The incident is said to have occurred on the night of April 4 to 5 in Kanzana, a locality in Nyiragongo territory.
In a statement released on Saturday, April 5, the group revealed that the victims included women and children and blamed what it described as “enemies of peace under direct orders of the Kinshasa regime” for the killings.
AFC/M23 said the attack was carried out by infiltrators taking advantage of the group’s policy of free movement and the lifting of roadblocks in areas under its control.
Describing the incident as an act of cowardice and terrorism, the rebel group warned the Congolese government against further such actions, vowing to take measures to neutralise those responsible.
“This organised crime orchestrated by Kinshasa, aimed at tarnishing the reputation of the AFC/M23, is an act of cowardice,” AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka said in a statement.
The group also claimed that such acts undermine the ongoing ceasefire and efforts by the international community to find a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
“The AFC/M23 reiterates its commitment to protect and defend civilian populations, as well as to work towards lasting peace in the DRC,” the group added.
The Kinshasa government is yet to respond to the allegations.
AFC/M23, which says it is fighting for the rights of marginalised groups, including Kinyarwanda-speaking communities who have endured decades of persecution in the east, controls large swaths of territory in the east Congo following its recent offensive.
The group is scheduled to engage in direct talks with Kinshasa in Qatar on April 9, with the aim of resolving the conflict.
The construction company working on the sports field in the district of Simmering in Vienna found a large number of human remains at the site in October last year, according to the Vienna Department of urban archaeology, part of the Wien Museum.
However, the total number of individuals is estimated to be more than 150, as the earlier construction works had displaced a large number of dislocated bones in the 16-foot-long pit.
The skeletal finds suggest “a hasty covering of the dead with earth, as the individuals were not buried in an orderly fashion, but with their limbs intertwined with each other’s and with many lying on their stomachs or sides,” the museum said.
After the skeletons were cleaned up and examined, researchers found that they were all male, and most were more than 1.7 meters tall (more than 5 feet 7 inches) and between the ages of 20 and 30 when they died.
Their dental health was generally good, with few signs of infection, but every individual analyzed bore injuries sustained at or near their time of death.
The variety of wounds, which were mainly found in the skull, pelvis and torso, and made by weapons including spears, daggers, swords and iron bolts, suggests they were sustained during battle rather than the result of execution, the punishment for military cowardice, the museum said.
“As the remains are purely male, it can be ruled out that the site of discovery was not connected with a military hospital or similar or that an epidemic was the cause of death. The injuries to the bones are clearly the result of combat,” it added.
The men were probably robbed of their weapons, since only a small number of objects were found alongside them, according to the release. Archaeologists uncovered two iron spearheads, one of which was found lodged in a hip bone.
Numerous hobnails were discovered near the feet of one individual. These nails would have studded the underside of leather Roman military shoes, the museum said.
An X-ray of the scabbard of a rusted and corroded iron dagger revealed typical Roman decorations of inlays of silver wire. This was dated to between the mid-1st century and early 2nd century AD.
There were also several pieces of scale armor, which became customary around 100 AD, the museum said. However, they were unusual in having more square-shaped features than round, it added.
A cheek piece from a Roman helmet was found to be from a type that became customary from the middle of the 1st century.
“We are blown away by this find. It is a genuine game-changer,” Kristina Adler-Wölfl, head of the Vienna Department of Urban Archaeology, told the media, adding that this is “a once-in-a-lifetime discovery” for the museum’s archaeologists.
Preliminary investigation suggests with near certainty that the mass grave is the result of such a Roman-Germanic battle, one that likely took place in or around 92 CE,” she added.
The destruction of an entire legion is included in reports of disastrous defeats, which later led to the extension of the fortification line known as the Danube Limes under the emperor Trajan, according to the museum.
The Roman expansion of the town of Vindobona, which later became Vienna, “from a small military site to a full-scale legionary fortress occurred in that context. This would place the mass grave in immediate conjunction with the beginning of urban life in present-day Vienna,” said Adler-Wölfl.
The initial investigation by the team in Vienna will form part of a larger international research project, the museum said. This will include DNA analysis, to shed light on the lives of the soldiers and their living conditions.
