RNP fielded two SWAT Teams in the sixth edition, joining 103 teams from over 70 countries across the world, in the five-day competition for elite law enforcement tactical units.
The teams will in the next five days showcase their exceptional tactical and strategic skills in five specialized challenges designed to test both physical and skill-based abilities in high demanding situations.
These include the Tactical Operations Challenge, the Assault Challenge, the Officer Rescue Competition, the High Tower Challenge, and the Obstacle Course.
By the end of Day two of the Challenge on Sunday, RNP SWAT Team 1 was 8th on the table of 103 teams, with 183 points. RNP SWAT Team 2 is 11th with 169 points. China leads the standings with 200 points.
Day one saw teams competing in Assault Event while day two focused tactical event.
During the 2024 UAE SWAT Challenge, RNP SWAT Team-1 emerged the overall best team in ‘Obstacle Course’ while RNP SWAT Team 2 came 6th.
The 2025 UAE SWAT Challenge came few days after Rwanda hosted a successful SWAT Challenge, the first of it’s kind for the Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization (EAPCCO), a regional body composed of 14 countries.
The latest U.S. trade protectionist measure has drawn widespread opposition and immediate retaliations.
Canada announced retaliatory tariffs on U.S. imports late Saturday after Trump imposed 25-percent tariffs on most Canadian products.
Canada will impose a levy of 25 percent on 30 billion Canadian dollars (21 billion U.S. dollars) worth of American goods as of Tuesday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said after chairing the Cabinet meeting and hosting a virtual meeting with provincial and territorial premiers.
Trudeau said the tariffs will then be applied to another 125 billion Canadian dollars worth of goods in 21 days. American beer, wine and spirits, along with vegetables, clothing, shoes and perfume, will be among the first items, as well as household appliances, furniture and sports equipment.
More non-tariff trade actions, he said, are still to be decided but could include restrictions on exporting critical minerals and energy products to the United States and a move to block American companies from bidding on government contracts.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Saturday instructed the Secretariat of Economy to implement tariff and non-tariff measures to defend Mexico’s interests in response to the levies imposed by the Trump administration.
Problems are not resolved by imposing tariffs, but by talking and dialoguing, Sheinbaum said on the social platform X.
“We categorically reject the White House’s slander against the Mexican government of having alliances with criminal organizations, as well as any intention of intervention in our territory,” she said.
The president said that if the United States wants to combat criminal groups that traffic drugs and generate violence, both countries should work together in an integrated manner, always under the principles of shared responsibility, mutual trust, collaboration, and above all, respect for sovereignty, “which is not negotiable.”
China’s foreign ministry and commerce ministry both expressed strong opposition to the U.S. tariffs on China.
China firmly deplores and opposes the U.S. decision to impose a 10-percent additional tariff on imports from China and will take necessary countermeasures to defend its legitimate rights and interests, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Sunday.
“China’s position is firm and consistent. There is no winner in trade and tariff wars,” the spokesperson stressed, adding that the U.S. unilateral tariff hikes severely violate World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. This move cannot solve the U.S. problems at home, and more importantly, does not benefit either side, still less the world.
China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposes the U.S. tariffs on China. In response to the erroneous action by the United States, China will file a complaint at the WTO and take corresponding countermeasures to firmly safeguard its rights and interests, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said in a statement on Sunday.
China urges the U.S. side to view and address its fentanyl and related issues objectively and rationally, rather than frequently use tariffs to threaten other countries, according to the statement.
Ambassador Dan Munyuza conveyed President Paul Kagame’s greetings to al-Menfi, and they discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries for their mutual benefit and to promote further cooperation.
Rwanda and Libya have had a long-standing partnership, which includes investments from Libyans. Even before the death of former Libyan President, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, he initiated several projects in Rwanda, such as building hotels, roads, and mosques.
After Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s death, Libya was plagued by ongoing conflict, and many of its citizens began fleeing. In 2019, Rwanda received migrants from refugee camps in Libya.
Since then, Rwanda has received over 1,800 migrants from Libya, some of whom have moved on to other countries. These migrants come from various African nations. Ambassador Munyuza is also Rwanda’s representative in Egypt, where his office is located.
