In a statement dated Friday, April 18, the Ministry of Justice announced that it had instructed both the Auditor General of the Armed Forces (FARDC) and the Prosecutor General at the Court of Cassation to initiate criminal proceedings against Kabila.
The ministry accuses Kabila of playing a direct role in the ongoing insurgency by the AFC/M23, which has, in recent months, resulted in the capture of strategic areas in eastern Congo, including the cities of Goma and Bukavu.
“In addition, the seizure of all the former Congolese Head of State’s movable and immovable assets has been ordered,” the statement reads.
Additionally, the Ministry of Justice has imposed movement restrictions on what it describes as Kabila’s “collaborators involved in this case of high treason against the Nation.”
The latest development follows Kabila’s recent visit to rebel-controlled Goma after his return to the DRC. The rebels seized the city in January, citing poor governance, ethnic cleansing, and the persecution of minority Kinyarwanda-speaking communities.
Kabila, who ruled the country from 2001 to 2019, had been living in exile in South Africa and Zimbabwe. His return came after he pledged to help address what he described as “serious security issues and challenges in all other sectors of national life.”
Kabila remains an influential figure in Congolese politics, with a loyal base of supporters across the country.
Recently, his wife, Olive Lembe, claimed she is being targeted by the country’s security agencies, following reports that security forces had raided the former president’s residence.
“It is persecution that we are suffering at the hands of the security services and this regime,” Lembe said in an interview with local media on Thursday, April 17.
“They are persecuting us and deliberately damaging the image of our activities.”
Addressing students and faculty of the Senior Command and Staff Course (SCSC), Intake 13, at RDF Headquarters in Kimihurura on Saturday, April 19, Gen (Rtd) Kabarebe emphasised that Rwanda’s national security continues to depend on the RDF’s enduring spirit of readiness and resilience.
“During his remarks, Gen (Rtd) Kabarebe emphasised the significance of the study tour, noting that it had provided students with vital insights and information for their research,” RDF said.
“He underscored that Rwanda’s national security relies on the RDF’s readiness, an enduring quality that defined RPA soldiers during the Liberation War. He urged students to preserve and uphold that legacy in the face of foreign interference and emerging threats.”
Gen (Rtd) Kabarebe made the remarks during a closing session of a five-day RPA Liberation War Study Tour.
The tour, which is part of the Military History Module, offered participants an immersive examination of key battles, strategic decisions, and operational challenges faced by RPA forces during the 1990–1994 war.
Participants visited historic sites and engaged in analytical sessions designed to draw tactical and strategic lessons from the Liberation War. Discussions centred on the early stages of the war, which began on October 1, 1990, in Kagitumba and traced major turning points throughout the campaign.
Students also interacted with RDF generals and senior officers, who shared firsthand accounts of planning, execution, and setbacks encountered during major operations. The discussions offered opportunities for critical engagement, allowing students to ask questions, clarify issues, and gain a deeper understanding of the planning and execution of key military operations.
The Senior Command and Staff Course is designed to prepare mid-level officers for higher command and strategic responsibilities within the RDF and beyond.
In a speech shared by the state-owned Uganda Broadcasting Corporation on Thursday, Museveni said Uganda already has alternative markets for its exports.
“Trump has put a tax, what shall we do? You have Africa, work on Africa,” Museveni said, emphasizing the continent’s vast geographic size and large population.
“In the next 30 years, the population of Africa will be the biggest in the world. It will be one quarter of the human race,” the president said.
Earlier, Odrek Rwabwogo, chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development, told local media that Uganda is already diversifying its export destinations, with promising prospects in Europe and Asia.
Britain has shown strong demand in the grain and coffee sectors, Rwabwogo said, adding that with Uganda Airlines set to launch flights to the European country this or next month, there are hopes of expanding market access for Ugandan products — not only coffee but also grains and bananas, which are already being exported there.
According to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, total goods trade between the United States and Uganda reached 238.9 million U.S. dollars in 2024, with Uganda exporting 132.6 million dollars worth of goods to the United States and importing 106.3 million dollars.
The truce will start from 6:00 p.m. local time (1500 GMT) on Saturday and last until midnight on Sunday into Monday (2100 GMT on Sunday).
