This initiative is a collaboration between the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), according to a statement released late Monday.
The two regional blocs have selected former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, and former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn to lead their joint peace process in the DRC.
This appointment follows a joint summit held on February 8, where the EAC and SADC proposed merging the Nairobi Process, an EAC-led mediation effort led by Kenyatta, with the Luanda Process, a separate peace initiative facilitated by Angolan President João Lourenço under the African Union.
Both peace processes have encountered obstacles. The Nairobi Process has reportedly reached an “impasse,” according to Kenyatta’s spokesperson, Kanze Dena. Meanwhile, a peace summit under the Luanda Process was abruptly canceled in late December.
As part of their renewed efforts, the EAC and SADC have scheduled a ministerial meeting for February 28.
The M23 rebels have taken control of multiple towns, including Goma and Bukavu, the capital cities of North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, respectively.
The eastern DRC remains a battleground for various armed groups. This renewed mediation effort signals a fresh attempt to bring stability to the region, though the success of the initiative will depend on cooperation from all parties involved.
Reports indicate that calm has been restored in all areas captured by the M23 rebel group, which disclosed intentions to continue fighting for the Liberation of DR Congo, shall Kinshasa maintain reluctance on direct negotiations.
Chi-Man Kwan was received by President Kagame on February 24, 2025.
According to a statement posted on the official X account of the Office of the President, Village Urugwiro, Kwan is in Rwanda to attend the Inclusive Fintech Forum, an international conference on financial technology, taking place from February 24 to 26, 2025.
President Kagame is expected to officially open the IFF conference on February 25, 2025, at the Kigali Convention Center, where leaders from different sectors around the world will be in attendance.
This forum is organized by the Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC) in collaboration with Elevandi, a company specializing in financial technology, and the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR). The partnership aims to establish the forum as a key platform for global financial technology solutions.
According to the 2024 FinSope report, financial services in Rwanda reach 96% of the population, with 86% of them accessing these services through mobile phones.
Insights gathered from the more than 3,000 participants attending this forum will help shape discussions at major global conferences, including the Singapore FinTech Festival, Japan FinTech Festival, 3i Summit, and Point Zero Forum.
Raffles Family Office is one of the leading firms in Southeast Asia, providing wealth management and advisory services to high-net-worth families. The firm manages assets worth billions of US dollars.
On the same day, President Kagame also met with Benjamin Fernandes, CEO of NALA; Marlon Chigwende, Founder of Admaius Capital Partners; Madhusudanan Madhu, Co-Founder of M2P; Parag Bhise, CEO of Nucleus Software, and Prajit Nanu, CEO of Nium. The CEOs are in Rwanda for the Inclusive FinTech Forum.
Their discussions revolved around the growing FinTech sector in Rwanda and the various opportunities for partnerships offered by the ease of doing of business in Rwanda.
The soldiers sustained injuries in recent clashes with the M23 rebel group and were evacuated on medical grounds to receive specialized care in their home countries.
The evacuees include 129 soldiers from the Republic of South Africa Battalion, 40 from the Malawi Battalion, and 25 from the Tanzania Battalion.
They arrived at the Rwandan border at around 1:00 p.m., where they were first searched by security officials before proceeding to have their passports stamped at the immigration office. They remained at the border in Rubavu until the evening, finally departing from the city at around 6:30 p.m. to head toward Kigali.
Some of the soldiers were confined to wheelchairs, having lost their legs in the intense battles they fought. Some were dressed in military uniforms, while others wore civilian clothes.
They were escorted from the La Corniche One-Stop Border Post to Kigali International Airport by the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) Military Police.
The repatriation follows increasing pressure for the SADC mission to withdraw after 18 soldiers, including 14 from South Africa, were killed in clashes with M23 rebels.
The M23 fighters overpowered the Congolese army and the mission’s forces, capturing Goma and surrounding the remaining troops.
The deadly confrontation also resulted in the deaths of two Malawian and two Tanzanian soldiers during skirmishes in Sake and Goma, North Kivu Province.
Reports of the soldiers’ planned departure from Goma first emerged on Friday. However, the process was delayed at the last minute for undisclosed reasons.
For two weeks, discussions had been ongoing regarding their return, with the United Nations mediating talks with M23 rebels, who have long demanded the withdrawal of SADC forces from the DRC.
Among the injured soldiers, one has reportedly suffered a severe disability, losing both legs. Another, a young soldier, lost his eyesight during the war.
Several others sustained grenade injuries, which led to further complications due to the harsh living conditions they endured at the Sake military base. Reports indicate that among the soldiers, two women are expectant.
