from von der Leyen, they ultimately backed her in the vote.
Parliament Vice President Katarina Barley, of the S&D, said many lawmakers are determined that this will be the “absolute last chance” for von der Leyen, POLITICO Europe, a news outlet covering European Union politics, reported.
The country’s demographic momentum continues to be fuelled by its youthful population, with young people under the age of 30 now accounting for 64.6%, more than 9.1 million Rwandans.
NISR announced the milestone on Friday, June 11, as Rwanda joins the world in marking World Population Day.
This year’s World Population Day theme, “Empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world,” resonates strongly with Rwanda’s current demographic landscape.
“Rwanda’s vibrant population, now 14.1 million, powered by its youth, is the greatest asset, driving the development, innovation, and resilience,” NISR said in a statement.
Steady growth over the years
Rwanda’s last national census in 2022 reported a population of 13.2 million, up from 10.5 million recorded in 2012. Over the ten-year period between the two censuses, Rwanda maintained an average annual growth rate of 2.6%.
Demographic projections also indicate important shifts ahead. While youth under 30 currently dominate the population, their share is expected to decrease to 54.3% by 2050, reflecting a maturing population.
Conversely, the working-age population (16–64 years) is rising, from 53.4% in 2012 to 56.0% in 2022, and is projected to hit 61.4% by mid-century.
World Population Day, commemorated every July 11, was established by the United Nations in 1989 to draw attention to global population trends and their impact on development and human well-being.
The day encourages dialogue around key population-related issues, including reproductive health, gender equality, and sustainable resource use.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus formally recognised President Kagame’s role in championing a stronger international framework to enhance global health security during the closing of the inaugural WHO Pandemic Agreement meeting.
President Kagame has been at the forefront of championing a new treaty that would help establish better systems for alerting populations about potential pandemics, while also improving data sharing and the distribution of vaccines and personal protective equipment.
In recognition of his advocacy, WHO awarded President Kagame a certificate of recognition, which was received on his behalf by Rwanda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva, Ambassador Urujeni Bakuramutsa.
The recognition comes as WHO Member States adopted the world’s first Pandemic Agreement on May 20 during the 78th World Health Assembly, marking a historic milestone in global health governance.
The legally binding accord is aimed at ensuring a more equitable, coordinated, and robust international response to future pandemics, drawing from the hard lessons learned during the COVID-19 crisis.
“This agreement is a victory for public health, science, and multilateral action,” said Dr. Tedros. “It ensures we can collectively better protect the world from future pandemic threats.”
He added that the agreement recognises the imperative to shield societies and economies from the severe losses experienced during COVID-19.
The Pandemic Agreement lays out principles and tools to boost global cooperation, including provisions to ensure equitable access to vaccines, treatments, and diagnostics. While reaffirming national sovereignty, it encourages governments to work together in the face of shared global threats.
Key next steps include negotiations on the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system, a mechanism to ensure fair and timely distribution of pandemic-related health tools.
The WHO is also set to establish a Coordinating Financial Mechanism and a Global Supply Chain and Logistics Network to facilitate access to critical health products during emergencies.
The new accord becomes only the second legally binding treaty negotiated under Article 19 of the WHO Constitution, following the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control adopted in 2003.
