U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the ICC as “a national security threat that has been an instrument of lawfare” against the United States and Israel.
The officials sanctioned include Canadian Judge Kimberly Prost, who approved the court’s investigation into alleged war crimes by U.S. troops in Afghanistan, and French Judge Nicolas Yann Guillou, who authorised arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in Gaza.
Deputy prosecutors Nazhat Shameem Khan of Fiji and Mame Mandiaye Niang of Senegal were also sanctioned for supporting the warrants.
Netanyahu welcomed the U.S. move, calling it a “firm measure against the mendacious smear campaign” targeting Israel. Washington emphasised that neither the U.S. nor Israel recognises ICC jurisdiction. The sanctions freeze any U.S. assets held by the four officials and bar them from access to the American financial system.
The ICC condemned the designations as “a flagrant attack against the independence of an impartial judicial institution,” stressing that the sanctions threaten the court’s ability to function and undermining global justice.
France also criticised the sanctions, with its Foreign Ministry stating they contradicted the principles of an independent judiciary. United Nations spokesperson Stephane Dujarric warned that the U.S. measures could “impose severe impediments on the functioning of the office of the prosecutor.”
This latest action follows a previous round of sanctions earlier this year, which targeted ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan KC and four judges over cases involving U.S. personnel in Afghanistan. Rubio said the United States remains “steadfast in our opposition to the ICC’s politicisation, abuse of power, and illegitimate judicial overreach.”
The ICC, established in 2002, prosecutes genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes in its 125 member states or when referred by the U.N. Security Council. Its current high-profile investigations include the Israel-Hamas conflict, as well as cases in Sudan, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Venezuela.
While the court has jurisdiction over member states, major countries, including the U.S., Israel, Russia, and China do not recognise its authority.
In response to the sanctions, the ICC urged member states to continue supporting the court and its work, which it said is carried out solely in the interest of victims of international crimes.
The lender confirmed it has secured ISO/IEC 27001:2022 for information security management and ISO 22301:2019 for business continuity management systems. The certifications were awarded by MSECB, an accredited global certification body operating under the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
By attaining both standards, BRD becomes one of the few financial institutions in the region to meet such stringent global requirements, positioning itself as a leader in operational resilience and data protection.
For clients, the certifications translate into enhanced information security, continuity of services even in the face of disruptions, and increased confidence in the bank’s reliability.
“Our clients entrust us with what matters most—their financial information and access to essential services. These certifications confirm that BRD meets international standards for information security and service reliability,” said Kampeta Sayinzoga, the bank’s chief executive officer, in a recent statement.
“Clients can be assured that we are not only safeguarding their information but also strengthening the resilience of our systems so they can count on us anytime, anywhere.”
Securing the certifications followed months of preparation that included capacity building and a risk assessment of the bank’s systems, policies and procedures to ensure full compliance with international standards.
BRD described the achievement as a milestone in its ongoing digital transformation. With financial institutions across Africa increasingly adopting digital platforms and financial technologies, the bank says the recognition sets a benchmark for cybersecurity and service continuity in the region.
Founded in 1967, BRD has been central to Rwanda’s development financing, supporting projects in manufacturing, infrastructure, agriculture, energy, affordable housing and green finance. It continues to play a key role in driving the country’s long-term socio-economic transformation.
What began as a cautiously hopeful initiative to end years of conflict has instead become a chronicle of setbacks, highlighting the complex dynamics that continue to frustrate efforts for peace in eastern Congo.
The Doha talks were deemed urgent following renewed hostilities between the rebels and government forces earlier this year, which dramatically reshaped the region’s fragile security landscape.
The M23 rebel group, which accuses the Kinshasa administration of marginalisation and persecution of Kinyarwanda-speaking communities in the east, launched a rapid offensive, seizing several key cities in North and South Kivu, including strategic hubs such as Goma and Bukavu.
The resurgence had a significant impact, even prompting the withdrawal of Southern African Development Community (SADC) troops, who had been deployed in December 2023 to help neutralise the group.
Rising fatalities in clashes between M23 and Kinshasa-allied forces —Burundi, and local militias such as the FDLR and Wazalendo—heightened calls for a ceasefire in a region long plagued by conflict. Previous interventions, whether led by the United Nations or through the Nairobi and Luanda peace processes, had repeatedly faltered, failing to bring an end to the war.
Amid this turmoil, diplomatic efforts intensified. In April 2025, a high-level meeting between DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Qatar provided the catalyst for renewed dialogue.
