In partnership with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Rwanda this week dispatched over 40 tons of essential foodstuffs and medical supplies to support civilians affected by the protracted conflict, the Office of the Government Spokesperson announced on Thursday, July 10.
The consignment was received in Amman by the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation, which is facilitating the onward distribution to Gaza.
This latest delivery marks Rwanda’s fourth humanitarian shipment to Gaza since the conflict erupted in October 2023. It follows a May 29 2025, shipment of over 20 tons of aid, which also included food and medical supplies. That consignment, like the current one, was transported by RwandAir and coordinated closely with Jordanian authorities.
Rwanda’s initial humanitarian intervention came in late October 2023 with a package of 16 tons of medicines, food, and water. A second shipment followed in November 2024, comprising more than 19 tons of fortified food for children and other critical supplies.
The Office of the Government Spokesperson previously emphasised that Rwanda’s contributions are part of a broader international effort to alleviate civilian suffering in Gaza. It reiterated Rwanda’s call for an end to the conflict and the urgent protection of innocent lives.
The conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a large-scale assault on Israel, has since escalated into one of the region’s deadliest in recent history.
The violence has resulted in the death of at least 57,575 people and wounded 136,879, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
Initial drilling conducted on the HCK Project site revealed rich lithium deposits beneath the surface. One drill hole in particular, known as MWOG0002, reached a depth of 174.6 meters and uncovered a 6.9-meter section of lithium-bearing rock.
Within this section, a higher concentration was found, an impressive 3.2% lithium oxide, which is considered high-grade in the industry. The geological team also found thick sections of pegmatite rock, known to host lithium, with some layers measuring up to 80 meters in thickness.
This exploration only covered two of the twelve areas identified as potential lithium sites on the 2,750-hectare license in southern Rwanda. The fact that such promising results have already been achieved in such a small portion of the site has generated strong excitement about what may be found in the remaining zones.
In response to these early findings; Rio Tinto, which also operates in Rwanda, has confirmed that it will exercise its Stage 1 earn-in rights under the joint venture agreement. This means, the company will now own a 51% stake in the exploration license.
Moreover, Rio Tinto plans to invest further and can earn up to a 75% share by spending $7.5 million over the next three years. As part of this next phase, Aterian Plc will receive a $100,000 cash payment, and the two companies will continue to jointly manage the exploration process.
In a statement released on July 10, 2025, Simon Rollason, CEO of Aterian Plc, expressed enthusiasm about both the results and the partnership.
He emphasised that although the work is still in early stages, the thickness of the pegmatite layers and the quality of the lithium discovered so far are very encouraging.
“While further work is required to fully assess the project’s scale and continuity, these early indications provide a strong foundation to build upon as we advance our exploration activities in Rwanda,” Rollason noted.
The broader exploration effort began in August 2023 and included several phases of mapping, geochemical sampling, and geophysical surveys.
Drilling only recently began as a way to test whether early surface findings translated into deeper mineral deposits.
Aterian and Rio Tinto plan to release more updates as exploration continues. A detailed technical review is already underway to determine the best path forward, and decisions about the next phase of work are expected by the end of 2025.
Lithium was first reported in Rwanda in 2020. That same year, its global market value began to rise sharply. The price per ton increased from $44,090 in 2022 to $61,520 in 2023.
In August 2023, exploration efforts were intensified through an agreement signed between Aterian PLC, RIO Tinto Mining and Exploration Ltd, and Kinunga Mining Ltd.
Lithium is a valuable mineral used in the production of various technologies, including batteries for phones, computers, cameras, and more.
Before 2020, few people recognised the value of lithium, and its price was relatively low. In December 2020, one kilogram of lithium cost around $9 (about 9,000 Rwandan Francs), up from $20.5 per kilogram in January 2018.
Lithium prices dropped in 2020 due to an oversupply, compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, 2021 was a breakthrough year for lithium traders, as prices soared by over 600%. By April 2021, the price reached $78,000 (over 78 million Rwandan Francs) per ton.
This price surge was driven largely by the increased production of electric vehicles, which require large, long-lasting batteries made from lithium.
In 2021 alone, 6.6 million electric vehicles were sold globally, double the number sold in 2020.
Experts in the mineral trade predict lithium will continue to be in high demand, as electric vehicle production continues to rise. By 2030, it is expected that more than 26 million electric vehicles will have been sold.
Currently, the leading exporters of lithium include Chile, China, the Netherlands, South Korea, Germany, and Belgium.
Speaking on Wednesday while hosting several African heads of state, he emphasised that the peace deal signed between Rwanda and the DRC on June 27, 2025, aims to end three decades of conflict in eastern Congo.
“It’s been a long and vicious fight, and I just wanted to say that the countries represented were very happy that we were able to solve that problem,” Trump stated.
He noted that following the recent signing of the accord by foreign ministers from both countries, the two presidents are expected to sign the final agreement soon.
“Over the next couple of weeks, the leaders of both countries will come to sign the final agreement,” he added.
The announcement came as Trump hosted several African leaders at the event, including President Joseph Boakai of Liberia, Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal, Brice Oligui Nguema of Gabon, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani of Mauritania, and Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau.
