In a statement released by its spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka, AFC/M23 said the attacks were carried out on Saturday, January 24, 2026, by a coalition of the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC), Wazalendo militias, and Burundian troops.
The group alleged that the operations involved the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), which it claims were used to target civilians, leading to multiple deaths among innocent residents of Minzenze.
Kanyuka said AFC/M23 was drawing the attention of the international community to what it described as continued violence against civilians and repeated violations of the ceasefire by authorities in Kinshasa.
“The Kinshasa regime continues relentlessly to pursue a policy of indiscriminate violence against civilian populations, destroying their property amid the culpable silence of the international community,” Kanyuka said in the statement.
The attacks came a day after government forces launched ground offensives on Friday, January 23, 2026, in the areas of Rugezi and Mukoko.
Fighting in several areas has intensified since its forces voluntarily withdrew from the city of Uvira. The rebel coalition had called for the deployment of neutral forces to the city, but FARDC and Wazalendo fighters have since taken control of Uvira, while Burundian troops have also been redeployed to eastern DRC.
In a statement on Saturday, Meloni recalled that following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, NATO activated Article 5 for the first and only time in its history in an act of solidarity with the United States.
“Italy responded immediately together with its allies, deploying thousands of military personnel and assuming full responsibility for Regional Command West, one of the most significant operational areas of the entire international mission,” the statement said.
According to Meloni, Italy paid “an unquestionable price,” with 53 soldiers killed and more than 700 injured in combat operations, security missions and training programs for Afghan forces in nearly 20 years.
For this reason, statements that minimize the contribution of NATO countries in Afghanistan are unacceptable, especially when they come from an allied nation, the statement said.
For his part, Store echoed that Trump’s remarks were “disrespectful.”
“The fallen, their survivors and those who served in Afghanistan deserve to be addressed with truth and respect,” Store wrote in a statement posted on Facebook. “The statement made by the U.S. president is disrespectful. I understand that both veterans and relatives react strongly to this.”
Trump told Fox Business on Thursday that the United States had never needed non-U.S. soldiers during the war in Afghanistan, who “stayed a little back, little off the front lines.”
The ceremony also marked a historic milestone for UGHE as it graduated its first cohort of medical doctors, celebrating its 10th anniversary.
The graduation, held at UGHE’s Butaro campus, saw 30 medical doctors and 48 Master of Science in Global Health Delivery (MGHD) graduates receive their degrees. The event was presided over by Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva and attended by senior government officials, development partners, faculty, students, and alumni.
UGHE Chancellor Dr. Jim Yong Kim conferred the honorary degree to First Lady Kagame, describing her as “an accomplished leader whose work spans education, health, and social transformation.”
He praised her contributions through initiatives such as the Imbuto Foundation, which champions girls’ education, reproductive health, and HIV/AIDS prevention, as well as her leadership in the Organization of African First Ladies for Development and the Unity Club promoting national reconciliation.
“Her moral guidance, presence, and advocacy have strengthened UGHE’s growth, credibility, and visibility across Africa and the world,” Dr. Kim said. “It is my distinct honor and privilege to confer upon Her Excellency Mrs. Jeannette Kagame the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, in recognition of her exceptional leadership and distinguished public service.”
Receiving the honour, First Lady Kagame expressed her deep gratitude and reflected on the legacy of the late Dr. Paul Farmer, UGHE’s founding chancellor.
“To be honoured in this way is a gift for which I can only find a few words, yet to be watched from heaven by a dear friend as we celebrate those who have sought to honour his legacy through their own excellence means that I must try. What a milestone,” she said.
She reflected on how, for many years, solutions to health challenges were often perceived as something that had to come from outside the continent. “Today we affirm a different truth,” she said. “Pain, disease, and avoidable death are not our destiny, and neither are we bound to wait for answers to arrive from afar.”
Addressing the graduates directly, the First Lady challenged them to see themselves as agents of transformation.
“Your greatness is a revolution in the making,” she said. “Congratulations for choosing to lay your brick in the resilience of our systems. May your contribution to global health and to the lives you will save and improve bear witness to every worth of late night of study, every moment of doubt, and every final push of determination.”
In his address, Prime Minister Nsengiyumva highlighted the critical role the graduates will play amid mounting pressures on health systems both in Rwanda and globally.
“Emerging diseases, workforce shortages, and financing constraints are no longer abstract challenges,” he said. “Responding effectively requires more than clinical expertise; it demands an understanding of policy, management, data, and implementation, as well as the ability to translate plans into results.”
The Prime Minister further emphasised that UGHE graduates are expected to serve not only as practitioners but also as leaders capable of strengthening institutions, improving service delivery, and supporting sound decision-making across the health sector.
