“As for the topics covered, then, first of all, of course, it is the Ukrainian crisis. And the second topic is the prospects for the possible development of strategic cooperation between the United States and Russia,” Ushakov said, adding that the talk was “very useful and constructive.”
Ushakov said that further details will follow after Trump is briefed on the outcome.
Witkoff previously visited Moscow on April 25 and St. Petersburg on April 11, holding talks with Putin both times.
This gathering, which highlighted Rwanda’s deep cultural traditions, was an opportunity to reflect on the significance of Umuganura, both in Rwanda’s past and present.
During his address, Ambassador Maj Gen Joseph Nzabamwita emphasized that Umuganura is far more than just a harvest festival. He explained that it is a centuries-old tradition that serves as a day of thanksgiving, where Rwandans express gratitude for their blessings and recognize the country’s achievements.
As the Ambassador noted, the festival has been celebrated at various levels—nationally, within communities, and in family settings—making it a truly unifying event for the Rwandan people. This was a moment for Rwandans in Russia to connect with their roots and embrace the cultural values of their homeland, even as they live abroad.
Looking back at the history of Umuganura, Amb. Nzabamwita shared that it dates back to the 9th century, making it a significant part of Rwanda’s cultural heritage. In the past, the King would preside over national ceremonies, while heads of families led the celebrations at the community level.
The Ambassador emphasized that Umuganura was a celebration of national unity, nationhood, and the vitality of Rwanda’s agricultural production, which has always been a cornerstone of the country’s identity. It was more than just a festival symbolizing a renewal of life and a strengthening of the nation’s agricultural foundation.
The envoy also reflected on the negative impact of colonialism on the celebration of Umuganura. He explained that during the colonial era, the Belgian colonialists abolished the festival in 1925 as part of a broader effort to dismantle Rwanda’s traditional social structures.
The colonial powers recognized that to maintain control, they needed to sever the cultural ties that bound Rwandans together, and Umuganura was one of the first traditions to be targeted. This disruption had a lasting effect on the celebration of Rwandan culture, even after Rwanda gained independence.
Following the liberation of Rwanda by the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF), Umuganura was revived as a key cultural event. Amb. Nzabamwita highlighted how the RPF’s leadership, upon bringing peace and stability to the country, recognized the importance of restoring the festival as a symbol of national renewal. In this way, Umuganura became a way for Rwandans to come together and celebrate their individual and collective contributions to the country’s progress.
The Ambassador explained that Umuganura today serves multiple important functions. Culturally, it preserves the ancient traditions and heritage of Rwanda in a rapidly changing world. Socially, it fosters national unity by bringing together people from all walks of life, creating a shared sense of identity.
Economically, it highlights the importance of agriculture, which remains a vital sector in Rwanda’s economy, employing 80% of the workforce and contributing significantly to the national GDP. Finally, politically, it reflects Rwanda’s sovereignty, self-reliance, and efforts toward food security, showing the country’s commitment to economic prosperity and independence.
Ambassador Nzabamwita concluded his address by stressing that Umuganura is not merely a harvest festival, but a testament to Rwanda’s resilience and its hopeful outlook for the future. He emphasized that it is a day of thanksgiving that unites Rwandans, celebrated alongside their friends and partners worldwide.
The event was especially enjoyable for the youth, who make up a large part of the Rwandan diaspora in the Russian Federation.
The celebration featured traditional Rwandan meals, cultural performance by the Diaspora Cultural Troupe “Imena Mu Nganzo”, and music performed by the Diaspora Music Band.
The company’s presence at the Expo is part of its broader mission to make service delivery faster, smarter, and more citizen-friendly—leveraging innovation to meet the evolving needs of users across Rwanda.
Patrick Gategabondo, the Chief Operations Officer (COO) at Irembo, highlighted that with the current season for community-based health insurance (Mutuelle de Santé) payments, Irembo is offering on-site assistance to help visitors complete their payments easily.
“We are here to make this process more accessible, especially during this period when many people are paying for their health insurance,” Gategabondo explained.
In collaboration with the National Identification Agency (NIDA), Irembo is also facilitating fast-track ID-related services for children and making corrections to personal information like names, birthdates, and photos—services that can now be completed in just three days.
