Category: Politics

Odinga, who arrived in Juba on Friday for discussions with South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and Machar, revealed that while he met with Kiir, he was not permitted to visit the detained vice president. His six-hour visit yielded little public information apart from official images taken at the presidential palace.

Upon his return from Entebbe, Uganda, on Saturday, Odinga disclosed that Kiir had briefed him on the killing of General Majur Dak and other soldiers in the northern town of Nasir on March 7.

The South Sudanese government reported that the general and his team were attacked while attempting to board a United Nations helicopter for evacuation.

As a result of the attack, Kiir’s government placed Machar under house arrest, citing ongoing investigations into the incident.

“I had a lengthy discussion with President Kiir, who told me about the challenges they are facing—that a General and 10 other people were killed in the town of Nasir in the Upper Nile, and this is what they are investigating,” Odinga explained.

Following their meeting, Odinga requested permission to speak with Machar but was denied. Instead, he was advised to consult with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, leading to his visit to Entebbe, where he briefed Museveni on the developments.

“I reported to him [Museveni] what I had found in South Sudan, and after a lengthy discussion, he said he would get in touch with President Kiir,” Odinga stated.

Odinga, a seasoned Kenyan politician, told the press in Nairobi that he would only return to Juba if granted direct access to Machar.

“They said that when I want to go back to Juba, they will allow me, but I have said that I will only return when I meet with Mr. Riek. I don’t want to disclose right now when I am going back,” he asserted.

Back in Kenya, Odinga intends to brief President William Ruto, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and Djibouti’s President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh on the South Sudan situation.

He also called for international intervention to prevent further escalation.

“The situation requires international attention. I am happy that the UN is getting involved in what is happening in South Sudan. I believe this is a situation that warrants intervention by the international community,” he remarked.

Although South Sudanese authorities have not directly linked Machar to the killings, they claim that some of his supporters, including militia groups allegedly affiliated with him, may have played a role in the attack.

Machar’s appointment as First Vice President was the result of a fragile peace deal brokered in 2018 to end years of civil war. He was reinstated in 2020 as part of a power-sharing arrangement with President Kiir after previous attempts at cooperation had collapsed into renewed conflict.

The deal aimed to unify rival factions and establish a transitional government, but tensions between Kiir and Machar have remained high, with periodic clashes threatening to unravel the agreement.

The Kenyan government recently appointed Odinga as its special envoy to South Sudan amid rising tensions following Machar’s arrest on March 26.

President Ruto, who has been actively involved in mediation efforts within the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) region, made the appointment after consulting with regional leaders, including Kiir, Museveni, and Abiy Ahmed. Ruto stated that Odinga was tasked with engaging all parties to de-escalate the conflict and provide feedback on the situation.

Machar’s detention, which also included his wife, Angela Teny, the country’s Interior and Coordination Minister, has drawn international condemnation. The United States was among the first to demand his immediate release, adding to growing pressure on Kiir’s administration.

In his media briefing on Saturday, Odinga expressed optimism that the ongoing investigations will be resolved swiftly to restore stability in the fragile nation, which has long been plagued by conflict and political rivalries.

On March 16, 2025, Tshisekedi’s office announced that it had welcomed Congressman Dr. Ronny Jackson and discussed security in eastern DRC as well as development issues.

“On this Sunday, President Félix Tshisekedi met with Mr. Ronny Jackson, the Special Envoy of the President of the United States, Donald Trump, and a member of the U.S. Congress,” the office of the president said in a statement.

Dr. Jackson, who also chairs the U.S. Congress Intelligence and Special Operations Committee, visited Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda to understand the root causes of insecurity in the region.

After concluding his visit on March 23, Dr. Jackson explained to his fellow U.S. lawmakers that the insecurity stemmed from colonial-era border changes in the 19th century, which resulted in some land being allocated to the DRC.

Dr. Jackson stated that due to these altered borders, some Congolese in eastern DRC, including many members of the M23 armed group, are not recognized as full citizens, which has led them to take up arms to fight for their rights.

“For lasting peace, the Congolese government must integrate M23 fighters into the military and recognize the people of eastern DRC as full citizens with legitimate rights,” he added.

His remarks angered some Congolese social media users, who criticized the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa, questioning how a special envoy from Trump could make such statements.

The outrage stemmed from the fact that Dr. Jackson did not distort the region’s history as some Congolese politicians and their foreign allies have often done.

On March 26, the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa clarified that Dr. Jackson was not a special envoy of Trump but had visited the region as a member of the U.S. Congress.

