Anti-government protests have rocked Maputo since the October 9 presidential election, which the ruling Frelimo party won. The ruling party’s presidential candidate, Daniel Chapo, secured a 70.7% victory according to the official results, but opposition candidate Venancio Mondlane has dismissed the polls as fraudulent and is calling for street protests.
With the rising tension, a social media user shared a video of the police battling protesters on X, claiming that the Rwandan troops were among the security forces.
South African journalist and international news editor for SABC Sophie Mokoena sought clarification from the Rwandan authorities over the clip.
“Rwanda must quickly respond to these allegations. This will create a huge problem. A swift response is needed. The @SADC_News can’t look away. This political and security crisis is not good for the region,” she wrote on X.
Responding to the journalist, Yolande Makolo, the Rwandan government spokesperson, dismissed the claims, clarifying that there are no Rwandan security forces in Maputo; rather, they are in the Cabo Delgado Province, where they are engaged in anti-terrorism operations.
“Hello, Sophie. This is a lie. There are no Rwandan troops in Maputo. Rwandan Security Forces are deployed strictly in Cabo Delgado province, in joint operations with Mozambican forces against extremist Islamist fighters that have been terrorizing residents in the province,” Makolo stated.
Rwandan forces are helping Mozambique’s army fight militants who launched an armed uprising in 2017.
Rwanda deployed its security forces to Mozambique in 2021 after the insurgency escalated, with the militia employing violent tactics, including attacks on civilians and security forces and destruction of property.
Since 2021, Mozambique has also received military support from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), but SADC forces began withdrawing in April 2024 as their mandate ended. This withdrawal has left Rwanda with a greater share of responsibility in assisting local forces in addressing the ongoing security crisis in the northern province.
The Sudanese Doctors Network reported that 15 people were killed and five injured in an RSF attack on the Bardik area and nearby villages.
Separately, Ibrahim Khatir, director-general of North Darfur State’s health ministry, told Xinhua that three people were killed in an artillery attack on the Saudi Hospital in El Fasher, the capital city of North Darfur State. Medical staff at the hospital were unharmed.
Fierce clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF have been ongoing in El Fasher since May 10. The city, home to approximately 1.5 million people, including 800,000 internally displaced persons, has been severely affected by the conflict.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan, which began in mid-April 2023, has resulted in over 24,850 deaths and displaced millions of people, according to the latest estimates from international organizations.
In addition to giving established celebrities a platform to reach an even wider audience, the app continues to create overnight sensations, turning simple acts into captivating performances that showcase talent and charisma.
From famous Senegalese-Italian influencer Khaby Lame to Uganda’s rising star Rango Tenge Tenge, Turkish chef Salt Bae, Kenya’s beauty Azziad Nasenya, and Rwanda’s content creator Judy, TikTok’s influence is truly astonishing.
In recent weeks, Rwanda’s taxi moto rider Sadi Bizumuremyi has emerged as a rising star on TikTok. The 26-year-old has leveraged the short video platform to promote his business while captivating his growing audience with engaging content that entertains and highlights life in Rwanda.
In an exclusive interview with IGIHE, Sadi shared that he has been in the taxi moto business for about six months after quitting his job as an Arabic course tutor at Ashakirina Academy in Nyanza to start his own enterprise. He secured his previous position after completing online courses offered by an institution based in Saudi Arabia.
According to Sadi, the decision to quit his teaching job was influenced by his strong desire for self-employment and financial freedom.
“I realized I needed to be financially stable before pursuing anything else. Even if I decide to return to teaching, I must first secure my finances, as it will allow me to perform my job much better,” Sadi remarked.
However, like many people keen to venture into self-employment, his main obstacle was capital, as he did not have enough money to start his long-harboured dream of a motor vehicle taxi business.
After some soul-searching, he borrowed money from a friend and added it to his savings to purchase a motorcycle and kickstart his business.