The repatriation comes even as South Africa’s Parliament continues to press President Cyril Ramaphosa to withdraw troops, criticizing the deployment as sacrificing soldiers in a foreign conflict for private interests.
The mounting losses have intensified debates over the country’s continued military involvement in the DRC.
The petition claims Musk is supporting a foreign government that threatens Canada’s sovereignty.
The petition was initiated by British Columbia writer Qualia Reed and was sponsored by New Democratic Party member Charlie Angus.
It accuses Musk of acting against Canada’s national interests by advising Trump, who has repeatedly suggested annexing Canada during his second term.
Musk, born in South Africa, holds Canadian citizenship through his mother, Maye Musk, who is from Regina, Saskatchewan. Despite leading U.S. companies like Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter), Musk faces criticism for supporting Trump’s push to reduce the U.S. federal government’s size.
Under Canadian parliamentary rules, petitions require at least 500 signatures to be considered. Reed’s petition has far exceeded this, collecting approximately 167,000 signatures by Monday.
The petition asks Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to revoke Musk’s citizenship immediately. The House of Commons will resume on March 24 unless a general election is called beforehand. The petition remains open for signatures until June 20.
Musk’s involvement in the Trump administration has led to significant budget cuts across U.S. federal agencies, affecting thousands of public employees.
Despite criticism, Musk recently appeared at a conservative event in Maryland, where he playfully waved a large chainsaw. On social media, he continues to express support for Trump’s policies.
The new officers, including 346 men and 200 women, completed their training on February 24, 2025, at the RCS training school located in Nsinda, Rwamagana District, after an 11-month program.
According to SSP Jean Pierre Olivier, the head of the RCS training, 550 trainees initially began the program. However, two left to pursue further education at the Rwanda National Police College, while two others failed to complete the training due to misconduct.
He highlighted that the recruits received training on correctional practices, respect for inmates’ rights, military drills, firearms handling, self-defense without weapons, and various government policies to support their future responsibilities.
At the pass out ceremony, Dr. Biruta emphasized the government’s commitment to reforming and advancing the RCS. He encouraged the new officers to ensure the safety and security of correctional facilities.
“We expect you to safeguard the country’s security by effectively managing correctional facilities, applying the rehabilitation principles you’ve learned, respecting inmates’ rights, and avoiding misconduct or criminal behavior. Strive to contribute positively to the nation and the Rwanda Correctional Service,” he said.
He also urged the new officers to embody the values of the RCS while assuring them that the government will continue supporting their professional development and capacity-building initiatives.
Dororatha Ishimwe, a recruit from Nyagatare district, expressed her pride in joining the RCS and vowed to protect inmates’ rights while following the example of her dedicated predecessors.
Viateur Nikwigize shared that he learned how to maintain security, collaborate with other agencies, and is confident these skills will help him perform his duties effectively while upholding the country’s laws.
Steven Muhawenimana added, “I am proud to have completed my training and joined the RCS. My goal is to protect the rights of inmates and contribute to national security.”
These young men and women represent the seventh cohort of RCS trainees and will now be deployed to various correctional facilities across the country.
The management of the Kigali Genocide Memorial announced the visit in a statement on Monday, noting that through a guided tour of the memorial exhibits, John Legend and his team had the opportunity to learn about the causes and consequences of the Genocide against the Tutsi, as well as the incredible stories of post-genocide reconstruction.
The celebrated American singer and producer arrived in Rwanda on Friday to headline the second edition of Move Afrika at BK Arena.
Move Afrika, a pioneering music touring circuit by Global Citizen, aims to drive economic growth, job creation, and entrepreneurship across Africa through world-class entertainment events.
The concert in the Rwandan capital was attended by thousands of fans, including President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame.
This marks John Legend’s first visit to Rwanda.
{{Kigali Genocide Memorial}}
The Kigali Genocide Memorial, located in Gisozi, Kigali, serves as the final resting place for over 250,000 victims of the genocide.
Established in 2004 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the genocide, the memorial remains one of the most significant sites of remembrance in Rwanda.
The site includes detailed exhibits on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, a section on other genocides worldwide, a children’s memorial honouring young victims, and mass graves where families continue to hold remembrance ceremonies.
The memorial underscores the importance of learning from the past to prevent future atrocities.
In 2023, the Kigali Genocide Memorial, along with other key genocide memorial sites such as Nyamata, Murambi, Gisozi, and Bisesero, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, further cementing its global significance as a place of reflection and education.
