According to Rwanda’s Presidency, their discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in key sectors.
Rwanda and Morocco share a longstanding partnership, reinforced through multiple agreements over the years.
In 2016, King Mohammed VI visited Rwanda, during which the two nations signed 19 cooperation agreements in areas such as banking, diplomatic relations, and investment facilitation.
One of the agreements allowed diplomatic passport holders to travel between the two countries without restrictions.
In 2019, Rwanda and Morocco signed 12 additional agreements in Rabat, further solidifying their collaboration. Morocco remains a key partner in education, offering numerous scholarships to African students, including Rwandans.
In 2020, Rwanda’s then-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta, and his Moroccan counterpart signed two agreements, one enhancing government collaboration and another focused on sports development in Africa.
On the same day, President Kagame also met with Dr. Sherine Abbas Helmy, CEO of Pharco Pharmaceuticals, to explore potential partnerships in healthcare and pharmaceuticals.
Professor Thomas Mandrup, an associate professor at Stellenbosch University and the Royal Danish Defence College, criticized the mission, arguing that it was ill-advised due to insufficient resources and poor planning.
SANDF deployed soldiers to the eastern DRC as part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission which comprises nearly 3,000 troops. The mandate was extended for another year in November 2024.
The operation saw South African forces supporting the Congolese army and allied militia groups in confronting the M23 rebel group, which had been attempting to capture the city of Goma.
At least 14 SANDF soldiers lost their lives in fierce fighting in and around Goma, as well as in the battle for control over the town of Sake in late January.
Professor Mandrup explained that the mission’s offensive nature was a critical misstep. The SANDF was given a mandate to neutralize rebel groups, particularly M23, and was expected to carry out offensive operations.
However, according to Mandrup, the SANDF was not adequately equipped for such a task, nor were they fully prepared for the complexities of the situation on the ground.
“The South African Defence Force is underfunded and has been for years,” said Mandrup. “The necessary renewal of equipment and operational readiness has not taken place, leaving the SANDF with outdated tools for an operation of this scale.”
He added that while certain elite units within the SANDF, such as the special forces, maintain international reputations for excellence, the broader force faces significant challenges, including personnel shortages and a lack of adequate training and equipment.
Furthermore, Mandrup noted that warnings from military analysts, academics, and professionals were ignored before the deployment.
“The political level failed to address these warnings, deploying soldiers without the necessary means to carry out their mandate effectively,” he added.
South Africa’s Minister for Defence, Angie Motshekga, was on Tuesday at pains to explain to members of parliament in the Joint Standing Committee on Defence the decision to deploy forces without essential support like air cover and offensive tools.
The MPs rejected Minister Motshekga’s explanation that South African soldiers were sent to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to restore peace in the eastern region. The MPs argued that the true nature of the mission was unclear, with some asserting that the troops should be brought home immediately.
The Minister’s comments raised more questions about the decision-making process, with Mandrup asking whether the risks were properly assessed and whether the SANDF Chief was given adequate resources to ensure success.
The fighting reached a critical point on January 27 when M23 captured Goma, a strategic city in North Kivu, forcing Congolese troops to retreat. While thousands of soldiers sought protection under the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping mission, others crossed into Rwanda.
It was an ironic twist. Just days earlier, these same forces and their coalition had launched attacks into Rwandan territory, resulting in the tragic deaths of 16 innocent civilians.
Yet, when they found themselves on the losing end of the battle, Rwanda responded not with hostility but with dignity and humanitarian aid.
Many of these soldiers surrendered because they felt abandoned. Upon arrival in Rwanda, several soldiers admitted they had been deployed into battle with no clear mission, inadequate equipment, and minimal leadership.
They described being sent to fight M23 as though they were being led to their deaths, prompting them to lay down their weapons and seek refuge.
One soldier, upon reaching Rubavu, told IGIHE that when M23 entered Goma, they were stationed at the city’s airport.
“How could we be sent to the airport when the enemy forces had surrounded the entire city and were firing everywhere? That combat strategy made no sense,” he said.
