Ingabire Joselyne, Senior State Attorney in charge of International Justice and Judicial Cooperation at the Ministry of Justice, disclosed the figures in Rubavu on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, during a campaign to raise awareness about human trafficking.
“Recent figures on human trafficking show that 297 people had been repatriated between July 2025 and June 2026. This remains a serious and concerning crime globally, as many people are lured through technology,” Ingabire said.
She added that 11 cases involving 12 people accused of human trafficking had been tried, demonstrating that the crime also occurs in Rwanda.
Speaking to IGIHE, Ingabire said the 297 people had been trafficked to four countries including Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Oman. Most of those repatriated were young people.
She said repatriated victims receive different forms of support, including medical care for six months before they are reintegrated into their families.
Residents also said human trafficking remains a growing concern, including in neighbouring countries.
Rwanda has ratified several international agreements aimed at combating human trafficking and continues to implement their provisions, although challenges remain.
Measures include prosecuting people involved in trafficking, preventing the crime through awareness campaigns, protecting victims and strengthening cooperation in the fight against human trafficking.
In the past three years, 54 people in Rwanda have been convicted and sentenced for human trafficking offences. They include 12 convicted in 2025, 18 in 2024 and 24 in 2023.
The campaign to raise awareness about human trafficking was held in Rubavu on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.Ingabire Joselyne, Senior State Attorney in charge of International Justice and Judicial Cooperation at the Ministry of Justice, disclosed the figures on Tuesday.
The meeting is expected to focus on U.S. ideas for a postwar strategy, the report said.
Citing sources, the report said Trump is expected to meet with leaders or foreign ministers from the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman. The U.S. Department of State sent out initial invitations on Wednesday.
Trump and his senior team are working on a day-after plan that is expected to be finalized after the midterm elections, according to the report.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also wanted to meet Trump in New York, but no meeting had been scheduled, Axios reported, citing an Israeli source.
Trump is expected to hold Iran talks with Gulf leaders next week.
The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office formally charged Yoon with failing to fulfill his official reporting duty under the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, despite knowing that his wife, Kim Keon-hee, had accepted high-priced gifts.
Kim was accused of accepting a luxury handbag valued at 3 million won (2,170 U.S. dollars), a cosmetics set worth 1.79 million won and premium liquor worth 400,000 won from a pastor between June and September 2022.
The prosecution initially dropped all charges against the couple in October 2024, but the case was reopened under a special counsel probe targeting Yoon’s wife.
A special police task force in charge of independent counsel referrals forwarded the case back to the prosecution with a recommendation for indictment in June.
Yoon was sentenced to life in prison in February for the insurrection stemming from his martial law declaration.
The emergency martial law was declared by Yoon on the night of Dec. 3, 2024, but it was revoked hours later by the National Assembly.
He was indicted under detention in January 2025 as a suspected ringleader of the insurrection, becoming the first sitting president to be arrested and indicted.
South Korea’s former President Yoon Suk-yeol has been indicted on charges of violating the anti-graft law.
Amb. Nduhungirehe made the remarks in an interview with Mama Urwagasabo TV published on September 15, 2026, in which he discussed what he described as the DRC government’s failure to implement the peace commitments agreed with Rwanda under the Washington Accords.
The Washington peace agreement, signed on June 27, 2025, and reaffirmed in the December 4, 2025 Washington Accords, includes commitments on the neutralisation of the FDLR and Rwanda’s lifting of defensive measures.
The implementation process is being monitored through the Joint Security Coordination Mechanism (JSCM), involving Rwanda, the DRC and international partners.
Amb. Nduhungirehe said the DRC government lacked the political will to implement its commitments, but argued that Rwanda was also concerned about what he described as a lack of impartiality by the mediator.
“There is an issue we have with the Government of Congo. But there is also another issue we have with the political will of the mediator.