UGHE Chancellor Dr. Kim highlighted the uniqueness of the university’s journey, describing it as the product of an extraordinary partnership between the Government of Rwanda and global partners.
“This could not have happened in the vast majority of countries that I have been in,” he said, underscoring Rwanda’s leadership and long-term vision in building sustainable health systems.
Founded in 2015 with support from Partners In Health (PIH), UGHE inaugurated its permanent Butaro campus in 2019. The university offers six programs in partnership with Harvard University and has graduated 330 master’s degree holders, with 444 students currently enrolled.
Recognised for its growing academic reputation, Times Higher Education in 2024 ranked UGHE fourth among 129 leading universities in Sub-Saharan Africa.
With its graduates and initiatives, UGHE continues to play a critical role in Rwanda’s plans to expand its healthcare workforce and strengthen health systems, a vision strongly supported by First Lady Jeannette Kagame and President Paul Kagame’s administration throughout the university’s journey.
In a statement, the ministry said the Russian army targeted an energy facility supporting Ukraine’s military-industrial complex, a production workshop, and storage and launch sites for long-range drones. It also struck temporary deployment points for Ukrainian armed formations and foreign mercenaries in 159 areas.
The statement also said that Russian air defense systems intercepted two guided bombs, 31 rockets from the U.S.-made HIMARS multiple launch rocket system, and 68 fixed-wing drones.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine is rooted in a deep-seated struggle over sovereignty, security, and national identity that escalated into full-scale war in 2022. At its core, Russia seeks to reassert influence over its neighbor, viewing Ukraine’s aspirations to join Western institutions like NATO and the European Union as an existential threat to its own security and “sphere of influence.”
Conversely, Ukraine views the war as a fight for survival and independence from Russian imperialism, asserting its right to determine its own future as a sovereign nation. These tensions are compounded by historical disputes over the Donbas region and Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, as well as a fundamental disagreement over whether Ukraine exists as a distinct culture and state or as an integral part of a “Greater Russia.”
In a press release issued on January 24, the group warned of what it described as an imminent and dangerous military escalation in the high plateaus of Fizi, Itombwe, and Uvira, with Minembwe identified as the main objective of the alleged offensive.
According to MRDP-Twiranweno, Burundian troops have been actively redeployed inside Congolese territory and are operating jointly with FARDC units in preparation for attacks on Banyamulenge villages.
The group said it possesses credible information indicating that FDNB units have been heavily deployed in the Mutambala area, particularly in the villages of Kichula, Itota, and Kananda. From these locations, the forces are allegedly planning coordinated ground operations toward Minembwe.
MRDP-Twiranweno says the military build-up poses a serious and immediate threat to civilians and forms part of what it characterises as a deliberate plan to forcibly uproot the Banyamulenge population from the high plateaus.
The reported escalation follows the recent withdrawal of AFC/M23 forces from the city of Uvira, a pullout that was, according to MRDP-Twiranweno, conditioned on the deployment of a neutral force to secure the area.
The group alleges that this condition was not respected, creating a security vacuum that was subsequently filled by FARDC and Wazalendo fighters. It further accuses Burundian forces of entering through the Gatumba border post and operating in Congolese military uniforms to conceal their involvement.
MRDP-Twiranweno reports that by Friday, January 23, joint forces had carried out ground attacks against the villages of Rugezi and Mukoko.
The group also accuses the FARDC of conducting drone bombardments on civilian areas. According to the statement, drone strikes on Friday afternoon injured four civilians in Gakenke, further worsening what the group describes as an already severe humanitarian situation.
“These attacks on populated areas constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law,” said Colonel Kamasa Ndakize Welcome, the group’s coordinator, warning of escalating civilian harm and displacement.
The movement strongly condemned what it termed a “joint aggression” and said it holds the governments of Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo fully responsible for any attack against Minembwe and for any further civilian casualties.
The group also criticised what it described as the silence and inaction of regional and international peace actors, accusing them of enabling violence against civilians and failing to prevent the destruction and looting of Banyamulenge homes, churches, and NGO infrastructure, particularly in Uvira.
In the statement, MRDP-Twiranweno reaffirmed its determination to defend the Banyamulenge population and their property in the face of what it called an existential threat.
A total of 30 medical doctors and 48 Master of Science in Global Health Delivery (MGHD) candidates received their degrees during the ceremony held at the university’s Butaro campus.
The graduation was presided over by Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva and attended by First Lady Jeannette Kagame, alongside senior government officials, development partners, faculty, students, and alumni.
In his address, Prime Minister Nsengiyumva reminded graduates that they are entering the workforce at a time of mounting pressure on health systems in Rwanda and across the world. He pointed to emerging diseases, workforce shortages, and financing constraints as challenges that are no longer abstract, but demand practical, locally grounded solutions.
