Category: News

He made the remarks in a post shared on X on April 29, 2025. “Rwanda is providing safe passage and an escort for convoys of SAMIDRC troops and equipment withdrawing from eastern DRC through Rwanda to Tanzania. The presence of SAMIDRC troops was always a complicating factor in the conflict, and today’s start of withdrawal marks a positive step in support of the ongoing peace process,” he stated.

His comments followed reports that SAMIDRC troops began their withdrawal through Rwanda on April 29, 2025.

The SADC force, composed of soldiers from South Africa, Tanzania, and Malawi, initiated the process with a formal verification of documents at La Corniche, the main border crossing between Rwanda and the DRC.

While the exact number of troops involved in this phase was not disclosed—due to SADC’s request for operational discretion—approximately seven trucks transporting military equipment were observed, along with smaller vehicles carrying officials overseeing the process.

This initial stage focused primarily on repatriating military equipment, accompanied by a small contingent of troops. Larger groups are expected to follow in subsequent phases.

The troops are traveling along the Rubavu–Kigali–Rusumo route toward the Chato District in northwestern Tanzania.

SADC forces had been deployed in December 2023 to support the Congolese military in its fight against the AFC/M23 coalition. However, by January 2025, they suffered setbacks, including losses in key areas such as Sake and Goma.

An extraordinary summit of SADC and East African Community (EAC) leaders held in Tanzania on February 8, 2025, concluded that political dialogue presented the most viable path to resolving the conflict in the DRC and the wider region.

Following this, SADC leaders decided on March 13 to end the mission and implement a phased withdrawal of troops.

Initial plans to repatriate forces through Goma International Airport were abandoned after AFC/M23 rejected the proposal, citing damage to the airport caused by Congolese government forces during the fighting in Goma.

After negotiations failed, SADC secured Rwanda’s agreement to facilitate a land-based withdrawal, ensuring a safe and orderly exit route through Rwandan territory.

Swaniker shared these insights on The Long Form podcast, hosted by Sanny Ntayombya. His admiration began in 2014 during a visit to Kigali for a Nigerian friend’s wedding. Stunned by the city’s reliable electricity and infrastructure—despite Rwanda’s limited resources compared to Ghana—he admitted, “I was almost embarrassed to be a Ghanaian.”

This prompted him to host the African Leadership Network conference in Rwanda, where Kagame’s keynote aligned with Swaniker’s belief that “Africa needs to be excellent.” “He has very high standards,” Swaniker said, marking the start of a partnership that made Rwanda his “second home.”

Kagame’s decisive action cemented Swaniker’s respect. When Swaniker requested land for ALU’s campus, Kagame delivered swiftly.

“This is on a Saturday,” Swaniker recalled. “He said, ‘How many hectares?’ I said, ‘I need 50 hectares.’ He said, ‘Okay, no, we’ll give you 25.’”

Doubting, Swaniker thought, “He’s just an African politician making empty promises.” Yet, days later, a text arrived: “Congratulations. 20 acres of land have been allocated to ALU.”

Within a month, Swaniker held the title deeds. “Which president in the world moves that fast?” he marveled. Today, ALU educates 3,000 students and earns global acclaim, thanks to Kagame’s support.

Swaniker credits Kagame’s “very clear vision” for Rwanda’s transformation. “There’s no other leader in the world who has achieved that kind of rapid transformation in such a short period of time starting from such a terrible position,” he said, referencing the genocide that took lives of over a million people.

According to Swaniker, Kagame’s leadership enabled innovations like Zipline’s drone deliveries and ALU’s three-month accreditation, bypassing bureaucracy that stalls progress elsewhere.

In a continent plagued by leadership failures, Swaniker sees Kagame as an exception.

“I believe in doing hard things and President Kagame is a great example of someone who does hard things. And more importantly who just doesn’t talk he actually just delivers things right and so that’s why I like to do things in Rwanda,” he noted.

He further described him as a ‘very effective leader’ who serves his people, fostering an environment where innovators thrive.

Swaniker’s praise challenges African leaders to emulate Kagame’s blend of vision and action, offering hope that Rwanda’s model can inspire a broader renaissance across the continent.

