Hosted by the Embassy of Japan in Rwanda, the mission focused on investment opportunities, mineral processing and value addition, as well as responsible and traceable mineral supply chains.
During the visit, the delegation met with Rwanda Development Board (RDB) Chief Executive Officer Jean-Guy Afrika and Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB) Chief Geo-Hazard Officer Barbara Akaliza.
The discussions provided an opportunity to examine Rwanda’s mining sector and potential areas for Japanese investment, particularly in mineral processing and value addition.
The delegation also held discussions with Minister of Trade and Industry Antoine Kajangwe and Virgile Rwanyagatare, Director General for Asia and the Pacific at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
The meetings focused on strengthening economic relations between Japan and Rwanda and promoting cooperation in the mineral sector.
Welcoming the delegation, Akaliza said Rwanda was pleased to engage with Japanese partners on opportunities in the mining industry.
She highlighted Rwanda’s investment environment, opportunities in mineral processing and value addition, and its commitment to responsible and traceable mineral supply chains.
“We look forward to strengthening cooperation with Japanese partners in support of sustainable mineral development and shared economic growth,” she noted.
The delegation also visited several mining companies, mining sites and facilities, gaining first-hand insights into mining operations, mineral processing and the opportunities and challenges facing Rwanda’s mining industry.
The Embassy of Japan said the discussions and site visits allowed the delegation to explore potential areas for future investment and cooperation between Japanese and Rwandan stakeholders.
The embassy added it will continue supporting dialogue and cooperation between Japan and Rwanda in the mineral sector.
The Japanese mining delegation held discussions with Rwandan officials on mineral processing, value addition and responsible mineral supply chains.Japanese and Rwandan stakeholders explored potential areas for future investment and cooperation during the delegation’s three-day visit to Rwanda.The delegation visited mining companies and sites in Rwanda to gain first-hand insights into mining operations, mineral processing and the industry’s opportunities and challenges.Japanese companies and organisations specialising in mining visited Rwanda to explore investment and cooperation opportunities in the mineral sector.
Ignatius Chiome, Kariba district coordinator for the Rural Infrastructure and Development Agency, appeared in court following his arrest, police said in a statement on social media.
On Aug. 11, the passenger ferry traveling from Kariba town to Chalala Fishing Camp capsized on the lake bordering Zambia, reportedly due to bad weather. Authorities said 77 people were rescued.
Preliminary investigations showed that the boat was carrying about 180 passengers and cargo, exceeding its capacity. A formal investigation is underway to determine the cause of the country’s deadliest boat disaster.
Lake Kariba, which sits on Zimbabwe’s border with Zambia, is one of the world’s largest man-made reservoirs.
The Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum for Eastern Africa began on August 24, 2026, bringing together representatives from Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan and Uganda.
FAO Representative in Rwanda Mohamed Aw Dahir said the success of the forum would not be measured by discussions alone, but by its ability to turn ideas into concrete investments that benefit farmers, businesses and rural communities.
“We need to move from discussions to concrete action, and the success of this forum will not be measured only by the discussions, but by our ability to turn ideas into investments that deliver tangible benefits to farmers, the private sector and rural communities,” Dahir said.
He said the Hand-in-Hand initiative seeks to help countries move beyond projects that rely mainly on aid towards sustainable investments capable of transforming agriculture and food processing.
Rwanda’s Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr. Telesphore Ndabamenye, said the challenge was not a lack of projects, but ensuring that existing opportunities are converted into profitable investments.
“The opportunities are there. What remains is to turn them into investments that can generate returns, scale up and contribute to development,” he said.
Dr. Ndabamenye said Rwanda is working with FAO to identify investment opportunities across agricultural value chains and develop projects that can connect investors with the capital, technology and expertise they need.
FAO Subregional Coordinator for Eastern Africa Farayi Zimudzi said opportunities exist in coffee, livestock and dairy, fisheries, horticulture, cereals and oil-producing crops.
However, she identified climate change, inadequate infrastructure, high transport costs and limited access to finance as some of the challenges constraining agricultural investment.
Zimudzi called for stronger cooperation among governments, the private sector, financial institutions, development partners and technology experts.
