M23 fighters moved into Mwenga on the evening of March 3, 2025, following clashes with the Wazalendo armed coalition.
A local resident reported, “Since the evening, AFC/M23 fighters have been seen in Kilungutwe. The Wazalendo fighters who were stationed there have retreated. Fighting started in Bwahungu earlier in the day and extended to an area called ‘Mise en Garde’ before reaching the Tibimbi groupement.”
According to the resident, M23 rebels continued their advance toward the Mufa area before crossing the Kadubo River, which separates Mwenga from Walungu Territory. They then entered the villages of Muduwe, Kilungutwe, and Kalama.
On March 3, M23’s political spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka, claimed that villages inhabited by the Banyamulenge community in Mwenga, Fizi, and Itombwe had come under attack by Congolese government forces and allied militias.
“Refugee camps have been burned, civilians are being killed, and villages are being destroyed. These acts must stop,” Kanyuka stated.
M23 has previously warned that it would intervene to protect the Banyamulenge communities, who have reportedly been targeted by government forces and militias in territories such as Fizi, Uvira, and Mwenga.
The Twirwaneho militia, which defends the Banyamulenge in South Kivu, recently announced its willingness to ally with M23 to safeguard civilians facing continued violence.
Currently, M23 fighters are present in six of South Kivu’s eight territories: Kalehe, Kabare, Walungu, Fizi, Uvira, and Mwenga.
The decision was announced in Prime Minister’s Order No. 008/03, issued on February 27, 2025, and published in the Official Gazette on March 3, 2025.
According to the order, Mulindahabi’s dismissal followed a proposal by the Minister of Public Service and Labour, which was reviewed and approved by the Cabinet during its session on March 30, 2023.
The Prime Minister’s directive also states that the Minister of Education, the Minister of Public Service and Labour, and the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning are entrusted with the implementation of this order.
In 2022, Mulindahabi and 19 others were investigated over allegations of theft and embezzlement of public funds at IPRC-Kigali.
As the institution’s head, he was accused of misappropriating public resources, including a water pump found at his residence and another machine used for water treatment.
On November 22, 2022, the Kicukiro Primary Court ordered the provisional release of Mulindahabi and 11 co-defendants in a case involving theft, forgery, and embezzlement of public property, while five others remained in custody.
At the time, the Prosecution was dissatisfied with the court’s ruling and appealed for Mulindahabi’s continued detention, though he insisted on release on bail.
The Prosecution highlighted the theft of various materials, including paint buckets, metallic doors and windows, cabinets manufactured at IPRC, machines, and other equipment.
The five individuals who were ordered to remain in custody, including casual laborers, admitted in court that they transported materials from IPRC Kigali for construction purposes on behalf of some of the accused officials.
Among the reportedly stolen items were tiles, cement, doors, construction metals, and other materials.
During his trial, Mulindahabi denied all charges, arguing that the Prosecution’s evidence was unreliable and inconsistent.
Mbonyunkiza, born in 1968, arrived at Kigali International Airport on the afternoon of Tuesday, March 4, 2025.
The U.S. authorities decided to deport and extradite Mbonyunkiza after he completed a 15-year prison sentence in the United States for a rape conviction.
According to Faustin Nkusi, spokesperson for Rwanda’s National Public Prosecution Authority, Mbonyunkiza had long been wanted for his involvement in the genocide and had already been tried and convicted in absentia by the Nyakabanda Gacaca Court.
“He was convicted by the Nyakabanda Gacaca Court in 2007 for his role in the Genocide against the Tutsi,” Nkusi confirmed.
Mbonyunkiza, a close associate of Matayo Ngirumpatse, served as the leader of the MRND party in Nyarugenge commune in 1992. Before that, he had been an active MRND member, leading its youth wing in 1991.
Nkusi commended the U.S. government for its commitment to fighting impunity and cooperating in prosecuting genocide suspects.
This is not the first time the U.S. has extradited genocide suspects to Rwanda.
In April 2021, Beatrice Munyenyezi was deported and later sentenced to life imprisonment by the Huye Intermediate Court.
She has since appealed the verdict, and her appeal is currently being heard by the High Council Chamber for International and Cross-Border Crimes in Nyanza.
