Pistorius made the announcement at a joint press conference with several other European defense ministers. The new pledge follows Germany’s earlier contribution of 500 million U.S. dollars to the PURL mechanism in August.
Reaffirming Berlin’s long-term support for Kyiv, Pistorius said Germany plans to provide more than 11.5 billion euros in aid for Ukraine in 2026. According to the German Federal Foreign Office, Germany has made available or earmarked roughly 40 billion euros in military assistance as of September 2025.
On Thursday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz held a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. In addition to discussions on continued support for Ukraine, Merz emphasized Germany’s expectation that Ukraine advance its anti-corruption efforts and rule-of-law reforms.
The two leaders also addressed concerns over the rising number of young Ukrainian men leaving the country for the European Union, according to a statement from the German government. (1 euro = 1.16 U.S. dollar)
The forum was organized in partnership with the International Observatory for Participatory Democracy in Africa (IOPD Africa) and the Union of Local Elected Officials of Senegal.
As confirmed by the Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC) via X on November 14, the award recognized Rwanda’s strong reforms in digitizing local service delivery and its continued commitment to citizen-centered governance.
The award was received on behalf of the Ministry of Local Government, by Rwanda’s envoy to Senegal, Amb. Festus Bizimana.
Over the past 31 years, Rwanda has implemented various programs aimed at empowering citizens. This has led to enhanced inclusive participation in governance, with over 80% of citizens now playing a role in solving problems. This figure has risen from 65.63% in 2018.
Besides, decentralization of leadership in Rwanda began in 2000, strengthening local government structures and improving their performance and service delivery.
This is reinforced by the district advisory councils that oversee the implementation of planned activities, thus making citizens’ participation more evident.
The councils are also functional at the Sector, Cell, and Village levels. This has led to improvements in service delivery in sectors like healthcare and education, and it helps leaders easily identify what citizens need most.
This governance model that Rwanda adopted after the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi and the Liberation War is an example of how the country rebuilt itself by empowering citizens, ensuring inclusivity, and promoting technology.
It has allowed Rwandans to actively participate in and safeguard initiatives, as they should in a country that upholds democratic governance.
The integration of technology into governance has also further enhanced governance by promoting transparency and accountability among leaders, while citizens have easy access to information and a platform to engage with their leaders.
This approach that Rwanda has chosen has become a valuable lesson for other countries facing similar challenges to those Rwanda has overcome.
Recently, the contest launched a mentorship program focused on social impact and sales and marketing. The social impact session aimed to help contestants align their ventures with community needs and sustainable values.
The main objective of the mentorship on social impact was to inspire founders to design business models that not only generate profits but also contribute to solving pressing social challenges.
Phiona Ingabire, a coach on social impact emphasized the importance of building ventures that leave a lasting impact within the community.
“Sustainable businesses are built on trust, customer loyalty, and good conduct,” stated Ingabire, further emphasizing that, “ success is not just about numbers but about integrity and community impact”.
During her session, she also highlighted key focus areas of social impact including the value of trust and ethics, building long-term customer loyalty and ensuring sustainability through responsible entrepreneurship.
One of the contestants, the founder of Examira Group Ltd shared that they learned how crucial community trust and ethical practices are in building sustainable businesses.
After the sessions on social impact, the contestants faced a panel of judges including coach Gael Karomba (Inventor & CEO, Legacy Group Kigali Universe) ,Phiona Ingabire ( Program, Partnership Management, Entrepreneurship Coach and Business Development) and Charles Haba (CEO Century Real Estate) in an intense evaluation session.
The judges commended the contestants for their creativity and passion. As part of the process, two founders were eliminated, narrowing the remaining contestants to ten.
The next session on marketing and sales was moderated by Coach Tadhim Uwizeye, an expert in business marketing and sales management. Her session equipped contestants with practical tools for customer engagement and business visibility.
Uwizeye urged contestants to make the most of social media and digital platforms to reach their audiences.
Her sessions focused on leveraging social media for business growth, the use of metrics and customer behavior analysis to make data-driven decisions and developing customer-focused marketing strategies.
One of the contestants who is the founder of Mindtech Innovation Ltd reported gaining new insights into how to position their brands and to tailor their communication effectively.
