Category: News

The discussions underscored the growing strategic partnership between the two nations, building on the outcomes of the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

During the meeting, Wang Yi emphasized the elevation of China-Rwanda relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, a milestone achieved during last year’s FOCAC Summit when Presidents Xi Jinping and Paul Kagame issued a joint statement to advance the three global initiatives proposed by China: the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative.

These initiatives provide a robust framework for advancing bilateral ties and aligning development goals. Wang stressed that both nations are committed to supporting each other, implementing the FOCAC outcomes, and upholding the Changsha Declaration to safeguard the interests of developing countries and promote international fairness and justice.

A key focus of the discussions was the shared vision for modernization. Wang Yi articulated that modernization does not equate to Westernization, advocating for a model that aligns with each country’s unique national conditions.

China expressed its willingness to engage in mutual learning with Rwanda on governance experiences, aiming to foster self-reliant and sustainable development paths that enhance the well-being of their people and contribute to global progress. This approach resonates with Rwanda’s Vision 2050, a national plan to transform the country into an upper-middle-income economy by 2035 and a high-income economy by 2050.

Wang Yi reaffirmed China’s support for Rwanda’s development ambitions, pledging to deepen practical cooperation across various sectors, including infrastructure, health, and education, while fostering exchanges between governments, political parties, legislatures, and local communities. This commitment builds on over five decades of friendship, during which China has contributed significantly to Rwanda’s development, particularly in areas such as road construction, electricity, and healthcare.

Minister Nduhungirehe echoed these sentiments, noting the positive outcomes of the long-standing partnership. He highlighted the tangible benefits of the elevated bilateral relationship following the 2024 FOCAC Summit, particularly for the Rwandan people.

Nduhungirehe reaffirmed Rwanda’s steadfast commitment to the one-China principle and expressed enthusiasm for implementing the ten partnership actions outlined at the Summit, which aim to drive modernization through independent and self-reliant means. Rwanda also voiced strong support for China’s three global initiatives, recognizing their potential to foster a peaceful and prosperous world.

The meeting also addressed regional peace and security, with a focus on the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Nduhungirehe commended China’s active role in promoting dialogue and political solutions to the conflict in the region. Wang Yi reiterated China’s commitment to playing a constructive role in fostering peace in eastern DRC, emphasizing diplomacy and collaboration.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1971, Rwanda and China have forged a strong relationship grounded in mutual respect and a shared vision for development. In recent years, this bond has grown through increased partnerships and political understanding.

During his stay in China Nduhungrehe attended the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in Changsha, where he commended the broader China–Africa cooperation framework and its impact across multiple sectors.

He also met with members of the Rwandan Community in Changsha and surrounding cities and presided over the Rwanda-China Investment Promotion forum.

In a statement following the large-scale airstrikes on Iranian soil early Friday, Amb. Weiss outlined the rationale behind the operation, saying Iran’s accelerating nuclear weapons programme left Israel with no choice but to act decisively.

“Iran is only moments away from a nuclear weapon,” Weiss told IGIHE. “The threat posed by Iran is imminent, and Israel had no choice but to remove it before it is too late.”

The airstrikes, which marked one of the most extensive attacks on Iranian territory since the 1980s war with Iraq, targeted key elements of Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure. Among the targets was the uranium enrichment facility at Natanz, where the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) later confirmed damage and said it was monitoring radiation levels.

According to Israeli military officials, the operation involved approximately 200 aircraft striking around 100 locations tied to Iran’s nuclear development and missile delivery systems.

The Iranian regime, long accused by Israel of pursuing nuclear weapons under the guise of a peaceful programme, was described by Weiss as having “deceived the world” and “conducted negotiations in bad faith” while continuing to enrich uranium and advance weaponisation efforts.

IAEA reports, she noted, prove beyond doubt that Iran’s programme is intended for military purposes.

The Friday strikes killed several senior Iranian military figures, including Gen. Hossein Salami, commander of the Revolutionary Guard, and Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff of the armed forces. Several top scientists associated with Iran’s nuclear programme were also reported dead, although their names have not been officially released.

In response, Iran launched over 100 drones toward Israel in a retaliatory move. Most of them were intercepted, according to Israeli defense officials.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemned the attack as a “wicked crime” and vowed “severe punishment,” claiming that residential areas were also hit. Israel, however, has insisted that its campaign is precisely targeted at military infrastructure and not civilians.

“Israel is not targeting the Iranian people,” Weiss emphasised. “We are acting against radical forces that threaten our security. Every feasible measure is being taken to minimise harm to uninvolved civilians.”

The ambassador further accused Tehran of being the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, saying that for years it has used its resources to build a military apparatus designed to fulfil its leaders’ repeated and explicit calls for Israel’s destruction.

She cited a statement made just last month by Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, who referred to Israel as a “lethal, dangerous, cancerous tumor” that should be “eradicated.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed that sentiment in a televised address, calling the operation “a battle for Israel’s survival” and expressing hope that it would lead to the dismantling of what he called a “brutal dictatorship.”