She said all eight participating countries are part of the Hand-in-Hand initiative, which seeks to attract investment that adds value to agricultural production, expand trade and strengthen regional cooperation.
The forum aims to showcase investment opportunities, connect investors with project developers and facilitate agreements that can accelerate transformation in East Africa’s agriculture and livestock sectors.
The meeting comes ahead of the Africa Food Systems Summit scheduled to take place in Kigali in the first week of September 2026, as well as the global FAO Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum planned for Rome, Italy, in October 2026.
Eight East African countries have gathered in Kigali to explore investment opportunities in agriculture, livestock and agro-processing.FAO Representative in Rwanda Mohamed Aw Dahir has said rising food demand and the region’s young population have created significant opportunities for agricultural investment.Agriculture Minister Dr. Telesphore Ndabamenye has called for greater investment to transform Eastern Africa’s agrifood systems into engines of economic growth and job creation.FAO Subregional Coordinator for Eastern Africa Farayi Zimudzi has described the region as one of Africa’s most promising frontiers for agrifood investment.Participants of the forum posing for a group photo The Kigali forum has brought together governments and partners seeking to turn agricultural opportunities into concrete investments.The Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum has created a platform for countries to showcase agricultural investment opportunities.Dr. Chantal Ingabire, Director General of Planning at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, also participated in the Kigali forum as stakeholders sought to showcase investment opportunities across its agricultural sector.
Ntihanabayo appeared in court on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, alongside some of the other suspects in a case involving 80 people accused of offences related to the production, sale, distribution or importation of substandard alcoholic beverages commonly known as “Ibyuma.”
Sixteen of the suspects appeared before the court to argue their cases on provisional detention.
At around 10 a.m., the judge announced the start of the proceedings and explained that the suspects would be heard in groups of three or four.
Ntihanabayo appeared alongside Twahirwa Fulgence, Ingufu Gin’s quality control officer, and Katushabe Donias Donias, who is responsible for production at the company. They were among the first suspects to appear before the court.
Prosecution cites alleged quality and safety violations
Prosecutors told the court that investigations into the production of alcoholic beverages that have raised concerns among the public found that some manufacturers, including Ingufu Gin, had allegedly failed to comply with required quality and safety standards.
The prosecution said one of the grounds for seeking Ntihanabayo’s pre-trial detention was his alleged failure to ensure compliance with quality standards, resulting in the production of beverages that did not meet the required standards.
Prosecutors said manufacturers are expected to conduct tests to determine whether substances contained in their products could pose health risks to consumers, but alleged that such testing was not carried out at Ingufu Gin.
“When such testing is not conducted, it can have adverse health effects on people who consume these beverages over a long period,” the prosecutor told the court.
The prosecution also alleged that Ingufu Gin did not have documentation showing that the tanks used to store beverages at the factory were properly cleaned and sanitised.
It further alleged that ethanol was not stored in accordance with safety requirements. Investigators reportedly found that the ethanol was kept in an area where temperature levels were not controlled and whose conditions did not comply with applicable standards.
According to prosecutors, these conditions could cause the concentration of ethanol to rise to as high as 94%, potentially affecting the quality of the products.
The prosecution said ethanol at such a concentration could pose a significant fire risk.
It argued that improper storage increased the risk of fire and could expose factory workers to health risks through inhalation.
Another ground cited by prosecutors concerned the alleged improper storage of flavouring substances used to give alcoholic beverages their taste, aroma and colour.
The prosecution told the court that the flavours used in Ingufu Gin’s alcoholic beverages did not indicate their source or origin.
Investigators also allegedly found that some of the caps used to seal the beverages had exceeded their recommended period of use. Prosecutors said this could pose health risks to consumers.
Ntihanabayo denies personal responsibility
Ntihanabayo told the court that he is an investor whose role was to establish different departments within the company responsible for ensuring that operations were properly conducted and products met the required quality standards.
He argued that if violations had occurred, the employees responsible for the relevant areas should be held accountable because they had been given the authority to oversee them.
The judge questioned whether Ntihanabayo’s position as an investor and the existence of employees responsible for quality control meant that the alleged violations did not concern him personally.
“Does that mean that your company is separate from you as an individual?” the judge asked.
