Category: News

Dr. Kacyira passed away on August 12, 2025, at the age of 61 after battling illness. Her funeral service was held at Christian Life Assembly (CLA) in Kigali, where she was a devoted member. Family, friends, government officials, and representatives of international organisations joined to celebrate her life of service and bid her farewell.

Kacyira’s career spanned senior roles in Rwanda and abroad. She served as Mayor of Kigali (2006–2011), Governor of the Eastern Province, Deputy Executive Director of UN-Habitat (2011–2018), and later Rwanda’s Ambassador to Ghana with concurrent accreditation to several West African countries. In 2023, UN Secretary-General António Guterres appointed her as Head of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), a position she held until her death.

Her legacy is remembered for leadership, humility, and an unwavering commitment to public service, both in Rwanda and across the world.

In a message delivered by RPF Secretary-General Wellars Gasamagera, President Paul Kagame and his family expressed deep sorrow at her passing.

“The President of the Republic and his family received with sadness the news of the passing of Dr. Aissa Kirabo Kacyira. They join her family and all Rwandans in this time of grief. Her life was marked by courage, dedication, and love for her country. Rwandans will forever remember her tireless devotion as a lasting legacy. May she rest in eternal peace.”

AIG Hilaly Sao, representing the African Union, hailed the late ambassador as a champion of African unity:

“She embodied the spirit of unity, working with dedication, patience, and commitment. In Somalia, she demonstrated compassion, humility, and determination in pursuit of peace and security. She will truly be missed.”

Ambassador James Swan, representing UNSOS, described her death as a profound loss:

“Aissa was a brave, thoughtful person, with a gentle heart and a source of inspiration. She left a mark on everyone she met. Her legacy is one of leadership, expertise, and service with compassion. To us in the UN, she was more than a colleague.”

Her son, Joshua Kacyira, speaking on behalf of her children, said their mother’s strongest legacy was her faith and devotion to service.

“She loved God and served both her country and the world wholeheartedly. She taught us not only through education but also through relationships built with others. The greatest gift she gave us was to love and trust in God.”

Her husband, Col (Rtd) Simon Kacyira, thanked the Government of Rwanda, the UN, and all who stood with the family.

“I deeply thank UNSOS and everyone who cared for Aissa. She was simple, grounded, and true. Even now that she’s gone, she remained the same person I chose to walk with.”

The latest sweep took place in the Kyeshero area in south-west Goma last night, following reports of gunfire the previous evening. Sources say several people were arrested, including those believed to be collaborating with the Congolese army and armed militias.

AFC/M23 has controlled Goma since January 27, after defeating forces from the Congolese army, Wazalendo, the FDLR, and European mercenaries.

Armed groups have continued to threaten security in parts of the city, particularly in western districts.

To restore calm, AFC/M23 has been searching homes for hidden weapons and detaining those involved in destabilising activities. A similar operation was carried out on August 6, resulting in multiple arrests.

The team is working with high efficiency to contain the fires and limit their spread despite field challenges, including soaring temperatures and difficult terrain.

Operations carried out by the team so far have included 18 aerial sorties using two Black Hawk helicopters, with 359 water drops executed over fire hotspots.

The team began its mission last Monday in the Gramsh forest area and neighbouring regions, following the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to support Albania’s efforts in controlling the wildfires.

Coordination meetings between the UAE team and Albanian officials are ongoing to devise appropriate plans and accelerate firefighting operations, alongside continued field monitoring to prevent the resurgence of flames.

All petrol, diesel, and hybrid vehicles nationwide will now be required to undergo emissions testing to ensure that they meet environmental standards and help reduce air pollution.

In a public notice issued on Tuesday, REMA stated that from 25 August 2025, vehicle owners will be able to book appointments for testing through the Irembo platform, as is customary for other vehicle-related services. However, the emissions testing will be charged separately from regular mechanical inspections.

