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.
Scheduled for Saturday, August 29, 2026, at the BK Arena Parking Lot, the event will open its gates at 3:00 PM and promises a vibrant festival atmosphere featuring world-class entertainment, exciting games and giveaways, food, Amstel refreshments, and the unique experiences that have made Friends of Amstel one of Kigali’s most anticipated events.
Leading this year’s line-up is East African music star Diamond Platnumz, who will be joined by some of Rwanda’s biggest names in music, including Bruce Melodie, Nel Ngabo and Ish Kevin.
The entertainment experience will also feature Uganda’s Etania – Life of the Party and DJ Marnaud, who will bring their energy and sounds to a celebration centred around friendship, music and unforgettable moments.
More than a music festival, Friends of Amstel is Amstel’s signature celebration of friendship, designed to bring people together through great music, premium beer and shared experiences. The 2026 edition is expected to attract thousands of guests for a memorable outdoor festival experience in Kigali.
Tickets will be available soon through Ticqet.rw, with special group packages planned to reward friends attending together.
Fans are encouraged to secure their tickets early as availability will be limited. The event is strictly reserved for guests aged 18 and above.
Amstel has reminded guests that alcohol is not for sale to persons under the age of 18 or pregnant women, and encouraged everyone to enjoy responsibly by avoiding drinking and driving.
The appeal judgment, delivered shortly after midnight on July 18, 2026, leaves unchanged the verdict handed down on October 30, 2024, when the court found the former Rwandan doctor guilty on both counts and sentenced him to 27 years in prison.
After losing his initial trial, Dr. Rwamucyo replaced the two lawyers who represented him in 2024, Françoise Marthe and Philippe Meilhac. For the appeal, he assembled a seven-member legal team comprising Daniel Fellous, Raphaël Constant, Salome Cohen, Michèle Siari, Jean-Baptiste Harelimana and Alexandre Sztulman.
Dr. Rwamucyo, a former head of the Centre for University Public Health (CUSP) at the former National University of Rwanda, was prosecuted over his role during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Among the evidence examined by the court was his participation in a meeting held at the university on May 14, 1994, chaired by the then Prime Minister, Jean Kambanda.
Prosecutors argued that the gathering encouraged intellectuals to participate in the genocide and alleged that Dr. Rwamucyo addressed the meeting in support of the killings.
The prosecution also accused him of coordinating the burial of victims in various parts of Butare Prefecture using heavy machinery, including a bulldozer, in what it said was an effort to conceal evidence of the genocide.
According to the prosecution, he played a role in the burial of more than 214,000 victims in Butare with the intention of destroying evidence.
Throughout the proceedings, Dr. Rwamucyo denied the allegations. He told the court that he had never sought to conceal the bodies of genocide victims, arguing that it would have been impossible to hide atrocities that had unfolded over several weeks in full public view.
Following the ruling, lawyers representing the civil parties welcomed the appellate court’s decision.
“It is very good news for the civil parties from Rwanda, who have waited 32 years for this decision. They can now begin a new chapter on the path toward reconciliation,” said lawyer Alice Zarka.
Dr. Rwamucyo’s daughter expressed disappointment with the outcome, saying she had not expected the appeal to fail and was deeply saddened by the judgment.
During the appeal, the prosecution had sought a 30-year prison sentence, while the defence requested a full acquittal and Dr. Rwamucyo’s immediate release.
The Paris Court of Assizes in France has upheld the conviction of Dr. Eugène Rwamucyo for genocide and crimes against humanity
Africa, with its abundant natural resources, demographic potential and development advantages, will play an increasingly important role in global economic governance, Urama told Xinhua in an interview.
The 2026 African Economic Conference was held from July 10 to 12 in Abidjan under the theme “Strengthening Africa’s Geopolitical Agency and Trade Resilience in a Multipolar World.” Researchers, government officials and representatives of regional and international institutions gathered to discuss how Africa can strengthen its strategic autonomy, enhance trade resilience and better participate in global economic governance.
Urama observed that multipolarity provides more countries with opportunities to participate in global governance. “More countries are at the table, and we are going to have more inclusive and greater options for countries to decide on partnerships, on trade relations, and on other things.”
Speaking about Africa’s role in this process, Urama said the rise of emerging economies is contributing to the multipolarization of the global economic order.
According to Urama, at this conference, the AfDB, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Africa, and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development called on economists and global policy actors to discuss how Africa should engage to strengthen its own geopolitical agency within this changing global economic order.
