In a detailed briefing to the UN Human Rights Council on June 16, Türk revealed that Congolese soldiers, alongside members of the pro-government Wazalendo militia, have engaged in killings, rapes, and looting during military operations, particularly in North and South Kivu provinces.
The abuses have occurred amid the Congolese army’s offensives against M23 rebels and other armed groups.
“Congolese soldiers and members of the DRC-backed Wazalendo militia killed, raped, and looted,” said Türk, citing preliminary findings from an ongoing fact-finding mission.
He expressed concern over a “complete disregard” for the protection of civilians during and after combat, particularly during the battle for Goma in late January, where command structures reportedly collapsed as army units retreated.
Türk’s statements follow months of warnings from human rights groups about atrocities committed by Congolese forces and their militia allies. On May 23, Human Rights Watch (HRW) documented widespread abuses by Wazalendo fighters in South Kivu, including attacks on Banyamulenge villages near Bibokoboko in early March.
Witnesses said the fighters targeted civilians based on ethnicity, declaring Banyamulenge to be “Rwandan” and vowing to “clean them out.”
“They killed seven people and destroyed homes, health centres, and schools,” a local community leader told HRW.
The UN’s findings put further scrutiny on President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration, which has formed alliances with numerous militias, including the FDLR, accused of involvement in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, to bolster its military campaign in the east.
Analysts and activists have raised alarm over the government’s apparent weaponisation of anti-Tutsi sentiment to justify violence against Congolese Tutsi communities under the pretext of fighting M23.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, Kinshasa has publicly celebrated the UN’s decision in February to establish an independent investigative mechanism into atrocities in the east. Government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya praised the resolution on X, but critics say the administration has tried to downplay or deny war crimes committed by its own forces.
Civil society groups and international observers are now questioning whether President Tshisekedi will be held accountable for what they describe as a campaign of ethnic persecution and possible crimes against humanity.
The landmark agreement, formalized during a three-day official visit by Rwanda’s Minister of Defence, Juvenal Marizamunda, to the Kingdom of Morocco, establishes a robust framework for enhanced military ties and lays the foundation for a broader strategic partnership.
Minister Marizamunda, accompanied by Rwanda’s Ambassador to Morocco, Shakilla Umutoni, Chief J7 Col David Mutayomba, and Lt Col Angeline Kamanzi, Director of Analysis in Defence Intelligence, began the visit with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Mausoleum of Mohammed V.
This solemn tribute honored the historical legacy of Morocco’s father of independence, setting a tone of mutual respect and shared values.
According to Rwanda’s Ministry of Defence, the first day’s agenda featured a high-level bilateral meeting at the Headquarters of the Administration of National Defence in Morocco.
Minister Marizamunda and his delegation engaged in productive discussions with their Moroccan counterparts, led by Abdeltif Loudyi, Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of the Administration of National Defence.
The talks focused on strengthening defense cooperation, exploring avenues for joint training, intelligence sharing, and other strategic initiatives.
The culmination of the day was the formal signing of the Military Cooperation Agreement.
Rwanda and Morocco share a longstanding partnership, reinforced through multiple agreements over the years.
In 2016, King Mohammed VI visited Rwanda, during which the two nations signed 19 cooperation agreements in areas such as banking, diplomatic relations, and investment facilitation.
One of the agreements allowed diplomatic and official passport holders to travel between the two countries without restrictions.
In 2019, Rwanda and Morocco signed 12 additional agreements in Rabat, further solidifying their collaboration. Morocco remains a key partner in education, offering numerous scholarships to African students, including Rwandans.
In 2020, Rwanda’s then-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta, and his Moroccan counterpart signed two agreements, one enhancing government collaboration and another focused on sports development in Africa.
The ceremony, witnessed by the U.S. Under Secretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, sets the stage for the formal Ministerial signing scheduled for June 27, 2025, to be overseen by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
According to the U.S. Department of State, the agreement, built upon the Declaration of Principles signed on April 25, 2025, is the culmination of three days of constructive dialogue addressing critical political, security, and economic issues.