“The Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) informs the public that the Enhanced Vehicle Emission Testing will officially start on 25 August 2025 as part of the ongoing #CleanAir Campaign,” the notice reads in part.

The rollout comes just days after the Cabinet approved the introduction of emissions testing fees for non-electric vehicles and motorbikes.

In a Cabinet meeting on 30 July 2025, chaired by President Paul Kagame, the government approved the introduction of these fees as part of a broader strategy to improve air quality, particularly in urban areas. The initiative aims to protect public health and promote environmental sustainability.

As part of the new system, all vehicles, including motorcycles, will be required to undergo an emissions test. If a vehicle passes, it will be cleared for road use. However, vehicles that fail the test must be repaired and re-inspected within two weeks to avoid further charges. The reinspection fee will be half the cost of the initial test, while a full retest will be required if the two-week window is missed.

The testing will be conducted at existing vehicle inspection centres, with emissions testing equipment currently being installed. The initiative is expected to make a significant contribution to Rwanda’s goal of reducing harmful emissions from vehicles and improving air quality nationwide.

REMA has urged vehicle owners to prepare their vehicles in advance to ensure compliance and contribute to the national effort for cleaner, healthier air for all Rwandans. The emissions testing will be conducted alongside regular mechanical inspections, which are required once or twice a year, depending on the vehicle’s classification and usage.

Maj Gen (Rtd) Yaache from Ghana was part of the African contingent serving under the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR).

He recalled that when the UN Security Council decided to reduce the number of its troops in Rwanda to just 270 soldiers in 1994, both UNAMIR commander Gen Roméo Dallaire and Ghanaian Gen Henry Kwami Anyidoho opposed the move, warning of the dangers facing the Tutsi population.

Despite the withdrawal, some Ghanaian soldiers under Gen Anyidoho chose to remain behind and displayed remarkable courage by protecting thousands of Tutsis with very limited equipment and manpower. During the genocide, Ghanaian peacekeepers managed to rescue around 30,000 people.

Yaache first arrived in Rwanda in February 1994, two months before the genocide erupted. He was responsible for monitoring operations in Byumba prefecture, a demilitarized zone. Once the killings began, he played a key role in evacuating Tutsi civilians, helping them find food, and relocating them to safer areas.

Speaking to Rwandan youth recently, Yaache explained that UNAMIR’s mandate was to oversee the peace process between the Rwandan government of President Juvénal Habyarimana, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), and allied parties.

The peacekeepers were supposed to prevent violations of the accords and report any threats to peace back to the UN but Yaache highlighted that signs of impending dangers were ignored.

“Even from the field, I could see dark clouds of uncertainty forming, the same was true in the capital. The General pleaded with the UN, warning them that signs of looming trouble were evident.”

{{Gen Dallaire’s ignored warnings}}

On January 10, 1994, Gen Dallaire informed superiors at the UN Headquarters, warning that genocide was being planned and requesting permission to seize hidden weapons meant for the Interahamwe militia.

Instead of authorizing action, UN officials instructed him to share the intelligence with the very authorities accused of preparing the killings.

The following day, Dallaire was told by senior UN officials, including Kofi Annan, not to act outside his mandate. He was advised instead to inform President Habyarimana.

“This showed that the mission was fully aware of the trouble that was brewing. We saw the telltale signs. Not from the very beginning, but as events unfolded, there was no shortage of warnings, and the UN’s attention was repeatedly drawn to them,” Yaache stressed.

When the genocide began in April 1994, the UN again failed to act decisively, even hesitating to recognize the killings as genocide.

The situation worsened after Belgian troops withdrew from UNAMIR, leaving thousands of Tutsis in the arms of Interahamwe militia, including those massacred at the École Technique Officielle (ETO) in Kicukiro.

The affected facilities include the Gihira plant in Rubavu District, the Gihengeri plant in Gicumbi District, and the Cyondo plant in Nyagatare District.