United States President Donald Trump announced the military action late Saturday, stating that he had ordered “precision military air strikes on a senior ISIL attack planner and other terrorists” in Somalia.
Trump said the operation “destroyed the caves they live in and killed many terrorists without, in any way, harming civilians.” Trump, who assumed office barely a month ago for a second non-consecutive term, also took a swipe at his predecessor, Joe Biden, accusing him of delaying action against the ISIL operative.
The strikes targeted ISIL strongholds in northern Somalia, where Puntland Security Forces (PSF) have been conducting counterterrorism operations since December. The mountainous terrain has served as a refuge for the group, which, while smaller than the dominant al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab, has been increasing its activities in the region.
“Recent air strikes have led to the neutralization of key figures within ISIS, marking a significant advancement as we progress into the second phase of our operation,” the Puntland administration stated on Sunday.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the operation was a critical step in dismantling ISIL’s ability to coordinate attacks that threaten American citizens and global security.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud expressed his appreciation for US support, posting on X that Washington’s counterterrorism efforts were “highly valued and welcomed in Somalia.”
Puntland’s Information Minister, Mohamud Aidid Dirir, confirmed that the airstrikes specifically hit ISIL bases in the Cal Miskaad Mountains, a segment of the Golis range. However, he noted that the number of casualties remained uncertain due to the nighttime operation.
Despite sustained pressure from Somali forces, US air raids, and al-Shabab rivalries, ISIL continues to operate in remote and urban areas, leveraging extortion, smuggling, and illicit taxation to fund its activities.
The International Crisis Group estimates the group’s fighters in Somalia to be in the hundreds, primarily scattered across the rugged Cal Miskaad Mountains.
In a statement on Sunday, February 2, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation revealed that documentary evidence uncovered after the M23 seized the city of Goma earlier this week pointed to broader plans to launch an offensive against Rwanda, beyond simply neutralizing the M23 group.
“Recent information coming from Goma on what has been discovered, and the documentary evidence of attack preparations, planned together with the foreign forces fighting in eastern DRC, including the FDLR, indicate that combat objectives were not limited to defeating M23 rebel group, but also attacking Rwanda,” the statement reads in part.
The FDLR comprises remnants of the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, who still pose a threat to Rwanda’s security along the border with DRC.
The ministry made the revelation while distancing the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) from accusations made against the force during the Extraordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on January 31, 2025, which had accused Rwanda’s military of colluding with the M23.
Rwanda emphasized that the RDF’s primary mission is to defend the country’s sovereignty, protect civilians, and safeguard its borders, and not to attack civilians in other countries.
Rwanda also criticized the presence of SADC forces (SAMIDRC) in the DRC, arguing that their involvement was unjustified, as they were fighting against the citizens of the DRC and effectively escalating the conflict.
“It is clear that SAMIDRC together with coalition partners that include the Burundian armed forces, the FDLR and European mercenaries are central to the conflict, and should not be there because they are adding to the problems that already existed,” the statement adds.
At the same time, the government reiterated its long-standing call for a political solution to the crisis and expressed support for the proposed joint summit between the East African Community (EAC) and SADC to discuss a peaceful resolution.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Olivier Nduhungirehe has previously maintained that constant threats from the Congolese administration to invade Rwanda, along with growing tensions in the eastern region, have prompted the government to bolster its border defences.
The M23 rebel group is fighting against the systematic persecution of Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese in the region, a situation that has persisted for decades.
In a statement released on Saturday, the group reiterated its openness to [dialogue with President Félix Tshisekedi’s government->https://en.igihe.com/politics-48/article/m23-reaffirms-commitment-to-peace-calls-for-dialogue-with-tshisekedi-gov-t?var_mode=calcul] to address the root causes of the conflict in eastern Congo.
UPDF said the change in posture was a strategic measure aimed at countering the persistent security threats posed by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and other armed groups.
“Following the worsening security situation in eastern DRC’s North Kivu region and surrounding areas in recent weeks as a result of major fighting between the M23 Movement and FARDC government forces, UPDF will adopt a Forward Defensive Posture in its area of operation until the crisis passes and normalization is restored,” said Defence spokesperson, Acting Maj Gen Felix Kulayigye.