The judge further told Ntihanabayo that the prosecution was alleging that he had personally played a role in the violations, despite his argument that specific employees had been assigned responsibility for quality control.
Ntihanabayo asked the court to allow him to remain free while investigations continue, saying he had no intention of interfering with or obstructing the investigation.
Ntihanabayo’s lawyer challenged some of the grounds presented by the prosecution, including the allegation that the factory used expired caps to seal its alcoholic beverages.
The lawyer argued that liqueurs generally do not have an expiry period in the same way as some other products and questioned the prosecution’s claim that the caps had exceeded their permitted period of use.
The lawyer also asked the court to allow Ntihanabayo to remain free while the case proceeds, arguing that his detention could affect several other investments he has made.
These include a school and a project to build a market in Biryogo, which the lawyer said could be delayed if Ntihanabayo is remanded.
The court will consider the arguments from both sides before ruling on the prosecution’s request for 30 days of pre-trial detention.
Prosecution has sought 30-day remand for Ingufu Gin owner
“The secretary-general condemns in the strongest possible terms Monday’s ambush by unidentified armed individuals on a United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) patrol in Jonglei state in South Sudan,” said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman, in a statement.
Two Ethiopian peacekeepers were killed in the attack, while seven others were injured — three Ethiopian blue helmets, two South Sudanese police personnel and two UNMISS civilian staff, said the spokesman.
“The secretary-general reminds that attacks against UN peacekeepers may constitute war crimes. All attacks on peacekeepers must be promptly investigated, and those responsible must be effectively prosecuted and held accountable,” said the spokesman.
Guterres expressed his deep condolences to the families of those killed and wished all those injured a swift and full recovery. He reaffirmed the United Nations’ commitment to stand with the victims and their families during this profoundly difficult time, said the spokesman.
In this Sunday, June 18, 2017 file photo, peacekeepers from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) provide security during a visit of UNCHR High Commissioner Filippo Grandi to the U.N. Protection of Civilians camp in Bentiu, South Sudan. (AP)
Kagame made the remarks during a press conference on August 24, 2026, while responding to concerns raised by a journalist about shortages and service challenges affecting some areas.
Rwanda has made significant progress in expanding access to basic services in recent years.
According to Rwanda’s Seventh Integrated Household Living Conditions Survey (EICV7), household electricity access increased from 34% in 2017 to 72% in 2024, with rural access rising sharply from 24% to 65%.
Access to improved drinking water also increased from 87% to 90% over the same period.
Kagame said Rwanda’s current situation is different from where the country started, but acknowledged that the demand for services continues to outpace available resources.
“You mentioned where we started from, and I think the situation we have today is different from what it was then. I think there are investments that need to be made. But as I said when answering another question, there are many things we want to do.”
Kagame said limited resources remain one of the constraints, particularly as the country seeks to expand access to essential services such as water and electricity.
“But the resources we have are not equal to all those needs. We are always looking for ways to increase those resources, whether it is for water or electricity.”
However, he said not every challenge can be attributed to a lack of resources, arguing that some improvements could be achieved through more efficient management of what is already available.
“As for some of the other things you mentioned, they do not necessarily require some completely different or extraordinary resources. They require us to efficiently use what we already have. There are also things that can be done by individuals or jointly with the government. They are within our capacity, but sometimes they are not done as they should be.”
The President called for stronger follow-up and accountability, saying the government should not use resource constraints as an explanation for failing to address problems that are within its existing capacity to solve.
“We cannot always have an excuse for not doing what we already have the capacity to do, because there are many things we are capable of doing but which are not being done.”
Kagame said the government should continue looking for resources to address areas where its existing capacity is insufficient, while also speeding up interventions where solutions are already possible.
“For the things we do not have the capacity to do, we should look for the resources. And where it is possible to move faster, that is what we want.”
He described water and electricity challenges as issues that require continuous attention, stressing the importance of having people responsible for delivering projects properly and on time.
“These are challenges that continue over the years, but we have to keep finding people who can do things properly and on time, using the resources available. And where resources are not available, there are ways of continuing to look for them.”
Kagame also linked the quality of public services to how citizens assess their leaders and the government, saying people ultimately have the right to demand answers when problems that could have been addressed remain unresolved.