He explained that when he saw shells heading toward their location, he realized the situation was deteriorating. He sought refuge at a UN peacekeeping mission, MONUSCO camp, but after being turned away, he fled to Rwanda.
While some soldiers fled to Rwanda, others sought shelter under MONUSCO, with over 3,000 FARDC troops currently under its protection. Their future remains uncertain as the situation in eastern DRC continues to evolve.
Now, 131 FARDC soldiers are sheltered in Rugerero Sector, Rubavu District, receiving food, clothing, medical care, and proper living conditions. Among them is a female soldier.
The accommodation offers structure and stability, contrasting with the uncertainty of war.
The soldiers have access to recreational facilities and a dedicated kitchen where they prepare meals from the supplies provided.
Some have even admitted that their current conditions in Rwanda are better than what they experienced in the DRC, highlighting the struggles they faced within their own ranks.
One of the surrendered soldiers, Lt. Kasereke Tshombe, praised the reception they received in Rwanda and made an appeal to his government to facilitate their return home.
“We are grateful to the government of Rwanda for their warm welcome. Our appeal to the Congolese government is to facilitate our safe return home. We also request means to communicate with our families so they know we are safe,” he said.
AFC/M23 coordinator Corneille Nangaa recently emphasized that both those who surrendered and those captured on the battlefield remain their brothers.
“They are Congolese, just like us. They had a mission to accomplish, but they were sent by their president, who later abandoned them. They fought to protect his power. He left them to starve, recruited children into the army, rushed their training, and sent them to the battlefield under the influence of drugs.”
Nangaa added that the captured soldiers have choices regarding their future, especially since many had already lost the will to fight. However, he stressed that they would not be abandoned.
“Some are even willing to join us and be part of our revolution. We are sending them to centers where they will be taught self-reliance, good conduct, and how a revolution works,” he said.
It wasn’t just soldiers who fled the violence. Ordinary Congolese civilians also sought refuge in Rwanda, escaping the chaos of war. They were welcomed, given essential supplies, and, as stability gradually returned to Goma, many have since begun their journey back home.
For the people of Goma, the reality on the ground has changed. Businesses have reopened, hospitals are functional, and schools are running without disruption. Residents report feeling safer than before, relieved from the abuses they previously endured at the hands of undisciplined soldiers.
Rwanda’s decision to shelter former enemy soldiers and displaced civilians, despite previous hostilities, reflects a broader commitment to humanitarian values, choosing to extend a hand where others might have turned them away.
In a statement on X, Bisimwa accused the Kinshasa regime of engaging in a shameful controversy over the matter. He insisted that the fallen soldiers, comprising FARDC troops and allied groups, including Wazalendo, FDLR, FDNB, and mercenaries were killed in battle after rejecting a chance to surrender.
“It is well known and widely acknowledged, through videos that circulated around the world, that the defeated FARDC and their allies refused to comply with the order from our forces to surrender their weapons to MONUSCO and be confined at the Stade de l’Unité,” Bisimwa stated.
According to the M23 leader, the Congolese forces instead chose to fight in the city center, where they were ultimately neutralized. He revealed that their bodies were collected by health authorities, stored at Goma Hospital’s morgue, and later buried.
Bisimwa further claimed that no family in Goma is mourning these deaths, implying that the casualties were exclusively government troops and their foreign allies, rather than civilians.
The Congolese government has not responded directly to Bisimwa’s statement, but officials in Kinshasa have previously accused M23 of committing atrocities in Goma.
Currently, the bustling capital of North Kivu Province, is experiencing an unusual calm after days of intense fighting as the M23 rebel group has solidified its control.
However, the city remains a focal point in the ongoing conflict between the rebels and government forces as international observers continue to monitor the situation amid concerns over the humanitarian impact of the fighting.
Judge Deborah L. Boardman from the United States District Court for the District of Maryland issued a preliminary injunction after a court hearing in Greenbelt, Maryland, in a case filed by civil rights groups seeking to block Trump’s order. The injunction applies nationally.
