The high-level Convention is hosted by Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, President of the Council of Ministers of Togo, and jointly organised by the African Civil Aviation Commission and the African Union. It brings together transportation ministers, civil aviation authorities, airline and airport executives, aircraft manufacturers, investors, and other key stakeholders from across the continent.
The forum seeks to accelerate the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) while promoting a more resilient, sustainable, and competitive aviation sector across Africa.
President Kagame is expected to deliver remarks during the official opening ceremony of the Convention, highlighting Rwanda’s engagement in regional and continental efforts to strengthen air transport connectivity and cooperation.
On the sidelines of the summit, President Kagame will also hold a bilateral meeting with President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé to discuss matters of mutual and regional interest.
President Paul Kagame was received by Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, President of the Council of Ministers of Togo.The high-level Convention is hosted by Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, President of the Council of Ministers of Togo, and jointly organised by the African Civil Aviation Commission and the African Union.President Kagame will also hold a bilateral meeting with President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé on the sidelines of the summit to discuss matters of mutual and regional interest.
Addressing 108 senior officers from 20 countries during a graduation ceremony at the college’s Nyakinama campus in Musanze District on Friday, Kagame said while military education provides knowledge and strategic skills, the most important qualities of leadership must be developed personally.
“This course was designed to enhance your ability to navigate complex and sometimes seemingly impossible situations. However, there are certain qualities that no course can give you — these you must personally cultivate,” Kagame said.
He identified courage as the ability to act decisively amid uncertainty and risk, warning that complexity can often lead to paralysis.
President Kagame also stressed the importance of sound judgment, noting that the consequences of decisions become greater as officers rise through the ranks.
“You must always remember what you are fighting for. For us, that purpose is anchored in protecting our sovereignty while advancing the continued transformation of our country,” he said.
The Head of State congratulated the graduates on completing the programme, saying they were leaving with broader knowledge, sharper strategic awareness and a greater sense of responsibility. He also acknowledged the support and sacrifices made by their families.
Highlighting the value of the course’s international character, Kagame said the relationships forged among officers from different countries help strengthen cooperation during future operations and regional engagements.
“The value of the connections you have made here cannot be overstated,” he said.
Kagame said the Rwanda Defence Force’s reputation had been built through years of discipline, professionalism and dedicated service, and urged the graduates to uphold those standards. He also called on them to embrace integrity, continuous learning and adaptability as security challenges and technologies evolve.
The graduation marked the completion of a 46-week Senior Command and Staff Course attended by officers from Rwanda and partner countries including Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
RDFCSC Commandant Brigadier General Andrew Nyamvumba said the graduates had completed rigorous training in operational planning, combined joint task force operations, peace support operations, research and strategic leadership.
“These officers arrived 46 weeks ago as promising military professionals. Today, they depart as refined operational and strategic-level commanders and staff officers, ready to serve their nations and contribute to international peace and security,” he said.
Nyamvumba said the growing diversity of participants reflects expanding military partnerships across the region and beyond, while the college’s collaboration with the University of Uganda enables eligible officers to earn a Master of Arts in Security Studies.
He urged the graduates to apply their training with humility and selflessness in service of peace and security.
The ceremony was attended by senior government officials, defence and security leaders, military representatives from partner countries, academic institutions and families of the graduating officers.
The ceremony was attended by senior government officials, defence and security leaders, military representatives from partner countries, academic institutions and families of the graduating officers.Addressing 108 senior officers from 20 countries during a graduation ceremony at the college’s Nyakinama campus in Musanze District on Friday, Kagame said while military education provides knowledge and strategic skills, the most important qualities of leadership must be developed personally.The Head of State congratulated the graduates on completing the programme, saying they were leaving with broader knowledge, sharper strategic awareness and a greater sense of responsibility. He also acknowledged the support and sacrifices made by their families.
According to a communiqué issued after the meeting held at Urugwiro Village, the National Artificial Intelligence Agency will accelerate artificial intelligence development, innovation, adoption, investment and governance in support of Rwanda’s digital transformation and economic growth.
The agency is expected to play a central role in coordinating the country’s AI agenda as Rwanda seeks to strengthen its position as a regional technology and innovation hub.
The Cabinet also approved the draft law determining State finances for the 2026/27 fiscal year. The proposed budget prioritises strengthening agricultural production, boosting industrial growth, accelerating job creation and maintaining macroeconomic stability.
The approval follows the presentation of the 2026/27 Budget Framework Paper (BFP) to Parliament by Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Yusuf Murangwa on May 11, 2026. The government proposed a national budget of Rwf 7.8 trillion for the upcoming fiscal year, representing an increase of Rwf 844.2 billion from the revised budget for 2025/26.
Cabinet was also briefed on the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the region and Rwanda’s preparedness measures. The Ministry of Health reported that prevention, screening and surveillance efforts have been reinforced at all points of entry to safeguard public health.
The government reassured the public that there are currently no Ebola cases in Rwanda and that all activities continue as normal. Citizens were encouraged to remain vigilant and follow public health guidelines.