“That is how Rwandans measure whether their leaders are serving them properly, or whether their government is serving them properly. When the time comes, we pay for it. And if there are things that could have been done better, citizens will ask us why we did not do enough when it was possible.”
He said citizens should also play a role in holding leaders accountable.
“They have their time as well. They also need to have a role in it and hold us accountable.”
President Paul Kagame addressing members of the press on August 24, 2026. Rwanda is implementing projects that will increase daily treated water production from more than 367,000 cubic meters this year to over 688,000 cubic meters per day by 2029
Kagame made the remarks during a press conference on August 24, 2026, in response to a journalist’s question about the fate of factories that had been shut down and their employees as authorities intensified a nationwide campaign against alcoholic beverages that fail to meet required standards.
He said the debate should begin with evidence of the harm caused by the products rather than claims or perceptions surrounding the crackdown.
“On the issue of substandard alcoholic drinks, we should not base our conclusions only on what people say. People can say all kinds of things depending on their perceptions or what they want others to believe,” Kagame said.
“We should also look at what is happening in reality and at the evidence before us.”
Rwanda has stepped up enforcement against illicit and substandard alcoholic beverages in recent weeks.
In Kigali alone, authorities have closed over 30 factories and businesses found to be operating outside required standards, while thousands of litres of ethanol and large quantities of alcoholic beverages have been seized.
The crackdown has also resulted in the arrest of public officials suspected of facilitating the production or distribution of non-compliant drinks.
But Kagame said the government’s starting point should remain the impact of the products on people’s health.
“There are substandard drinks that have caused deaths. That is where we should begin our discussion,” he said.
“The question is simple: Do these drinks kill people? Have they killed people? If the answer is yes, then that is where we should start.”
Kagame said the scale of the deaths should not be underestimated, arguing that the problem goes beyond isolated cases.
“People are dying, and in significant numbers,” he said. “If you follow the news, you will know that it is not simply a matter of two people dying today and another person dying tomorrow.”
“People die in groups of 20, 30, 50, and sometimes as many as 100 in a single day. When you add up the number of people who die over a year, you begin to understand the scale of the problem.”
The President rejected arguments that the crackdown should be weighed primarily against the factories and jobs involved in the alcoholic beverage industry.
“Before we talk about factories and the workers employed in them, we must first address the health and lives of these people,” he said.
“Do we want workers who will ultimately be killed by the products made in those factories?”
Instead, he said, the objective should be to have businesses that operate safely and workers who can return home without being exposed to products that harm consumers.
Kagame also pointed to the fact that not all harmful alcoholic beverages consumed in Rwanda are necessarily produced domestically.
“The harmful drinks that are killing people are not necessarily all manufactured here or originating here. Some come from outside the country. They are brought in without meeting quality standards, and they end up killing people,” he said.
He added that the effects of unsafe products can vary, with some causing immediate harm while others may contribute to health problems that emerge much later.
“Some kill people the same day or within the same week. Others may cause harm that becomes apparent after a year. They can slowly damage a person’s health until the person eventually dies,” Kagame said.
The President also questioned how protecting businesses could be used to justify practices that expose consumers to potentially fatal products.
“I do not understand how anyone could support such practices while arguing that they are thinking about factories and the people working in them, while ignoring those who are being killed day after day, as we see and as we know,” he said.
He said the government’s responsibility extends beyond individual producers to the institutions charged with regulating businesses and enforcing quality standards.
“But beyond the individual who produces something that kills people, we must also ask how the country is governed. Can a country simply watch its people die? What kind of society would that be?” Kagame said.
“That is why there are institutions and officials responsible for quality standards and enforcement. They are there to ensure that activities and products do not harm people, but instead contribute to improving people’s lives.”
His comments come amid ongoing crackdown that has also targeted alleged regulatory failures, with Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) presenting 18 public servants on August 13, including Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (Rwanda FDA) Director General Prof. Emile Bienvenu and 10 employees, alongside officials from the Rwanda Standards Board and local government.
RIB said 104 people had been arrested since July 20, with 97 case files submitted to prosecutors.
Investigations include alleged improper licensing and certification, while five local officials are accused of helping factory operators evade inspections.
