The potential threat emerged while Flight 292 was flying over the Caspian Sea. In response, the aircraft changed course and headed toward Rome’s Fiumicino Airport. It was escorted by two Eurofighter jets from the Italian Air Force to ensure a secure landing.
American Airlines later confirmed that the bomb threat, which was received via email, was determined to be unfounded.
The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, carrying 199 passengers and 15 crew members, is scheduled to continue its journey on Monday.
This year’s exhibition was officially inaugurated by the President of France, Emmanuel Macron.
Representing Rwanda at SIA 2025 are the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB), the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the Rwandan Embassy in France, and more than 28 companies involved in agricultural product trade and exports.
Rwanda’s agricultural sector has seen substantial growth in exports, with total revenue reaching $3.2 billion (over 4.3 trillion Rwandan Francs) between 2020 and 2024, according to the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB).
As one of the world’s leading agricultural trade fairs, SIA offers Rwandan businesses a prime opportunity to showcase their high-quality products, forge new market connections, and promote the country’s agricultural sector on an international stage.
Among the participating companies are Kinazi Cassava, represented by Ann Christin Ishimwe, Tropi Wanda Ltd, Effective M&N, ABCD Great Life Ltd, Best in Rwanda, 3N Farms, Hobe Coffee Company Ltd, Ino Coffee Series, Coopac Ltd, Rwanda Farmers Coffee Company Ltd, Mahembe Coffee, Rixu Coffee, and Agrismat.
The 2024 edition of the fair, which marked its 60th anniversary, attracted over 600,000 visitors from various countries, highlighting the event’s significance for global agricultural trade.
As SIA 2025 unfolds, expectations remain high for professionals, producers, and the public to explore innovations and trends shaping the future of agriculture.
Below are some photos of Rwanda’s presence at the SIA 2025, running from February 22 to March 2.
karirima@igihe.com
South Africa had deployed over 2,900 troops as part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIRDC). They were joined by forces from Malawi and Tanzania, alongside Burundian troops, fighting alongside the FARDC, Wazalendo militias, and European mercenaries.
However, M23 fighters overwhelmed them, killing 14 South African soldiers, capturing Goma, and surrounding the remaining troops. Two soldiers from Malawi and two others from Tanzania also died during the clashes in Sake and Goma, the capital of North Kivu Province.
Following these losses, South Africa’s Parliament has been pressuring President Cyril Ramaphosa to withdraw the troops, arguing that they are being sacrificed in a foreign conflict for the benefit of private interests.
AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka recently told the media that it was time for South African troops stationed at the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) bases to leave, as they had been offered safe passage through Rwanda.
He stated that Rwanda is the only viable route, as the airport in Goma remains closed after the group shut it down, accusing the Congolese government of using it to load and deploy bombs against civilian populations. He also added that the airport is not safe to use due to unexploded ordnance and a damaged runway.
“We informed them that they can return home via Rwanda. We have no issue with that. Even though they are stationed at MONUSCO bases, they must leave.”
Reports indicate that 189 South African soldiers, including five in critical condition and two expectant women, are set to be evacuated through the Rwandan border on Tuesday, 25 February 2025. These troops were deployed to the DRC in late 2023.
The bodies of the South African soldiers who died in Congo in late January were repatriated through the Rwandan border, transported to Uganda, and then flown home for burial. Reports indicate that South Africa refused an offer to airlift the bodies through Rwanda, accusing Rwanda of backing M23 fighters. Rwanda has repeatedly denied these claims, insisting that the rebels are Congolese citizens fighting for their rights after decades of marginalisation and persecution by Congolese authorities.
During a recent session, South African lawmakers accused President Ramaphosa of deploying troops to the DRC for personal interests, alleging that his family and close associates in the mining sector were seeking access to the region’s mineral wealth.
They also questioned why, out of the 15 SADC member states, only three countries deployed troops while the rest chose not to participate.
In a statement released on Sunday, the president’s office said that during the meeting, the Rwandan Head of State emphasised Rwanda’s commitment to a peaceful resolution while underscoring the necessity of recognising its legitimate concerns.
“President Kagame made it clear that Rwanda is committed to a peaceful resolution but its legitimate security interests must be recognized and respected,” the statement read.
The President also reiterated the importance of respecting the ongoing continental process to bring a lasting solution to the conflict in DRC.