Visitors to the booth are also guided on how to use the [IremboApp,->https://7847s.app.link/IremboApp_social_media] which provides access to a wide range of essential services—not limited to government services alone.
The [app->https://7847s.app.link/IremboApp_social_media] is available in Kinyarwanda, English, and French, and allows users to request documents like birth certificates, certificates of celibacy, and marriage records securely using a PIN code, fingerprint, or Face ID.
Additionally, users can pay for health insurance (Mutuelle), track their payment status, get real-time traffic fine notifications and pay instantly and save mobile wallet numbers (MTN MoMo or Airtel Money) for quicker transactions.
Irembo was recognized as the Best Exhibitor at EXPO 2024, a testament to its ongoing commitment to digital transformation and service excellence in Rwanda.
Rooted in the centuries-old Rwandan tradition of naming newborns, Kwita Izina was officially introduced in 2005 to celebrate Rwanda’s conservation achievements, engage communities, and inspire global awareness.
Over the past 20 years, Kwita Izina has become one of Africa’s leading events on conservation and sustainable tourism, attracting global icons, conservationists, and thousands of attendees annually. Since 2005, 397 baby gorillas have been named.
Last year, the event was postponed due to the Marburg outbreak in the country.
The theme for this year, “A legacy of community centered conservation, securing a sustainable future for all,” highlights the vital role of communities, rangers, and researchers in protecting Rwanda’s biodiversity.
Commenting on the development, RDB Chief Tourism Officer, Irène Murerwa, said: “We are excited to celebrate 20 years of Kwita Izina—a ceremony that has become a symbol of conservation, community, and culture in Rwanda. Thanks to the unwavering dedication and support of the government of Rwanda, partners and communities, the mountain gorilla population in the Virunga Massif has increased from 880 in 2012 to over 1,063 today. This success highlights the impact of community-based conservation and strategic partnerships.”
“Through initiatives like the Tourism Revenue Sharing Programme, which allocates 10% of tourism income back to local communities, we have improved schools, roads, and access to clean water. This demonstrates that when conservation benefits communities, nature thrives. As we celebrate this milestone, we reaffirm our shared duty to protect biodiversity and create a sustainable future for generations to come,” she added.
{{Highlights of Kwita Izina 2025}}
To support the restoration of Volcanoes National Park, RDB, through the Rwanda Nature Foundation, will launch a crowdfunding platform on 6 September to raise funds for the restoration of Volcanoes National Park, ensuring a healthier, expanded habitat for the endangered mountain gorillas.
The platform will offer individuals and organisations worldwide a direct way to contribute to mountain gorilla protection and habitat restoration.
{{Community Recognition}}
As with every edition, this year’s ceremony will honour the local communities and rangers who continue to play a vital role in the survival of Rwanda’s mountain gorillas.
Ahead of Kwita Izina, a smart green agricultural project will be launched in Musanze District as part of this year’s Tourism Revenue Share Programme, alongside additional donations to benefit communities living around Rwanda’s other national parks.
In celebration of this milestone year, a series of events will be held across the country to highlight conservation efforts, engage stakeholders, and showcase Rwanda’s natural beauty. The Kwita Izina 20 event calendar includes several significant activities, starting on August 29 with the launch of a community project in Kinigi, Musanze District.
From September 3 to 14, there will be familiarization trips across the country for international media and tour operators. On September 3 and 4, community sports activities and a concert will take place in Musanze.
The much-anticipated Mountain Gorilla Naming Ceremony will be held in Kinigi on September 5. On September 6, two events are scheduled: a golf tournament at the Kigali Golf Resort & Villas and the Conservation Gala Dinner in Kigali.
Since 2005, 397 gorillas have been named. Additionally, over Rwf 18 billion has been invested in more than 1,000 community projects through the Tourism Revenue Sharing Programme.
Kwita Izina continues to define Rwanda’s leadership in responsible tourism, blending tradition, innovation, and community ownership to protect the only species of great apes.