More than 150 factories have since been closed, with Kigali authorities seizing over 470,000 litres of ethanol and nearly four million bottles of substandard alcoholic beverages.
Health authorities say more than 500 people have been treated, over 50 have died and more than 100 have reportedly suffered vision loss.
Kagame said such allegations should be investigated and those responsible given an opportunity to explain themselves.
“Those involved will have an opportunity to explain themselves when they are investigated and held accountable. They will have to provide the answers,” he said.
He also acknowledged that the conduct of enforcement agencies should itself be subject to scrutiny where necessary.
“If there are concerns about how these processes are carried out, how people are arrested or how they are investigated, those concerns can also be examined. If there is a problem, it may need to be addressed,” he said.
However, he cautioned against allowing such concerns to overshadow the wider public health problem.
“If some institutions are not doing their work as they should, they must be held accountable and corrected. But that should not distract us from confronting the bigger problem that is harming and killing people.”
Kagame further linked the alcohol crackdown to a broader responsibility to confront substances that pose risks to public health, saying Rwanda had also been discussing the growing use and promotion of other harmful substances.
“A country cannot simply watch its people die and say that no one should ask questions. Someone must ask why people are dying,” he said.
He maintained that consumers have a right to access products they need, but businesses and individuals must comply with the law and ensure that what they produce or bring into the country does not put lives at risk.
“As a leader of this country, I have to look at what is best for the country and its people and work with them so that they understand what serves their interests and what does not,” Kagame said.
“Those who want to break the law simply because they want to do things their own way and put their personal interests first will have to face the authorities responsible for enforcing the law.”
President Kagame said Rwanda’s crackdown on substandard alcoholic beverages must prioritise the lives and health of consumers over the interests of factories and their workers.
The announcement was made in a statement issued by WASAC Group on August 21, 2026.
According to the utility, efforts are underway to increase the production capacity of the Kanzenze Water Treatment Plant in Bugesera District and the Nzove Water Treatment Plant in Nyarugenge District.
WASAC said the upgrades are expected to increase water production by a combined 10,000 cubic metres per day within two weeks.
The additional water is expected to improve distribution and reduce the number of days without supply in several areas that have been affected by prolonged shortages, including Kanombe, Ndera, Nyarugunga, Busanza, Kabeza, Rubirizi, Karama, Runda and Rugalika.
WASAC said it is also implementing a number of other projects aimed at increasing water supply in Kigali and neighbouring areas.
Among them is the ongoing expansion of the Nzove Water Treatment Plant in Kigali. The project is expected to increase the plant’s production capacity by 25,000 cubic metres per day before the end of 2026.
“This will be added to the 86,000 cubic metres of water that the plant currently produces per day,” WASAC Group said.
The utility is also expanding the capacity of the Karenge Water Treatment Plant in Rwamagana District.
The plant currently has the capacity to supply 12,000 cubic metres of water per day. WASAC said the expansion is expected to increase this capacity to 48,000 cubic metres per day by 2027.
WASAC said the projects are part of broader efforts to address water shortages across the country.
“As projects to address the water shortage continue to be implemented across the country, we assure Rwandans that we will do everything possible to ensure that water distribution is carried out transparently and that distribution schedules are respected,” the utility said.
WASAC also urged residents to avoid using untreated water from drainage channels, wetlands and other unsafe sources, warning that such water could put their health at risk.
Residents whose areas receive water according to distribution schedules were encouraged to purchase water tanks or other storage facilities to keep sufficient water for use during periods when supply is temporarily unavailable.
Kigali’s daily water supply is expected to increase by 10,000 cubic metres
AIESEC is a global youth-led organisation focused on developing leadership among young people.
Hosted at the Hilltop Hotel, Day One featured discussions, panel sessions, dialogues and Bloccpay presentations, creating a platform for participants to exchange ideas, share experiences and explore issues relevant to the future of leadership and alumni engagement across the region.
A key highlight of the day was the opportunity for delegates to engage beyond the conference venue through visits to Norrsken House Kigali and African Leadership University (ALU).
The visits offered participants insights into Rwanda’s growing innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership ecosystem, while providing opportunities to connect with institutions contributing to Africa’s future.
