Speaking in Kliptown, Johannesburg, on Friday, Ramaphosa said South Africa is ready to welcome world leaders and deliver a successful meeting. “The summit will go on. We are not going to stop because they are not here,” he said, adding that most G20 leaders have confirmed their attendance.
Ramaphosa noted that U.S. President Donald Trump had withdrawn all U.S. representatives, citing allegations of ill-treatment of Afrikaners and “genocide.”
Stressing “boycott politics never work,” he said, “If you boycott an event or a process, you lose because the show will go on.”
The G20 Leaders’ Summit is scheduled for November 22 and 23 in Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city and economic hub.
The G20 is a forum for major global economies that brings together 19 countries along with two large economic blocs: the European Union and the African Union. It represents a significant share of the world’s GDP, international trade, and population. Established in 1999 to address international economic and financial stability, the G20 has since expanded its agenda to include issues such as climate change and sustainable development.
Its members are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Republic of Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States, in addition to the European Union and the African Union.
In a statement issued on Saturday night, Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said the framework marks “an important step on the road to definitively addressing the root causes of conflict in eastern DRC, and the obstacles to peace in the Great Lakes Region.”
Kigali also commended Qatar for its sustained engagement as mediator, as well as the support provided by the United States and the African Union.
The agreement, signed in Doha earlier in the day, is being celebrated as one of the most concrete advances in years toward stabilising a region that has endured insecurity and humanitarian crises for over two decades.
According to U.S. Senior Advisor for African Affairs, Massad Boulos, the framework “charts a clear path toward a peace accord”, with both the DRC government and the AFC/M23 committing to uphold the ceasefire, end hostilities, and jointly tackle the root causes of the conflict.
Boulos highlighted eight core protocols contained in the framework, including mechanisms for prisoner exchanges, ceasefire monitoring and verification, expanded humanitarian access, restoration of state authority, disarmament and reintegration of armed groups, return of displaced people, economic recovery, and efforts to promote justice and reconciliation.
“These obligations will strengthen the foundation for peace, stability, and the rebuilding of trust in affected communities,” Boulos said, thanking Qatar for facilitating the process.
Further details shared by the Permanent Secretary of AFC/M23, Benjamin Mbonimpa, reaffirmed that the framework establishes a phased implementation roadmap. Each of the eight protocols will be discussed and executed progressively, with a defined timeline guiding the process. A comprehensive peace agreement will only be signed once both parties have fully addressed all protocol components.
Among the protocols is a commitment to collaborate on restoring state institutions and public services in eastern DRC, a process envisioned to unfold in stages. Another protocol includes temporary security measures designed to maintain public calm and protect civilians during the transition period.
Both parties have also agreed to form an independent national commission tasked with advancing truth, reconciliation, accountability for crimes, and planning the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure.
The signing ceremony in Doha was witnessed by Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al-Khulaifi, and Massad Boulos, the Advisor to the U.S. President on African Affairs.
“Every single day,” he says, “I have to do this. It’s no joke. I spend most of the time just imagining how great this project will be.”
Half Yemeni, half Ukrainian, Richi never imagined his life would take root in Rwanda. Before the war in Ukraine, triggered on February 24, 2022, when Russia launched a full-scale invasion, he was a successful real estate entrepreneur in Kyiv, owner of a café, a beauty salon, and a father to twins born just months before the fighting erupted.
Since then, fighting and airstrikes have caused more than 40,000 civilian casualties, while 3.7 million people have been internally displaced, and a further 6.9 million have fled Ukraine, creating one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises.
On the day the war began, he was in Poland. His family soon joined him. They drove west to Spain, spent nearly two years there, tried Germany, where his wife has family roots, and visited Portugal. But Europe, for all its comfort, felt temporary.
“I wasn’t sure where my life was leading,” he recalls. “I never thought I’d find happiness again. I never thought that this would be in Rwanda.”
Then a friend who lived in Kigali suggested, “Just come. Visit without your family. See if it’s for you.” Richi bought a ticket and arrived for a 10-day scouting trip. The moment he stepped out of Kigali International Airport, he knew.
“The streets were so clean. Everything was so simple, so beautiful, so organized,” he says.
“Then I learned about more rapid development, huge opportunities in the service sector, and everyone said it was safe. I’m not here to find a job. I’m here to start a business. It was clean, safe, simple, far from Europe’s problems. It felt like destiny.”