“The Embassy wishes to clarify that Mr. Ronny Jackson is an elected member of the U.S. Congress and not an official envoy appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate,” the statement read.

Dr. Jackson’s remarks could potentially shift the perspectives of some U.S. politicians who previously believed that the conflict between the Congolese army and M23 was solely driven by the struggle for mineral resources, rather than by the fight for the rights of marginalized Congolese communities.

Liège authorities have traditionally joined Rwandans in commemorating the genocide and had scheduled the event for April 12, 2025. However, they have now decided to withdraw from the event.

According to state broadcaster RTBF, the city’s decision was based on a warning from the Liège police.

The police cited tensions between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, suggesting that individuals from the two countries residing in the city could clash during the event.

“An analysis of the potential issue was conducted. The Liège police provided an unfavourable recommendation. The international political climate is unstable,” Jadranka Lozina, the spokesperson for the Liège police, was quoted as saying.

While Rwandans will still be allowed to gather privately for the commemoration, Liège Mayor Willy Demeyer will not attend. Authorities have also warned that if public order is threatened, the gathering will not be permitted.

The decision comes amid strained diplomatic relations between Rwanda and Belgium. Rwanda recently cut ties with Belgium due to the latter’s alignment with the DRC in calling for sanctions against Rwanda, accusing it of supporting the M23 rebel group—an allegation Rwanda has strongly denied.

Minister Nduhungirehe condemned the move, arguing that it demonstrates how the genocide denial narrative, propagated by DRC authorities and their Belgian supporters, is rapidly spreading within Belgium.

“It is evident that the denial virus, spread by the Congolese government and its supporters in Belgium, is rapidly taking hold in the Kingdom of Léopold!” the minister wrote on X.

Nduhungirehe further pointed out that Liège is governed by the Socialist Party (PS), which includes Lydia Mutyebele, a DRC-born MP known for her hostility towards Rwanda and genocide denial, as well as André Flahaut, who has recently shown support for Kinshasa’s leadership in the ongoing regional tensions.

He also reminded that April 7 is an internationally recognised day, designated by the United Nations General Assembly, for the world to join Rwandans in commemorating the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

The minister made the comments following President Ndayishimiye’s interview with the BBC, in which he claimed to have reliable information suggesting that Rwanda is planning an attack on Burundi through the RED Tabara rebel group, which operates in South Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In the interview, President Ndayishimiye intensified his rhetoric, suggesting that Burundi is prepared to attack Rwanda.

“We know that Rwanda is attempting to attack us via Congolese territory, using the RED Tabara group. But we are telling them that if they want to attack Bujumbura through Congo, Kigali is not far from us through Kirundo,” he stated.

Nduhungirehe expressed concern that such comments contradicted the progress made in talks between the two countries to de-escalate tensions.

“This statement by H.E. the President of Burundi is unfortunate, especially since the military and intelligence authorities of both countries are currently in discussions and have even agreed on the need for a military and verbal de-escalation,” Nduhungirehe stated, referring to the talks, with the most recent meeting taking place in Kirundo Province on March 10, 2025.

The minister also noted that he had discussed the matter with his Burundian counterpart during a recent joint East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) ministerial meeting in Zimbabwe.

“I also discussed this matter with my Burundian counterpart on the sidelines of the joint EAC-SADC ministerial meeting in Harare on March 17, 2025, and we were fully aligned on this issue,” Nduhungirehe added.

Despite the setbacks, Nduhungirehe emphasized that Rwanda remains committed to peace with Burundi and the broader Great Lakes region.

“Rwanda will continue its commitment to peace with Burundi and in the Great Lakes region, while hoping for more calm and restraint in official statements from across the Akanyaru River,” he stated.

The relations between Rwanda and Burundi have been strained for years, particularly due to Rwanda’s refusal to extradite individuals accused of attempting to overthrow former President Pierre Nkurunziza’s government in 2015. Rwanda maintains that these individuals are refugees protected under international law, preventing their extradition.

Since January 2024, Burundi has closed its land borders with Rwanda, accusing it of supporting attacks by RED Tabara—a claim that Rwanda has consistently denied, asserting it has no connection with the armed group.

In a virtual summit chaired by Kenyan President William Ruto and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Monday night, regional heads of state appointed three former African presidents—Kgalema Motlanthe of South Africa, Catherine Samba-Panza of the Central African Republic, and Sahle-Work Zewde of Ethiopia—to an expanded team that will lead peace talks between the AFC-M23 rebel group and the Congolese government. The panel already included Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria.

The summit cited the need to ensure gender balance, regional, and linguistic inclusivity in the team, leading to the appointment of the three additional former presidents. Former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, who was part of the initial team, has been dropped.

