“Over the last two days in Florida, the Russian Special Envoy Kirill Dmitriev held productive and constructive meetings with the American delegation to advance President Trump’s peace plan on Ukraine,” Witkoff said in a post on social platform X.
“Russia remains fully committed to achieving peace in Ukraine,” he said. “Russia highly values the efforts and support of the United States to resolve the Ukrainian conflict and re-establish global security.”
Earlier on Sunday, Witkoff also described separate talks held over the past three days among the United States, Ukraine and Europe representatives in Florida as “productive and constructive.”
According to Witkoff, the U.S.-Ukraine discussions focused on four key documents: further development of a 20-point plan, alignment of positions on a multilateral security guarantee framework, alignment of positions on a U.S. security guarantee framework for Ukraine, and further development of an economic and prosperity plan.
“Particular attention was given to discussing timelines and the sequencing of next steps,” he said.
“Ukraine remains fully committed to achieving a just and sustainable peace,” Witkoff said. “Our shared priority is to stop the killing, ensure guaranteed security, and create conditions for Ukraine’s recovery, stability, and long-term prosperity.”
Witkoff noted the Ukrainian delegation included Rustem Umerov, secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, and Andriy Hnatov, chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The U.S. delegation in separate talks with Russia and Ukraine included Witcoff, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and White House staff member Josh Gruenbaum.
“Key European National Security Advisors also joined the discussions to align on a shared strategic approach between Ukraine, the United States, and Europe,” Witkoff noted, saying Ukraine would continue “close coordination” with both the United States and Europe.
During his annual year-end press conference in Moscow on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia agrees to end the Ukraine crisis through negotiations, while underscoring Russia’s battlefield advantages in Ukraine. He added that now “the ball is entirely in the court of Ukraine and its European sponsors.”
“Another 130 Abducted Niger State Pupils Released, None Left In Captivity,” Sunday Dare, a spokesman for Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, said on X, without giving details.
More than 300 students and teachers were kidnapped following the attack on the St. Mary’s Catholic School in the Papiri area of Niger on Nov. 21. Earlier, security forces had rescued at least 51 students a few days after the incident, while continuing efforts to rescue other victims.
On Dec. 8, Tinubu announced that at least 100 schoolchildren were further rescued, reassuring parents that the government will continue efforts to reunite all the kidnapped students with their families. He also stated that he has directed security forces to rescue all remaining abducted students and other Nigerians across the country and bring them home safely.
Representing Rwanda at an Extraordinary Summit on the security situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), held at Uganda’s State House in Entebbe and chaired by President Yoweri Museveni, Interior Minister Vincent Biruta emphasised the need for coordinated action under established frameworks.
“Rwanda believes the Doha and Washington frameworks remain the most credible pathways to lasting peace in the region,” Biruta said, urging all actors to honour prior commitments rather than creating new mechanisms that could slow progress.
A key concern highlighted was the continued presence of the FDLR, a militia group made up of remnants of the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, collaborating with DRC forces.
“The neutralisation of this force is important for regional security,” Biruta said.
The Washington Accord, signed on December 4 by Presidents Kagame, Félix Tshisekedi, and U.S. President Donald Trump, formalised a June agreement calling for the neutralisation of the FDLR, which Kigali maintains poses a security threat to Rwanda.
On the other hand, the Doha process brings together the Kinshasa administration and the AFC/M23 group for dialogue. Earlier this year, the group expanded its control in eastern DRC, capturing the cities of Goma and Bukavu. The M23 accuses the Congolese government of marginalising Kinyarwanda-speaking communities and of poor governance.
The Doha process has been hampered by ceasefire violations, resulting in renewed violence.
In his address, Minister Biruta urged operationalisation of the ceasefire monitoring mechanism, noting that the humanitarian situation in eastern DRC reflects gaps in the implementation of previous agreements.
“Rwanda stands ready and fully committed to playing its part and calls upon all parties involved to honour and implement the agreements they have signed in the interest of lasting peace and stability in our region,” the minister stated.
