He made the remarks on Monday, September 1, during a Youth Town Hall session at the 2025 Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) in Dakar, Senegal, where he joined host President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal and leaders in agri-food systems from across the continent.
Kagame cautioned against Africa’s overreliance on external support despite its abundant resources, noting that the continent’s vast arable land, water, and technology should be enough to achieve food security if coupled with strong political will and youth-driven innovation.
“We have conferences, we have forums, we’re everywhere, saying the right things. But in the end, what can we measure? What results are there to show for the efforts? We must start working the talk and move from talking to doing,” Kagame said.
He emphasised that governments, youth, and women all have shared responsibilities in driving change, pointing to Rwanda’s demographic structure—where women make up over half of the population and 75% are under 35—as proof that inclusive action is essential.
Kagame also highlighted Rwanda’s partnerships in agriculture, citing initiatives such as the Rwanda Institute of Conservation Agriculture (RICA), which trains young innovators from across Africa, and the Rwanda Ireme Invest fund, which mobilised $100 million at COP27 to support climate-smart agriculture.
The President urged young people to complement their demands for support with active participation in entrepreneurship, innovation, and responsible leadership.
“You can’t hold people accountable when you are not playing your part,” he noted. “Young people must feel an obligation. There is no sitting back and waiting until someone comes to help—you must be actively engaged.”
This year’s Africa Food Systems Forum is being held from August 31 to September 5, 2025, at the CICAD and Diamniadio Expo Center in Dakar under the theme “Africa’s Youth Leading Collaboration, Innovation, and Implementation of Agri-Food Systems Transformation.”
The summit has drawn over 5,000 delegates, including heads of state, ministers, business leaders, researchers, farmers, and young entrepreneurs. Discussions are focusing on youth-led agribusiness, digital innovation, agricultural financing, and building resilience against climate change, while also addressing the inclusion of marginalized groups.
The AFSF, formerly known as the African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF), has been held annually since 2010. Last year’s edition took place in Kigali, Rwanda.
The index, which assesses the capability and effectiveness of governments across 120 countries worldwide, placed Mauritius at 51st globally, maintaining its position as Africa’s top performer for the fifth year in a row despite slipping from 36th in 2021. Rwanda followed at 59th, while Botswana secured 61st place.
Other African countries that made the continent’s top ten include Morocco (75th), South Africa (77th), Tanzania (78th), Egypt (81st), Senegal (83rd), Ghana (86th), and Algeria (90th).
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The report notes that Rwanda scored particularly well in Financial Stewardship, Global Influence & Reputation, and Helping People Rise, placing it ahead of most of its regional peers.
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The CGGI reveals that Africa continues to face significant governance challenges, with the region posting the lowest average score globally. Nonetheless, there was a modest improvement between 2024 and 2025, after declines during the pandemic years.
Of the 28 African countries ranked, only Rwanda and Tanzania improved their positions between 2021 and 2025, while the rest recorded declines.
Tanzania, in particular, rose from 82nd in 2021 to 78th this year, making it the most improved in the region. Its progress is attributed to reforms under the Digital Tanzania Project, new data protection laws, and a surge in foreign investment.
The CGGI is designed not only to measure performance but also to provide practical benchmarks that governments can use to identify gaps and adopt good practices from peers. The seven pillars assessed include Leadership and Foresight, Robust Laws and Policies, Strong Institutions, Financial Stewardship, Attractive Marketplace, Global Influence and Reputation, and Helping People Rise.
The mission, which began on August 25, 2025, was organized under a cooperation agreement between the Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA) and Congo-Brazzaville’s Société de Promotion Immobilière (SOPRIM).
It was led by Dr. Julio Nganongo Ossere, Director of the Ministry’s Office of Construction and Urban Housing, accompanied by four technical experts.
Throughout the visit, the delegation toured several institutions and projects across the country, including Rubavu District, the Ministry of Infrastructure (MININFRA), and the Rwanda Housing Authority, where they were received by Director General Alphonse Rukaburandekwe.
