In December 2023, the Brussels Court of Assizes convicted Twahirwa of genocide, war crimes, intentional murder, and the rape of women, all of which he committed in Gatenga and Gikondo while he was a leader of the Interahamwe militia in 1994.
His lawyer, Me Vincent Lurquin, told the BBC that Twahirwa had recently been moved from prison to receive medical care at Saint-Luc Hospital in Brussels. Lurquin said he had visited him before his death and found him in critical condition.
He explained that Twahirwa had been suffering from cancer in his leg, a condition he developed after an accident in the 1980s. He also had diabetes, and his health deteriorated significantly during his time in prison.
During his trial, several witnesses testified about the atrocities Twahirwa committed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, including killing Tutsis and encouraging other militia members to rape Tutsi women.
Twahirwa was a cousin of Agathe Kanziga, the wife of former President Habyarimana.
The resolution, adopted on Friday with 14 votes in favor and one abstention by the United States, replaces the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
The move supports Somalia’s ongoing efforts to transition national security responsibilities to its own forces.
Under the mandate, African Union member states are authorized to deploy up to 12,626 personnel, including 1,040 police officers, until June 30, 2025.
By that date, the realignment of all AU troops from ATMIS to AUSSOM must be completed.
The mission will provide support to the Somali government in combating Al-Shabaab and other groups affiliated with the Islamic State.
The authorization will last for 12 months, marking a critical phase in Somalia’s path toward enhanced security and stability.
Illinois and Hawaii led the surge, with Illinois experiencing a 116.2% increase, driven by an influx of migrants in Chicago.
Migrants and asylum seekers made up over 13,600 people in emergency shelters across the region. Hawaii saw an 87% rise, with the aftermath of the Maui wildfires displacing thousands.
Massachusetts and New York reported increases exceeding 50%, with New York City noting that asylum seekers accounted for nearly 88% of its rise in sheltered homelessness.
Meanwhile, California remained home to nearly a quarter of the nation’s homeless population, with 66.3% of its homeless living in unsheltered conditions.
Family homelessness rose 39% nationwide, disproportionately affecting children and people identifying as Black or African American.
Experts point to the ongoing affordable housing crisis, the end of eviction moratoriums, and a lack of investment in housing solutions as key contributors to this alarming trend.
HUD Secretary Adrianne Todman emphasized the importance of evidence-based efforts to address homelessness, highlighting the urgency of tackling a crisis that continues to deepen across the country.
Held in Dakar, Senegal, the games saw Rwanda achieve remarkable success, winning a total of six medals: four gold and two silver.
The Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration secured two gold medals in men’s football and volleyball. The Rwanda Energy Group (REG) triumphed in women’s basketball, while the Rwanda Revenue Authority claimed victory in women’s volleyball.
Additionally, the University Teaching Hospital of Butare (CHUB) earned a silver medal in women’s basketball, and the Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC) won silver in men’s volleyball.
Minister Mukazayire has via X account celebrated these accomplishments and reiterated Rwanda’s commitment to excelling in sports.
“Sports among public servants, private sector entities, and civil society organizations is vital. It provides opportunities for competition and winning for Rwanda. Our goal is for Rwanda to become a model in sports while leveraging its potential for development,” she posted.
The next edition of the African Workers’ Games is set to take place in Algeria next year.
The collaboration focuses on providing loan guarantees through BDF, particularly for clients who lack sufficient collateral. The partnership agreement was signed on December 24, 2024.
The Managing Director of Atlantique Microfinance Plc, Mohamed Aarouch, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting that it would enable the institution to expand its customer base and foster mutual growth.
Mary Lambasha, the Deputy Managing Director of Atlantique Microfinance, emphasized that the agreement is a significant milestone in making financial services more accessible.
She pointed out that the partnership would benefit a wide range of clients, especially those with no collateral or insufficient assets, opening up opportunities for individuals who previously struggled to secure loans due to collateral limitations.
Munyeshyaka Vincent, the CEO of BDF, noted that the collaboration addresses a key challenge of lacking collateral faced by many customers.
He explained that the partnership would allow both institutions to serve a larger group of clients while also strengthening Atlantique Microfinance’s ability to provide loans to more individuals.
Additionally, the partnership is expected to help Atlantique Microfinance increase its client base, leading to a rise in available loan funds, which in turn supports the institution’s financial growth.
BDF will also offer financial management training to Atlantique Microfinance’s clients to help them fully capitalize on the benefits of the partnership.
Since its arrival in Rwanda in 2019, Atlantique Microfinance has built a strong reputation for promoting inclusive financial services. The institution is part of AMIFA Holdings, based in Morocco, which is affiliated with Banque Centrale Populaire du Maroc (Groupe BCP).
AMIFA Holdings operates in several other African countries, including Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Guinea, Madagascar, and Rwanda.
Atlantique Microfinance currently operates six branches in Rwanda and plans to open additional branches to further expand its presence.
The company’s headquarters are located in Nyarugenge District, at Yyussa City Center, also known as Makuza Peace Plaza.
Holy Doors, found in significant churches, are traditionally opened during Jubilees, symbolizing a passage to divine mercy, forgiveness, and spiritual renewal.