“The Maryland lawsuit is one of at least six different federal cases brought against Trump’s order by a total of 22 Democratic-led states and more than half a dozen civil rights groups,” according to The Washington Post.
Trump signed the order hours after taking office on January 20. It directed federal agencies to halt recognition of citizenship for children born after February 19, if neither parent is a U.S. citizen nor a permanent resident.
Over 20 states and civil rights groups immediately filed lawsuits challenging the order, calling it blatantly “unconstitutional.”
On January 23, Senior U.S. District Judge John Coughenour, a federal judge in Seattle, Washington state, temporarily blocked Trump’s executive order for at least 14 days, as lawsuits in Washington state and elsewhere over Trump’s action proceeded.
The 14th Amendment states that “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.”
Trump’s executive order argued that the 14th Amendment “has always” excluded from birthright citizenship persons who were born in the United States but not “subject to the jurisdiction thereof.”
The suspects, aged between 40 and 53, were presented to the media on Wednesday, February 5, after being caught with stolen equipment from power distribution networks.
During separate police operations in Kicukiro, Gasabo, and Rulindo districts, authorities seized 445 electrical fuses and 295 meters of electric cables from the suspects, who were conducting illegal trade.
ACP Boniface Rutikanga, spokesperson for Rwanda National Police, stated that efforts to combat such crimes will not only target the thieves but also those who knowingly buy and resell stolen equipment.
“Tracking down thieves alone is not enough. We must also go after their buyers. All seven suspects failed to explain the source of the materials they were caught with. Investigations confirmed that these items had been stolen from major power networks in different areas,” Rutikanga explained
“Two suspects were apprehended in Zinia, Kicukiro District, four in Gisozi, Gasabo District, and one in Rulindo District. These individuals are responsible for power outages and disruptions that affect public safety. The consequences of their actions are serious, and we will not tolerate them. These arrests were made in just one week, and operations will continue to track down others still engaged in this crime,” he added.
Rutikanga also warned business owners selling electrical materials without proof of origin, stating that they would be treated as accomplices in infrastructure vandalism.
On his part, Geoffrey Zawadi, Head of Partnerships at REG, described the destruction of electricity infrastructure as a criminal act that hinders national progress.
“These criminals are sabotaging efforts to provide electricity to all Rwandans. Allowing such acts to continue is like pouring water into a basket, progress will never be achieved. We must unite and be stronger than those destroying public infrastructure. A handful of people cannot be allowed to repeatedly sabotage national projects, forcing the country to repair the same damages instead of moving forward,” he emphasized.
Meanwhile, Joseph Mutabazi, Head of the Inspection Unit at RICA, urged traders dealing in electrical equipment to comply with regulations, emphasizing that authorities, in collaboration with security agencies, are conducting continuous inspections. He also advised consumers to be vigilant when purchasing electrical materials.
“When buying such equipment, always ask for a receipt and verify the source. Customers have the right to know where the products they purchase come from.”
Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to cracking down on the theft and illegal trade of electrical infrastructure, ensuring that all those involved face legal consequences.
They highlighted Rwanda’s commitment to providing opportunities that improve the lives of refugees while fostering a sense of inclusion.
During a plenary session held on February 5, 2025, the Rwandan Senate reviewed a report presented by the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Security on the implementation of the 1951 Geneva Convention on Refugees.
The report detailed how Rwanda assists refugees in various sectors, including education, healthcare, employment, environment, and sanitation. Senator Hadidja Murangwa Ndangiza, the committee chairperson, emphasized that Rwanda offers a welcoming environment and equal opportunities for all.
She noted that 848 schools across the country enroll refugee children, and six vocational training institutions provide them with technical skills. Additionally, some universities, including Kepler, offer scholarships to high-achieving refugee students, ensuring they have access to quality education.
Beyond education, the government has allocated 136.8 hectares of land for agricultural activities benefiting both refugees and local communities. Initiatives like the “Jya Mbere” project have also helped refugees improve their lives by providing business support and investment opportunities.
In healthcare, many refugees now benefit from Rwanda’s community-based health insurance scheme (Mutuelle de Santé) and other services aimed at improving their well-being.