They also visited Kigali City, where they were introduced to the KUBAKA platform, a digital system designed to simplify, speed up, and improve the process of applying for and obtaining building permits.
Dr. Nganongo praised Rwanda’s use of digital platforms in service delivery, noting that Congo-Brazzaville intends to adopt a similar system beginning in 2026.
“This system used in Rwanda has been a valuable lesson for us, as we also have plans to roll out such a platform. We are impressed and confident that the knowledge shared by our Rwandan counterparts will guide us in making this a reality,” he said.
The partnership between RHA and SOPRIM was formalized on November 24, 2021, with the aim of strengthening collaboration in housing, urban planning, and the development of affordable, modern housing.
The visiting officials described the exchange as an opportunity to draw inspiration from Rwanda’s achievements in sustainable urbanization and citizen-focused service delivery.
Gen Omega, who once vowed he would only return to Rwanda “when no Tutsi lives there,” has escaped death during numerous offensives against the FDLR. These operations claimed the lives of several senior commanders, including Sylvestre Mudacumura, who was killed in 2019.
Since 2022, when M23 rebels intensified attacks, Gen Omega and the FDLR fighters protecting him have frequently shifted positions. They moved from Tongo in Rutshuru Territory, located within Virunga National Park, to Rusayo, then advanced to Bambiro in Masisi Territory, and to several other locations.
In September 2024, the Congolese army (FARDC) launched large-scale assaults in Rusayo and Shovu, claiming the operations targeted senior FDLR commanders, including Gen Omega. At the time, the Congolese government was under mounting international pressure to dismantle the terrorist organization.
However, it later emerged that, before the offensive began, Maj Gen Peter Cirimwami Nkuba, then governor of North Kivu Province, secretly warned the FDLR.
As a result, the group’s fighters and senior leaders, including Gen Omega, managed to escape quietly toward Kanyamahoro. Instead, the strikes ended up hitting fighters from the APCLS militia led by Janvier Karairi, rather than the FDLR’s top command.
{{Is Gen Omega still alive?}}
On January 25, reports circulated widely on social media claiming that Gen Omega, the Commander of FDLR-FOCA, had been killed by AFC/M23 fighters.
At first, the reports were widely believed, but later accounts indicated that he might still be alive.
The FDLR/FOCA spokesperson, Cure Ngoma, dismissed the claims of his death, saying: “The reports about our military leader’s death are false. He is perfectly fine, at work, and carrying out his duties as usual.”
On the morning of March 1, new reports emerged that AFC/M23 was preparing to hand over captured FDLR fighters to Rwanda, including one with the rank of General, though his identity was not immediately confirmed.
The senior officer handed over at that time turned out to be Brig Gen Gakwerere Ezechiel, former Secretary-General of the FDLR. He was accompanied by Major Ndayambaje Gilbert, also known as Rafiki Castro.
Following this handover, journalists were eager to ask AFC/M23 leaders whether Gen Omega was among those in custody. The coalition’s deputy spokesperson, Dr. Balinda Oscar, responded that they had never captured him.
Speaking to IGIHE, Dr. Balinda said: “As for Gen Omega, you will know his fate soon. We are still looking for him. I personally reached his bunker at Kanyamahoro, beneath Mount Nyiragongo. It was empty, neither he nor his body was found there.”
These conflicting accounts, from Cure Ngoma’s claims of Omega’s survival to Dr. Balinda’s assertion that he was missing but not confirmed dead, suggest that, with the support of the Congolese government, Gen Omega may still be alive. Nevertheless, his whereabouts remain shrouded in mystery.
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As confusion continued to surround the fate of Gen Omega; Rwanda Defense Force spokesperson, Brig Gen Ronald Rwivanga, told Jeune Afrique in March 2025 that he had not been handed over to Rwanda. At the time, there were reports that AFC/M23 had captured another senior FDLR officer.
On August 21, 2025, the Commander of RDF forces in Western Province, Maj Gen Eugène Nkubito, addressed residents of Rubavu District, saying that Gen Omega should return to his homeland instead of hiding in the forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“The children and wife of FDLR leader, Pacifique Ntawunguka, are here in Rwanda. Did you know that? … I would advise him, as his children often say, to come back home if he truly wants to live, rather than dying miserably in the bush. Tell me, what is he doing in those forests? What does he hope to achieve?” Maj Gen Nkubito wondered.
