In a Telegram message from FARDC leadership, soldiers were reminded to respect the ongoing peace process and abide by the agreed ceasefire terms.
The directive further emphasised that while soldiers must prioritise peace, they are authorised to respond with proportionate force if attacked by the enemy.
The DRC government and AFC/M23 signed a declaration of principles in Qatar on July 19, 2025, aimed at ending the fighting in eastern DRC. The agreement serves as a roadmap toward a comprehensive peace deal.
The deal calls for a complete cessation of hostilities, with each side remaining within its current areas of control and refraining from attempting to seize new territory.
However, despite the commitments, government-backed Wazalendo militias have repeatedly attacked AFC/M23 positions, disrupting peace in the Masisi, Rutshuru, and Walikale territories.
Last week, AFC/M23 recaptured the Mulema area in Nyamaboko 1 groupement, Masisi, from Wazalendo forces, following attacks by Wazalendo in Luke and Katobotobo.
Sources from North Kivu report that since July 29, AFC/M23 has been reinforcing its fighters in the Kateku area of Ikobo groupement in Walikale territory amid claims that the government forces are preparing for renewed conflict.
The Rwandan side edged Nigeria 12–11 in a thrilling final to secure top honours in the competition, which brings together athletes aged 14 to 17 from across the continent.
Earlier in the tournament, Rwanda had also defeated Nigeria 11–9 in the group stage and registered a dominant 20–10 win over hosts Algeria.
This maiden edition of the African School Games kicked off on July 27 and is scheduled to run through August 5, 2025. The multi-sport event has attracted participants from 52 countries, although Burundi and Somalia withdrew.
Rwanda is competing in two disciplines, 3×3 basketball and athletics, represented by both boys and girls.
Scheduled for August 31, 2025, ‘Dog Fest Kigali’ will take place at KICS Playground in Gacuriro, offering a unique platform to showcase dogs’ abilities, training, and companionship.
The festival is designed not only as a social gathering for pet enthusiasts but also as a space to promote animal welfare and responsible dog ownership.
The initiative is the brainchild of Dog Haus, a Kigali-based dog care service founded by Eric Gahamanyi, who says the festival is aimed at strengthening the bond between people and their dogs while building a community around shared values of compassion and care for animals.
“We wanted to launch this festival so people can learn how to become better companions to their dogs. Dog Fest is a moment of celebration, learning, and community,” Gahamanyi told IGIHE.
Dog Fest Kigali will feature a range of activities, including a Best Dressed Dogs contest, agility and obedience showcases, and behavioural demonstrations that highlight the intelligence and training of participating dogs.
Beyond entertainment, the event will also feature interactive sessions with veterinarians, trainers, and pet product vendors, offering expert advice on animal health, behaviour, and nutrition.
Attendees can expect a vibrant mix of music, food, drinks, and curated stalls with everything from pet accessories to gourmet dog treats.
The festival also aims to spotlight professionals working in the animal care industry and to encourage more people to consider dogs not merely as animals, but as companions and integral parts of everyday life.
More than just an event, Dog Fest Kigali is being positioned as a step forward in cultivating a culture of empathy, responsibility, and respect for animals in Rwanda.
Billed as an old school and R&B night aimed at a more mature crowd, the event is positioning itself as the city’s first locally-owned concept of its kind.
Hosted by MC Zuba Mutesi and featuring DJs Ssese and K’Ru, the party promises a soundscape of classic hip-hop and R&B, catering to revellers who came of age during the golden eras of the ‘90s and 2000s.
According to the organisers, what sets Spin the Block Africa apart is not just its musical offering, but its homegrown roots.
In a scene where similar events are largely foreign-run, organisers SEEV Africa and Intore Entertainment say they’re carving out space for local creatives and supporting the local economy.
“Spin the Block Africa is about building something rooted in Rwanda, with local DJs, hosts, and a long-term vision,” Paul Atwine, founder of SEEV Africa, told IGIHE.
Events like Strictly Soul, Rhythm and Brunch, Old Skool Brunch, and Reminisce have drawn sizeable followings in Kigali in recent years. Atwine says Spin the Block Africa is a homegrown alternative.
The plan, he added, is to host Spin the Block Africa at least four times a year, with potential to expand across the continent.
The organisers are betting on nostalgia and a sense of local pride to draw the grown and groovy crowd in.
The [Henley Passport Index->https://cdn.henleyglobal.com/storage/app/media/HPI/Henley%20Passport%20Index%202025%20July%20Global%20Ranking.pdf], widely regarded as the original and most authoritative ranking of global passport strength, evaluates the travel freedom of 199 passports against 227 destinations.