Throughout the day, the conference maintained an atmosphere of openness and learning, with participants engaging in thought-provoking conversations and sharing diverse perspectives from across the MEA region.
Day One set an inspiring tone for the conference, combining meaningful conversations with opportunities to learn, connect and experience Rwanda’s vibrant innovation and leadership landscape.
As delegates look ahead to the remaining days of the conference, anticipation is building around the conversations, activities and experiences still to come.
The AIESEC Alumni MEA Conference continues in Kigali, with Day Two promising more dialogue, connection, learning and opportunities to shape ideas for the future.
AIESEC is a global youth-led organisation focused on developing leadership among young people.Participants engaged in dialogue during the AIESEC Alumni MEA Conference in Kigali.
According to a former FDLR official, this belief was sustained through a combination of prophecies, rumours and teachings that circulated within the group for years.
He said the promises of an imminent victory encouraged some fighters to remain in the forests rather than abandon the armed struggle and return to civilian life.
The fighters were reportedly told that the time to “capture Rwanda” was approaching and that signs supporting the prophecy were already emerging. When the predicted victory failed to materialise, however, new explanations and further prophecies were reportedly used to maintain their morale.
Pastor Niyonzima Jean Damascène, who previously served in the FDLR’s intelligence structures and was also involved in delivering prophecies within the group before returning to Rwanda in 2023, told IGIHE that the practice developed partly as a way of encouraging fighters who lacked the resources and military strength needed to achieve their objectives.
He said former Rwandan government soldiers, commonly known as Ex-FAR, and Interahamwe fighters who remained in eastern DRC had reorganised with the intention of attacking Rwanda but lacked sufficient military equipment.
“The people who remained in the east reorganised themselves so that they could attack Rwanda, but because they did not have the equipment, telling them to attack Rwanda had little effect because they did not have the strength to do so,” he said.
A prophet brought in to boost fighters’ morale
Niyonzima said the group subsequently sought the help of a prominent prophet from Masisi Territory, Nyiraruvugo Taciana, whom he described as a respected figure among local communities.
“To give them strength, there was a prophet named Nyiraruvugo Taciana from Masisi. We called her. She was a well-known person who was respected by the local population, and people believed that she delivered messages from God,” he said.
According to Niyonzima, Nyiraruvugo was brought in because the fighters were more likely to believe the message if it came from someone they regarded as a genuine prophet.
He claimed that the group instructed her to tell the fighters that God had given them Rwanda and that they would succeed if they launched an attack.
“She came and said what we had told her to say. We told her that she had to tell the soldiers that God had given us the country, that we should attack and that we would win. We also told her to say that although we lacked equipment, we would find what we needed once we reached Rwanda, and that this would help us capture the country,” Niyonzima said.
New prophecies after fighters’ defeat
Niyonzima said the FDLR subsequently attacked Rwanda but was defeated.
The defeat, he said, created a challenge for the group’s leadership because fighters had been assured that they would emerge victorious and seize power.
“We were defeated and returned to Congo. We then prepared other prophets because we had established groups of people responsible for prayer,” he said.
According to Niyonzima, the group then sought to explain the failed prophecy by telling fighters that the defeat was not evidence that God had lied.
Instead, he said, the fighters were told that they had failed to fulfil certain obligations and had committed acts that were presented as the reason for their defeat.
“We told those prophets that they had to explain to the people that the defeat did not mean God had lied to them. Instead, it was because there were responsibilities we had been given that we had not fulfilled. Some had become drunk, others had committed adultery, some had stolen, and others had killed innocent people. That was presented as the reason we were defeated,” he said.
Niyonzima said fighters were subsequently told that the prophecy remained valid and that they needed to repent for the alleged wrongdoing before resuming their efforts to attack Rwanda and seize power.
The former FDLR member’s account illustrates how, according to his testimony, religious beliefs and prophecies were allegedly used to maintain morale within the group and encourage fighters to remain committed to its armed struggle despite setbacks and failed predictions.
Former FDLR members who returned have undergone rehabilitation and reintegration into civilian life.
