Speaking on July 18, 2025, Kanyuka stated that despite ongoing political negotiations between the DRC government and other stakeholders in Qatar, military preparations are continuing on the ground with the help of foreign forces, notably Burundian troops.
He alleged that Burundi is once again engaging in hostile military activities in the region, disregarding past defeats.
“Burundi’s army is repeating the same mistakes as before. It has deployed a battalion of 520 soldiers through Nzibira toward Bukavu to reinforce its forces in the Rusizi Valley,” Kanyuka revealed.
He said this move is part of a broader military coalition mobilized by Kinshasa, which has positioned troops in key areas of South Kivu, while others are arriving from Pinga in Walikale, Lubero, and Kisangani in Tshopo Province to attack AFC/M23 positions.
“Many soldiers are moving from Kalemie to Uvira, and from Bujumbura to Shabunda and Kisangani. This week, their coalition launched intense assaults on our positions,” Kanyuka stated.
He emphasized that AFC/M23 retains the right to defend itself and protect civilians, vowing to neutralize any threats to the stability of areas under its control.
Kanyuka’s warning comes as UN experts, in a May 2025 report, confirmed the presence of 7,000 to 9,000 Burundian troops operating in the Rusizi Valley and near the Minembwe highlands in eastern DRC.
Meanwhile, Burundi’s Minister of Defense, Alain Tribert Mutabazi, speaking on July 15, insisted that his country’s forces are only present in eastern Congo to preserve peace, secure borders, and fight armed groups operating in North and South Kivu.
AFC/M23 sees these deployments as a direct provocation and a threat to the fragile stability of the region.
In his keynote remarks, Fu Hua, forum chair and president of Xinhua News Agency, said greater BRICS cooperation has played a critical role in unifying Global South countries, boosting their influence in global affairs, and driving reform in global governance.
As the forum enters its second decade, Xinhua is committed to working with its BRICS counterparts to tell the Global South’s stories more effectively, promote joint research on major issues, and deepen professional collaboration, Fu added.
Zhu Qingqiao, Chinese ambassador to Brazil, in a congratulatory letter, praised the forum’s inclusion of discussions on artificial intelligence and highlighted its role in advancing the outcomes of the 17th BRICS Summit.
Zhu expressed hope that the event would further position BRICS as a platform for South-South cooperation and a voice for reform in global governance.
Other speakers echoed their calls. Carlos Hernandez, president of the Central American Parliament, said global governance is in urgent need of new models and new voices.
“The countries represented here today have shown the way forward: one grounded in equitable development, dignity, and multilateralism,” he said.
Mikhail Gusman, first deputy director-general of TASS Russian News Agency, noted that BRICS nations reflect the diversity of emerging economies.
Facing growing global media challenges, BRICS media cooperation has an important role in defending truth, justice and peace, he said.
Tia Ju, vice president of the Legislative Assembly of the state of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, praised China’s efforts to unite Global South countries and emphasized the need for media collaboration to increase international visibility and influence for BRICS.
Yeidckol Polevnsky Gurwitz, chair of the Asia-Pacific Foreign Relations Committee of the Mexican Senate, said that Mexico shares with BRICS a vision of inclusive growth and fair trade.
“We cannot allow external interference in our development paths. Together, we must build a multipolar world,” she said, referencing China’s concept of building a community with a shared future for humanity.
The forum concluded with the release of a think tank report titled “BRICS Cooperation: Advancing the Collective Progress of the Global South” and the launch of two major initiatives: Global South Joint Communication Partnership Program and “Tapping into BRICS, Voices from the South” Content Collaborative Project.
The forum marked the first full meeting of the BRICS media mechanism since the bloc’s historic expansion and was co-hosted by Xinhua News Agency and Brazil Communication Company under the theme “BRICS United: Forging a New Chapter for the Global South.”
According to a statement released on July 17, this financing approved by the Board of AfDB on July 14, 2025, will be bolstered by an additional €86.92 million (more than Frw 143 billion) from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), bringing the total program cost to €260.76 million (over Frw 433 billion).
