In a phone call with UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) commander Diodato Abagnara, Aoun expressed solidarity with peacekeepers who came under fire near the border town of Marwahin.
On Wednesday, UNIFIL said Israeli drones dropped four grenades on Tuesday as its personnel cleared roadblocks blocking access to a UN post. One grenade landed within 20 meters of peacekeepers, and three others within 100 meters of staff and vehicles. The mission called it “one of the most serious attacks” on its personnel since last November’s ceasefire.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern, stressing that endangering peacekeepers was “unacceptable” and urging all sides to guarantee their safety.
Lebanon’s presidency said Aoun condemned the strike and demanded swift international measures to hold Israel accountable. He accused Israel of defying UN Security Council resolutions, undermining the immunity of UN personnel, and continuing attacks that kill civilians and damage infrastructure in southern Lebanon.
The incident marked the first direct targeting of UN peacekeepers since the November truce, brokered by the United States and France to stop cross-border clashes linked to the Gaza war.
Israel has continued periodic strikes in Lebanon, citing Hezbollah threats, and has maintained positions at several border sites after missing a Feb. 18 withdrawal deadline.
Also on Thursday, Lebanon’s Health Ministry said Israeli airstrikes a day earlier killed four people and wounded 17 in the south. A Lebanese Army intelligence source reported that Israeli aircraft carried out 18 strikes across the region from Wednesday into early Thursday.
The Head of State delivered his remarks at the opening of the 9th edition of the Aviation Africa Summit and Exhibition in Kigali on Thursday, September 4, 2025.
“Since its inception, the Aviation Africa Summit has been pivotal in showing how much growth Africa’s aviation industry has experienced in a very short time,” President Kagame said, welcoming participants from across the continent and beyond.
“With the exhibitors and sponsors present, we also see how much more potential the aviation sector has to offer.”
Highlighting Rwanda’s innovative partnerships, President Kagame pointed to the collaboration with Zipline, which has been delivering urgent medical supplies to health facilities via drones for over a decade.
“This technology does not only save time; it also saves lives,” he said, noting plans to expand the service to urban deliveries and support emerging sectors like e-commerce.
President Kagame also celebrated a landmark moment for African aviation, witnessing the continent’s first-ever autonomous air taxi flight at the summit.
“We are very happy to be part of this demonstration and look forward to seeing what will come next,” he said.
President Kagame underscored the need for investments in a robust and dynamic aviation sector, pointing to a growing middle class, increasing tourism, and projected doubling of passenger traffic across the continent in the coming years.
President Kagame called for stronger collaboration with the African Union and African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) to realise ‘one sky and free movement’ across Africa, noting Rwanda’s policy allowing visa-free entry for all African nationals.
“We have all the resources and capabilities we need,” he said, stressing that collaboration, innovation, and policy reforms are key to making travel more accessible and affordable.
Minister of Infrastructure Jimmy Gasore also welcomed participants, stressing Rwanda’s strategic role as a hub for aviation innovation and future air mobility.
“For Rwanda, aviation is not just a mode of transport; it is a strategic enabler of development,” he said, highlighting the integration of the Africa Drone Forum into the summit.
The two-day summit, hosted by the Government of Rwanda alongside the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority, RwandAir, and Rwanda Airports Company, opened at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre under the theme, “Collaborating to Unlock Africa’s Aviation Growth.”
The summit brings together senior government officials, airline CEOs, Air Chiefs, and industry professionals to discuss key sectoral priorities, including sustainable aviation fuels, advanced air mobility technologies, and airport infrastructure development.
Rwanda is positioning itself as a leader in aviation excellence, investing in major infrastructure projects like the new Kigali International Airport in Bugesera and supporting technological innovation to strengthen the continent’s aviation ecosystem. The previous edition of the summit was held in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2024.
The Kigali gathering aims to transform policy discussions into practical actions, fostering collaboration that can help Africa fully realise its aviation potential.
According to a joint statement released by the US Department of State, the committee acknowledged delays in implementing some provisions of the agreement but underscored a shared commitment to ensure its complete and timely implementation to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in eastern DRC and the wider Great Lakes region.
