Speaking at a media briefing in Johannesburg, International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola and Trade, Industry, and Competition Minister Parks Tau said that no agreement had yet been reached, despite South Africa submitting its trade framework proposal in May.
“South Africa seeks to conclude deals that promote value addition and industrialisation, rather than extractive relations that deprive the country of the ability to beneficiate our mineral wealth by mimicking extractive colonial era trade relations,” Lamola said, noting that geopolitical tensions have complicated negotiations with the United States.
Lamola warned that the proposed tariff could reduce South Africa’s gross domestic product by 0.2 percentage points. The United States is South Africa’s third-largest trading partner, making up 7.5 percent of total trade, with agricultural exports most vulnerable to the looming tariff.
“South African exports do not compete with U.S. producers and do not pose a threat to the U.S. industry. On the contrary, our exports are crucial inputs that support America’s industrial base,” Lamola said, adding that agricultural goods from South Africa to the United States are seasonal and are not “replacing” U.S. agricultural products.
He also highlighted South Africa’s efforts to diversify its export markets, particularly in agriculture. Local producers have started exporting lemons, avocados, and apples to China following the signing of bilateral protocol agreements. Similar efforts are underway to expand access to markets across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
In her opening remarks, Yvette Umutangana, the event’s main organizer, expressed her gratitude to everyone who contributed to the celebration and those who showed up early to participate in Umuganda.
“When we engage in Umuganda, some people may wonder why we do it,” she said. “But this is an act that reflects who we are, our core values, and our origins. It’s a way to promote our culture and our country, and to show that Rwanda is among the cleanest nations in Africa.”
Umutangana noted that this year’s Umuganura was particularly unique, taking place amid tense diplomatic relations between Rwanda and Belgium, which have led to a pause in official cooperation.
“Despite these challenges, we are here as Rwandans to uphold unity and continue being good ambassadors of our country, both here in Belgium and beyond,” she said.
She encouraged the Rwandan community to strive for progress and not just come together for the sake of celebration or to enjoy familiar food and traditional dress.
“Let’s aim to gather again next year, but this time to celebrate tangible achievements,” she urged.
Ernest Gakuba, president of DRB-Rugari-Belgique, emphasized the importance of this year’s theme: “Umuganura: A Source of Unity and Foundation for Self-Reliance.” He reminded attendees that unity is the foundation of national strength.
“It’s also a day to thank Rwanda’s God for the harvest, to reflect on areas where we’ve fallen short, and to correct them. It’s a time to appreciate every Rwandan who has contributed to their own development and the growth of our nation as a whole,” Gakuba said.
He added that Rwandans in the diaspora, particularly in Belgium, must come together in these challenging diplomatic times and combine their efforts without reservation.
Gakuba warned that if Rwandans abroad fail to work in unity, they risk losing their collective value and progress. He urged the community to focus on self-empowerment and resilience, calling on all Rwandans to embrace the traditional belief that “work is the foundation of life.”
“Umuganura should push us to ask ourselves: ‘What am I doing for my country?’ This day should not only be about celebrating achievements, but also about safeguarding them, reinforcing our unity, and always remembering our homeland in everything we do,” he added.
The celebration also featured cultural games and storytelling for children in both Dutch and Kinyarwanda, aiming to foster love for both languages in a way that respects Rwandan heritage.
Oscar Gahutu delivered a special presentation on the historical significance of Umuganura in pre-colonial Rwanda, highlighting how the tradition was disrupted by colonial powers but later restored by Rwanda’s current leadership.
“The road ahead is still long, but what we’ve achieved is worth preserving,” he said. “We must teach and pass it on to our youth.”
The day also included practical activities for children, such as sweeping and cleaning, to introduce them to traditional household roles and responsibilities.
As the event continued, children were served milk, attendees enjoyed traditional Rwandan dishes, and the atmosphere was filled with traditional songs, dances, and shared joy — all in true Rwandan spirit.