This marks the AfDB’s second result-based energy sector operation in Rwanda, following a $305 million program in 2018, underscoring Rwanda’s commitment to performance-based financing to bridge its power infrastructure gaps.
Aligned with Rwanda’s Energy Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP II 2024–2029), the RBF II program is designed to enhance quality of life, spur economic growth, and alleviate poverty through targeted energy sector investments.
The program focuses on three key areas, namely: modernising and expanding the electricity grid, increasing access to both on-grid and off-grid electricity and clean cooking technologies, and building technical and institutional capacity.
It aims to connect 200,000 households and 850 productive use customers to the national grid, provide 50,000 new off-grid electricity connections, distribute clean cooking devices to 100,000 households and 310 public institutions, and install street lighting across 200 km of roads in Rwanda’s secondary cities.
As a cornerstone of the AfDB’s High-5 priority areas—“Light up and Power Africa” and “Improve the Quality of Life of the People of Africa”—the RBF II program also supports the ambitious Mission 300 Initiative, a joint effort by the AfDB and the World Bank to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030.
This initiative complements Rwanda’s remarkable strides in expanding electricity access.
According to a recent report by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), household access to electricity significantly increased, from 34% in 2017 to 72% in 2024.
The findings, published in the Seventh Integrated Household Living Conditions Survey (EICV7) on April 16, 2025, show that 50% of households are now connected to the national grid, while 22% rely on standalone solar systems.
While urban areas experienced an increase in household electricity access from 76% to 88%, the growth in rural areas has been even more substantial. Access in rural areas dramatically increased from 24% in 2017 to 65% in 2024.
Notably, electricity access has also improved for the lowest economic segment, with 53% of households in the lowest quintile now having access, compared to only 9% in 2017.
The files were submitted by Jean Kuete, secretary general of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) party.
Kuete told reporters after officially submitting the files that CPDM is “fully ready for the election any time”.
On Sunday, Biya, 92, officially announced that he will run for the upcoming presidential election. He became president in 1982, and was re-elected president in 1984, 1988, 1992, 1997, 2004, 2011 and 2018.
The Elecam said that Biya is among some nine political leaders who have already submitted their application files for the election.
The deadline to submit the application is July 21, according to the country’s electoral code. Cameroon’s presidential election is scheduled for Oct. 12.
The Secretary-General expressed deep appreciation for Tetteh’s leadership and dedicated service during her tenure. Her contributions were particularly noted in advancing peacebuilding and diplomatic engagement across the volatile Horn of Africa region.
Guang Cong brings over 23 years of experience in United Nations peace operations, with much of his work focused on the Horn of Africa. He is currently serving as Deputy Special Representative (Political) for South Sudan and Deputy Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
From 2016 to 2020, he served as Director of Civil Affairs in UNMISS, having earlier held leadership roles in several other UN missions. These include his tenure as Chief of Civil Affairs in the UN-African Union Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), and earlier posts in Jonglei State, Blue Nile State, and Abyei under the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS).
His extensive international service also includes work as Chief of Political Affairs and Chief of Staff at the United Nations Special Coordinator’s Office in Lebanon (2012–2014) and as a senior field officer with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) between 2002 and 2009.
Before joining the UN, Mr. Cong held a diplomatic career with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Shanghai International Studies University and a Graduate Certificate from China Foreign Affairs University. In addition to his native Chinese, he speaks fluent English.
Mr. Cong is expected to bring deep regional knowledge and diplomatic experience to his new role at a critical time for the Horn of Africa, a region facing complex challenges ranging from conflict and displacement to climate-driven crises.
Camp Geille, the largest French military installation in Senegal located in the capital Dakar, and the French air detachment at Dakar’s international airport were officially transferred to the Senegalese authorities at a ceremony attended by Mbaye Cisse, chief of General Staff of the Senegalese Armed Forces, and Pascal Ianni, commander of French forces in Africa.
At the ceremony, Ianni said that the handover of Camp Geille marked the end of France’s permanent military presence in Senegal and the beginning of a new phase in bilateral military cooperation.