Deliberations focused on recent challenges, including reports of violence in eastern DRC, and the need for actionable steps to guarantee compliance with the agreement.
Members welcomed the decision to merge the technical secretariats of the East African Community (EAC), Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the African Union (AU) into a single independent joint secretariat. This, they said, would enhance coordination, with the AU playing a central role in implementation.
The DRC and Rwanda also reaffirmed commitments made during the August 8 Tripartite High-Level Ministerial, particularly regarding the safe return of refugees.
The committee welcomed the upcoming meeting of the Joint Security Coordination Mechanism (JSCM), tasked with accelerating efforts to neutralize support for the FDLR armed group and advancing Rwanda’s lifting of defensive measures as outlined in Appendix A of the Peace Agreement.
Ahead of the JSCM meeting in Doha, the DRC reiterated that it has no policy of supporting the FDLR and pledged concrete action to reflect this position.
Rwanda, in turn, reaffirmed its respect for the DRC’s territorial integrity and committed to ensuring its actions remain consistent with this principle.
Both governments also committed to establish a technical-level intelligence and military channel for direct information exchange.
The committee emphasized that these steps are essential to realizing the Regional Economic Integration Framework, which aims to open key economic corridors and drive long-term development and stability in the region.
Qatar provided an update on the ongoing negotiations in Doha between the DRC government and AFC/M23, describing them as critical to achieving stability in eastern DRC. Both the DRC and Rwanda pledged full support for bringing these negotiations to a successful conclusion.
Among others, the JOC reaffirmed its commitment to holding regular meetings to monitor progress, address challenges, and ensure the Peace Agreement’s effective implementation.
In closing, the DRC and Rwanda expressed appreciation for the United States, Qatar, and the African Union, recognizing their vital contributions and coordinated efforts to advance durable peace in eastern DRC.
The launch took place on September 3, 2025, just hours before the ninth edition of the Aviation Africa summit, a two-day conference bringing together over 80 aviation companies from across the continent.
The drones, known as eVTOLs (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing vehicles), are manufactured by Chinese company EHang and run entirely on electricity.
Each drone costs approximately $400,000 (approximately Frw 579 million), can carry two passengers, transport over 620 kilograms of cargo, cover 30 kilometres, and fly for up to 25 minutes on a full charge. They operate at an altitude of 100 metres, feature 12 rotors mounted on four arms, and are equipped with technology to detect obstacles mid-air.
Melissa Rusanganwa, International Affairs Manager at the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority (RCAA), was the first to experience the aircraft in flight.
“I felt safe throughout the flight,” she said. “The crew conducted thorough checks and gave us instructions to follow. This technology will connect people across different regions and support tourism while being environmentally friendly, as the drones are fully electric.”
Rwanda has previously used drones mainly for medical deliveries. Zipline Rwanda, operational since October 2016, has delivered blood, vaccines, and medical supplies to over 650 health facilities, including more than 100 small clinics. Their drones carry 2–3 kilograms, travel up to 160 kilometres at speeds of 130 km/h, and complete long-distance trips in under 40 minutes.
The country is also developing a state-of-the-art Drone Operation Centre in Huye District, Southern Province, on the site of a former airfield. The 13.4 billion Rwandan franc facility will accommodate drones of all sizes, including large models comparable to helicopters with wingspans of 18–20 metres. It will host up to 3,000 drones at once and include areas for assembly and testing of new drones.
“The death toll of the boat incident has risen to 60 and the casualty figure is rising,” said Abdullahi Baba Ara, chair of Borgu local government area, adding that 10 people were in serious condition and many others still missing.
Emergency personnel and local divers were searching for the victims, according to the Niger State Emergency Management Agency.
The accident occurred around 11 a.m. local time (1000 GMT) on Tuesday when the overloaded vessel collided with a tree stump and capsized near the Gausawa community in the Borgu local government area.
The boat carried more than 100 people, with women and children being the majority of the fatal victims, said Sa’adu Inuwa Muhammad, the district head of Shagumi.
Boat accidents, often caused by overloading, adverse weather, and operational errors, are common in Nigeria.