He said Africa’s abundant land resources give the continent an important voice in shaping the future global economy. With 60 to 65 percent of the world’s remaining arable land, Africa will have a significant influence on global food security and sustainability.
He added that Africa’s rich natural resources, including about 30 percent of global mineral reserves and vast global renewable energy potential, give the continent strategic importance in the transformation of global industries.
“So this continent has a great voice, a great opportunity to help shape the global economic order,” he said.
Urama also highlighted Africa’s demographic advantage as an important driver of future development.
“And then if you think about people, we as human beings, one of four human beings in the world by 2050 will be African,” he said.
He said Africa’s large and youthful population will be a key driver of the continent’s future development, with its population expected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050 and more than 60 percent of people being young.
“We have a young, growing population in Africa. So whether you are talking about human capital, or you are talking about natural capital … Africa has a great role to play in this new global economic order,” he said.
Kevin Chika Urama, chief economist and vice president of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), observed that multipolarity provides more countries with opportunities to participate in global governance.
That uncomfortable question sat at the center of the inaugural Christian Corporate Convention, held on July 11 in Kigali and organized by Beyond Success Rwanda under INA Hub.
The gathering brought together more than 170 professionals, entrepreneurs, executives and organizational leaders from Rwanda, alongside delegates from Kenya, Liberia, Eswatini, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, Burundi and the United States.
They did not come simply to attend another leadership conference. They came for what organizers described as a leadership pit stop. A moment to refuel, realign, reconnect and return better equipped to make a difference where they work and lead.
Unlike most conferences, the Convention was built around a single premise. Knowing your calling and living it out in the workplace are two very different things. Too often, the gap between the two remains unaddressed.
Rather than discussing that reality from a stage, organizers chose to put it on trial.
Members of the Kingdom Marketplace Courtroom panel examine the case during a symbolic trial that challenged Christian professionals to reflect on their influence and impact in the workplace.
In one of the Convention’s most iconic sessions, the Kingdom Marketplace Courtroom, the influence of Christian professionals was put on trial.
The charge: Despite occupying positions of authority, expertise, and influence across every sector of society, they had failed to significantly transform the marketplace.
The prosecution presented its case. The defense responded. Witnesses testified. Then the panel of judges, led by Chief Judge Dr. Norman Paul Désiré alongside Mr. Bosco Ruhinda and Mrs. Betsy Sheila from Kenya, delivered its verdict.
Guilty, with mitigating circumstances.
The judges acknowledged the complexity of today’s workplace and the pressures professionals face. Even so, they concluded that difficult environments do not remove the responsibility to lead with integrity, ethical courage, and intentional influence.
Their symbolic sentence challenged every participant to return to their workplace committed to servant leadership and measurable, tangible impact.
It was a theatrical session, but it carried the Convention’s central message.
Leadership is not measured by intentions; it is measured by application.
Mr Ray Popham-the vice president of beyond success Global, delivering his keynote address
That same challenge echoed through the keynote address delivered by Ray Popham, Vice President of Beyond Success Global.
He reminded participants that faith was never intended to remain within church walls but should become visible through the way people work, lead and serve.
Quoting fourth-century theologian St. John Chrysostom, he reflected on work as an act of worship.
“You can see this altar lying around everywhere, both in streets and in marketplaces… you invoke the Spirit, not by speech, but by deeds.”
For Popham, the marketplace itself is an altar where professionals worship God through excellence, integrity and service. Every decision, every meeting and every interaction becomes an opportunity to add value and reflect the values they profess.
Pr. Paddy Blessed Musoke, leading the legacy chair session
The conversation deepened during the Legacy Chair Conversation with Pastor Paddy Blessed Musoke, with over 16+ years of experience in equipping Christian professionals across Africa.
He observed that Christian professionals are a great but scattered army, often working in isolation. As a result, collective influence is weakened by fragmentation rather than strengthened through collaboration.
He challenged leaders to intentionally build relationships across industries, organizations and sectors, noting that sustainable transformation begins with personal responsibility before extending to teams, institutions and society.
Throughout the day, participants were repeatedly invited to examine not only their organizations, but themselves.
One question, in particular, stayed with many long after the sessions ended. Do people follow you because they want to, or because they have to?
It is a simple question, yet one that strips leadership down to its foundation, reminding every leader that genuine influence is earned through character, trust and service rather than position or authority.
The Convention also featured a worship experience led by renowned gospel artist Bosco Nshuti, creating moments of reflection between the leadership conversations.