The comprehensive accord includes key provisions aimed at fostering lasting stability and cooperation between the two nations.
These include commitments to respect territorial integrity, a prohibition on hostilities, and measures for the disengagement, disarmament, and conditional integration of non-state armed groups.
Additionally, the agreement establishes a Joint Security Coordination Mechanism, incorporating the Concept of Operations (CONOPS) outlined on October 31, 2024.
Beyond security, the Peace Agreement prioritizes humanitarian and economic objectives. It facilitates the safe return of refugees and internally displaced persons, ensures humanitarian access, and lays the foundation for a regional economic integration framework to promote shared prosperity.
The negotiations benefited from close coordination between the United States and Qatar, with Qatari representatives participating to align their complementary peace initiatives. Both the DRC and Rwanda expressed gratitude for the pivotal roles played by the U.S. and Qatar in advancing dialogue and fostering a peaceful resolution.
Looking ahead, the agreement sets the stage for a Summit of Heads of State in Washington, D.C., where leaders will make further commitments to peace, stability, and economic prosperity in the Great Lakes region.
Massad Boulos, the United States Senior Advisor for Africa expressed his pride in the achievement on X.
“Proud to lead three days of peace talks, which resulted in the initialing of the peace agreement by delegations from the DRC and Rwanda. Next week, we look forward to hosting the Foreign Ministers to sign the agreement on June 27 witnessed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Together, we’re working toward achieving lasting peace and stability in the region,” he stated.
According to RDF statement, the purpose of the meeting is to review the prevailing security situation, address challenges affecting border communities, and strengthen security along the Rwanda–Uganda border.
The three-day meeting has brought together commanders and staff from RDF Infantry Divisions deployed along the Rwanda–Uganda border, led by Brig Gen Pascal Muhizi, Commander of the RDF 5th Division, and their counterparts from the UPDF 2nd Infantry Division, headed by Maj Gen Paul Muhanguzi, the Division Commander.
Also in attendance are Rwanda’s Defence Attaché to Uganda, Col Emmanuel Ruzindana and Brigadier General Emmanuel Shilling, Uganda’s Defence Attaché to Rwanda.
During the meeting, both delegations assessed the progress made in implementing recommendations from the previous gathering, particularly in combating illegal cross-border activities and addressing other potential and emerging security threats.
In his opening remarks, Brig Gen Pascal Muhizi expressed appreciation to the UPDF delegation, noting that their presence in Rwanda is a clear testament to the shared commitment to maintaining strong and cordial relations between the two defence forces.
He emphasised that the dedication of proximity commanders from both the RDF and UPDF continues to be a cornerstone of regional security and cooperation.
Brig Gen Muhizi underlined that ensuring border security and regional stability is a shared responsibility, requiring joint and coordinated efforts rather than isolated actions.
He noted that the RDF and UPDF have demonstrated the effectiveness of collaborative military engagement through structured information sharing and coordinated tactical responses, founded on trust and mutual commitment.
Given the increasingly complex security landscape, he stressed the importance of adopting a proactive approach.
Maj Gen Paul Muhanguzi, Commander of the UPDF 2nd Infantry Division and Head of the Ugandan Delegation, expressed sincere gratitude to the RDF leadership, particularly the Commander of the RDF 5th Infantry Division and his team, for the warm welcome extended to the Ugandan delegation in Rwanda.
In his remarks, he stated: “As we pursue the prosperity of our border communities, we remain committed to the vision of our Heads of State and the guidance of our Chiefs of Defence Forces.”
He acknowledged that significant progress has been achieved through these cross-border engagements, especially in intelligence and information sharing, coordinated security operations, joint command efforts, and the implementation of social initiatives benefiting local populations.
The delegation also paid a courtesy call on the leadership of Nyagatare District, where they were welcomed by Matsiko Gonzague, the Vice Mayor in charge of Economic Development.