The ranking is based on the number of countries a passport holder can access without needing a visa in advance. With historical data spanning two decades and expert analysis updated regularly, the index has become an essential tool for global citizens and a trusted reference point for policymakers worldwide.
In its July 2025 edition, the index exposes a stark divide between the most and least powerful passports. At the top of the list is Singapore, whose citizens can travel to an impressive 193 destinations without needing a visa in advance, making it the world’s most powerful passport once again.
Japan, South Korea, and a bloc of European countries, including Germany, France, Italy, and Spain, closely follow, with scores ranging from 190 to 189.
In contrast, at the very bottom sits Afghanistan, whose passport grants visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to just 25 destinations, the lowest score on the index. Syria follows with access to 27 destinations, while Iraq ranks just above with 30.
Citizens of Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia fare slightly better, though still severely limited, with access to 32 destinations each. Meanwhile, Libya and Nepal round out the group with a modest 38 destinations.
The rankings reflect more than just travel limitations; they underscore broader issues of conflict, governance, and diplomatic isolation.
Countries at the bottom of the list are often plagued by internal instability, strained international relations, and economic hardship, all of which directly affect their citizens’ ability to move freely across borders.
On the African continent, there have been some noteworthy shifts, with Rwanda steadily improving its rankings over the years.
In the latest ranking, the Rwandan passport now offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 63 destinations, a score that places it ahead of several of its regional peers and signals growing confidence in the country’s stability, diplomacy, and openness.
This places Rwanda in the 23rd position in Africa and 73rd globally, ahead of several countries in the region, including Mozambique (62) and Togo (60).
Other East African nations in Rwanda’s neighbourhood rank closely: Kenya has access to 71 destinations, Tanzania to 70, Uganda and Zambia to 67, while Burundi lags behind with 48.
The most recent country to grant [ visa-free access to Rwanda is Antigua and Barbuda->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/rwanda-antigua-and-barbuda-ink-deals-on-visa-waiver-health-tourism], through a bilateral agreement signed on July 18, 2025.
Announced in a special Gazette notice on July 28, 2025, Trade Minister Selemani Saidi Jafo clarified that the government will no longer issue or renew business licences for non-citizens engaged in these sectors.
The banned businesses include mobile money transfer services, electronic device repairs, small-scale mining, postal and parcel delivery, tour guiding, radio and television operations, and museum shop management.
Additionally, foreigners will be prohibited from involvement in real estate, clearing and forwarding services, on-farm crop purchasing, and cleaning services for homes, offices, or the environment.
Salon businesses will only be allowed if they operate within hotels or serve tourism purposes. Moreover, foreign ownership of wholesale and retail businesses is banned, with exceptions made for supermarkets, specialised outlets, and wholesale centres dedicated to local producers.
Other restricted sectors include gambling machine operations and small manufacturing industries.
The penalties for foreigners violating these restrictions are severe: a fine of no less than 10 million Tanzanian shillings (approximately Frw 5.6 million), imprisonment for up to six months, and revocation of visas and residence permits.
Tanzanian citizens who assist foreigners in running banned businesses face fines of up to 5 million Tanzanian shillings (approximately Frw 2.8 million) or imprisonment for up to three months.
The government states that this move aims to protect local businesses and promote economic participation by Tanzanian citizens, but critics warn it may damage Tanzania’s international business relations with neighbouring countries and other international partners.
Minister Nduhungirehe made this clear on July 29, 2025, during a session of the Chamber of Deputies to ratify the recently signed peace agreement between Rwanda and the DRC.
MP Christine Mukabunani had asked whether Rwanda’s participation in the peace deal might prompt countries that had sanctioned it to reconsider their decisions.
She posed the question: “Given Rwanda’s decision to sign this agreement, do you expect the countries that imposed sanctions to lift them now?”
In response, Minister Nduhungirehe clarified that the Rwanda-DRC agreement was never intended as a means to have sanctions lifted, and that Rwanda signed it solely out of its commitment to regional peace.
“The Washington Agreement was not aimed at removing sanctions,” he said. “The countries that imposed those measures did so for their own reasons — reasons we have openly rejected. We made our position clear, including recently, because these sanctions have also prevented those countries, particularly in Europe and North America, from meaningfully contributing to the search for solutions.”
He noted that some countries that had imposed sanctions later attempted to participate in the peace process, but Rwanda dismissed their involvement.
“There were actors who tried to re-enter the conversation through manipulative channels under the guise of supporting this agreement. Yet these are the same countries that, as recently as January and February, were threatening further sanctions. They didn’t speak about the region — they explicitly sided with Congo.”