Trump also praised his senior adviser for Africa, Masssad Boulos, for playing a key role in mediating the deal, saying, “He was very much involved in that settlement. Most people thought it couldn’t be done.”
The peace agreement signed last month includes commitments to dismantle the FDLR, an armed group that has long destabilised Rwanda from Congolese territory, and to roll back defensive measures Rwanda had implemented in response to regional threats. It also addresses the return of refugees and outlines a framework for economic cooperation.
Beyond Rwanda and the DRC, Trump said his team is also working to facilitate peace in other troubled regions on the continent. “We’re going to be facilitating peace also in places like Sudan, where they have a lot of problems, Libya, and others.”
He emphasised a shift in U.S. engagement with Africa, moving from aid to trade:
“We’re shifting from aid to trade. Trade seems to be a foundation that I’ve been able to use to settle a lot of these disputes — India and Pakistan, Kosovo, Serbia. We said, ‘You guys are going to fight? We’re not going to trade,’ and we seem to be quite successful in doing that.”
To support this new approach, Trump defended tougher measures introduced by his administration, including the shutdown of USAID, describing them as part of efforts to support the trade initiative.
“We have closed the USAID group to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse, which was tremendous. We’re working tirelessly to forge new economic opportunities involving both the United States and many African nations.”
“There’s great economic potential in Africa, like few other places in many ways. In the long run, this will be far more effective, sustainable, and beneficial than anything else we can be doing together.”
“I’m eager to work with each of you on your vital issues and also to discuss security,” he concluded.
The project integrated photovoltaic (PV) generation, energy storage, charging, and smart energy management into a unified “PV-Storage-Charging-Load System”, establishing an intelligent energy control architecture for efficient utilization and precise distribution of energy resources.
The initiative aims to promote the adoption of clean energy, enhance school energy efficiency, and provide a cutting-edge, practical platform for education and research.
Speaking at the ceremony on Tuesday, Gen Cesar, chief technical adviser at the Rwandan Ministry of Infrastructure, described the completed project as a milestone in a shared journey toward green development, educational cooperation, and deepening Rwanda-China friendship.
“We place great importance on expanding clean energy, strengthening our vocational education system, and fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors,” he said. “The project we are celebrating today embodies all of these goals — it is not only a source of renewable power but also a hands-on training facility that empowers our youth with valuable technical skills.”
Gao Zhiqiang, economic and commercial counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Rwanda, noted that since its establishment, Forever TVET Institute has remained committed to the principle of “industry-education integration and skills first,” focusing on Rwanda’s local development needs while aligning its programs with key sectors such as heavy machinery, electrical engineering, and information and communications technology.
“Over the years, it has made remarkable contributions in serving Chinese enterprises, cultivating local technical talent, and promoting cultural and educational exchange between China and Rwanda,” he said.
Jiang Chunhua, chairman of the board of Beijing Forever Technology Co., Ltd, said the company institutionalized China’s proven “industry-education integration” model through the establishment of Forever TVET Institute in 2018.
“Today’s inauguration represents our green commitment to Rwanda’s sustainable development agenda. This facility embodies cutting-edge integration of generation, grid, load, storage, and microgrid technologies, forming an intelligent energy ecosystem that ensures optimal efficiency and reliability,” he added.
In a press statement, the members of the Security Council welcomed the peace deal and expressed their deep appreciation to the United States, Qatar, and the African Union for their facilitation efforts.
The council members urged the DRC and Rwanda to honor in good faith their obligations and commitments for lasting peace in eastern DRC.
They expressed their determination to actively support the two countries in the implementation and follow-up of this agreement.
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President Ruto made the controversial orders during the commissioning of a police housing project in the capital, Nairobi, on Wednesday.
“Anyone who burns down someone else’s business and property, let them be shot in the leg and go to the hospital as they head to court. Let them not be killed, but shoot and break the legs.”
His remarks come in the wake of recent anti-government protests across Kenya, largely driven by youth anger over rising living costs, corruption, rising cases of abduction and police brutality.
The demonstrations, many led by the so-called “Gen Z” movement, have intensified following the death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody last month.
According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), at least 31 people were killed and more than 100 injured during the latest wave of protests on Monday, with over 500 arrested.
“The UN, Amnesty International Kenya, and other rights bodies have accused the Kenyan police of using excessive force, including live bullets against unarmed demonstrators during the recent protests that coincided with ‘Saba Saba’, a day commemorating the pro-democracy protests of 1990.”
Among the dead in the Monday demos was a 12-year-old boy in Kiambu, reportedly hit by a stray bullet while at home. Rights groups documented widespread looting, destruction of public and private property, and the use of unmarked police vehicles allegedly ferrying armed gangs into protest zones.
UN human rights spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani condemned the killings, noting that “lethal ammunition, rubber bullets, tear gas, and water cannons were used,” while hospitals were attacked and looted during the chaos.
The President’s directive follows similar hardline comments from Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who last month told police to shoot anyone approaching police stations, labeling them as security threats.
