According to a statement dated July 21, 2026, released by the White House, Checker was among several nominees whose names were submitted to the Senate for confirmation.
The nominee brings experience in US foreign policy, national security and Africa affairs.
He recently served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Southern Africa and Foreign Assistance at the US Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs from June 1 to July 18, 2026.
Before that, he served as the Senior Bureau Official leading the Bureau of African Affairs from January to June 2026.
Prior to joining the State Department, Checker served as Deputy Executive Secretary for the National Security Council under President Donald Trump.
Between 2014 and 2025, he worked at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), where he covered conflicts in the greater Middle East and the Horn of Africa, as well as assignments in the Office of Congressional Affairs.
In 2023, he served as a national security fellow in the office of US Senator Bill Hagerty of Tennessee.
Checker holds a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from the University of Wisconsin and a master’s degree in Security Studies from Georgetown University.
If confirmed by the US Senate, Checker will succeed Eric Kneedler, who concluded his tour of duty as US Ambassador to Rwanda early 2026.
Kneedler formally assumed the ambassadorial role on October 18, 2023, after presenting his letters of credence to President Paul Kagame at Urugwiro Village.
He had succeeded Peter H. Vrooman, who served as US Ambassador to Rwanda before him.
During his time in Kigali, Kneedler engaged with Rwandan authorities on strengthening bilateral relations between Rwanda and the United States, including cooperation in areas such as health, development, security and economic partnerships.
Checker’s nomination comes as Rwanda and the United States continue diplomatic engagement spanning more than six decades, with cooperation covering trade and investment, public health, development initiatives and regional security.
Nicholas Checker has been nominated by President Donald Trump as the next US Ambassador to Rwanda, pending confirmation by the US Senate.
Uwilingiyimana, who was serving as Prime Minister at the time, was among several politicians targeted in the early hours of the genocide as extremist forces moved to eliminate opponents and moderate voices.
In September 2004, a protected witness told the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) in Arusha that a list of politicians to be killed had been prepared by individuals close to the Habyarimana family and senior figures within the former regime. Those named included Uwilingiyimana, Landouald Ndasingwa, Frédéric Nzamurambaho and others.
According to the witness, the list was prepared by Habyarimana’s wife, Agathe Kanziga, their daughter Jeanne, Protais Zigiranyirazo, and Major Protais Mpiranya.
The witness said Mpiranya was later instructed to send members of the presidential guard to carry out the killings.
A classified report by the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) indicates that Uwilingiyimana attempted to seek refuge at the residence of the Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Rwanda, but was forced to flee after hearing gunfire near her home.
On the morning of April 7, 1994, US Ambassador to Rwanda David Paul Rawson said Uwilingiyimana tried to reach the headquarters of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for safety. However, presidential guards intercepted her and killed her.
Weeks later, on April 27, 1994, Matthieu Ngirumpatse, then Secretary-General of the National Revolutionary Movement for Development (NRMD) ruling party, and Justin Mugenzi, who served as Minister of Trade, addressed journalists during a press conference where Ngirumpatse spoke about the circumstances surrounding Uwilingiyimana’s death.
Ngirumpatse claimed that former government forces had accused Uwilingiyimana of planning to overthrow President Habyarimana shortly before his death.
“Two days earlier, the Prime Minister had summoned some senior military officers and told them about her plan to overthrow the President,” he said.
However, Uwilingiyimana’s supporters and survivors of the genocide have rejected such accusations, describing them as part of the propaganda used by extremist officials to justify the killing of political opponents.
The daughters of Dr. Emmanuel Akingeneye, Habyarimana’s personal physician, later told Belgian investigators that when they took their father’s body to the mortuary at Kanombe Hospital, the hospital’s Director General, Dr. Laurent Baransaritse, ordered that Uwilingiyimana’s body be placed in a separate room.
They also told investigators that they heard Jean-Luc Habyarimana, the former president’s son, saying he wanted to shoot Uwilingiyimana’s body. However, based on the information available to them, they said he did not carry out the threat.
Uwilingiyimana became Rwanda’s Prime Minister on July 18, 1993, after previously serving as Minister of Education. She joined the government as a member of the opposition MDR party, which was critical of Habyarimana’s administration.
During her time as Education Minister, she challenged the ethnic-based quota system that had limited access to education for many qualified Tutsi students. The reform angered hardliners within MRND.
