The initiative was unveiled on Friday, July 24, 2026, in Nyamata Sector, Bugesera District, where First Lady Jeannette Kagame inaugurated the first Imbuto Hub.
The Bugesera hub will provide a wide range of free services, including counselling on health and wellbeing, sports and recreation, digital skills, vocational training, early childhood care, and other community-focused programmes. The services are designed to benefit children, youth and adults.
Although the programme has begun in Bugesera, Imbuto Foundation plans to expand it to Kicukiro, Rwamagana and Muhanga districts in the next phase.
The foundation also intends to establish at least one Imbuto Hub in every district over the next five years to improve the wellbeing of families across the country.
As part of the initiative, the Kimisagara Youth Centre has already been renovated and equipped to offer the full range of services available at an Imbuto Hub.
The Imbuto Hubs project was conceived as Imbuto Foundation marked its 25th anniversary, representing a new approach to bringing essential services closer to communities.
The Bugesera hub features sports facilities, recreational spaces, areas for community engagement, a library, and child-friendly spaces for young children, whether accompanied by parents or on their own.
The hubs will also host business and entrepreneurship advisers, innovation mentors, development partners and accomplished professionals who can inspire and guide young people.
Older youth will have access to vocational training in areas such as tailoring, hairdressing, carpentry, handicrafts, and literacy, among other skills. The specific vocational courses and services offered at each hub will be tailored to the needs of the surrounding community.
Speaking at the launch, Imbuto Foundation Director General Elodie Shami said the establishment of Imbuto Hubs is intended to strengthen families and communities by creating spaces where people can learn, connect and thrive.
She said this will be achieved through sports, recreation, early literacy programmes for children, technology and other community-based activities.
“This is the culture we want to build. It is not just the culture of Imbuto Foundation; it is something that is rooted in the community,” she said.
Shami stressed that the initiative is about more than constructing buildings.
“Buildings alone do not transform the wellbeing of families. It is people and our partners who make that happen. That is the journey we are inviting everyone to join. We are not simply asking for support to build structures; we are asking people to be part of building stronger families and communities,” she said.
Bugesera District Mayor Richard Mutabazi described the project as a major milestone for youth development, talent promotion and good governance.
He said the initiative was developed after assessing the needs of children and young people, resulting in facilities that include sports grounds, recreational spaces and other community services.
“Previously, young people in Bugesera had limited access to sports infrastructure, and the facilities that existed were outdated,” Mutabazi said.
“We are delighted that our youth now have a modern centre that will help them expand their knowledge, foster innovation and prepare them to contribute to the country’s development,” he added.
The newly launched Imbuto Hub in Bugesera will provide free services ranging from health counselling and digital skills training to sports, recreation and vocational education.The Imbuto Hubs initiative was conceived as Imbuto Foundation celebrated its 25th anniversary, introducing a new community-centred approach to family development.The Bugesera Imbuto Hub features modern sports facilities, a library, child-friendly spaces and community learning areas designed to strengthen family wellbeing.Children, youth and adults are expected to benefit from the wide range of free programmes offered through the Imbuto Hub in Bugesera.Imbuto Foundation Director General Elodie Shami says the Imbuto Hubs initiative is designed to strengthen families by creating spaces where communities can learn, connect and thrive.
The four-day workshop, held from 20–23 July 2026 at UR-CST in Kigali, brought together 50 researchers, laboratory scientists, veterinarians, public health professionals, and academics from Rwanda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, and South Africa. Supported by funding from ICGEB and the University of Rwanda, the programme equipped participants with advanced knowledge and practical skills in molecular biology, genomics, bioinformatics, and integrated AMR surveillance.
Opening the workshop on behalf of the Dean of the School of Science, Prof. Banzi Wellars welcomed participants to the University of Rwanda and emphasized the importance of investing in scientific capacity to address AMR as one of today’s most pressing public health challenges. He encouraged participants to make the most of the opportunity to learn from leading experts and to build lasting professional networks that will strengthen AMR surveillance and research across the region.
Representing ICGEB, Prof. Stefano Cacciatore reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting scientific excellence and capacity development in its member countries. He encouraged participants to take advantage of ICGEB’s research grants, fellowships, and training programmes that promote innovation and international scientific collaboration.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, Prof. Dieudonné Mutangana, ICGEB Liaison Officer in Rwanda and the Head of Biology Department at UR, highlighted the growing threat posed by AMR and the need for coordinated regional action.