“It does not make sense that the Government of Congo does whatever it wants, continues to provide weapons to the FDLR, even goes as far as organising politicians intended to give the FDLR a political face, and continues firing shells and drones at civilians in Masisi, Minembwe, Mushaki and everywhere, while the mediator does nothing about it,” he said.
Amb. Nduhungirehe said Rwanda had repeatedly informed the mediator about what it considers violations of the Washington Accords by the DRC, including alleged attacks by Congolese forces on civilians, but that the concerns had not resulted in a change of course.
“What they tell us is that they are talking to Kinshasa, that they understand what we are saying and that they are sending messages to Kinshasa. If those messages exist, they are not producing results because the attacks continue. We have never seen the Government of Congo change its policy of continuing the war,” he said.
He also questioned what he described as the mediator’s approach of communicating privately with the DRC about Rwanda’s concerns while publicly addressing allegations against Rwanda.
Amb. Nduhungirehe said Rwanda had lifted some defensive measures under the Washington process, although the United States has said Rwanda’s steps were insufficient.
“Rwanda is the country implementing what it committed to, while Congo has not started doing anything, and the mediator is watching. Congo must understand that a peace agreement is an agreement between two parties.
It has not started doing anything. On our side, there are defensive measures that we removed this year, and the Americans themselves have said so,” he said.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that although Rwanda had taken steps to lift some defensive measures, those steps were not sufficient.
Amb. Nduhungirehe argued that if Rwanda’s measures were considered insufficient, the mediator should also assess the DRC’s implementation of its own commitments.
The Washington peace agreement provides for implementation of the agreed security arrangements, including the neutralisation of the FDLR terrorist group and Rwanda’s lifting of defensive measures.
Amb. Nduhungirehe said Rwanda would continue using defensive measures if the DRC failed to neutralise the FDLR and the mediator continued, in his view, to act without impartiality.
“What we do as Rwanda, as a country, is that we will continue to defend ourselves. That is something that cannot be reversed. The Genocide against the Tutsi that happened in this country in 1994 will never happen again. We will put in place defensive measures that enable us to protect ourselves and our security, while continuing to demonstrate our willingness to implement the Washington Accords,” he said.
The Washington peace process set out a framework for the neutralisation of the FDLR and Rwanda’s lifting of defensive measures, with the parties working through the JSCM to coordinate implementation and monitoring.
At the sixth JSCM meeting in August, Rwanda and the DRC agreed to advance two initiatives aimed at strengthening monitoring and verification of implementation on the ground.
Rwanda and DRC officials are scheduled to meet in Geneva on September 16–17 for the seventh JSCM meeting to review progress in implementing the Washington Accords.
Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe says Rwanda will continue taking defensive measures to protect its security amid concerns over the DRC’s collaboration with the FDLR.
The increase amounts to $22.5 million, or nearly 643%, in one year. Spending also rose sharply from the previous quarter, when residents spent $3.9 million in Europe.
The figures are contained in the Travel Expenditure Survey 2026 published by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR).
According to the report, residents of Rwanda travelling abroad by air spent a total of $76.2 million during the second quarter of 2026. Business and professional travel accounted for the largest share, at $32.8 million.
By destination region, Europe recorded the highest expenditure, with residents spending $26 million there. Asia followed with $17.3 million, EAC countries with $13.1 million, North America with $10.3 million and other African countries with $9.1 million.
NISR estimates that travel expenditure covers money spent by residents while staying in the countries they visit, including accommodation, food and drinks, transport, shopping, entertainment, education and health services, among others. The estimate excludes the cost of international transportation.
The $26 million is an estimate rather than a figure obtained by collecting travellers’ receipts or checking their bank accounts.
NISR calculates travel expenditure by combining the number of residents returning to Rwanda from abroad, based on data from the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration (DGIE), with the average length of their stay and the estimated average amount spent per person per day.
In the second quarter of 2026, a total of 12,669 residents of Rwanda returned by air from Europe.
Of these, 5,330 had travelled for business and professional purposes, 4,735 to visit friends and relatives, 1,859 for holidays, 708 for education and 37 for medical reasons.