Ngirumpatse used false claims linking Agathe Uwilingiyimana to a coup plot to vilify her after her assassination.
The ceremony took place on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at the Presidential Palace in Bangui.
The medal was presented in recognition of the contingent’s dedication, steadfast professionalism, and exemplary service during peace support operations in the Central African Republic (CAR), where they played a key role in protecting civilians and promoting peace, security, and stability.
The Commanding Officer of RWANBATT-15, Lt Col Paul Gasasira, expressed his appreciation to the President of the Central African Republic for the continued support extended to the contingent in carrying out its mandate.
He also praised the professionalism, discipline, and resilience shown by RWANBATT -15 personnel throughout their deployment.
The ceremony was attended by senior officials from the Government of the Central African Republic, the Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda to the Central African Republic, Olivier Kayumba, senior military officials, and members of the Rwandan community residing in the Central African Republic.
Rwanda has been contributing to United Nations peacekeeping efforts in the Central African Republic since 2014 through the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).
The mission is aimed at supporting the restoration of peace, security, and stability in the country.
Rwandan peacekeepers serving under MINUSCA have been awarded the Presidential Medal of Appreciation by CAR President Faustin Archange Touadéra in recognition of their dedication to protecting civilians and promoting peace.Senior government officials, military leaders, Rwanda’s Ambassador to the Central African Republic Olivier Kayumba, and members of the Rwandan community attended the medal award ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Bangui.The Commanding Officer of RWANBATT-15, Lt Col Paul Gasasira, has praised the professionalism, discipline and resilience demonstrated by Rwandan peacekeepers throughout their deployment in the Central African Republic.President Faustin Archange Touadéra has commended the dedication and exemplary service of RWANBATT-15 during its year-long deployment under the UN peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic.
Gates began his engagements by visiting a syringe manufacturing plant in Rwamagana District, one of the facilities supporting efforts to increase Africa’s capacity to produce essential medical supplies locally.
During his visit, IGIHE has learnt, Gates is also expected to tour Mwulire Health Centre and meet with a community health worker to gain insights into how Rwanda’s healthcare system delivers services from the grassroots level.
The visit is a personal one for Gates, who has kept a relatively low-profile approach during his engagements. People who have interacted with him described him as approachable despite his global influence.
His schedule includes meetings with different stakeholders, including an engagement at a hotel in Rwamagana.
The facilities and initiatives he is visiting are among areas supported by the Gates Foundation, where he serves as Co-Chair.
The TKMD syringe manufacturing plant, located in Mwulire Industrial Park, Rwamagana, was inaugurated in April 2025. It started operations with the capacity to produce between 600,000 and one million syringes daily.
The factory employs 110 people, with women accounting for about 80 percent of its workforce. Before being distributed, the syringes undergo quality checks to ensure they meet international standards.
The first batch produced by the plant was purchased by UNICEF and supplied to countries including Ethiopia, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique.
According to CNBC Africa, TKMD has produced more than 22 million syringes since 2024 and secured a UNICEF contract to manufacture an additional 150 million units. Local production is expected to reduce delivery times to countries across East, Central and Southern Africa by up to 90 percent.
Gates has previously highlighted the importance of strengthening local manufacturing capacity, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains for vaccines, medicines and other essential health products.
He said African countries’ difficulties in accessing critical medical supplies during the pandemic showed the risks of relying heavily on distant manufacturers.
Ahead of his visit, Gates told CNBC Africa that Rwanda’s progress has been driven by long-term investments in people, strong institutions and effective delivery of services rather than a single innovation.
He pointed to major improvements in health outcomes since 2000, where the number of Rwandan children dying before the age of five has declined by 80 percent, while deaths among women from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth have fallen by 85 percent.
According to Gates, these gains have been supported by investments in primary healthcare, community health workers and institutions such as the Rwanda Biomedical Center.
The visit comes months after Rwanda was selected as the first beneficiary of Horizon1000, a $50 million (about Rwf 72 billion) artificial intelligence health initiative launched by the Gates Foundation and OpenAI to support African countries in using AI to strengthen healthcare delivery.
The initiative, announced in January 2026, aims to help deploy AI tools across 1,000 primary healthcare clinics and surrounding communities by 2028, with a focus on improving access to quality care and supporting healthcare workers.