“This workshop represents a critical step in addressing a mounting global public health threat that transcends boundaries, affecting humans, animals, food systems, and our environment alike.”
He commended the collaboration between UR and ICGEB for bringing together international and local expertise to strengthen Africa’s scientific capacity to respond to AMR.
Presenting the objectives of the workshop, Dr. Jean Paul Nshizirungu, the workshop coordinator, stressed that AMR requires collective action across institutions and borders. He noted that beyond strengthening technical competencies in AMR surveillance, the training was designed to foster long-term regional partnerships that will advance collaborative research, knowledge sharing, and evidence-based public health interventions.
Throughout the programme, participants engaged in expert-led lectures and intensive laboratory practical sessions covering AMR from national, regional, and global perspectives.
The training focused on mechanisms and drivers of AMR, AMR surveillance data collection and analysis, molecular diagnostics, genomics and sequencing technologies, bioinformatics for AMR gene analysis, the One Health approach, and strategies for preventing AMR.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Principal of the UR-CST, Prof. Gatare Ignace, commended the organizers, facilitators, and participants for their commitment to strengthening regional scientific capacity. He encouraged participants to apply the knowledge and practical skills acquired during the workshop to improve AMR surveillance systems within their institutions and countries, emphasizing that the workshop’s impact would ultimately be reflected in stronger public health systems and enhanced research collaboration.
The workshop concluded with the awarding of certificates to participants, recognizing the successful completion of the intensive training programme.
Participants reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration, advancing research, and applying the knowledge gained to enhance antimicrobial resistance surveillance and response across the region.
By bringing together experts and participants from six African countries, the initiative underscores the University of Rwanda’s commitment to advancing scientific excellence, promoting regional partnerships, and developing the skilled human resources needed to address complex global health challenges.
The collaboration with ICGEB reflects a shared vision of strengthening Africa’s capacity to combat antimicrobial resistance through innovative research, knowledge exchange, and the One Health approach.
Participants posing for a photo after the One Health training workshop.Experts shared knowledge on antimicrobial resistance during the regional workshop.Researchers and health professionals from six African countries took part in the training.Scientists engaged in practical laboratory sessions during the four-day training.Participants gained hands-on skills in genomics and bioinformatics during the workshop.Participants received certificates after completing the AMR training programme.The training on antimicrobial resistance surveillance was hosted by UR-CST.
During his two years in office, Starmer’s approach to Rwanda was defined less by efforts to strengthen ties and more by his decision to end the UK’s asylum partnership with the country.
Relations between the two countries deteriorated further as conflict intensified in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), prompting the UK to impose sanctions on Rwanda over allegations of its involvement in the conflict.
Ending the Rwanda asylum plan
Starmer entered office promising to immediately end the policy of sending asylum seekers to Rwanda. He fulfilled that pledge as soon as he became Prime Minister on July 5, 2024, arguing that the scheme was a waste of taxpayers’ money.
The decision left Rwanda taking the UK to international arbitration, seeking compensation for payments it said were still owed after it had already invested heavily in preparations to receive asylum seekers.
At the same time, Starmer’s government suspended some UK financial support to Rwanda, citing contested allegations that Rwanda was involved in the conflict in eastern DRC.
Why did Starmer leave office?
On June 22, 2026, Starmer announced he would resign as leader of the Labour Party after mounting pressure from Labour MPs and ministers.
Many within the party feared he would not be the right person to lead Labour into the next general election as Nigel Farage’s Reform UK gained momentum among British voters.
The election of Andy Burnham as MP for Makerfield in northern England further intensified pressure on Starmer and marked the beginning of the end of his leadership.
Starmer agreed to step aside and pledged to support a smooth transition. He remained Prime Minister until July 20, 2026, when Burnham officially took office.
His departure followed declining public approval, criticism of his domestic policies, concerns over the economy and cost of living, and fears Labour could lose the next general election.
The Rwanda deal that defined his tenure
The UK-Rwanda Migration and Economic Development Partnership was launched in April 2022 under Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
The agreement provided for some asylum seekers who entered the UK through irregular routes—particularly those crossing the English Channel in small boats—to be relocated to Rwanda, where their asylum claims would be processed.