Initially, as a newcomer in the taxi moto sector, Sadi found it challenging to attract customers. However, necessity is the mother of invention, and that’s when he turned to social media, primarily WhatsApp, to connect with potential clients.
“It was really hard to get customers despite having over 600 friends on WhatsApp who could see my status. I realized many people in my country prefer motorcycles because they’re cheap and fast, yet they didn’t know I was in this business. So, I started posting on my WhatsApp status to let them know: ‘I’m riding motorcycles now—please give me some work!’” Sadi explained.
“That’s how I began posting every day before heading to work. I would stand in front of my door, wearing my jacket and helmet, and shoot a short video saying, ‘I’m ready for work—please give me some jobs!’”
Soon after, he started receiving requests from friends for rides or deliveries around Kigali. In the process, he also met two sisters from Nigeria who were running a startup in the city. They advised him to elevate his business by opening a TikTok account in early October.
“The Nigerian sisters gave me a job and encouraged me, saying, ‘You’re doing well! Why not share what you do on TikTok and other social media platforms? Show others your work and become a professional.’ I thought that sounded great!” he added.
Most of his TikTok videos have gone viral, with his growing community of followers praising him for his professionalism, business acumen, and humorous character.
“Since then, they text me, ‘Hi Motari, can you pick me up?’ I’ve gained so many customers that I can’t even keep track. For example, today, people are already reaching out for tomorrow. I plan my day based on these requests, knowing exactly who I’ll pick up until my day ends.”
Sadi is also fluent in English, and his mastery of the Queen’s language has set him apart from his colleagues in the moto taxi sector, who mainly converse in Kinyarwanda. This has made him a favourite among foreigners, who are increasingly sharing his videos and giving him errands around the city.
Rwanda is among the few countries that have successfully regulated the taxi moto business, attracting admiration from neighbouring countries and beyond. Sadi believes that the measures put in place by the government have helped instil discipline and order in the taxi moto sector, significantly reducing road carnage.
“It’s all about our safety. For example, when they tell you to wear your helmet, it’s for your protection. Similarly, the rule about not carrying more than one passenger on your motorcycle is also for your safety,” Sadi advises.
The rider hopes that his newfound fame will propel him to even greater heights of financial freedom, enabling him to start a taxi business or driving school.
“If I earn more money, I plan to start a driving school or a taxi business with multiple cars, helping people get to their destinations.”
He encourages young people to dream big and embrace any opportunities that come their way with open arms.
“You can start small and grow bigger because you know where you want to be,” he concludes.
The refugees, from various African countries facing instability, were unable to secure the peace and freedom they sought, with many failing in their attempts to cross the Mediterranean Sea to reach Europe. Instead, they found themselves detained in Libya.
A temporary camp was established in Rwanda, where they received various forms of assistance while awaiting permanent resettlement options, including relocation to other countries.
In August, the Government of Rwanda and its partners renewed the agreement to receive more refugees and asylum seekers. In collaboration with the European Union, the capacity of the Gashora transit center was expanded, raising its accommodation limit from 500 to 700 people.
Since the program began, UNHCR reports that by September 2024, Rwanda had hosted 2,474 refugees. Most of them are from Eritrea, Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, and South Sudan, though a few also come from West African countries.
By the end of September 2024, UNHCR statistics show that 1,817 refugees had been resettled in other countries, while 698 remained at the Gashora transit center, including 119 refugees and asylum seekers who just arrived in Rwanda on 26 September. The main resettlement destinations include Canada, Sweden, the United States, Finland, Norway, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
Their well-being is monitored daily by the Rwandan Government, through the Ministry in charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA), and UNHCR, with support from partners including the European Union and Denmark.
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Many refugees have varied reasons for fleeing their home countries, with war, insecurity, and persecution being the primary drivers. These challenges forced them to seek passage from Libya to Europe by sea. However, for many, these hopes tragically ended, as they either fell into the hands of armed groups in Libya or suffered from dangerous boat journeys.