Lammy’s visit to Rwanda followed his participation in the G20 meeting in South Africa, where he had vowed to deliver a strong message to President Kagame regarding alleged Rwandan military presence in eastern DRC. The UK has accused Rwanda of violating DRC’s sovereignty, an allegation Kigali has consistently dismissed as unfounded.
Ahead of Lammy’s visit, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Olivier Nduhungirehe indicated that discussions would be frank.
In a post on X, Nduhungirehe welcomed Lammy’s anticipated statements but hinted at Rwanda’s firm stance on the issue. “Really? I look forward to seeing this and reading a strong statement after the meeting. Welcome to Kigali, David Lammy!” he posted.
The Rwandan government has continued to criticise what it sees as an international bias in addressing the eastern DRC crisis, pointing to the persecution of Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese and the DRC government’s support for the FDLR, a militia composed of remnants of the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
Kigali argues that any long-term solution must be rooted in regional mechanisms, including efforts led by the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to address the conflict between the Congolese government and M23/AFC rebel group.
In contrast, the UK has signalled potential consequences for Rwanda if it continues to be involved in the conflict. However, Rwandan officials argue that threats of sanctions or punitive measures will not resolve the crisis, noting that past international interventions have failed to stabilise the region.
During his visit to Africa, Lammy also met with DRC President Félix Tshisekedi on Saturday.
Rwanda has defended its defensive measures along its border with the DRC, citing recent cross-border attacks and security threats posed by the FDLR. As tensions remain high, Kigali maintains that the solution lies in political dialogue between the Congolese government and armed groups, including M23, rather than external pressure on Rwanda.
The agreement, inked behind closed doors at 2 a.m. on Sunday in Nairobi, led to the formation of the Sudan Founding Alliance.
The signing marked the culmination of four days of intense negotiations in Kenya, where key stakeholders convened to chart the way forward for Sudan.
More than 20 political parties, 10 civil organizations, and five military groups, including the RSF, were signatories to the charter.
The agreement calls for the creation of a “secular, democratic, decentralized state” in Sudan, based on principles of freedom, equality, and justice, without favouritism towards any cultural, ethnic, religious, or regional identity. One of its most contentious provisions is the formation of a “new, unified, professional, national army,” incorporating all armed factions while eliminating political interference within the military.
The new army would be tasked with ending the ongoing conflict, countering terrorism, and improving diplomatic relations with neighbouring countries. The charter also aims to ensure unhindered humanitarian aid and integrate armed groups into a single, national force.
Among the signatories was Abdelaziz al-Hilu, a powerful rebel leader controlling significant territories in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states. Abdel Rahim Daglo, the deputy and brother of RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, also signed the pact.
However, the formation of this parallel government has sparked concern among international bodies, including the United Nations, which warned that such moves could further fragment Sudan and exacerbate the crisis. The Arab League also condemned actions that could threaten Sudan’s unity.
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The Sudanese army, which has been battling the RSF for control, strongly opposed the formation of the alliance. Sudan’s government in Port Sudan has accused Kenya of hosting a “rebel militia” and recalled its ambassador from Nairobi in protest.
In response, Kenyan President William Ruto maintained that Kenya had merely provided a neutral platform for Sudanese stakeholders to engage in dialogue.
Despite growing diplomatic friction, signatories of the pact insisted that their goal was to resolve Sudan’s deep-rooted problems rather than further divide the nation. They argued that the government operating out of Port Sudan had failed to bring peace and that the new alliance would provide a pathway toward stability.
The war between the RSF and the Sudanese army, which began in April 2023, has devastated the country, leading to what the United Nations describes as the world’s worst hunger and displacement crises. More than 12 million people have been forced to flee their homes, and famine looms in multiple regions.
While the RSF has seized most of the western Darfur region and parts of Kordofan, it is facing pushback from the Sudanese army in central Sudan. The army recently retook key areas in greater Khartoum and Al Jazirah state, further intensifying the conflict.
With both the RSF and the Sudanese army solidifying their respective power bases, Sudan appears increasingly divided. The formation of a rival government threatens to deepen existing fractures, making peace efforts even more complex.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni issued a brief statement confirming that the 88-year-old pontiff rested well.
“The night passed quietly, the pope rested,” Bruni said, without providing further details on whether the pope was awake or had resumed eating.
Francis remains in critical condition as he recovers from a complicated lung infection that led to the severe respiratory episode on Saturday morning.
Medical sources at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where the pope has been receiving treatment since February 14, told several international news outlets that the crisis was prolonged and required intensive medical intervention, including oxygen therapy to assist his breathing.