Matsiko commended the Proximity Commanders’ Meeting, highlighting that it has enabled both countries to address shared border-related issues and foster stronger cooperation between communities across the border, particularly in the area of socio-economic development.
Nyagatare District shares a border with Ruhama District in Uganda.
The delegation is also scheduled to visit the National Liberation Museum Park in Mulindi, Gicumbi District.
From the Bandung Conference in 1955 to today’s China-Africa cooperation frameworks, the relationship has evolved beyond symbolism into one of measurable impact. The question now is not whether Africa and China need each other, but rather why they must stand together more firmly than ever.
The recently concluded Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), held in Changsha, Hunan Province, in June 2025, served as a critical reaffirmation of this strategic alliance.
It brought together over 700 African participants, including 111 ministerial officials, three national leaders, 77 ministers, and 33 foreign ministers.
“I think that is the reason for the high attendance and high-level representation at the Changsha meeting,” said Du Xiaohui, Director of the African Affairs Department at China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, speaking to visiting journalists in Beijing on June 18, 2025.
“Because of the changes in the international landscape, the biggest source of instability has made everyone realise that there is a necessity for the global South, and for China and Africa, to send a message of solidarity,” he added.
This message was clearly articulated in the Changsha Declaration, a document which framed solidarity through four key messages: the severity of global challenges, their root causes, a shared vision of cooperation, and a commitment to action.
One such action is unilateral. “We are not seeking reciprocity from African countries,” said Du. “We are unilaterally granting the treatment to African products.”
Africans being given a fish or taught how to fish?
The numbers speak for themselves: Africa is not merely a passive recipient of Chinese aid. It is an increasingly active partner shaping its own destiny. Since the 2024 Beijing Summit, China has committed 360 billion yuan to Africa over three years.
So far, nearly 150 billion yuan—roughly 40 percent—has already been disbursed. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, China-Africa trade reached USD 72.6 billion, an increase of 2.7 percent.
Infrastructure tells an even more compelling story. China has helped Africa build and upgrade more than 100,000 kilometres of roads and 10,000 kilometres of railways. Over 1.1 million jobs have been created in just three years.
Additional investments include 13.38 billion yuan in new ventures, 55.45 billion yuan in infrastructure financing, and 40.57 billion yuan in credit to African financial institutions.
Rwanda, for instance, has emerged as a standout partner. The country has signed multiple cooperation frameworks with China, from Belt and Road agreements to partnerships in digital education and green development.
China has dispatched medical teams, constructed solar power stations, and helped set up vocational training centres. More importantly, Rwanda has leveraged these tools to fuel its transformation, from developing local manufacturing to becoming a regional leader in digital innovation. Clearly, the fishing rod is being used.
At the heart of this partnership lies a response to global inequities. In recent years, some Western countries have imposed sweeping tariffs—even on Least Developed Countries—and implemented restrictive immigration and remittance policies.
These actions, Du warned, “will cause a decrease of 0.4% in the GDP of African countries” and risk returning the world “to a system governed by the law of the jungle, where the strong prey on the weak.”
Against this backdrop, China’s gestures take on deeper meaning. President Xi Jinping’s message to the Changsha meeting announced that China will grant zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent of tariff lines to 53 African countries, covering both LDCs and non-LDCs.
“This is not a restriction,” said Du. “It is China’s effort in carefully reviewing domestic and international procedures—a method we have developed, something we must do.”
To date, 27 African countries have signed the Comprehensive Agreement on Deepening Economic Partnership Agreement (CATIPA) with China—essentially a modern, high-standard free trade deal. It not only lowers tariffs but also eases non-tariff barriers such as customs clearance, market access, and quality inspections.
Beyond trade, the partnership is expanding into green industries, artificial intelligence, e-commerce, payment systems, and even rule-of-law and security frameworks.
“People say that Africa is lagging behind in technology, but we don’t think so,” said Du. “China is ready to make China’s opportunities the opportunities of Africa.”