NISR estimates that residents travelling to Europe for business stayed for an average of 11 days. Those travelling for education stayed for 238 days, those seeking medical services for 22 days, holidaymakers for 16 days and those visiting friends and relatives for 17 days.
Daily expenditure also varied according to the purpose of travel. Business travellers spent an estimated average of $127 per day, those travelling for education $48, medical travellers $106, holidaymakers $130 and those visiting friends and relatives $78.
Using these estimates, the 5,330 business travellers who stayed for an average of 11 days and spent $127 per day accounted for approximately $7.45 million.
The 708 residents who travelled for education, stayed for an average of 238 days and spent $48 per day accounted for approximately $8.09 million.
Those travelling for medical reasons accounted for about $86,000, while holidaymakers accounted for approximately $3.87 million and those visiting friends and relatives about $6.28 million.
Combined, these estimates amount to approximately $25.8 million, which rounds to the reported $26 million.
The NISR report also shows that residents travelling abroad by land spent $23.5 million during the second quarter of 2026.
Business was the main purpose of these trips, accounting for $16.2 million in expenditure.
Together, the figures show that residents’ spending abroad varied considerably according to both their destination and the purpose of their travel during the quarter.
For many Rwandans travelling to Europe for holidays, visiting the Eiffel Tower in Paris offers an experience they do not want to miss.
The National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), in its Travel Expenditure Survey 2026, reported that between April and June 2026, international visitors who travelled to Rwanda by air for holiday purposes spent $57.6 million.
Of this amount, 79.4% was associated with gorilla tourism. Based on this share, gorilla-related tourism accounted for approximately $45.7 million.
The figure represents nearly 28% of Rwanda’s total travel service receipts of $161.8 million recorded during the second quarter of 2026.
However, the $45.7 million does not represent revenue from gorilla trekking permits alone. NISR’s calculation covers the overall spending of visitors in Rwanda, including accommodation, food and drinks, domestic transport, shopping, entertainment, visits to tourist attractions and other services.
This means visitors who come to see gorillas contribute to the economy not only through trekking permits but also through spending at hotels, restaurants, transport services, shops and other businesses during their stay.
More than 6,000 visitors came for gorilla tourism
Data from Rwanda’s Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration shows that 6,023 visitors who entered Rwanda by air in the second quarter of 2026 indicated that gorilla tourism was the purpose of their trip.
North American visitors accounted for the largest share, with 3,469 arrivals, followed by visitors from Europe at 1,008.
They were followed by visitors from other parts of the world at 590, other African countries at 412, East African Community countries at 294 and Asia at 250.
The figures highlight the importance of the North American market to Rwanda’s tourism sector.
Overall, North American visitors also recorded the highest spending among air travellers to Rwanda during the quarter, at $40.2 million.
Visitors from Europe spent $27.7 million, those from other African countries spent $27.1 million, while visitors from East African Community countries spent $22.2 million.
Tourism remains the leading source of travel revenue
Holiday and tourism trips generated the highest travel receipts in Rwanda during the second quarter of 2026.
They generated $59.7 million, representing 36.9% of the country’s total travel service receipts. Visits to friends and relatives generated $45.5 million, while business and professional trips generated $40.2 million.
Among air travellers alone, holiday visitors spent $57.6 million, compared with $37.3 million spent by those visiting friends and relatives and $33.1 million by business travellers.
Overall, Rwanda recorded $161.8 million in travel service receipts in the second quarter of 2026, up from $151.4 million in the first quarter.
Rwanda’s mountain gorillas continue to draw wildlife enthusiasts from around the world to Volcanoes National Park.
In a speech when attending the second day of BRICS summit in New Delhi, Xi also outlined concrete proposals to further strengthen greater BRICS cooperation, with a focus on emerging areas including artificial intelligence, trade, digital industries and manufacturing.