“I have ordered a complete cessation of hostilities during this period,” Putin was quoted by the Kremlin’s Telegram account as saying at a meeting with Russian Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov.
Putin also noted that Russia hopes Ukraine will follow suit and cease hostilities during the period.
“Our armed forces must remain on high alert to repel possible ceasefire violations, provocations and any aggressive actions by the enemy,” the Russian president added.
By signing the WIFR Gender Charter on Thursday, April 17, the agency pledged to champion inclusivity not just within its ranks but across the ecosystem it helps shape.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, attended by Belinda Bwiza, WIFR Co-founder and CEO of One Acre Fund Rwanda, along with KIFC staff, CEO Nick Barigye emphasised that gender inclusivity is not just a moral obligation; it is a strategic imperative.
“Empowering women is not only the right thing to do. It is the smart thing to do for ourselves as a company and for our country,” Barigye said.
“Inclusivity brings innovation and ensures sustainability. If we want finance to be sustainable, it must be inclusive.”
Barigye called on KIFC staff to treat the moment as a launchpad for real action rather than a symbolic gesture.
“Let’s walk the talk,” he urged, reiterating that the partnership must translate into tangible mentorships, capacity building, and growth for all.
The statistics shared during the event painted a vivid picture. While women make up 48.2% of Rwanda’s labour force compared to men’s 65.6%, their presence in high-impact roles remains limited. In the private sector, only 32% of decision-making positions are held by women. Moreover, they are significantly underrepresented in higher-paying technical fields—limiting both their economic empowerment and influence on financial policy and innovation.
“Women are present in the workforce,” said Bwiza, “but they’re not rising in the ranks. In many institutions, they enter in large numbers, but disappear by the time you reach senior management.”
Bwiza highlighted the issue of “support roles” often assigned to women in senior positions, underscoring a weak pipeline that endangers long-term progress.
“You may see a woman CEO, but ask yourself: what’s behind her? If the pipeline is dry, that progress isn’t sustainable.”
Central to WIFR’s mission is evidence-based transformation. A key part of their agenda is bridging the data gap that hinders effective interventions. With support from stakeholders such as Access to Finance Rwanda (AFR), the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR), and the Rwanda Bankers Association, Bwiza noted that WIFR will soon conduct an in-depth study to map the current state of women in finance.
“If we understand the state of gender in our institutions,” Bwiza said, “then we can make systematic changes with clear targets. That’s what we’re advocating for.”
So far, 13 institutions have signed the WIFR Gender Charter, committing to transparent policies on diversity, equitable compensation, and inclusive governance structures. KIFC now joins this growing coalition. Some of the members include Bank of Kigali, BRD, NCBA Rwanda, Access to Finance Rwanda, EcoBank, I&M Bank, Umwalimu Sacco, Old Mutual Insurance, Coopedu, Mayfair, Sanlam and Zep-Re.
Among WIFR’s key initiatives is a newly launched mentorship programme promoting peer-to-peer learning. The goal is to create networks where young professionals can grow under the guidance of experienced women leaders. The programme, now in its first cohort, includes over 100 mentees and 30 mentors, with structured group mentoring sessions planned over nine months.
“Even mentors learn from these sessions,” Bwiza noted. “It’s a safe, empowering space where women can talk about workplace challenges, leadership, and personal growth.”
Additionally, WIFR partnered with the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investments (UK) to provide 50 scholarships to young women in finance. Notably, 50% of the recipients are under 30, pointing to a clear effort to develop the next generation of technical talent.
Both leaders agreed that signing the charter must be the beginning, not the end, of institutional reflection and transformation.
“Diagnose your institution,” urged Bwiza. “Where are you on this journey? What are your gaps? What commitments can you transparently make, and how can you track progress?”
Barigye echoed the sentiment, stressing that KIFC, as a sector coordinator, must model the very change it hopes to inspire across Rwanda’s financial landscape.
“Let’s be supportive,” he told staff. “This is about us, all of us. If we’re building a financial centre for the future, let’s build one that includes everyone.”
Reports indicate that Kabila, who had been residing in South Africa, arrived in Goma on Friday afternoon. According to members of the AFC/M23, he entered the country via Rwanda.
Since leaving office, Kabila has spent most of his time in South Africa, though he has also lived in Zimbabwe.
