Author: Théophile Niyitegeka

The decision was made following the presentation of a report by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Security, which assessed the suitability of the nominees.

Among those approved is Lt Gen (Rtd) Emmanuel Karenzi Karake, who was nominated as Rwanda’s ambassador to China.

Presenting the committee’s findings, Senator Murangwa Ndangiza Hadidja said Karenzi Karake brings extensive experience and expertise that will enable him to effectively carry out his diplomatic duties.

His previous roles include serving as a consultant at the Ministry of Interior, advisor to the President of the Republic, Secretary-General of the National Intelligence and Security Service, and Commander of the Rwanda Peace Academy, among other senior positions in the Rwanda Defence Force.

Karenzi Karake said he intends to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation between Rwanda and China, with a focus on security, technology, trade, industry, and existing partnership agreements between the two countries.

Maj Gen Aimable Bayingana, who was approved as Rwanda’s ambassador to Israel, has also held several senior positions, including chairing a committee on the history of Rwanda’s liberation struggle, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Air Force Chief of Staff, and Vice Chairperson of the National Itorero Commission.

He said he will focus on learning from Israel’s innovation systems, strengthening security cooperation, preserving the history of the Genocide against the Tutsi and combating its denial and distortion, and promoting technology-driven agriculture.

He also emphasized the importance of attracting Israeli agricultural experts to Rwanda, arguing that this would be more effective than sending Rwandans abroad for training. He further highlighted the need for Rwanda to learn from Israel’s vocational education system.

Col (Rtd) Jeannot Ruhunga was approved as Rwanda’s ambassador to Poland.

He previously served as Secretary-General of the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) and Head of Military Intelligence in the RDF, among other roles.

Ruhunga said he will focus on providing accurate information about Rwanda to European countries, many of which, he said, still hold misconceptions about the country.

He also pledged to learn from Poland’s development model, strengthen cooperation in education, improve social welfare collaboration, and identify new areas of partnership between the two countries.

Ambassador Christine Nkulikiyinka will become Rwanda’s first resident ambassador to Spain. Until now, Rwanda’s representation in Spain was handled through its embassy in France.

As the new ambassador, she pledged to contribute to the implementation of defense cooperation agreements between Rwanda and Spain, attract Spanish investors to Rwanda, explore opportunities for Spanish universities to open branches in Rwanda, and strengthen cooperation on gender equality, among other priorities.

Senator Murangwa also noted that senators urged the new ambassadors to play a role in combating genocide ideology, learn from their host countries, and strengthen cooperation in key sectors such as education.

Senator John Bonds Bideri said the nominees have the experience and capacity needed to fulfill their responsibilities.

“There is no doubt they have the willingness to serve their country. Many of them contributed to the liberation of Rwanda and have continued to serve in different capacities over the years. Their appointment gives us confidence that they will perform well,” he said.

Senator Sosthène Cyitatire noted that the ambassadors have a strong commitment to serving their country, given their long history of public service since the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

He also welcomed the decision to appoint ambassadors with military backgrounds to key countries such as China, Israel, and Poland, saying modern diplomacy increasingly includes military diplomacy.

He said, “It was a timely decision because modern diplomacy today includes military diplomacy.”

Among other appointments approved by the Senate were Florien Habiyaremye Rurihose, who was reappointed as Deputy Chief Gender Monitor in Charge of Gender Mainstreaming; Maximilien Byilingiro, appointed Director General of the Energy Utility Corporation Limited (EUCL); and Michelle Umurungi, appointed Deputy CEO in charge of investments at the Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB).

The DRC national football team secured a historic 1-1 draw against Portugal in its opening match at the FIFA World Cup.

Tshisekedi, who watched the match from the stadium, saw Les Léopards earn their first-ever World Cup point and score their first goal in the tournament. The DRC is making only its second World Cup appearance, 52 years after its debut.

Instead of focusing solely on the team’s achievement, Tshisekedi later addressed members of the Congolese diaspora in the United States, linking the result to the ongoing conflict in his country.

He praised the players for their performance despite the challenges facing the DRC, saying many had expected them to struggle against a Portuguese side featuring global football star Cristiano Ronaldo.

Turning to politics, Tshisekedi claimed that his government had identified individuals collaborating with the AFC/M23 coalition, which controls large parts of eastern DRC. He said he had initially believed such collaborators were based only in Rwanda but had discovered they had also infiltrated Kinshasa.

“Do not betray your country. Sorcerers exist. We thought they were only in Rwanda, but they have infiltrated our country.”

Tshisekedi said that after the rule of Mobutu Sese Seko, the DRC had a good leader in Laurent-Désiré Kabila, but that later those he called enemies entered their country and removed him from power, installing someone he referred to as a “dog” and training him to do what they wanted.

In addition to targeting Joseph Kabila, Tshisekedi told Congolese citizens living in the United States that, in the near future, they would retake the cities of Goma and Bukavu, which have been outside government control for more than a year.

“I am confident that in the coming days, the whole of Congo will be liberated,” he said. “Our brothers and sisters in Goma and Bukavu will celebrate with us. We have learned lessons from what has happened and must now build something stronger.”

Reacting on X, Rwanda’s government spokesperson Yolande Makolo said the DRC team’s performance had united and inspired Africans, but Tshisekedi had chosen to undermine the occasion.

“The Leopards gave Africa a moment of great joy during their opening World Cup match. President Tshisekedi chose to spoil that moment by insulting Rwandans and Congolese alike and, while on U.S. soil, declaring his intention to continue military offensives in eastern DRC.

“Tshisekedi not only exploited a remarkable sporting achievement for petty political purposes, but his belligerent rhetoric also demonstrates disregard for both the letter and spirit of the Washington Agreement,” she said.

The Washington Agreement, signed between Rwanda and the DRC on December 4, 2025, outlines measures aimed at addressing security concerns in the region. It includes commitments by the DRC to dismantle the FDLR, a terrorist group responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Once those measures are implemented, Rwanda is expected to lift defensive measures taken along its border. The agreement also includes provisions on refugee repatriation.

Beyond security, the deal provides for deeper economic cooperation between the two countries. Rwanda and the DRC are expected to strengthen collaboration on the Rusizi III hydropower project, a 206-megawatt plant expected to supply electricity to more than 300,000 people. The $800 million project is scheduled for completion by 2030.

The agreement also promotes cooperation in the minerals sector, encouraging both countries to move beyond raw mineral extraction toward local processing and value addition. It further calls for harmonized regulations to enhance the security and transparency of mineral trade.

In addition, the agreement envisages joint efforts to extract methane gas from Lake Kivu and convert it into electricity. Despite the signing of the deal, implementation on the Congolese side has reportedly been slow.

The Rwandan government maintains that both countries have significant opportunities to benefit from cooperation and believes that fully implementing the Washington Agreement could contribute to lasting peace in the region.