The fatal incident occurred in the western Artibonite region, where Kenyan forces were conducting an operation to neutralise gang activity. According to the Kenyan mission, officers responded to distress calls from residents in an area known as Pont-Sonde when the officer was shot.
Godfrey Otunge, the commander of the Kenyan forces in Haiti, stated that the officer was airlifted for medical treatment but later succumbed to his injuries.
“Today, Sunday, February 23rd, 2025, one of our MSS officers from the Kenyan contingent was injured during an operation in Segur Savien, in the Artibonite department. The officer was immediately airlifted to Aspen Level 2 Hospital but, unfortunately, succumbed to the injuries,” Otunge said in an official statement.
Kenya has so far deployed nearly 800 police officers under the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, a UN-backed initiative aimed at restoring order in Haiti amid escalating violence.
The first contingent of 400 officers arrived in June last year, followed by 217 more in January and an additional 144 in February this year.
The mission was authorised by the United Nations Security Council in October 2023, with the goal of assisting Haiti’s government in re-establishing security in the gang-ridden country.
Although 10 countries, including Jamaica, Belize, the Bahamas, Guatemala, and El Salvador, have pledged a combined 3,100 troops for the MSS force, Kenya remains one of the few nations to have deployed officers on the ground.
Haiti has seen a dramatic increase in gang-related violence, with the UN documenting mass killings and widespread displacement. A recent report highlighted a massacre in Port-au-Prince by the Wharf Jérémie gang, in which at least 207 people were executed between December 6 and 11, 2024.
The UN estimates that over 5,600 people were killed in Haiti last year alone, while more than 17,000 have been killed or injured since gangs began tightening their grip on the country in 2022.
Gang control extends over vast areas, with an estimated 2.7 million Haitians—1.6 million of them women and children—living under constant threats of violence, extortion, and restrictions on movement.
In response to the deteriorating situation, the UN extended the MSS mission’s mandate until October 2025. The decision, made unanimously in September 2024, followed repeated warnings from experts and Haitian authorities about the urgent need for stronger international intervention.
The decision follows a series of measures that have significantly curtailed USAID operations worldwide.
In a statement, USAID confirmed that all direct hire personnel, except for those assigned to mission-critical functions, core leadership roles, or specially designated programmes, would be placed on administrative leave globally starting at 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, February 23, 2025.
“Individuals that are impacted will receive specific notifications on February 23, 2025, with further instructions and information about their benefits and rights,” the agency stated.
Employees deemed essential will be informed by 5 p.m. EST the same day.
For overseas personnel, USAID has outlined plans for a voluntary Agency-funded return travel programme, ensuring access to diplomatic and other resources until their departure.
Details on retrieving personal items from former USAID workspaces and returning government-issued devices are expected to be released in the coming week.
Trump administration’s push to cut USAID
The move aligns with President Donald Trump’s efforts to scale back foreign aid, which he has repeatedly criticised as wasteful.
Since regaining office, Trump has explored ways to bring USAID under the direct control of the State Department, fueling concerns that the agency could face complete dissolution.
Democratic lawmakers have voiced strong opposition to the administration’s actions. Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Brian Schatz, along with Representatives Gregory Meeks and Lois Frankel, issued a joint statement highlighting that USAID’s independence is protected by law.
Senator Chris Murphy reinforced this view, stating that “a president cannot eliminate an appropriated federal agency by executive order.”
The restructuring of USAID has faced legal challenges. Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols ruled in favour of a labour union-backed request to delay the administrative leave plan.
However, on February 21, he reversed the decision, allowing the Trump administration to proceed with its plans, including a 30-day countdown for overseas USAID employees to return home.
Further complicating the situation, billionaire Elon Musk has publicly attacked USAID, following an alleged confrontation between the agency’s security personnel and Trump’s newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which Musk leads.
Musk has labelled USAID a “criminal organisation” and called for its shutdown. His post on X stating, “Time for it to die,” has intensified fears that the administration is committed to dismantling the agency altogether.
Reports indicate that the Trump administration aims to slash USAID’s global workforce from over 10,000 to fewer than 300—a staggering 97% reduction.
President Trump has claimed that “tremendous fraud” and “unprecedented levels of corruption” exist within USAID’s funding operations, reinforcing his demand for the agency’s closure.
With legal obstacles now cleared and a firm directive in place, the fate of thousands of USAID employees remains uncertain, as the agency undergoes one of the most significant shake-ups in its history.
Marking its fifth year as a sponsor, Amstel is set to deliver a thrilling experience for fans and participants alike.
The 17th edition of the international cycling competition kicked off on Sunday, February 23, and will conclude on March 2, 2025.
