Entire villages built with mudbrick homes collapsed, leaving many residents buried under the rubble. Rescue teams have struggled to reach survivors because roads were destroyed by landslides, aftershocks continue to shake the region, and heavy rain has made conditions worse.
Helicopters and ground units have been deployed to evacuate the injured and deliver emergency supplies.
One survivor, Ziaul Haq Mohammadi, a student studying in Jalalabad, described the panic: “We spent the whole night in fear and anxiety because at any moment another earthquake could happen.”
According to Reuters, the country’s health system is overwhelmed. Sharafat Zaman, spokesperson for Afghanistan’s health ministry, appealed for urgent support.
“We need it because here lots of people lost their lives and houses,” he said.
With limited hospitals and medical supplies, doctors and nurses are struggling to treat the growing number of casualties.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) also raised concerns about the challenges facing rescue teams.
“The area of the earthquake was affected by heavy rain in the last 24–48 hours … many of the roads are impassable,” Kate Carey, a UNOCHA officer explained.
She added that aid workers are racing to clear debris and even remove animal carcasses to prevent water contamination, highlighting the multiple risks facing survivors.
The Taliban administration has formally appealed for international aid, stressing that Afghanistan cannot handle this crisis alone.
Humanitarian funding for the country has already dropped sharply in recent years, making the situation even more dire. Several countries have pledged support, with India sending tents and food supplies and China promising to provide additional assistance.
This earthquake is one of the deadliest to strike Afghanistan in recent years. With thousands displaced and entire villages destroyed, survivors now face a second crisis of hunger and disease.
The initiative was highlighted by a landmark visit from Pakistan’s Foreign Minister to Dhaka, the first such visit in over ten years. The visit signaled a willingness on both sides to reopen dialogue and find new ways to work together.
According to Al Jazeera, Pakistan’s approach reflects a changing regional environment, with both countries searching for stronger positions in a time of shifting alliances.
Speaking during the visit, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister said, “We are here to turn a new page. Our people share deep ties, and we believe cooperation with Bangladesh is essential for regional peace and prosperity.”
Bangladesh’s interim leadership has also shown cautious openness. Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Advisor of Bangladesh, responded by noting the potential benefits for both nations. “Bangladesh seeks partnerships that will bring growth and stability to our people,” he said. “If cooperation with Pakistan serves those goals, we are ready to explore it.”
Still, the history between the two countries remains difficult. The memory of the 1971 Liberation War, which led to Bangladesh’s independence, continues to cast a shadow. Dhaka has long called for greater accountability from Islamabad, but both sides are now focusing more on practical issues such as economic development and regional security.
Experts point out that the timing of this diplomatic outreach is significant. With India still the dominant power in South Asia, Pakistan and Bangladesh both see value in broadening their options and strengthening their positions. For Pakistan, improved ties with Dhaka could provide much-needed diplomatic and economic gains. For Bangladesh, engagement with Islamabad could serve as a way to diversify alliances and secure new opportunities.
The ceremony was attended by Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara, Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani, and members of the AfDB Group’s Board of Governors.
Ould Tah delivered the oath of office with solemnity. After taking the oath, he signed the written version, which was officially certified by Ludovic Ngatse, minister of economy, planning, and regional integration of the Republic of the Congo, also chair of the Board of Governors of the AfDB.
Ould Tah was elected the ninth president of the bank on May 29, securing more than 76 percent of the vote, the highest first-term margin in the bank’s history.
Elected for a five-year term, the new AfDB president outlined four strategic pillars — to unlock Africa’s financial resources, to reform and strengthen the continent’s fiscal sovereignty, to turn demography into a dividend, and to build resilient infrastructure.
Ould Tah, 60, is introduced on the AfDB website as a seasoned economist and development banker with more than 40 years of experience in banking, as well as economist and ministerial roles in Africa and the Global South.
Founded in 1964, the AfDB has 81 member countries, comprising 54 African countries and 27 non-African countries.
The contribution is part of a long-term partnership between Liquid Intelligent Technologies and Imbuto Foundation, aimed at protecting the memory of the genocide through education and the use of digital technology.
