Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez described the incident as “a violation of Spain’s territorial integrity.”
Most of the victims drowned while attempting to swim around the El Tarajal border breakwater separating Morocco and Ceuta, according to the Spanish authorities.
Sanchez traveled to Ceuta on Friday together with Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska to inspect the situation. During the visit, he announced new measures to strengthen border security, including the installation of floating barriers near the El Tarajal breakwater to prevent further sea crossings.
He also pledged to accelerate the identification and return of irregular migrants, thanked Morocco for its cooperation in border management and repatriation, and vowed to intensify efforts against human trafficking networks.
Migrants try to cross from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, Friday, July 31, 2026.
The Spanish government has reinforced security in Ceuta by deploying additional National Police officers, Civil Guard personnel and military units, while emergency reception facilities remain under heavy pressure.
The Spanish authorities estimate that around 50,000 migrants have entered Ceuta over the past two days, making it one of the largest irregular migration crises ever recorded on the enclave’s border.
Migrants cross from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, Thursday, July 30, 2026.
Uwimana, who was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, said he spent three years with the FDLR, an armed group formed by perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi who fled to eastern DR Congo following the genocide.
He shared his experience after being reunited with his family on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, following a rehabilitation programme by the Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission (RDRC). He was among 22 children who were reunited with their families.
Uwimana told IGIHE that he was abducted in Masisi Territory, in the Ironga area where his family lived.
“I had gone to visit relatives when FDLR soldiers who were heading to Pinga airfield to collect ammunition captured me. They forced me to carry the ammunition. After we delivered it, we arrived at their military camp, but they refused to allow us to return home,” he said.
He said they were later taken to the battlefield after spending three days at the camp, where they were forced to support the group’s operations.
“Whenever we asked why we could not go home, they told us we would only leave after the ammunition we had carried had been used up,” he said.
Uwimana said that once they reached the battlefield, they were given weapons and forced to participate in fighting.
The experience separated him from his family, who later fled and eventually settled in Rwanda’s Nyabihu District.
He revealed that he was unable to continue his education beyond Primary Three because of the conflict, adding that during his time with FDLR, he was subjected to training aimed at carrying out violent acts.
“We would go to the battlefield like other fighters. We were also sent to steal food, including cassava and beans, from civilians. They trained us to attack people, destroy property, rape and kill,” he said.
Uwimana said that at one point, as hunger worsened, FDLR members directed them to steal livestock from communities near Goma. However, they were attacked upon arrival, forcing them to flee, and he eventually found himself inside a national park.
He later decided to surrender after communicating with a former FDLR member who had already left the group and completed rehabilitation at the Mutobo Demobilisation Centre.
The former colleague encouraged him to surrender, after which Uwimana was taken through the La Corniche border crossing and transferred to Mutobo, where he underwent a three-month reintegration programme before being reunited with his family.
Uwimana said FDLR leaders had repeatedly warned them against returning to Rwanda, claiming they would either be killed or imprisoned if they did so.
“We were given false information by our leaders, and at times we believed what they said. But I was surprised by the way I was received in Rwanda. We were given clothes, food, and lessons that helped us return to normal life,” he said.
Now reunited with his family, Uwimana said he hopes to return to school and build a better future, noting that education provides opportunities that are difficult to access for those who cannot read and write.
He also called on other young people still in armed groups in the forests of DR Congo to surrender, saying many of the messages they receive from their leaders are based on falsehoods.
Valerie Nyirahabineza, Chairperson of the Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission (RDRC), said 22 of the 24 children who completed the rehabilitation programme had been reunited with their families, while efforts were ongoing to trace the families of the remaining two.
The children reunited with their families are aged between 16 and 18 years.
Since its establishment, the commission has helped reintegrate 1,029 children who were previously associated with armed groups.
David Uwimana, who spent three years with the FDLR, said he hopes to return to school and build a better future for himself.Valerie Nyirahabineza, Chairperson of the Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission (RDRC), said 22 of the 24 children who completed the rehabilitation programme had been reunited with their families.
The delegation was led by Representative Brett Guthrie, Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and included Representatives Troy Carter, Morgan Griffith, Russ Fulcher, Jay Obernolte, Cliff Bentz, Craig Goldman, and Julie Fedorchak.
According to the Office of the President, discussions centred on Rwanda’s transformation journey and ways to deepen cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including health, energy, and investment.
The meeting reflects the continued engagement between Rwanda and the United States as both countries seek to strengthen ties through partnerships that support economic growth, innovation, and sustainable development.
The visit builds on high-level exchanges between Rwanda and the United States in recent years. In August 2025, President Kagame hosted another bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation, with discussions focusing on regional security, education, and health, underscoring the broad scope of cooperation between the two countries.
