In a post on X, the IDF said that the coffin, escorted by IDF troops, crossed the border into Israel on its way to the National Institute for Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv for identification procedures.
The IDF urged the public “to act with sensitivity and wait for official identification, which will first be communicated to the families of the deceased hostages.”
This was the 10th body of an Israeli hostage that Hamas has handed over this week, out of 28 bodies it is obliged to return under the first phase of the Gaza peace plan.
Hamas on Monday released 20 live Israeli hostages who had been held in Gaza for two years.
“During the past night, from 11 p.m. (2000 GMT) on Oct. 16 to 7 a.m. (0400 GMT) on Oct. 17, air defense duty systems intercepted and destroyed 61 Ukrainian fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles,” the defense ministry said in a statement.
Thirty-two drones were downed over Crimea and 13 over the Rostov Region, it added.
Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency imposed flight restrictions at multiple Russian airports overnight for safety reasons, lifting them on Friday morning. In the city of Sochi, over a dozen flights were delayed due to the restrictions, and one flight was diverted to another airport, according to the local airport.
President Faye was received at Kigali International Airport by President Kagame, alongside senior government officials including cabinet ministers.
During his visit, President Faye is expected to tour several key Rwandan institutions, including the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and the Ministry of Sports, where he will hold discussions with their leadership teams on areas of mutual interest.
On Saturday, October 18, President Kagame will host President Faye at Urugwiro Village, the Office of the President, for a private meeting followed by a press briefing.
The two leaders are expected to sign new bilateral cooperation agreements, adding to existing ones in aviation and media collaboration.
Rwanda and Senegal have enjoyed strong diplomatic relations for many years. In 2011, Rwanda opened its embassy in Dakar, marking a turning point in their partnership and paving the way for expanded cooperation in trade, governance, and cultural exchange.
This visit follows a series of reciprocal high-level engagements between the two nations.
President Kagame last visited Senegal in August 2025, reaffirming both countries’ commitment to deepening their friendship and advancing Africa-led development initiatives.
The groups share a common goal: to undermine Rwanda by any means possible. For instance, since its formation, the RNC has attempted multiple operations that disrupted national security.
Between March 2010 and January 2013, these activities were widespread. During this period, Kayumba Nyamwasa and Patrick Karegeya, leaders of the RNC, appointed individuals to recruit at least 100 former FDLR members to support their terrorist operations.
On several occasions, IGIHE has interviewed people affected by these frequent attacks.
During the trial of Lt Joel Mutabazi, the involvement of the RNC led by Kayumba Nyamwasa, in the plot was highlighted. It was revealed that in June 2013, members of the RNC and FDLR met at the Mamba Point Bar in Kampala, Uganda, to plan attacks in Kigali during the parliamentary elections scheduled for September, as well as other attacks planned for the Christmas and New Year period.
Among the grenades thrown in Kigali in 2010, one exploded at “Kwa Rubangura” in downtown Kigali, while another grenade was thrown at “Chez Venant,” where taxis bound for various parts of the city were waiting. A third grenade was thrown at the Nyabugogo bus terminal.
On May 15, 2010, another grenade attack in downtown Kigali killed two people and severely injured approximately 32 others. Grenade attacks were not limited to Kigali; other areas, including Nyamagabe, Gisagara, Muhanga, Huye, and Rubavu, were also targeted. In Muhanga City, at a location known as ‘Jacques,’ a grenade exploded on January 24, 2010, injuring 16 people, some of whom later died in hospital.
{{Personal accounts of victims}}
Barahira Rwema Issa and Mukayiranga Annonciata were among those injured by grenades in Kigali during 2010. While not all injuries were severe, victims continue to suffer from shrapnel-related pain and permanent scars.
Rwema was injured by a grenade at “Kwa Rubangura” on February 19, 2010, while about to board a vehicle to return to Muhanga. He recalls: “I had just dropped off a passenger and was about to go home to Muhanga when I asked if I could leave. As I was leaving Rubangura, I was walking near the SP station, where bus companies like Horizon operate. That’s when I heard a loud noise and saw a flash of light—the grenade exploded.”
Mukayiranga was injured on July 11, 2010, while running errands for her brother’s upcoming wedding.
She explained: “The first taxi came, but people rushed and took it from me. I went back and stood there, then decided to take a motorcycle around 1:30 PM. When the motorcycle arrived, a girl nearby handed it to me. That’s the last thing I remember. Then, there was a sudden blast. People fell to the ground. When I regained consciousness, I saw the motorcycle on the ground and the girl bleeding heavily. She must have been cut in half.”
Rwema added, “It was terrifying. I didn’t even know I had been hit by grenade shrapnel in my back. I felt a burning sensation, and someone at Horizon told me I was bleeding heavily. He helped me near my spine.”