The decision, announced by the U.S. Embassy in Bujumbura, follows broader immigration restrictions signed by President Donald Trump earlier this year, targeting immigrants and non-immigrants holding tourist, student, and business visas.
According to the Trump administration, the move followed repeated warnings about high visa overstay rates and individual noncompliance with the conditions of legal entry into the United States.
In a public advisory on Monday, August 4, the U.S. Embassy in Burundi emphasised that each Burundian traveller carries not only their personal ambitions but also the hopes of their families and communities.
The embassy urged Burundians to uphold U.S. immigration laws and protect future opportunities by ensuring full compliance with visa terms.
“Respecting visa rules isn’t just a personal matter, it’s national,” the statement shared on social media platform X reads. “Let us uphold the rules, because one person’s actions can close doors for an entire nation.”
Trump has, in recent months, maintained that the visa bans are part of wider efforts to tighten immigration controls. In Executive Order 14161, titled “Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats,” the United States imposed full travel bans on seven African countries and partial restrictions on three others, including Burundi, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
President Trump defended the policy in a televised address, stating that the bans were not blanket prohibitions but targeted measures designed to encourage foreign governments to improve screening systems and immigration cooperation.
On the morning of July 27, Burundian security forces arrested Laurent Ruboneka Musabwa, an embassy employee and leader of the Banyamulenge community, whose members survived the 2004 Gatumba refugee camp massacre.
The following night, on July 28, another embassy staff member, Félix Mweza—originally from the Bashi ethnic group in South Kivu—was also arrested by Burundian security forces.
According to SOS, both individuals were swiftly flown to Kinshasa on a government-chartered plane. Upon arrival, they were taken into custody by agents from the National Intelligence Agency and the military intelligence service, where they remain under interrogation.
Ambassador Mulumba was also summoned to Kinshasa on July 30 to provide clarification regarding the conduct of his subordinates. Sources indicate that after giving his statement, the ambassador sought to return to his post in Bujumbura.
However, the DRC government denied the request, instructing him to remain in Kinshasa while investigations continue.
While the DRC government has not issued an official statement regarding the ambassador’s recall, reports suggest that he is also under scrutiny for possible links to the AFC coalition.
According to the company, the initiative aligns with broader efforts to fight hunger, improve nutrition, and promote self-sufficiency in food systems, particularly across the African continent.
Speaking at the launch, Mega Global Market’s CEO, Dr. Francis Habumugisha, explained that the initiative was created to improve the well-being of communities by providing access not just to food, but to nutritious and health-enhancing options.
“We are here to launch the African Wellness Junction as a complement to the UN’s goal of food self-sufficiency,” said Dr. Habumugisha. “Our goal is to help people access healthy food options and achieve complete nutrition without the risks associated with poor diets.”
Through this new program, Mega Global Market has reduced the cost of its products. Nutritional supplements sold wholesale in Rwanda will now be discounted by 50%, while individual customers will enjoy a 30% price cut. Gym equipment has also been made more affordable, with prices reduced by up to 20%.
Mega Global Market is known for offering a variety of nutritional supplements and wellness products. Among them is Best Lady Care, a supplement designed to help women regulate hormones, support reproductive health, and enhance sexual wellness. Another product, Best Man Prime, is believed to support prostate health and boosts testosterone.
The company also offers Best Kids Brain Gummies, which aid in children’s growth and brain development, along with other popular supplements such as Best Fish Oil, Best Fit & Detox Tea, Best X Power Coffee, and Best Brain Booster—all formulated to improve overall health and bodily function.
In addition to supplements, the company provides various wellness machines designed to support physical health. These include the G-Foot Massage, which promotes nerve stimulation and blood circulation through reflexology; the G-Leg Beautician, which helps relieve varicose veins, swelling, fatigue, and even symptoms of depression.
The popular Treadmill allows users to jog in place, promoting bone strength, muscle tone, and blood flow. Other machines include the G-Vibration Plate, Portable Sauna, G-Body Shaker, and G-Advanced Chair, each offering unique benefits for overall body performance and recovery.