VIP participants later gathered for an exclusive Lunch and Learn, where discussions became even more practical, exploring how the day’s lessons could be implemented within businesses and organizations.
Unlike most conferences, however, the Christian Corporate Convention does not end when participants leave the venue.
Those in the VIP experience will now enter a one-month Leadership Coaching Cohort, receiving continued coaching, accountability and practical guidance as they implement what they committed to in their workplaces.
The gathering also marked another important milestone for Beyond Success Rwanda as the organization celebrated five years of equipping individuals to maximize their potential and bring positive impact in their communities through roundtable discussions.
Individuals whose partnership has significantly contributed to the movement’s growth over the past five years were recognized during the celebration.
Reflecting on the day’s significance, Country Coordinator Amanda Mihigo described the Convention as the beginning of something much larger than a single event.
“The Convention has come to an end, but the journey is just beginning. We are going back as equipped believers, ready to transform our world. Thank you for believing in this vision and for becoming part of this movement. Now, let’s go back and make a difference.”
That sense of purpose was shared by participants from across the continent.
Sheila Nikuze Munyira from Beyond Success Kenya said the Convention reminded her that leadership carries responsibility beyond individual success.
“We came to be recharged, and we leave challenged to become a greater influence in our different spheres of leadership. This experience reminded us to discover our purpose, live it and love it.”
For a first edition, the Christian Corporate Convention exceeded expectations.
Nine countries. More than 170 leaders. A courtroom that challenged its own audience before asking them to change the world around them.
Perhaps the most interesting verdict was not the one delivered from the judges’ bench.
It is the one that will be delivered over the next twelve months, in boardrooms, businesses, government offices, classrooms and communities, as participants return to prove whether the Convention was simply an inspiring event or the beginning of a movement capable of transforming the marketplace.
If the conversations in Kigali are any indication, many will already be counting down to the next Christian Corporate Convention.
Mr. Eric Saah Nyuma, the Africa Director of Beyond Success, one of the speakers at CCCDr. Betty Ogiel, CEO of Initiative Solutions, one of the speakers in the CCCLeaders from different countries were represented in the Christian Corporate ConventionMrs Nikuze sheila Betsy Mnyira, delegate from Beyond Success KenyaMrs Amanda MIHIGO, the country coordinator of Beyond Success RwandaThe gathering also marked another important milestone for Beyond Success Rwanda as the organization celebrated five years anniversary. osco NSHUTI performing at the Christian Corporate Convention
He made the remarks on Friday, July 17, 2026, during the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF-Inkotanyi) Political Bureau meeting taking place at Intare Arena in Rusororo, Gasabo District.
It brought together over 2000 RPF members, leaders from the public and private sector, representatives of other political parties, members of the diplomatic corps and young professionals.
President Kagame said the identity of RPF-Inkotanyi is rooted in its history, which defines the responsibilities of every Rwandan wherever they may be and reflects the country’s aspirations.
He noted that every citizen has a role in helping Rwanda achieve its national goals, but stressed that the country’s progress should ultimately be assessed based on how it is experienced by Rwandans.
The Head of State said that when citizens hear leaders speak about government achievements, they naturally ask themselves whether those accomplishments are reflected in their own lives. “Every morning when you wake up, ask yourself that question,” Kagame said.
He stressed that it is impossible to invent achievements when citizens cannot see or experience them, as the absence of tangible results is evident.
“You cannot create results on your own and expect people to see them when they do not exist. You cannot fabricate them. If children are not in school, they are not in school. You cannot claim you have achieved the goal of ensuring Rwandan children are in school when that is not the reality,” he said.
Kagame added that the same principle applies to healthcare.
“If people do not have good health or access to healthcare, you cannot claim that Rwandans enjoy quality healthcare when they do not. When those results are absent, making such claims only creates accountability that you will eventually have to answer for,” he said.
The President explained that the RPF Political Bureau meeting serves as an opportunity to remind members of their responsibilities while encouraging self-evaluation.
He cautioned that failing to assess one’s performance honestly carries consequences.
“If you examine yourself and make the wrong assessment, there are consequences. If you examine yourself and conclude that you are not sick when you actually are, the illness will eventually kill you because you were mistaken,” Kagame said.
President Paul Kagame has warned officials against exaggerating achievements, saying Rwandans will judge progress based on what they experience in their daily lives.