The summit brought together regional leaders and representatives to discuss coordinated approaches to ending violence and promoting stability in eastern DRC, with Rwanda emphasising political will and genuine commitment as critical to sustainable peace.
Under the new guidelines, all business establishments, including shopping centres, hotels, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, will be allowed to operate until 3:00 am from Monday to Thursday. Venues are also permitted to remain open throughout the night on Fridays, weekends, and public holidays during the festive period.
Although hospitality venues will enjoy longer hours, RDB stressed that all existing regulations continue to apply.
“Existing measures, such as noise pollution restrictions, venue safety and health guidelines, and the prohibition on serving or consuming alcohol to persons under the age of 18, remain in effect,” RDB said in a public notice issued on Sunday.
The board also reminded consumers to drink responsibly and avoid driving under the influence, noting that alcohol should not be served to anyone who appears intoxicated.
The temporary adjustments are part of RDB’s efforts to support festive season activities while maintaining public safety and order.
Zelensky said the proposal was put forward by the United States and conveyed to him by Ukraine’s chief peace negotiator, Rustem Umerov, according to the Interfax-Ukraine news agency.
Zelensky said that he was not sure that the meeting would bring something new, but noted that the result of previous talks in Türkiye was the return of captured soldiers and civilians.
“I am very glad that we had exchanges. Our people, our military, primarily prisoners, returned home. And civilians. And therefore we need to take such steps,” he said.
Zelensky added that “if the results are exchanges or some other agreements, I cannot be against it, then we support the proposal of the United States of America. Let’s see how it goes.”
He noted, however, that the most difficult issues in the ongoing peace process remain unresolved, including territorial issues, control over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, and funding for Ukraine’s reconstruction.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, December 20, when DJ Toxxyk, driving at high speed, lost control of his vehicle while descending Payage Road from Kiyovu. The officer, who was standing across the road, was struck and dragged for approximately 30 meters.
RNP spokesperson ACP Boniface Rutikanga said the driver initially fled the scene but was later apprehended in Karongi District.
“He is currently held at Remera Police Station,” ACP Rutikanga stated.
Preliminary reports suggest that DJ Toxxyk may have swerved to avoid construction barriers on the road before hitting the officer.
The Rwanda National Police said the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident is ongoing.
“In a pre-dawn action early this morning on December 20, the US Coast Guard with the support of the Department of War apprehended an oil tanker that was last docked in Venezuela,” Noem said on X.
The U.S. military seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela on December 10, a move the Venezuelan government condemned as “a blatant theft and an act of international piracy.”
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he has ordered a total blockade of all U.S.-sanctioned oil tankers traveling to and from Venezuela. He also said in a later interview that the United States will continue seizing additional oil tankers.
She shared these insights in an interview with IGIHE following the first-ever ‘Marrakech Coffee & Tea Festival’ in Morocco, which provided a unique opportunity for Rwandan investors to showcase the quality of Rwandan coffee and tea on the international stage.
During the interview, Amb. Umutoni reflected on the benefits of serving as a Rwandan diplomat, how President Kagame has paved the way for Rwanda’s diplomatic success, and the advantages Rwanda gains from its relationship with the Kingdom of Morocco.
{{IGIHE: Could you provide any recent developments regarding Rwanda’s representation in Morocco?}}
{{Amb. Umutoni: }} After serving in diplomatic missions in countries like Tanzania and Canada and at Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I would like to express my gratitude for the trust my country placed in me to take on diplomatic responsibilities in Morocco.
One of the rewarding aspects of being a diplomat for Rwanda is that His Excellency President Paul Kagame has greatly eased our work. While we strive to carry out our duties to the best of our abilities, the President has made it much easier for us.
Today, as a Rwandan diplomat, we engage in various diplomatic initiatives… and the mere recognition that you are a Rwandan diplomat opens many doors. This is a clear reflection of President Kagame’s leadership, which has expanded our nation’s reach and made our work much easier.