Mukayiranga recounted, “Right after the explosion, there were many injured people. I didn’t realise I was hurt until someone near the BK headquarters told me. I rushed to CHUK for treatment for my leg wounds and received a tetanus shot. I felt dizzy, thinking it was fear, but later realised my shoes were slippery because they were filled with blood. There were so many wounded people, I couldn’t tell the exact number.”
{{Attacks by FLN in 2018}}
In 2018, the FLN carried out attacks in areas near the Nyungwe Forest, looting populations, killing civilians, and destroying infrastructure. These attacks occurred on various dates, including June 3, June 19, July 1, July 13, and November 15, 2018.
Reports indicate that some individuals within the Burundian government supported these attacks, although they were carried out covertly. The group killed citizens, looted shops and livestock, kidnapped people, injured others, and destroyed homes and vehicles.
Josephine Mukashyaka, from Nyabimata Sector in Nyaruguru District, lost her husband, Fidèle Munyaneza, in these attacks.
“My husband was the breadwinner of our home. He was my pride and the pride of our children. Life is hard now because he is no longer here,” she said.
Marie Chantal Ingabire, from Kibeho Sector, lost her husband, Anathole Maniraho, leaving her with two children. On the night of Tuesday, June 19, 2018, the group attacked the Nyabimata Sector offices, injuring the Sector Executive Secretary and burned his car.
During the same attack, they killed Fidèle Munyaneza, Anathole Maniraho, and a local resident, Joseph Habimana. The Nyaruguru District authorities reported that the attacks occurred between 07:30 PM and midnight.
In 2021, the FLN attempted another attack on Rwanda via Nyungwe. However, their fighters were neutralised.
{{FDLR and RUD Urunana attacks}}
Since 1994, FDLR attacks on Rwanda have been continuous, primarily targeting the northwestern regions along the DRC border. Their objective has consistently been to return to Rwanda and resume the genocide agenda they fled from.
In October 2019, RUD-Urunana fighters attacked Musanze District, targeting Kinigi and Musanze Sectors. Fourteen people were killed, 18 were injured, and community infrastructures, including homes, were destroyed.
In March, May, and June 2022, FDLR forces, reportedly collaborating with DRC military units, shelled Musanze District using mortar bombs. In January 2025, they shelled Rubavu District, killing 16 people.
“I have just concluded my telephone conversation with President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, and it was a very productive one,” said Trump on Truth Social.
“We also spent a great deal of time talking about Trade between Russia and the United States when the War with Ukraine is over,” he said.
“I believe great progress was made with today’s telephone conversation,” he added.
Trump said the two countries agreed to hold a high-level advisors’ meeting next week, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio leading the U.S. delegation, adding that the meeting location is to be determined.
“President Putin and I will then meet in an agreed upon location, Budapest, Hungary, to see if we can bring this ‘inglorious’ War, between Russia and Ukraine, to an end,” Trump said.
The phone conversation came one day ahead of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s scheduled visit to the White House.
Trump and Putin met in the U.S. state of Alaska in August, but no deal was reached. In late September, Trump said on social media that he believes Ukraine, with the support of the European Union and NATO, “is in a position to fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form.”
Under the deal, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was designated to locate the prisoners, verify related information, and facilitate their transfer between the two sides.
However, a month later and despite Qatari mediation, no prisoners have been released. Instead, both parties continue to trade accusations of violating the ceasefire in North and South Kivu provinces.
On October 13, 2025, representatives from the DRC Government and AFC/M23 reconvened in Qatar to discuss compliance with the ceasefire and the modalities for the prisoner exchange, ahead of the next phase that is expected to lead to a peace accord.
The ceasefire implementation has since been given structure, with both sides agreeing to establish a joint monitoring mechanism composed of mediators and observers.
But progress on the prisoner issue has stalled. The list of detainees remains incomplete, the locations of some prisoners are unknown, and several cases are still under judicial review. As a result, an exchange cannot yet proceed.
Following agreement on the ceasefire monitoring mechanism on October 14, talks began to address the outstanding challenges surrounding prisoner release. The discussions are expected to last about ten days.
Mediators and observers, including representatives from the United States and the African Union, have intensified pressure for tangible results, especially after the parties failed to meet their initial target of signing a peace agreement by August 2025.
AFC/M23 has submitted a list of prisoners it wants freed by the DRC Government. The list includes its members, such as Eric Nkuba Shebandu, a former adviser to Corneille Nangaa, along with others accused of belonging to the movement.
The statement said the UN chief took note of the decision of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union to immediately suspend the country from participation in all activities of the union, its organs and institutions, until constitutional order is restored in the country.
“The Secretary-General encourages all the Malagasy stakeholders, including the youth, to work together to address the underlying causes of instability in the country,” the statement said.
Guterres also reiterated the availability of the United Nations to support national efforts toward the attainment of that goal, in collaboration with the African Union, the Southern African Development Community and other international partners, the statement added.
