Category: News

The commitment was reiterated on May 13, 2025, as the RUGC staff visited the Bisesero Genocide Memorial, one of four memorial sites recently inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List due to the extraordinary resistance shown by the Tutsi community there during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

During the visit, they were taken through the divisive policies introduced by Belgian colonialists, which led to the persecution and displacement of Tutsis across Rwanda beginning in 1959.

Aaron Gakoko, a genocide survivor from Bisesero, recounted his experience, revealing that the Tutsi in the region began resisting as early as 1959.

He shared how, in 1994, he personally disarmed three gendarmes and a military officer holding the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Despite the trauma they endured, Gakoko emphasized that survivors now live peacefully alongside those who once targeted them and even cooperate in daily activities.

He said, “It pains us that those who were killed are not here to witness how we, the survivors of Bisesero, have rebuilt our lives.”

By the end of April 1994, the Tutsi in Bisesero had withstood waves of attacks by Interahamwe militias.

As a result, on May 3, 1994, a so-called “security meeting” was held where a decision was made to deploy more soldiers and Interahamwemilitia to eliminate the Tutsi in Bisesero.

This led to massive, organized assaults, including the particularly deadly attack on May 13, 1994, in which over 30,000 Tutsis were massacred in a single day.

Vedaste Ngarambe, President of the Karongi District Council and head of IBUKA (the umbrella association of Genocide survivor organizations) in the district, commended the RUGC staff for visiting the memorial, noting the importance of youth involvement.

He said, “We urge you to help us fight against genocide ideology and denial. Bisesero is unique because the Tutsi here chose to resist the Interahamwe militias together. Their guiding principle was, ‘It is better to die fighting than to die fleeing.’”

The CEO of RUGC Gaston Gasore highlighted how those who wanted Rwanda to vanish from the world map sowed hatred among Rwandans—people who once shared food, intermarried, and lived as one. He stressed that the country is now striving to reverse that painful history.

“Our tragic past is teaching us the value of unity,” Gasore said. “We believe that the values we’ve learned here will help us, as we still face a long journey. Genocide ideology remains present among both older generations and the youth. That’s why we, as young people, must rise up and use social media platforms to fight it.”

Out of over 60,000 Tutsis who lived in Bisesero before the genocide, only 1,300 survived. These survivors later rebuilt their lives, and repopulated the area. Today, the Bisesero Genocide Memorial is the final resting place of more than 50,000 genocide victims.

A promising development took place on April 25, 2025, when Rwanda and the DRC—facilitated by the United States—signed a framework agreement aimed at restoring peace in the region.

This seemed to signal a potential end to the DRC’s recurring pattern of blaming Rwanda for its internal problems, a narrative that had produced no real solutions or peace for the region.

Optimism grew further when the U.S. announced that both Rwanda and the DRC would sign a peace agreement in Washington D.C. in June 2025, an accord expected to spark renewed development cooperation among the three countries.

In the DRC’s official communication channels, key officials like Minister Kayikwamba and Government Spokesperson Patrick Muyaya had noticeably toned down their rhetoric against Rwanda, particularly after both sides agreed in April to avoid any form of provocation.

However, after a long silence, Minister Kayikwamba recently resurfaced in an interview with Germany’s Deutsche Welle, once again accusing Rwanda of destabilising eastern DRC and of mistreating UN peacekeepers from MONUSCO.

“We have a very large peacekeeping mission, but one of our neighbouring countries — namely Rwanda — is one of the biggest contributors to peacekeeping operations. At the same time, this country violates our territorial integrity and has also been linked to violence against peacekeepers,” she said.

When asked whether the DRC recognises Rwanda’s security concerns, Kayikwamba responded dismissively: “Are the tens of thousands of people who have died Congolese or Rwandan? They are Congolese. Are the women who have been raped Congolese or Rwandan? They are Congolese,” she said.

The Rwandan government has consistently rejected these allegations, maintaining that the DRC is using Rwanda as a scapegoat to distract the international community from the root causes of its insecurity, including poor governance and persecution of Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese citizens.

Reacting to Kayikwamba’s comments, the Spokesperson of the Government of Rwanda, Yolande Makolo, strongly dismissed the accusations and directly challenged the DRC’s narrative, highlighting the failure of the Congolese government to take responsibility for internal atrocities.

“The Congolese foreign minister’s outrage is misplaced, and it cannot cover up the failure of the Congolese government to protect Congolese citizens, not from Rwanda, but from the Congolese government itself,” Makolo stated.

She pointedly questioned the source of the ongoing violence in eastern DRC, clarifying that the violence is homegrown, not imported.

“Who is killing? The victims are Congolese, so are the perpetrators. It is not Rwandans killing in Beni, Ituri, Kwamouth, Goma, Minembwe or Uvira. It is Congolese armed groups, VDP/Wazalendo and their allies, FARDC/FDLR, that are supported and financed by the DRC government,” she said.