Richi soon discovered that Rwanda is not only welcoming to foreigners but is also engineered for their success. “Not only the government, but the people, business partners, other owners, everyone wants to do better business,” he says. “In Europe and Ukraine, you’re more on your own. Here, everybody is open.”
That openness led him to William Shaka, a local landowner who had nurtured a farm in Bugesera for 15 years with a quiet dream to one day transform it into something more than agriculture.
Richi and his wife, passionate about eco-tourism, real estate, and marketing, saw the same vision. “We met,” Richi says, “and it was destiny again.”
Their first test? A mango festival. Over 1,100 people showed up. “It was crazy,” Richi laughs. “We realised there is demand for farm visits in Rwanda. People in Kigali want something new. Bugesera is closer, the roads are better, and it’s fresh.”
What began as a festival soon blossomed into Eagle View Farm: an agro-tourism project blending working agriculture with guest rooms, a lakeside restaurant, a wellness centre, and a vision of families waking up to pick oranges from trees outside their door.
“Imagine this,” Richi says, standing by a fish pond with orange groves behind it. “Your children wake up and say, ‘Wow, oranges!’ You tell them, ‘Go get some.’ They pick them. You wash them, cut them. Just like it was supposed to be.”
Every morning, Richi and his family do yoga on the lake shore, watching fishermen cast nets at 7:30 a.m. in perfect unison. “Only birds and fishermen,” he says. “Pure peace.”
The future kitchen, still under construction, overlooks the water. “Can you imagine working here?” he asks, gesturing wide. “Chefs getting fresh products from the farm, cooking with this view. It’s the dream.”
One year ago, when the family moved in, there was only a house. Now, over 10 guest rooms are rising, along with the restaurant and wellness centre.
“It’s all coming to reality,” Richi says. “Very soon, everyone will know about this project.” But Eagle View is more than a business, it’s a prototype. “I hope we motivate other investors to create farm-integrated, eco-tourism projects across Rwanda,” he says.
“With fast internet and AI, you can be in the middle of nowhere and still solve problems instantly. Take a photo of a diseased leaf AI tells you what to do. No waiting for an expert from Kigali. This opens crazy possibilities.”
Since Richi began posting about farm life online, the messages pour in from expats, investors, and especially Rwandans abroad. Many own unused land back home.
Some write: “You’re living the dream. We want to come home.” His response is direct: “Come home. It’s time to invest in Rwanda. The longer you wait, the harder this will be. Such lifestyles will become rarer.”
He speaks not of happiness, but of something more sustainable. “Happiness comes in phases,” he says. “We’re not designed to be happy all the time. But we can be calm. We can be peaceful.” Buddhist monks don’t seek happiness. They seek peace. If I had to describe my life now, I’d say: peaceful.”
To anyone curious about Rwanda, agro-tourism or a life rooted in the land, Richi extends a warm invitation to come and see it firsthand.
“Please visit us. If you’re into eco-tourism, nature, agriculture, wilderness, and self-development, you’ll see a project that shows where Rwanda is heading. We’re building something unique. Welcome to Eagle View Farm.”
Agricultural and livestock products remain among Rwanda’s strongest foreign exchange contributors. In the 2023/24 fiscal year, the country earned more than $839.2 million (over 1.2 trillion Rwandan Francs) from the export of agricultural produce.
Coffee continues to play a central role in this performance. This year alone, the crop generated $78.71 million, reinforcing Rwanda’s reputation for producing high-quality speciality coffee that enjoys strong international demand.
To boost future earnings, NAEB is intensifying efforts to expand and rejuvenate the country’s coffee plantations. This year, 2,902,145 seedlings will be planted across 1,043 hectares, while an additional 443 hectares of ageing, low-yield trees, many of which have produced for more than three decades, will be replaced. Last year, farmers planted 1.3 million seedlings as part of the same long-term expansion strategy.
A significant driver of this growth is the Promoting Smallholder Agro-export Competitiveness (PSAC) project, which runs until 2029. Under PSAC, 9 million coffee seedlings are set to be planted on 3,050 hectares. The initiative supports smallholder farmers to increase both the volume and quality of export crops, enabling them to compete more effectively in global markets.
PSAC is currently active in six major tea- and coffee-producing districts: Nyaruguru, Karongi, Nyamasheke, Rutsiro, Nyabihu, and Rulindo.
NAEB Chief Executive Officer Bizimana Claude emphasised the importance of collaboration with farmers to drive export growth.
“Working closely with coffee farmers across the country, we aim to increase exports by replacing old trees and expanding cultivation areas,” he said. “NAEB is providing new seedlings and fertilisers to ensure higher yields and better quality, helping farmers secure improved prices.”