Abdallah Mohamed Altahir, a father of three from Sudan, currently lives at the Gashora transit center with his wife and children. He told IGIHE that he decided to leave Sudan due to the ongoing civil war.
“In 2023, my wife, our three children, and I decided to leave Sudan for Libya because of insecurity,” he said. “Once we reached Libya, the situation was no better than in Sudan, as armed groups constantly threatened us. Each day, new dangers arose, with no one to help us.”
Abdallah explained that he sought asylum with UNHCR in Libya and was eventually selected for resettlement in Rwanda, an option he had not anticipated.
“Coming to Rwanda was a surprise,” he said. “Arriving here felt like being lifted from a blazing fire to a safe place. For the first time, I felt genuinely welcomed, and it restored my hope in life.”
Similarly, Hussein Fakeya Abader, a young woman from Ethiopia, arrived at the Gashora camp in late 2022. She left Ethiopia for Libya due to conflict and endured hardships, including losing sight in one eye.
“Life in Libya was terrible. I saw people suffer, people killed on the streets, and others assaulted. I never want to return to Libya,” she shared.
Since arriving in Rwanda, Fakeya says her life has transformed. “When I learned I was going to Rwanda, I was very happy. After arriving, we were welcomed, settled, and even received medical care.”
At the Gashora transit center, asylum seekers and refugees live freely, receive food, and engage in recreational activities. Children attend regular classes, and adults can study English, French, Kinyarwanda, and vocational skills like driving, hairdressing, tailoring, and computing.
Although grateful for the warm welcome in Rwanda, many still hope to resettle in Western countries, where they believe they can secure a better future for themselves and their families.
Launched in 2021 under the patronage of Mrs. Maïté Relecom, the scholarship program has grown into a life-changing initiative for the children of SKOL Brewery Ltd employees.
The scholarship program provides funding not only for secondary school students but also supports those pursuing undergraduate studies and those enrolled in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs.
By covering a wide spectrum of educational needs, SKOL ensures that recipients have the resources and support to pursue both academic and practical career pathways.
In a statement, the brewer noted that more than 265 secondary school students and 30 scholars in higher education have benefited from the scholarship program since its inception three years ago.
The impact is widely felt, with students and parents alike acknowledging the tangible relief and opportunities it brings.
One parent shared, “SKOL’s scholarship has fully covered my children’s school fees, allowing me to direct those resources toward building our family’s future.”
As SKOL Brewery Ltd celebrates this year’s new recipients, it reaffirms its commitment to nurturing young talents as the future leaders of tomorrow.
“Through this scholarship program, SKOL not only invests in the students’ academic journeys but also in Rwanda’s continued growth and development by helping equip its future workforce with the education and skills to succeed,” the company affirmed.
Mrs. Kagame made the remarks during the Qatar Foundation’s commemoration of the 30th International Year of the Family on Thursday, October 31, 2024, highlighting the essential role of family in fostering sustainable development.
“Today’s exchange calls for reflection, but also experience, on the transformative journey that can successfully take a people from deprivation to prosperity,” Mrs. Kagame stated.
The First Lady stressed the importance of addressing poverty through a holistic lens. She pointed out that the narrative surrounding poverty often reduces individuals to mere statistics, stripping them of their resilience and potential.
Mrs. Kagame challenged the prevailing measures of economic success, such as GDP per capita, arguing they often fail to capture the true quality of life experienced by individuals, particularly in nations marked by inequality.
“If “poor” or “rich” are to be pertinent qualifiers of human development for entire nations, shouldn’t there be a more accurate and culturally-sensitive barometer, of the quality of one’s well-being, than the one that we currently uphold?” she posed.
The First Lady’s perspective aims to shift the dialogue from merely quantifying wealth to understanding the dynamics of prosperity and human development.
