While addressing the UK Parliament on February 26, 2025, Lord Collins was questioned about the brutal murder of 70 Christian worshippers by ADF militants.
Reports indicate that the victims, mainly women and children, were taken hostage before being killed with machetes and hammers. Their bodies were later discovered inside a church in Lubero Territory, North Kivu province.
In response to inquiries from UK lawmakers about Britain’s stance on the killings and whether the issue had been raised with international organizations, Lord Collins mentioned Amb. Nduhungirehe.
“The reality is that we are trying to ensure that all crimes committed in these incidents are properly investigated so that those responsible are held accountable. When I met the Foreign Minister of Rwanda in Geneva this morning, he denied all these accusations about things happening,” he said.
Amb. Nduhungirehe swiftly denounced these remarks, calling them unacceptable.
“This level of ignorance, confusion, and misinformation by Lord Collins, UK Minister of State for Africa, is insulting and UNACCEPTABLE!” he posted on X.
“He was asked in the House of Commons a specific question about 70 Christians who were killed with machetes and hammers by ADF, a Ugandan terrorist organization affiliated with ISIS, in Kasanga, Lubero Territory, North Kivu. And yet, he dares to respond by saying, ‘When I met the Foreign Minister of Rwanda this morning, he denied all those crimes happening’?”
Nduhungirehe further emphasized that the ‘UK government will have to formally answer about it’.
Relations between Rwanda and the UK have deteriorated in recent months, particularly after Britain accused Rwanda of allegedly supporting the M23 rebels, who have been engaged in conflict with the DRC’s armed forces.
Despite Rwanda’s rejection of the allegations and its calls for the DRC to address its internal challenges without shifting blame, the UK has taken sides and imposed sanctions on Rwanda, further straining diplomatic ties.
The ministry denounced the move as “unexpected and unjustified,” noting it violated Article 8 of a bilateral accord requiring prior consultation on diplomats’ visa exemptions.
“The Algerian authorities were not informed beforehand, as stipulated by mutual agreement,” the ministry said in a statement.
It accused France of caving to domestic political pressures, including far-right influence, and warned against dragging Algeria into “France’s internal conflicts,” saying such actions risked “unintended consequences for all aspects of bilateral relations.”
The measures, announced by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Tuesday, limit entry and movement in France for Algerian officials carrying diplomatic or service passports.
Barrot described the restrictions as “reversible” pending improved cooperation on migration, according to French media.
The dispute comes amid longstanding tensions over migration. Paris has repeatedly accused Algiers of refusing to repatriate Algerian nationals expelled from France, including Franco-Algerian influencers facing trial for allegedly inciting violence.
Israeli authorities are conducting DNA tests to confirm the identities of Shlomo Mansour, Ohad Yahalomi, Tsachi Idan, and Itzik Elgarat, who were abducted during the October 7, 2023, attacks.
The exchange took place early Thursday, with Palestinian prisoners receiving a welcome in the West Bank and Gaza.
This marks the final exchange under the current ceasefire phase, which is set to end on Saturday.
Israel has previously criticized Hamas for the treatment of hostages during handovers, accusing the group of public humiliation. Sources indicate that this time, Hamas complied with Israel’s demand for a private transfer.
Among Palestinians to be freed are more than 400 Gazans detained during the war and 50 prisoners serving life sentences.
Footage showed buses departing Israeli prisons and arriving in Palestinian territories, where families and supporters gathered to celebrate.
The hostage exchange comes amid uncertainty over whether the ceasefire will be extended or transition into a second phase, which could involve the release of all remaining living hostages in Gaza in exchange for additional Palestinian prisoners.
Negotiations for the next phase, initially expected to begin during this round, have yet to commence.
Meanwhile, thousands in Israel attended the funeral of Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, who were killed while in captivity.
The meeting aimed to prepare for the 19th African Conference of Commandants (ACoC), which is scheduled for November 2025 to discuss ways of enhancing military professionalism in Africa through education, training, and development of officers.
The meeting was officially opened by Brig Gen Andrew Nyamvumba, the Commandant of the Rwanda Defence Force Command and Staff College and current Chairman of ACoC, and attended by Maj Gen Stephen Mnkande, the Commandant of the Command and Staff College of Tanzania and Air Commodore Maghidr Nouri Ahmed, the Commandant of the Libyan Command and Staff College, with their accompanying delegations.