The pope also underwent blood transfusions due to a significant drop in platelet levels, a condition that can be caused by infections or medication side effects.
Despite the gravity of his condition, the Vatican reported that Francis was alert and spent much of Saturday sitting in an armchair, though experiencing increased pain. Doctors have classified his prognosis as “reserved,” meaning that while he remains stable, the situation remains uncertain given his advanced age and history of lung disease.
Medical experts warn that the primary risk facing Pope Francis is the potential onset of sepsis, a life-threatening infection of the bloodstream that can develop as a complication of pneumonia.
So far, tests indicate no signs of sepsis, and the pope has been responding to the medications administered for his condition.
Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the head of medicine and surgery at Gemelli Hospital, emphasized the precarious nature of the pope’s health. “Sepsis, combined with his respiratory difficulties and age, would pose a significant challenge,” he stated during a press briefing.
Pope Francis, who had part of one lung removed as a young man, has been prone to respiratory illnesses and bronchitis, particularly in winter months. The Vatican confirmed that he has been under a regimen of antibiotics, corticosteroids, and supplemental oxygen to manage his condition.
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As speculation grows over the possibility of Pope Francis stepping down due to his deteriorating health, Vatican officials have firmly denied any discussions of resignation. The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, dismissed such speculation as “unfounded” and emphasized that the primary concern is the pope’s recovery.
“There is no movement toward resignation, nor have I heard anything suggesting such discussions,” Parolin told Corriere della Sera in an interview. He also dismissed recent reports that Vatican officials had secretly met with the pope in the hospital to discuss his potential departure.
Francis has previously stated that he has written a letter of resignation to be used in case he becomes medically incapacitated. However, he has also asserted that he views the papacy as a lifelong mission and has no immediate plans to step aside.
Meanwhile, Vatican events marking the Holy Year of 2025 continue without the pope’s direct participation. This weekend, the Vatican was set to celebrate deacons, a key ministry within the Catholic Church. Pope Francis had planned to preside over the event but was forced to withdraw due to his health.
Two of the five hostages were transferred earlier on Saturday from a vehicle of al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s armed wing, to vehicles of the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) in Rafah, southern Gaza, which later carried them to the IDF and the Israel Security Agency, according to Israeli and Palestinian sources.
The two are Avera Mengistu, 38, an Ethiopian-born Israeli man from Ashkelon, who crossed into Gaza in 2014 and had been held captive ever since, and Tal Shoham, 40, who was seized during the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, the sources told Xinhua.
Shoham’s wife and two children, who were also taken hostage, were released in November 2023 under a temporary ceasefire agreement.
Later in the day, three other Israeli hostages were handed over by Hamas to the Israeli authorities via the ICRC in the al-Nuseirat refugee camp, in central Gaza, according to Palestinian sources.
The three — Omer Shem-Tov, 22, Eliya Cohen, 27, and Omer Wenkert, 23 — were also seized during the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.
According to eyewitnesses at the handover ceremony, the three hostages appeared to be in good health, wearing military uniforms and carrying their release certificates. In a striking moment, one of them was seen kissing the heads of two masked members of the al-Qassam Brigades standing beside them.
Another Israeli hostage, 37-year-old Hisham al-Sayed, was released in central Gaza without an official ceremony later on Saturday, said a source within the al-Qassam Brigades.
The Israeli military said al-Sayed has been handed over to Red Cross representatives after being held for almost 10 years and is on his way to Israeli troops in Gaza.
The releases are part of the latest hostage-prisoner swap under the first phase of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, according to which Israel will free 602 Palestinian prisoners later in the day. The swap is also the final one where Hamas handed over living hostages under the first phase of the agreement.
The first phase, effective since January 19, is set to conclude next week when Hamas is expected to finish the release of 33 Israeli hostages — 25 living ones and eight dead — in exchange for over 1,500 Palestinian prisoners.
The case was brought following continued environmental and human rights abuses or risks caused by the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project, and the project’s failure to uphold key regional and international laws as well as agreements.
In November 2020, the four CSOs including Africa Institute for Energy Governance (AFIEGO) from Uganda, Center for Food and Adequate Living Rights (CEFROHT) from Uganda, Natural Justice (NJ) from Kenya and Centre for Strategic Litigation (CSL) from Tanzania, filed a case seeking to stop non-compliance of the EACOP project to key regional and international laws as well as agreements.
The case was filed on behalf of the millions of East Africans whose human and environmental rights have either been abused or are at stake due to the EACOP project, which alongside the Tilenga oil project, has led to the forced displacement of over 120,000 people.