Supporters argued the plan would deter people-smuggling gangs that profit from illegal migration and often put migrants’ lives at risk.
The first deportation flight was due to leave on June 14, 2022, but was halted at the last minute following an interim ruling by the European Court of Human Rights.
In November 2023, the UK Supreme Court ruled that the scheme was unlawful, citing concerns that asylum seekers sent to Rwanda could ultimately be returned to countries where they faced persecution.
The government of Rishi Sunak responded by signing a new treaty with Rwanda in December 2023 and passing legislation declaring Rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers.
Although Parliament approved the legislation, the plan had not been implemented by the time Starmer took office in July 2024.
Opposition before taking office
Starmer opposed the Rwanda policy long before becoming Prime Minister. In June 2022, while serving as Leader of the Opposition, he dismissed the plan as a distraction rather than a genuine solution to irregular migration.
He argued that small-boat crossings should instead be tackled through closer cooperation with France, European law enforcement agencies and efforts to dismantle people-smuggling networks before migrants reached the UK’s shores.
Starmer maintained that individuals with no legal right to remain in Britain should be returned to their countries of origin, but insisted that deporting them to Rwanda was expensive and ineffective.
On May 10, 2024, during a speech in Dover, he publicly pledged that if elected Prime Minister, he would immediately cancel the Rwanda plan.
He described it as a political “gimmick” designed to appeal to voters without solving the migration crisis.
Instead, he promised to redirect the funding into establishing a new Border Security Command bringing together investigators, intelligence officers, border officials and police.
He also argued that anti-terrorism legislation could be used to target criminal gangs involved in people smuggling.
Labour’s 2024 election manifesto similarly pledged that money allocated to the Rwanda scheme would instead be invested in border security and combating organised crime.
“Dead and buried”
Labour won the July 4, 2024 general election, making Starmer Prime Minister. During his first press conference on July 6, he confirmed that the Rwanda asylum plan had been scrapped.
He famously declared that the scheme was “dead and buried before it started,” arguing it had never served as a deterrent to irregular migration.
The decision halted deportations to Rwanda but did not automatically terminate the legal agreement between the two countries.
Rwanda insisted it was under no obligation to refund money already received because it had fulfilled its commitments, including preparing accommodation, staffing and reception facilities for relocated migrants.
Arbitration over payments
Rwanda argued that the UK still owed scheduled payments for 2025 and 2026. On November 24, 2025, Rwanda filed a case before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, with the claim becoming public in January 2026.
Kigali sought more than £100 million, including two scheduled payments of £50 million each, as well as additional damages for what it described as a breach of contract.
The UK maintained that both governments had agreed in November 2024 that no further payments would be made.
The agreement was formally terminated on March 16, 2026. An arbitration ruling issued on June 1, 2026, rejected Rwanda’s claim for additional payments. Rwanda accepted the decision and announced it would not appeal.
Tensions over DRC conflict
Migration was not the only issue that strained UK-Rwanda relations during Starmer’s tenure. In early 2025, fighting escalated in eastern DRC as AFC/M23 captured Goma and Bukavu. The UK accused Rwanda of supporting the rebel group and deploying troops in Congolese territory.
Rwanda consistently rejected the allegations, maintaining that its defensive measures were aimed at protecting its national security by countering the FDLR militia and other armed groups it says threaten the country.
On February 25, 2025, the UK announced a series of measures against Rwanda. These included suspending high-level participation in Rwandan government events, limiting trade promotion activities, freezing direct financial assistance to the Rwandan government, except for support benefiting the vulnerable communities, and suspending future defence training.
London also said it would review export licences for military-related equipment destined for Rwanda and consider additional sanctions in coordination with international partners.
Rwanda condemned the measures as unjustified sanctions that demonstrated the UK’s bias in the conflict. Kigali argued that it could not be expected to compromise its own national security or that of its citizens.
As of April 2026, the UK maintained that the measures introduced in 2025 remained in place while continuing to call on all parties to implement the commitments contained in regional peace agreements.
Migration challenge remains
Although Starmer fulfilled his pledge to end the Rwanda scheme, irregular migration to the UK continued.