The delegation was led by Representative Brett Guthrie, Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.According to the Office of the President, discussions centred on Rwanda’s transformation journey and ways to deepen cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including health, energy, and investment.
Rwanda has signed the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, becoming the ninth nation to back the continental treaty.
The convention was signed on Tuesday, July 28, by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe, during the 49th Ordinary Session of the AU Executive Council in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Announcing the development, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said Rwanda backed the convention because it aligns with the country’s vision and national gender policy.
“The convention provides a comprehensive continental legal framework to prevent and respond to all forms of violence against women and girls. Rwanda supports the convention as it aligns with Rwanda’s vision and National Gender Policy,” the ministry said.
Rwanda becomes the ninth nation to back the continental treaty.
The African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls is the first legally binding AU treaty dedicated exclusively to addressing violence against women and girls across the continent.
It establishes common standards for member states to prevent violence, protect survivors, prosecute perpetrators and strengthen national systems for responding to gender-based violence.
Under the convention, signatory countries commit to adopting or strengthening legislation that criminalises all forms of violence against women and girls, including physical, sexual, psychological and economic abuse, whether committed in public or private settings.
The treaty also requires member states to improve survivors’ access to justice and essential support services, including healthcare, psychosocial care, legal assistance and safe shelters, while enhancing investigations and prosecution of offenders.
In addition, the convention calls on governments to strengthen data collection and research to inform evidence-based policies, invest in public education and awareness campaigns, tackle harmful social and cultural practices that perpetuate violence, and allocate adequate resources to prevention and response programmes.
The AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls is the first legally binding AU treaty dedicated exclusively to addressing violence against women and girls across the continent.
For Rwanda, the convention will enter into force after it is ratified through the country’s national legal procedures.
Nduhungirehe signed the treaty while attending the 49th Ordinary Session of the AU Executive Council in Addis Ababa, which brought together foreign ministers from AU member states to discuss key continental priorities and prepare decisions for consideration by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government.
The two-day session also focused on sustainable water availability and safe sanitation systems as part of the implementation of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 development framework.
His remarks come amid heightened public attention over misconduct involving students from the larger Sudanese community. While the majority of the recent cases have involved South Sudanese students, including criminal prosecutions and deportations, Sudanese students have also been implicated in some incidents, prompting the Sudanese Embassy to step up engagement with its community.
Speaking to IGIHE on the sidelines of Umuganda in Jabana Sector, Gasabo District, where more than 150 members of the Sudanese community joined local residents for Rwanda’s monthly community service, the ambassador said the embassy was taking the reported incidents seriously and had intensified outreach to students across the country.
“We are aware, and we are following the matter,” the ambassador said when asked about recent reports of violence involving Sudanese students.
“When you have 4,000 students, and there are five or six cases, the proportion is not alarming. But we are concerned about any kind of violence. We encourage and teach our community to abide by the law, respect local law enforcement, and respect the rules.”
The ambassador said the Sudanese community in Rwanda comprises about 5,000 people, around 4,000 of whom are students enrolled in six universities across the country.
He emphasised that the “isolated” incidents should not be viewed as representative of the wider Sudanese community, noting that most Sudanese nationals in Rwanda are contributing to the country’s development through business and investment. The envoy said the community has invested more than $25 million in sectors including real estate, education, agriculture, and oil and gas, underscoring its positive contribution to the country’s economy.
“We are visiting our students on campuses, meeting with vice chancellors of the universities, and working with our student association to provide guidance, instruction, education, and training on respecting the law and cooperating with local law enforcement,” he remarked.
“These are absolutely isolated cases. They do not reflect the true values and ethics of the Sudanese community. We are taking care of it and are confident it will not be repeated.”
The ambassador also appealed directly to Sudanese nationals living in Rwanda to show their appreciation for the opportunities they have been given by respecting the country’s laws, particularly at a time when the war in Sudan has displaced many people and forced them to seek refuge abroad.
“Rwanda, under the leadership of His Excellency President Paul Kagame, opened its doors for all Africans, including Sudanese. We are here to learn through education and from the community,” he said.
“My message to my fellow citizens and students is that we should pay back to the community by respecting the law, abiding by the law, cooperating with law enforcement agencies, and reflecting the best values of Sudanese culture while here.”
He encouraged students to take the positive lessons they acquire in Rwanda back to Sudan after completing their studies.