While the details of their discussions remained largely confidential, a key outcome was the commitment of both leaders to prevent further escalation and to pursue a negotiated political settlement with M23.
Following the summit, Qatar offered to mediate talks between Kinshasa and M23 in Doha, bringing together international observers to support a roadmap toward lasting peace.
The stakes were high. M23’s territorial gains, the humanitarian crisis from mass displacement, and the fragile credibility of regional peacekeeping efforts made the need for effective dialogue more urgent than ever.
From the outset, however, the talks were challenged by a complex web of mistrust, preconditions, and differing interpretations of agreements, a combination that would soon set the stage for repeated setbacks.
From this tense backdrop, the Doha negotiations officially began, carrying the weight of both hope and scepticism.
{{June 5, 2025: M23’s initial withdrawal
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The first major disruption came early in the Doha talks. On June 5, 2025, M23 officially withdrew its delegation before any agreements were signed. The rebels cited a “lack of progress” and accused the DRC government of insufficient political will, pointing to ongoing ceasefire violations by the Congolese army (FARDC) and the failure to address their demand for a definitive political solution.
Analysts suggest that this withdrawal was not merely a protest but a calculated move to apply pressure on Kinshasa, signalling that M23 could halt dialogue if its core concerns were ignored.
This early rupture highlighted a longstanding challenge in the negotiations. The M23 group has consistently insisted on recognition and guarantees that go beyond a mere cessation of hostilities. For the Congolese government, which has historically been reluctant to grant political legitimacy to armed groups, this created an immediate tension that would shape subsequent talks.
{{July 19, 2025: Signing the “Declaration of Principles”
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Despite the rocky start, both sides returned to Doha and, in a surprising development, signed a preliminary “Declaration of Principles” on July 19, 2025. The agreement was hailed by Qatar, the United Nations, and other international observers as a milestone. It outlined a roadmap towards a final peace agreement and included several key provisions.
The declaration called for a permanent ceasefire, mandating an immediate and binding cessation of all military actions and provocations.
It also established a framework for the restoration of state authority, envisioning a phased return of M23-held territories to Congolese civilian control.
Confidence-building measures were also included, committing both sides to exchange prisoners and refrain from making inflammatory statements in public.
Finally, the declaration set an ambitious negotiation timeline. Talks for a final peace deal were scheduled to begin no later than August 8, 2025, with the goal of signing a comprehensive agreement by August 18, 2025.
Even as the declaration was signed, fundamental disagreements lingered. Kinshasa interpreted the document as necessitating an “unconditional withdrawal” of M23 forces, while the rebels insisted that the agreement focused on mechanisms to strengthen state authority, not on withdrawal. This divergence in interpretation would soon resurface as a key source of tension.
{{July 25, 2025: M23 sets conditions and threatens to pull out
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Barely a week after signing the declaration, M23 escalated the standoff. Benjamin Mbonimpa, representing the group, held a press conference in Goma, issuing an ultimatum that if Kinshasa did not release their 700 prisoners by July 27, M23 would see “no reason to return to Doha.”
This move underscored the fragility of the declaration and revealed that the rebels viewed key preconditions as non-negotiable. For M23, the release of prisoners was a core component of trust-building and a symbolic assertion of their leverage.
{{August 8 & August 17, 2025: Missed deadlines
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The ambitious timeline set in July unravelled quickly. By August 8, the scheduled start of the next round of negotiations had passed without a single meeting. The stalemate was caused by persistent disagreements over prisoner releases, ongoing accusations of ceasefire violations, and logistical issues, including the absence of delegations in the same city. Kinshasa insists the prisoners will only be freed after a final peace deal is signed.
The situation worsened on August 17, the day before the planned signing of a final peace deal. M23 confirmed that its representatives would not attend the ceremony in Doha, sending a clear message that, despite the high-profile declarations and international attention, the rebels were not willing to compromise on their core demands.
{{August 19, 2025: AFC/M23 agrees to send delegation to Doha
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The rebel coalition confirmed it would send delegations to Qatar to assess progress on the principles agreement they signed on July 19, 2025.
AFC/M23’s deputy coordinator, Bertrand Bisimwa, confirmed that his group’s delegation would focus on key issues, including a permanent ceasefire and the release of prisoners.
The Congolese government also announced that it would send its own representatives, stressing that their mandate is to protect national interests during the discussions.
Qatar, acting as mediator, has acknowledged the setbacks but says it remains in close contact with both parties to encourage consensus.