In a report released earlier this week, the Federal Ministry of Health said field tests, medical reports, and surveillance data showed no signs of toxic substances. “There is no evidence of chemical or radiological contamination in Khartoum State,” it said in a detailed report.
The ministry said no abnormal deaths, mass illnesses, or symptoms of poisoning had been recorded, and that forensic reports had not identified any unusual causes of death. It added that radiation levels were normal, no radioactive material had moved, and no suspicious munitions or residues had been found.
The report said the findings were based on field tests conducted since April, when the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) retook control of Khartoum from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
It said measurements were carried out with equipment accredited by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
The United States in June imposed sanctions on Sudan, accusing it of using chemical weapons in 2024. Khartoum dismissed the allegations at the time as “political blackmail” and a distortion of facts.
Sudan has been in conflict since April 2023, when fighting broke out between the SAF and the RSF. The war has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions, worsening a humanitarian crisis in one of the world’s poorest countries.
According to a statement from the Office of the President, the two discussed ASECNA’s central role in advancing aviation across the continent as well as Rwanda’s leadership in the use of drones to deliver economic and health benefits. Rwanda is widely recognised for pioneering drone technology, particularly in the delivery of medical supplies to remote areas.
Zo’o Minto’o is in Kigali for the 9th edition of the Aviation Africa Summit and Exhibition, a major gathering of global and continental stakeholders in the aviation industry. Rwanda last hosted the summit in 2022.
The two-day event, hosted by the Government of Rwanda alongside the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority, RwandAir, and Rwanda Airports Company, opens on September 4 at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre.
With the theme “Collaborating to unlock Africa’s aviation growth,” the summit will provide a platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and the showcasing of aviation innovations.
The summit’s agenda focuses on key issues shaping the sector, including sustainability through the adoption of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), the future of advanced air mobility (AAM) with drones and eVTOL aircraft, and infrastructure development such as airport expansion and enhanced air traffic management systems.
The summit also highlights Rwanda’s growing position as a hub for aviation excellence. The country is investing heavily in infrastructure, notably the new Kigali International Airport at Bugesera, and positioning itself as a leader in technological innovation within the industry.
The previous edition of the Aviation Africa Summit was held in Johannesburg, South Africa, in September 2024.
This year’s Kigali summit is expected to draw senior government officials, industry leaders, and professionals from across Africa and beyond to transform policy discussions into practical steps for the sector’s growth.
The project is the result of a creative partnership between Belgian painter Paul De Gobert and Rwandan writer Joseph Ndwaniye, who set out to capture the nation’s landscapes, people and stories through two distinct yet complementary lenses: watercolour and prose.
The idea was born after the two met at a literary event. Inspired by their shared fascination with Rwanda, they embarked on a journey to document the country in real time.
De Gobert worked with portable formats, using watercolours to capture the fleeting play of light, speed and effort, while Ndwaniye translated those impressions into words, crafting a sensitive, nuanced narrative.
The result is a book that reads like a travel journal where image and text stand side by side, each offering its own way of understanding the country.
Rather than one medium overshadowing the other, painting and prose work in harmony, giving the reader a layered experience.
At the heart of the book lies the bicycle, a deliberate choice by the authors. For Ndwaniye, it represents more than just a means of transport; it is a social connector and a symbol of resilience.
The bicycle in Rwanda carries goods, brings families together, transports the sick and, in recent years, has placed the country firmly on the international sporting map.
From daily survival to elite competition, the bicycle becomes a metaphor for Rwanda’s capacity to move forward.
{{Memory and resilience}}
The narrative also touches on Rwanda’s past, particularly through visits to memorials. These moments are acknowledged with sensitivity, but the book resists reducing the nation to a single chapter of history.
Instead, it highlights a broader picture: traditions, biodiversity, everyday life and the determination of a society rebuilding itself while hosting international cycling events.
The publication of Les Mille Collines à Coups de Pédale coincided with Rwanda’s growing role in international cycling. Original works by De Gobert will be exhibited at the Institut français in Kigali from September 18 to October 6, while a dedicated stand will be set up during the week of the world cycling championships.