She called for a generational mindset shift regarding the term “poor country” and the associated narratives that often perpetuate stigma.
“Behind facts and figures, behind statistics, are real families, with aspirations and desires similar to everyone else’s: the health and success of our children,” she urged.
“The futures of those who have abundance are closely connected with the lives of those in need. We must recognize that our fates are interconnected… So, we must all ask ourselves: Will this generation, at last, be the one to end extreme poverty? We are equipped with the resources, incentives and I dare hope, humanity, to do so.”
Reflecting on Rwanda’s journey since liberation three decades ago, Mrs. Kagame shared the nation’s strides toward eradicating poverty through innovative governance and social policies. She pointed to significant advancements, such as Universal Healthcare (Mutuelle de Sante), which covers over 98% of Rwandans, and initiatives like the Integrated Model Villages, which provide comprehensive support to vulnerable families.
“Since 2000, the Rwandan economy has multiplied more than seven times, and Rwandans’ life expectancy has increased from 47 years to 70 years and rising,” she noted.
Mrs. Kagame also emphasized the importance of partnerships in achieving these goals, thanking the Qatar Foundation for its collaboration on projects aimed at ensuring that no child is left out of education.
“We take this opportunity to celebrate the solid partnership between the Government of Rwanda and Qatar Foundation. The Zero Out of School Project, spearheaded by Education Above All, offers an encouraging prospect that no child shall miss school, by re-enrolling all dropouts. Thank you for committing to this noble cause,” she thanked the foundation.
She also highlighted the significance of environmental sustainability in Rwanda’s development agenda. With climate change posing a substantial threat, Mrs. Kagame highlighted Rwanda’s efforts that have seen access to electricity increase from 6% to 75% in just 15 years, with a focus on renewable resources.
This, she asserted, is crucial for fostering a healthy and prosperous society capable of sustaining thriving families.
The First Lady is recognised globally for her dedication to vulnerable communities. She champions family well-being through her leadership at Imbuto Foundation and other organisations she patrons. Her initiatives focus on health, education, and social protection for marginalized groups.
Kindiki, 52, was sworn in during a brief ceremony held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, a day after the High Court lifted conservatory orders that had blocked his swearing-in for about two weeks following a litany of cases filed challenging Gachagua’s ouster.
In his inaugural speech as Kenya’s Second-in-Command, Kindiki pledged unwavering loyalty and faithfulness to President William Ruto—a quality believed to have been lacking in Gachagua, contributing to the fallout between them and ultimately resulting in his hasty removal from office.
“I commit to being loyal and faithful. I will do my best to work hard alongside my colleagues to lighten the burden you have on your shoulders,” Kindiki stated.
Kindiki is among the top candidates considered as President Ruto’s running mate for his presidential campaign in 2022. He is a seasoned lawyer and former senator who represented Tharaka Nithi County between 2013 and 2022.
He was also part of a team of lawyers who represented Ruto at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, in the crimes against humanity case related to the 2007-2008 post-election violence. The charges against Ruto were later vacated due to insufficient evidence.
President Ruto, in his remarks during the swearing-in ceremony on Friday, lauded the former Minister of Interior as a dedicated professional whose commitment to excellence has helped the country overcome daunting challenges, describing him as a tireless public servant in national leadership.
He praised Kindiki as a patriot whose dedication to cohesion, national unity, and inclusivity is beyond reproach and a loyal steward of the government’s economic transformation agenda.
As Minister of Interior, President Ruto noted, Kindiki had consistently delivered results beyond expectations.
The Kenyan Head of State urged his new deputy to serve selflessly and with dedication, loyalty, and integrity to the people of Kenya.
“My brother, serve the nation without bias or favouritism, so the people of Kenya see that we are united as one country, one people, bound by our constitutional duty,” President Ruto said.
“The people of Kenya require a patriotic public servant and consummate champion of our constitutional dispensation, our broad-based national governance framework, and the bottom-up economic transformation agenda to support the cabinet and the President in delivering in full and on time,” he added.