The United States announced the development following a meeting held on Friday, August 1, 2025. Rwanda was represented by Antoine Marie Kajangwe, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, while the DRC delegation included an expert in economic affairs. The U.S. was represented by Massad Boulos, Advisor for African Affairs.
The move builds on the Washington Declaration of Principles signed in April and aligns with the broader Peace Agreement signed on June 27, 2025, with the support of the United States.
Rooted in mutual respect, sovereignty, and shared prosperity, the REIF outlines a forward-looking economic partnership designed to unlock investment opportunities, curb illicit mineral trade, and support sustainable development across multiple sectors.
{{Shared commitment to stability and inclusive development
}}
Both governments reaffirm their commitment to combating the illicit trade of minerals, which has long fueled violence and undermined good governance in the region. By formalising their cooperation through the REIF, Rwanda and the DRC aim to dismantle the economic drivers of conflict and shift toward a future anchored in cross-border collaboration, industrial development, and community empowerment.
The framework recognises the potential for greater synergy with regional and continental bodies, particularly through the revitalisation of the Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries (CEPGL) and seeks alignment with initiatives such as the African Union’s Continental Power Systems Masterplan.
{{Mineral supply chains
}}
Rwanda and the DRC have committed to jointly reforming and formalising the mineral sector, particularly in critical minerals such as tin, tantalum, tungsten, niobium, and gold. They aim to eradicate the financing of armed groups through illicit trade and to develop a world-class, industrial mining sector that creates value from extraction to end-user.
Both countries will work toward formalising artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM), expanding opportunities for alternative livelihoods, and strengthening transparency, traceability, and professional standards.
Improving cross-border interoperability, particularly in border management, is central to this effort. By doing so, they hope to attract global investment and promote equitable value sharing through industrial development initiatives.
While reaffirming sovereign control over natural resources, both governments agree that communities must benefit directly from the revenues and advantages generated through extraction, processing, and trade. This approach aims to promote a productive, rules-based economy anchored in transparency and local empowerment.
{{Energy cooperation
}}
Energy is viewed as a cornerstone of industrialisation and regional development. The two countries have expressed their intention to prioritise increased electricity generation and access for both industry and households. They will focus on completing the Ruzizi III hydropower project and sustainably exploiting methane gas from Lake Kivu for electricity generation and transmission.
These efforts will be coordinated with neighbouring countries and guided by the African Union’s Continental Power Systems Masterplan. Where appropriate, the multilateral governance structures of the CEPGL may be used to support implementation.
{{Infrastructure development
}}
Rwanda and the DRC will cooperate in developing mutually beneficial infrastructure in sectors such as transportation, logistics, and information and communication technology (ICT).
This includes plans for passenger and cargo transport infrastructure, warehousing, ports, and markets. Both governments are keen to attract private sector investment that can catalyse economic growth in the Great Lakes region.
These infrastructure initiatives will be aligned with the U.S.-supported Lobito Corridor to enhance regional and global connectivity and improve access to international markets.
{{National park management and cross-border tourism
}}
The two countries also plan to collaborate on cross-border conservation and science-based management of biodiversity and ecosystems. A key part of this will be the development of a coordinated cross-border security strategy to address shared threats in protected areas. This includes harmonising enforcement mechanisms and legal frameworks.
Additionally, Rwanda and the DRC intend to build a sustainable cross-border tourism sector by supporting each other’s tourism operators and promoting community-based initiatives. They plan to implement a harmonised tourism revenue-sharing model and standardised policies to strengthen community livelihoods through conservation.
{{Public health cooperation
}}
Recognising the importance of a united health response, Rwanda and the DRC have agreed to strengthen cross-border coordination to prevent and manage disease outbreaks. This includes collaborative planning and response to epidemics and pandemics, with an emphasis on information sharing to promote scientific research and health-related commercial ventures.