Data released on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, shows that between August 11 and 15, the country exported 8,182 metric tonnes of agricultural and animal products, with coffee leading the charge.
Coffee exports generated $4.27 million (Frw 6.18 billion) from 561 metric tonnes, cementing its role as Rwanda’s flagship crop. Tea followed closely with revenues of $1.51 million (Frw 2.18 billion), while diversified agricultural products – including cereals, roots and pulses – brought in $3.45 million (Frw 4.99 billion).
Other key earners during the week included vegetables ($403,772 / Frw 584 million), mainly exported to cross-border countries, India, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States and France. Fruits contributed $276,278 / Frw 400 million, with cross-border countries and the UAE emerging as the main markets.
Animal products generated $580,840 / Frw 840 million, largely destined for neighbouring countries. Flowers added $102,915 / Frw 149 million, shipped primarily to the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.
“Rwanda doesn’t just export commodities; we export quality,” the agency wrote in a post on X.
Rwanda’s agricultural sector has seen substantial growth in exports over the years, with total revenue reaching $3.2 billion (over Frw 4.6 trillion) between 2020 and 2024, according to figures released last year by NAEB.
Since late July 2025, the DRC’s military oversight body, led by Gen. Gabriel Amisi Kumba, has been probing whether senior military officers played a role in the withdrawals. Gen. Kumba has identified 25 high-ranking officers, all holding the rank of General, who were involved in the command of operations across Kinshasa, eastern Congo, and other regions.
Among those under scrutiny are Gen. Christian Tshiwewe, former Chief of Staff of the Congolese armed forces, and Gen. Franck Ntumba, who oversees military operations at the President’s office. Both were arrested last month on suspicion of plotting against the Head of State.
Other officers on the list include Army spokesperson Gen. Maj. Sylvain Ekenge Bomusa, Lt. Gen. Constant Ndima, former commander of North Kivu, Gen. Chico Tshitambwe Jérôme, and Lt. Gen. Padiri Bulenda David, head of the Rapid Intervention Force.
Gen. Kumba stated that the investigation aims to identify weaknesses in the army’s battlefield operations and implement measures to strengthen military performance.
The AFC/M23 coalition captured Bunagana in June 2022, seven months after launching its offensive. Its leader, Corneille Nangaa, said in June 2025 that the group now controls areas spanning 34,000 square kilometres.
The research, based on World Health Organisation (WHO) data from 102 countries, shows that the average suicide rate decreased from 10.33 per 100,000 people in 1990 to 7.24 in 2021, representing a 29.9% drop.
The decline was steeper in high-income countries, where cases fell by 32.1%, compared to 27.3% in low- and middle-income nations. The study was conducted by Soeun Kim and Selin Woo from the Department of Medicine at Kyung Hee University in Seoul.
The authors cautioned that differences in how suicide is defined and reported across countries could influence the reliability of statistics.
In Europe, they noted, several factors contributed to the downward trend, including responsible media reporting and initiatives aimed at strengthening the social and emotional skills of young people.
Expanded access to psychiatric and psychosocial care, a reduction in stigma surrounding mental health, and the implementation of prevention programs were also identified as major drivers of progress.
{{Income disparities in suicide rates
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In 1990, high-income countries recorded a relatively high suicide rate of 12.68 per 100,000 people. By 2021, this had dropped to 8.61. In low- and middle-income countries, the rate fell from 7.88 to 5.73 over the same period.
Despite the overall decline, the study highlighted persistent underreporting in some countries, often linked to stigma, religious prohibitions, or the criminalisation of suicide. Conversely, increases were observed in developing countries undergoing rapid urbanisation.
Looking to the future, researchers project that the global suicide rate could decrease further to around 6.49 per 100,000 people by 2050. However, they warned that certain population groups and regions are still at high risk and require targeted interventions.
Dr. Kacyira passed away on August 12, 2025, at the age of 61 after battling illness. Her funeral service was held at Christian Life Assembly (CLA) in Kigali, where she was a devoted member. Family, friends, government officials, and representatives of international organisations joined to celebrate her life of service and bid her farewell.
Kacyira’s career spanned senior roles in Rwanda and abroad. She served as Mayor of Kigali (2006–2011), Governor of the Eastern Province, Deputy Executive Director of UN-Habitat (2011–2018), and later Rwanda’s Ambassador to Ghana with concurrent accreditation to several West African countries. In 2023, UN Secretary-General António Guterres appointed her as Head of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), a position she held until her death.