Addressing the minister’s claims about sexual violence, Makolo continued: “Who is raping? Reports consistently point to Congolese armed groups, FARDC/FDLR, VDP/Wazalendo and predatory state forces. Do not distort this truth.”

She also denied accusations of Rwandan military aggression, including bombing of Congolese territories, and instead turned the spotlight on DRC’s own military conduct: “Bombs? There are no Rwandan bombs. The DRC army has bombed civilians indiscriminately, including in Rwanda. Who is bombing Minembwe? It is FARDC and VDP/Wazalendo targeting Banyamulenge, those same Congolese who you refuse to acknowledge by name.”

Makolo further criticised Kinshasa’s lack of commitment to peace agreements and accused the DRC of consistently undermining regional peace efforts.

“Who is violating peace agreements? The DRC government signs commitments they don’t uphold: Nairobi, Luanda, Addis Ababa… At every turn, it is the DRC that undermines peace efforts – refusing dialogue, reigniting hostilities, instrumentalising armed groups, repeatedly recruiting mercenaries,” she asserted.

While the DRC accuses Rwanda of breaching its sovereignty, Rwanda counters that the DRC harbours and supports the FDLR, a terrorist group committed to destabilising Rwanda.

Rwanda has also reminded the world of statements by DRC President Félix Tshisekedi, in which he openly expressed a desire to overthrow the Rwandan government.

As a result, Rwanda has strengthened its border security. These measures enabled the country to defend itself against attacks launched by FARDC forces on January 27, as the M23/AFC coalition took control of Goma.

These attacks killed 16 civilians in Rwanda’s Rubavu District, injured 161 others, and damaged 200 homes.

The flight departed from Ramon Airport in Israel, transiting through the Karam Abu Salem crossing, and transported 101 injured individuals, accompanied by 87 family members.

To date, 2,630 patients and their relatives have arrived in the UAE—an effort that reflects the country’s commitment to delivering essential medical care to Palestinians.

Sultan Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Development and International Organisations and Vice Chairman of the UAE Aid Agency, emphasized that the initiative reflects the UAE’s long-standing support for the Palestinian people and its solidarity with Gaza during the ongoing crisis.

“The UAE humanitarian initiatives contribute to alleviating the disastrous impacts endured by residents of the Strip, particularly children, women, and the elderly,” he noted.

Al Shamsi added, “During this critical time, the UAE will spare no effort to extend help to the Palestinians and launch initiatives for their aid whether by land, sea, or air. We will continue to closely work – through our leading and pioneering role – with the United Nations and our international partners to intensify the necessary efforts to alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, and ensure the urgent, safe, unhindered, and sustainable delivery of aid at a wide scale and through all possible means.”

The UAE remains one of the leading countries in providing aid to the people of Gaza. Since the onset of the crisis in October 2023, the country has delivered more than 40% of the total aid reaching the region.

Al Shamsi reaffirmed that the UAE’s ongoing medical evacuation efforts underscore the nation’s dedication to offering advanced healthcare to injured Palestinians and contributing meaningfully to broader humanitarian relief efforts in these critical times.

He also reiterated the UAE’s commitment to taking all necessary measures to support the people of Gaza amid these challenging conditions.

Since the beginning of the crisis, the UAE has made significant strides in providing high-level healthcare to those affected, including services at its field hospital in southern Gaza and through a hospital ship anchored at Al-Arish Port.

In addition, the UAE has mounted a large-scale relief response for the Palestinian people, delivering over 65,000 tonnes of food, medical supplies, and other essential aid.

Speaking on BFMTV, Barrot said, “Our response is immediate, it is firm.”

Algeria summoned the French charge d’affaires in Algiers on Sunday and demanded the immediate expulsion of several French embassy employees over “serious breaches” of diplomatic protocol, Algerian media reported.

The move follows what Algerian authorities called “serious and repeated violations” by the French side, including the appointment of diplomatic and consular staff without prior notification or formal accreditation, in violation of international norms and bilateral agreements.

The diplomatic rift between Algiers and Paris has deepened in recent months due to disagreements over immigration issues and policies, and historical grievances, among others.

In April, Algeria ordered the removal of 12 French embassy employees following the detention of an Algerian consular officer in France — a move that prompted reciprocal action from Paris.

During the visit, the employees were taken through the historical events that shaped the area from 1959 up to the execution of the Genocide against the Tutsi in April 1994.

They were also told the tragic story of how Tutsis who had sought refuge at Ntarama Church were brutally murdered, despite believing it to be a place of salvation.

Clementine Nyinawumuntu, a resident of Ntarama Sector in Bugesera District, gave a testimony on how she survived as one of seven siblings, though she was left with a disability.