The session boosted their confidence to apply modern marketing tools to scale their startups. It concluded with a judging panel featuring Tadhim Uwizeye (Founder and CEO Olado.rw/ Techwomen 2023 Emerging leader) and Charles Haba (CEO Century Real Estate). The judges evaluated the contestants’ progress leading to elimination of two founders.
This saw 8 founders advancing to the next session of mentorship, which will focus on HR, finance, and financial management, following their exposure to social impact and marketing.”
The Tangira startup TV contest is powered by RG CONSULT INC, and supported by a wide array of sponsors including IGIHE, 250 startups , ICT Chamber, Ministry of ICT and Innovation, ABA VIP, RSE, BPN, BRD, Capital FM, Royal FM, Itara Filmz, BTN TV, ATV, ESP and Nepfilms.
This joint initiative is designed to equip smallholder farmers with essential skills in climate-smart, appropriately scaled business-oriented mechanization and conservation agriculture practices.
The Sustainable Agriculture Mechanization through Farmer Field School (SAM/FFS) initiatives represents a milestone partnership between three leading institutions at the forefront of Rwanda’s agricultural transformation.
Through this joint effort, FAO, RICA, and RAB, the initiative is strengthening capacity across agricultural mechanization ecosystem, including local producers, farmer facilitators, cooperatives, and repair service providers to adopt and integrate environmentally, economically and socially responsible mechanization practices that enhance productivity while preserving natural resources.
Dr. Nomanthema Mhlanga, FAO Rwanda Representative (a.i), underscored the collective commitment to sustainable agricultural transformation, advancing support for smallholder farmers through Farmer Field Schools: “By joining hands with RICA and RAB, FAO Rwanda reaffirms its commitment to transforming smallholder agriculture through innovation and collaboration.
“Together, we are championing sustainable, climate-resilient mechanization that empowers producers to increase productivity, protect natural resources, and secure a more prosperous future for rural communities, “ stated Dr. Mhlanga.
Thirty FFS facilitators from Gatsibo, Bugesera, and Kirehe districts have already successfully completed a two-week hands-on training course at RICA. This intensive program utilized the participatory Farmer Field School (FFS) model to foster experiential learning.
During the initial part of the training, FFS Facilitators acquired practical skills in sustainable agricultural mechanization (SAM) and conservation agriculture (CA), including basic machinery operation and effective farmer-centered learning techniques. They were also guided on how to integrate these technical areas into locally adapted FFS curricula using core FFS principles, and processes.
Highlighting the strategic significance of such capacity-building initiatives, Dr. Olusegun Adedayo Yerokun, RICA’s Interim Vice Chancellor, articulated the strategic importance of the collaboration for farmer productivity.
“This collaboration underscores RICA’s mandate to equip farmers with specialized knowledge, thereby enhancing their production capabilities. It is intrinsically linked to our Conservation Agriculture approach, a strategy that demonstrably cultivates better soil health and yields greater productivity,” said Dr Yerokun.
The SAM-FFS learning curriculum emphasizes safe, efficient, and environmentally sustainable machinery use, demonstrating how the right tools and practices can significantly increase smallholder productivity while protecting vital soil, water resources, and efficient utilization of farming inputs.
Additional core component of the SAM-FFS program is the integration of enterprise development. The project specifically empowers FFS Facilitators with the capacity to guide farmers in recognizing mechanization not just as a production tool, but also as a viable business opportunity.
This strategic focus aims to strengthen local mechanization ecosystem and services, improve small-scale producer’s access to essential equipment, and create new income streams for farmer cooperatives in rural communities.
The program directly addresses critical challenges faced by smallholder farmers, such as limited access to suitable mechanization services, the necessary technical skills for safe and effective machinery operation.
By equipping FFS facilitators with comprehensive skills and knowledge in sustainable agricultural mechanization (SAM), conservation agriculture (CA), and robust business models, the initiative seeks to stimulate sustainable farming practices, foster resilient, and market-oriented rural livelihoods.
Highlighting the importance of community engagement for successful adoption, Dr. Solange Uwituze, RAB’s Acting Director General, reaffirmed RAB’s commitment to mobilizing smallholder producers across the target districts and providing them with continuous technical backstopping and post-training follow-up crucial for successful adoption.