In his remarks, Brig Gen Nyamvumba underscored the importance of cooperation in military training and education, noting it as a paramount avenue in addressing security challenges across the African continent and beyond.
“As we convene here for the TROIKA Meeting, I reiterate the importance of cooperation in military training and education among African colleges. This cooperation is crucial for strengthening our collective capacity to address the complex security challenges that our continent faces.
“The professionalism of African defence forces is paramount, and our efforts must be directed towards enhancing ready commanders and staff responsible for ensuring security and stability across our continent, and by extension globally,” said Brig Gen Nyamvumba
The 19th African Conference of Commandants will bring together Commandants of Defence Colleges from Algeria, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Guinea Conakry, Kenya, Malawi, Morocco, Namibia, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola, South Africa, Nigeria, Sudan and Ghana with TROIKA members which are Rwanda, Libya, and Tanzania.
On the same day, Major General Yousef A. Al Hnaity, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Jordan Armed Forces (CJCS-JAF), visited the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) headquarters in Kimihurura, where he was received by the RDF Chief of Defence Staff, Gen MK Mubarakh.
He also took the opportunity to pay a courtesy call on the Minister of Defence, Juvenal Marizamunda.
Their discussions focused on reviewing and enhancing bilateral cooperation between the defence forces of their countries.
IGP Namuhoranye was invited as the resource person in the 5th Conference and Retreat for Nigeria Senior Police Officers, held on Tuesday, February 25, and presided over by the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima.
The conference and retreat are held under the theme: “Improving Nigeria’s Internal Security and Economic Prosperity through Inclusive Policing.”
IGP Namuhoranye said that achieving internal security requires close cooperation and collaboration of security agencies and the public.
“Homeland security is based on public peace and stability. No law enforcement agency can achieve much without the cooperation, trust and partnership of the citizens it serves. Therefore, the cooperation of the Police and the citizens in maintaining security should not be an option but a necessity,” IGP Namuhoranye said.
In Rwanda, he said, security activities and collaboration with the population are a catalyst for security, well-being of the citizenry and sustainable development.
It serves as a premier platform showcasing agricultural and livestock products, farming equipment, and innovations in agricultural technology. The event also highlights key developments and advancements in the sector over the years.
Rwanda is represented by the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB), the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), and the Rwandan Embassy in France, which plays an active role in coordinating the country’s participation.
At the exhibition, representatives from Rwandan companies involved in agricultural trade and exports are engaging with major international agribusiness firms to explore market expansion opportunities, foster trade partnerships, and exchange industry insights.
As part of these efforts, Ann Christin Ishimwe, Head of Sales & Marketing at Kinazi Cassava Plant Ltd, and Janet Basiima, Head of Market Development and Innovation at NAEB, visited Phoenix International, a leading French company specializing in importing and distributing fresh fruits and vegetables worldwide.
In an interview with IGIHE, Phoenix International manager Bikoo Prem expressed his admiration for Rwandan coffee and honey, indicating a strong interest in importing these products to introduce them to his customer base.
Prem also praised the improved packaging of Rwandan agricultural products, emphasizing its role in maintaining quality.
“Packaging is crucial as it enhances the value of the product, ensures proper preservation, and protects it from air exposure or contamination. It also facilitates transportation by air, sea, or road,” he noted.
Another key engagement was with TAI YAT, a French enterprise specializing in exotic food imports.
The company’s Associate Director, Marc Lao, also commended the packaging of Rwandan products and expressed interest in establishing trade relations.
Discussions between with Ann Christin Ishimwe of Kinazi Cassava Plant Ltd resulted in promising prospects for future collaboration.
{{The photos below show Ann Christin Ishimwe, the Market Manager at Kinazi Casava Plant Ltd, alongside Janet Basiima, the Head of the Market Development and Innovation Department at NAEB during discussions on the sidelines of the trade fair}}
Gilmore secured the win in a sprint finish, mirroring his triumph in Stage Two in Musanze.
This victory marks his second stage win in the Tour du Rwanda.
As a result, Rwanda, particularly Musanze and Rubavu, will always hold a special place in his memory as the locations where he celebrated his first professional victories.
Eric Manizabayo of Java-InovoTec was the highest-placed Rwandan, finishing ninth in Rubavu, just six seconds behind the winner.