The agreements were signed on August 6, 2025, at the conclusion of the Ministerial Session of the Third Joint Permanent Commission between Rwanda and Zimbabwe. The meeting aimed to review and strengthen trade and investment relations between the two countries.
On the Rwandan side, the agreements were signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe, while Zimbabwe was represented by his counterpart, Prof. Dr. Amon Murwira.
Minister Nduhungirehe noted that both countries had sufficient time to explore areas of cooperation following the second session of the commission held in Harare, Zimbabwe, in 2023.
The meeting laid the groundwork for signing the new agreements covering youth development, collaboration between police institutions, health, customs information exchange, and expansion of energy sector cooperation.
He also pointed out that Rwanda and Zimbabwe already collaborate in several areas such as agriculture, correctional services, and tourism, stressing the importance of implementing the signed agreements.
“We must focus heavily on implementation. Let’s act on the decisions made today to produce tangible results. Establishing follow-up mechanisms, facilitating knowledge exchange, and working together to solve governance-related challenges are crucial,” he said.
He further stated that Zimbabwe is ready to work with Rwanda in the field of justice, with ongoing discussions aimed at finalising a prisoner transfer agreement. Talks are also nearing completion on avoiding double taxation and collaborating on social development programmes.
Minister Nduhungirehe described Zimbabwe as a key partner for Rwanda, with over 25 cooperation agreements signed to date aimed at boosting both countries’ economies.
Zimbabwe’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Dr. Amon Murwira, expressed his country’s interest in working closely with Rwanda in various sectors.
“We consider the Rwanda–Zimbabwe partnership vital, as it has grown significantly over the years. Since our meeting in 2021, we’ve witnessed remarkable progress in several sectors. This reflects the strong collaboration, friendship, and mutual respect between us,” he said.
He also praised the establishment of a joint Rwanda–Zimbabwe Business Forum, noting its potential to highlight partnership opportunities in agriculture and agro-processing, tourism, mineral extraction, industrial development, and other sectors that can benefit both populations.
Prof. Murwira highlighted existing cooperation in education, which is already yielding results. He confirmed that the deployment of a second group of Zimbabwean teachers to Rwanda is nearing completion.
He also mentioned his visit to Norrsken Kigali, which supports youth-led tech innovation projects, and identified it as a potential area for joint efforts in advancing technology and industrial growth.
Prof. Murwira added that Zimbabwe is prepared to offer scholarships to Rwandan students interested in furthering their knowledge, particularly in innovation and industrial development.
Twirwaneho spokesperson Kamasa Ndakize Welcome announced on Tuesday, 5 August, that joint attacks involving the FDLR, FARDC, and a faction of the Mai Mai Ngomanzito militia had begun in the villages of Irumba and Rugezi, located in southern Minembwe.
“Since the early hours of August 5, joint offensives by government forces, including FARDC, FDLR genocidaires, and Mai Mai Ngomanzito, have been carried out on Banyamulenge villages in Irumba and Rugezi,” he stated.
The reports come just days after the community raised concerns that FDLR fighters were undergoing training in Burundi, ahead of being deployed to join FARDC, Burundian forces, and Wazalendo militias in operations targeting the Banyamulenge.
“Military training, which constitutes a criminal act, is being provided to FDLR fighters in Burundi before they are deployed to the DRC. We continue to condemn this. Approximately 20,000 are currently in training, and more than 3,000 have already crossed into the DRC,” the group stated earlier.
Twirwaneho also indicated that credible intelligence showed each FDLR combatant receives $50 prior to leaving Burundi and is then dispatched to areas such as Luvungi, Lubarika, and Lemera, where they reportedly establish temporary bases.
However, in his latest statement, the Twirwaneho spokesperson clarified that Burundian forces were not involved in the August 5 attacks and called for their complete and public withdrawal from what the movement described as a wider campaign to annihilate the Banyamulenge.
“We affirm that Burundian troops did not take part in today’s attacks. We hope they will completely and publicly distance themselves from such operations. Withdrawing from this genocidal war would mark a major step toward peace,” he said.
Twirwaneho reiterated its commitment to peace but stressed its right to defend civilians under threat using all means permitted by law.