“Some of the violent and extremist groups operating in the area include the ADF, whom the joint forces of UPDF and FARDC have severely degraded since the launch of Operation Shujaa in November 2021.”
A forward defensive posture means, among others, adopting active defence measures such as foot and motorized patrols, enhanced surveillance to detect threats early, laying ambushes, and readiness to carry out limited offensive action if required.
The aim is to deter and deny the enemy freedom of action in the specified area of operation and interest.
Since June 2024, the ADF has been responsible for the deaths of over 650 civilians in North Kivu and Ituri provinces. In June alone, more than 200 people were killed, primarily in Beni and Lubero, with 150 massacred in Cantine between June 3 and 12.
The group’s violent westward expansion has left entire communities displaced and vulnerable.
“The UPDF, working with FARDC in its area of operation, is closely monitoring the unfolding security situation and will continue to aggressively pursue ADF remnants wherever they go,” said Kulayigye.
The very basic element to this is that firstly human beings have a personal relationship with themselves and recognize its importance. They desire to develop this into a healthy one and regularly check in and look after it.
Research indicates that developing a personal relationship with yourself is helpful for better mental health, greater resilience when things get tough and better empathy skills.
We grow as individuals to be more self-sufficient, develop healthier relationships with family or friends, and can even improve productivity. But, most important of all is that you know who you truly are.
This mainly entails what you want, what is important to you, what you value, how you tick and react or respond, and what your emotional and thinking patterns are.
Like using a broken sat nav, we get lost in life when we don’t know ourselves inside out: we make poor decisions, we find it difficult to know who to be around, which step to take next and when we need to reset and start again.
We need to get our internal navigational “software” back on track. Once we realize this, the specific actions we take to nurture a healthy relationship with ourselves involves spending some time on yourself, with yourself and by yourself.
{{Go to the cinema}}
Have you ever gone to watch a film on your own? Or do you shy away from doing it because you are worried about what other people might think, or because you are not treating yourself to something lovely, or because you don’t quite know what you might like to see?
It may sound like a small step to take, but going on your own to a venue like the cinema can really clarify a few things – you have to realize you want to treat yourself to a nice event and that you deserve it, you have to make the time yourself.
{{Have a day out or travel}}
Solo travel is becoming increasingly popular and even if it is not very far away, it can teach you so much about yourself. You realize that you can create happy times and memories, you get to experience new things and see how you manage and adapt if events do not go to plan.
You can also allow yourself to meet new people. Even if it is not far away or finances are tight, why not try to design an inexpensive day out for yourself, and see how it makes you feel?
{{Go out to eat}}
There is a lot of pressure from society to think that eating out at a restaurant is only for two or more people. Many of us avoid eating out by ourselves for fear of looking lonely or seem like we do not have friends.
But this is not true. It is a great thing to eat out on your own and if you have done it once, you will wonder why on earth you didn’t do it before. Spending time with yourself does not mean you have to feel lonely, and you can test just what good company you can be.
{{Spend a day at home}}
Life is full of potential distractions that sometimes take us away from ourselves and spending time alone. Try spending a whole day at home and be with yourself, your thoughts and your feelings. When you invite a friend to your house, you would plan a lovely time with some activities or food but why don’t you do that for yourself?
See how you feel at the end of it and how well you have taken care of yourself. Have you made yourself laugh, allowed yourself to rest or taken time to reflect on how you feel? Practice makes perfect.
Knowing ourselves means knowing what we enjoy, fulfilling our passions and finding joy. One thing we can do to understand ourselves is to start an activity or hobby that represents who we truly are.
That might be something completely new to us or re-engaging with something we used to do as children. Hobbies help us see ourselves and lead to more creative ideas about how to nurture that relationship with ourselves.
The ceremony was attended by senior government officials, including Prime Minister Dr. Edouard Ngirente, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Kazarwa Gertrude, Senate President François-Xavier Kalinda, and Chief Justice Domitilla Mukantaganzwa, among others.
A representative of the diplomatic corps in Rwanda also laid a wreath in tribute to the country’s heroes.