The Heads of State and Government from 14 EAC and SADC member countries participated in the Monday night meeting, focusing on the deteriorating security situation in eastern DRC and the implementation of a comprehensive peace roadmap.

The Joint Summit, attended by President Paul Kagame, mandated the EAC and SADC Secretariats to formally notify the panel members and convey the outcomes of the summit to the African Union (AU) and United Nations (UN) Security Council.

Furthermore, the co-chairs, Kenyatta and Obasanjo, were directed to convene a briefing session with the facilitators within seven days, to be conducted jointly by the EAC, SADC, and the African Union.

The Monday summit also adopted a comprehensive report from the Joint EAC-SADC Meeting of Ministers, which outlines immediate, medium-, and long-term measures to achieve lasting peace and security in the region. The Heads of State emphasized the urgent implementation of these measures to address the ongoing conflict.

The new appointments follow a joint summit held on February 8, where the EAC and SADC proposed merging the Nairobi Process, an EAC-led mediation effort led by Kenyatta, with the Luanda Process, a separate peace initiative facilitated by Angolan President João Lourenço under the African Union.

The expanded team marks a renewed regional commitment to resolving the protracted conflict in eastern DRC. The newly appointed facilitators are expected to play a pivotal role in mediation efforts and ensuring the successful execution of the peace roadmap after months of fighting between the Congolese army and rebels who accuse the government of poor governance and the persecution of Congolese Rwandophones in the east.

In a statement released by the Office of the Government Spokesperson on Sunday, Kigali expressed support for these developments, calling them steps towards fostering regional stability.

Rwanda reaffirmed its commitment to working with all parties to ensure adherence to peace agreements, particularly within the framework of the Joint East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit process.

“Rwanda is committed to working with all parties to ensure adherence to commitments, particularly in the context of the Joint EAC-SADC Summit process and other initiatives which pave the way towards a lasting political and security settlement for the region,” the statement reads.

The AFC/M23, which is part of the AFC rebel alliance, announced on Saturday that it would withdraw its forces, with spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka describing the move as a strategic decision aimed at creating a favourable environment for political dialogue.

M23 had captured the strategic town on March 19, along with the Kigoma airstrip, following its takeover of nearby areas, including Ngora, Kisima, and Mubanda.

Kanyuka urged local authorities and residents to ensure security in the aftermath of the group’s departure but warned that if Congolese forces resumed attacks on civilians or M23 positions, the group would reconsider its decision and retake the city.

The latest de-escalation efforts come amid diplomatic mediation led by Qatar. On March 18 the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, hosted Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and DRC’s President Félix Tshisekedi for a high-level meeting aimed at resolving tensions in eastern DRC.

A joint statement released by Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that the talks acknowledged progress made in the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes, as well as commitments outlined during the EAC-SADC Summit in Dar es Salaam on February 8.

The statement stressed the leaders’ agreement on the necessity of ceasing hostilities without further delay and their commitment to continued discussions to build a foundation for lasting peace.

AFC/M23 asserts that it is fighting against poor governance and decades of ethnic persecution targeting Congolese Tutsis and other Kinyarwanda-speaking communities in the east.

Its latest offensive has led to the capture of Goma and Bukavu in recent months, prompting global calls for a political solution to the conflict in the eastern region, following heavy losses suffered by the Congolese army and its coalition forces, including SADC troops, the Burundian army, FDLR, and Wazalendo militia groups.

Dr. Jackson and his delegation were welcomed by President Kagame, who was flanked by Minister of Defense Juvenal Marizamunda, the Secretary General of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) Emmanuel Havugiyaremye, and Government Spokesperson Yolande Makolo.

The visit took place amidst growing security concerns in the region, particularly in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the DRC government has accused Rwanda of supporting M23 rebels in their conflict with the Congolese army.

Rwanda has denied these accusations, instead pointing to DRC’s alleged collaboration with the FDLR terrorist group, which Rwanda claims aims to destabilize its security.

Rwanda also argues that the allegations are part of attempts to mislead the international community and distract from the root causes of the region’s instability, including long-standing governance challenges in the DRC.

DRC has called on the United States and other nations to impose sanctions on Rwanda. However, Rwanda has stated that if sanctions were a viable solution to the regional instability, the situation would have improved by now.

While DRC officials continue to engage with the U.S. to push for sanctions in an effort to secure mining agreements, Rwanda remains focused on continuing diplomatic dialogues with various international partners.

Leaders from the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) held a joint summit in Tanzania on February 8, 2025, emphasizing the importance of political dialogue between the conflicting parties for achieving long-term peace and stability in the region.