“Anyone who gets near a police station, shoot them. Why should someone who wants to steal firearms be spared? Firearms are not doughnuts!” Murkomen said after the June 25 protests, during which multiple police stations and county offices were attacked and torched.
President Ruto defended the crackdown, warning that any attacks on law enforcement or state facilities would be treated as terrorism.
“Those who attack our police, security installations, including police stations, are declaring war. It is terrorism, and we are going to deal with you firmly,” he said.
“Kenya cannot and will not be ruled through threats, terror, or chaos. Not under my watch.”
But the President also turned his fire on unnamed political rivals whom he accused of bankrolling the unrest to destabilise his government.
“It is leaders financing youth to carry out those acts, and we are coming after you,” Ruto warned.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who fell out with Ruto and was impeached last year, denied claims of any attempt to unseat the President unconstitutionally.
“Nobody wants you out of government unlawfully. We want to face you on the ballot in August 2027, so just relax,” Gachagua said.
“We are looking for a reliable framework — from which we can keep building our common trade,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the European Parliament during a plenary session in Strasbourg, France.
While reaffirming the EU’s adherence to its principles and readiness for “all scenarios,” von der Leyen said the 27-nation bloc favored a negotiated settlement.
A Commission spokesperson echoed von der Leyen’s remarks, adding that an agreement in principle could be reached “in the coming days.”
“We’re working hard to get an agreement in principle with the U.S., and that is where our focus is at this point,” the spokesperson said.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he would “probably” send a letter to the EU within two days, adding: “A letter means a deal.”
“They treated us very badly until recently, and now they’re treating us very nicely. It’s like a different world, actually,” he said.
Trump also escalated trade tensions by threatening tariffs of up to 200 percent on foreign pharmaceuticals and 50 percent on copper. According to EU data, medical and pharmaceutical products, as well as medicaments have been among the bloc’s top exports to the United States over the past two years.
EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic told lawmakers that Brussels and Washington had made “good progress” on the text of a joint statement or agreement in principle.
“I hope to reach a satisfactory conclusion, potentially even in the coming days,” Sefcovic said. However, he emphasized that EU legislation and regulatory autonomy remain “red lines” and are “non-negotiable” in the talks.
Bernd Lange, chair of the European Parliament’s trade committee, said the EU continues to face “illegal and unjustified” U.S. tariffs, referring to the 50 percent duties on steel and aluminum, and the 25 percent on cars and auto parts.
“Of course, we are not really accepting this,” Lange told reporters in Strasbourg, adding that two key issues remain unresolved: Washington has yet to commit to significantly cutting existing tariffs or refraining from new ones.
Lange warned that the EU is prepared to retaliate, with a first package of countermeasures set to take effect on July 14 if no agreement is reached.
Regarding Trump’s letter, Lange said the EU had not received any correspondence so far and had “no clue” about its contents.
At the Yangquan Valve Co., Ltd., Xi inspected the company’s production workshop and products display, and had a cordial conversation with workers at the site.
At the monument square honoring the martyrs of the Hundred-Regiment Campaign during the war against Japanese aggression, Xi laid a floral basket to pay tribute to the martyrs, and then visited the memorial hall commemorating this major campaign.
During the visit, Xi reviewed the history of the CPC leading both the military and civilians in the courageous fight against Japanese invaders, and learned about local efforts to carry out revolutionary history education and promote the great spirit of resisting aggression.
The update was shared on July 8, 2025, when the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Yusuf Murangwa addressed the Lower House of Parliament.
He noted that by August 2024, all 416 Umurenge Umurenge Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs) had been digitized, and those in the districts of Nyarugenge, Gasabo, Kicukiro, Gicumbi, Rubavu, Rwamagana, and Nyamagabe had already been consolidated at the district level.
The ongoing integration of SACCOs is expected to eventually give rise to the Cooperative Bank, which will allow members to access their funds from anywhere and qualify for larger loans than those available through SACCOs operating at the sector level.
“We plan to complete the integration of SACCOs in all districts within this fiscal year [2025/26]. We have already merged SACCOs in seven districts; 23 remain. We are confident that by the end of this fiscal year, all remaining districts will have been integrated, and once that’s done, we will launch the Cooperative Bank,” he said.
Murangwa explained that the establishment of the Cooperative Bank will run in parallel with the district-level SACCO consolidation.
“We don’t want to wait until all districts are merged to begin preparing for the Cooperative Bank. We’re pursuing both processes simultaneously so that by the time SACCO integration is complete, the Cooperative Bank will be ready to launch as well,” he noted.
“The timeline for merging SACCOs at the district level and setting up the Cooperative Bank is the same. If everything proceeds smoothly, both processes will be completed within this fiscal year,” Murangwa added.
Currently, members can withdraw their money from any location within their district, in areas where SACCOs have been merged at the district level.
As part of the process to establish the Cooperative Bank, district-level SACCOs are being integrated into a system overseen by the National Bank of Rwanda.
“These district-level SACCOs will be incorporated into a system called RIPPS, which will streamline payments and enable SACCO members to access their funds from anywhere in the country,” the minister noted.
Umurenge SACCOs were first established in 2008 to help residents across various parts of the country save money and access low-interest loans as a means of improving their livelihoods.