“Active engagement with grassroots communities is critical to accelerating the adoption of sustainable agricultural mechanization and conservation agriculture. This approach enhance productivity and strengthens the resilience of farmers throughout Rwanda.
“It is expected that the project will contribute to promote the modernization of crop production in the current farm management model known as Food Basket Site (FoBaSi) as the project pilots are part of consolidated sites country wise,” stated Dr. Uwituze.
By strengthening the technical and advisory capabilities of facilitators, the SAM/FFS program is set to accelerate adoption of climate-smart mechanization solutions across Rwanda’s smallholder producers, ushering in an era of enhanced agricultural productivity, create youth employment and engagement in agriculture, promote sustainability, and contributing to building a resilient agrifood system.
The financing supports DelAgua’s agreement with TotalEnergies Carbon Solutions to purchase Certified Carbon Units generated through the project. Over the next ten years, the project is expected to avoid approximately 2.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions.
This investment demonstrates BPR Bank’s growing role as a key player in green financing and marks a strategic step toward achieving the Bank’s commitment to allocate at least 20% of its lending portfolio to green financing.
The project builds on DelAgua’s award-winning Tubeho Neza (Live Well) programme, which has already distributed more than 1.6 million improved cookstoves across Rwanda.
The fuel efficient stoves manufactured by BURN reduce firewood consumption by 71% and lower harmful indoor smoke emissions by 81%, helping to prevent respiratory illnesses and protect forests.
By distributing the stoves free of charge, the project ensures that even the most vulnerable rural households benefit from clean cooking, reduced energy burden, and improved health outcomes.
The clean cookstove project is designed to meet the Core Carbon Principles, representing the highest global standards for environmental integrity.
Measurement and verification will use advanced Stove Use Monitoring Sensors and DelAgua’s established digital monitoring platforms to ensure fully transparent climate impact reporting.
This initiative directly contributes to Rwanda’s target of achieving universal access to clean cooking by 2030 and aligns with national efforts toward environmental protection, climate resilience, and sustainable rural development.
Patience Mutesi, Managing Director, BPR Bank Rwanda Plc expressed commitment to driving sustainable growth by financing solutions that positively impact people and the planet.
She highlighted that the partnership with DelAgua and TotalEnergies demonstrates the bank’s growing leadership in green financing and dedication to supporting Rwanda’s transition to a low carbon economy.
“By bridging the financing of this initiative, which will distribute improved cookstoves to rural households, we are not only reducing carbon emissions but also improving the quality of life for thousands of families. This milestone brings us closer to achieving our goal of having 20% of our portfolio dedicated to green financing and reaffirms our purpose,” she stated.
According to Euan McDougall, CEO of DelAgua, this partnership demonstrates what can be achieved when innovation, integrity, and collaboration come together.
He further explained that combining DelAgua’s proven track record in delivering large-scale impact with TotalEnergies’ commitment to sustainable development, will be crucial in transforming lives across Rwanda.
“This has been made possible through green finance, which is a proven, viable, and strategic financial model. We are proud to partner with a local financial institution, BPR Bank Rwanda, to deliver this project; setting a precedent for similar investments in Rwanda,” he noted.
Pascal Siegwart, Vice-President Carbon Markets and Economy at TotalEnergies also expressed delight at the company’s support to the project expected to expand cleaner cooking solutions.
“This initiative reflects our commitment to making energy more affordable, accessible, and sustainable. By promoting clean cooking, we aim to deliver tangible benefits for the environment and public health, while also contributing to gender equality. Such projects are key to driving long-term social, economic, and human development in a sustainable way,” he said.
The U.S. draft urges the Council to endorse a comprehensive two-year framework aimed at stabilising Gaza, restoring governance, and addressing longstanding humanitarian and security concerns. The plan outlines the creation of a new governing body, the “Board of Peace,” which would oversee the region’s transition while operating under international oversight.
The U.S. draft calls for the establishment of a temporary International Stabilisation Force (ISF) to disarm non-state armed groups in Gaza, ensure the protection of civilians, secure humanitarian corridors, and assist in the demilitarisation of the area.