When you meet with leaders or investors who wish to engage with Rwanda, they quickly recognize the quality of work being done in Rwanda. They know about the government’s efforts to make investment and tourism in Rwanda more accessible, and they are confident that they will not face challenges as they might in other countries.
This positive image of the country helps make our diplomatic efforts more successful.
As diplomats, President Kagame is our chief diplomat, having opened the door for us to pursue opportunities in diplomacy, trade, culture, and more. Our role is to continue his work, ensuring that diplomacy leads to economic and cultural growth in line with Rwanda’s Vision 2050.
{{IGIHE: After the appointment as Rwanda’s Ambassador to Morocco in 2023, how has the relationship between the two countries evolved?}}
{{Amb. Umutoni:}} First, I’d like to emphasize that the relationship between Rwanda and the Kingdom of Morocco is very strong. It has existed for a long time, but it was further strengthened in 2016 during President Kagame’s working visit to Morocco, followed shortly by a visit from the King of Morocco to Rwanda.
At that time, the relationship reached new heights, with several agreements signed, leading to concrete initiatives. I took on this role in 2023, but the foundation was laid earlier, with the opening of the Moroccan Embassy in Rwanda following the King’s visit. This marked a significant step forward for our diplomatic ties.
Since my arrival, I have continued the work of my predecessors, focusing on strengthening the ties between our countries. The relationship spans diplomatic, political, and economic areas. It is visible through exchanges between heads of state, ministers, and other key officials, as well as in education, where Morocco offers 100 scholarships to Rwandan students annually.
Economically, Morocco has invested in Rwanda through companies like OCP Africa, which provides fertilizer to farmers, and Cooper Pharma, which has built a $6 million pharmaceutical plant. Furthermore, Bank of Africa now operates in Rwanda, showcasing the positive economic relationship between our two nations.
{{Could you share insights on the newest Moroccan investments in Rwanda?}}
{{Amb. Umutoni: }} There are several Moroccan investments in Rwanda. For example, OCP Africa, a fertilizer company, has opened a branch here to support agricultural production.
Cooper Pharma, a pharmaceutical company, has established a $6 million plant to manufacture various medicines. Bank of Africa has also expanded into Rwanda.
This shows the depth of the economic ties between Rwanda and Morocco. However, there is still much more potential for growth. While we have seen successful investments in Rwanda, we haven’t yet seen as many Rwandans initiating businesses in Morocco, which is something we aim to improve.
We are committed to continuing our diplomatic work to further strengthen these ties. In recent months, we have seen significant progress, particularly in the area of security, with visits from Rwanda’s Minister of Defense, top military officials and Rwanda Correctional Service. These visits further highlight the strong ties between our two nations.
{{Can you tell us a bit about the Marrakech Coffee and Tea Festival, which was recently attended by Rwandans?}}
Recently, the first-ever Marrakech Coffee and Tea Festival took place in Marrakech. It was more of an exhibition, with several countries invited to showcase their coffee and tea products. Rwanda was the guest of honor, with over 10 Rwandan coffee and tea producers participating. This was a significant event for us because Morocco has a strong tea-drinking culture, although coffee is also consumed.
Rwanda, on the other hand, is known for producing high-quality tea and coffee. The festival showed us that there are great opportunities for collaboration. After the three-day exhibition, we, as the embassy, organized an additional two days for Rwandan producers to meet with potential buyers in Morocco. This allowed them to discuss their products, understand the market demand, and explore ways to bring Rwandan coffee and tea to the Moroccan market.
We are hopeful that after returning to Rwanda, the producers will take the necessary steps to start exporting their products to Morocco. We believe that this collaboration will create lasting opportunities for Rwandan coffee and tea in Morocco.
{{What role do students and Rwandans living in Morocco play in Rwanda’s development?}}
In Morocco, many Rwandans are students who come here on scholarships. Some of them have completed their studies and are now working, while others are part of various organizations.