The development was announced by RNP spokesperson ACP Boniface Rutikanga, who said a project is underway to establish an International Driving Permit (IDP) linked to Rwanda’s driving licence system.
Rutikanga made the remarks while responding to a post by journalist Oswald Mutuyeyezu of Radio TV10 on X, who shared concerns from a Rwandan citizen over the lack of an internationally recognised driving permit.
The citizen said Rwandan truck drivers seeking employment abroad often face challenges because some countries require an International Driving Permit.
“There is a challenge affecting Rwandan truck drivers who want to find jobs abroad. They are often asked to present an International Driving Permit [IDP], but they cannot obtain one because Rwanda does not currently issue it,” the citizen said.
The citizen also noted that Rwanda signed international agreements on road traffic in Geneva and became a member on August 5, 1964, questioning why the system had not yet been implemented to allow Rwandans to access IDPs.
Responding to the concerns, ACP Rutikanga confirmed that Rwanda is working on introducing the permit.
“It is true that there is a project to establish the International Driving Permit, and we are waiting for a Ministerial Order that will provide regulations governing it,” he said.
RNP spokesperson ACP Boniface Rutikanga has disclosed that Rwanda is on track to issue international driving permits
Those sanctioned include Brig Gen Sebastien Uwimbabazi, also known as Gilbert Kimenyi or Nyembo Kimenyi, who is identified by the UN as one of the top leaders of the FDLR.
Born in 1968, Uwimbabazi is originally from Murunda Sector in Rwanda’s Rutsiro District.
During the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, Uwimbabazi was a gendarmerie officer in Rwamagana, then part of Kibungo Prefecture. He later fled to Nyanza after the Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA Inkotanyi) took control of the area.
The UN said Uwimbabazi continues to support activities that threaten peace, stability and security in eastern DRC.
The second sanctioned FDLR leader is Col Gustave Kubwayo, also known as Sirkoof, who heads the group’s special forces unit known as CRAP. He took over the unit after its former commander Protogene Ruvugayimikore, alias Col Ruhinda, was killed in December 2023.
Kubwayo, born in 1969, is from Karago Sector in Nyabihu District, Rwanda. He is accused of supporting FDLR operations targeting civilians, including kidnappings for ransom, as well as involvement in the illegal exploitation of natural resources in DRC.
In June 2026, the United States also sanctioned Kubwayo, saying he had led FDLR fighters operating in Nyiragongo Territory since 2022.
A UN Group of Experts report released in late June 2026 described FDLR as a continuing threat to peace and security in eastern DRC and the wider region. The report said the group has continued rebuilding its capacity, with support from authorities in Kinshasa.
FDLR claims to have more than 10,000 fighters, with about half involved in active military operations.
However, UN officials and intelligence agencies estimate the group’s strength at between 3,500 and 4,500 fighters. The Washington Accords also estimated its forces at between 3,000 and 3,500 members.
The UN Security Council also sanctioned other individuals linked to armed groups in eastern DRC, including AFC/M23 leader Corneille Nangaa, Col Nzenze Imani, who oversees intelligence and military operations for the alliance, and Brig Gen Charles Sematama, commander of the Twirwaneho armed group operating in Minembwe.
Nangaa was sanctioned over his leadership role in AFC, which the UN says works with the M23 armed group already under sanctions. Col Nzenze was sanctioned for his role in leading activities of a sanctioned armed group, while Brig Gen Sematama was accused of leading a group involved in attacks against civilians, recruitment of children into armed forces and activities undermining peace and security.
Mohammed Lumisa, a doctor and external supplies coordinator for the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) terrorist group, was also sanctioned. The UN identifies him as originating from Kampala, Uganda.
UN sanctions include freezing assets held in member states, imposing travel bans and making individuals subject to arrest by international law enforcement bodies such as Interpol.
The UN Security Council has sanctioned two FDLR commanders.
CENTCOM said on X that U.S. forces redirected the three vessels, disabled one that failed to comply, and boarded another “to ensure full compliance with the ongoing U.S. naval blockade against Iran.”
U.S. forces resumed blocking maritime traffic entering and leaving Iranian ports on Tuesday.
“The Strait of Hormuz and the surrounding waters remain free and open, except for vessels attempting to violate America’s steel wall blockade,” CENTCOM said.
U.S. forces have carried out strikes on Iranian targets for six consecutive days after U.S. President Donald Trump last week declared the ceasefire reached in April “over.”
U.S. forces resumed blocking maritime traffic entering and leaving Iranian ports on Tuesday.