In his speech, the President appeared to take a dig at Gachagua, who had been accused of undermining the President and Cabinet resolutions.
President Ruto expressed frustration over feeling like a “lonely voice” within the Executive, lacking support to effectively communicate his administration’s programs.
“I need your voice. I need your intellect to help me and members of our cabinet to profile and articulate the things we are doing,” President Ruto told Kindiki while commenting on what his administration has been missing over the past two years.
During his impeach in parliament, the former Deputy President faced 11 grounds for removal from office. A majority of the Senators upheld his impeachment on five grounds, including inciting ethnic divisions by likening the government to a sharing holding company and violating his oath of office. He was cleared of six charges, including corruption and money laundering.
Recently, [Gachagua went berserk on his boss->https://en.igihe.com/politics-48/article/kenya-gachagua-fires-salvos-at-president-ruto-alleges-assassination-plot?var_mode=preview], accusing him of sponsoring his impeachment after disagreements over government policies, including additional taxes.
The former Deputy President claimed that his impeachment followed two failed assassination attempts, involving poisoning of his food, by state operatives.
He made the claims after being discharged from Karen Hospital in Nairobi, where he had been hospitalized with chest pains as the Senate debated his impeachment motion on October 17, 2024.
The 59-year-old is in court to challenge his removal from office, hoping to clear his name, as the impeachment means he cannot hold public office again or enjoy his retirement benefits.
The British High Commissioner to Rwanda, Alison Thorpe, announced the funding on Thursday, October 31, 2024. She expressed confidence in Rwanda’s response to the crisis and highlighted the UK’s commitment to saving lives and preventing further spread of the virus.
“We are proud to collaborate with the government of Rwanda, the WHO, and partners to end this outbreak. The UK contribution will support Rwanda’s impressive efforts in tackling Marburg and saving lives,” said Thorpe.
“The UK stands with the government and people of Rwanda in ending this outbreak as quickly as possible.”
Of the allocated funds, £0.5 million is designated for UNICEF to implement infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, including water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions, as well as risk communication and community engagement to educate the public about MVD and necessary precautions.
Up to £0.45 million will support an 11-person UK Emergency Medical Team providing IPC assistance to ambulance services for MVD and non-MVD patients and intensive care support in non-MVD wards.
Additionally, £0.6 million is allocated for expert support to bolster the overall response. This includes surge support for UN agencies to address key gaps through the Standby Partnerships mechanism, as well as technical expertise based within the British High Commission to guide the UK’s support for Rwanda’s Response Plan.
Lastly, £0.4 million is directed to the WHO Africa Regional Office for the procurement of essential supplies, including MVD test kits.
UK experts in Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers have been involved since the early days of the outbreak, supporting the Ministry of Health in Rwanda to launch a groundbreaking Marburg treatment trial. This trial, facilitated in partnership with the WHO and other agencies, is expected to contribute valuable insights into potential treatments for Marburg Virus Disease.
Funding has also been directed to key partners, including the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), to aid vaccine and therapeutic trials led by Rwanda’s Ministry of Health. These trials aim to develop effective preventative measures and treatments, supporting both current efforts and future readiness.
The UK’s support extends to research that examines the origins and zoonotic transmission of the Marburg Virus, crucial for understanding and managing future outbreaks.
The UK-Rwanda collaboration comes amid growing global health concerns, with a recent discovery of a [more contagious strain of Mpox in London->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/first-case-of-contagious-mpox-strain-detected-in-london#:~:text=Common%20symptoms%20of%20Mpox%20include,energy%20and%20swollen%20lymph%20nodes.] underscoring the urgency of effective containment strategies.
In a ruling delivered on Thursday, October 31, 2024, a three-judge bench lifted the conservatory orders issued by a magistrate court in Kerugoya, which temporarily suspended the swearing-in of Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki as Deputy President following his hasty nomination and approval by the National Assembly.