Why do Africa and China need to stand firmly together? Because in a world increasingly fractured by power politics, rising protectionism, and climate emergencies, the two sides offer each other something rare: mutual respect, real results, and a shared vision.
From zero-tariff commitments to cooperation in AI, the partnership is no longer about aid or dependency—it’s about rebalancing global power.
As Du put it: “We are ready to work with our African friends to be personally involved in and contribute to higher-quality cooperation between our two sides.”
Hosted by the Education Collaborative in Kigali, the Rwandan capital, the symposium brought together higher education stakeholders, including education leaders, policymakers, and industry players from across Africa to explore and exchange innovative practices to improve student experiences and graduate outcomes.
The Education Collaborative is a continental initiative spearheading a collective engagement model aimed at improving higher education outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa.
“Within an increasingly interconnected global landscape, higher education must serve as a catalyst for deeper economic, social, and scientific integration,” Rwandan Minister of Education Joseph Nsengimana told delegates while opening the forum.
“This year’s theme challenges us to reflect, mobilize, and realign around one of the most urgent goals of our time: delivering meaningful, relevant, and transformational learning experiences for African students,” he said.
Running from Tuesday to Friday, the discussions will focus on four topics: recentering student development, reflecting on current practices and identifying areas for improvement, mobilizing resources and coordinating efforts for action, and adjusting national policies and strategies to better implement commitments that serve students’ development.
Rose Dodd, executive director of the Education Collaborative in Ghana, emphasized the need to ensure that every African student can access a university system that “sees them, serves them, and prepares them to lead.”
The event, co-organized by the Kingdom of Morocco, the United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect, and their partners, focused on the critical intersection of hate speech and artificial intelligence (AI) in the digital age.
Amb. Ngoga began by expressing Rwanda’s gratitude to the organizers for their leadership in addressing the global rise of hate speech, emphasizing the urgency of countering its spread in an era where AI amplifies its reach.
“Rwanda strongly supports a coordinated global approach to regulating AI and digital platforms rooted in international human rights law,” Ngoga stated, highlighting the need for ethical safeguards to protect vulnerable communities, as outlined in the Global Digital Compact.
Drawing on Rwanda’s painful history, Ngoga underscored the devastating consequences of unchecked hate speech, referencing the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
“Radio broadcasts, newspapers, and state rhetoric dehumanized the Tutsi, paving the way for one of the worst atrocities of the 20th century,” he said.
This experience fuels Rwanda’s deep conviction in the need for robust measures to combat hate speech and prevent its weaponization.
Ngoga also paid tribute to Professor Gregory Stanton for his influential work in genocide studies, which has shaped post-genocide jurisdictions, including Rwanda’s own legal efforts.
Reflecting on his tenure as Rwanda’s former Prosecutor General and his work with the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), Ngoga highlighted the landmark “media trial” of Ferdinand Nahimana, Hassan Ngeze, and Jean-Bosco Barayagwiza.
This trial, he explained, set a critical judicial precedent in distinguishing between protected free speech and criminal hate speech. “The Tribunal for Rwanda resolved that problem,” Ngoga said, urging tech companies and global actors to draw on this jurisprudence to address hate speech in the digital realm.
The ambassador emphasized the evolving nature of hate speech, now accelerated by AI-generated content and algorithmic amplification. “Online hate spreads faster than truth, radicalizes communities, and undermines the foundations of peace we have worked hard to build,” he warned, noting that behind every slur or viral image lie real consequences for real people.
The event aligns with the UN’s broader efforts to counter hate speech, as outlined in the 2019 UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech and the 2021 UN General Assembly resolution proclaiming June 18 as the International Day for Countering Hate Speech. The resolution calls for increased efforts to address discrimination, xenophobia, and hate speech in line with international human rights law.
Echoing this sentiment, UN Secretary-General António Guterres remarked, “Today, hate speech travels faster and farther than ever, amplified by Artificial Intelligence. Let’s commit to using AI not as a tool of hate, but as a force for good. Let’s stand united in the pursuit of peace, mutual respect, and understanding for all.”