The top seven riders, including yellow jersey holder Fabien Doubey, all completed the stage in 2 hours, 55 minutes, and 14 seconds.
Officially inaugurated on February 24, 2025, at INES-Ruhengeri, the center aims to help individuals understand and effectively exercise their rights, contributing to sustainable development.
The initiative was introduced by Dr. Nfor Nyambi, a law lecturer, in collaboration with INES-Ruhengeri.
He was inspired to establish the center after observing similar initiatives successfully operating in various African universities, particularly at the University of Pretoria.
Dr. Nyambi noted that, apart from existing centers at the University of Rwanda, there was a gap in other universities regarding dedicated human rights initiatives.
Consequently, INES-Ruhengeri took the lead in establishing CHRIS to advance human rights and sustainable development.
As the newly appointed Executive Director of CHRIS, Dr. Nyambi explained that the center will operate based on four main pillars: education and training, research, advocacy, and collaboration with civil society organizations.
Emphasizing that human rights are everyone’s responsibility, Dr. Nyambi highlighted CHRIS’s role in raising awareness and empowering citizens to understand and exercise their rights.
CHRIS consists of law students from INES-Ruhengeri who will engage in evidence-based research, conduct training sessions, and collaborate with various institutions to enhance human rights protection.
The center is expected to significantly contribute to improving the well-being of citizens and collaborating with the government on policy development related to human rights protection and preservation.
The Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission, Umurungi Providence, expressed strong support for the initiative, describing it as a commendable effort with great potential to advance human rights advocacy.
She further stated that the center will enable young law students to play a crucial role in educating and promoting human rights awareness within Rwandan society.
Tim Nkurunziza, the head of the law students’ association at INES-Ruhengeri, emphasized that CHRIS will help students enhance their research skills and deepen their understanding of effective human rights advocacy.
The majority of CHRIS members are faculty and students from the law department at INES-Ruhengeri.
Additionally, CHRIS has an advisory committee composed of renowned human rights experts from Africa and beyond.
Among them are Prof. Antoinette Elia, a Spanish human rights specialist, and Me Felix Nkongo Agbobala, a prominent Cameroonian lawyer known for his work in human rights law, among others.
In a statement shared on X, Nyombayire accused global actors of ignoring Rwanda’s long-standing calls for a political solution while enabling DRC’s leadership to evade accountability.
“Unlike what the international community will have you believe, the idea that a political solution is necessary to solve the conflict in Eastern DRC is far from new. It is what Rwanda has been calling for, for YEARS. It is exactly what President Tshisekedi has openly and REPEATEDLY refused to do. And we will not join you in pretending otherwise,” she wrote.
Nyombayire argued that the selective international outcry is not driven by genuine concern for the DRC but by a decades-old geopolitical calculation that disregards Rwandan lives.
“The underlying message of the selective outcry is not that there is a sudden genuine concern for the plight of a country that everyone knows is a failed state. The message is clear: the decision made 30 years ago—that the lives of Rwandans are expendable in the face of geopolitical interests—still stands today,” she stated.
Nyombayire accused the Congolese leadership of taking advantage of this dynamic, benefiting from international backing while continuing to recruit armed groups, including the FDLR, a militia responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
“That is why the leadership of DRC is enjoying the perks of sharing the same interests as their masters: talk crazy, recruit genocidaires and European mercenaries to fight your wars, sit back, relax, and let the international community bury the real issue,” she wrote.
According to Nyombayire, those pushing for de-escalation are in fact advocating for a return to a system that allows DRC’s elite to profit while Rwanda faces ongoing security threats.
“What every resolution and statement is calling for is an immediate return to business as usual: a nation that must remain a lawless playground where leaders get their cut to go buy castles in Brussels, the international community thrives off the business of peacekeeping and poverty alleviation programs, and their companies protect their profits,” she asserted.
Highlighting the glaring double standards, she noted that the same countries backing DRC would never tolerate the kind of threats Rwanda has endured for decades.
The continued misrepresentation of the conflict, she argued, serves powerful interests rather than the people of either country.
“Every country throwing its weight behind DRC knows they would never tolerate a fraction of the kind of security threats Rwanda has been facing for 30 years,” she noted, adding, “The gaslighting is deliberate because the truth is bad for business. It turns out that in this equation, the citizens of either country don’t actually matter, and in the end, their goal is NOT in fact a path to peace.”
The situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has deteriorated since 2021, when the M23 rebel group resumed fighting to defend the rights of marginalized Rwandophones and Tutsi communities.
Instead of addressing the root causes of the crisis, the DRC government has consistently shifted blame onto Rwanda, accusing it of backing the rebels.
These claims have been amplified by the international community, despite Rwanda strongly rejecting them as false.
Kigali continues to advocate for a political solution to the conflict, as recommended through regional initiatives, including the joint East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit.
Tensions escalated further as M23 forces advanced, capturing key cities such as Sake and Goma in North and South Kivu provinces.
Amid growing insecurity, Rwanda has reinforced its border security in response to clear indications that a coalition of forces, including the DRC army and the terrorist group FDLR, is planning an attack. This follows years of repeated attempts to destabilize Rwanda.
In 2022 alone, the FDLR, armed with weapons supplied by the DRC government, launched attacks on Musanze District in March, May, and June. Two years earlier, RUD-Urunana, an offshoot of the FDLR, had killed 14 Rwandans in the same area.
As pressure mounts, Rwanda has criticized those calling for sanctions against it, arguing that such measures unfairly target a country taking necessary steps to protect its borders and citizens.
The Rwandan government maintains that sanctions have never resolved the long-standing security crisis in eastern DRC and will not do so now.
This initiative aims to enhance skills, workforce training, and research and development to support the continent’s goal of manufacturing 60% of its vaccines locally by 2040.
The effort aligns with decisions by African Union leaders to expand the Partnerships for African Vaccine Manufacturing (PAVM) mandate beyond vaccines to include medicines, diagnostics, and other essential health products.
Financial support for this vision has been substantial, with more than $3.5 billion pledged by global donors and development finance institutions.
The African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA) is expected to unlock $1.2 billion over the next decade, while Afreximbank has committed $2 billion to strengthening Africa’s health product manufacturing sector.
A recent Africa CDC survey identified 574 manufacturers across the continent, including 25 engaged in vaccine production. Ten of these already have installed capacity, and by 2030, three African manufacturers are expected to produce and secure World Health Organization (WHO) Prequalification for eight vaccines, expanding supply for the continental market and beyond.
The RCCN Secretariats were formally introduced during the 2nd Vaccines and Health Products Manufacturing Forum in Cairo, held from February 4 to 6, 2025.
In his keynote address, Africa CDC Director General, Dr, Jean Kaseya, hailed the initiative, describing it as a game-changer for workforce development in biomanufacturing.
Following a rigorous evaluation process, leading institutions were selected to coordinate efforts in each region, with Institut Pasteur du Maroc and The Unified Procurement Authority leading in North Africa, the Africa Biomanufacturing Institute in East Africa, Institut Pasteur de Dakar in West Africa, and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in Southern Africa.
These networks will address one of Africa’s biggest challenges in vaccine manufacturing: the shortage of skilled professionals in biomanufacturing, research and development, and regulatory affairs.
By linking training institutions, manufacturers, and regulatory authorities, the RCCNs will establish structured programs to build a sustainable and well-equipped workforce.
One of the sector’s biggest obstacles has been the lack of hands-on learning opportunities, such as internships and structured workplace training, which are essential for creating a steady pipeline of skilled professionals.
Expanding education in biomanufacturing, research, and regulatory affairs will be central to the initiative, aligning with Africa CDC’s Vaccine Research and Development and Vaccine Manufacturing Competency Frameworks.
Dr. Chiluba Mwila, Talent Development Lead for Africa CDC’s Platform for Harmonised African Health Manufacturing, emphasized the urgent need to quadruple Africa’s current 3,000 vaccine manufacturing and R&D employees to meet its production targets.
He pointed out key challenges, including limited educational programs, brain drain, and fragmented funding. The RCCNs aim to tackle these issues by developing a skilled workforce to support the continent’s growing vaccine and health product manufacturing sector.
Beyond technical expertise, the initiative also focuses on integrating sustainable business and operational models into workforce development. According to Dr. Abebe Genetu Bayih, Coordinator of the Platform for Harmonised African Health Manufacturing, the goal is to create an environment where Africa CDC and its partners can coordinate training programs effectively and sustainably.
Strengthening collaboration between research institutions and industry stakeholders will also ensure that Africa’s vaccine manufacturing ecosystem remains innovative and globally competitive.