Among the recent cases attracting public attention is that of a South Sudanese student accused of assaulting a university lecturer following a dispute over examination marks. Prosecutors are seeking a three-year prison sentence, while the court is expected to deliver its verdict on July 31. Rwanda also deported eight South Sudanese students from INES Ruhengeri after they were accused of offences including theft, assaulting motorcycle taxi operators, intimidating residents and carrying bladed weapons.
Ahmed Soufiane Abdalla, a second-year data science student at Kigali Independent University, apologised to Rwandans over the recent incidents involving members of the Sudanese community.
“We sincerely apologise to the Rwandan people and the Rwandan government for what has been happening recently,” he said.
He attributed some of the challenges facing Sudanese students to the psychological effects of the ongoing war in Sudan and inadequate awareness of Rwandan laws among newly arrived students. He suggested that universities, student associations and the embassy provide legal orientation to students during their first days in Rwanda to help prevent future incidents.
During the Umuganda event, the ambassador said participation by the Sudanese community was intended to strengthen ties with Rwandans, learn from the country’s homegrown development initiatives and reaffirm that Sudanese nationals are committed to making a positive contribution to their host country.
“We are not aliens. We are African brothers and sisters. We are here to participate, to contribute positively, and to learn from Rwanda’s good practices,” he stated.
The Ambassador of Sudan to Rwanda, Khalid Musa Dafalla Musa, has spoken out on recent incidents involving Sudanese students in Rwanda, stressing the importance of lawful conduct and calling on all Sudanese nationals to respect Rwandan laws and maintain positive relations with their host communities.
He made the remarks during an interactive #MeetThePresident session with participants of the 16th cohort of Itorero Indangamirwa at the Gabiro Combat Training Center on Tuesday.
Itorero Indangamirwa is a national civic education and values-formation programme established in 2008. It is designed to promote Rwandan cultural values, national history, and principles of socio-economic transformation, while also introducing participants to basic military skills and leadership training.
President Kagame told the young participants that they should approach challenges with confidence, believing they have the ability to find solutions or become part of the solution instead of expecting others to solve their problems.
“You must be confident that you have the ability to find a solution or to be part of the solution,” he said. “Be part of government. Be part of the private sector. Be part of any institution; being part of it is your right.”
President Kagame engages participants of the 16th cohort of Itorero Indangamirwa during an interactive session at the Gabiro Combat Training Center on Tuesday.
He cautioned against what he described as a culture of entitlement, saying people should not sit back expecting others to provide what they need.
“Why do you feel entitled that somebody will provide what you need? Why are you not making an effort to give yourself what you need?” Kagame asked.
Addressing young people interested in business and entrepreneurship, the President encouraged them to develop ideas, collaborate with friends and colleagues, and take the first step before seeking external support.
He advised innovators to seek support from relevant government institutions or other stakeholders when they encounter obstacles they cannot overcome on their own, rather than assume that no help is available.
“But if you sit back and say, ‘This government, even people who have ideas, they can’t help’, you haven’t even reached out to the government to say, ‘We have an idea,’” he said.
Kagame acknowledged that not every idea would succeed but urged young people to persevere.
“Maybe ten out of ten ideas or approaches you try may not work favourably for you, but six out of ten will work. Why not? So it’s worth giving it a try,” he said.
President Kagame cautioned against what he described as a culture of entitlement, saying people should not sit back expecting others to provide what they need.
The President urged participants to channel their energy into creating solutions, describing them as builders, innovators and problem solvers with a responsibility to contribute to Rwanda’s continued development.
“You are now builders of something. You are problem solvers. You are innovators,” he remarked, adding that contributing to the nation’s development ultimately benefits those who make the effort.
Reflecting on Rwanda’s liberation struggle, Kagame recalled that those who fought to liberate the country had little external support and therefore had no option but to rely on their own determination and resilience.
“During the liberation, actually, we had nobody to go to,” he said. “Who would we have complained to? Tell me, where would you have gone to complain? Nowhere.”
He stressed that meaningful support usually comes after people demonstrate commitment and effort.
“If you want to be helped, you must know how to do it. You can’t wait for somebody to feed you. You must strive to feed yourself. There are no two ways about it,” he stressed.
President Kagame told the young participants that they should approach challenges with confidence,
Warning against overreliance on others, Kagame argued that expecting governments, foreign countries or other people to provide everything undermines personal responsibility.
“But if you think we shall sit back and expect to be given resources from other countries or other citizens, first of all, it is a foolish thing. It’s absolutely foolish. Many people who sit back and expect that somebody will look after them; people call it dependence. Dependence is another word for stupidity.”
He urged young Rwandans to reject such a mindset and instead build on the achievements of previous generations.
“Some others have played their part… It is up to you to come and fill the gap, and then continue beyond that to another level higher than where we have reached this country,” Kagame urged.
