Category: News

The campaign seeks to expand access to healthy, life-sustaining meals for vulnerable patients, with a goal to reach individuals across the country.

The campaign encourages contributions of all sizes, emphasizing that even the smallest donation can make a significant impact.

“We want to remind people that they have the power to make a difference with Solid’Africa so we can expand our efforts,” said Inkesha Ariane, one of the founders. “Our goal is to reach every patient in Rwanda, ensuring they receive healthy meals to support their recovery.”

The campaign introduces a new partnership model, allowing customers to contribute through designated accounts by making donations at participating supermarkets, restaurants, and other businesses. Through this, customers can make financial contributions with ease, helping to support patients in need.

“If you buy a bottle of water, you can also buy one for a patient. If you purchase a kilogram of rice, you can contribute the surplus to help a patient,” explained Inkesha.

The six-month awareness campaign is just the beginning, as Solid’Africa plans to make this model a permanent part of its operations.

While the focus is initially on providing free meals to the most vulnerable patients, there is also a plan to allow individuals with the means to contribute a small amount, no more than 600 Rwandan Francs per meal, to support the initiative. This will help sustain the program while continuing to provide meals to those who cannot pay.

Currently, Solid’Africa provides free meals to patients at six hospitals in Kigali and its surrounding areas, including the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK), Kibagabaga Hospital, Muhima Hospital, Nyarugenge Hospital, Masaka Hospital, and Rwinkwavu Hospital (PIH – Partners In Health).

Kamaliza Isabelle, another co-founder of Solid’Africa, shared that since its establishment in 2010, Solid’Africa has been able to restore hope to patients in the hospitals it operates in by providing them with free meals, which they were previously struggling to afford, and offering support alongside the medication they receive.

Currently, Solid’Africa provides meals to 14,972 students once a day and serves 1,500 patients three times a day. In total, the organization delivers 19,500 meals daily.

Supporting Solid’Africa can be done by donating [here ->https://wearesolidtogether.org/] or by dialing 7758*4# and following the instructions.

In this program, Solid’Africa will closely collaborate with IGIHE, BK TechHouse, Nokanda, and Secam.

This appeal is part of an open letter issued by the Mahoro Peace Association, a group advocating for the rights of the Banyamulenge, which was sent to U.S. leaders, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and members of Congress.

Douglas Kabunda, the association’s leader, emphasized that since 2017, Banyamulenge communities in the Fizi, Uvira, and Mwenga territories have endured brutal attacks by a coalition of Congolese military forces.

Kabunda pointed out that the Banyamulenge areas in South Kivu are surrounded by over 58 military camps, where civilians are prohibited from accessing markets, hospitals, or receiving humanitarian assistance.

He also highlighted that many houses and crops have been burned, with drone strikes by the FARDC and Burundian forces still targeting civilians in November 2025, despite the Doha ceasefire agreement.

He also reminded that Burundi had acknowledged its blockade of the Minembwe area, which is home to the Banyamulenge. On November 12, Brigadier General Gaspard Baratuza, the spokesperson for the Burundian army, accused the residents of collaborating with the enemy.

Kabunda stressed that the ongoing attacks against civilians, without distinction between combatants and non-combatants, constitute severe violations, including war crimes such as starvation, displacement, and genocide, as the Banyamulenge are being targeted as a group.

The Mahoro Peace Association is calling for an end to the siege of Banyamulenge-inhabited areas and for Burundian forces to withdraw from eastern DRC.

Additionally, they have requested that an independent international commission be dispatched to the Fizi, Uvira, and Mwenga regions to investigate the ongoing war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide targeting local populations.

Kabunda also urged for sanctions against the Burundian and Congolese military officers responsible for the siege and starvation of Banyamulenge civilians, including asset freezes and travel bans to the United States.

To amplify their message, Banyamulenge communities in the U.S. are planning protests from November 23 to 28, demanding that the U.S. government take action.

“I’ve had a lot of deadlines, but if things are working well, you tend to extend the deadlines,” Trump told Fox News Radio. “But Thursday is it — we think an appropriate time.”

Ukraine was losing land and “will lose in a short period of time,” he said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday on X, following a phone call with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, that the Ukrainian side “agreed to work together with the U.S. and Europe at the level of national security advisors to make the path to peace truly doable.”