“We had fled to Ntarama Church, hoping that at the very least the Interahamwe would fear attacking a house of God, but it ended up becoming a slaughterhouse for Tutsis,” she recounted.

COPEDU Plc’s Vice Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Joseph Ntabwoba, expressed condolences to the survivors of the Genocide against the Tutsi and assured them of the institution’s solidarity and continued support.

“Those who planned and executed the Genocide wanted to wipe you out, but you survived. Good triumphed over evil, light overcame darkness, and life prevailed over death. Stay strong and continue to remember as you rebuild,” he stated.

Ntabwoba urged the youth to take the lead in ensuring that such atrocities never happen again, to fight against genocide ideology, and to actively seek knowledge of the country’s history so they can confront those who attempt to distort it.

Pakistan declared a staff member of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad as persona non grata. The official has been ordered to leave the country within 24 hours, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Indian Charge d’Affaires was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where a formal démarche was issued conveying the decision, the foreign office said, adding that it called on the Indian mission to ensure that its personnel refrain from actions inconsistent with their diplomatic responsibilities.

According to Indian media, the Indian government announced earlier it had expelled an official working at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi and asked him to leave the country within 24 hours.

The Pakistani diplomat, who was declared “persona non grata” by the Indian authorities, was “indulging in activities not in keeping with his official status in India”, according to India’s foreign ministry in a statement.

This disclosure was made by the Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, before parliamentarians on Tuesday.

He also noted that the Ministry has sought ways to bridge gaps for projects previously funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

According to Dr. Nsanzimana, more than Frw16.5 billion has been allocated specifically for the purchase of medical equipment.

Overall, the Ministry of Health and its affiliated institutions have been allocated over Frw 333.5 billion for the 2025/2026 budget.

This represents an increase from the Frw 330.2 billion in the revised 2024/2025 budget.
To put this into perspective, the health sector’s budget for 2023/2024 stood at Frw 274.1 billion, and Frw 273.9 billion was used in 2022/2023.

Despite the challenges faced due to the halt in funding for certain projects by USAID and Enabel, Dr. Nsanzimana emphasised that the Ministry responded by adjusting its planning priorities, focusing on the most urgent needs, and ensuring the effective use of the limited available resources.

Alternative funding sources were identified among new partners. Although the exact size of the funding gap was not disclosed, Dr. Nsanzimana told IGIHE that the strategies implemented helped prevent potential disruptions to the health sector.

“What we did was to look for alternative sources of funding, both within the government and from other partners. We also sought ways to combine activities that could generate greater impact using fewer resources. Additionally, we postponed non-urgent projects to the next fiscal year,” he noted.

The government also expects the health budget to grow further in the 2026/2027 fiscal year, reaching Frw 361.1 billion.

In the 2025/2026 fiscal year, the Ministry of Health will receive Frw 66 billion. The Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) will receive Frw 232.9 billion, up from Frw 225 billion in the previous year.

Rwanda FDA has been allocated Frw 8.9 billion, while the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK) will receive Frw 12.4 billion. The University Teaching Hospital of Butare (CHUB) is set to get Frw 8.09 billion, and the Neuropsychiatric Hospital at Caraes Ndera will receive Frw 4.3 billion.

In addition to these allocations, several hospitals are expected to generate revenue during the fiscal year. CHUK is projected to bring in over Frw 17.2 billion, CHUB over Frw 10.2 billion, and Caraes Ndera more than Frw 5.1 billion.

The Ministry has also laid out a number of key infrastructure projects. These include the expansion of Ruhengeri Hospital, where Frw2.5 billion will be spent this year on initial works. The entire project is expected to cost over Frw 111 billion and is scheduled for completion by 2026.

Construction of the new Muhororo Hospital in Ngororero District is also planned, with over Frw 1.8 billion to be spent this fiscal year.

The full project is projected to cost more than Frw 10 billion by 2028. Meanwhile, Phase II of the Kabgayi Hospital construction will begin, with Frw1.5 billion allocated, and a new maternity ward at Kibagabaga Hospital will receive Frw1 billion this year, though the full project will eventually require more than Frw 10 billion.

Dr. Nsanzimana further revealed that the government will continue building a modern laboratory for Rwanda FDA, designed to meet international standards.

This lab is expected to serve as a key facility for the African Center of Excellence for Biomedical Engineering and eHealth (CEBE), which is based in Rwanda. The total cost of the lab project exceeds Frw 10.1 billion, with Frw 1.4 billion earmarked for the upcoming fiscal year.

Lastly, the construction of the National Health Laboratory Services will continue, with Frw 2.7 billion allocated for 2025/2026. This is part of a broader project that will eventually cost more than Frw 86.4 billion.

The signing took place on May 13, 2025, at the U.S. Department of State and was witnessed by Kim Harrington, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Energy Resources.