For his part, Cisse said that the Senegalese government is updating its defense and security cooperation framework, with a core focus on supporting the autonomous development of Senegal’s military.
“The future direction of Senegal-France cooperation will depend on the political will of both governments and must also show greater respect for Senegal’s sovereignty,” he added.
French troops have been present in Senegal since the country gained independence in 1960.
On Dec. 31, 2024, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye urged French forces to leave the country, while delivering his New Year’s address.
In recent years, several African nations, including Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad and Cote d’Ivoire, have urged the withdrawal of French and U.S. troops and the handover of their military bases.
Through early antenatal care and improved hospital access, Rwanda has made remarkable progress. Hospital deliveries now account for 95% of births, maternal mortality has dropped from 1,070 per 100,000 live births in 2000 to 203, and newborn mortality is down to 19 per 1,000.
Infant and under-five mortality rates are 33 and 45 per 1,000, respectively.
By 2030, Rwanda aims to reduce maternal deaths to 126 per 100,000 births, or even 70. This progress is driven by more than 140 medical specialists nationwide, with over 200 expected in the next four years, thanks to training in teaching hospitals.
One of the key figures in this transformation is Dr. Emmanuel Nshimiyumuremyi, an obstetrician-gynecologist and maternal-fetal medicine specialist trained in Rwanda, the UK, Vietnam, and the U.S. His field focuses on managing high-risk pregnancies and fetal conditions.
“Some risks, such as pregnancy-induced hypertension, can now be identified as early as the third month,” Dr. Nshimiyumuremyi explained. “When caught early, we can prevent up to 90% of such cases. Out of ten at-risk women, nine can avoid complications through timely medication.”
This condition, one of the top three causes of maternal death, can damage the mother’s kidneys or lead to brain hemorrhage, sometimes resulting in the death of both mother and child.
{{First fetal blood transfusion in Rwanda}}
In a groundbreaking procedure, Dr. Nshimiyumuremyi and his team at the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK) recently performed Rwanda’s first fetal blood transfusion. A pregnant woman from a district hospital presented with an unusually growing belly.
At CHUK, doctors discovered not only excess amniotic fluid but also severe fetal anemia caused by Rh incompatibility, a condition where the mother’s immune system attacks the baby’s red blood cells.
“We began transfusions at six months and delivered at nine,” Dr. Nshimiyumuremyi said. “The baby was treated in neonatal care and survived, something people thought was only possible abroad.”
The success was made possible by skills acquired through training, and availability of specialized tools that can support over 100 such patients.
This milestone was also backed by AI-powered ultrasound machines that can detect fetal abnormalities in real time, devices recently introduced to CHUK.
“We once dreamed of this technology when training abroad. Now it’s here in Rwanda, and it’s changing everything,” he said.
Blood quality also posed a challenge. Fetal transfusions require small, high-quality blood units rich in red cells. Dr. Nshimiyumuremyi worked with the Rwanda Biomedical Centre’s blood division to increase red cell concentration from 40% to 70%, making the transfusion possible.
{{Genetic testing and fetal surgery}}
Looking ahead, Dr. Nshimiyumuremyi envisions the launch of a genetic testing laboratory capable of diagnosing inherited disorders like Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) before birth. Current machines can detect indicators, but the goal is to collect fetal samples and analyze them for early, accurate diagnoses.
The project includes acquiring microarray technology, which detects cellular mutations and helps guide future pregnancies with data-driven decisions.
Another major innovation under consideration is fetal surgery, particularly for twins sharing a placenta. Known as monochorionic twins, they risk unequal blood flow, a potentially fatal condition for one or both babies.
“We can detect this at four months and plan to use laser technology to separate shared blood vessels,” he said. “If we succeed, Rwanda could be among the first African nations to offer this procedure.”
The process involves using a camera and laser through a small incision to separate the connecting vessels without harming the babies or the mother, a method successfully practiced in countries like Vietnam.
{{Remaining challenges and hope ahead}}
Despite remarkable progress, Dr. Nshimiyumuremyi observes that challenges remain. Rwanda needs more specialists in maternal-fetal medicine (CHUK currently has just one, but needs at least five), and the public still lacks awareness of high-risk pregnancy conditions.
