The troops completed their basic military training under the guidance of instructors from the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) on Saturday, marking another milestone in the growing defence cooperation between the two nations.
The pass-out ceremony, held at Camp Kassai Military Barracks in Bangui, was presided over by President Faustin Archange Touadéra, who applauded the newly enrolled soldiers for their commitment and resilience throughout the programme.
Alongside the new recruits, 121 platoon sergeants graduated from a six-month leadership course also delivered by RDF instructors. The group is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping discipline, coordination, and operational efficiency within the ranks of the FACA.
Maj Gen Vincent Nyakarundi, the RDF Army Chief of Staff, attended the ceremony as a distinguished guest. In his remarks, he congratulated the graduates and urged them to uphold professionalism, competence, and discipline as they assume their duties. He encouraged the new platoon sergeants to lead by example and provide consistent support and guidance to their commanders.
Gen Victor Yacoub, Deputy Chief of Staff of the FACA, expressed deep appreciation for Rwanda’s continued support, noting that the RDF has now trained a total of 2,409 soldiers in basic military skills and 300 non-commissioned officers. He commended the trainees for demonstrating discipline and dedication throughout the programme.
The ceremony featured demonstrations of key competencies acquired during training, including marksmanship, martial arts and map-reading skills that highlight the operational readiness of the new recruits.
Rwandan forces first deployed to the Central African Republic in 2014 as part of peacekeeping efforts following civil unrest in 2012. Initially under the African Union mission MISCA, and later the United Nations mission MINUSCA, Rwandan troops have played a key role in protecting civilians, safeguarding UN facilities, and providing security for the Head of State and his family.
In 2020, Rwanda reinforced its support through additional troop deployments and military training programs for the Central African Republic’s armed forces.
According to a statement from the Presidency’s Office of Communication and Public Relations, the new government consists of 23 ministries and five secretariats of state.
Key appointments include Joao Bernardo Vieira as minister of foreign affairs, international cooperation and communities, Mamasaliu Embalo as minister of interior and public order, and former foreign minister Carlos Pinto Pereira as minister of justice and human rights.
All members of the new cabinet are said to be linked to the electoral camp of deposed President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, with four having served in the previous government.
Earlier, Inta-A appointed Tomas Djassi as chief of general staff of the armed forces and Ilidio Vieira Te as prime minister and minister of finance.
Guinea-Bissau held presidential and parliamentary elections on November 23, with Embalo seeking re-election. The results were initially expected on Thursday.
On Wednesday, the military declared it had taken “full control” of state authority to counter “attempts by certain political actors to undermine national stability,” subsequently dismissing Embalo. Senior military officer Inta-A was sworn in as transitional president on Thursday for a one-year term.
The event, held at KFH, brought together parents who previously delivered premature babies at the hospital, their children, neonatal specialists, and hospital leaders. It served as an opportunity to highlight the burden of premature births, celebrate success stories, and recognise the critical role of healthcare professionals in improving survival rates.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), one in every ten babies globally is born prematurely. At KFH alone, between 170 and 200 premature infants are admitted annually, all requiring specialised care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The unit provides respiratory support, assisted feeding, and monitored thermal regulation through incubators to stabilise infants until they reach appropriate developmental milestones.
Dr Nkuranga John Baptist, a neonatal expert at KFH, said premature births can be triggered by multiple factors, many of which are linked to maternal health and lifestyle.
“A mother who manages her weight, reduces work-related stress, attends all eight antenatal visits, and receives timely monitoring if she has conditions such as diabetes or hypertension significantly lowers the risk of delivering prematurely,” he said. He added that women carrying multiple babies require more intensive follow-up.
Parents who shared their experiences described the emotional and physical toll of caring for premature infants. Venutse Niyonsaba, who delivered quadruplets after 14 years without conceiving, said the period was one of the most difficult in her life.
“You can imagine the joy of finally having children after 14 years, only to find that all four need critical care, and their mother also requires surgery. It is a journey I would never wish on anyone,” she said.
Fridorine Sekiza, whose baby was born at 26 weeks and spent three months in the NICU, noted that many parents are unprepared for the experience.
“You return home after delivery, but leave your baby in the hospital. People don’t know whether to congratulate you or console you. These are difficult moments, but we appreciate the doctors who help our babies survive,” she said.
Dr Athanase Rukundo, Acting Head of Clinical and Public Health at the Ministry of Health, said premature birth remains a recognised national concern, and efforts are underway to strengthen the referral and care system.