The SADC force, comprising soldiers from South Africa, Tanzania, and Malawi, underwent the initial process with a formal verification of documents at La Corniche, the main border crossing between Rwanda and the DRC.

While the exact number of troops involved remains undisclosed at SADC’s request for discretion, approximately seven trucks carrying military equipment, accompanied by smaller vehicles with overseeing officials, were observed.

This initial phase focused on repatriating equipment and accompanying small contingent of soldiers, with larger groups expected to follow.

The troops are traveling along the Rubavu–Kigali–Rusumo route toward Chato District in northwestern Tanzania.

Deployed in December 2023 to support the Congolese military against the AFC/M23 coalition, SADC forces faced setbacks by January 2025, losing strategic areas like Sake and Goma.

An extraordinary summit of SADC and East African Community leaders in Tanzania on February 8, 2025, concluded that political dialogue offered the best path to resolve the DRC conflict, prompting SADC leaders on March 13 to end the military mission and order a phased withdrawal.

Plans to use Goma International Airport for repatriation were thwarted when AFC/M23 rejected the request, citing damage by Congolese forces during the battle for Goma.

After failed negotiations, SADC secured Rwanda’s assistance for land-based withdrawal.

Last week, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, confirmed to IGIHE that Rwanda granted passage following an official request.

The legislation establishes a 15% levy on gasoline and diesel, calculated based on the cost of the fuel, insurance, and transportation.

For vehicles, the tax varies by type, with annual fees ranging from 50,000 Rwandan Francs for sedans and jeeps to 150,000 Francs for large trailers.

Other vehicles, such as pick-up trucks, microbuses, minibuses, and buses, face a 100,000 Franc levy, while trucks and small trailers are charged 120,000 Francs annually.

These levies, both on fuel and vehicles, must be declared and paid to the tax authority by December 31 each year, with fuel levies collected at customs in accordance with existing customs laws.

Certain vehicles, including those owned by the government, embassies, and international organizations with agreements in Rwanda, are exempt from these levies.

This provision sparked debate, with Deputy Christine Mukabunani questioning the fairness of exemptions, arguing that all vehicles using public roads should contribute to their upkeep.

“What is the justification for exempting these vehicles?” she asked. “Anyone who uses the roads should pay this levy, whether it’s a government vehicle or any other. The roads are used by everyone.”

In response, Deputy Théogène Munyangeyo, the Chairperson of the parliamentary Committee on Economy and Trade, defended the exemptions, citing international laws and agreements.

He clarified that additional exemptions, such as for people with disabilities, could be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Godfrey Kabera, the Minister of State in Charge of National Treasury in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, added that non-profit organizations could also seek exemptions by submitting requests to the Minister of Finance, ensuring a structured process for special cases.

This ambitious initiative, approved by the Chamber of Deputies on April 28, 2025, includes a new bill introducing a fuel levy to finance the construction of advanced storage facilities, addressing the country’s infrastructure limitations.

The approved law increases the levy on gasoline and diesel from 32.73 Rwandan Francs to 50 Francs per liter, a measure expected to raise an additional 5.2 billion Francs annually.

These funds, collected at customs and managed through a sub-account linked to the government’s single treasury account, will support the development of new storage facilities. The levy replaces an outdated regulation deemed insufficient to meet Rwanda’s growing energy demands.

The levy is expected to raise fuel prices by approximately 18 Francs per liter but with anticipated minimal consumer impact, particularly if global oil prices continue to decline. The expanded storage capacity aims to ensure a three-month fuel reserve, safeguarding Rwanda against supply disruptions.

Rwanda’s limited petroleum storage has posed challenges, with the country relying heavily on imports, primarily from Arab nations, transported through Tanzania and, to a lesser extent, Kenya.

The government’s strategy includes incentivizing private investment by raising the return for storage facility builders from 8 Francs per liter to between 12 and 14 Francs per liter, encouraging further private-sector participation.

Rwanda’s fuel storage infrastructure comprises both government and privately owned facilities, including OilCom’s site in Jabana, SP’s storage in Rusororo, government facilities in Gatsata, Rwabuye, and Bigogwe, and ERP’s facility in Kabuye.

Aviation fuel is stored at Kanombe International Airport and Rusororo. The expansion plan is expected to bolster these assets, enhancing the country’s ability to manage fuel reserves efficiently.