In October 2021, the U.S. also extradited Oswald Rurangwa, who was convicted by Gacaca courts and sentenced to 30 years in prison for his role in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Other genocide suspects previously deported by the U.S. to Rwanda include Enos Iragaba Kagaba (extradited in 2005), Jean Mary Vianney Mudahinyuka (2011), Marie Claire Mukeshimana (2011), and Dr. Léopold Munyakazi (2016).
Nkusi reiterated Rwanda’s appreciation for the judicial cooperation between the two countries, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that perpetrators of the Genocide against the Tutsi are brought to justice.
The suspension comes after a [tense Oval Office meeting->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/trump-and-zelenskyy-lock-horns-as-minerals-deal-flops] between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in which Trump urged Kyiv to accept a peace deal to end Russia’s invasion.
The freeze affects billions of dollars in military assistance, including ammunition, vehicles, and critical air defense systems—some of which were part of agreements made during Joe Biden’s presidency.
Since the beginning of Russia’s invasion nearly three years ago, the U.S. has allocated approximately $175 billion in aid to Ukraine, as reported by the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. Additionally, in December, shortly before the transition of power, former President Joe Biden announced an extra $5.9 billion in security and budget assistance.
With Ukraine relying heavily on Western aid to sustain its defense, officials warn that the suspension of military aid could have dire consequences.
{{Immediate consequences for Ukraine
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Oleksandr Merezhko, chair of Ukraine’s parliamentary foreign affairs committee, called the decision “shocking” and accused Trump of aiding Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Trump is helping Putin to kill Ukrainians,” he said.
A Ukrainian intelligence official warned that the full impact of the aid suspension would be felt in two weeks, with ammunition shortages becoming critical by mid-summer.
“This is a black day for Ukraine and for Europe,” the official told ABC News, urging European countries to fill the gap left by the U.S.
Denys Shmyhal, Ukraine’s prime minister, expressed gratitude for past U.S. support but warned that the suspension could cost thousands of lives.
“We will continue to work with the U.S. through all available channels in a calm manner,” he said. “We only have one plan – to win and to survive.”
The aid freeze has also triggered concerns among European and NATO allies, who were not informed in advance.
Poland’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Paweł Wroński, emphasized that the decision was made without consultation.
“This is a very important decision, and the situation is very serious,” he stated.
Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen warned against withdrawing support at a critical moment, saying, “This definitely shouldn’t be a moment where we give in.”
Meanwhile, French Minister Delegate for Europe Benjamin Haddad stressed that the aid pause “means moving peace further away” and urged European nations to mobilize additional support for Ukraine.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen responded by announcing proposals to strengthen Europe’s defense industry, mobilizing close to €800 billion. The European Union is also set to hold an emergency summit to discuss the impact of the U.S. decision.
The Kremlin welcomed the move, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stating that the U.S. had been “the main supplier of this war so far” and suggesting that halting aid could be a step toward peace.
In the U.S., Democratic lawmakers criticized the suspension. Congressman Brendan Boyle called the move “reckless, indefensible, and a direct threat to our national security.”
Reports also indicate that the Trump administration is exploring ways to restore ties with Russia, with discussions underway to ease economic sanctions.
Despite the setback, Ukrainian officials insist that they have reserves to maintain their defense for at least six months.
“Ukraine will not collapse,” said Malcolm Chalmers, deputy director-general of the Royal United Services Institute. “But the effect will be cumulative.”
Ukrainian lawmakers remain determined to secure alternative sources of military aid.
“We are looking for ways for pragmatic cooperation and are ready to sign, including an agreement on minerals,” Prime Minister Shmyhal stated.
This collaboration with Mastercard will empower Airtel’s 150 million mobile phone users in 14 African countries with access to Mastercard’s global merchant network, enabling safer and more secure international transactions.
The Airtel Money GlobalPay Card is a virtual (non-plastic) payment solution that links directly to Airtel Money wallets. This card can be used for a wide range of payments across global online merchants, including major platforms such as Facebook, Netflix, Uber, Amazon, Google, AliExpress, and Alibaba.
Users will also have the ability to make payments for travel bookings, utilities, subscriptions, and purchase goods from international suppliers—all from the convenience of their mobile phones.
For Airtel Money customers, activating the Airtel Money GlobalPay Card is simple.
Customers simply need opt-in for the card, load it from Airtel Money wallet, and start shopping. No additional documentation, registration, or installations are required.