WASAC confirmed that the Gihira plant, which had temporarily stopped operations, has resumed water supply, restoring services to consumers in the surrounding sectors, including Rubavu, Nyamyumba, Gisenyi, and Rugerero.

Situated along the Sebeya River, the Gihira plant has a daily treatment capacity of 23,000 cubic meters. Any disruption at this facility can significantly impact water availability in the district.

The Gihengeri Water Treatment Plant, serving Gicumbi District, has a daily capacity of 3,500 cubic meters, while the Cyondo plant in Nyagatare District produces up to 4,000 cubic meters per day. Both facilities also temporarily halted operations due to the heavy rains.

Heavy rainfall often disrupts water treatment operations, as rivers supplying these plants become heavily contaminated, making water treatment challenging. In such instances, temporary suspension is necessary until water quality stabilizes.

Since July 2025, the country has experienced unusually heavy rains for the dry season. On August 16 and 17, particularly intense rainfall led to floods. The Ministry of Emergency Management (MINEMA) reported that these floods claimed five lives and injured 25 people.

On August 15, President Ruto announced the redeployment of ambassadors, high commissioners, consuls general and deputy heads of mission to 20 posts worldwide, including Goma. Among the nominees was Judy Kiaria Nkumiri, tapped to serve as Kenya’s Consul-General in the city, which has been under the control of the M23 rebel coalition since January 2025.

The following day, the DRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs publicly questioned the move, citing the lack of prior consultations.

In a statement released Monday, Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi stressed that the nomination was only the first step in a longer constitutional and diplomatic process.

“Presidential nomination does not in itself constitute a diplomatic posting,” Mudavadi said. “Once parliamentary approval is secured, Kenya will formally seek agreement from the DRC government. In the case of Goma, the process further requires the issuance of an exequatur before the Consul-General may assume official duties.”

Kenya emphasised that the redeployment of diplomats is aimed at strengthening service delivery and advancing its Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), not geopolitical manoeuvring.

“It is not intended to undermine ongoing regional peace efforts or the territorial integrity and sovereignty of any state,” the statement read, reaffirming Nairobi’s commitment to the joint EAC-SADC-AU peace initiative in the DRC.

Mudavadi added that he had spoken with his Congolese counterpart, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, to provide clarification.

Kenya and the DRC have shared diplomatic ties since 1963. Nairobi opened its embassy in Kinshasa in 1968, while the DRC set up its mission in Nairobi around the same time. More recently, the DRC inaugurated a consulate in Mombasa in September 2023, while Kenya established its consulate in Goma in March 2022.

The clarification comes amid heightened sensitivities in eastern Congo, where Goma and Bukavu, the two largest cities in the region, are under M23 control.

Jeune Afrique reports that the text, shared with both parties on August 14, details security arrangements, transitional governance, and political reforms — but sharp disagreements remain.

The draft comes after the Doha Principles were signed on July 19, in which both sides pledged to reach a final deal by August 18. That deadline passed without an accord, though Doha insists negotiations are ongoing.

“Although the August 18 deadline was not met, both parties responded positively to the facilitator and expressed their willingness to continue,” a Qatari official told Jeune Afrique.

{{Security and humanitarian measures
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The draft seen by the publication outlines a three-phase conflict resolution process expected to take at least seven months after signing. The first phase prioritises humanitarian relief and security, with the establishment of an “interim special force” under the Interior Ministry.

Half of its members would be drawn from “eligible” M23 fighters, working alongside elements of the national police. The force would operate only in affected areas of North and South Kivu, before its members are eventually integrated into the army and police.

To ensure compliance, the draft establishes a multilateral monitoring mechanism co-managed by the DRC and M23, with Qatar and the African Union (AU), serving as observers.

{{Return of state authority
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Perhaps the most sensitive provision concerns the restoration of state authority in areas controlled by M23. The plan envisions the Congolese government appointing interim local authorities, while allowing for candidates proposed by M23. These transitional administrations would govern until elections scheduled for 2027.