“We are aware of challenges such as the limited number of ambulances equipped to transport premature infants, and discussions are ongoing to address this. We are also working to ensure all hospitals receive essential equipment and to increase the number of specialised staff to reduce premature infant mortality,” he said.
WHO representative Dr Theopista Kabuteni encouraged parents to adopt Kangaroo Mother Care, a method involving prolonged skin-to-skin contact between the parent and the baby to stabilise temperature, promote breastfeeding, and improve survival outcomes.
UNICEF’s Dr Manzi Emmanuel commended parents for their resilience and praised the strong collaboration between WHO, UNICEF, the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), and the Ministry of Health in improving child health indicators.
As part of the commemoration, KFH offered training sessions for parents on breastfeeding, Kangaroo Mother Care, and other essential practices for managing premature infants.
Ministry of Health data shows that Rwanda records between 37,000 and 40,000 births annually, with premature babies accounting for about 10%. Complications related to premature birth contribute to 36% of newborn deaths in the country, while 60% of premature infants die before reaching one year. Overall, 45% of under-five deaths occur among children born prematurely.
The event concluded with testimonies from parents and a visit to families with infants still receiving care in the NICU, during which KFH distributed gifts to all mothers.
British High Commissioner to Rwanda Alison Thorpe announced the plans on Thursday during a ceremony marking the 77th birthday of His Majesty King Charles III at the British High Commissioner’s residence in Kigali.
The event brought together members of the diplomatic corps, government officials, cultural figures, and friends of the UK and Rwanda, with guests raising glasses in honour of the King and the enduring partnership between the two nations.
In her remarks, Thorpe highlighted the growing UK-Rwanda collaboration across development, trade, and culture, noting that the launch of Creative DNA aims to showcase fashion as a viable career path for young people while boosting Rwanda’s creative economy.
“This is just the first step in the British Council’s long-term plans to support capacity building within Rwanda’s wider creative and cultural industries,” she stated, adding, “These projects remind us that bilateral relations are about people, collaboration, creativity, and having fun.”
At the event, the envoy also celebrated the contributions of eight Rwandan designers who participated in a unique design project, creating dresses that blended UK and Rwandan culture for the High Commissioner in collaboration with experts from the University of Westminster.
Patrick Muhire, founder of Inkanda House, who emerged top in the project, described the experience as both humbling and inspiring.
“I wanted to make a dress that she could never find elsewhere, a dress that represents my country,” he explained. He chose inyegamo, a traditional Rwandan material once used in home décor, to symbolise Rwanda’s heritage.
All eight designers who participated in the programme are set to travel to the UK next year for a fashion show and cultural exchange at the University of Westminster, while also exploring new markets for their creations.
Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe, praised the project, framing it as a symbol of the creativity and dynamism of UK-Rwanda relations.
“Initiatives such as the collaborative fashion design project between Rwandan designers, the University of Westminster, the British High Commission in Kigali, and the Rwanda High Commission in London reflect the creativity and dynamism of our bilateral ties. This is only the beginning,” he said, affirming the Ministry’s support for efforts that strengthen the country’s creative industries.
The Creative DNA programme is expected to provide Rwandan designers with opportunities to develop their skills, gain international exposure, and access new markets.
The birthday celebration featured performances by young dancers from the Sherry Silver Foundation, music by Mike Kayihura, and Alyn Sano & Band, among others.
This decision follows a shooting incident near the White House in Washington, D.C., which resulted in the death of one National Guard member and left another critically wounded.
According to a statement from the head of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the agency has initiated a “full‑scale, rigorous re‑examination of every Green Card for every alien from every country of concern.”
The move follows directives from the administration of President Donald J. Trump, as part of efforts to ensure stronger vetting processes.
The 19 countries under scrutiny were identified in a June 2025 travel‑ban proclamation. Among those countries are Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Cuba, Laos, Venezuela, Yemen, Somalia, and Sudan, among others. These nations have been flagged due to concerns about national security risks, including terrorism, instability, and human rights violations.
In addition to the review, the U.S. government has also indefinitely suspended immigration processing for nationals from at least one of these affected countries: Afghanistan. The suspension will remain in place pending further review of security and vetting protocols.
Officials have stated that the re‑examination of Green Cards for nationals from these countries will involve evaluating “country‑specific negative factors,” which are part of broader efforts to reinforce immigration security and national safety. This re‑evaluation process will include scrutiny of immigration records, criminal backgrounds, and other factors that could indicate potential threats to the U.S.