Prosecutors for the Eastern District of New York asked in a court filing for a sentence of 87 months to reflect the “seriousness of his unparalleled crimes.”
Santos, 36, is set to be sentenced on April 25, bringing to an end a criminal case that began in 2023. Prosecutors charged him with 23 felony counts while he was still a representative in Congress.
A provocateur who insisted on his innocence even as his serial falsehoods came to light, Mr. Santos pleaded guilty last August to two of the counts and admitted to an array of other frauds. Guidelines call for a sentence of roughly six to seven years in prison, though a judge will make the final decision later this month.
In his drive to seek higher office, the prosecutors’ filing said, Mr. Santos fabricated his past and engaged in deceitful schemes, including inflating his fund-raising numbers and stealing from donors.
“He lied to his campaign staff, his supporters, his putative employer and congressional colleagues, and the American public. Santos’s conduct has made a mockery of our election system,” the prosecutors wrote.
Lawyers for Santos, Robert M. Fantone and Joseph W. Murray, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on morning. In a separate filing on Friday, they asked for a sentence of two years, the minimum allowed for the crimes involved, followed by probation.
Santos had acknowledged the gravity of his crimes, the filing said, and agreed to pay nearly $374,000 in restitution.
“His conduct, though involving dishonesty and abuse of trust, stemmed largely from a misguided desperation related to his political campaign, rather than inherent malice,” his lawyers wrote.
“The public disgrace that Santos endured and his removal from Congress meant he was unlikely to commit similar crimes in the future, they said.
Prosecutors in their filing disagreed, writing that a significant sentence was needed to deter Santos from defrauding the public. They said that the former congressman had made efforts to “leverage his lawbreaking as a springboard to celebrity and riches.”
Prosecutors cited his appearance on Cameo, a video-sharing platform for celebrities, his participation in a documentary and the debut of his recent podcast, “Pants on fire with George Santos.”
Santos erupted onto the national stage in 2022 after his election to Congress helped his party win control of the House. Young, gay and the son of Brazilian immigrants, Mr. Santos positioned himself as part of the new face of the Republican Party, and a proud supporter of Donald Trump.
But even before he was sworn in, questions emerged over his conduct and the veracity of his claims. Mr. Santos was accused of inventing personal connections to the Holocaust, the Sept. 11 attacks and the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, as well as falsifying finance records.
He was expelled from Congress in late 2023, after a report by the House Ethics Committee found evidence that Mr. Santos had broken federal law.
The officers, PC Katungi Alex and Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP) Hadali Keneth, are jointly facing charges of assault and conspiracy to commit atrocities.
Katungi, an officer attached to the Environmental Protection Police Unit (EPPU) under the Ministry of Water and Environment, stands accused of assaulting multiple individuals under the pretext of cracking down on illegal developments in wetlands.
According to court documents, Katungi is also under investigation for broader offenses, including illegal arrests, land grabbing, extortion, and harassment, particularly targeting investors and landowners in the areas of Kajjansi and Entebbe.
Witnesses allege that Katungi, while claiming to be enforcing environmental laws, engaged in corrupt practices, including threatening legal action against landowners and then extorting money to allow them to proceed with their developments.
Several victims claim the officer used excessive force and targeted people without due process. In some cases, victims reported being detained without proper charges or documentation.
In a twist of irony, Katungi is also being probed for personally authorizing or participating in illegal developments within protected wetland areas the very crimes he claimed to be preventing.
AIP Hadali Keneth, his co-accused, has been charged with conspiracy, allegedly aiding and coordinating with Katungi in carrying out the unlawful activities.
The prosecution requested the continued detention of both officers to allow ongoing investigations into multiple complaints filed by residents and business owners. The Kajjansi Chief Magistrate ruled in favor of the prosecution, remanding both officers until April 9, 2025.
The case has drawn public attention, with local leaders and civil society organizations calling for a comprehensive review of operations within the EPPU.
“This case highlights the urgent need for transparency and oversight within environmental enforcement units,” said Miriam Kabonesa, a legal officer with the Center for Justice and Accountability. “Officers entrusted to protect the environment must not become its exploiters.”
As the investigations proceed, communities in Kajjansi and Entebbe are watching closely, hopeful that this marks the beginning of accountability for alleged abuses that have long gone unchecked.