For many farmers, the impact is already visible. Seth Ndutiye, a veteran coffee grower from the Mubuga sector in Karongi District, has cultivated coffee for 30 years.
“I began planting coffee at 15 and now have 2,000 trees,” he said. “Thanks to the new seedlings supplied by NAEB, our production has increased significantly.”
Ndutiye added that ageing trees had long been a challenge, with some producing fewer than three kilogrammes per tree for decades. In contrast, the new varieties are already yielding up to 12 kilogrammes per tree, offering hope for higher incomes and a more sustainable future for coffee farming.
Rwanda’s renewed push in the coffee sector is expected to sustain its export growth trajectory while strengthening the livelihoods of thousands of smallholder farmers nationwide.
Her remarks come amid long-standing international concern over alleged DRC military support for the group and ongoing instability in the region.
In a recent interview on Al Jazeera, Kayikwamba denied any government support, stating, “We do not. They are Rwandans. They have been on our territory for the past 30 years. They have been preying predominantly on our population, not on the Rwandan population.”
International human rights organisations, including Human Rights Watch, have repeatedly reported that the DRC has at times supported the FDLR depending on its political relations with Rwanda. When pressed on these accusations, Kayikwamba dismissed them: “It isn’t. You are talking about 2009 when we are in 2025.”
She also sought to downplay the UN Security Council Resolution 2773, adopted in February 2025, which condemned DRC military support for the FDLR and called for its cessation, describing such incidents as isolated cases.
“Well, if there are cases of support to the FDLR, and I think this is the important distinction we need to make, it is not state policy. We are talking about individuals. We are talking about individuals within the army. And when we have evidence of that, we also have mechanisms to hold them accountable and to sanction them,” she said.
Pressed on why the Security Council addressed the Congolese military rather than the individuals allegedly involved, she insisted: “No, because these random members are still part of the army. And so the army is held accountable, and is held accountable to make sure that any behaviour that is not in line with its policy is sanctioned.”
She was taken to task over why the military had to issue a formal communiqué on 10 October 2025, if such cases were truly isolated. The directive warned soldiers not to collaborate with the FDLR, raising questions about how widespread such behaviour really is.
Kayikwamba responded: “We clearly communicate to the public and to our army that any discretion will not be tolerated.”
When asked if FDLR fighters had begun complying with disarmament efforts under the Washington agreement between Rwanda and the DRC signed in June, Kayikwamba said that some are already laying down their arms through the UN programme for reintegrating former combatants into civilian life.
However, the FDLR’s military spokesperson, Lt Col Octavien Mutimura, recently told Radio France Internationale (RFI) that their fighters have no intention of disarming and are prepared to fight if attacked.
“We are here to defend ourselves and protect the abandoned Rwandan refugees. Asking us to lay down our arms without honouring our request is just a dream,” he said.
FDLR fighters remain active across eastern DRC, including the Walikale territory, and continue coordinating with other armed factions in offensives against the AFC/M23 rebel group, which is engaged in conflict with the Kinshasa administration.
Rwanda Defence Forces spokesperson Brig Gen Ronald Rwivanga said in June that the FDLR comprises between 7,000 and 10,000 fighters. This week, the UN repatriated 12 FDLR combatants, highlighting the slow pace of the disarmament process.
The U.S. draft urges the Council to endorse a comprehensive two-year framework aimed at stabilising Gaza, restoring governance, and addressing longstanding humanitarian and security concerns. The plan outlines the creation of a new governing body, the “Board of Peace,” which would oversee the region’s transition while operating under international oversight.
The U.S. draft calls for the establishment of a temporary International Stabilisation Force (ISF) to disarm non-state armed groups in Gaza, ensure the protection of civilians, secure humanitarian corridors, and assist in the demilitarisation of the area.
The force, which is expected to be around 20,000 strong, would not include U.S. troops but would be staffed by international personnel. The draft emphasises the necessity of peace efforts, stating, “Conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood” after necessary reforms by the Palestinian Authority (PA).
Despite broad support for the idea of creating a “Board of Peace,” several member states raised concerns over the proposed framework. Issues include the lack of clarity regarding the PA’s role in the future governance structure, limited oversight mechanisms, and the vague nature of the ISF’s mandate.
“While the Board of Peace is a positive development, questions remain on how the PA will operate within this new structure,” one UNSC member noted.