Since he took office, more than 77,000 migrants have reportedly entered the UK through irregular routes, raising questions among critics about whether abolishing the Rwanda policy has helped address the small-boats crisis.
Sir Keir Starmer’s two-year tenure as United Kingdom Prime Minister came to an end on July 20, 2026.
The disclosure was made by the Director General of Surveillance and Preparedness at MINEMA, Christine Niyotwambaza, on July 23, 2026, during the inauguration of high-capacity lightning protection systems installed at GS Musango and Musango local church center, in Rwankuba Sector, Karongi District.
They are located in one of the five sectors in Karongi District that are frequently affected by lightning strikes.
Residents say lightning remains a deadly threat in the area.
John Dushimimana, a resident of Rwankuba Sector, told IGIHE that lightning has repeatedly claimed lives, killed livestock and damaged electrical appliances. “I know more than seven people from Rwankuba Sector who have died after being struck by lightning. The main reason is that we do not have lightning protection systems in our homes. We do not know where to buy them or how much they cost,” he said.
Karongi District Vice Mayor in charge of Economic Development, Julienne Ntakirutimana, said the sectors most vulnerable to lightning are Rwankuba, Gitesi, Ruganda and Rugabano because they lie along the Congo-Nile Ridge, where high-altitude terrain makes lightning strikes more common.
Niyotwambaza said the high cost of lightning protection systems is the main reason many households remain unprotected.
“Lightning protection systems are very expensive. You cannot find one costing less than Rwf3 million,” she said.
She revealed that MINEMA, in partnership with RP Karongi College, the Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) and the National Council for Science and Technology (NCST), is set to assess a locally developed lightning protection system next week.
According to Niyotwambaza, Rwanda currently lacks the capacity to certify the equipment, meaning it will be sent abroad for technical evaluation.
“If experts who specialize in lightning protection confirm that it meets the required safety standards, we will move to the next stage of manufacturing it locally. Once production begins in Rwanda, we will also work on reducing its cost so that ordinary citizens can afford to install it on their homes,” she said.
MINEMA statistics show that over the past four years, lightning strikes have killed 287 people and left more than 950 others with permanent disabilities.
Amiri Mugarura, an official at Otawa, a company that distributes lightning protection systems in Rwanda, said plastering houses with cement and wearing plastic-soled shoes can reduce the risk of being struck by lightning by up to 85 percent.
Officials inaugurated high-capacity lightning protection systems at GS Musango and Musango Local Church Centre in Karongi District, one of the areas most vulnerable to lightning strikes.MINEMA says locally developed lightning protection systems will undergo technical assessment as Rwanda seeks to reduce costs and expand access to the life-saving technology.Christine Niyotwambaza, Director General of Surveillance and Preparedness at MINEMA, said Rwanda is working toward local production of lightning protection systems to make them more affordable for households.
The meeting, organized by UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock, with the support of media company Bloomberg, was streamed live on UN Web TV and Bloomberg platforms.
“Today marks a critical step in the selection of the next secretary-general of the United Nations, probably one of the most challenging but also most honorable jobs in the world,” said Baerbock in her opening remarks.
“The person we choose will not only be the face of this house of humanity but also its custodian. She or he will stand up for the United Nations Charter and all three pillars — peace and security, sustainable development and human rights — in a time of unprecedented challenges yet also new opportunities,” she said.
The six candidates — Michelle Bachelet, former Chilean president and former UN high commissioner for human rights; Maria Fernanda Espinosa, former UN General Assembly president and former foreign minister and defense minister of Ecuador; Rafael Mariano Grossi of Argentina, current director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency; Rebeca Grynspan, former vice president of Costa Rica; Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett, Guyana’s permanent representative to the United Nations; Macky Sall, former president of Senegal — attended the meeting and answered questions from both Bloomberg mediators and audience members.
At the end of the meeting, the six candidates were asked to outline their priorities for their first 100 days as UN secretary-general if elected.
The term of the current UN secretary-general, Antonio Guterres, expires at the end of this year. The next secretary-general will take over on Jan. 1, 2027.
Six candidates are competing to succeed current UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, whose term ends in 2026.
“Seizing another nation’s assets to pay for unrelated future claims is an incendiary precedent,” he said on X. “Those who celebrate or profit from such funds should remember: once governments normalize confiscation, no one’s assets are safe. Ensuing chaos will not be pretty or peaceful.”