According to a United Nations group of experts’ report published on July 3, 2025, intensified AFC/M23 offensives forced Gen Omega and other top FDLR commanders to abandon their positions near Mount Nyiragongo and inside Virunga National Park.
Currently, FDLR fighters are reported to be scattered across several areas including Binza in Rutshuru Territory, parts of Walikale Territory, Uvira in South Kivu Province, and even in Bujumbura. However, the UN experts did not disclose the whereabouts of Gen Omega himself.
Pacifique Ntawunguka was born in 1964 in Gasebeya Sector, Gaseke Commune, Gisenyi Prefecture, today part of Ngororero District in Rwanda’s Western Province.
He attended primary school in Gaseke and secondary school at Rwankeli in the current Nyabihu District before enrolling at Collège Christ Roi in Nyanza. Later, he pursued military training at ESM (École Supérieure Militaire) in Kigali. After ESM, he furthered his education in aviation in Egypt, Greece, and France.
As an officer in the defeated Ex-FAR, Ntawunguka was sent abroad for further aviation training in Egypt, Greece, and France. Between 1990 and 1994, he held the rank of Lieutenant.
When the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi began, Omega was leading the 94th Battalion operating in Mutara. He was defeated by the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) and sustained a leg injury during the fighting before retreating to Kigali.
Following the defeat of the former Rwandan Armed Forces (FAR), Omega fled to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) along with other ex-FAR members.
They later established the FDLR in 2000. Since the killing of Sylvestre Mudacumura in 2019, Ntawunguka has served as the commander of FDLR/FOCA.
Over the years, efforts were made to persuade Ntawunguka to return to Rwanda, but he consistently refused.
The opening night was marked by loud applause for Ballet IREBERO, a Rwandan dance troupe whose performance offered a powerful prelude to a rich programme of artistic expression from across Africa.
Speaking at the inauguration, Yvette Umutangana, representative of the Rwandan community and member of Afrika Unity, expressed gratitude to partners and the city’s authorities, while setting out the ambitions of the week-long celebration.
“For a full week we will celebrate Africa’s richness: music, dance, art, culinary workshops and much more,” Umutangana said.
She reminded the audience that “African culture” is not a single entity but a vast tapestry of social practices, beliefs, languages, traditions and culinary specialties across the continent and its diaspora.
Umutangana also highlighted the indispensable role of the City of Bruges in making the festival possible.
“Without the City’s help, this would not have been possible,” she noted, extending special thanks to Mayor Dirk de Fauw, Nico Blontrock (Alderman for Culture), and other committed partners.
Umutangana also praised the cooperation with Limited Afrika Unity, partner organisations, and especially the volunteers whose dedication she described as “indispensable” for the event’s success.
Afrika Unity, the driving force behind the festival, has set clear goals: strengthening social ties, promoting intercultural cooperation, and reaching the widest possible audience in Bruges.
“Let us enjoy together: taste, dance and celebrate. In doing so, we build bridges between Africa and Belgium,” Umutangana concluded, inviting the public to attend the upcoming events.
From 1 to 7 September, visitors can explore the Rwanda stand, which highlights the country’s beauty through artworks and exhibitions.
Beyond Rwanda, Afrika Week offers a colourful programme of concerts, dance performances, exhibitions, culinary workshops, and conferences—an opportunity to experience the plurality of African cultures while reinforcing social cohesion in the heart of Bruges, Belgium.
Akagera National Park attributes the population boom to effective protection and habitat management, thanks to partnerships with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and the conservation NGO African Parks.
“Thanks to the partnership between RDB and African Parks, the Akagera giraffes are well protected, and their habitat remains intact,” the park said in a post on X on Monday, September 1, 2025.