As a key sponsor, Amstel proudly awards the daily stage winner. This year, Belgian cyclist Aldo Taillieu from the Lotto Dstny Devo Team was the first to wear the coveted jersey.
Bralirwa’s management has reaffirmed its commitment to making the 2025 Tour du Rwanda an unforgettable event, just as it has done in the past four editions.
At each stage finish, spectators can look forward to enjoying a selection of Bralirwa beverages, with Amstel taking center stage as the ultimate refreshment for cycling enthusiasts.
Adding to the excitement, Bralirwa is also hosting lively “After Party” events. These celebrations will be held in Musanze, Rubavu, Huye, and Kigali on the final day of the competition, ensuring fans have a chance to celebrate in style.
As they grew older, the two took different paths, Col Makanika pursued a military career, while Dr. Mugabe focused on academics. Both made significant strides in their respective fields.
When Dr. Mugabe learned of Col Makanika’s death recently, he was deeply saddened, as he had remained a close friend despite their differing career choices.
In an interview with IGIHE, Dr. Mugabe reflected on Col Makanika’s death and discussed in detail the ongoing violence and persecution of the Tutsi people in eastern DRC.
He also questioned why the international community has failed to learn from Rwanda’s history and warned of the consequences should the M23 rebel group withdraw.
Dr. Mugabe described Col Makanika as a man of determination and integrity. They had known each other since childhood, growing up as neighbors in the Fizi Territory after Makanika’s family moved there from Uvira.
Their friendship spanned from the age of 12 until their mid-20s. In 1995, Makanika joined the military while Mugabe pursued higher education, but they remained in touch over the years. According to Dr. Mugabe, Col Makanika was a fearless leader who stood against injustice.
Despite holding a prominent position in the Congolese military, he chose to leave and join his people in their fight for survival. He was targeted and eventually killed in his home after being pursued by government forces for some time.
Regarding the Twirwaneho movement, Dr. Mugabe emphasized that it had been active for many years, contrary to claims that it only emerged in 2017. It originated as a grassroots self-defense initiative when the Banyamulenge faced massacres in the Mulenge and Minembwe hills.
Over time, as the attacks intensified, Twirwaneho evolved into a structured armed group. Col Makanika joined in 2020 and significantly strengthened the movement by attracting disillusioned soldiers from the Congolese army who could no longer tolerate the government’s persecution of their families.
Dr. Mugabe strongly believes that fears of an impending genocide against the Tutsi in DRC are well-founded. He pointed out that mass killings are already occurring, with victims targeted solely based on their ethnicity.
He likened the situation to the early stages of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, citing systematic displacement, land seizures, and government complicity in the violence. He also noted the presence of hate speech, including inflammatory rhetoric from high-ranking officials, which fuels ethnic division and dehumanization.
The spread of genocide ideology has also reached Burundi, where Tutsi and those perceived as Tutsi have been detained solely due to their ethnic identity. Dr. Mugabe warned that such ideologies are not constrained with national borders, making it easy for them to spread from one country to another.
The international community, he argued, has failed to take meaningful action because it has not learned from history. Despite the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi occurring 30 years ago, major global powers and organizations have turned a blind eye to the warning signs in DRC. Instead of addressing the root causes of the conflict, Dr. Mugabe said, they issue vague statements and avoid taking concrete steps to dismantle genocidal ideologies.
If the M23 rebels were to withdraw, Dr. Mugabe warned, it would put Tutsi communities at even greater risk. He noted that M23 has been framed as an extension of a broader Tutsi agenda to dominate the region, a narrative widely propagated by political leaders and the media. In reality, he argued, if M23 steps back, Tutsi civilians would become easy targets, and ethnic massacres would escalate to catastrophic levels.
Dr. Mugabe criticized the international community’s reluctance to pressure the DRC government into peace negotiations. He attributed this to the vested interests of powerful nations that prioritize their economic and political ties with Congo over the lives of innocent civilians.
He also pointed to President Félix Tshisekedi’s strategic efforts to misrepresent the conflict to the international community, shaping perceptions that align with his government’s agenda.
He questioned why the Congolese government refuses to engage in peace talks. “If someone rejects dialogue, it clearly shows a lack of willingness to resolve the conflict peacefully. Why would anyone fear peace negotiations?” he wondered.
Dr. Mugabe concluded by stressing that unless the root causes of the violence are addressed, the crisis will persist.
He urged global leaders to take proactive measures to foster peaceful coexistence rather than allowing conflicts to continue, leading to generational hatred and suffering. If the world does not act, he warned, history will repeat itself, with devastating consequences for the entire region.