Key driver of multipolarity
Xi pointed out that when changes unseen in a century are accelerating across the world, the Global South, with its collective rise, has become a key driver of world multipolarity.
At the same time, the international landscape is volatile and fraught with risks and challenges, Xi said, adding that to bring stability to the world and make it a better place, BRICS countries must seize the historical initiative, rally the Global South, and advance the well-being of all humanity.
Global South countries should jointly defend the rule of law in international affairs, safeguard the basic norms of international relations including sovereign equality, noninterference in internal affairs, and the peaceful settlement of disputes, Xi said. It should be ensured that international law and international rules are applied to all, and free from double standards, he added.
Global South countries should hold high the banner of multilateralism, uphold the authority and role of the United Nations, and support multilateral institutions in advancing reform and increasing efficiency, Xi said.
He also called for promoting the reform of the World Trade Organization in the right direction, as well as reforming and improving the international financial architecture to increase the representation and voice of developing countries.
Global South countries should stay committed to a people-centered development philosophy and strive to deliver on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Xi said.
Global South countries should also jointly advance security governance, tackle both traditional and nontraditional security threats, and improve global climate governance, Xi said, also calling for working faster to evolve a consensus-based global AI governance framework, so that new technologies can light the way toward shared prosperity.
“It is a solidarity that unlocks partnerships, unlocks democratization of the international system, unlocks an open international system, and unlocks an inclusive international system,” said Charles Onunaiju, director of the Center for China Studies in Nigeria.
Rakhim Oshakbayev, director of the TALAP Center for Applied Research in Kazakhstan and former Kazakh vice minister for investment and development, said BRICS cooperation should “bring together developing countries’ shared aspirations and promote coordination and cooperation.”
BRICS countries should continue seeking common interests, he said, noting that the grouping’s expansion had placed greater demands on internal coordination.
Greater BRICS cooperation
During the speech, Xi proposed five initiatives on “greater BRICS” cooperation in areas of AI, trade and investment facilitation, digital industry, intelligent manufacturing, and science and technology talent development.
To accomplish great things and achieve major progress, the foundation of greater BRICS cooperation must be cemented, Xi said, calling for leveraging BRICS’ close ties with fellow emerging markets and Global South countries, upholding open cooperation for mutual benefit, safeguarding stable and smooth industrial and supply chains, and fostering a large integrated market.
“We should build incubators for innovation, upgrade traditional industries, develop emerging industries, and deploy future industries,” Xi said.
On the open source and inclusive AI initiative, Xi said that China will be a pioneer in establishing a BRICS AI open source community, support the cooperation in developing and applying large language models, hold specialized AI seminars and training courses, and build an open ecosystem for AI.
On the trade and investment facilitation initiative, China proposes to establish a BRICS special economic zone partnership, under which countries can set up an intelligent portal, coordinate policies, and build a new frontier for open development, Xi said, adding that in an effort to cultivate new drivers of economic and trade cooperation, China will hold the BRICS Forum on Trade in Services next year.
On the digital industry cooperation initiative, Xi said that China will push for establishing a BRICS digital ecosystem cloud platform, and conduct digital skills training, technological exchange and industrial alignment, so as to jointly enable the development of the digital economy.
On the intelligent manufacturing cooperation initiative, China stands ready to assist fellow BRICS countries in building smart factories and developing standards and norms, and jointly promote manufacturing transformation and upgrading, he said.
On the science and technology talent development initiative, China proposes to set up a BRICS engineer cultivation alliance for joint development of engineers and mutual recognition of competency standards, Xi said, adding that China will launch a BRICS youth exchange program for scientific and technological innovation, so as to cultivate more high-caliber talent.
The five initiatives proposed by Xi focus on key areas including technology, industry, trade and talent, providing concrete pathways to lay a solid foundation for practical cooperation among the broader BRICS community, said Serik Korzhumbayev, editor-in-chief of the Delovoy Kazakhstan newspaper.