The timing of Israel’s operation follows increasing international scrutiny of Iran’s nuclear activities. Just a day before the attack, the IAEA Board of Governors issued a formal censure against Iran for its refusal to fully cooperate with inspections.

Meanwhile, the United States, which had been engaged in nuclear negotiations with Iran, distanced itself from the strike. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that Washington had not participated and was now focused on protecting American personnel in the region.

As Iran warns that “the gates of hell will open” in retaliation, U.S. President Donald Trump said it is not too late for Iran to halt the Israeli attacks by agreeing to curb its nuclear programme.

Troy Fitrell, made the disclosure during an online conference this week that technical teams are actively working to move the peace process forward.

Ambassador Fitrell explained that next week, technical teams will help the parties involved transition to the next phase, ultimately leading to the peace agreement, with Qatar also set to provide assistance.

“This coming week, we do have technical teams here to try to get to the next stage,” Fitrell said. “We’ve done these principles. Now we have been arguing about putting these principles into action. We are still shooting for a June or July peace agreement.”

“There is no sense fooling around on this. If we are going to do it, we do it now,” he added, emphasizing Washington’s push to accelerate negotiations.

Following Rwanda and the DRC’s agreement on the guiding principles, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed confidence that both nations would reach a peace agreement, and that neighboring countries would also benefit from the peace process.

Ambassador Fitrell reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to ensuring this goal is achieved without delay.

The Airport said the Air India flight AI 379, with 156 passengers on board, had taken off from Phuket bound for India’s Delhi when the pilot reported a bomb threat message on board and requested to make an emergency landing, prompting the airport to activate its contingency plan.

An airport official told Xinhua that the plane has since safely landed. Monchai Tanode, general manager of Phuket Airport, told reporters that the pilot reported to air traffic control that a crew member found a note with a suspected bomb threat in the plane’s lavatory.

The airport said all passengers have been disembarked, and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams have started thorough searches for any explosives or suspicious items on the aircraft.

The incident comes a day after more than 240 people were killed in an [Air India Boeing 787 crash ->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/air-india-plane-with-242-on-board-crashes-near-india-s-ahmedabad-airport#:~:text=A%20London%2Dbound%20Air%20India,calling%20a%20major%20aviation%20disaster.] shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday afternoon.

In a press statement, the members of the Security Council recalled Resolution 2736 of 2024, which demands that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) halt the siege of El Fasher.

The council members strongly condemned the attack on June 2 near al Koma in North Darfur on a joint World Food Programme (WFP) and UN Children’s Fund humanitarian convoy, which killed five humanitarian workers, injured several people, damaged life-saving humanitarian supplies and burned multiple trucks.

They reiterated UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ call for an urgent investigation and for the perpetrators to be held to account.

The council members also condemned repeated shelling by the RSF on May 29 that damaged a WFP facility in El Fasher.

They reminded the parties to the conflict to ensure the safety and security of UN and humanitarian personnel and their premises and assets. They reiterated that deliberate attacks against humanitarian personnel, their premises and assets may constitute war crimes.

The vessels, carrying over 100 passengers, set off on Wednesday afternoon from Bikoro port despite warnings of unstable weather and clear signs of overloading, according to a statement from the Provincial Coordination of the Panel of Civil Society Experts of Equateur.

“Witnesses reported that the overcrowding was so severe that passengers were being turned away from the canoes,” said Akula Dieu, a member of the civil society group.

Authorities say the boats had been hired by a family to transport people attending a funeral. The group departed from an unauthorised location, which may have contributed to the tragedy. Bikoro Lake Commissioner Gabriel Ifulu Bongolomba said the vessels were struck by heavy waves brought on by rain, causing them to overturn.

Officials said rescue operations face serious challenges due to a lack of basic equipment such as life jackets, rescue boats, and even fuel.

“We’re forced to requisition private boats for this type of operation, but sometimes we don’t even have enough fuel to carry out our work properly,” Bongolomba told the media.

Boat accidents are a frequent and deadly occurrence on Congolese waterways, largely due to overloading, weak regulatory enforcement, and the widespread absence of basic safety precautions.

The strikes, among the most extensive on Iranian soil since the 1980s war with Iraq, killed at least two of Tehran’s most senior military figures and plunged the Middle East into a perilous new chapter of conflict.

Multiple strategic sites across Iran were hit, including the country’s primary uranium enrichment facility at Natanz, where plumes of black smoke were seen rising. The International Atomic Energy Agency later confirmed the site had been struck and said it was monitoring radiation levels.

Iran’s state-run media confirmed the deaths of two key figures: Gen. Hossein Salami, the commander of the powerful Revolutionary Guard, and Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of the armed forces. Several top scientists linked to Iran’s nuclear programme were also reported killed, although their identities have not yet been disclosed.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed “severe punishment,” accusing Israel of a “wicked crime” and claiming that residential areas were also struck.

In an initial retaliatory move, Iran launched more than 100 drones toward Israel, though Israeli military officials said most were intercepted.

Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Forces, described the strikes as a “preemptive measure” involving around 200 aircraft targeting approximately 100 Iranian sites.

“We struck the heart of their nuclear and missile development infrastructure,” he said, adding that operations were ongoing.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the move, calling it a battle for Israel’s survival.