Rwanda’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, James Musoni, has said that the people of Zimbabwe are grateful for President Paul Kagame’s role in helping the country raise its voice in the fight to have economic sanctions lifted.
In 2000, under the leadership of Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe made the decision to repossess land that had been allocated to white settlers during colonial times, returning it to Black farmers.
The move sparked diplomatic tensions between Zimbabwe and countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and the European Union (EU).
These nations swiftly imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe, with the United States implementing economic sanctions in 2001, followed by the EU and other countries in 2002. These sanctions severely crippled Zimbabwe’s economy and remain in place to this day.
However, in 2017, during and after his tenure as Chairperson of the African Union, President Kagame actively advocated for the lifting of those sanctions, amplifying Zimbabwe’s voice on the global stage.
In a recent interview, Ambassador Musoni told RBA that President Kagame’s efforts had a significant impact, resulting in the removal of some sanctions, and that the remaining ones could also be lifted in the near future.
“They thank President Kagame for his efforts in advocating for the removal of the sanctions imposed on them. His voice has consistently stood out, calling for an end to these sanctions on Zimbabwe. Progress has already been made — some sanctions have been lifted and others are in the process,” he said.
“His role is deeply appreciated. You hear this in government circles, among private sector players, and from ordinary citizens,” he added.
Relations between Rwanda and Zimbabwe took a major step forward in 2019 when both countries opened embassies and began signing various cooperation agreements.
Since 2022, the two nations have signed trade agreements, with entrepreneurs from both sides commending the benefits that have emerged from their collaboration.
Zimbabwe has also sent over 150 teachers to Rwanda through bilateral agreements on workforce exchange, and Ambassador Musoni confirmed that more teachers are expected to arrive from Zimbabwe this September to contribute further to Rwanda’s education sector.
Reports indicate that this project is a key part of Mali’s broader mining reforms, led by President Assimi Goïta’s government, which aim to retain more value-added processing within the country.
By keeping more gold processing local, Mali hopes to develop its workforce and retain more economic benefits from its gold industry.
The state will hold a 62% stake in the refinery, while Yadran Group will own 38%. The refinery is set to become a regional hub, processing gold not only for Mali but eventually for neighboring countries like Burkina Faso as well.
This project aligns with a growing trend across the Sahel region, where countries are revising mining laws to ensure that more value-added processing takes place domestically.
Mali’s move reflects the urgent need for African countries to process their raw materials locally, rather than exporting them for others to reap the profits.
The agreement was formalised on Tuesday, June 17, at the OPEC Fund Development Forum 2025 in Vienna, Austria, where Rwanda’s Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Yusuf Murangwa, and OPEC Fund President Abdulhamid Alkhalifa announced the deal.
The financing allocated for the 2025–2028 period will be channelled into key sectors identified as critical to Rwanda’s long-term growth. These include agriculture and food systems (with a focus on irrigation and post-harvest management), renewable energy—particularly solar power—transport (notably in the aviation sector), and environmental restoration.
The framework is designed to support Rwanda’s development priorities, including the expansion of quality infrastructure, improved access to essential basic services, and the promotion of entrepreneurship and private sector growth.
The agreement is part of a broader theme at this year’s forum, “A Transition That Empowers Our Tomorrow,” highlighting global commitments to inclusive and climate-resilient development pathways.
The OPEC Fund for International Development is a development finance institution established by OPEC member states in 1976. It provides financing to support the economic and social progress of developing countries.
![Du Xiaohui [right], addressing journalists in Beijing, emphasized that China’s cooperation with Africa is not about reciprocity, but about long-term partnership.](https://en-images.igihe.com/jpg/du_xiaohui_right_addressing_journalists_in_beijing_emphasized_that_china_s_cooperation_with_africa_is_not_about_reciprocity_but_about_long-term_partnership.jpg)