It demonstrates China’s firm resolve to share the opportunities of its modernization, a reflection of the spirit of openness, inclusiveness and mutual benefit that underpins BRICS cooperation, he said.
Xi has outlined concrete proposals to further strengthen greater BRICS cooperation
The warning came in the WTO’s annual flagship publication, World Trade Report 2026: A Critical Juncture for the World Trading System, which examines the achievements of the multilateral trading system over the past 80 years and the challenges it now faces.
“The multilateral trading system has delivered enormous benefits over the past 80 years, helping to create a more integrated and resilient global economy,” WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said.
About 72 percent of global merchandise trade still takes place under the WTO’s most-favored-nation terms, she said.
“The global trading landscape has changed significantly but the founding logic of the system, that all economies are better off cooperating rather than acting unilaterally, remains as relevant today as ever,” Okonjo-Iweala said.
She said WTO members are actively discussing reforms and recognize that “the status quo is not an option.”
The report models three possible futures for the global trading system.
Under a strengthened multilateral framework, global GDP could rise 2.9 percent and exports 17.9 percent by 2050 compared with the baseline trajectory.
The other two scenarios envision an erosion of multilateral trade rules. In a “geo-fragmented world,” where trade cooperation is organized around geopolitical blocs, global GDP could fall 5.1 percent and exports 18.6 percent, while in a world where multilateral cooperation is replaced by a network of free trade agreements, GDP could fall 6.9 percent and exports 26.9 percent.
The difference between strengthened multilateral cooperation and erosion of the system could amount to as much as 10 percent of baseline global real GDP, WTO Chief Economist Robert Staiger said.
“If the status quo is unsustainable, as many members believe, this illustrates the potential cost of inaction on reform,” he said.
The report noted that over eight decades, the system has helped lower trade barriers, expand global trade nearly 50-fold and create a more integrated, rules-based global economy.
The World Trade Organization has repeatedly expressed concern about the economic effects of President Trump’s tariffs.
A government report covering the epidemiological situation as of Sunday said 7,258 confirmed cases had been recorded in seven provinces, including 3,510 deaths and 1,726 recoveries.
A total of 905 patients were in isolation or hospitalized, while the overall fatality rate stood at 48.4 percent.
The outbreak has affected 62 health zones across seven provinces — Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uele, Bas-Uele, Tshopo and Sud-Ubangi. Sustained transmission continued in Ituri, North Kivu and Haut-Uele, while sporadic cases were reported in Tshopo and Bas-Uele.
The overall epidemic curve was trending downward as the peak appeared to have been reached around mid-August, said Dieudonne Mwamba Kazadi, head of the National Institute of Public Health, after a strategic coordination meeting in Kinshasa on Monday.
However, he cautioned that the decline was uneven across the country, with some provinces, particularly North Kivu, still reporting increases in cases.
Declared in May, the current outbreak has become the largest and deadliest Ebola epidemic in the DRC’s history and the second-largest globally, behind the 2014-2016 epidemic in West Africa.
The outbreak has affected 62 health zones across seven provinces in DRC.
According to a European Commission document seen by Reuters, the proposal is part of a planned EU Kids Act that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU technology chief Henna Virkkunen are expected to present this week.
The proposal would introduce different levels of access based on age. Children aged 15 and above would be allowed to create their own accounts, while those aged 13 and 14 could access social media and video-sharing platforms through parental permission, with controls on contacts and screen time.
Children aged 3 to 12 would have access only to child-friendly services under parental control, while those under three would have no access.
The European Commission said the approach should allow children to benefit from digital services while protecting them from abuse and exploitation.
Under the proposal, technology companies would also be required to verify users’ ages, limit addictive designs and harmful content feeds, and provide tools for reporting harmful material and parental controls.
Companies would also pay a supervisory fee to support regulatory enforcement.
Reuters reported that the proposal could still change before being formally presented and would require agreement with EU member states and the European Parliament before becoming law.
The European Union is set to propose restrictions preventing children under 15 from accessing social media.