Activities include teaching young people about Rwanda’s history through initiatives such as Igihango cy’Urungano and applying modern technology to conserve evidence and artifacts stored at memorial sites.
The partnership, now in its fourth year, is based on a 10-year commitment in which Liquid pledged to contribute up to USD 1 million toward these efforts.
Sam Nkusi, Chairman of Liquid Intelligent Technologies, emphasized the importance of digital preservation in ensuring younger generations understand and remember the country’s past.
“The purpose is to make sure we always remember, especially the youth. We are all growing older. Tomorrow, if this history is not strengthened, documented, and preserved in accessible places, how will Rwanda’s future generations, or even foreigners, know it? The goal is to make sure the truth endures forever,” he said.
Nkusi also noted that the partnership has already borne fruit, as four Rwandan genocide memorials have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. He called on other private sector actors to join efforts in safeguarding Rwanda’s history.
Dr. Jean Damascène Bizimana, Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, reiterated the significance of protecting national memory.
“This collaboration with Liquid Intelligent Technologies and Imbuto Foundation is important because it is our responsibility, as Rwandans, to protect and preserve our history. In this digital era, where social media gives space to those who distort and deny facts, repeated lies can have lasting effects. That is why we must ensure the truth is preserved and widely shared,” he said.
Dr. Bizimana stressed that it is the duty of today’s generation to leave behind a strong legacy for the youth.
“We must hand down to young people and future generations a truthful record of our past. That is why part of our strategy is to continue developing genocide memorials into complete repositories of history. It is not easy, but it is possible, making sure evidence is preserved and accessible to anyone who visits,” he noted.
Shami Elodie, Director General of Imbuto Foundation, welcomed the continued collaboration, praising its impact in educating youth and supporting memorial conservation.
As part of the ongoing program, the Ntarama Genocide Memorial in Bugesera District has already been upgraded.
The next project will focus on the Nyange Genocide Memorial in Ngororero District, which holds significant historical records of atrocities in that area.
The works, estimated at Frw 100 million, are expected to be completed by June 2026.
Through the Facilitated Collective Action Process (FCAP), community members undergo six months of training designed to empower villagers to make decisions, manage resources, and implement development projects of their choice.
The process ensures that every resident has a voice in village planning, while grants provided by Spark support initiatives in economic development, governance, and social cohesion.
Each participating village receives between Frw 8 million and Frw 12 million, disbursed in two phases — 60% upfront and 40% later based on performance. The funds are invested in community-selected projects ranging from farming to housing and income-generating activities.
Vestine Yansayidiye, a resident of Musekera village, is among members who described how Spark changed their lives.
“When Spark came to our village in 2014, I joined a savings group and borrowed Frw 20,000. I bought two piglets and some rabbits. As they reproduced, I sold the livestock and earned about Frw 500,000, which I used as capital for business,” she said.
Yansayidiye explained that the profits allowed her family to stop renting and build their own house through the community group Twihute mu Iterambere.
“Now I also contribute to household needs, not everything depends on my husband,” she said.
Vestine has since purchased six plots of land worth Frw 8 million, and her assets from Spark-supported projects now exceed Frw 12 million.
Maria Nyirabarinegura, also from Musekera, shared a similar journey: “Before Spark, I lived in a house with a tiled roof. Today, I own a beautiful house worth Frw 5 million and rear livestock.”
She borrowed Frw 100,000, invested it in farming and pig rearing, and used the profits to build her home and expand into poultry and cattle. She emphasized that livestock farming boosted crop yields through access to manure, which was previously unavailable.
According to Alphonse Sikubwabo, president of Twihute mu Iterambere, Spark’s support enabled the roofing of 142 houses, each family receiving 20 roofing sheets.
“Beyond Spark’s support, we also contributed, with every household adding Frw 1,000. This helped us achieve even more,” he said.
The roofing initiative saw each family receiving 20 roofing sheets, costing over Frw 21.9 million, funded through group lending, farming, and savings.
The community also invested Frw 6.5 million for further improvements including sand flooring.
Founded in 2010, Spark Microgrants is a U.S.-based international NGO operating in eight countries, including Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, Ghana, Liberia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Malawi.