The primary role of these students is to participate in initiatives aimed at advancing the country, especially those organized by the embassy.
One of the first things I did when I arrived was to meet with these students, listen to their experiences, and discuss how we could support them in their studies. We also encourage them to contribute to Rwanda’s development after their studies, particularly as many of them are studying sciences.
The students also actively participate in embassy-organized events such as the commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in April, Liberation Day in July, and Umuganura. These events are marked both in Rwanda and here in Morocco, and it’s always inspiring to see our students engage in these important occasions.
Some students have also started combining their studies with running businesses. Additionally, we are working to promote Rwandan culture here. We now have a student association that performs and promotes Rwandan traditions during various activities, which has gained recognition. Whenever other groups organize events, we encourage them to involve our students, allowing them to showcase their talents and contribute to the promotion of Rwanda’s culture.
These contributions are vital for advancing the development of our country. The embassy organizes events for the diaspora, celebrating important national holidays, which helps maintain a strong connection between Rwanda and those living abroad. This also fosters a sense of belonging and pride in our students and encourages them to share their love for Rwanda with others.
Many people in Morocco became familiar with Rwanda when our President visited here, as well as during the Moroccan King’s visit to Rwanda. However, many still don’t fully understand what Rwanda is truly like—the culture, values, and the people. Through these events, students and diaspora members have a chance to share more about Rwanda and its development plans.
{{Where do you want to see the relationship between the two countries?}}
As diplomats, our responsibility is to implement the country’s foreign policy. The representative of this policy is the President of the Republic, who provides the framework we follow. Rwanda’s foreign policy includes promoting the country’s economic interests, effectively utilizing the diaspora, and ensuring it plays a role in national development, among other priorities.
When we reach the embassy, we assess the current state of the relationship between the two countries and identify how we can contribute. While we have made progress, there is still much to be done. In the future, we must continue focusing on promoting investments, expanding industries, and facilitating travel between our countries.
For example, we currently don’t have direct flights between Rwanda and Morocco, but this is an area we are working on through discussions. Once travel routes are established, business professionals and those in the travel industry will see the opportunities available in both countries, especially if access becomes easier.
Rwanda has a policy to make visa applications as simple as possible. Diplomats and service passport holders can obtain their visas upon arrival, while regular passport holders must apply beforehand. While applying for a visa is not difficult, we hope that in the future, all Rwandans will be able to travel to Morocco without any hassle.
Morocco has made great strides in tourism, and we believe that Rwanda could learn from them in terms of promoting the country to attract more visitors. We are working on connecting the tourism sectors of both countries by providing information on travel opportunities, such as flights to Rwanda, where visitors can experience gorilla trekking and explore our national parks.
A tourist could visit Morocco, then come to Rwanda, and later continue their journey to Europe or America.
{{You recently earned a PhD degree in Business Management. How did you manage balancing diplomacy, being a mother at home, and being a student to reach this level?}}
Indeed, it’s a lot to juggle, but one thing doesn’t stop the other. It requires commitment and discipline.
I have wanted this PhD degree for a long time, but because of my numerous responsibilities, I couldn’t find the time to pursue it, even though I was eager to do so.
I tried before, but I was unable to make it work due to time constraints. However, two years ago, I decided to go for it because I realized my children were growing, and I now had the time to commit to my studies while balancing everything else.
To achieve this degree, I chose a Hybrid Program, where most of the learning was done remotely, with in-person sessions on weekends.
Over these two years, it wasn’t easy. Studying doesn’t stop you from working, and working doesn’t stop you from being a mother. Similarly, being a mother doesn’t prevent you from managing your home.
So, everything comes down to knowing how to manage your time effectively.
I’m proud to have completed my degree, and one of the reasons it was easier for me was that I worked on topics related to my profession. I focused on diplomacy in economics, investment, and development, with a special focus on programs like Visit Rwanda and Made in Rwanda.