In response to the U.S. proposal, Russia, currently engaged in the war in Ukraine, presented a counter-resolution calling for a more balanced approach to achieving a sustainable cessation of hostilities. Russia’s draft emphasises “a unified approach” to resolving the Gaza conflict, focusing on the immediate cessation of violence and the addressing of humanitarian concerns.
“The goal is to enable the Security Council to develop a balanced, acceptable, and unified approach toward achieving a sustainable cessation of hostilities,” Russia’s representative stated.
The context of these diplomatic efforts stems from the October 8, 2025, ceasefire agreement brokered by the U.S., which brought about the first phase of Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan.
The ceasefire paused the violence that had claimed over 69,000 Palestinian lives over two years of fighting. While the ceasefire has largely held, Israel’s repeated violations, through near-daily airstrikes and attacks, have exacerbated the fragile peace process, leading to further casualties.
The U.S. mission to the UN emphasised the critical need for adoption of the resolution, framing it as a historic opportunity to “pave a path toward enduring peace in the Middle East.”
“This is a historic moment for the international community to act decisively in securing lasting peace and stability in Gaza and the broader region,” said the U.S. Ambassador to the UN.
While the situation remains fluid and complex, the international community now faces a critical decision regarding its approach to the Gaza crisis. The Security Council’s response to the U.S. draft and Russia’s counterproposal will likely determine the trajectory of peace efforts in Gaza in the coming months.
Known for championing classic R&B and throwback hits in a nightlife scene often dominated by Afrobeats and Amapiano, Spin the Block is switching things up this time with a full-day party experience running from 2pm until 2am. Organisers are encouraging table reservations for those looking to enjoy the event’s premium brunch vibe, complete with Kōzo’s signature ambience.
This edition also arrives at the perfect moment for visitors travelling to Kigali for Davido’s concert at BK Arena on December 5, offering them an easy follow-up activity to keep the weekend energy going.
Staying true to its homegrown spirit, the line-up is 100% Rwandan, featuring seasoned Old Skool selectors DJ Infinity, DJ Khizzbeats, and Nicolas Peks, all known for their deep crates and silky smooth R&B blends. The event will be hosted by Rlutta, the artist behind the popular “Umeze Bon” fame, adding her trademark and charm to the stage.
According to the organisers, Spin the Block’s move to Kōzo marks a new chapter, with the venue becoming its official base for all 2026 editions. The shift signals a long-term vision to grow the brand and establish a consistent home for Kigali’s R&B faithful.
With throwbacks, slow jams, brunch plates and sunset vibes lined up, this December edition promises to be the city’s standout feel-good party of the month.
The event, held at the College of Business and Economics of the University of Rwanda in Gikondo, focused on leadership, gender equality, sexual and reproductive health, and human rights.
From the opening keynote, the message was clear: “You are not chickens scratching in the dirt. You are eagles, born to soar, built to lead, and destined to return to your nest to lift others.”
This powerful message encouraged participants to take charge of their potential and make a meaningful impact in their communities.
Several young women stood out for their stories and achievements. Anderson Tuyizere, a project management student and GLF member, spoke about her commitment to gender justice: “I believe in women empowerment and all genders. I don’t support any injustice, whether it’s a woman or a man.” She has already launched an Equality Circle at Kepler College to create a space for dialogue and change.
Karine Usanase, from East Africa’s first business analytics cohort at Kepler College, defined gender equality as having access to opportunities without limits set by gender. Tafaul Wazil, also at Kepler, emphasised the importance of confidence: “What my brother can do, I can also do. What they can achieve, I can also achieve.”
Gloria Nshutinziza, a law student at Mount Kigali University, shared her experience overcoming doubts from male classmates. Appointed class representative in her first week, she went on to become President of the School of Law, proving her leadership through action.
The Girls Leadership Forum was first launched in 2012 at the University of Rwanda. Nkundimfura Rosette, the Executive Director of GLF Rwanda, shared the organisation’s impact on enhancing leadership among girls.
“GLF was created with the goal of transforming four key areas, the first being women’s leadership, which personally motivated me. There was a widespread belief that girls were only fit for roles like secretaries, gender officers, or protocol positions,” she said.
“I’m proud to say that GLF has made significant progress, reaching numerous universities and secondary schools, and things have changed. Girls are excelling and holding key leadership roles. We are pleased to see a shift in mindset, and with over 500 members, none of them have experienced unwanted pregnancies,” she said.