Colonel Michael Randrianirina, a Malagasy military officer, announced on Tuesday that state power in Madagascar had been taken over by a military council comprising members of the army, gendarmerie and national police, and the country’s constitution had been suspended.
Protests erupted in Madagascar in late September, initially triggered by widespread power outages and water shortages. Some demonstrations turned violent and soon escalated into calls for the president’s resignation. The protests took a new turn on Saturday, with an army regiment declaring its support for and protection of the protesters.
The launch event held at the Kigali Convention Center convened high-level representatives from government, financial institutions, the private sector, development partners, and civil society to discuss and re-affirm commitment to the successful implementation of the strategy and to deepening collaboration across the financial ecosystem.
Speaking during the event, Godfrey Kabera, Minister for National Treasury, emphasized that the FSDS will serve as the “financial engine” to drive the nation’s long-term ambitions under Vision 2050 and the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2).
He noted that the strategy is designed to strengthen digital financial ecosystems, promote savings, and facilitate access to resources needed to expand trade and investment.
“Through this strategy, we aim to expand private sector engagement, create quality jobs, and ensure a more inclusive economic growth for all Rwandans,” he said.
The FSDS 2025–2029 aligns closely with Rwanda’s broader goal of positioning itself as a regional financial hub through the Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC).
It seeks to transform the financial sector into a powerful vehicle for mobilizing and channeling capital toward key national priorities.
The strategy highlights the importance of improving access to finance, particularly for underserved groups such as women, youth, small and medium enterprises, and the agricultural sector.
By 2029, the strategy targets a doubling of the national savings rate from 12.4% to 25.9% of GDP, alongside deeper financial inclusion and literacy across all segments of the population.
It also aims for more than 70% of private sector financing under NST2 to be mobilized through the domestic financial system, signaling a shift toward greater reliance on local financial institutions to drive growth.
By harnessing digital technologies, reinforcing regulatory frameworks, and fostering public-private partnerships, the FSDS 2025-2029 marks a decisive step in mobilizing the financial resources required to meet Rwanda’s ambitious development targets, ensuring a stable and prosperous future for all its citizens.
According to a public notice dated October 14, 2025 and signed by NLA Director General and Chief Registrar of Land Titles, Marie Grâce Nishimwe, the decision aligns with the government’s ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency, transparency, and accessibility of land services nationwide.
The NLA noted that significant progress has been made through the decentralisation of land services, which are now accessible at national, provincial, district, and sector levels. Licensed private notaries with the necessary competences are also authorised to handle land transactions, including the transfer of land rights.
“Since land services are now available near everyone, it is no longer necessary for people who live in a different area from where their land is located to appoint someone through a power of attorney for land rights transfer,” the statement reads in part.
The authority explained that the temporary suspension seeks to address a growing number of fraud cases involving falsified powers of attorney, which have been used to facilitate illegal transfers of land ownership.
The suspension will remain in force until the electronic notary system (e-notary), currently being developed by the Ministry of Justice, is officially launched and becomes operational.
However, in exceptional circumstances where an individual is genuinely unable to appear in person, the matter may be submitted for review through the Office of the Registrar of Land Titles in the respective province or through the NLA headquarters in Kigali.
The Authority clarified that the suspension applies only to powers of attorney issued within Rwanda. Those issued outside the country will continue to be accepted, provided they meet all legal and procedural requirements.
The NLA reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding landowners’ rights and ensuring the integrity of land transactions through more secure and transparent digital systems.
The event, organized by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) in partnership with the Embassy of Rwanda in Germany and the Tourism Chamber, followed successful engagements in Utrecht (Netherlands).
It aimed to connect Rwandan tour operators with European travel professionals and promote new, tailor-made packages for the German market.
In his remarks, Ambassador Igor César described Rwanda, the Land of a Thousand Hills, as a destination where nature, culture, and innovation meet.
He highlighted the country’s rich landscapes stretching from Nyungwe and Volcanoes to Akagera and Gishwati-Mukura National Parks, offering experiences from gorilla trekking and rainforest hikes to savanna safaris and urban exploration in Kigali.
Sustainability was a key theme. Amb. César emphasized Rwanda’s success in wildlife conservation, including the reintroduction of lions and rhinos, which has transformed Akagera National Park into a “Big Five” destination.
He also underscored the Tourism Revenue Sharing Program, through which over Frw 18.1 billion has funded more than 1,190 community projects around national parks, ensuring tourism directly benefits local communities.
Speaking to tour operators and agents, Amb. César described them as “storytellers” who shape travelers’ choices and invited them to integrate Rwanda into their itineraries.
With Germany among Rwanda’s top ten tourism source markets, the roadshow reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to sustainable partnerships and to positioning itself as one of Africa’s most compelling and responsible destinations.