He concluded by encouraging the participants to remain disciplined, take care of themselves, and avoid destructive habits such as alcohol abuse, warning that they could derail their ambitions before they are realised.
Itorero Indangamirwa is a national civic education and values-formation programme established in 2008. The programme is designed to promote Rwandan cultural values, national history, and principles of socio-economic transformation, while also introducing participants to basic military skills and leadership training.
In a message shared after concluding his two-day visit, Gen. Muhoozi thanked President Paul Kagame, First Lady Jeannette Kagame and the leadership of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) for the warm reception accorded to the Ugandan delegation.
“We had excellent discussions about our bilateral relations. Uganda-Rwanda relations are stronger and warmer than ever. We thank our two Presidents, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and H.E. Paul Kagame, for their enlightened leadership of our two brotherly countries,” Gen. Muhoozi wrote.
Gen. Muhoozi issued the message after concluding his two-day working visit to Rwanda.
Gen. Muhoozi’s remarks followed a series of high-level engagements in Rwanda aimed at strengthening defence cooperation and reinforcing bilateral ties.
On Saturday, President Kagame received the Ugandan military chief for talks focusing on the strong partnership between Rwanda and Uganda, as well as regional peace, security and stability.
The meeting with President Kagame formed part of Gen. Muhoozi’s two-day working trip.
According to the Office of the President, the discussions centred on enhancing bilateral cooperation and promoting lasting peace across the region.
The visit formed part of Gen. Muhoozi’s two-day working trip to Rwanda to further strengthen cooperation between the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
Upon his arrival in Kigali, Gen. Muhoozi was welcomed by the Chief of Defence Staff of the RDF, Gen. Mubarakh Muganga, alongside Maj. Gen. Willy Rwagasana, Commander of the RDF Republican Guard, and Uganda’s Defence Attaché to Rwanda, Col. Ezekiel Matsiko.
During the visit, he also held discussions with senior RDF commanders on expanding military collaboration between the two armed forces.
Gen Muhoozi held discussions with senior RDF officials on strengthening military cooperation.
Beyond defence cooperation, Gen. Muhoozi toured several of Kigali’s flagship development projects, including the expansion of King Faisal Hospital, Nyandungu Eco-Park and the Gacuriro Housing Development Project.
The visit also featured a lighter diplomatic moment as President Kagame and Gen. Muhoozi played a friendly game of basketball after their meeting, reflecting the cordial relationship between the two leaders.
Gen. Muhoozi also met NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi in Kigali to discuss expanding basketball development in Uganda. Their discussions focused on nurturing young talent and creating more opportunities for aspiring basketball players, building on earlier engagements held in Uganda in March this year on plans to establish a Junior NBA League.
The latest visit marked Gen. Muhoozi’s first trip to Rwanda since March 2025 and comes as Kigali and Kampala continue to deepen defence collaboration and maintain close engagement on issues affecting peace, security and regional cooperation.
Gen. Muhoozi toured several of Kigali’s flagship development projects.Gen. Muhoozi toured the King Faisal Hospital expansion project in Kigali.He was given a guided tour of the projects by Samuel Dusengiyumva, the Mayor of Kigali City.
Mmamoloko Kubayi, chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration, made the remarks at a media briefing in Pretoria on the government’s latest progress in dealing with the migration challenges in the country.
The repatriations come amid a recent rise in attacks targeting foreign nationals in South Africa, which has prompted some migrants to opt for voluntary return. Kubayi said the government has been working with representatives of countries of origin to facilitate the repatriation process.
“Regarding deportations and repatriations, we can confirm that since Malawian nationals assembled at Sherwood in KwaZulu-Natal from June 14 to July 24, a total of 68,138 foreign nationals have been processed, the majority repatriated following processing at the Musina Temporary Repatriation Processing Centre,” said Kubayi, who is also minister of justice and constitutional development.
According to Kubayi, the Border Management Authority processed 72,906 repatriations involving various nationalities at ports of entry between June 7 and July 14, including those handled at the temporary repatriation center.
She said dedicated immigration courts finalized 28,736 immigration-related cases, mainly involving deportations, between April 1 and the end of June. Kubayi also warned against unauthorized identity checks targeting foreign nationals, saying migration management remains the responsibility of state authorities and must be conducted in accordance with the law.
“To date, law enforcement authorities have registered 354 cases of arrests and prosecutions against individuals who are in contravention of the law related to the issue of migration. An additional 69 people were arrested in Eastern Cape last weekend, and appeared in court on Monday. Government is making it clear that migration management is fundamentally a rule-of-law matter. Criminality will not be tolerated, regardless of who is involved,” she said.