In a world where the voices of young girls are often silenced, the Pan-African Adolescent Girls Movement, targeting girls from 17 to 24, stands as a beacon of empowerment. This initiative, launched in Rwanda with the support of the Graca Machel Trust and implemented by GLF Rwanda, aims to provide adolescent girls across Africa with the tools to break through barriers and claim their rightful place as leaders of tomorrow.
The movement is designed to nurture, mentor, and connect young girls, equipping them with the skills and confidence to lead not only within their communities but across the continent.
With a vision to reshape Africa’s future, the movement is set to inspire the next generation of visionary women who will drive positive change, challenge the status quo, and create lasting impact in their societies.
Hear from some of the leading voices in the video below.
The Protocol on Inspection, Quarantine, and Sanitary Requirements, signed on Wednesday, November 12, will pave the way for Rwandan avocados to join the growing list of agricultural products already exported to China, a market of 1.4 billion consumers.
This development coincided with Rwanda’s participation in the 8th edition of the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, an event that has become a key platform for promoting trade, attracting investment, and promoting cultural exchange between the two countries.
Rwandan avocados, which have already gained strong demand in markets such as the Middle East, particularly the United Arab Emirates, are increasingly recognised as a major export crop alongside coffee and tea. The new protocol with China represents the next step in Rwanda’s strategy to diversify export markets and reach new consumers.
Since Rwanda first appeared at the CIIE in 2018, the country has introduced a range of agricultural and processed products to the Chinese market, including coffee, tea, chili, natural honey, macadamia nuts, and handicrafts. Exports to China have grown significantly over this period, rising from US$35 million in 2019 to US$160.6 million in 2024.
“The protocol for the export of Rwanda’s avocados to China will further broaden the variety of Rwandan products available to Chinese consumers,” the embassy said in a statement released on November 4, ahead of the expo.
China remains Rwanda’s leading source of foreign direct investment, which reached US$460 million in 2024 across sectors such as manufacturing, real estate, agro-processing, and mining.
Meanwhile, Rwanda’s avocado industry has shown remarkable growth, with exports generating US$6.3 million in 2023 compared to just US$440,000 in 2013. The country exported 3,200 tonnes of avocados at an average of US$2 per kilogram and aims to increase this to 31,000 tonnes by 2029, targeting new markets in China and India.
The new avocado trade protocol is expected to not only boost Rwanda’s agricultural exports but also strengthen the country’s economic ties with China, further deepening a partnership guided by the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
According to MINEMA, from January to October this year, Rwanda received 5,101 returning citizens, including those who had previously been unable to return due to threats from armed groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), such as the FDLR, which had warned that returnees would be killed if they attempted to go home. The FDLR is a militia group formed by remnants of the perpetrators of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.
The figures were disclosed on Tuesday, 12 November 2025, during a visit to the Nyarushishi Transit Centre, where officials met with recently returned Rwandans. Discussions during the visit focused on governance reforms, national opportunities, and the Ndi Umunyarwanda (“I am Rwandan”) programme.
The Mayor of Rusizi District, Phanuel Sindayiheba, welcomed the returnees and commended their decision to come back.
“Rwanda has chosen not to be held back by discrimination, poverty, or ignorance, but to pursue development and unity among Rwandans,” he said.
Marie Alice Kayumba Uwera, the Executive Director in Charge of National Unity and Community Resilience at MINUBUMWE, emphasised the importance of the Ndi Umunyarwanda programme in fostering a sense of national identity.
“Although you are returning late, it is better late than never. You are encouraged to work hard to make up for lost time,” she said, adding that some returnees had been misled into prioritising ethnic identity over their Rwandan roots.
Kayumba Uwera also urged returning women to encourage their husbands to come back. “Women have a strength we often do not realise. Many of you have already made the right choice to return, and you have inspired your husbands to follow,” she said.
Gonzage Karagire, Director of Refugee Programmes at MINEMA, said that receiving returning Rwandans is an ongoing effort.
“This year alone, over 5,000 Rwandans have come home. Currently, there are 592 people in this transit camp, including children and adults who recently returned,” he said.
Of the 592 returnees at Nyarushishi, 396 are children and 196 are adults. Among the adults, 160 are women and 36 are men.
Mushimiyimana Immaculée, who returned after 31 years in exile, recounted the challenges she faced and expressed her commitment to national unity.
“I only completed the first three grades, and I feel ashamed that at 32 years old I cannot read or write. I had to leave school when fighting broke out,” she said. She added that she intends to work with others to preserve unity and create opportunities for future generations.