Araghchi’s remarks came as U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that “any and all damages done to Ships, Cargo, or anything related thereto, will be paid for by Iranian Money that the United States has in its possession, and controls.”
“These damages may be very substantial but, nevertheless, this is the fair and equitable thing to do,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi in Baghdad, Iraq on October 13, 2024. [Murtadha Al-Sudani – Anadolu Agency]
The Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) unveiled a list of 19 match officials for the tournament, including Samuel Uwikunda as a centre referee and Dieudonne Mutuyimana and Didier Ishimwe as assistant referees.
The officiating team comprises nine centre referees and 10 assistant referees drawn from CECAFA member associations. The tournament returns to Rwanda for the first time since 2019.
The selected centre referees are Samuel Uwikunda (Rwanda), Dickens Mimisa (Kenya), Saddam Houssein Mansour (Djibouti), Nasir Salum Siyah (Zanzibar), Ahmed Arajiga (Tanzania), Dick Okello (Uganda), Abdifatah Said Mire (Somalia), Malong Ring (South Sudan) and Sabri Muhammad Fadi (Sudan).
The assistant referees are Dieudonne Mutuyimana (Rwanda), Didier Ishimwe (Rwanda), Ally Ramadhani Rajabu (Tanzania), Hamdani Said Ally (Tanzania), Samuel Karia (Kenya), Ronald Katenya (Uganda), Omer Hamid (Sudan), Eleyeh Robleh (Djibouti), Gasim Muder Dhiya (South Sudan) and Mahad Ali Mohamud (Somalia).
CECAFA Head of Refereeing Ali Ahmed, Ali Ahmed, said the officials have already begun preparations ahead of the regional competition, which will feature 12 teams.
“We selected referees from different member associations. They started their preparations on Tuesday and we are confident they will deliver quality performances throughout the tournament,” he said.
Ahmed added that the preparations are also intended to help officials build experience ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
The 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup kicks off on Friday, with Vipers SC of Uganda taking on Garde Républicaine FC of Djibouti in the opening match, before Rwanda’s APR FC faces Gor Mahia FC of Kenya.
The officiating team comprises nine centre referees and 10 assistant referees drawn from CECAFA member associations.Samuel Uwikunda is among three Rwandan referees selected to officiate at the 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup.
Speaking at the celebration in Kigali, Major General Alex Kagame, Chief of Staff of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) Reserve Force, congratulated the Chinese government and the PLA, describing the army as a modern force that has contributed to international peace and security.
Maj Gen Kagame said Rwanda values its longstanding friendship with China, noting that defence cooperation between the two countries has grown over the years.
“China’s consistent support in professional military education and specialized training has made meaningful contributions to the continued development of RDF capabilities,” he said.
He added that Rwanda remains committed to strengthening cooperation with China, highlighting the importance of collaboration between the two armed forces in responding to complex and interconnected challenges amid an evolving international security environment.
“This reality underscored the importance of trusted partnerships that promote capacity building, professional excellence and collective efforts towards working with regional and international peace stability.
“Rwanda remains committed to working closely with China in pursuit of these shared objectives,” he noted.
The Chinese Defence Attaché to Rwanda, Senior Captain Li Dayi, said the PLA’s development has been guided by China’s commitment to peaceful development and its belief that peace and harmony among nations are essential.
He highlighted China’s contribution to global peacekeeping, noting that since joining UN peacekeeping operations in 1990, the Chinese military has deployed more than 50,000 peacekeepers to missions across more than 20 countries and regions.
Capt Li said China-Rwanda military cooperation has continued to grow through defence exchanges and expressed China’s commitment to further deepening the partnership.
“China is willing to work with Rwanda, guided by the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, to elevate the military-to-military relationship to a new level on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit,” he said.
He added that such cooperation would contribute to regional peace, stability and shared development.
The PLA was founded on August 1, 1927, and has since developed into one of the world’s largest military forces.
The anniversary celebration brought together government officials, diplomats, defence attachés, members of the Chinese community and friends to commemorate its history and achievements.