Rwanda was selected partly because of its investments in digital health and innovation, including the establishment of an AI health hub and the launch of an AI-powered Health Intelligence Center.
During his interview, Gates said AI has the potential to address some of Africa’s biggest challenges, including health worker shortages and limited healthcare infrastructure.
He stressed that the technology should support, rather than replace, healthcare workers by helping them make better decisions and improve service delivery.
The American philanthropist said he was looking forward to meeting government leaders, frontline health workers, innovators, researchers and students to better understand Rwanda’s approach to using technology and partnerships to improve lives.
For more than two decades, the Gates Foundation has partnered with Rwanda and other African countries to support efforts aimed at strengthening health systems and advancing development priorities.
“I’m looking forward to the conversations ahead, and to learning more from the people and institutions helping shape Africa’s future,” Gates said.
American billionaire Bill Gates is in Rwanda to learn more about the country’s progress.
Chinese President Xi Jinping said the establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) is a major move by China to answer the call of the Global South and unite the international community in advancing AI development and governance.
“It will be an important milestone in the history of AI development,” Xi said at the opening ceremony of the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance.
WAICO’s establishment comes as AI has emerged as a key driver of global economic growth, while humanity grapples with AI-related security and ethical challenges and seeks to bridge widening gaps in AI development, according to speakers at the event.
The organization, headquartered in Shanghai, aims to ensure that AI is beneficial, safe and fair, and serves the benefit of all humanity, according to the organization’s founding agreement.
Representatives from 29 countries signed the agreement on Thursday, making their countries founding members of WAICO. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi signed the agreement on behalf of the Chinese government. The other countries included Kazakhstan, Laos, Pakistan, Russia and Indonesia.
WAICO’s establishment is widely considered a concrete step China takes to work with all parties to build a fair and equitable AI governance framework and make AI an international public good that benefits all.
Addressing Friday’s event, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres noted that WAICO is a “natural development” of the Global AI Governance Initiative proposed by Xi in 2023.
“Technology that will shape the future of humanity must be shaped by all humanity,” said Guterres. “It cannot be governed by a handful of countries or a handful of companies. Every nation needs a seat at the table.”
China is a global leader in AI development. In 2025, its core AI industries were worth over 1.2 trillion yuan (about 175 billion U.S. dollars), while the number of AI enterprises nationwide exceeded 6,200.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, also attending the event, said he appreciates China’s leadership in establishing WAICO, adding that he believes the organization has the potential to become a leading international institution shaping the future of global AI.
This photo taken on July 16, 2026 shows the exterior view of the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, east China. Shanghai is ushering in its major AI moment of the year with the forthcoming 2026 World AI Conference (WAIC) and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance, scheduled from Friday to Monday. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)
“All countries should take a people-centered approach and develop AI for the positive and for good. We should ensure that AI is an important driver for shared prosperity and common security,” Xi said while addressing the opening ceremony of the 2026 World AI Conference (WAIC) and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai.
China is a global leader in AI development. In 2025, its core AI industries were worth over 1.2 trillion yuan (about 176.6 billion U.S. dollars), while the number of AI enterprises nationwide exceeded 6,200.
The country’s open-source large AI models have been downloaded more than 10 billion times in total, continuing to create new and broader opportunities for global cooperation in AI innovation.
The world has entered an unprecedented period of active innovation on AI technologies, Xi said in his keynote address. He raised questions about how humans can get along with thinking machines, how security can be ensured when algorithm is part of decision-making, how ethical challenges by technologies can be tackled through adaptive governance, and how AI for all can be realized when the divide keeps widening.
“These questions demand serious consideration and real answers from the whole international community,” he said.
Xi stressed the need for adhering to the principles of openness and win-win and boosting innovation-driven development, strengthening risk-awareness and ensuring that AI is secure and controllable, encouraging inclusiveness and promoting mutual learning between civilizations, and advocating solidarity and improving global governance.
“We should jointly oppose overstretching the national security concept in the field of AI and placing one country’s security over that of others,” he said.
The important role of the United Nations should be recognized in global AI governance, Xi noted, calling for enhancing alignment and coordination on AI development strategies, governance rules and technical standards.