In an address to the nation, Zelensky said: “Ukraine could now face a very difficult choice: either the loss of dignity, or the risk of losing a key partner. Either the difficult 28 points, or an extremely difficult winter.”

The attack occurred around 1 p.m., following a series of drone strikes that have targeted the area in recent days. These airstrikes appear to be aimed at civilians who have sought refuge in these camps.

The MRDP-Twirwaneho movement reports that on November 15, a DRC military drone attacked Mikenke, damaging the homes of local residents. Two days later, on November 17, another drone strike targeted Rwitsankuku, further harming the civilian population.

Alexis Mugisha Nkurunziza, the Second Vice President of MDRP-Twirwaneho, responsible for administrative, political, and diplomatic affairs, confirmed that the damage from the Sukhoi airstrike is still being assessed. He added that the exact location from which these planes launched remains unclear.

Politician Moïse Nyarugabo reported that after attacking Mikenke and Rwitsankuku, the Sukhoi jet flew over Minembwe, heading toward the town of Kalemie in the Tanganyika province.

“Panic is widespread among the population. After the bombing, the plane flew over Minembwe toward Kalemie. Schools emptied, students and parents alike all took shelter in the bush under heavy rain,” he noted.

On November 20, two Sukhoi jets were observed flying over Minembwe several times, suggesting preparations for further strikes on residents in this region and surrounding areas.

Sheikh Tamim arrived in Rwanda on Thursday for a two-day official visit, which concluded on November 21, 2025. During the visit, President Kagame hosted him for a private discussion at his farm in Kibugabuga, Bugesera District, and gifted him long-horned cattle, known as Inyambo.

In a statement posted on the X social media platform, the Emir shared details of their expanded discussions, emphasizing their mutual commitment to enhancing opportunities for bilateral cooperation.

He expressed his gratitude toward President Kagame, stating, “Qatar and Rwanda are united by strong and growing relations, and they are advancing with rapid strides toward promising horizons of partnership and mutual interests. I commend His Excellency’s efforts in supporting peace initiatives in the regional surroundings of his country.”

Since March 2025, when Sheikh Tamim brought President Kagame together with Félix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), for a meeting in Doha, the Government of Qatar has played a central role in mediating regional conflicts in the Great Lakes region.

Qatar has facilitated talks between the DRC government and the AFC/M23 coalition, aiming to address the root causes of tensions between Congolese communities. Qatar has also supported the Washington peace talks between Rwanda and the DRC.

The Rwandan government has consistently pledged its support for all initiatives aimed at resolving the region’s issues. In addition to participating in the Washington talks, Rwanda supports the Doha-based negotiations between the AFC/M23 and the DRC government, alongside other partners such as the United States, Togo, and the African Union (AU).

Qatar and Rwanda are working closely together in key sectors such as technology, innovation, education, energy, and agriculture. One of the major collaborative projects is the construction of Bugesera International Airport, set to be completed in 2027 with an investment of USD 1.3 billion. This partnership builds on agreements signed in 2019.

Qatar is also supporting the Zero-Out-Of-School initiative, a joint project between Rwanda’s Ministry of Education and the EAA Foundation from Qatar, launched in September 2023. The initiative aims to return all out-of-school children to education, with plans to reintegrate up to 177,000 Rwandan children over five years.

Additionally, Rwandan students are currently studying in Qatar, and Rwanda hopes to send more students in the future to acquire the knowledge they can use to contribute to the country’s economic development.

This campaign, which began on November 19, 2025, will continue beyond the holiday period.

Airtel’s Managing Director, Sujay Chakrabarti, explained that the company is always looking for ways to connect with its customers during all occasions, including the festive season.

“Festive times are moments to reconnect with loved ones, reflect, and celebrate. Our new offering will help bring families together and strengthen bonds among friends,” he said.

The revamped services include updated calling packages. For instance, the Frw 100 package, which previously offered 50 minutes of calls, now provides 100 minutes. The Frw 200 package, which originally provided 200 minutes, now gives 350 minutes.

For Frw 500, customers will receive 1,000 minutes, an increase from the previous 800 minutes. The Frw 2,000package, which offered 4,000 minutes, has been increased to 5,000 minutes.

Internet packages have also been improved. The Frw 200 package, which previously offered 300MB, now provides 1GB. The Frw 500 package, which originally offered 1GB, now provides 3.5GB.