Reports of Kabila’s return to the DRC began circulating earlier this month, with sources revealing that preparations to welcome him had been underway for several days.
He had pledged to return soon, citing the country’s serious security issues and challenges in all other sectors of national life, stating that he wanted to help find solutions.
The country has been facing a crisis due to the ongoing conflict between the government and the AFC/M23 rebels, who have recently taken control of large swathes of eastern DRC. The rebels accuse President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration of poor governance and the targeted persecution of minority groups, particularly Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese.
Kabila remains a powerful figure in Congolese politics and retains a strong base of supporters.
Olivier Kamitatu, a former minister and current spokesperson for Congolese businessman and politician Moïse Katumbi, recently posted on X, saying, “Joseph Kabila’s decision to go to the East, a region controlled by rebels, is not just symbolic: it’s a reminder of our shared future.”
Many Wazalendo fighters and Burundian soldiers fled to Uvira territory after being pushed out of areas in South Kivu Province, including Bukavu city, by the AFC/M23.
The government-backed fighters had previously clashed with the Congolese army, accusing it of cowardice for avoiding combat and attempting to retreat to places like Kalemie in Tanganyika Province.
Wazalendo forces have recently been trying to launch offensives in areas controlled by AFC/M23, particularly in South Kivu, aiming to recapture lost territory. However, most of the attacks have failed, with Wazalendo being repelled almost immediately.
After a period of cooperation between Wazalendo and Burundian forces, a visit by Defence Minister Guy Kabombo Muadiamvita to Uvira on April 7, 2025, revealed the deteriorating relationship.
A Wazalendo leader told Minister Muadiamvita that whenever their fighters attempted to attack AFC/M23, the Burundian troops stopped them, even when the fighters believed they had a chance to win.
“We Wazalendo face many challenges on the battlefield. You are here with our leader and the regional commander, so tell us what the mission and purpose of the Burundian army in our country is. Every time we’re close to defeating the enemy in Kamanyola, the Burundians always tell us, ‘No, you’re not allowed to attack the enemy here,’” he said.
Minister Muadiamvita attempted to ease the tension, explaining that Burundi is an ally of the DRC. He said Burundian troops only prevent attacks on AFC/M23 because they have their own strategy and plans for combat, whether during the day or at night.
Wazalendo forces say they are the ones defending Uvira, warning that if they leave their positions, AFC/M23 would immediately seize the territory. This reflects a loss of faith in both Burundian and Congolese armies.
The coalition also highlighted challenges such as lack of adequate weapons, ammunition, and food, noting that “it’s hard to feed over 6,000 fighters.” They appealed to President Félix Tshisekedi to heed their pleas.
The revelations about Wazalendo’s dire conditions came after the group’s leader, Lt Gen. Padiri Bulenda David, was summoned to Kinshasa for undisclosed reasons.
The new system reflects a broader effort to modernise traffic regulations and improve accountability on the roads. At its core is a merit/demerit point system, which assigns drivers a set number of points annually. Safe drivers will maintain or even earn points, while those who violate traffic rules will see points deducted.
If a driver accumulates too many violations, their license could ultimately be suspended or revoked, adding real consequences to repeat offences. Officials hope this will encourage more responsible behaviour behind the wheel and reduce the rate of road accidents.
The draft law also introduces other reforms, such as updated driving school standards and provisions to leverage new technology for better enforcement. The changes are intended to enhance transparency in the transport sector and strengthen public trust in traffic management systems.
Specific details, including the categories of infractions, the number of points deducted per offence, and associated fines, will be outlined in a Ministerial Order currently under review.
As Rwanda continues prioritising safety and efficiency in its transport sector, the point-based system is being viewed as a practical tool to promote a culture of careful and responsible driving.
In addition to the upcoming point-based system, Rwanda has implemented several other measures over the years to promote road safety. These include the enforcement of strict speed limits—typically 40 km/h in urban areas and 60–80 km/h on highways—monitored by speed cameras installed across various locations.
Seat belt use is mandatory for all vehicle occupants, and failure to comply results in fines. Mobile phone use while driving is prohibited unless a hands-free device is used. The country also upholds a firm stance against drunk driving, with a legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of 0.08%.
To further ensure order on the roads, adherence to traffic signals and signs is strictly enforced, and helmet use is compulsory for both drivers and passengers on motorcycles (motos).