The announcement has raised concerns among immigrant‑rights advocates, who warn that such broad reviews may unfairly target individuals based solely on their nationality, rather than their individual backgrounds. Critics argue that this could lead to unjust revocations of Green Cards and disrupt the lives of immigrants who have lived in the U.S. for years, and who pose no security threat.
However, some supporters of the measure argue that these reviews are necessary to protect national security, particularly in light of recent security incidents such as the shooting near the White House. The debate surrounding this policy highlights the ongoing tension between national security concerns and the rights of immigrants, a debate that continues to shape U.S. immigration policy.
As the review process moves forward, the fate of many Green Card holders from the affected countries remains uncertain, with some potentially facing visa revocation or deportation. The move is likely to fuel further discussions on the balance between national security and human rights in U.S. immigration practices.
The colourful gathering, held at the High Commissioner’s Residence in Kacyiru, blended culinary displays, performances, fashion, heartfelt speeches and reflections on the enduring partnership between the two nations.
The evening opened with a soulful performance by singer-songwriter JP Zed, followed by the national anthems performed by the Turikumwe Choir. Guests later enjoyed a raffle in which two attendees won business-class RwandaAir tickets to attend the King’s Birthday celebrations in the UK.
Thereafter, a series of energetic performances took the stage, including a lively dance showcase by children from the Sherrie Silver Foundation. The entertainment lineup also featured Mike Kayihura and his band, Okay Bisoke, as well as late-night DJ sets by DJ Dawee and DJ Bruno, transforming the diplomatic celebration into a vibrant artistic evening.
In her keynote speech, British High Commissioner Alison Thorpe delivered warm remarks that combined diplomacy, humour and personal reflections on her first year in Rwanda. Opening her remarks in Kinyarwanda, to appreciative applause, she expressed her admiration for the country and its people.
“Rwanda has totally captured my heart, from the rolling hills to the warmth of its people,” she said, noting that the event was both a celebration of the King and of the friendship between the UK and Rwanda.
Thorpe highlighted milestones of the past year, including ministerial visits, over 20 delegations from the UK and trips across Rwanda to meet communities and see ongoing projects.
She outlined three pillars of the UK–Rwanda partnership: development, trade and investment, and people-to-people connections. This includes joint efforts in education and social protection, as well as investments by British companies exceeding £230 million (approximately 380 billion Rwandan Francs) in sectors such as energy, mobility, and technology.
The High Commissioner also spotlighted the growing creative collaboration between the two countries. A major highlight of the night was the reveal of the custom dress she wore, the winning piece of a design challenge involving eight Rwandan designers working with experts from the University of Westminster.
Thorpe wore the winning design by Inkanda House, founded by celebrated designer Patrick Muhire. Later in the evening, she also donned another dress, which took second place in the close competition, by Twinkle by Asty.
To continue supporting local artists, the envoy noted that in the new year, the British Council will be launching Creative DNA, a fashion-focused accelerator programme that showcases fashion as a viable career path for young people and a valuable driver of the creative economy.
“This is just the first step in the British Council’s long-term plans to support capacity building within Rwanda’s wider creative and cultural industries,” she stated.
Meanwhile, Muhire, who has been a pioneer of Rwanda’s fashion industry since 2008, said that the experience of working with the High Commission was both humbling and inspiring.
“I wanted to make a dress that she could never find elsewhere, a dress that represents my country,” he explained. He chose ‘inyegamo’, a traditional Rwandan material once used in home décor, to symbolise Rwanda’s heritage.
All eight designers who participated in the competition are set to travel to the UK next year for a fashion show and cultural exchange at the University of Westminster, while also exploring new markets for their creations.
“We are hoping to enter the UK market and reach a broader audience than before,” Muhire said. “The guests invited tonight aren’t just from the UK; we also have people from France, Italy, and across the globe. Through this programme, we hope to access a larger market than we had previously.”
Representing the Government of Rwanda, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe, reaffirmed the strength and depth of Rwanda–UK relations.
He highlighted collaboration in governance, education, trade, peace-building, climate resilience and innovation, noting that even during moments requiring “thoughtful dialogue and mutual understanding,” both countries have maintained open, constructive engagement.
The Minister praised the UK’s role in global climate action, a cause long championed by King Charles III, and welcomed continued cooperation through initiatives such as the Sustainable Markets Initiative. He also commended cultural and creative partnerships, especially the fashion collaboration showcased during the event.