“Responding effectively to these challenges requires more than clinical expertise,” the Prime Minister said. “It calls for a deep understanding of policy, management, data, and implementation, as well as the ability to translate plans into real results. Your training has prepared you for this responsibility.”
He emphasized that UGHE graduates are expected to serve not only as practitioners, but also as leaders capable of strengthening institutions, improving service delivery, and supporting sound decision-making across the health sector. He reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to human capital development, noting that Africa’s progress depends on strong and resilient systems supported by a skilled and accountable workforce.
“That is why Rwanda, together with its partners, continues to invest in the expansion of medical education at all levels and remains firmly committed to world-class institutions such as the University of Global Health Equity,” he said.
The ceremony was also marked by a deeply reflective address from First Lady Jeannette Kagame, who was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by UGHE in recognition of her exceptional leadership and contributions to education, health, and equity in Rwanda, across Africa, and beyond.
Receiving the honour, Mrs. Kagame described the moment as both emotional and deeply meaningful. “It is with mixed emotions that I receive this great gift, an honour and a tribute to a true friend of Rwanda,” she said, referring to the late Dr. Paul Farmer, UGHE’s founding chancellor.
“To be honoured in this way is a gift for which I can only find a few words, yet to be watched from heaven by a dear friend as we celebrate those who have sought to honour his legacy through their own excellence means that I must try. What a milestone.”
She reflected on how, for many years, solutions to health challenges were often perceived as something that had to come from outside the continent. “Today we affirm a different truth,” she said. “Pain, disease, and avoidable death are not our destiny, and neither are we bound to wait for answers to arrive from afar.”
Addressing the graduates directly, the First Lady challenged them to see themselves as agents of transformation.
“Your greatness is a revolution in the making,” she said. “Congratulations for choosing to lay your brick in the resilience of our systems. May your contribution to global health and to the lives you will save and improve bear witness to every worth of late night of study, every moment of doubt, and every final push of determination.”
UGHE Chancellor Dr. Jim Yong Kim highlighted the uniqueness of the university’s journey, describing it as the product of an extraordinary partnership between the Government of Rwanda and global partners. “This could not have happened in the vast majority of countries that I have been in,” he said, underscoring Rwanda’s leadership and long-term vision in building sustainable health systems.
Founded in 2015 with the support of Partners In Health (PIH), UGHE inaugurated its permanent Butaro campus on January 25, 2019, in a ceremony led by President Paul Kagame and the late Dr. Paul Farmer. Today, the university offers six university-level programs in partnership with Harvard University, sharing both curriculum design and faculty.
In recognition of its growing academic reputation, Times Higher Education in 2024 ranked UGHE fourth among 129 leading universities in Sub-Saharan Africa. The institution attracts a diverse student body from Rwanda and beyond, including learners from the United States, Canada, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Lesotho, and Uganda.
Since its inception, UGHE has graduated 330 master’s degree holders, with 444 students currently enrolled. Beyond degree programs, the university’s Kigali campus offers third-level courses in Global Health Delivery and has played a broader role in national development.
Additionally, over 128,000 people have benefited from entrepreneurship training linked to UGHE initiatives, while 1,260 individuals have gained employment through projects associated with the Butaro campus. Since 2016, 670 leaders from 56 African countries have also received specialized training at the university.
UGHE is expected to play a critical role in helping Rwanda achieve a healthcare workforce density of four medical professionals per 1,000 people. Currently, the country has approximately one doctor per 1,000 residents.
National plans anticipate the enrollment of 8,378 new medical students annually, with an estimated 32,973 graduates by 2028. These will include 1,686 general practitioners, 185 dentists, 832 medical specialists, 15,770 nurses, 5,209 midwives, and 8,394 other health professionals supporting doctors.
The support was unveiled on Saturday, January 24, 2026, during a ceremony at which 54 beneficiaries, who had completed training in tailoring and technology, received tools and equipment to help them start income-generating activities.
The USD 100,000 support is spread over two years, with the current intervention marking the completion of the project’s first phase.
The group of beneficiaries includes eight teen mothers and youth from vulnerable households in Musha Sector. They completed a year-long vocational training programme implemented through a partnership between the Rotary Club of Kigali Cosmopolitan, REAP, and Rwamagana District.
One of the beneficiaries, Jacques Sibomana, who trained in machine tailoring for a year, said his family had been living in poverty, but the support he received has given him renewed hope.
“I will work hard so that I can help my family get out of poverty,” he said. “I started by sewing skirts, but now I can sew trousers. I can earn about Frw 15,000 per week, save part of it through a savings group, and use the rest to improve my life and support my family.”
Rachel Uwimpuhwe, 22, said the skills she acquired during the training will enable her to become independent and contribute to her household’s wellbeing.