Using prophecies to keep fighters committed to the armed struggle
Maj. (Rtd.) Makuza Anastase, who worked closely with FDLR president Lt. Gen. Victor Byiringiro for 19 years in communications before returning to Rwanda in 2020, said the prophecies used within the group had nothing to do with divine messages but were instead decisions made by its leadership.
“We attributed them to God, but in reality, they were decisions made during meetings of the leadership. If an attack on Rwanda was being planned, we needed to prepare the soldiers and refugee population so that they would understand the plan. The decisions made during those meetings would then be presented through prayer gatherings, where people would pray for an operation that was about to be carried out in Rwanda,” he said.
According to Makuza, the prophets would then deliver messages telling fighters that victory was certain.
“They would say, ‘I have seen us capturing Rwanda. I have seen the leaders preparing us to attack Rwanda. We will attack Rwanda and capture it.’ These were fabricated stories. We made them up to deceive people,” he said.
Makuza said FDLR leaders gave special treatment to those presented as prophets and elevated them within the group so that they would not leave and reveal that the prophecies were fabricated.
He said the group also benefited from the arrival in the Democratic Republic of Congo of people accused of involvement in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi who had fled Rwanda.
According to Makuza, such individuals could be presented to FDLR fighters and civilians as prophets rather than refugees.
“Let me put it this way: when someone who had committed genocide here and fled justice arrived, we considered that a gain for us. We did not call that person a refugee. We called them a prophet and introduced them to soldiers and civilians by saying, ‘A prophet has arrived,’” he said.
Makuza said those who had fled were instructed not to tell fighters that they were running from justice. Instead, they were expected to claim that they had voluntarily left Rwanda, abandoned everything they owned and joined the FDLR because they believed the time to capture Rwanda was approaching.
“We would take them around to visit soldiers at their positions and civilians, where they would give their testimony. They would then say, ‘God sent me to tell you to prepare yourselves.’ They had fled justice, but we did not want them to be seen as refugees,” he said.
‘Oracle du Seigneur’ attack
In 2001, FDLR fighters launched a major attack on Rwanda that they called ‘Oracle du Seigneur’, meaning “Oracle of the Lord.”
Makuza said the attack was based partly on prophecies used to convince fighters that they were going to capture Rwanda.
“That attack was called ‘Oracle du Seigneur.’ We had prepared prophets to tell the fighters that the time had come to attack Rwanda. We knew what we had planned and that we were going to fight, but those we were leading believed they were taking part in a plan ordained by God,” he said.
Makuza said many FDLR fighters were captured during the operation, while those who survived returned to the DRC.
He said the surviving fighters were then brought together for morale-building sessions accompanied by prayers. According to him, prophets told them that the attack had failed because the fighters had committed sins, including sexual misconduct.
Pastor Niyonzima Jean Damascène also recalled an occasion when he and other FDLR fighters were preparing to launch a major attack on Rwanda.
He said that when they reached the Virunga area, they stopped to pray, during which prophets allegedly claimed they had seen the Gisenyi-Ruhengeri road captured.
“There was a time when we reached the Virunga area and stopped to pray. The prophets said, ‘We can see that the Gisenyi-Ruhengeri road has been captured. We can see soldiers moving towards Kigali.’ I remained in the Virunga area, while the soldiers we had travelled with had come from Rutshuru. There were about 2,000 soldiers, but we returned with no more than 50. The others were either captured or killed,” he said.
Former members urge fighters to leave the FDLR
Makuza and Niyonzima both described the prophecies used within the FDLR as fabricated messages intended to influence fighters and maintain their morale.
They urged those who remain in the group, particularly young fighters, to stop relying on such messages and to reject what they described as manipulation by older members.
They called on FDLR members to abandon the armed group, return to Rwanda and rebuild their lives, following the example of former fighters who have already returned and begun new lives.
Pastor Niyonzima Jean Damascène said that the FDLR’s use of prophecies began with Nyiraruvugo Taciana, a well-known prophet from Masisi.Young FDLR fighters are misled by self-proclaimed prophets who promise that they will capture Rwanda, keeping them in the forests of the DRC because of that belief.Maj. (Rtd.) Anastase Makuza said FDLR leaders knew the prophecies were fabricated, while young fighters believed their attacks were part of God’s plan.