The force, which is expected to be around 20,000 strong, would not include U.S. troops but would be staffed by international personnel. The draft emphasises the necessity of peace efforts, stating, “Conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood” after necessary reforms by the Palestinian Authority (PA).
Despite broad support for the idea of creating a “Board of Peace,” several member states raised concerns over the proposed framework. Issues include the lack of clarity regarding the PA’s role in the future governance structure, limited oversight mechanisms, and the vague nature of the ISF’s mandate.
“While the Board of Peace is a positive development, questions remain on how the PA will operate within this new structure,” one UNSC member noted.
In response to the U.S. proposal, Russia, currently engaged in the war in Ukraine, presented a counter-resolution calling for a more balanced approach to achieving a sustainable cessation of hostilities. Russia’s draft emphasises “a unified approach” to resolving the Gaza conflict, focusing on the immediate cessation of violence and the addressing of humanitarian concerns.
“The goal is to enable the Security Council to develop a balanced, acceptable, and unified approach toward achieving a sustainable cessation of hostilities,” Russia’s representative stated.
The context of these diplomatic efforts stems from the October 8, 2025, ceasefire agreement brokered by the U.S., which brought about the first phase of Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan.
The ceasefire paused the violence that had claimed over 69,000 Palestinian lives over two years of fighting. While the ceasefire has largely held, Israel’s repeated violations, through near-daily airstrikes and attacks, have exacerbated the fragile peace process, leading to further casualties.
The U.S. mission to the UN emphasised the critical need for adoption of the resolution, framing it as a historic opportunity to “pave a path toward enduring peace in the Middle East.”
“This is a historic moment for the international community to act decisively in securing lasting peace and stability in Gaza and the broader region,” said the U.S. Ambassador to the UN.
While the situation remains fluid and complex, the international community now faces a critical decision regarding its approach to the Gaza crisis. The Security Council’s response to the U.S. draft and Russia’s counterproposal will likely determine the trajectory of peace efforts in Gaza in the coming months.
“This programme is about taking the capital market to the people,” said Pierre Celestin Rwabukumba, Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Stock Exchange. “By simplifying account opening and showing how small, regular contributions grow over time, we remove barriers and widen participation practically.”
During the sessions, market players explained how the capital market works, the protections in place for investors and issuers, and the role of the regulator. They also gave new investors a simple step-by-step path to open an account through a licensed intermediary, set clear financial goals and timeframes, and choose suitable products such as shares, bonds, or collective investment schemes.
“Gisagara is proud to host the first stop,” said Jerome Rutaburingoga, Mayor of Gisagara District in the Southern Province. “Financial inclusion is central to our development agenda. When families invest formally, we strengthen resilience, create opportunity, and support the growth of our economy as a whole.”
In Ndora Sector, resident Felix Mirimo opened an investor account and committed to a monthly contribution. “Investing through the capital market gives me a clear plan for my family,” he said. “Even a modest amount each month can grow, helping with school fees today and building a foundation for a small business tomorrow.”
By taking capital market players closer to communities, the campaign helps close information gaps that keep money in short-term or informal savings. A stronger base of local investors supports a more active market, while companies gain better access to long-term funds to buy equipment, expand production, and grow value chains.
Rwanda’s capital market industry plans to extend the campaigns to other districts. Each visit will combine public education with on-the-spot services so that participants leave with better information, an active account, and a clear plan for their next steps in the market.
Resolution 2800 won the support of 14 members of the council, while the United States abstained.
The resolution decides that the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the CAR, known by its French acronym as MINUSCA, shall comprise up to 14,046 military personnel and 2,999 police personnel, as well as 108 corrections officers.
It recalls the Security Council’s intention to keep the numbers under continuous review, taking into account progress on the security situation and the objective of transition and eventual drawdown of MINUSCA when conditions are met.
In a statement released on Thursday, the corporation acknowledged that the edited sequence created “the mistaken impression that President Trump had made a direct call for violent action”. The programme, first broadcast shortly before the 2024 US election, will not be shown again in its current form.
BBC chair Samir Shah has written directly to the White House, expressing regret over what the organisation now calls an “error of judgement”. The corporation has also responded formally to Trump’s legal team, but maintains the clip was not maliciously produced.