This comes after the Ministry of Defense discovered that seven of them were still active-duty soldiers who had been on a family leave of up to two years. It was found that they violated military regulations by leaving the country without authorization and engaging in activities unrelated to their military duties. Three of them remain on leave.
The Ministry also revealed that among these mercenaries were 466 former members of Romania’s reserve forces, who had previously been discharged from active military service due to age, resignation, or medical reasons.
A case file for one of the seven soldiers on leave has already been submitted to the military prosecutor’s office, and it is expected that files for the remaining six will also be submitted, according to Euractiv.
Romanian Defense Minister Angel Tîlvăr stated that he had ordered a full investigation into how this situation arose and that measures would be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.
European mercenaries began collaborating with the DRC government in 2022 to fight against the M23 rebel group, which was rapidly taking control of vast territories. A large number of these mercenaries were from Romania.
Before M23 captured the city of Goma in late January 2025, the mercenaries, led by Horatiu Potra, a figure well known across Africa, ceased fighting operations.
M23 captured 280 of the mercenaries and repatriated them through Rwanda on January 29, 2025. Reports indicated that some had fled before the rebel group entered Goma.
He made the remarks on April 4, 2025, during the presentation of findings from a two-week review conducted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
In recent weeks, countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany have imposed economic sanctions on Rwanda, accusing it of supporting the M23 rebel group, allegations Rwanda has consistently denied as baseless.
The situation escalated when Rwanda severed diplomatic ties with Belgium and terminated cooperation agreements on development projects valued at €95 million for the 2024–2029 period. At the time of cancellation, about €80 million remained unused.
Murangwa emphasized that while those aid contributions had been beneficial, their loss would not severely destabilize Rwanda’s economy, particularly because the country still has support from its core partners.
“The countries that have imposed sanctions on us are not many. Our main partners such as the World Bank, IMF, AfDB, and other nations have not imposed any sanctions, meaning the overall impact is minimal,” he said.
In 2024, Rwanda’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reached RWF 18.785 trillion, up from RWF 16.626 trillion in 2023. Services contributed 48% to this growth, while agriculture accounted for 25%.
Murangwa further explained that Rwanda’s current economic standing is strong, and the reliance on foreign aid has significantly decreased compared to past years, thereby reducing the impact of these sanctions.
“We are investing heavily in self-reliance. Based on our current progress and preparedness, there is no major threat. We will continue assessing any potential impacts,” he added.
During the two-week review conducted with the IMF, it was found that Rwanda’s economy had grown at a solid rate of 8.9%. The Minister also mentioned that projections for the coming years show Rwanda’s economy is expected to grow at a rate of 7%.
The Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR), Soraya Hakuziyaremye, noted that the IMF forecasted inflation rates between 2% and 8% for 2025 and 2026, which aligns with the central bank’s own figures.
In March 2025, BNR had projected inflation to reach 6.5% in 2025, dropping to 4.3% in 2026. Hakuziyaremye confirmed that the IMF used the same projections.
She added that although global economic uncertainty persists, such as rising import taxes in the United States, there is currently no cause for concern for Rwanda. However, they will continue monitoring the situation closely.
“There’s no need for alarm because our exports to the US were already limited and subject to taxes. However, global price hikes, especially for food and petroleum products, could be indirectly affected by those tax changes,” she said.
The IMF’s review also looked at the performance of the Rwandan Franc against the US Dollar. The fund confirmed Rwanda’s figures.
“The Rwandan Franc depreciated by 9.8% compared to the US Dollar, a notable improvement from the 18% depreciation seen in 2023. The slower rate of depreciation, and our goal of returning to the 5% level in the coming years, is reassuring,” Governor Hakuziyaremye said.
The IMF assessment also found that Rwanda’s foreign reserves increased, reaching the equivalent of 5.4 months of imports by the end of 2024.
The Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning also announced that in 2025, Rwanda will unveil the second phase of the Bugesera International Airport project, alongside the expansion of Kigali International Airport, in partnership with the Qatar Investment Authority.
The spokesperson for the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), Dr. Murangira B. Thierry, noted that from past experience, about 40% of all crimes recorded in a year occur in April, with a significant number linked to genocide ideology and related offenses.