Rwanda recognizes its heroes under three categories: Imanzi, Imena, and Ingenzi. The Imanzi category includes fallen heroes such as the Unknown Soldier, representing all soldiers who died defending the nation, and Maj Gen Fred Gisa Rwigema, who lstarted the liberation struggle on October 1, 1990.
The Imena category honors King Mutara III Rudahigwa Charles Léon Pierre, Michel Rwagasana, Agatha Uwilingiyimana, Félicité Niyitegeka, and the Nyange students, all remembered for their courage and patriotism.
No individual has yet been officially recognized under the Ingenzi category, though efforts are ongoing to identify and honor deserving figures.
Heroes’ Day is observed in Rwanda every year on February 1.
The summit, chaired by Zimbabwean President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, concluded with a resolution to convene an urgent joint meeting with the East African Community (EAC) to deliberate on the situation.
This decision follows a request from the EAC Summit held on January 29, 2025, which also gathered regional leaders to discuss the deteriorating security conditions in the DRC.
The summit was attended by leaders from Zimbabwe, Botswana, the DRC, Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Angola, Malawi, and Namibia.
A moment of remembrance was observed for SADC troops who lost their lives in recent clashes, particularly in the town of Sake. The fallen soldiers were primarily from Tanzania, Malawi, and South Africa.
SADC forces have been operating in North Kivu since December 2023 under an agreement with the Congolese government to help eliminate the M23 rebel group and reclaim territories under its control.
The forces deployed in the DRC under the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC) have been fighting alongside the Congolese army (FARDC) and allied armed groups, including the FDLR, a militia responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda but faced heavy resistance.
Initially, 5,000 troops were deployed, including 2,900 from South Africa, which leads the mission, and 2,100 from Tanzania and Malawi. However, their presence has not yielded the expected results, as M23 continues to expand its control, recently seizing key cities such as Sake and Goma.
In June 2024, SADC reinforced its deployment, increasing its troop count to over 9,000, with South Africa contributing an additional 2,600 soldiers, Tanzania 750, and Malawi 1,000.
Despite these reinforcements, the mission has struggled to dislodge M23, which claims to be defending Congolese Tutsi communities targeted by government forces and allied militias.
During the summit, leaders acknowledged that the initial objectives of the SADC deployment had not been met and reiterated the need for diplomatic efforts, including supporting the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes.
They also called for an immediate ceasefire and the restoration of essential services in conflict-affected areas, including water, electricity, and food supply lines.
The summit also mandated the SADC Organ Troika on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation to engage all parties to the conflict and push for a ceasefire to facilitate humanitarian aid.
Additionally, it urged political and diplomatic leaders involved in the crisis to intensify dialogue efforts.
Rwanda took over the leadership of the council from Burundi on Friday, January 31, during the 24th Council of Ministers meeting, and will head the 14-member organization for the next one year.
In his speech, Dr. Biruta thanked his predecessor for his contributions towards advancing the vision and values of EAPCCO and pledged to continue from where he left off, further strengthening regional cooperation and addressing emerging security challenges in the region.
“As the incoming chair, I am well aware of the responsibility that comes with this role. With your support and continued collaboration, we shall achieve our shared goals and ensure that our collective efforts bring about a meaningful impact in our region,” Dr. Biruta said.
As leaders in the realm of security, he added, they are entrusted with the duty of creating a safe and secure environment for the people.
“This is a duty that demands we tighten our bonds and commitment to jointly confront and neutralize common security threats. Let us, therefore, recommit ourselves to strengthening regional collaboration, ensuring that we share available intelligence, and adopt best practices to tackle the challenges we face,” he said.
“Our power lies in unity and cooperation, and we should work in tandem to protect and serve our people effectively,” he added.
Brig Gen. Andre Ndayambaje, the Permanent Secretary in charge of Public Security in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Community Development, and Public Safety in Burundi, emphasized the need for close collaboration and intelligence sharing to address emerging security threats in the region. These threats are mainly cross-border in nature, such as terrorism, counterfeiting, financial crimes, cybercrimes, and human trafficking.
He also called for joint training, simultaneous operations, and strengthened collaboration with local communities to fight radicalization.
The 26th EAPCCO AGM was held under the theme: “Strengthening Regional Law Enforcement Cooperation to Counter Terrorism, Transnational Organized, and Emerging Crimes.”