“Tailoring will help me improve my life and meet my needs without depending on my parents,” she said. “What I appreciate most is that we were trained to use different types of machines, which means I can find work anywhere or even start my own business. My goal is to earn income and support my family.”
Suman Allan, Rotary Club District Governor, said the support was delivered through the REAP project, which focuses on equipping youth from vulnerable families and teen mothers with practical skills.
“We provided them with training and the necessary equipment,” he said. “We encourage them to use these tools responsibly, maintain discipline, and apply their skills effectively so they can transform their lives and help their families rise out of poverty.”
The Executive Secretary of Musha Sector, Jean Claude Rwagasana, assured beneficiaries that local authorities will continue to support them even after the training period.
“You are not alone,” he said. “Teen mothers will continue to receive legal aid, and youth from vulnerable families will also receive follow-up until they achieve sustainable progress. Use the tools you have been given productively so that you and your families can move forward.”
The Rotary Club of Kigali Cosmopolitan, which has been operating for two years, focuses on empowering young people from vulnerable backgrounds by helping them acquire vocational skills. Beyond training, the club also facilitates job placements for some beneficiaries in garment factories across the country.
On the social platform X, the WHO chief noted that the move will make the United States itself and the world “less safe.”
U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Jan. 20, 2025, the first day of his second term to formally initiate the U.S. exit from the UN specialized agency. The United Nations received the formal notice two days later.
Under the UN charter, the withdrawal takes effect one year after notice is given.
Commending the contribution made by the United States as a founding member to many of WHO’s greatest achievements, Tedros wrote in the X post, “Unfortunately, the reasons cited for the U.S. decision to withdraw from WHO are untrue.”
The U.S. move “makes both the U.S. and the world less safe,” he said, expressing hope that the United States “will return to active participation in WHO in the future.”
Also on Saturday, the WHO issued a statement, voicing regret over the U.S. withdrawal and rejecting accusations made by the Trump administration.
The U.S. withdrawal raises issues that will be considered by the WHO Executive Board at its regular meeting starting on Feb. 2 and by the World Health Assembly at its annual meeting in May 2026, it said.
In dealing with the consequences, the WHO Secretariat “will act on advice and guidance of our governing bodies accordingly,” a WHO press official told Xinhua in an email Wednesday.
The United States has yet to pay its outstanding membership dues, according to the official. “As of today, the USA has not paid the invoiced amounts for its assessed contributions for the biennium 2024-2025,” the official said.
The U.S.-based National Public Radio (NPR) reported that the outstanding amount is estimated to total some 278 million U.S. dollars.
In addition to this role, Brig Gen Gasana will also serve as an adviser to the Minister of Defence and Chief of Defence Staff on air force matters.
The appointments were announced on the night of January 24. In the same announcement, Col Dan Gatsinzi was appointed Deputy Chief of Staff of the Air Force in charge of operations.
Brig Gen Godfrey Gasana, who has been appointed Presidential Pilot, is an experienced aviator.
This is a rare and specialized appointment, and in recent times it is the first instance in which the role of Presidential Pilot has been publicly announced.
In 2023, Brig Gen Gasana, then holding the rank of Colonel, was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. At the time, he was serving as Deputy Chief of Staff of the Rwanda Air Force.
Col Dan Gatsinzi, meanwhile, was promoted to the rank of Colonel in September 2024 from Lieutenant Colonel.
In 2025, he emerged as the best-performing graduate among officers who completed their studies at the Senior Command and Staff College in Nyakinama.
In 2021, Col Gatsinzi served as Chief of Operations in the Rwanda Air Force.
Hussein made the remarks during a phone call with European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, according to a statement by the Iraqi Foreign Ministry.
The two officials discussed the developments in Syria, particularly the recent escape of IS members from prisons previously controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the statement read.
They underlined the necessity of sustaining the ceasefire in Syria’s northeastern Hasakah province and resolving conflicts through peaceful means. Both sides further highlighted the importance of an active European role in supporting talks between the SDF and the Syrian interim government to reach binding agreements.
Hussein also reviewed the results of his recent visit to Iran, and the two sides exchanged views on EU relations in light of the “tense and dangerous” regional situation, it said.
For her part, Kallas expressed her gratitude to the Iraqi government for its initial agreement to receive the IS detainees from Syria, the statement said.
The discussion follows Iraq’s recent reception of the first 150 IS detainees transferred from Syria. U.S. Central Command said the detainees were moved from a detention facility in Hasakah to a secure location in Iraq. The transfer is part of a broader plan that could eventually see up to 7,000 IS detainees relocated to Iraqi-controlled facilities.
On Friday, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani urged countries around the world, particularly EU members, to repatriate their nationals detained for links to the IS, during a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron.