Her legacy is remembered for leadership, humility, and an unwavering commitment to public service, both in Rwanda and across the world.
In a message delivered by RPF Secretary-General Wellars Gasamagera, President Paul Kagame and his family expressed deep sorrow at her passing.
“The President of the Republic and his family received with sadness the news of the passing of Dr. Aissa Kirabo Kacyira. They join her family and all Rwandans in this time of grief. Her life was marked by courage, dedication, and love for her country. Rwandans will forever remember her tireless devotion as a lasting legacy. May she rest in eternal peace.”
AIG Hilaly Sao, representing the African Union, hailed the late ambassador as a champion of African unity:
“She embodied the spirit of unity, working with dedication, patience, and commitment. In Somalia, she demonstrated compassion, humility, and determination in pursuit of peace and security. She will truly be missed.”
Ambassador James Swan, representing UNSOS, described her death as a profound loss:
“Aissa was a brave, thoughtful person, with a gentle heart and a source of inspiration. She left a mark on everyone she met. Her legacy is one of leadership, expertise, and service with compassion. To us in the UN, she was more than a colleague.”
Her son, Joshua Kacyira, speaking on behalf of her children, said their mother’s strongest legacy was her faith and devotion to service.
“She loved God and served both her country and the world wholeheartedly. She taught us not only through education but also through relationships built with others. The greatest gift she gave us was to love and trust in God.”
Her husband, Col (Rtd) Simon Kacyira, thanked the Government of Rwanda, the UN, and all who stood with the family.
“I deeply thank UNSOS and everyone who cared for Aissa. She was simple, grounded, and true. Even now that she’s gone, she remained the same person I chose to walk with.”
The latest sweep took place in the Kyeshero area in south-west Goma last night, following reports of gunfire the previous evening. Sources say several people were arrested, including those believed to be collaborating with the Congolese army and armed militias.
AFC/M23 has controlled Goma since January 27, after defeating forces from the Congolese army, Wazalendo, the FDLR, and European mercenaries.
Armed groups have continued to threaten security in parts of the city, particularly in western districts.
To restore calm, AFC/M23 has been searching homes for hidden weapons and detaining those involved in destabilising activities. A similar operation was carried out on August 6, resulting in multiple arrests.
The team is working with high efficiency to contain the fires and limit their spread despite field challenges, including soaring temperatures and difficult terrain.
Operations carried out by the team so far have included 18 aerial sorties using two Black Hawk helicopters, with 359 water drops executed over fire hotspots.
The team began its mission last Monday in the Gramsh forest area and neighbouring regions, following the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to support Albania’s efforts in controlling the wildfires.
Coordination meetings between the UAE team and Albanian officials are ongoing to devise appropriate plans and accelerate firefighting operations, alongside continued field monitoring to prevent the resurgence of flames.
All petrol, diesel, and hybrid vehicles nationwide will now be required to undergo emissions testing to ensure that they meet environmental standards and help reduce air pollution.
In a public notice issued on Tuesday, REMA stated that from 25 August 2025, vehicle owners will be able to book appointments for testing through the Irembo platform, as is customary for other vehicle-related services. However, the emissions testing will be charged separately from regular mechanical inspections.
“The Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) informs the public that the Enhanced Vehicle Emission Testing will officially start on 25 August 2025 as part of the ongoing #CleanAir Campaign,” the notice reads in part.
The rollout comes just days after the Cabinet approved the introduction of emissions testing fees for non-electric vehicles and motorbikes.
In a Cabinet meeting on 30 July 2025, chaired by President Paul Kagame, the government approved the introduction of these fees as part of a broader strategy to improve air quality, particularly in urban areas. The initiative aims to protect public health and promote environmental sustainability.
As part of the new system, all vehicles, including motorcycles, will be required to undergo an emissions test. If a vehicle passes, it will be cleared for road use. However, vehicles that fail the test must be repaired and re-inspected within two weeks to avoid further charges. The reinspection fee will be half the cost of the initial test, while a full retest will be required if the two-week window is missed.
The testing will be conducted at existing vehicle inspection centres, with emissions testing equipment currently being installed. The initiative is expected to make a significant contribution to Rwanda’s goal of reducing harmful emissions from vehicles and improving air quality nationwide.
REMA has urged vehicle owners to prepare their vehicles in advance to ensure compliance and contribute to the national effort for cleaner, healthier air for all Rwandans. The emissions testing will be conducted alongside regular mechanical inspections, which are required once or twice a year, depending on the vehicle’s classification and usage.