The letter of intent outlines plans to develop a sustainable and transparent supply chain for Rwandan tin, classified by the U.S. as a critical mineral, in support of broader economic and national security objectives.

“This type of critical minerals project supports U.S. onshoring, strengthens our national security, and advances economic prosperity,” reads a statement from the U.S. Bureau of Energy Resources.

The preliminary agreement paves the way for a more formal and comprehensive collaboration. It forms part of America’s efforts to secure strategic mineral inputs for domestic manufacturing across various sectors, including electronics, glass production, and electric vehicle batteries.

The partnership also comes just weeks ahead of an expected broader mining cooperation framework between Rwanda and the United States, set to be formalised in June 2025. The upcoming agreement is anticipated to cover mineral exploration, responsible sourcing, and increased trade.

Trinity Metals began operating in Rwanda in 2022 and currently extracts key minerals such as wolframite (tungsten), coltan, and tin.

The company has already invested over $40 million in its Rwandan operations, which include mining sites at Nyakabingo, Musha, and Rutongo. Collectively, these sites span 17,294 hectares and employ more than 700 people.

In 2024 alone, Trinity Metals exported 2,226 tonnes of tin, tungsten, and coltan. The company projects that by 2029, its exports could more than double to 5,201 tonnes as global demand for critical minerals increases.

The decorated officers of Rwanda Formed Police Unit-One (RWAFPU-1) are deployed in Malakal, Upper Nile State, where they largely charged with protection of civilians in camps, who were displaced by conflicts.

The medal pinning ceremony was presided over by Paul Adejoh Ebikwo, Officer In Charge (OIC) Head of Field Office, Malakal. It was also attended by other high profile UN officials, peacekeepers from other contributing countries as well as South Sudan government officials and security organs.

Ebikwo expressed gratitude to the Rwandan peacekeepers for their unwavering commitment and relentless efforts in executing their mission to protect and support vulnerable populations residing in IDP Camps.

“These medals represent the exceptional professionalism and commitment you have demonstrated in safeguarding peace and security for the people of South Sudan,” Ebikwo said.

He also commended the Government of Rwanda for its visionary leadership and active contribution to global peace and security efforts.

Commissioner of Police (CP) Felly Bahizi Rutagerura, the UNMISS Chief of Operations, also thanked the Rwandan Police peacekeepers for supporting the local communities through various social and development initiatives.

Rwanda started deploying Police peacekeepers in South Sudan in 2015. Currently, there are two Rwandan Formed Police Units; RWAFPU1, based in Malakal in Upper Nile State, and RWAFPU-3, operating in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.

The campaign to completely eliminate asbestos roofing and ceiling materials began in 2011, at which point buildings across the country were found to have over 1.692 million square metres of asbestos. Currently, only around 300,000 square metres remain to be removed.

The dangers of asbestos in roofing materials arise when the materials become damaged or deteriorate over time, releasing microscopic asbestos fibres into the air. When inhaled, these fibres can lodge in the lungs and lead to serious diseases, including cancer.

RHA’s Director General, Alphonse Rukaburandekwe, told members of Parliament from the Public Accounts and Budget Committee that the new allocation amounting to Frw 2,102,929,920 is expected to accelerate the removal of remaining asbestos roofs, ensuring safer living and working environments in line with national health and safety standards.

He noted that although the project has been ongoing for years, it has frequently encountered challenges related to the unexpectedly large quantities of asbestos, which often exceeded initial budget estimates.

He indicated the goal is to complete the full removal of asbestos roofing by 2027.

In 2024, Mathias Ntakirutimana, the National Coordinator of the Asbestos Removal Project at RHA, told IGIHE that the project was nearing completion.

At that time, about 130,000 square metres of asbestos remained on buildings owned by citizens, churches, and religious institutions, while government buildings still had approximately 180,000 square metres to be removed.

Ntakirutimana said that adequate disposal sites have been prepared to safely bury the asbestos roofing and ceilings without harming nearby ecosystems.

These are specially dug pits using modern methods, some measuring 60 metres long and 20 metres wide, while others are 20 by 30 metres, with a depth of six metres. A pit is considered full when it is just two metres from the surface and is then sealed off.

In the Southern Province, such pits are located in the districts of Kamonyi, Muhanga, Nyanza, Huye, and Gisagara. In the Eastern Province, they are found in Rwamagana, Nyagatare, Kayonza, Ngoma, and Bugesera.

In the Northern Province, pits are located in Musanze, Gicumbi, and Rulindo. In the Western Province, they are in Karongi, Rubavu, Ngororero, and Rusizi—areas where asbestos was once commonly used.

Once filled, these pits are covered with soil and trees are planted on top. The trees help purify the air and hold down the soil to prevent any asbestos dust from rising.