The attacks continue despite prior commitments to a ceasefire and an end to violence in eastern DRC, as ongoing talks between the DRC government and the AFC/M23 rebel group proceed.
In recent weeks, the rebel group has accused FARDC and its allied militias of carrying out coordinated attacks, urging the international community to condemn the violence and support a peaceful resolution to the conflict, one they say is rooted in the marginalisation and persecution of Banyamulenge communities in eastern DRC.
The aircraft, a Zlin-type plane, was on a training mission when it crashed, said the authorities in a statement.
The victims include two members of the Civil Protection force, a flight instructor from the Civil Protection Aviation School, and an aviation company manager, who was of Chilean nationality.
An investigation into the cause of the crash is expected to be launched.
This marked Ambassador Dombe’s first official visit to the Rwandan Senate, aimed at familiarizing himself with the institution and its operations.
Following the meeting, Senate President Dr. Kalinda stated: “We discussed the strong existing relations between Rwanda and Angola, which are founded on cooperation across various sectors. The two countries have signed multiple bilateral agreements in areas such as the economy, technology, education, and agriculture. We specifically emphasized the importance of implementing these agreements, with a particular focus on trade and investment.”
Rwanda and Angola maintain bilateral agreements in mining and diplomatic cooperation, and have also waived visa requirements for each other’s citizens, further strengthening ties.
Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Olivier Nduhungirehe, in November 2024, reaffirmed the growing partnership between the two nations.
He also commended Angola’s role in facilitating peace dialogues on the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and assured Rwanda’s continued collaboration with Angola to promote peace, security, and regional development.
The Commission’s trade spokesperson, Olof Gill, said the decision was adopted under an emergency procedure and will require formal approval by a simple majority of member states within two weeks. The tariffs were scheduled to take effect on Aug. 7.
“The Commission has today adopted necessary legal procedures to suspend the implementation of our European Union (EU) countermeasures,” Gill told a press briefing in Brussels, adding that the regulation would be published in the EU’s official journal later the same day.
Ahead of this announcement, there has been mounting criticism from key member states, including France and Germany. German Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil has expressed frustration at what he described as a “weak” negotiating stance by the EU during the trade talks with the United States.
“I think we were too weak. We can’t be satisfied with the result that was achieved,” Klingbeil said, referring to the agreement reached late last month between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and U.S. President Donald Trump.
Under the deal, most EU imports to the United States will face a 15-percent tariff, while the bloc has pledged to purchase more American energy products and increase investment in the U.S. market.
Gill expressed surprise at Klingbeil’s remarks, noting that member states had been “fully briefed” and had supported a negotiated outcome to avoid tariff escalation.
The spokesperson said the suspension would remain in place for six months, during which implementation of the broader understanding would continue. If commitments are not met, Gill noted, the EU retains the right to reactivate its countermeasures. (1 euro = 1.16 dollar)
Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe made the announcement during a strategic engagement with Harare City Councillors and municipal officials on Monday. He emphasised that informal trade has severely undermined the viability of formal businesses in Harare’s central business district.
“The proliferation of street and night vending has destroyed the viability of formal businesses in our city,” Minister Garwe stated.
“The government has therefore moved to ban the importation and sale of second-hand clothes, as well as all forms of street vending.”
According to Garwe, informal trading spaces have not only disrupted regulated commerce but have also become hotspots for illicit drug activities and other underground dealings, posing threats to public health and national security.
To ensure effective enforcement, the Minister urged Harare City Council to collaborate closely with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP). He also called for a humane and community-sensitive approach when implementing the new directive, referencing past incidents in which vendors were mistreated during clean-up campaigns.
“Enforcement should not be about being tough or brutal,” he said. “Let us engage with vendor associations and educate the public while upholding law and order.”
In addition to the crackdown on informal trading, Garwe pressed city authorities to urgently address Harare’s worsening traffic congestion, which he described as “unacceptable.”
He encouraged the reinforcement of municipal by-laws to improve the capital’s overall functionality and flow.
“Restoring order in our city is not optional,” he added. “We must act now to preserve the integrity of formal businesses and the safety of our communities.”
The ban is expected to impact thousands who rely on vending for their livelihoods.