“We remain confident that this chapter will lead to an even stronger partnership, one that contributes not only to our bilateral relations but also to regional stability and international cooperation,” he said.
The announcement follows a rapid tightening of immigration measures after investigators identified the suspect as a 29-year-old Afghan national who entered the country in 2021 through a post-withdrawal resettlement programme.
The President made the declaration on his Truth Social platform on Thursday night, arguing that the move was necessary to “allow the US system to fully recover” and to reverse what he described as the “millions of Biden illegal admissions.”
While he did not specify which nations fall under the label, the term “Third World” is broadly associated with developing countries across the Global South.
Trump said his administration would move to remove “anyone who is not a net asset to the United States” and pledged to strip federal benefits and subsidies from all non-citizens. He further vowed to denaturalise migrants deemed to threaten “domestic tranquillity” or considered “non-compatible with Western civilisation.”
The remarks come as the nation reels from Wednesday’s attack near the White House, where two National Guard members were shot. One of them, 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom, later died, while her colleague, 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe, remains in critical condition.
Authorities have named the suspect as Rahmanaullah (also known as Rahmanullah) Lakanwal, an Afghan who arrived under Operation Allies Welcome, a programme created to protect Afghans who had worked with US forces following the 2021 withdrawal from Kabul.
Federal officials confirmed that Lakanwal’s immigration history, including his asylum approval earlier this year, is now under scrutiny by Homeland Security and the FBI. His case has quickly become a political flashpoint, bolstering Trump’s long-held position that immigration poses significant national security risks.
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Earlier on Thursday, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Joseph Edlow announced a “full-scale, rigorous re-examination” of every green card issued to immigrants from 19 “countries of concern.” The list, based on a presidential proclamation from June, includes Afghanistan, Haiti, Iran, Myanmar, Venezuela, Yemen, Cuba, Somalia and others.
Edlow said the reassessment was being carried out “at the direction of President Trump,” emphasising that “the protection of this country and of the American people remains paramount.” USCIS has also indefinitely suspended all Afghan immigration requests pending updated vetting procedures.
The administration’s wider review extends to roughly 200,000 refugees admitted under former President Joe Biden, with green card applications for those individuals frozen until further notice.
Trump has been steadily intensifying immigration restrictions throughout his presidency, but the Washington shooting has triggered an even more aggressive posture. In recent weeks, he has reinstated travel bans affecting several countries across Africa, Asia and the Middle East and set a historically low refugee cap of 7,500 for 2026.
On Thursday, he reiterated a call for “reverse migration,” arguing that reducing what he termed “illegal and disruptive populations” was essential to restoring public security. His administration has already expanded deportation operations, with ICE data showing that more than two-thirds of detainees arrested since mid-November had no criminal convictions.
While Lakanwal entered the country legally under a US-backed evacuation programme, Trump has pointed to the case as evidence that broader categories of legal migration require tighter vetting. He described the shooting as an “act of terror,” insisting it underscored a longstanding failure in immigration policy.
The President has not clarified how a blanket pause on migration from “Third World countries” would be defined or enforced, nor how it would interact with existing statutes on asylum, refugee protection, and family reunification. Legal experts warn that such sweeping restrictions may face court challenges, similar to battles seen during his first presidency over travel bans targeting majority-Muslim nations.
He also said the United States would immediately halt all payments and subsidies to the country, citing its treatment of a U.S. government representative during this year’s G20 meeting in Johannesburg.
Trump, who did not send an official American delegation to the Johannesburg summit last weekend, argued that the United States had refused to participate because white Afrikaners in South Africa were being “violently persecuted,” a claim that the South African government has rejected as unfounded.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said South Africa had refused to hand over its G20 hosting responsibilities to a senior U.S. Embassy official at the conclusion of the summit.
“Therefore, at my direction, South Africa will NOT be receiving an invitation to the 2026 G20, which will be hosted in the Great City of Miami, Florida next year,” he wrote. “South Africa has demonstrated to the World they are not a country worthy of Membership anywhere, and we are going to stop all payments and subsidies to them, effective immediately.”
South Africa’s presidency responded sharply, calling the U.S. decision an insult and rejecting Trump’s claims. The handover of the G20 presidency occurred at South Africa’s Foreign Ministry after the summit, as the United States was not represented at the closing ceremony.