Speaking on September 1, 2025, at the opening of the 2025/26 judicial year, Mukantaganzwa noted that courts handled more than 109,000 cases out of over 182,000.
During the year, 106,254 new cases were filed, adding to 76,273 unresolved from the previous year, bringing the total workload to 182,527.
Of the new cases, 63,457 (60%) were registered in Primary Courts, while 42,797 (40%) went to Intermediate Courts, the Commercial Court, and High Courts. Substantive cases accounted for 85% (90,044), while bail hearings made up 15% (16,210).
Courts managed to conclude 109,192 cases, including 92,880 substantive cases and 16,312 bail-related hearings. On average, each judge resolved 26 cases per month.
Mukantaganzwa highlighted that when mediation and plea bargaining are included, a total of 124,204 cases were resolved in 2024/25.
Despite this achievement, 58,323 cases were left unresolved by year’s end, with nearly half (26,862) pending for more than six months and therefore considered backlog.
Mukantaganzwa pointed to public perceptions as a key driver of persistent backlogs: “Many citizens believe disputes can only be settled through full trials that produce winners and losers. Others refuse to accept court rulings and push cases through every stage of appeal, which extends delays.”
According to judiciary reports, backlogged cases stood at 44,799 in 2023/24 (59% of the total), showing a 10% reduction over the past two years. Mediation and plea bargaining have also grown, with 15,012 cases settled this way in 2024/25, representing 14% of new filings.
Justice Minister Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja emphasized Rwanda’s commitment to alternative dispute resolution.
Cases handled through court-based mediation rose from just 243 in 2021 to more than 3,000 in 2024/25. Since 2022, over 7,000 cases have been resolved through mediation.
He said the government aims to reduce backlog to 30% and expand mediation and plea deals to cover at least 30% of cases.
“Citizens must embrace a culture of amicable dispute resolution, which delivers faster, less costly justice and avoids overburdening the courts,” he said.
The mission, which began on August 25, 2025, was organized under a cooperation agreement between the Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA) and Congo-Brazzaville’s Société de Promotion Immobilière (SOPRIM).
It was led by Dr. Julio Nganongo Ossere, Director of the Ministry’s Office of Construction and Urban Housing, accompanied by four technical experts.
Throughout the visit, the delegation toured several institutions and projects across the country, including Rubavu District, the Ministry of Infrastructure (MININFRA), and the Rwanda Housing Authority, where they were received by Director General Alphonse Rukaburandekwe.
They also visited Kigali City, where they were introduced to the KUBAKA platform, a digital system designed to simplify, speed up, and improve the process of applying for and obtaining building permits.
Dr. Nganongo praised Rwanda’s use of digital platforms in service delivery, noting that Congo-Brazzaville intends to adopt a similar system beginning in 2026.
“This system used in Rwanda has been a valuable lesson for us, as we also have plans to roll out such a platform. We are impressed and confident that the knowledge shared by our Rwandan counterparts will guide us in making this a reality,” he said.
The partnership between RHA and SOPRIM was formalized on November 24, 2021, with the aim of strengthening collaboration in housing, urban planning, and the development of affordable, modern housing.
The visiting officials described the exchange as an opportunity to draw inspiration from Rwanda’s achievements in sustainable urbanization and citizen-focused service delivery.
Gen Omega, who once vowed he would only return to Rwanda “when no Tutsi lives there,” has escaped death during numerous offensives against the FDLR. These operations claimed the lives of several senior commanders, including Sylvestre Mudacumura, who was killed in 2019.
Since 2022, when M23 rebels intensified attacks, Gen Omega and the FDLR fighters protecting him have frequently shifted positions. They moved from Tongo in Rutshuru Territory, located within Virunga National Park, to Rusayo, then advanced to Bambiro in Masisi Territory, and to several other locations.
In September 2024, the Congolese army (FARDC) launched large-scale assaults in Rusayo and Shovu, claiming the operations targeted senior FDLR commanders, including Gen Omega. At the time, the Congolese government was under mounting international pressure to dismantle the terrorist organization.
However, it later emerged that, before the offensive began, Maj Gen Peter Cirimwami Nkuba, then governor of North Kivu Province, secretly warned the FDLR.