Nearly 40 years after Masai giraffes were introduced to Akagera from Kenya, their population has increased from just six to ~ 115. Thanks to the partnership between @RDBrwanda and @AfricanParks, the Akagera giraffes are well protected, and their habitat remains intact. #Rwandapic.twitter.com/KnNSXAnL2m
Large mammals like giraffes reproduce slowly and are vulnerable to predation and habitat changes, making the increase a notable conservation success. The population roughly doubled every eight years, reflecting decades of sustained wildlife management.
Established in 1934, Akagera National Park spans 1,120 square kilometres and hosts a wide range of wildlife, including elephants, buffalo, hippos, and lions, the latter recently reintroduced after a 20-year absence.
In August, Akagera National Park announced a significant increase in its lion population, which has risen from just seven individuals to 62 over the past decade.
The announcement coincided with the International Day of Lion Health.
The lion reintroduction program began in 2015, when the Government of Rwanda received seven lions, including five females, from South Africa as part of efforts to restore the species in the park.
Similar population growth is expected for the 70 southern white rhinos relocated to Akagera National Park in June this year.
Known for his masked appearances and propagandist videos, Abu Obeida whose real name was reported as Hudhayfa al-Kahlut had become the voice of Hamas’ military campaigns for years.
He was particularly prominent after the October 7, 2023 attacks, during which Hamas militants stormed into Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages.
Israeli officials described his elimination as a major symbolic and operational blow to Hamas’ communication strategy.
Military spokespeople stated that Obeida had not only served as a mouthpiece but also played a role in coordinating propaganda efforts that encouraged violence and sought to project strength during Israel’s continuing offensive in Gaza.
The announcement of Obeida’s death coincided with a high-level meeting of Israel’s security cabinet.
Ministers met to discuss widening the Gaza offensive, particularly into densely populated urban areas. According to reports, the session focused on strengthening the military’s operational scope rather than considering a ceasefire.
The absence of any discussion on negotiations has sparked growing anger among families of Israeli hostages, many of whom fear for their loved ones’ lives as fighting escalates.
Demonstrations were reported outside government buildings, where relatives demanded that securing the release of captives remain a top priority.
Over the weekend, the Israeli military intensified strikes across Gaza City, officially declaring it a “combat zone.”
At least 43 Palestinians were confirmed killed between Saturday and Sunday, many of them in airstrikes and others while attempting to collect desperately needed humanitarian aid.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels. The United Nations estimates that more than 90% of the population has been displaced, with families forced to move multiple times in search of safety.
Aid agencies report that hundreds of people, including children, have died from hunger and malnutrition, as food, water, and medical supplies remain critically scarce. The ongoing blockade and restrictions on aid delivery have intensified fears of famine spreading further.
Israel’s actions in Gaza have drawn sharp criticism from humanitarian groups and international observers. The expansion of strikes into crowded neighborhoods has raised alarms about compliance with international law, particularly regarding the protection of civilians.
Meanwhile, infrastructure projects under way in southern Gaza initiated by Israeli authorities—are being criticized as measures that could amount to forced displacement of Palestinians, further complicating prospects for peace.
For Israel, the killing of Abu Obeida is being presented as a victory that undermines Hamas’ ability to project power through media and psychological warfare. For many Palestinians, however, his death is likely to be portrayed as martyrdom, reinforcing narratives of resistance in the face of overwhelming military pressure.
“Yemen cannot afford to become a battleground for a broader geopolitical conflict,” Grundberg said in a statement.
“These attacks need to stop,” he said, urging all parties to “use available diplomatic channels to de-escalate” and to “protect civilians and civilian infrastructure in line with their obligations under international law.”
The Houthis said on Saturday that al-Rahawi and several other ministers were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Sanaa on Thursday while they were attending a government workshop.
The group vowed to retaliate, with Mahdi al-Mashat, head of the Supreme Political Council — the Houthis’ top governing body — warning in a speech aired by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV that “Israel should await dark days.”
The Houthis seized Sanaa in 2014, forcing the internationally recognized Yemeni government into exile in Aden. Since then, they have controlled much of northern Yemen, including Sanaa and Hodeidah, and set up an unrecognized government in the capital.