“We must carry out extensive international cooperation and help Global South countries with capacity building to bridge the AI and digital divides, promote sustainable development, and prevent creating new historical injustice in AI,” he said.
As a responsible major country, China is always committed to providing international public goods relating to AI, said Xi, who proposed the Global AI Governance Initiative in 2023.
The country has also provided Chinese solutions for global AI governance through various efforts, including the launch of the AI Capacity-Building Action Plan for Good and for All and the AI Plus International Cooperation Initiative.
“AI development should not be a solo performance by a single country, but a symphony of international cooperation,” said the Chinese president.
The establishment of the WAICO, Xi said, is a major move by China to answer the call of the Global South and unite the international community together to promote vigorously AI development and governance. “It will be an important milestone in the history of AI development,” he said. Twenty-nine countries have signed the agreement on the organization’s creation as its founding members.
To further advance global AI capacity building, China will provide developing countries with 5,000 opportunities in AI training and seminar programs in the next five years, Xi pledged.
China will develop international AI application cooperation centers with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the League of Arab States, the African Union, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS. It will also enable 30 countries to use the AI-powered meteorological warning system, known as MAZU, to safeguard homes around the world, Xi said.
China has hosted the WAIC annually since 2018 as a key platform to forge global AI partnerships to unlock AI’s benefits for all. Themed “AI Partnership for a Brighter Future,” this year’s event includes more than 140 forums, bringing together 1,400 guests from home and abroad.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres delivered speeches at the opening ceremony.
Speaking highly of China’s contribution to advancing global AI governance, they said the opportunities and challenges brought by AI know no borders and should be seized and addressed by all parties.
They expressed confidence that the WAICO will play an important role to this end.
Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai, east China, July 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)
The attack took place in the western Tillabery region, near the borders with Mali and Burkina Faso.
Fifteen terrorists were killed, five motorcycles were recovered and four were destroyed, the report said, citing a statement from the Nigerien Ministry of Defense.
“The swift response of the Defense and Security Forces, supported by aerial assets, forced the enemy to retreat. Search, sweep and security operations are continuing in the area,” the statement said.
The tombs, uncovered by an Egyptian archaeological mission, contain hieroglyphic inscriptions and important archaeological remains, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said in a statement.
According to Amr El-Tayeb, director-general of the Saqqara Antiquities Area, the tombs belonged to three officials, including a senior administrative and military official from the early New Kingdom, the chief merchant of the House of Ptah, and an overseer of the house.
Hisham Elleithy, secretary-general of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, said the discovery reveals the identities and histories of the tomb owners and provides new insights into Egyptian society during the New Kingdom.
The tombs, uncovered by an Egyptian archaeological mission, contain hieroglyphic inscriptions and important archaeological remains
Xi spoke highly of Guterres’ work since he was appointed UN secretary-general 10 years ago, which included leading the UN in firmly upholding multilateralism, addressing global challenges such as climate change, advancing global governance in emerging fields including artificial intelligence (AI), and launching the UN reform process.
Noting that this year marks the 55th anniversary of the restoration of the lawful seat of the People’s Republic of China at the UN, Xi said China has since been committed to building world peace, contributing to global development, defending international order, and firmly supporting the UN.
Xi added that he proposed the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity and the four global initiatives with one important consideration in mind — to uphold the status and authority of the UN.
Currently, the international landscape is marked by more pronounced changes and turbulence, making it all the more necessary to practice true multilateralism and reinvigorate the status and role of the UN, Xi said.
Xi stressed the importance of upholding fairness and justice, saying that the sovereignty, territorial integrity and legitimate rights and interests of every country must be respected.
“The world must never be allowed to return to the law of the jungle,” he said.
Xi also called for safeguarding the international system and international rules established after the end of World War II, while promoting reform and improvement of the UN to enable it to better adapt to changing times.
Major countries should shoulder greater responsibilities, Xi said, adding that China has consistently taken concrete actions to explore the right way for major countries to get along with one another, injecting greater stability and certainty into the world.
Guterres commended China for its steadfast support for multilateralism, the cause of the UN, and international cooperation, saying that China has set an example for the world.
Guterres said the UN will continue to strengthen cooperation with China, oppose unilateralism, protectionism, and hegemonic bullying, safeguard the UN Charter and international law, as well as advance the process toward a multipolar world.