As a result, the group’s fighters and senior leaders, including Gen Omega, managed to escape quietly toward Kanyamahoro. Instead, the strikes ended up hitting fighters from the APCLS militia led by Janvier Karairi, rather than the FDLR’s top command.
{{Is Gen Omega still alive?}}
On January 25, reports circulated widely on social media claiming that Gen Omega, the Commander of FDLR-FOCA, had been killed by AFC/M23 fighters.
At first, the reports were widely believed, but later accounts indicated that he might still be alive.
The FDLR/FOCA spokesperson, Cure Ngoma, dismissed the claims of his death, saying: “The reports about our military leader’s death are false. He is perfectly fine, at work, and carrying out his duties as usual.”
On the morning of March 1, new reports emerged that AFC/M23 was preparing to hand over captured FDLR fighters to Rwanda, including one with the rank of General, though his identity was not immediately confirmed.
The senior officer handed over at that time turned out to be Brig Gen Gakwerere Ezechiel, former Secretary-General of the FDLR. He was accompanied by Major Ndayambaje Gilbert, also known as Rafiki Castro.
Following this handover, journalists were eager to ask AFC/M23 leaders whether Gen Omega was among those in custody. The coalition’s deputy spokesperson, Dr. Balinda Oscar, responded that they had never captured him.
Speaking to IGIHE, Dr. Balinda said: “As for Gen Omega, you will know his fate soon. We are still looking for him. I personally reached his bunker at Kanyamahoro, beneath Mount Nyiragongo. It was empty, neither he nor his body was found there.”
These conflicting accounts, from Cure Ngoma’s claims of Omega’s survival to Dr. Balinda’s assertion that he was missing but not confirmed dead, suggest that, with the support of the Congolese government, Gen Omega may still be alive. Nevertheless, his whereabouts remain shrouded in mystery.
{{Where is Gen Omega?}}
As confusion continued to surround the fate of Gen Omega; Rwanda Defense Force spokesperson, Brig Gen Ronald Rwivanga, told Jeune Afrique in March 2025 that he had not been handed over to Rwanda. At the time, there were reports that AFC/M23 had captured another senior FDLR officer.
On August 21, 2025, the Commander of RDF forces in Western Province, Maj Gen Eugène Nkubito, addressed residents of Rubavu District, saying that Gen Omega should return to his homeland instead of hiding in the forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“The children and wife of FDLR leader, Pacifique Ntawunguka, are here in Rwanda. Did you know that? … I would advise him, as his children often say, to come back home if he truly wants to live, rather than dying miserably in the bush. Tell me, what is he doing in those forests? What does he hope to achieve?” Maj Gen Nkubito wondered.
According to a United Nations group of experts’ report published on July 3, 2025, intensified AFC/M23 offensives forced Gen Omega and other top FDLR commanders to abandon their positions near Mount Nyiragongo and inside Virunga National Park.
Currently, FDLR fighters are reported to be scattered across several areas including Binza in Rutshuru Territory, parts of Walikale Territory, Uvira in South Kivu Province, and even in Bujumbura. However, the UN experts did not disclose the whereabouts of Gen Omega himself.
Pacifique Ntawunguka was born in 1964 in Gasebeya Sector, Gaseke Commune, Gisenyi Prefecture, today part of Ngororero District in Rwanda’s Western Province.
He attended primary school in Gaseke and secondary school at Rwankeli in the current Nyabihu District before enrolling at Collège Christ Roi in Nyanza. Later, he pursued military training at ESM (École Supérieure Militaire) in Kigali. After ESM, he furthered his education in aviation in Egypt, Greece, and France.
As an officer in the defeated Ex-FAR, Ntawunguka was sent abroad for further aviation training in Egypt, Greece, and France. Between 1990 and 1994, he held the rank of Lieutenant.
When the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi began, Omega was leading the 94th Battalion operating in Mutara. He was defeated by the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) and sustained a leg injury during the fighting before retreating to Kigali.
Following the defeat of the former Rwandan Armed Forces (FAR), Omega fled to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) along with other ex-FAR members.
They later established the FDLR in 2000. Since the killing of Sylvestre Mudacumura in 2019, Ntawunguka has served as the commander of FDLR/FOCA.