With this payment solution, Airtel and Mastercard aim to meet the growing demand for digital payments in Africa and support small businesses in cross-border trade.
The partnership aligns with Airtel Africa’s goal of enhancing financial inclusion by providing efficient and seamless payment solutions to mobile money users across the continent.
Commenting on the development, CEO of Airtel Money, Ian Ferrao, said: “At Airtel, we are continuously innovating to enhance the customer experience. By adding Mastercard’s secure virtual payment solution to Airtel Money, we are making International payments simpler and more accessible for our customers. This collaboration allows us to offer a global e-commerce experience.”
Mastercard’s global network and expertise in payment solutions will play a critical role in supporting financial inclusion efforts in Africa. The initiative aligns with Mastercard’s commitment to bring one billion people, 50 million small businesses, and 25 million women entrepreneurs into the digital economy by 2025.
Senior Vice President for Digital Partnerships at Mastercard Middle East and Africa, Muhammad Nana, stated: “Our digital partnerships strategy focuses on enabling the digital transformation of our partners, helping them provide their customers with access to a seamless global payment ecosystem. With over 150 million Airtel Africa consumers now connected to the global digital economy, we are helping more consumers access the benefits of e-commerce.”
With increasing mobile internet access and the growth of affordable smartphones, African consumers are poised to take full advantage of this new solution. The Airtel Money GlobalPay Card empowers users—both banked and unbanked—to shop globally, connecting them to digital products and services right from their mobile phones.
{{About Airtel Africa}}
Airtel Africa is a leading provider of telecommunications and mobile money services, with operations in 14 countries across sub-Saharan Africa.
Airtel Africa’s integrated offer provides national and international mobile voice and data services as well as mobile money services to over 156 million customers.
The company’s strategy is focused on delivering a great customer experience across the entire footprint and increasing digital and financial inclusion to transform lives across Africa, in line with our corporate purpose.
{{About Mastercard}}
Mastercard is a global payments technology company committed to delivering innovation and driving financial inclusion around the world. Mastercard is helping connect people to the digital economy with secure, fast, and easy payment solutions.
Ngororano has over 20 years of experience in sustainable development in leadership roles across the UN system and prior to this in the private sector.
Most recently, he served as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative to Kenya. Prior to that, he served as UNDP Resident Representative to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.
Before his role in Mauritania, Ngororano served as Chief of the Executive Board Branch in the Office of the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in New York and he held several posts in UN Women including Country Representative in Haiti and Chief of the Africa Section in New York.
He served as the Senior Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister of Rwanda with the rank of Permanent Secretary and prior to that he held diverse positions with UNDP including Country Adviser in the Regional Bureau for Africa in New York, and in a range of policy, planning and programme roles in Nigeria, Zambia, and Rwanda.
Ngororano also worked as an investment banker with Citigroup N.A in Kenya and Tanzania after starting his career as an economist in the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development in Uganda.
He holds Master’s degrees in Development Economics and International Relations from the University of East Anglia and the University of Sussex respectively.
Ngororano also holds an MA (Honours) degree in Economics from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.
Ethel succeeds Etienne Saada, who has led the company with distinction over the past three years.
Ethel Emma-Uche joins BRALIRWA from IBECOR SA/NV in Belgium where she has been the Managing Director since 2022.
During her leadership, Ethel enhanced the organization and processes towards greater customer focus, supporting the company to excel in their market while ensuring good governance and shaping the future through business expansion, people development, and further digitization.
Prior to joining IBECOR, Ethel served as the Supply Chain Director at BRALIMA in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where she played a pivotal role in the turnaround of the business, spearheaded the comprehensive transformation of BRALIMA’s supply chain, revamped the supply chain training school, localized key positions, increased the presence of women in the supply chain and achieved notable results in talent development, safety culture and compliance.
Ethel previously worked at Nigerian Breweries Plc for over twelve years where she held several positions in supply chain and became a trailblazer for the HEINEKEN Africa Region.
Commenting on her new role, Ethel said: “I am thrilled to join Bralirwa and build on the strong foundation established by Etienne Saada. I look forward to collaborating with the talented team to continue our journey of innovation and excellence, and to contribute to the company’s ongoing success.”
Her predecessor, Etienne Saada has been the Managing Director of Bralirwa Plc since 2022.