Despite the apology, the BBC stated it “strongly disagrees there is a basis for a defamation claim”, arguing that the edit was an attempt to condense a lengthy speech rather than mislead viewers. The broadcaster also emphasised that the documentary did not air in the United States and was restricted to UK audiences, undermining the assertion that Trump suffered reputational harm.
Trump’s lawyers have demanded a full retraction, a public apology and financial compensation, claiming the edit “butchered” Trump’s words and “defrauded” audiences. Failure to comply, they warned, would prompt legal action. But experts note Trump faces significant hurdles: strict timelines for bringing defamation cases in the UK have already expired, and US law offers strong protections for political speech and opinion.
The controversy has triggered political scrutiny in Westminster. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the corporation was “gripping this with the seriousness that it demands”, though she warned that the BBC’s editorial guidelines had “not been robust enough” in some areas. She indicated that political appointments to the BBC board would be reviewed in the upcoming charter process, after concerns that such roles may undermine perceptions of impartiality.
Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey earlier urged the prime minister to intervene with Trump directly to defend the BBC’s independence and prevent escalating tensions.
The row has already claimed senior casualties inside the organisation. Director-general Tim Davie and head of news Deborah Turness resigned on Sunday following mounting pressure over the accuracy and impartiality of the Panorama edit.
Fresh scrutiny emerged on Thursday after the Daily Telegraph uncovered a second instance of selective editing involving Trump’s January 6 speech, this time from a 2022 episode of Newsnight. In that segment, lines from different parts of Trump’s address were combined, followed by footage of the Capitol attack. Former White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, appearing on the programme at the time, criticised the edit as misleading.
A BBC spokesperson said the corporation holds itself to “the highest editorial standards” and is reviewing the newly surfaced Newsnight allegations.
The events come amid broader debate over the BBC’s handling of politically sensitive coverage. An internal memo leaked last week criticised aspects of the corporation’s reporting not only on Trump but also on trans issues and the Israel–Gaza conflict, adding further fuel to questions about consistency in editorial oversight.
According to MINEMA, from January to October this year, Rwanda received 5,101 returning citizens, including those who had previously been unable to return due to threats from armed groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), such as the FDLR, which had warned that returnees would be killed if they attempted to go home. The FDLR is a militia group formed by remnants of the perpetrators of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.
The figures were disclosed on Tuesday, 12 November 2025, during a visit to the Nyarushishi Transit Centre, where officials met with recently returned Rwandans. Discussions during the visit focused on governance reforms, national opportunities, and the Ndi Umunyarwanda (“I am Rwandan”) programme.
The Mayor of Rusizi District, Phanuel Sindayiheba, welcomed the returnees and commended their decision to come back.
“Rwanda has chosen not to be held back by discrimination, poverty, or ignorance, but to pursue development and unity among Rwandans,” he said.
Marie Alice Kayumba Uwera, the Executive Director in Charge of National Unity and Community Resilience at MINUBUMWE, emphasised the importance of the Ndi Umunyarwanda programme in fostering a sense of national identity.
“Although you are returning late, it is better late than never. You are encouraged to work hard to make up for lost time,” she said, adding that some returnees had been misled into prioritising ethnic identity over their Rwandan roots.
Kayumba Uwera also urged returning women to encourage their husbands to come back. “Women have a strength we often do not realise. Many of you have already made the right choice to return, and you have inspired your husbands to follow,” she said.
Gonzage Karagire, Director of Refugee Programmes at MINEMA, said that receiving returning Rwandans is an ongoing effort.
“This year alone, over 5,000 Rwandans have come home. Currently, there are 592 people in this transit camp, including children and adults who recently returned,” he said.
Of the 592 returnees at Nyarushishi, 396 are children and 196 are adults. Among the adults, 160 are women and 36 are men.
Mushimiyimana Immaculée, who returned after 31 years in exile, recounted the challenges she faced and expressed her commitment to national unity.
“I only completed the first three grades, and I feel ashamed that at 32 years old I cannot read or write. I had to leave school when fighting broke out,” she said. She added that she intends to work with others to preserve unity and create opportunities for future generations.