Over the years, efforts were made to persuade Ntawunguka to return to Rwanda, but he consistently refused.
The opening night was marked by loud applause for Ballet IREBERO, a Rwandan dance troupe whose performance offered a powerful prelude to a rich programme of artistic expression from across Africa.
Speaking at the inauguration, Yvette Umutangana, representative of the Rwandan community and member of Afrika Unity, expressed gratitude to partners and the city’s authorities, while setting out the ambitions of the week-long celebration.
“For a full week we will celebrate Africa’s richness: music, dance, art, culinary workshops and much more,” Umutangana said.
She reminded the audience that “African culture” is not a single entity but a vast tapestry of social practices, beliefs, languages, traditions and culinary specialties across the continent and its diaspora.
Umutangana also highlighted the indispensable role of the City of Bruges in making the festival possible.
“Without the City’s help, this would not have been possible,” she noted, extending special thanks to Mayor Dirk de Fauw, Nico Blontrock (Alderman for Culture), and other committed partners.
Umutangana also praised the cooperation with Limited Afrika Unity, partner organisations, and especially the volunteers whose dedication she described as “indispensable” for the event’s success.
Afrika Unity, the driving force behind the festival, has set clear goals: strengthening social ties, promoting intercultural cooperation, and reaching the widest possible audience in Bruges.
“Let us enjoy together: taste, dance and celebrate. In doing so, we build bridges between Africa and Belgium,” Umutangana concluded, inviting the public to attend the upcoming events.
From 1 to 7 September, visitors can explore the Rwanda stand, which highlights the country’s beauty through artworks and exhibitions.
Beyond Rwanda, Afrika Week offers a colourful programme of concerts, dance performances, exhibitions, culinary workshops, and conferences—an opportunity to experience the plurality of African cultures while reinforcing social cohesion in the heart of Bruges, Belgium.
Known for his masked appearances and propagandist videos, Abu Obeida whose real name was reported as Hudhayfa al-Kahlut had become the voice of Hamas’ military campaigns for years.
He was particularly prominent after the October 7, 2023 attacks, during which Hamas militants stormed into Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages.
Israeli officials described his elimination as a major symbolic and operational blow to Hamas’ communication strategy.
Military spokespeople stated that Obeida had not only served as a mouthpiece but also played a role in coordinating propaganda efforts that encouraged violence and sought to project strength during Israel’s continuing offensive in Gaza.
The announcement of Obeida’s death coincided with a high-level meeting of Israel’s security cabinet.
Ministers met to discuss widening the Gaza offensive, particularly into densely populated urban areas. According to reports, the session focused on strengthening the military’s operational scope rather than considering a ceasefire.
The absence of any discussion on negotiations has sparked growing anger among families of Israeli hostages, many of whom fear for their loved ones’ lives as fighting escalates.
Demonstrations were reported outside government buildings, where relatives demanded that securing the release of captives remain a top priority.
Over the weekend, the Israeli military intensified strikes across Gaza City, officially declaring it a “combat zone.”
At least 43 Palestinians were confirmed killed between Saturday and Sunday, many of them in airstrikes and others while attempting to collect desperately needed humanitarian aid.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels. The United Nations estimates that more than 90% of the population has been displaced, with families forced to move multiple times in search of safety.
Aid agencies report that hundreds of people, including children, have died from hunger and malnutrition, as food, water, and medical supplies remain critically scarce. The ongoing blockade and restrictions on aid delivery have intensified fears of famine spreading further.
Israel’s actions in Gaza have drawn sharp criticism from humanitarian groups and international observers. The expansion of strikes into crowded neighborhoods has raised alarms about compliance with international law, particularly regarding the protection of civilians.
Meanwhile, infrastructure projects under way in southern Gaza initiated by Israeli authorities—are being criticized as measures that could amount to forced displacement of Palestinians, further complicating prospects for peace.
For Israel, the killing of Abu Obeida is being presented as a victory that undermines Hamas’ ability to project power through media and psychological warfare. For many Palestinians, however, his death is likely to be portrayed as martyrdom, reinforcing narratives of resistance in the face of overwhelming military pressure.