He called on Rwandans to act responsibly and avoid engaging in such acts. Murangira was speaking on Thursday, April 3, 2025, during an interview with the national broadcaster, RBA.
He emphasized that this period calls for unity and reflection rather than division. “April is the month where genocide ideology and related crimes tend to be more prevalent. Over the years, we have observed that a significant number of offenses committed annually take place during this period,” he said.
Murangira pointed out that crimes recorded during this time often include genocide ideology, discrimination, divisionism, and denial of the genocide, with many cases involving the harassment of genocide survivors.
“It is deeply concerning that, even after all these years, some individuals still hold such harmful beliefs. We want to make it clear that the law will not tolerate such actions, and those involved will be held accountable,” he stated.
He warned against those who take advantage of the commemoration period to revisit past personal disputes, using them as an excuse to spread hate speech or engage in acts that promote genocide ideology.
“As we mark the 31st commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi, it is regrettable that some individuals still engage in such behavior. We urge them to stop because the law will not turn a blind eye,” he said.
The spokesperson also cautioned against dismissing dangerous rhetoric as mere jokes. “There are statements that are simply not jokes. Some people we arrest claim they were only joking, but no one jokes by giving justification for genocide. That is not humor,” he stressed.
Additionally, he expressed concern over cases where children are taught genocide ideology or discriminatory beliefs, calling such actions unacceptable and punishable under the law.
As Rwanda embarks on the 31st commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi, authorities urge the public to uphold the values of unity, respect, and accountability while ensuring that hate speech and division have no place in society.
The high-level forum, hailed as a pivotal step in strengthening international collaboration, unfolded in Kigali and served as a platform for signing significant academic partnerships and exploring mutual opportunities in higher education and innovation.
It brought together prominent institutions from Nordic countries, including Finland, Sweden, and their Rwandan counterparts, including the University of Rwanda (UR), Rwanda Polytechnic, the Catholic University of Rwanda, and the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS Rwanda).
Speaking at the forum’s conclusion, Rwanda’s Minister of Education, Hon. Joseph Nsengimana, warmly acknowledged the significance of their presence.
“It is an absolute honor to stand before you today at this remarkable gathering of academic leaders from Nordic and Rwandan universities, coming together to foster partnerships and collaborations to advance a shared vision of quality education for social economic transformation of our people,” he said.
Nsengimana praised the Nordic nations for their globally admired education systems, emphasizing their progressive values and innovative practices.
“The Nordic model offers valuable insights into fostering inclusive education, leveraging technology for learning, and ensuring that no child is left behind. Likewise, Rwanda’s resilience, innovation, and commitment to homegrown solutions provide a strong foundation for collaboration,” he emphasized.
Rwanda has placed education at the center of its development strategy with the government investing heavily in STEM education, technical and vocational training (TVET), and digital learning to ensure that its youth are equipped for the rapidly evolving global landscape.
In this spirit, the forum celebrated new collaborations set to shape the future of education across both regions. Eight MoUs were signed between various Nordic and Rwandan institutions.
Among these, LAB University of Applied Sciences signed agreements with both UR and the Catholic University of Rwanda, while Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences also entered into partnerships with the Catholic University of Rwanda, UR, and Rwanda Polytechnic.
The forum also saw Mälardalens University and AIMS Rwanda formalizing a collaboration with AIMS as the Campus Company Co, represented by CEO Laura Nevanlinna, signed partnerships with both UR and the Catholic University of Rwanda.
Prof. Didas Kayihura Muganga, the Vice Chancellor at the University of Rwanda, underscored the long-standing history and benefits of Rwanda-Nordic partnerships.
“At the UR, we believe in partnerships as one of the drivers for higher education growth in research, innovation, and capacity building,” he remarked. “This forum therefore represents an invaluable opportunity to initiate new partnerships but also deepen existing ones.”
He cited the 20 year UR–Sweden program as a testament to the enduring nature of Nordic-Rwanda cooperation, which has produced 98 PhD graduates to date. Muganga also emphasized the critical role higher education institutions play in addressing global challenges.