Speaking during a virtual press briefing following his regional tour, which included Rwanda, DR Congo, Kenya, and Uganda, Boulos said the FDLR, a group founded by the masterminds of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, featured prominently in his conversation with Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
“We definitely discussed the FDLR and the risk in question,” Boulos said on April 17, during the briefing on the outcomes of his African mission, which ended three days earlier.
“This is a major element of any peace accord. If you look at all the peace initiatives, this is the key element from the Rwandan side and it’s an integral part of any upcoming peace accord, initiative or agreement.”
The FDLR is designated a terrorist organisation by both the United Nations and the United States. Despite its history and ongoing human rights abuses, it remains a key part of the Congolese government’s military coalition against the AFC/M23 rebels, who currently control significant territory in the eastern provinces.
The rebels accuse the Congolese authorities of marginalisation and of promoting ethnic cleansing through their alliance with the FDLR and other militias.
For years, Kigali has raised alarm over Kinshasa’s collaboration with the FDLR, whose fighters have been implicated in numerous attacks on Rwandan territory, including nearly 20 incidents since 2018. In response, Rwanda has tightened security along its borders to prevent further incursions.
Tensions between the two neighbours escalated further following statements by Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi in late 2023, in which he threatened to support regime change in Rwanda and said he would seek parliamentary approval to declare war.
Boulos confirmed that the Trump administration is engaging both sides and supports regional efforts to resolve the crisis peacefully.
“We’ve been engaging with both parties and this is one of the main elements of those discussions,” he said. “There are solutions – we are not reinventing the wheel here. There are terms that have previously been drafted and agreed upon by both parties, and we will continue working with them towards that.”
He reiterated Washington’s support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states involved.
“Our role and commitment is to ensure sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries in question—not just one country or two, but all that are involved,” Boulos said.
“Everybody has to be at ease and feel comfortable with the terms and safe from any such threats, whether they are actual or perceived or any future threats.”
While in Kigali on April 8, Boulos held talks with President Kagame at Urugwiro Village, where they discussed strengthening U.S.–Rwanda ties and advancing regional peace.
“We are ready to work with Rwanda to achieve this goal, which is why finding a resolution to the conflict in eastern DRC is so essential—it will unlock the region’s untapped potential,” he said.
During his Rwanda visit, Boulos toured the Mutobo Demobilisation Centre, which reintegrates former armed group members.
He spoke with ex-FDLR fighters recently repatriated from eastern Congo, including Maj. Ndayambaje Gilbert, who returned on March 1. Ndayambaje confirmed the FDLR’s strong collaboration with Congolese forces in the ongoing war with the AFC/M23 coalition.
Boulos’s tour included stops in Uganda and Kenya, where he met with Presidents Yoweri Museveni and William Ruto respectively, as well as a meeting with President Tshisekedi in Kinshasa.
The proposed transaction is expected to strengthen Rwanda’s insurance sector by creating a well-capitalised, diversified, and customer-focused insurance group. By uniting the operational strengths and product offerings of BKGI, SGI, and SLA, the new entity aims to offer greater value to policyholders, enhance innovation in the sector, and support long-term sustainability.
According to the joint announcement, BKGI and SGI will merge to form the general insurance arm of the group, while SLA will serve as the life insurance subsidiary. Together, the companies will form a forward-looking institution capable of serving both individual and corporate clients in Rwanda and beyond.
The initiative reflects a broader ambition to boost financial inclusion, improve service delivery, and contribute to the growth of Rwanda’s insurance industry.
The new group is expected to benefit from an expanded distribution network, digital platforms, and a broader suite of products that respond to evolving customer needs and deliver higher value for shareholders.
“This partnership brings together trusted names with shared values and complementary strengths—and sets the stage for a transformative insurance group that will drive innovation, expand access, and deliver meaningful value to Rwandans and our shareholders,” said Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana, Group CEO of BK Group PLC.
Regis Rugemanshuro, Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Social Security Board, described the initiative as part of RSSB’s long-term vision to support inclusive economic growth.
“By joining forces to form this new insurance group, we are laying the groundwork for a strong, competitive player that is built for the future and committed to serving the needs of Rwandan people,” he said.
The formation of the new insurance group is subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals, along with the successful completion of legal and procedural requirements.