Visitors will have the chance to meet the authors, attend signings and engage in discussions.
But the project goes beyond the book launch. It aims to inspire young Rwandans to embrace cycling, celebrate those shaping the sport, and showcase local artistic talent.
Both authors have signalled their commitment to continuing the collaboration: De Gobert has already created hundreds of works on Rwanda, and Ndwaniye continues to expand his literary exploration.
Ultimately, Les Mille Collines à Coups de Pédale is more than a book, it is an invitation to rediscover Rwanda—through the rhythm of pedalling, the stroke of a brush, and the cadence of carefully chosen words. It shows how sport and art can come together to tell the story of a nation in motion.
Joseph Ndwaniye, hailing from Murambi in Rwanda, has lived in Belgium since 1986. Alongside his career as a specialist oncology nurse, he has built a strong literary reputation with works such as La Promesse faite à ma sœur (2007; reissued 2018), Le Muzungu mangeur d’hommes (2018), and En quête de nos ancêtres (2021), as well as numerous short stories.
Paul De Gobert, a Belgian painter, printmaker and watercolourist, is widely recognised for his public commissions and exhibitions, including murals like the Vandervelde metro station in Brussels.
Author of illustrated works such as Visages de Mongolie, Ma traversée de Bruxelles and Le Jardin sauvage, he has also produced hundreds of artworks dedicated to Rwanda.
{{Preface: David Lappartient, President of the UCI. }}
Residents of Kaburantwa in Buganda zone reported that late last week, they saw at least 30 trucks transporting Burundian troops and members of the Imbonerakure youth wing, affiliated with the ruling CNDD-FDD party, crossing a bridge currently being rehabilitated by a Chinese company.
The Imbonerakure deployed to the DRC are said to have been trained jointly by Burundian soldiers. Observers of Burundi’s security dynamics confirm that among their trainers was the FDLR, a terrorist militia founded by individuals who took part in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The forces are heading towards mountainous areas such as Minembwe, where they operate alongside the Congolese army, the FDLR and the Wazalendo militia in launching attacks against the Banyamulenge community and fighting rival groups such as MRDP-Twirwaneho.
On September 1, Corneille Nangaa, the leader of the AFC/M23 coalition, told journalists that more than 12,000 fighters—including Burundian troops, Imbonerakure, FDLR, and Wazalendo—had been deployed in the mountains of South Kivu in preparation for major offensives.
Congolese politician Moïse Nyarugabo, a former Member of Parliament, explained that Burundian troops stationed in the mountains number over 10,000.
“They have established camps, dug trenches… they are fighting, but I don’t know exactly whom they are waiting to confront,” he said.
Burundian forces have been openly operating in South Kivu Province since 2022, after Burundi and the DRC signed a military cooperation agreement.
The agreement was renewed in August 2023, with both governments agreeing that their armies would jointly fight the AFC/M23 coalition in North Kivu Province. However, the deployment there ended unfavourably for the Burundians, who were driven out of all the areas they once controlled in Masisi territory.
The pair were reportedly arrested early February 2025 at the crossroads connecting Ngozi, Gitega and Muyinga. Police pulled them out of a taxi and took them to the station, where they spent the night before being transferred to Gitega Central Prison.
In June, they appeared before the Gitega Intermediate Court, telling judges that they had travelled to Burundi simply to attend a wedding. Prosecutors insisted they were intelligence operatives.
On August 22, the court ruled the women innocent. IGIHE has learnt that their release was delayed while prosecutors were given time to appeal. When no appeal was filed, the Ministry of Justice on August 29 ordered their release, which was immediately carried out.
After their release, Nyirahabineza and Nzeyimana stayed with friends in Gitega, though their travel documents remained confiscated. Their lawyer continued to press for their return. On September 3, Burundian authorities returned the documents, clearing the way for their journey back to Rwanda.
The case comes amid strained relations between Kigali and Bujumbura. Rwandans travelling to Burundi face heavy scrutiny, as Burundian authorities accuse Rwanda of trying to destabilise its security, allegations Rwanda has consistently denied, stressing its commitment to peaceful coexistence with neighbours.