It is claimed that this is affecting environmental resources that East Africans rely on for their livelihoods, health and wellbeing. The hearing on the appeal will take place in Kigali.
The case was dismissed by the First Instance Division of the EACJ in November 2023. The judges averred that the case was filed out of time, resulting in the dismissal. A month later, in December 2023, the CSOs filed their appeal on grounds that the judges at the First Instance Division erred in their ruling.
The appeal was first heard at the EACJ in Arusha, Tanzania, in November 2024. During that hearing, the Appellate Division of the EACJ rejected a request by the Tanzanian government to dismiss the appeal.
The court ordered the four CSOs to file a supplementary record of proceedings from the First Instance Division by November 29, 2024, to enable the judges to hear the case.
The applicants are therefore seeking orders from the Appellate Division of the East African Court Of Justice to set aside the ruling of the First Instance Division that dismissed the case.
They want the deferral of the cases to the First Instance Division for hearing on its merits. The activists also want the court to set aside the decision of the First Instance Division in which costs were awarded to the governments of Uganda and Tanzania as well as the Secretary General of the EAC.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AFIEGO, Dickens Kamugisha says they are looking forward to their case being heard.
“The Appellate Division has the opportunity to correct the mistakes of the First Instance Division by ordering that our case is heard on its merits. We remain hopeful that the court will dispense justice.” he said.
The East Africa Hub Director at Natural Justice, Elizabeth Kariuki said they are resolute in the pursuit of justice.
“As the appeal hearing approaches, we remain hopeful that the Appellate Division will consider the broader issues at stake and provide an opportunity to address the serious environmental and human rights concerns surrounding the EACOP,” she said.
“The severity of the issues surrounding the pipeline demands an immediate and comprehensive examination and we anticipate nothing less than a commitment to justice for the affected communities,” she added.
Deus Valentine Rweyemamu, the Chief Executive Officer of the Center for Strategic said in litigation notes that the case provides “a real opportunity for the East African Court of Justice to help set the standards for foreign investors.
He said that it will also empower the East African Community in ensuring that the community’s own standards on the environment as well as international commitments including the Paris Agreement are given life through this case.
One of the reasons for Minister Lammy’s visit is to discuss with members of the Rwandan government the security concerns in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe, informed IGIHE that Lammy will arrive in Rwanda in the late afternoon of Saturday.
The governments of both countries have differing views on this issue, as the UK accuses Rwanda of sending troops to eastern DRC illegally, while Rwanda asserts that this allegation is unfounded.
On February 20, Minister Lammy, who was attending a G20 meeting in South Africa, stated that he would inform President Paul Kagame that continued infringements on the sovereignty of the DRC would have consequences.
Nduhungirehe, shared through his X handle that he looks forward to seeing Minister Lammy follow through on what he said in South Africa, and he will issue a strong statement after meeting with President Kagame.
In this welcome message to Lammy, Nduhungirehe said, “Really? I look forward to seeing this and reading a strong statement after the meeting. Welcome to Kigali, David Lammy!”
The Rwandan government continues to criticize how the international community overlooks the known reasons for the conflict in eastern DRC, including the persecution of Congolese Tutsis and the support that the FDLR terrorist group receives from the DRC government, which seeks to destabilize the region.
Regarding the repercussions or sanctions that Lammy may threaten against Rwanda, the government has indicated that such measures will not bring solutions. If they did, the region would have been stable for many years.
The Rwandan government calls on the international community to support the resolutions made by the heads of state of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) as they would lead to lasting peace.
This includes political dialogue between the DRC government and the armed groups in conflict, including the M23 group.
The M23 spokesperson for political affairs, Lawrence Kanyuka, announced that the entities affected by this statement include REGIDESO, responsible for water distribution, SNEL, responsible for electricity supply, educational institutions, health facilities, and the National Radio and Television (RTNC).
These agencies closed their offices when M23 fighters took over Bukavu on February 16, 2025. At that time, there were concerns that they might engage in combat with the Congolese army coalition that had sought refuge in the southeast of the city.
Some staff members from these agencies fled, leaving only a few behind and now M23 has requested that these agencies utilize their remaining staff to resume operations.
Since M23 took control of the city, they have begun initiatives to remove anything that could jeopardize its security, especially the weapons that the Congolese army coalition had dispersed among the local children.
M23 asserts that they have restored security in the city and promised the residents that they would not leave but would continue to protect them.