Kinshasa insists this requires a full rebel withdrawal, while M23 argues it will not abandon what it calls “liberated” zones. The group has also voiced frustration that its federalism project, denounced by the government as “balkanization”, is absent from the draft.

{{Political dialogue
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The agreement also calls for a national dialogue in 2026, long demanded by Congolese opposition groups and backed by religious leaders. However, political analysts note that the recent formation of a new government has further delayed prospects for such talks.

{{Prisoner release dispute
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The release of hundreds of prisoners remains a sticking point. M23 has demanded it as a precondition for resuming talks, but Kinshasa insists it will only act after a final deal. While the Qatari draft includes the measure, the government has yet to concede.

Despite the hurdles, both sides are preparing for a fresh round of negotiations in Doha. A Congolese delegation and M23 representatives are expected to participate.

AFC/M23’s deputy coordinator, Bertrand Bisimwa, confirmed that his group’s delegation would focus on key issues including a permanent ceasefire and the release of prisoners.

“As part of the implementation of the Declaration of Principles of July 19, 2025, a technical team from our Movement will travel to Doha to examine the practical arrangements for the application of the ceasefire and the release of prisoners in accordance with the said declaration,” he shared on X.

The Congolese government also announced that it would send its own representatives, stressing that their mandate is to protect national interests during the discussions.

According to the timeline agreed in Qatar, both sides were expected to meet their commitments by July 29, paving the way for peace talks scheduled to begin no later than August 8. Chief among these commitments was the permanent suspension of hostilities. However, despite the agreement, the two parties have continued to accuse one another of violations.

Tensions have further deepened over the question of detainees. AFC/M23 accuses the Congolese government of refusing to release around 700 people—including its members and suspected supporters. Kinshasa insists the prisoners will only be freed after a final peace deal is signed.

As a result, peace talks failed to open on August 8, and the broader agreement, initially expected by August 18, was not signed. Qatar, acting as mediator, has acknowledged the setbacks but says it remains in close contact with both parties to encourage consensus.

While AFC/M23 has agreed to send a delegation to Doha, it has emphasized that the mission’s mandate will be strictly limited. This stance signals that the group is holding firm on its demand that prisoners be released before it fully commits to peace negotiations.

The appointment marks a significant milestone in the bank’s journey to strengthen its commitment to delivering outstanding financial services and contributing to innovation, aligned with Rwanda’s sustainable development goals.

Serge Atikossie brings extensive experience in financial services and leadership positions. He is expected to ensure excellent governance and further enhance the bank’s engagement with clients.

Bank of Africa Rwanda emphasized that his client-focused approach aligns perfectly with the institution’s mission to provide Rwandans with financial services that are accessible, efficient, and transparent.

Speaking on his appointment, Serge Atikossie expressed his enthusiasm and commitment: “I am honoured to join Bank of Africa – Rwanda and lead a team that is deeply committed to serving customers and supporting Rwanda’s economic growth. Together, we will build on the bank’s strong achievements, introduce innovative solutions, and continue to deliver value to our clients, partners, and communities.”

Vincent Istasse, who served as Managing Director of Bank of Africa Rwanda for the past two years, played a pivotal role in the bank’s growth and in strengthening relationships with clients.

He expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in him and wished his successor success in continuing the bank’s development.

“It has been a privilege to serve as Managing Director of Bank of Africa – Rwanda. I am proud of what we have accomplished as a team and I am confident that Mr Serge Atikossie will take the bank to even greater heights,” he stated.

Bank of Africa Rwanda also thanked its clients, partners, and stakeholders for their continued trust and collaboration.

Bank of Africa is a commercial bank operating in over 18 African countries. In Rwanda, it started operations in 2015 and has steadily grown its footprint, now operating 14 branches nationwide, eight in Kigali and six in other provinces.