Nduhungirehe emphasised that Rwanda’s decision to sign the agreement had nothing to do with seeking favours from those nations.
“These agreements are not about pleading. We are not here to beg anyone. Let them do as they wish. We signed the agreement because we want peace in the region — not to convince European countries to lift sanctions.”
He added that the sanctions imposed on Rwanda had served as a lesson, encouraging the country to become more self-reliant and to guard against foreign aid being used as a form of pressure or coercion.
“These past months have taught us an important lesson. Rwanda must build its own resilience and avoid becoming dependent on aid that is weaponised for political purposes. Every cent we receive must be used for its intended development goals. If donors use funding to advance political agendas, we reject that — and even now, we are not pleading for sanctions to be lifted. They can make their own decisions, since they were the ones who imposed the sanctions in the first place.”
Several Western nations, including Belgium, imposed sanctions on Rwanda, accusing it of playing a role in the insecurity in Eastern DRC. In response, Rwanda severed diplomatic ties with Belgium, citing its bias and efforts to rally the international community to impose further punitive measures.
Rwanda has consistently stated that it will not be intimidated by foreign sanctions aimed at dictating its internal affairs, especially when its actions are rooted in preserving national security and the interests of its people.
During the parliamentary session on Tuesday, members of the Chamber of Deputies unanimously voted in favour of the agreement, which seeks to restore peace in the Great Lakes Region by addressing longstanding security issues.
The aircraft, equipped as a state-of-the-art teaching hospital, has been stationed at Kigali International Airport since July 21 and will remain until August 1, 2025.
Rwanda is the 84th country to host Orbis since the program launched in 1982.
The initiative is a collaboration between Orbis International, the Ministry of Health, the Rwanda International Institute of Ophthalmology (RIIO), and Kibagabaga Hospital.
Over 100 Rwandan eye specialists have already received hands-on training using advanced technology, and more than 140 patients, 40 aboard the aircraft and 100 at Kibagabaga Hospital, are expected to benefit from surgeries.
Speaking at the launch of the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital mission, Health Minister Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana hailed the initiative as a milestone in advancing high-tech healthcare in Rwanda and across Africa.
He highlighted the partnership between the Ministry of Health, Orbis International, and local institutions like RIIO as vital for expanding capacity and improving eye care services across the country.
He also underscored the importance of integrating artificial intelligence and digital tools in ophthalmology, which can predict complications early and prevent blindness.
Reflecting on past successes, he noted a recent nationwide cataract screening campaign that operated on thousands of patients, emphasising the ongoing efforts to reach even the most remote communities.
Dr. Nsanzimana noted that the government is working hard to increase the number of eye specialists in Rwanda from the current 30 to at least 120 over the next five years, as part of a broader strategy to quadruple the total number of doctors.
“Let’s increase the number of ophthalmologists from 30 to 120 in the next five years. This is achievable.”
The Flying Eye Hospital’s director, Maurice Geary, praised Rwanda’s warm reception and infrastructure support, calling it a historic collaboration.
Dr. Ciku Mathenge, Orbis Medical Advisor for Africa and RIIO co-founder, shared powerful stories of patients, including a young man treated for parasitic worms in his eye and Esther, a 26-year-old woman whose sight was saved through AI-supported diagnosis and treatment for diabetic retinopathy.
“Esther’s story is really a testament to why this work that Orbis is supporting Rwanda to do matters. Lasting, happy change happens when we invest in people, when we foster strong partnerships, and when we strengthen the foundations that your ministry has so ably set down in the health system in Rwanda,” said Dr. Mathenge.
“As a doctor, as a mother, as a proud African woman, and as a passionate advocate for eye care, I know firsthand the life-changing difference that sight makes in an individual. Seeing all of you here today with your dedication and belief fills me with a lot of joy, and it confirms that all of you understand why our mission is so critical.”
The Orbis Flying Eye Hospital will continue operating until August 1, with further training and surgeries planned in close collaboration with RIIO and Rwandan universities.
RIIO, founded 14 years ago by Brig Gen Prof. John Nkurikiye and Prof. Mathenge, was established to address the gap in eye care services in Rwanda and continues to play a central role in building a sustainable, high-quality ophthalmology workforce in the country.
The country has been investing in nuclear energy for nearly seven years, including strategic partnerships with Russia, the United States, Germany, and Canada.
In an interview on The Long Form podcast, Dr. Lassina Zerbo, chairman of the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board and former prime minister of Burkina Faso, outlined how nuclear energy could transform not only Rwanda but the broader continent, offering a sustainable path to socio-economic development.
Dr. Zerbo, a geophysicist and former executive secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO), says Rwanda’s pioneering nuclear strategy is on track for a 2030 launch.