Photos from the celebration of the 99th anniversary of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in Kigali
Maj Gen Alex Kagame congratulates the Chinese government and the People’s Liberation Army during the PLA anniversary celebration in Kigali.Chinese Defence Attaché Senior Capt Li Dayi highlighted China’s contribution to global peacekeeping during the PLA anniversary event in Kigali.Guests follow remarks during a ceremony marking the 99th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army in Kigali.RDF representatives and Chinese officials attended the celebration of the 99th anniversary of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army in Kigali.Rwanda and China officials gather in Kigali to mark the 99th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.Senior Capt Li Dayi, Chinese Defence Attaché to Rwanda, addresses guests during the PLA’s 99th anniversary celebration held in Kigali.The celebration brought together government officials, diplomats, defence attachés and members of the Chinese community in Kigali.Maj Gen Alex Kagame, Chief of Staff of the RDF Reserve Force, delivers remarks during the celebration of the 99th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army in Kigali.
The returnees were received on on July 22, 2026, at the Grande Barrière border post in Rubavu District. They include 43 men, 115 women and 263 children from 136 families.
Among them was Mwemezi Dusabe, who returned from Kanyabayonga. She recounted that her husband and five of her children were killed, while she managed to return to Rwanda with her four surviving children.
Another returnee, Ndayambaje Sebutozi, who had been living in Rutongo in Rutshuru Territory, said he fled Rwanda in 1998. He explained that returning home was nearly impossible because anyone the FDLR suspected of planning to repatriate was killed.
Sebutozi said the security situation improved after the AFC/M23 captured Rutshuru, enabling him to finally decide to return to Rwanda.
He added that upon arriving in Rwanda, he found peace and was warmly welcomed. He used the opportunity to urge fellow Rwandans still living in the forests of eastern DRC to return home.
The Mayor of Rubavu District, Prosper Mulindwa, said the returnees will receive all necessary support to rebuild their lives and access opportunities they had previously been denied.
“We are grateful that they were able to learn the truth and free themselves from the captivity that prevented them from returning home,” he said.
“They will continue to receive support like all other Rwandans, in line with Rwanda’s policy of improving citizens’ livelihoods. They will benefit from programmes aimed at lifting people out of poverty, including Girinka and other development initiatives.”
The government assistance package includes initial financial support to help them restart their lives. Each returnee aged 18 and above will receive US$188, while those under 18 will receive US$113. In addition, every returnee will receive essential food supplies worth Rwf45,000.
Children made up the majority of the 421 Rwandans who returned home.The 421 Rwandans who had been held captive by the FDLR were received at the La Corniche border crossing upon their return to Rwanda.Rubavu District Mayor Prosper Mulindwa said the Rwandans who had been held captive by the FDLR will receive all the support and essential services needed to rebuild their lives.
The graduation ceremony took place on July 20, 2026, and was attended by the coalition’s top military officials, including the military commander and chief of staff of the AFC/M23, Major General Sultani Makenga.
Addressing the graduates, Maj. Gen. Makenga said the newly trained commandos would join AFC/M23 forces operating on the front lines.
He stated that their mission would be to protect civilians and contribute to restoring peace and security in areas affected by the conflict, enabling displaced residents to return to their homes and rebuild their livelihoods.
Maj. Gen. Makenga accused the Congolese government of working alongside Burundian troops, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), and the Wazalendo militia, alleging that the groups had been involved in attacks against civilians.
He said AFC/M23 was continuing its military campaign with the aim of ending what it described as violence against the civilian population.
He also urged the recruits to uphold discipline and maintain high standards of conduct, saying they should distinguish themselves from the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC), which he accused of looting, committing sexual violence, and killing civilians.
“We must dedicate ourselves to our people, our country and our communities. If you do so, you will earn honor because you will be liberating your country, your brothers and sisters, and the Congolese people as a whole,” Maj. Gen. Makenga told the graduates.
He further said the coalition’s objective is to replace what it considers poor governance with better leadership, adding that achieving this goal would require discipline, integrity and respect for civilians.
AFC/M23 has continued to expand its ranks in recent years. In September 2025, the coalition announced the graduation of 7,437 commandos, followed by another 9,350 recruits in October of the same year.
According to the group, those recruits included former civilians, former members of the Congolese armed forces and fighters from the Wazalendo militia who joined the movement.
Maj. Gen. Makenga said the newly trained commandos would join AFC/M23 forces operating on the front lines.The new recruits were urged to uphold discipline and maintain high standards of conduct.