{{Other areas of cooperation
}}
The REIF is designed as a living platform, allowing for the continuous identification and integration of new opportunities. The Participants are committed to exploring expanded cooperation in areas such as water and sanitation infrastructure, agribusiness (including livestock), education, sports, and entertainment.
They have also pledged to accelerate trade liberalisation and regional integration, ensuring that REIF remains dynamic and responsive to emerging regional needs.
The REIF will be finalised through a dedicated agreement outlining coordination mechanisms for its implementation. Officials from both countries have reiterated that all efforts will be carried out in full respect of national laws and sovereignty.
Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe, previously told Parliament that while economic cooperation is a pillar of the Washington peace agreement, separate economic agreements would follow. The REIF now serves as the foundation for those agreements, charting a clear and strategic path from principle to execution.
Zigiranyirazo was previously accused of involvement in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi but was later acquitted.
He was among eight Rwandans who remained stranded in Niger after multiple countries denied them asylum, despite either being acquitted or having completed sentences issued by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), based in Arusha, Tanzania.
Initially sentenced to 20 years in prison on December 18, 2008, Zigiranyirazo was acquitted by the Appeals Chamber on November 16, 2009.
He was known as a member of “Akazu” — a close-knit inner circle around the Habyarimana regime that played a key role in orchestrating the Genocide. Zigiranyirazo was also the brother of Agathe Kanziga, wife of the late President Juvénal Habyarimana.
The strike move was earlier announced after members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837 voted to reject a modified four-year labor agreement with Boeing.
This vote followed members’ overwhelming rejection of Boeing’s earlier proposal on July 27 as a labor agreement officially expired before midnight.
The workers were based at Boeing’s facilities in St. Louis and St. Charles, Missouri, as well as Mascoutah, Illinois.
“We will be there on the picket lines, ensuring Boeing hears the collective power of working people,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant in the statement on Sunday.
“They deserve nothing less than a contract that keeps their families secure and recognizes their unmatched expertise,” IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli said.
“Solidarity is our strength. This vote shows that when workers stand together, they can push back against corporate greed and fight for a better future for themselves and their families,” said IAM Resident General Vice President Jody Bennett.
The IAM union is one of North America’s largest and most diverse industrial trade unions, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries across the United States and Canada.
Boeing expressed disappointment over the vote. Dan Gillian, Boeing Air Dominance vice president and general manager, and senior St. Louis site executive, said in a statement that the company was “disappointed our employees rejected an offer that featured 40 percent average wage growth and resolved their primary issue on alternative work schedules.”
Boeing was “prepared for a strike and had fully implemented our contingency plan to ensure our non-striking workforce can continue supporting our customers,” he added.
In August, the OPEC+ countries saw an oil output increase of 548,000 bpd amid a plan to gradually unwind their most recent layer of output cuts.
Sunday’s decision was made during a virtual meeting where member countries, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman, reviewed global market conditions and outlook, according to a statement on the OPEC website.
The statement noted that the gradual increases may be paused or reversed subject to evolving market conditions.
In a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, AUSSOM also refuted media reports alleging heavy casualties among its soldiers in Bariire.
“AUSSOM wishes to clarify that its forces, in coordination with the Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF), initiated a major offensive to recapture Bariire town on Aug. 1,” the AU mission said, responding to claims made by al-Shabab regarding the destruction of AU-owned armored personnel carriers and the retreat of AUSSOM troops following intense fighting in Bariire.
“The joint military operation has resulted in substantial losses for the terrorist group, with over 50 al-Shabab militants killed and many others sustaining serious injuries,” AUSSOM said.
The agriculturally rich Bariire town, which lies about 60 km southwest of Mogadishu, is one of the strategic areas located in the Lower Shabelle region along the Shabelle River.
Local residents said the fighting on Friday was the most intense in recent days between the militants and allied forces.
“AUSSOM and SNAF troops are determined to recapture Bariire town and other territories still under al-Shabab control to ensure lasting peace and security for the people of Somalia,” said El Hadji Ibrahima Boly Diene, special representative of the AU Commission Chairperson for Somalia and head of AUSSOM.