In its ruling, the bench argued that the office of Deputy President cannot be vacant.
“Allowing the conservatory orders to stand will leave the office of the Deputy President vacant… This court firmly holds that no court should issue orders that have the effect of suspending the operation of any provision of the Constitution, as such an outcome is clearly not envisioned by the document itself,” the judges ruled.
The court directed that the consolidated cases challenging Gachagua’s impeachment be mentioned on November 7, 2024, and noted that the ousted Deputy President is at liberty to file an appeal against the judgment.
Earlier, Gachagua had moved to the Court of Appeal seeking orders to stay proceedings at the High Court, but his request was declined.
In his appeal, Gachagua argued that he was dissatisfied with last week’s ruling that the three-judge bench hearing his petition at the High Court was properly constituted.
Gachagua is the first Deputy President in Kenya’s history to be removed from office through an impeachment process.
He was removed from office on October 17, 2024, after the Senate upheld the resolutions of the National Assembly to impeach him, despite his failure to testify at his impeachment trial after his lawyer stated that he had been taken to the hospital.
A majority of the Senators upheld his impeachment on five grounds, including inciting ethnic divisions and violating his oath of office. He was cleared of six charges, including corruption and money laundering.
The 59-year-old, who played a key role in President Ruto’s election in 2022, recently accused the Kenyan Head of State of [ sponsoring his impeachment->https://en.igihe.com/politics-48/article/kenya-gachagua-fires-salvos-at-president-ruto-alleges-assassination-plot?] after disagreements over government policies, including additional taxes.
Gachagua’s impeachment means he cannot hold public office again, and he also loses any retirement benefits.
Recently, M23 and the Congolese Army (FARDC) were asked to observe a ceasefire, but fighting persists in Masisi territory, North Kivu. The latest Luanda talks called for Rwanda to reduce its security measures, contingent on DR Congo addressing the FDLR threat to Rwanda.
In a recent exclusive interview with IGIHE, Rwanda’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Olivier Nduhungirehe, discussed challenges in the Rwanda-DRC talks, Rwanda’s security measures that concern DR Congo, and potential solutions. He highlighted that FARDC consistently violates agreements, with recent fighting reportedly provoked by FARDC and its allied FDLR and Wazalendo forces.
“The information we have on recent clashes is that Wazalendo and FDLR attacked M23 bases, provoking a response. This pattern has recurred as DR Congo’s government uses such groups in violation of ceasefire agreements, prompting M23 to retaliate,” Nduhungirehe noted.
He emphasized that Rwanda’s security measures remain necessary due to FARDC’s continued alliance with the FDLR. Nduhungirehe explained that President Tshisekedi’s threats against Rwanda and his collaboration with the FDLR, which includes individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, leave Rwanda no choice but to prioritize defence.
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Nduhungirehe reiterated that Rwanda’s stance in Luanda talks has been for DR Congo to address grievances by engaging directly with M23, representing Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese, primarily Tutsis, who have long faced persecution and discrimination.
“The Congolese government needs to address this internal issue, involving M23 and the larger Congolese community, through direct dialogue,” the minister added.
When asked whether DR Congo’s reluctance to dismantle the FDLR undermines Rwanda’s participation in the talks, Nduhungirehe remarked, “There’s no political will to eliminate the FDLR. Even in Luanda, where strategies to dismantle the FDLR were discussed, reports emerged that the FDLR continued to receive arms and hold military meetings with Congolese officials. Recent attacks branded as efforts to root out the FDLR were superficial and intended to appease international audiences.”
On October 30, experts from Rwanda, DR Congo, and Angola met in Luanda to refine plans to counter the FDLR, which will be submitted to foreign ministers from both countries for approval. However, Congo’s government continues to view Rwanda and M23 as the primary issue, downplaying the FDLR threat.