Several draft laws relating to financing and development cooperation were approved during the meeting.
Among them were draft laws ratifying loan agreements between Rwanda and the African Development Bank for additional financing of the Muvumba Multipurpose Water Resources Development Programme, a key initiative aimed at enhancing water resource management and supporting agricultural productivity.
Cabinet also approved the ratification of financing agreements between Rwanda and the International Development Association (IDA) for the second phase of the Socio-Economic Inclusion of Refugees and Host Communities in Rwanda Project, the Rwanda Urban Mobility Improvement Project, and the Rwanda Disaster Risk Management Development Policy Financing programme with a Catastrophe Deferred Drawdown Option.
The meeting further approved the ratification of an agreement between Rwanda and Botswana for the elimination of double taxation with respect to taxes on income and the prevention of tax evasion and avoidance.
In a move aimed at expanding Rwanda’s international aviation network, Cabinet approved draft laws ratifying air services agreements between Rwanda and the governments of Algeria, Azerbaijan, Botswana, Costa Rica, Guyana, Morocco, Senegal, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United Kingdom.
The agreements are expected to facilitate greater air connectivity, strengthen trade and tourism links, and support Rwanda’s ambition to become a regional aviation hub.
Cabinet also approved the ratification of the agreement establishing the Africa Risk Capacity (ARC) Agency, a specialised African Union institution that helps member states better prepare for, manage and respond to climate-related disasters and other natural shocks.
Beyond legislative approvals, Cabinet endorsed several policy and administrative measures.
These include a revised headquarters agreement between the Government of Rwanda and the Nile Basin Initiative’s Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Programme Coordination Unit (NELSAP-CU), approval of applications for mineral and quarry licences, and the lease of state land located in Karongi District to Zipline Rwanda Ltd.
The meeting also granted agrément to newly appointed diplomats and representatives of international organisations.
Those approved include Jérémie Blin as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the European Union to Rwanda, with residence in Kigali; Dr. Simone Knapp as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Austria to Rwanda, with residence in Nairobi; and Dede Ekoue as Country Representative of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in Rwanda, with residence in Kigali.
Cabinet further approved appointments across several public institutions.
At the Gender Monitoring Office, Habiyaremye Rurihose Florien’s term as Deputy Chief Gender Monitor in charge of Gender Mainstreaming was renewed.
Appointments were also made at the Rwanda Development Board, Rwanda Governance Board and the Higher Education Council, covering leadership positions in internal audit, governance, research, service delivery, digitalisation, legal affairs and communications.
The Cabinet was chaired by President Paul Kagame on Monday, June 8, 2026. The Cabinet approved the establishment of a National Artificial Intelligence Agency and endorsed the draft law determining State finances for the 2026/27 fiscal year, among a series of decisions aimed at advancing Rwanda’s economic transformation, digital innovation, infrastructure development and international cooperation.
According to the advisory, passengers will not be permitted to board RwandAir flights to the UAE if they are travelling directly from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda, or South Sudan. The restriction also applies to passengers who have originated from or transited through any of these three countries, even if they are connecting via another destination.
However, the advisory notes exemptions for UAE citizens and holders of diplomatic passports, who will still be allowed to travel under the current arrangements.
The airline has not indicated how long the restrictions will remain in place, as measures are subject to change depending on the evolving public health situation on the ground.
The current outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, a particularly concerning variant for which there is no approved vaccine or specific antiviral treatment. Health authorities warn that this makes surveillance, early detection, and rapid containment critical to preventing further spread across the region.
Recent health data indicates that the Democratic Republic of Congo has reported 452 confirmed cases and at least 82 deaths, while Uganda has recorded 19 confirmed cases and 2 deaths. In Uganda, infections have been reported in Kampala, Wakiso, and western border areas, underscoring continued transmission risks in the region.
South Sudan, while not yet reporting confirmed Ebola cases, is included in the UAE restrictions due to its geographic proximity to the active outbreak zone in Ituri province, DRC, which borders the country, raising concerns about potential cross-border transmission.
Recent health data indicates that the Democratic Republic of Congo has reported 452 confirmed cases and at least 82 deaths, while Uganda has recorded 19 confirmed cases and 2 deaths.
It appeared there were at least two people who were “probably shooting at each other,” Toledo Deputy Police Chief Joe Heffernan said, adding that police are still searching for the suspects and advise the public to avoid the surrounding areas.
Toledo Police Department officers responded to a report of a person shot in an area near the Old West End Festival at approximately 5:37 p.m. local time (2137 GMT) and discovered multiple shooting victims. The injured were taken to hospitals for treatment.
The Old West End Festival is a two-day event featuring live music, food markets, house tours and shopping.
At least 12 people were shot Saturday afternoon near a community festival in Toledo, U.S. state of Ohio, with two in critical condition.
A statement issued by the military said Harb was killed in an airstrike carried out last week.
The military said Harb oversaw the assembly and deployment of explosive devices intended to target Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon, accusing him of involvement in attacks against Israeli forces dating back to the 2006 war with Israel.