During his 3-year tenure, he led the company to achieve sustained performance and several milestones in business growth and expansion which enhanced market dominance with strong brands, transformational leadership, process digitization and operational excellence including silver certification of the Kigali Soft Drinks plant as well as the Africa safety award from The Coca-Cola Company.
His career with the HEINEKEN Group, spans over 30 years where he continues to take on notable roles in HEINEKEN’s various operating companies.
The response came through a statement from Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation following Canada’s decision to impose restrictions on Rwanda over its alleged role in the ongoing crisis.
“Rwanda takes note of the statement by Global Affairs Canada on the situation in eastern DRC and finds the defamatory attribution to Rwanda of alleged atrocities unacceptable. We will be seeking clarification on this from the Canadian government,” the ministry stated.
The Canadian government had in a statement on Monday, March 3, accused Rwanda of supporting M23 rebel group operating in the eastern DRC and violating the territorial integrity of the DRC.
In response, Rwanda criticised Canada for what it described as a biased approach that emboldens Kinshasa while disregarding atrocities committed by the Congolese army (FARDC) and its allies.
“Canada cannot claim to welcome the efforts of regional actors in the peace process when it places the blame for all kinds of violations on Rwanda and fails to hold the DRC Government accountable. This emboldens it to escalate attacks against its own civilians, including the ongoing daily bombing and attacks on Banyamulenge villages in South Kivu by FARDC, FDLR, and Wazalendo. Canada’s silence on these grave human rights violations is wrong and shameful,” the statement continued.
Rwanda maintained that measures Canada took, including review of existing engagements, would not contribute to resolving the conflict.
“The measures against Rwanda announced by Canada will not solve the conflict. Rwanda will continue to work with the region on the agreed African-led mediation process while we safeguard our national security,” the ministry emphasised.
The diplomatic spat adds to the growing tensions over the prolonged instability in eastern DRC, with regional and international actors divided over the root causes and solutions to the crisis.
Rwanda has consistently denied allegations of supporting M23 and insists that any lasting solution must address, among others, the presence of armed groups in the region, including the FDLR, which it considers a security threat.
The Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) are struggling to contain the advance of the M23 rebels, pointing out the significant issues within the army, including corruption, poor pay, and a lack of equipment. These factors have led to desertions and crimes against civilians.
The rebel’s advanced weaponry captured from the government forces have created a severe imbalance on the battlefield, leaving Congolese soldiers under equipped, demoralized and prompting trials from the military courts of their own government.
Previous trials in Musienene and Bukavu have brought attention to the dysfunction within the army. Over 300 soldiers faced charges for crimes such as theft, rape, and murder, allegedly committed as they fled from the rebels.
Many soldiers denied the charges, stating they were separated from their units during fighting. The trials resulted in severe penalties, including death sentences for over 260 soldiers.
The M23 rebels, have made substantial gains since late December, escalating the conflict to its highest level in over a decade.
Critics argue that Tshisekedi’s reliance on regional forces and mercenaries has made matters worse. Despite increasing military spending, soldiers are still underpaid and under equipped, contributing to low morale.
As the conflict continues, the indiscipline within the army fuels clashes, particularly in cities like Uvira near the Burundian border. These clashes have led to many casualties, leaving residents anxious.
The government has announced operations to track down soldiers accused of committing atrocities, but the root problems remains unresolved. The future of the FARDC and the region’s stability depend on addressing these deep issues to restore peace and order in the DRC.
“Our troops have entered Mahagi town, and we are in control,” Defense and Military Affairs spokesperson Felix Kulayigye told AFP Sunday.
The deployment was requested by the Congolese army following alleged massacres of civilians carried out by a militia known as the Cooperative for the Development of Congo (CODECO), he said, without providing further details.
Mahagi is in Ituri province, which borders Uganda, where at least 51 people were killed on February 10, 2025 by armed men affiliated with CODECO, according to humanitarian and local sources.
CODECO claims it defends the interests of the Lendu community, mainly composed of farmers, against the Hema community, who are mainly herders.
Uganda already has thousands of troops in other parts of Ituri under an agreement with the Congolese government. Last month, Uganda announced its troops had “taken control” of the provincial capital, Bunia.
Ituri is just north of the provinces of North and South Kivu, which at the end of January fell under the control of the anti-government M23 armed group.