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office said Trump’s statements were “regrettable” and criticised the Republican leader for relying on “misinformation and distortions” about the country. The statement stressed South Africa’s continued commitment to the G20, highlighting the successful Johannesburg summit and the participation of U.S. businesses and civil society organisations in related events.
This year’s Johannesburg summit was the first held on African soil. Washington, a founding G20 member and the world’s largest economy, opposed South Africa’s agenda, particularly proposals focusing on climate change, and did not sign the summit’s final declaration.
Trump has frequently targeted South Africa since returning to office, accusing the country of being anti-American due to its diplomatic ties with China, Russia, and Iran. His administration has also limited the number of refugees admitted from South Africa, prioritising mostly white applicants, and has suspended parts of the refugee programme that had been in place since January.
The initiative, carried out in Bugesera District, connected 63 schools, including 13 serving refugee learners through a partnership involving the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, the Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA), UNICEF Rwanda, and Giga, a UNICEF–ITU initiative.
Before the pilot, many schools depended on costly mobile-based 3G and 4G services that offered speeds of up to 5 Mbps. By grouping demand and guiding infrastructure upgrades, providers were able to switch schools to fixed wireless and fibre connections, lowering the cost per Mbps from about US$20 to US$9.
The shift also boosted speeds, with each school now receiving at least 25 Mbps, a substantial improvement for classrooms increasingly relying on digital content. Devices supplied by the government and partners helped complete the move to functional digital learning environments.
The project used Giga’s real-time monitoring platform to track performance and ensure providers met agreed service levels.
“The pilot showed that the application of UNICEF’s procurement approach is a powerful
way to engage with the private sector and obtain more affordable prices for school
connectivity,” said Denis Mupenzi, a Supply Specialist with UNICEF Rwanda. He added that fixed wireless installations contributed to raising speeds to levels more suitable for learning.
Rwanda’s broader digital strategy includes ongoing collaborations with telecom operators. Airtel Rwanda recently connected 20 youth centres and 281 schools, providing free access to online digital skills materials. UNICEF is also working with network providers to whitelist e-learning platforms so students can access key content without data charges.
Teachers report that improved connectivity is already influencing classroom practice. Steve Nzaramba, a Communications Specialist with UNICEF Rwanda, pointed to the example of a teacher in a remote school who can now use online visuals to explain topics such as extreme weather, making lessons more engaging.
“By using the internet, he now demonstrates to his students different impacts of extreme weather, such as floods and landslides. This engages his students more effectively.”
UNICEF maintains that infrastructure alone is not enough, noting that connectivity is most effective when paired with devices, relevant digital content and proper teacher training, areas where Rwanda is expanding nationwide programmes.
With several African governments pushing for stronger investment in digital education, the Bugesera pilot offers an example of how coordinated procurement and infrastructure design can lower connectivity costs. The findings are expected to inform future efforts to scale school internet across Rwanda and the region.
Rwanda and the DRC signed a peace agreement on June 27, 2025, with support from the United States. The agreement includes the neutralisation of the FDLR to enable Rwanda to lift its defensive measures along the border with the DRC. These operations are detailed in a project called “CONOPS”, approved in October 2024 during peace talks in Luanda, Angola.
In an interview with Radio France Internationale (RFI) on November 26, Minister Nduhungirehe said that, under the Washington Agreement, dismantling the FDLR is a prerequisite for Rwanda to lift its defensive measures.
“There will be no peace unless the FDLR genocidaires, supported and funded by Kinshasa and even integrated into the army, are neutralised, as required by the CONOPS signed under the Washington peace agreement. Neutralising these FDLR members will pave the way for lifting Rwanda’s defence measures,” he said.
The DRC has indicated that it has launched the process of dismantling the FDLR, referencing a communiqué of October 10 calling on its armed forces to break all collaboration with the group, as well as a “sensitisation campaign” in Walikale territory, North Kivu, aimed at persuading FDLR fighters to lay down their arms.
Minister Nduhungirehe, however, stated that the militia group linked to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda are still present and continue to receive support from Kinshasa.
“Technical teams are discussing in Washington, and we hope progress will be made. In any case, nothing will happen without Kinshasa’s good faith and political will on the FDLR issue. The FDLR remain integrated into the Congolese army and supported by Kinshasa,” he said.
The Minister stressed that the Washington peace agreement calls for concrete actions, including the effective neutralisation of the FDLR, not just mapping, communiqués, or calls to lay down arms. He assured that Rwanda will honour all its commitments under the U.S.-led process.