Walking through a Holy Door is considered a powerful act of faith, representing a fresh start and the embrace of God’s grace.
As part of the Jubilee of Hope, Pope Francis chose to open the Holy Door at the prison after inaugurating the first one at St. Peter’s Basilica.
Speaking to the prisoners, in front of the prison’s chapel, the Church of Our Father, the Pope emphasized the importance of opening hearts to hope, reminding them that hope never disappoints.
As he celebrated a Mass, he encouraged those present to reflect on their own hearts, urging them to avoid hardness and embrace tenderness.
As the Holy See Press Office noted in a statement, at the end of the Mass, Prisoners and guards presented the Pope with symbolic gifts, including a miniature Holy Door made from wood salvaged from migrant boats.
In return, Pope Francis offered a commemorative parchment, leaving a message of hope and renewal that transcends the prison walls.
The partnership focuses on capacity-building, innovation, and knowledge exchange, aligning with Rwanda’s ambition to become Africa’s leading technology hub.
The MoU was signed by Yves Iradukunda, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, and Jin Jinqing, the Managing Director of Huawei Technologies Rwanda.
The agreement aims to nurture digital talent through initiatives in sectors like agriculture, healthcare, education, and public services, with a special focus on empowering youth.
Iradukunda highlighted the Rwandan government’s dedication to fostering a technology-friendly environment for global companies such as Huawei, while simultaneously creating opportunities for young people.
He also mentioned that Kigali is positioning itself as a regional hub for proof-of-concept projects, promoting innovation to tackle Africa’s challenges.
Jinqing affirmed Huawei’s goal of nurturing thousands of ICT talents in the coming years by expanding collaborations with local partners, launching new training programs, and enhancing internship and recruitment initiatives.
The company also plans to tap into Rwanda’s university talent pool to develop solutions in areas like artificial intelligence, smart cities, and clean energy. Huawei will provide top-tier ICT training through the Huawei ICT Academy, competitions, and the LEAP Digital Talent program.
Huawei Technologies, founded in 1987 and headquartered in Shenzhen, China, has over 200,000 employees across more than 170 countries.
In 2023, it earned over $100 billion, with a 34.3% growth in the first half of 2024, reaching $60 billion.
According to reports, the project aims to generate an estimated 300 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually, tripling the output of the Three Gorges Dam, which produces 88.2 billion kWh.
With an investment exceeding 1 trillion yuan ($137 billion), this ambitious endeavor will be the largest infrastructure project globally.
Beijing sees the dam as a critical step toward its carbon neutrality goals and a response to global climate change challenges.
The Yarlung Tsangpo River, originating in Tibet, flows into India and Bangladesh, where it is known as the Brahmaputra.
The tradition of Boxing Day is believed to have originated in Britain during Queen Victoria’s reign ( between 1837 and 1901) , under the reign of Queen Victoria.
Its name is derived from the practice of giving “Christmas boxes” to servants, tradespeople, and the less fortunate. These boxes were filled with money, gifts, or leftovers from the Christmas feast and were distributed as a gesture of gratitude and goodwill.
December 26th was chosen because it coincided with St. Stephen’s Day, a Christian holiday commemorating St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr known for his acts of charity. This blending of secular and religious traditions laid the foundation for Boxing Day as we know it.
The concept of Boxing Day was initiated by the wealthy households of Victorian England. In an era where servants often worked tirelessly on Christmas Day to ensure their employers’ celebrations went smoothly, Boxing Day provided an opportunity for them to spend time with their own families.
On this day, employers showed their appreciation by presenting their staff with boxes containing gifts, food, or monetary bonuses. Similarly, tradespeople who had served households throughout the year were also given Christmas boxes as a token of thanks.
Over time, the essence of Boxing Day evolved, especially as societal structures shifted. While the original tradition of giving Christmas boxes has largely faded, the day has retained its association with generosity and sharing.
In many countries, it has become a public holiday marked by various customs. In the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, Boxing Day is a time for families to relax, enjoy leftovers from Christmas dinner, and engage in outdoor activities. Sporting events, particularly football matches and cricket games, are a significant part of the day’s festivities, drawing large crowds and fostering a sense of community.
Boxing Day has also become synonymous with shopping in modern times. In much the same way that Black Friday follows Thanksgiving in the United States, Boxing Day is known for its sales and discounts.
Beyond the sales and sports, the heart of Boxing Day remains tied to its spirit of generosity. Charitable acts and community service are still common, with many people using the day to volunteer, donate to those in need, or spend time with loved ones.
The incident, described by Interior Minister Mohammed Abdul Rahman as a “treacherous attack,” underscores the ongoing challenges facing the transitional government.
According to reports from the local Al-Watan newspaper, the attackers were labeled as “remnants” of the ousted government.
The ministry stated that the officers were engaged in efforts to safeguard civilians and ensure public safety at the time of the ambush.
However, additional details about the perpetrators or the circumstances remain undisclosed.
This attack comes in the wake of Bashar al-Assad’s regime’s collapse earlier this month, an event that has intensified sectarian tensions across Syria.