It added that the Israeli Air Force struck and destroyed a rocket launcher overnight that had been used by Hezbollah militants to fire rockets toward Israeli troops operating in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah has not commented on the Israeli claims.
An Israeli Air Force Apache attack helicopter flies above the Lebanon border during an IDF operation on June 4, 2026. The Israel Defense Forces said Friday that it had killed the head of Hezbollah’s engineering unit, Abed Harb.
The U.S. Treasury Department has added Diaz-Canel, four other individuals and five entities, including Cuba’s Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, to the Specially Designated Nationals List, according to an update posted on the department’s website.
Diaz-Canel, 66, succeeded Raul Castro as Cuban president in 2018.
In May, the U.S. government sanctioned 11 Cuban officials and charged Raul Castro over a 1996 incident involving Cuban exiles.
A file photo of Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel during a press conference, in Havana, on February 4, 2026. The United States imposed sanctions on Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and several other individuals and entities on Thursday to ramp up pressure on the island country.
The agreements were formalised during a signing ceremony in Paris. Rwanda was represented by its Ambassador to France, François Nkulikiyimfura, while the French delegation was led by Ambassador to Rwanda, Aurélie Royet-Gounin, alongside Laurent Touvet, the Director General for Foreigners at the French Ministry of the Interior.
The newly signed MoUs are expected to deepen bilateral ties, enhance administrative efficiency, and foster closer cooperation between Kigali and Paris.
The diplomatic milestone closely follows the historic inauguration on June 2, 2026, of “L’Archive”, a permanent memorial in Paris dedicated to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The unveiling of the monument on the Habib-Bourguiba Esplanade was presided over by President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, who described the memorial as a significant milestone in the ongoing reconciliation between the two countries.
Rwanda and France sign MoUs on migration and employment of diplomatic dependents.The newly signed MoUs are expected to deepen bilateral ties, enhance administrative efficiency, and foster closer cooperation between Kigali and Paris.Rwanda and France have signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at streamlining migration management and easing employment restrictions for families of diplomatic staff serving in both nations.
Officials say the city requires about 210,000 cubic metres of water daily, while current production stands at around 145,000 cubic metres. The resulting shortfall has sustained intermittent water distribution in several parts of the capital.
Residents in areas including Kanombe, Busanza and Karembure say water shortages have recently become more noticeable, even before the onset of the dry season.
In some neighbourhoods, water sold at public standpipes has become increasingly expensive, with vendors reportedly purchasing a jerrycan at the regulated price of 20 Rwandan francs and reselling it for between 300 francs and above, depending on demand.
WASAC Group CEO Dr Asaph Kabaasha told IGIHE that the price increases by some vendors are linked to ongoing rationing caused by insufficient supply across the city.
He said several short-term and long-term infrastructure projects are underway to eliminate the shortages and ensure uninterrupted water supply.
“There are very short-term projects in Kigali that we aim to complete by September. For example, we are upgrading the Nzove water treatment plant, and we plan to add 20,000 cubic metres by September. The preparations are at an advanced stage, and we have already signed agreements with the contractor,” he said.
Dr Kabaasha also pointed to a major long-term expansion plan expected to add 400,000 cubic metres of water per day, aimed at meeting demand up to 2035. The project will draw water from the Nyabarongo II dam, which will also generate electricity alongside water supply.
In addition, he said the Karenge water treatment plant is being expanded from its current capacity of 12,000 cubic metres to 48,000 cubic metres, with 36,000 cubic metres expected to be supplied to Kigali.
“These developments mean that in the near future, water rationing will be a thing of the past in Kigali City,” he said.
Dr Kabaasha urged residents to use water responsibly, avoid wastage, protect water infrastructure, and report theft or vandalism, while assuring the public that efforts are ongoing to ensure universal access to clean water.
The Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC Group) has said it is implementing a range of ongoing projects aimed at resolving water rationing in the City of Kigali, as demand continues to outstrip supply by an estimated 65,000 cubic metres per day.WASAC Group CEO Dr Asaph Kabaasha told IGIHE that the price increases by some vendors are linked to ongoing rationing caused by insufficient supply across the city.
The decline came after many previously listed suspected cases were tested and ruled out, World Health Organization (WHO) spokesperson Christian Lindmeier said Tuesday.
A DRC health ministry report released on May 27 said the country had recorded 1,077 suspected Ebola cases as of May 26.
Lindmeier told reporters that during the outbreak, anyone identified through surveillance or seeking treatment at a healthcare facility with Ebola-like symptoms is initially considered a suspected case until testing confirms otherwise. After laboratory tests, many of those cases were ruled out, with some found to be malaria, meningitis or other unrelated illnesses, he said.
According to the latest DRC health ministry update, as of Monday, the country had reported more than 340 confirmed Ebola cases, including 60 deaths. A total of six patients have recovered, up by one from the previous day, while 173 suspected cases are in isolation.
The WHO declared the Ebola outbreak in the DRC a public health emergency of international concern on May 17. The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment.
Medical officers sanitise areas in Ebola-prone areas in the DRC.