Since April, a total of 93 joint border operations have been conducted to crack down on the illegal movement of illicit goods, human trafficking and drug syndicates, according to Kubayi.
She said the government has also intensified engagement with neighboring countries and countries of origin to strengthen cooperation on migration management, documentation, repatriation and information sharing.
A man disembarks from a government-chartered flight repatriating Nigerian citizens fleeing xenophobic attacks in South Africa, in Lagos on 11 June 2026. The South African government has been accused of failing to crack down on anti-immigrant violence
According to the Office of the President, the meeting centred on the strong relationship between the two neighbouring countries and efforts to promote lasting peace and stability across the region.
“President Kagame today received General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Chief of Defence Forces of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF). Their discussions focused on the strong bilateral cooperation between Rwanda and Uganda, as well as regional peace, security, and stability,” the Presidency said in a statement late Saturday.
The meeting forms part of Gen Muhoozi’s two-day working visit to Rwanda aimed at further enhancing defence cooperation between the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF).
Gen Muhoozi arrived in Kigali earlier on Saturday and was received at Kigali International Airport by the Chief of Defence Staff of the Rwanda Defence Force, Gen Mubarakh Muganga.
He was also welcomed by Maj Gen Willy Rwagasana, Commander of the RDF Republican Guard, and Col Ezekiel Matsiko, Uganda’s Defence Attaché to Rwanda.
During the visit, Gen Muhoozi held discussions with senior RDF officials on strengthening military cooperation between the two countries.
The visit marks Gen Muhoozi’s first trip to Rwanda since March 2025, when he met senior RDF commanders to discuss bilateral military cooperation. During that visit, he also toured the Rwanda Defence Force Command and Staff College in Nyakinama, Musanze District, where he delivered a lecture on the role of African countries in promoting peace and security across the continent.
Gen Muhoozi’s latest visit comes as Rwanda and Uganda continue efforts to deepen defence collaboration and maintain close engagement on issues affecting peace and security in the region.
According to the Office of the President, the meeting centered on the strong relationship between the two neighbouring countries and efforts to promote lasting peace and stability across the region.The meeting forms part of Gen Muhoozi’s two-day working visit to Rwanda.
According to the Office of the President, the meeting focused on accelerating cooperation in health, agricultural transformation, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital public infrastructure in line with Rwanda’s national development priorities.
“This evening in Kigali, President Kagame met with Bill Gates, Founder and Chair of the Gates Foundation. They discussed strengthening the Foundation’s longstanding partnership with Rwanda, including accelerating collaboration in health, agricultural transformation, AI, and digital public infrastructure to advance Rwanda’s development priorities,” the Office of the President said in a statement posted on X.
The meeting formed part of Gates’ multi-day visit to Rwanda, which is aimed at gaining deeper insight into the country’s progress in healthcare, agriculture, innovation, and digital transformation.
Earlier on Monday, Gates visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where he paid tribute to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The Microsoft founder laid a wreath at the final resting place of more than 250,000 victims buried at the memorial before touring its permanent exhibitions.
According to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, Gates learned about the planning and execution of the Genocide against the Tutsi, its devastating human impact, and Rwanda’s journey of recovery, reconciliation, and rebuilding over the past three decades.
Gates has also visited the TKMD syringe manufacturing plant in Rwamagana District, a facility contributing to Africa’s capacity to locally manufacture essential medical supplies. During his visit, he also toured Mwulire Health Centre and met with community health workers to learn more about Rwanda’s primary healthcare system and community-based health model.
Ahead of the visit, Gates commended Rwanda’s development progress, pointing to sustained investments in people, strong institutions, and effective service delivery. He highlighted major gains in health over the past two decades, including an 80 percent reduction in under-five mortality and an 85 percent decline in maternal deaths related to pregnancy and childbirth since 2000.
The Gates Foundation has partnered with Rwanda for more than 20 years, supporting initiatives in healthcare, agriculture, nutrition, and innovation. Earlier this year, Rwanda became the first beneficiary of the Horizon1000 initiative, a $50 million artificial intelligence programme launched by the Gates Foundation in partnership with OpenAI to help African countries leverage AI to strengthen healthcare delivery.
Gates has said his visit is intended to provide an opportunity to engage with government leaders, researchers, innovators, frontline health workers, and communities to better understand Rwanda’s development model and how technology can be harnessed to improve people’s lives.
The meeting between President Paul Kagame and Bill Gates focused on accelerating cooperation in health, agricultural transformation, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital public infrastructure in line with Rwanda’s national development priorities.