The DRC possesses mineral wealth valued at an estimated $24 trillion, making it the richest country in the world in terms of untapped resources. However, despite this vast wealth, the Congolese people continue to struggle with extreme poverty.

A 2024 World Bank report revealed that 73.5% of the Congolese population survives on less than $2.15 per day.

While Tshisekedi struggles to improve the lives of his citizens, the armed group M23 continues to seize territories from the Congolese army in North and South Kivu provinces.

Tshisekedi accuses Rwanda of supporting M23, using this claim to push for sanctions against Rwanda and the rebel group from countries like the U.S. Rwanda refutes the claim, and blames Congo for collaboration with FDLR rettorist group.

He has now tied this request to potential business deals, promising lucrative mining contracts to American companies in exchange for action against Rwanda and M23.

In an interview with Fox News on 19 March 2025, Tshisekedi emphasised his desire to deepen cooperation with the U.S., citing its global influence.

“We believe that the United States, given its global standing and role, is a key partner we should work with. We are also pleased to see that under Trump’s administration, things are moving swiftly for both sides,” he said.

The DRC holds a significant share of the world’s mineral reserves, including 70% of the global cobalt supply—essential for electric vehicle batteries—along with 60% of coltan, tin, gold, and diamonds.

Tshisekedi stated that he wants to collaborate with a country that can both enhance DRC’s security and help process its minerals locally instead of exporting raw materials.

He believes that the agreements with the U.S. will help reduce poverty in DRC by creating jobs.

“We want to mine these minerals but also process them here to create more jobs. We seek partnerships that will bring lasting peace and security to our country,” he added.

When asked how these agreements would contribute to DRC’s security, Tshisekedi explained that strengthening the country’s military capabilities is a priority and that the U.S. could use its influence to pressure armed groups operating in the region.

“We must build the capacity of our security forces. I believe the U.S. has the power to exert pressure and impose sanctions to control the armed groups destabilising our country,” he said.

When asked what the U.S. stands to gain from these agreements, Tshisekedi pointed out that American tech companies would benefit from a steady supply of high-quality minerals for their advanced manufacturing processes.

China is currently the dominant player in DRC’s mining sector, controlling several mining sites across the country. Beijing has also supplied Tshisekedi’s government with military equipment, including CH-4 drones, to combat M23 rebels.

Tshisekedi recalled that in the 1970s and 1980s, the U.S. played a significant role in DRC’s mining industry. He expressed his willingness to return to those arrangements.

“They say ‘a vacuum will always be filled.’ It’s not that China has increased its presence in Africa, but rather that the U.S. has withdrawn. We would be delighted to see our American friends back, as they were more involved here than the Chinese in the 1970s and 1980s,” he remarked.

While Tshisekedi continues to push for sanctions against Rwanda, the DRC government has maintained its cooperation with the FDLR, an armed group considered a terrorist organisation.

The FDLR was founded by individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The DRC government has reportedly pledged to support the group in its objective of overthrowing the Rwandan government.

Attempting to deflect criticism of his support for the FDLR, Tshisekedi claimed that the international community had asked DRC to host “Rwandan refugees” after the genocide, which, according to him, led to ongoing instability in the country.

He now uses this argument to justify his appeal for sanctions against Rwanda.

The phone call came one day after Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed on Tuesday in their phone talks that the peace in Ukraine “will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire” in Ukraine.

U.S. and Ukraine’s “technical teams will meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to discuss broadening the ceasefire to the Black Sea on the way to a full ceasefire” in Ukraine, said a statement signed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.

Trump and Zelensky discussed the situation in Kursk and “agreed to share information closely between their defense staffs as the battlefield situation evolved,” said the statement.

During the phone conversation, Zelensky asked for additional air defense systems, particularly Patriot missile systems, and “President Trump agreed to work with him to find what was available particularly in Europe,” said the statement.

Trump also discussed Ukraine’s electrical supply and nuclear power plants with Zelensky and told the latter: “The United States could be very helpful in running those plants. American ownership of those plants would be the best protection for that infrastructure and support for Ukrainian energy infrastructure.”

Zelensky wrote on X after speaking to Trump, “One of the first steps toward fully ending the war could be ending strikes on energy and other civilian infrastructure. I supported this step, and Ukraine confirmed that we are ready to implement it.”

However, the White House statement on Wednesday did not mention that the partial ceasefire would apply to civilian infrastructure as Zelensky suggested.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed at a press briefing later on Wednesday that all intelligence sharing between the United States and Ukraine will continue.