These are areas I am already involved in, and conducting research with my fellow Rwandan ambassadors helped me gain valuable insights into economic diplomacy and leveraging Made in Rwanda and Visit Rwanda. This made the process easier because I was working on familiar topics, allowing me to perform better.
For students in Rwanda who want to study in Morocco, for businesses seeking opportunities in Morocco, or for those interested in tourism, we welcome them all. Rwandans, wherever they are, are always welcome.
He made these remarks during the 17th RPF Inkotanyi Congress, held on Friday at Intare Arena in Rusororo.
President Kagame emphasized that he particularly appreciates the security sector for their efforts.
He said, “Among the sectors I want to thank, I would like to specifically highlight the security forces. RDF, the police, the security services—what these people do, what they do for our country, for all of us—I cannot ask more than what they are already doing. Our forces are the ones I have always wanted to have.”
He continued by praising the Rwandan people, saying they deserve special recognition for their role in the nation’s progress.
” I don’t know of any country with better citizens than ours. I say this because of where we have come from: divisionist politics, genocide. And yet we have reached a point where our people stand together, even as the world keeps trying to take them back to that history.
“The first place where outsiders who seek to destroy us have failed is with our citizens. They tried to divide Rwandans again, to create conflict among them, but our people resisted—and those efforts failed,” he said.
He pointed out that those who fled the country were used as instruments by those seeking to divide Rwandans.
“Even those who fled the country were first used by external forces trying to divide the RPF and separate the Rwandan people…” he said.
He also referred to attempts by some foreign influences to interfere with internal politics, suggesting that certain individuals should become president.
However, he emphasized that desiring such a position is not a crime; rather, it is about how one goes about it. He insisted that those under foreign influence eventually failed.
President Kagame acknowledged that the Rwandan people have been a powerful force against those attempting to divide the country, including those trying to operate under the guise of non-governmental organizations and other groups.
He further emphasized that while Rwanda is home to wonderful people, leaders who fail to provide what the people deserve should reflect on their actions and change their ways.
President Kagame also praised other political parties for their stance against efforts to divide the Rwandan people.
The recent Rwanda Governance Scorecard (RGS), released on October 31, 2025, highlighted that Safety and Security pillar remains Rwanda’s highest-performing area with a score of 90.02%, reaffirming the country’s reputation as one of Africa’s safest nations.
The report attributes this to consistently high citizen confidence in the Rwanda Defence Force, National Police, and local security structures.
He made the remarks on Friday, December 19, 2025, during the 17th National Congress of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), which convened over 2,200 party members to discuss key priorities for Rwanda’s transformation.
“But even as things change, and they must change continually, not everything changes. There is always something that remains constant: who you are, and the values and aspirations that define how you should live and respond in the midst of change. The core must remain constant,” President Kagame, who also serves as the party chairman, stated.
He emphasised that while strategies and tools may adapt over time, fundamental principles endure.
“The RPF has always said we must fight corruption. That principle does not change. The idea of fighting corruption from 31 years ago cannot be abandoned simply because we now live in a world that tolerates corruption, whatever that world may be. Rather, what changes are the methods we use to fight it. The principle itself does not change,” he added.
Rwanda continues to rank highly in global anti-corruption efforts. According to the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released by Transparency International, Rwanda is ranked the 49th least corrupt country globally and the least corrupt in East Africa.
{{New RPF-Inkotanyi leaders
}}
Meanwhile, Friday’s Congress ratified a series of organisational changes within the party. Christophe Bazivamo was appointed Secretary General of FPR–Inkotanyi following revisions to the party’s statutes and leadership structure approved during the Congress. Under the new arrangement, the National Executive Committee now comprises two Vice Presidents and two Secretaries General.
Consolée Uwimana was confirmed as First Vice Chairperson, Kayisire Marie Solange as Second Vice Chairperson, and Stephen Gasana was appointed Deputy Secretary General. Bazivamo replaces Gasamagera Wellars, who previously held the position.