Other risks include pregnancy-induced hypertension, postpartum bleeding, and surgical infections.
But the momentum is clear. Rwanda is no longer simply managing pregnancies, it is diagnosing, treating, and protecting life before it even begins.
The multi-phase operation, which began in late May, will comprise four scheduled field visits over the course of one year by joint teams from both entities.
The assessment is the initial phase of a comprehensive programme in Socotra, aiming over the next two to five years to reduce mortality related to poor health and malnutrition by 20 percent through an integrated approach to strengthen the health system. The baseline assessment covered 38 enumeration areas (villages) across 29 sub-districts of Socotra.
As per preliminary results, 93 percent of targeted health facilities were surveyed. Data were collected from 4,214 households as part of the household listing process. Field teams conducted over 930 caregiver interviews, and took anthropometric measurement from eligible children and mothers, exceeding the initial target, and facilitated 12 focus group discussions with diverse community groups.
All 15 planned key informant interviews with relevant and multi-sectoral stakeholders including local and national authorities, donor and UN agencies were completed.
The teams also conducted 546 client exit interviews to gather beneficiary feedback on the services provided, exceeding the initial target.
The baseline assessment will now move into the data cleaning, verification and analysis phase, paving the way for a final report that will reveal the current status of the maternal and child health and nutrition status of the community and the readiness and performance of the health facilities, including for health emergencies preparedness and response to guide evidence-based planning for the next phases of intervention, helping ensure that response activities align with identified community needs and health facilities priorities.
Upcoming stages of the joint project implementation include the procurement and distribution of medical and non-medical supplies, recruitment and deployment of technical experts and service providers, technical training programmes and community awareness campaigns. Activities will be implemented in coordination with WHO, the Ministry of Public Health and Population and other partners, ensuring alignment with national health strategies.
The efforts reflect the UAE’s data-driven humanitarian approach, implemented in partnership with leading international health organisations to create sustainable impact and improve public health indicators among vulnerable populations.
The hotel’s General Manager, Médiatrice Umulisa, said the recruitment exercise aims to identify young professionals who will deliver high-quality service and contribute to the hotel’s success.
“We want to give young people an opportunity to learn, grow, and make a real impact in the hospitality industry,” she said. Umulisa added that the selected candidates from the 140 participants will receive training before officially starting work.
Melissa Uwimpuhwe, one of the participating students, described the opportunity as a major step for aspiring professionals in the sector.
“This five-star hotel brings real opportunities for students like us. If selected, it will be a chance to gain experience and contribute to Rwanda’s tourism and hospitality industry,” she said.
The Minister of Public Service and Labour, Christine Nkulikiyinka, praised the hospitality sector for its role in job creation and economic development, encouraging the private sector to invest in young talent.
“The hospitality and tourism sector plays a vital role in national development and youth employment. We encourage young people to take advantage of these opportunities and demonstrate professionalism,” she said.
The revamped Mövenpick Kigali now features 124 rooms, including premium suites, up from the previous 100. The hotel, previously rated three stars, has now achieved five-star status and will open with an estimated 160 staff members.
“We are vigilant and will not tolerate any act to destabilize the elections,” Nji told reporters at the start of the first bi-annual conference of regional governors 2025, which brought together governors of the 10 regions of the country to deliberate on how to best organize presidential election scheduled for Oct. 12.
“As the primary authorities in charge of law and order at the local level, you are expected to use your expertise and experience to take necessary measures before, during and after this presidential election to ensure that it runs smoothly, and more importantly, to make the population feel the State’s presence, and support all parties involved in the electoral process,” Nji told the governors.
The minister expressed concerns that local media were fueling political disorder in the build up to the election. “Programs and debates are organized just to sabotage government actions, vilify members of government, preach tribal hatred, promote terrorism and other irresponsible slogans,” he said, adding that the government was working on “mechanisms” to check excesses in the media.
Officials said that additional security measures will be taken to maintain peace and order before, during and after the election.