“If everything goes to plan, we should have the first nuclear power plant in Rwanda by 2030,” Dr. Zerbo who serves as an Energy Advisor and Member of the Strategy and Policy Council in the Office of the President, crediting President Paul Kagame’s disciplined vision.
“It’s a challenging timeline, but not impossible,” he added.
Unlike the massive, costly nuclear plants of decades past, Rwanda is embracing SMRs and micro reactors—compact, innovative systems designed for efficiency and safety.
“Small modular reactors range from 300 to 350 megawatts, while micro reactors can be as small as a 40-foot container,” Zerbo explained.
These “plug-and-play” reactors require minimal infrastructure upgrades, making them a viable option for African nations with developing electrical grids.
“You don’t need to overhaul everything like you would for a 1-gigawatt plant,” he noted, contrasting Rwanda’s approach with larger projects in Kenya and Egypt.
Addressing public concerns about nuclear safety, Zerbo emphasised technological advancements that reduce risks.
“The cooling systems in SMRs and micro reactors, like passive cooling or the use of thorium and molten salt, make them far safer than traditional reactors,” he said.
He also tackled the issue of nuclear waste, a common worry. “Our ambition is to use waste from one reactor as fuel for another. With micro reactors, waste is minimal, and vendors can remove and replace modules after 15 to 20 years.”
Beyond powering its cities and villages, Rwanda’s nuclear program aims to serve as a blueprint for Africa, a vision widely discussed at the recently concluded Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa (NEISA 2025).
“If we succeed here, it can inspire other African nations,” Zerbo remarked, pointing to countries like Ghana, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso, which are exploring similar technologies.
In efforts to actualise its nuclear energy ambitions, Rwanda has secured partnerships with global vendors, including Russia’s Rosatom for SMRs and U.S.-based Nano Nuclear Energy and Denmark’s Copenhagen Atomics for micro reactors.
“We’re diversifying to avoid dependency and mitigate geopolitical risks,” Zerbo noted, addressing concerns about aligning with partners like Rosatom amid global tensions.
{{From Burkina Faso to global stages
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Zerbo’s journey to becoming Rwanda’s nuclear chief is as compelling as the technology he champions. Born in Bobo-Dioulasso in 1963, when Burkina Faso was still Upper Volta, he rose from a modest upbringing to a global career in science and diplomacy.
As a young man, he dreamed of becoming a lawyer inspired by a French film about injustice, but a government scholarship steered him toward geophysics. His work in the mining industry and later at the CTBTO, where he monitored global nuclear tests, earned him international recognition.
In 2021, Zerbo briefly served as Burkina Faso’s prime minister, a role cut short by a coup d’état.
Reflecting on the experience, he remained unfazed.
“I never felt threatened,” he said, describing the chaotic night when gunfire erupted in Ouagadougou. “I was watching a football match with the president when it started. I knew I hadn’t done anything to compromise myself.”
His resilience and optimism continue to shine through as he serves Africa, now from Kigali.
Drawing on his experiences in Burkina Faso, where jihadist terrorism remains a growing threat, he stressed the need for regional unity.
“Terrorism thrives where people lack opportunity,” he said, advocating for a dual approach of deterrence and development.
“We need to give people a reason to live, not just fight with guns.”
He sees Rwanda’s stability and progress as a beacon of hope, likening it to a phoenix rising from its ashes after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, which claimed more than a million lives and left a trail of destruction.
“Rwanda’s nuclear program is about showing what’s possible when you combine vision, discipline, and courage.”
Watch the full interview with Dr. Lassina Zerbo on The Long Form podcast to hear more about his journey and Rwanda’s energy ambitions.
Baghaei’s remarks came in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments a day earlier, in which Trump alleged that Iran had intervened in the latest round of talks aimed at ending the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The negotiations, held in Qatar, were suspended last week with both Israeli and U.S. delegations walking out.
Describing Trump’s claim as “absolutely baseless,” Baghaei said the accusation was an attempt to deflect U.S. responsibility for its complicity in what he called Israeli “crimes” against the Palestinians.
Baghaei said that Hamas negotiators were capable of discerning and pursuing the interests of Gaza’s population and did not need any third party’s intervention in that regard.
Baghaei reaffirmed Iran’s position, shared by many countries, condemning what he called “genocide” in Gaza and supporting any initiative that would lead to an end to the suffering of the Palestinian people and the cessation of Israeli actions in the territory.
Trump, in a meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday, claimed that “I think they (Iran) got involved in this negotiation, telling Hamas and giving Hamas signals and orders.” He didn’t provide further details on the claim.