On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a weekly cabinet meeting that Israel would eliminate all Houthi leaders.
In a separate development, Grundberg condemned what he called a “new wave” of arbitrary detentions of UN personnel by the Houthis.
At least 11 UN staff members were detained on Sunday in Sanaa and Hodeidah, bringing the total number of detained UN staff in northern Yemen to 34, he said.
Grundberg urged the Houthis to “immediately and unconditionally” release the detainees, warning that the continued detention of UN staff, aid workers, and civil society activists was undermining humanitarian operations and efforts to advance peace in Yemen.
Several employees of the UN World Food Program (WFP) were also arrested by the Houthis in Sanaa on Sunday, security and humanitarian sources told Xinhua.
A local security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said one WFP employee was taken from the organization’s headquarters in Sanaa, while several others were arrested from its office in Hodeidah. A WFP source in Yemen confirmed the arrests, adding that three security guards working at the Sanaa headquarters were also detained when Houthi forces stormed the building.
There has been no immediate comment from the Houthis regarding Sunday’s arrests.
The forum, one of Africa’s largest annual gatherings on agriculture and food security, runs from August 31 to September 5, 2025, at the CICAD and Diamniadio Expo Center in Dakar.
This year’s summit is being held under the theme “Africa’s Youth Leading Collaboration, Innovation, and Implementation of Agri-Food Systems Transformation.” The theme highlights the central role of young people in shaping the future of Africa’s food systems through entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership.
Over 5,000 delegates are expected to attend, including heads of state, ministers, business leaders, researchers, farmers, development partners, and young entrepreneurs. Discussions will focus on harnessing science, digital technologies, sound policies, and strategic investments to achieve sustainable and inclusive food systems.
Key issues on the agenda include youth-led agribusiness, the use of financial tools such as agricultural insurance to build resilience, the inclusion of marginalized groups—such as displaced youth and people with disabilities—and the link between food systems, nutrition, and public health.
The Africa Food Systems Forum, formerly known as the African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF), has been held annually since 2010. Its rebranding in 2022 broadened its scope beyond the annual summit to promote year-round engagement on food security and agricultural transformation.
Last year’s edition took place in Kigali, Rwanda, from September 2 to 6, 2024, at the Kigali Convention Centre.
Currently halfway complete, the 43.5-megawatt dam is expected to be fully operational by 2028. Once completed, it will generate electricity, support irrigation on over 20,000 hectares of farmland, reduce downstream flooding, and create a reservoir holding 803 million cubic metres of water—the fourth-largest in Rwanda.
According to Amb. Uwihanganye, the lake will stretch 67 kilometres from Nyabugogo to Vunga, reshaping the landscape of eight districts, including Nyarugenge, Rulindo, Gakenke, Muhanga, Kamonyi, Nyabihu, Ngororero, and Musanze.
The project opens up opportunities across various sectors in the capital, Kigali, and beyond.
“The opportunities are endless—from maritime transport and real estate to water sports and irrigation, all of which will revolutionise the way we connect in Kigali, the North, South, West, and beyond!” the state minister said in a post on X.
The Nyabarongo II Hydropower plant is being built between Kamonyi, Gakenke, and Rulindo districts, with the Chinese company Sinohydro serving as the engineering, procurement, and construction contractor.
The project is financed through a $214 million concessional loan from China Exim Bank, stemming from a 2020 framework agreement.
Felix Gakuba, the Managing Director of Energy Development Corporation Ltd (EDCL), told parliament in late June that nearly half of the works had been completed.
“The powerhouse structure has reached its first level, and the dam’s foundation is finished. Construction of the transmission line is underway, and equipment from China is on its way,” he said.
Once complete, the dam will provide irrigation to areas along the Nyabarongo, Akagera, and Akanyaru rivers, as well as upstream zones near Lakes Cyohoha and Rweru in Bugesera District, via a major canal from Shyorongi.
The Nyabarongo Dam is expected to be a transformative project for Rwanda, combining energy, water management, agriculture, and recreation, with widespread economic benefits.