“This is a clear and present danger to our nation,” he said in a televised address. “We will continue until this threat is permanently removed.”

He further stated that the strike was aimed at Iran’s regime, not its people, expressing hope that it would mark the beginning of the end for what he called a “brutal dictatorship.”

The timing of the attack coincides with increasing international pressure on Iran. Just a day earlier, the IAEA Board of Governors issued a formal censure against Tehran for its refusal to cooperate with nuclear inspectors. Iran responded by announcing the establishment of a third enrichment site and the deployment of advanced centrifuges.

The Trump administration, which had advised against a strike during ongoing nuclear negotiations, denied any involvement.

“We were not part of these operations,” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.

“Our focus now is on safeguarding American personnel in the region.”

The U.S. had quietly withdrawn some diplomats from Baghdad earlier in the week and urged military families to consider leaving the region.

As airspace across Iran, Israel, Iraq, and Jordan was shut down, oil markets reacted sharply. Brent crude prices surged nearly 8%, and Israel’s main airport closed temporarily.

Analysts warn that a full-blown regional war is now a real possibility, especially if Iran’s promised retaliation causes civilian casualties inside Israel.

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national seated in 11A aboard Air India Flight AI171, lived to recount the harrowing moments when the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed just seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

The London-bound flight, carrying 242 people, including 11 children and crew, crashed into a residential complex housing doctors less than a minute after departing at 1:39 p.m. on Thursday. The impact triggered a massive fireball and left a trail of destruction and despair in the heart of Gujarat’s largest city.

Lying in a general ward at Civil Hospital, Asarwa, Vishwash described the chaos that unfolded.

“Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly,” he told Hindustan Times.

Ramesh Viswashkumar, The sole survivor of the Air India crash escaped by jumping from the plane. He was on seat number 11A. #AirIndia #AhmedabadNews #Gujarat #PlaneCrash #ITReel pic.twitter.com/NsMBeZOkbX

— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) June 12, 2025

He sustained injuries to his chest, eyes and feet, but managed to crawl from the debris and escape.

“When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran. There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance,” he recalled, clutching his boarding pass, which confirmed his assigned seat: 11A.

Vishwash, who has lived in London for two decades, had been visiting family in India. He was returning to the UK with his older brother, 45-year-old Ajay Kumar Ramesh, who was seated in another part of the aircraft.

“We visited Diu. He was travelling with me and I can’t find him anymore. Please help me find him,” he pleaded.

Police Commissioner GS Malik confirmed to news agency ANI that one passenger, the individual in seat 11A, had survived.

“He is under treatment at the hospital,” Malik said.

Rescue teams continue to comb through the charred wreckage, searching for remains and survivors. Authorities have yet to release an official death toll, though visuals from the crash site show a scene of near-total devastation.

Among those reportedly on board was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.

Air India confirmed the passenger manifest included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian.

The Royal Family issued a statement expressing shock and offering “special prayers and deepest possible sympathy” to affected families across multiple nations.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy told the House of Commons that crisis teams have been activated in London and Delhi.

“We know that British nationals were on board, and we are working urgently with Indian authorities to provide support,” Lammy said.

The plane, a Boeing 787-8 registered as VT-ANB, was part of Air India’s Dreamliner fleet. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, though aviation authorities confirmed that the aircraft issued a distress call shortly after takeoff before losing contact with air traffic control.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ordered a full investigation and instructed federal and local agencies to provide maximum support to rescue and recovery operations. The airport remains closed indefinitely, and Boeing has said it is working to gather more information as global scrutiny intensifies.

The SADC Secretariat announced the commencement of the second phase of the withdrawal process on Thursday, 12 June 2025.

The exercise entails the repatriation of mission personnel along with their personal belongings and the remaining operational equipment.

The withdrawing troops will be transported by road through Rwanda to Tanzania, where the Tanzanian contingent will continue to Dar es Salaam. South African and Malawian contingents will be airlifted to their respective countries.

The mission, launched in December 2023 to support Congolese forces in neutralising the M23 rebel group, was terminated in March.

The first phase of the withdrawal, which began on 29 April, focused on the removal of equipment and logistical supplies.

“SADC remains fully committed to supporting peace, security and political stability in the DRC and the broader region,” the bloc said.

“The orderly withdrawal reflects our adherence to collective security principles and support for peaceful conflict resolution.”

Deployed with an offensive mandate, SAMIDRC was tasked with pushing back the M23 rebels, who have repeatedly stated they are fighting against the marginalisation and persecution of Kinyarwanda-speaking communities in the DRC. However, the mission faced significant operational challenges.

In January, M23 rebels seized the strategic city of Goma in North Kivu, dealing a serious blow to the regional intervention force. The confrontation resulted in the deaths of 18 SADC troops, including 14 from South Africa, two from Malawi, and two from Tanzania, and left dozens injured.

Since the loss of Goma, SAMIDRC forces had largely remained confined to their bases, amid growing political pressure from within SADC member states to disengage. In South Africa, lawmakers increasingly questioned the rationale behind continued military involvement.