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who is here to attend the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance, in Shanghai, east China, July 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)
Dr. Biruta made the remarks during a fireside chat at the Aspen Security Forum, held from July 14 to 17, 2026, where he discussed regional security, migration, and Rwanda’s international partnerships.
Speaking during the session moderated by Steve Clemons, Editor at Large at The National Interest; Dr. Biruta said Rwanda considers the Washington peace agreement, brokered with the involvement of US President Donald Trump, a significant opportunity to address security challenges and promote economic cooperation in the Great Lakes region.
“The Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity is a very good agreement and we appreciate the leadership of President Trump in achieving that,” Dr. Biruta said.
However, he said Rwanda remains concerned about what he termed an imbalance in the implementation process, arguing that Kigali has fulfilled its commitments while expecting similar action from Kinshasa. The peace deal was signed in December 2025.
“Seven months after the agreement was signed, we see a lack of balanced approach from the mediation, the US mediation,” Biruta said.
“Rwanda has done its part. We are implementing our obligations under the agreement. We have even offered a de-escalation plan to lift the defensive measures without even waiting for the government of DRC to do its part, which is related to the FDLR genocidal armed group.”
Dr. Biruta said Rwanda had taken steps to support the peace process but questioned the decision to impose sanctions on Rwanda while, according to him, obligations expected from the DRC government had not been implemented.
“Even though the government of Congo is not implementing its obligation, we are seeing the government of the US imposing sanctions on Rwanda,” he said.
“We are concerned about that lack of balance in the approach. But we are committed to the agreement and we expect the US government, the mediation, to have a more balanced posture for us to be able to have that agreement fully implemented.”
Dr. Vincent Biruta, Rwanda’s Minister of Interior, speaks during a fireside chat at the Aspen Security Forum.
Security concerns and the FDLR issue
During the discussion, Dr. Biruta also highlighted Rwanda’s long-standing security concerns linked to the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an armed group created by individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
He said members of the group fled into eastern DRC after the genocide and continued organizing with the objective of destabilizing Rwanda.
“The FDLR crossed the border with weapons, but also with the ideology, which is even more dangerous than the weapons,” Dr. Biruta said.
He argued that addressing the presence of the FDLR remains central to achieving lasting peace in eastern DRC.
According to Dr. Biruta, the emergence of groups such as M23 should also be understood within the context of governance challenges and insecurity affecting communities in eastern DRC.
“There could be stability. We just need to neutralize the FDLR armed group, and we need to have conditions in eastern DRC just to give the rights to all the communities in that country,” he said. He also rejected claims that Rwanda has territorial ambitions in eastern DRC, saying there is no border dispute between the two countries.
“There is no border issue between DRC and Rwanda. There is no claim over the territory of DRC by Rwanda. That is clear,” Dr. Biruta said.
He added that members of M23 are Congolese citizens who share cultural and historical links with communities in Rwanda but are fighting over issues within their own country.
“They are Congolese, and they are fighting for their rights in their own country,” he said.
Call for a different approach to peacekeeping
The Minister also questioned the effectiveness of international peacekeeping efforts in eastern DRC, particularly the United Nations mission that has operated in the region for decades.
Responding to a question about the role of peacekeepers, Dr. Biruta said the continued instability in eastern DRC raised questions about the impact of the mission.
“Peacekeepers have been there for, I think, the last 20 years or so, but to say that they have done something, it is difficult, because if they had achieved anything there, we would not be in the situation we are in today,” he said.
“That mission has cost billions of dollars, but the situation has not changed. It has even deteriorated.”
Beyond regional security, Biruta also discussed Rwanda’s relationship with the United States, saying Kigali continues to view Washington as an important partner despite ongoing disagreements.
He cited cooperation in areas including health, energy, mining, and technology, while noting Rwanda’s efforts to expand partnerships with different countries as it pursues development goals.
“We need all of them,” Dr. Biruta said when asked about Rwanda’s partnerships with the United States and Russia, adding that different partners contribute to different aspects of Rwanda’s development agenda.
The Aspen Security Forum brought together policymakers, security experts, and leaders from around the world to discuss pressing global security challenges.
Dr. Vincent Biruta has shared Rwanda’s security concerns and perspectives on regional stability, the FDLR threat, and the implementation of the US-brokered Washington Accords during a discussion at the Aspen Security Forum.