“Higher education institutions, in close collaboration with industries, are at the forefront of this journey. The relationships we build here today could lead to huge impacts in terms of both their reach and period,” he said.
The forum closed with renewed optimism and a shared commitment to building education systems that are inclusive, innovative, and responsive to the needs of an ever-changing world.
Both the Rwandan and Nordic delegates left with a vision to shape not just national, but global academic landscapes, united by purpose, strengthened by partnerships, and driven by a mutual pursuit of educational excellence.
The AU Commission Chair is in Kigali to participate in the Global AI Summit on Africa.
During their meeting, the two leaders discussed ongoing regional efforts to promote peace and security across the continent. The talks took place against the backdrop of renewed efforts to resolve the conflict in eastern DRC, led by joint teams from the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which recently [appointed a five-member panel to facilitate the peace process->https://en.igihe.com/politics-48/article/three-former-african-presidents-join-drc-peace-facilitators-panel].
Friday’s talks also highlighted Rwanda and the African Union’s shared ambition to position Africa as a key player in the global artificial intelligence revolution.
“They discussed the progress of regional-led processes in advancing peace and security in the region, as well as Rwanda and the AU’s mutual commitment to ensuring Africa’s place in the global AI revolution,” a statement released by the Office of the President reads.
President Kagame also held talks with Olivier Cadic, a French Senator and Vice-President of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Armed Forces Committee, who was in Kigali to attend the AI Summit.
The two-day Global AI Summit on Africa brought together leaders, policymakers, and technology experts from across the continent and beyond to explore opportunities for harnessing AI for Africa’s development.
While officiating the opening session of the conference on Thursday, Kagame emphasized the transformative power of artificial intelligence in decision-making and innovation.
“AI is driving innovation, accelerating technological advancements, and proving its benefits across various sectors. It enhances productivity, supports evidence-based decision-making, and reduces human errors,” he stated.
Rwanda has already integrated AI into key sectors such as healthcare and education, significantly improving service delivery and efficiency. Kagame stressed that technology should be harnessed for positive change.
“Technology is supposed to be a force for good, and we have a responsibility to use it accordingly,” he remarked.
“Certainly, it would be a dangerous place if we involved artificial intelligence too much in our politics. We may have something good come out of it, but I think we might also experience terrible things happening to us,” he added.
This initiative was highlighted on April 4, 2025, as the Senate’s Committee on Social Affairs and Human Rights presented its report following visits to vocational and technical schools across the country.
The government’s target is to have at least one short-term vocational training school—offering programs lasting from six months to one year—in each of Rwanda’s administrative cells by 2029.
According to the report, a total of 2,044 VTCs are planned to be built by 2029. Additionally, 30 model vocational and technical schools will also be established.
The 2024/2025 inspection report from the National Examination and School Inspection Authority (NESA) revealed that Rwanda currently has 558 TVET schools.
Of these, 272 technical secondary schools (TSS)—representing 59.4%—meet the required standards, while 186 TSS schools (40.6%) fall short. For vocational training centers (VTCs), 66 schools (41.8%) meet the standards, while 92 schools (58.2%) do not.
Senator John Bonds Bideri emphasized that since 2008, the government has significantly strengthened support for vocational and technical education. He stressed the importance of aligning vocational schools with local resources to enhance their effectiveness.
“We recommend that VTCs be tailored to local resources. For example, in areas with many forests, the focus could be on carpentry or wood-based construction so that graduates can use what’s locally available,” he said.
Committee Chairperson Umuhire Adrie also highlighted the real impact of these schools, noting that VTCs are helping many, including A2 diploma holders and school dropouts, to gain hands-on skills.
“These schools serve many learners. For instance, someone with an A2 diploma might decide to learn cooking and can train for six months or a year. We’ve also met students who came from rehabilitation centers and young mothers who had dropped out of school and chose to attend VTCs to acquire new skills and find employment,” he noted.
The nationwide VTC rollout is intended to give Rwandans the chance to acquire practical skills in a short time without being limited by their previous education.
Statistics show that more than 115,000 students are currently enrolled in technical, vocational, and professional training institutions, including 51,557 girls (44.6%) and 63,959 boys (55.4%). Over the past five years, the proportion of students in these programs has risen from 31% to 43%.