John Magara Gahakwa, Airtel’s Head of Brand and Communications, emphasized that the company strives to ensure its customers are well-served.

In addition, Airtel Rwanda has partnered with Rwandan artist Israel Mbonyi to support his upcoming concerts during the holiday season.

Mbonyi, who has two concerts planned—‘Icyambu 4’ on December 25, 2025, and another on January 1, 2025, at Rubavu Stadium—is receiving support from Airtel.

Magara explained that the partnership with Mbonyi was a strategic decision to help address the challenges of securing sponsorship for gospel music events.

“Israel Mbonyi is a renowned artist, but it has often been difficult for gospel musicians to secure sponsors. This partnership helps fill that gap and supports the growth of gospel music,” he said.

The meeting brought together officials from the DRC and Rwanda alongside representatives from the United States, the State of Qatar, the Republic of Togo (as the African Union mediator), and the African Union Commission.

JSCM observers described the session as a key step in reinforcing progress on the peace roadmap, particularly the neutralisation of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) and the lifting of Rwanda’s defensive measures.

During the two-day meeting, participants reviewed Phase One of the Operations Order (OPORD), focusing on intelligence sharing, community outreach, and efforts to encourage FDLR members to lay down their arms. Discussions also began on Phase Two of the OPORD, which outlines concrete steps to neutralise the militia group linked to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and advance security cooperation between the two countries.

According to a joint statement released by the parties, the meeting further addressed the broader peace process, with participants commending the recent Doha Framework for a Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the DRC government and the Alliance Fleuve Congo/March 23rd Movement, facilitated by Qatar.

“JSCM members recognised the benefit of maintaining close linkages between the Doha and Washington processes,” the statement reads.

President Donald Trump was acknowledged for his “indispensable role” throughout the process.

The fourth JSCM meeting built on discussions from the third session held in October, reaffirming both countries’ commitment to the Washington Peace Agreement and maintaining momentum toward durable peace in eastern DRC and the Great Lakes region.

Units of the Zapad (West) group have seized the city of Kupyansk and are continuing to destroy Ukrainian forces encircled on the left bank of the Oskol River, Gerasimov reported to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Gerasimov said that advances are underway in Krasnoarmeysk, another strategic city in eastern Ukraine, adding that over 75 percent of the city’s territory is now under Russian control.

Russian troops have taken 13 villages since the beginning of November — six in the Dnipropetrovsk region and seven in the Zaporizhzhia region, he said.

Kupyansk is a key logistics hub and defense stronghold for Ukrainian forces in the Kharkov region. Russia previously controlled the city from February to September 2022, during which time it served as the region’s administrative center.

The incident occurred in the Blue Zone, an area that houses the international stands and the rooms set up for official negotiations, said the organizers.

Brazilian Minister of Tourism Celso Sabino said that the fire, which broke out shortly after 2 p.m. local time, was under control at around 2:30 p.m., with no injuries reported so far.

Helder Barbalho, governor of the Para state, where Belem is located, told local media that the emergency teams are currently probing into two possible causes of the incident: a generator failure or a short circuit in one of the stands that were set up for the conference.

He made the appeal at a press conference during the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) being held in Brazil’s Amazon city of Belem. The conference runs on Nov. 10-21, with climate negotiations currently in the final stage.

Guterres noted that vulnerable communities can no longer wait for climate change mitigation, urging delegations to reach a consensus.

The progress made in the decade since the 2015 Paris Agreement is not enough, according to Guterres. “We must move much faster — with a drastic cut on emissions.”

It is essential that most countries reach peak emissions now, halve them this decade, achieve net-zero by 2050, and go net-negative thereafter, he said, while calling for “a just, orderly, and equitable transition away from fossil fuels — as agreed at COP28 in Dubai.”

The UN chief emphasized the urgency of protecting ecosystems and the importance of financing to achieve the goals.

It is imperative to halt and reverse deforestation by 2030, so that nature remains a shield and not a casualty, he said.

Developed countries must lead in securing at least 300 billion U.S. dollars annually through 2035 to climate action, with a clear route to reaching 1.3 trillion dollars per year by that time, said Guterres.

“We know that budgets are limited — but the financial system can unlock and multiply the available resources to achieve a much greater impact. Multilateral Development Banks must play a decisive role,” he said.

The UN chief also urged political will to take the necessary decisions. “What has been failing is the political will,” he said.