Despite these achievements, some challenges persist. High unemployment rates among refugees, outdated infrastructure, and difficulties accessing financial loans due to a lack of collateral remain significant obstacles.
Senator Murangwa urged refugees to take ownership of their challenges and seek solutions within their communities. “They should understand that they must be part of the solutions to their problems, just like Rwandans, and embrace Rwanda’s culture of self-reliance,” she said.
She reiterated Rwanda’s boundless commitment to integrating refugees into national development programs, working with various institutions to address existing challenges.
“Although there are still obstacles in fully implementing Rwanda’s commitments, the country remains determined to enhance refugee inclusion in national development,” she added.
Similarly, Senator Cyprien Niyomugabo commended the country’s efforts in ensuring that refugees do not only receive support but also learn values that encourage self-reliance. “All the good initiatives supporting refugees do not happen by chance; they stem from Rwanda’s core values, including patriotism,” he reaffirmed.
He also praised the education system for integrating refugee children with Rwandan students, fostering a culture of hospitality and respect for human rights and dignity.
In the same spirit, Senator Evode Uwizeyimana acknowledged Rwanda’s exceptional approach to refugee support but expressed concern that some refugees remain focused on seeking relocation abroad rather than working toward self-sufficiency.
“Some refugees dream of being relocated to places like Arizona or Canada, which affects their mindset and ability to work towards self-sufficiency,” he noted.
Senator Prof. Penina Uwimbabazi emphasized that Rwanda’s treatment of refugees reflects its commitment to valuing all people, ensuring they feel included and supported.
Currently, Rwanda hosts over 134,000 refugees, with 61% (82,262) from the Democratic Republic of Congo and 38% (51,134) from Burundi. These refugees are accommodated in various camps, including Mahama, Kigeme, Nyabiheke, and Mugombwa.
RNP SWAT Team One broke their own record time as they emerged the overall best in ‘Obstacle Event’ at the UAE Special Weapon and Tactics (SWAT) Challenge, which concluded on Wednesday, February 5, in Dubai.
The Rwanda elite Police team won in record time 03:46.2, to take gold, beating other 102 teams from over 70 countries that participated in the five-day Challenge. They smashed their 03:54 record, which they set in the fifth edition, last year.
China Police Team B came second to win silver while China Police Team C won bronze. RNP SWAT Team 2 came 12th in Obstacle Course, which was the last event of the sixth edition. Overall, RNP SWAT Team One came in the 10th position while SWAT Team Two was 18th.
The five-day Challenge saw 103 team from across the globe, competition in five high demanding challenges. They include Assault Event, Tactical Event, Officer Rescue, Tower Event and Obstacle Course.
This was Rwanda National Police’s fourth participation in the global SWAT Challenge.
It is designed to enhance global law enforcement practices, strengthen cooperation and sharing of best practices among SWAT teams worldwide while highlighting mental sharpness and physical endurance in diverse tactical scenarios.
Her death was confirmed by ASP Charles Twiine, head of the Criminal Investigations Department at Parliament Police, who acknowledged her significant contributions to Uganda’s law enforcement history.
“She broke barriers in 1960 and paved the way for women in law enforcement. I hope the Uganda Police honors her legacy with an official burial,” ASP Twiine posted on X. Details regarding the cause of her death and the location where she passed away were not immediately available.
Bangirana, alongside another woman identified as Ms. Rukidi, was among the first two female recruits to join the Uganda Police Force in 1960. They were later joined by eight more women, forming the pioneering group of female officers in what had been a male-dominated force.
One of the last surviving members of that trailblazing cohort, Bangirana often spoke about the challenges she and her fellow female officers faced. Among the most significant hurdles were restrictions on marriage and pregnancy.
In her 2022 autobiography, To Be Shrewd Without Appearing a Shrew, she detailed the stringent rules that required female officers to seek permission to marry and stipulated that pregnancy would result in dismissal.
After marrying in 1965 with official approval, Bangirana had to fight for her right to remain in the police force when she became pregnant. Her superior, known as ‘Sir Richard,’ recommended her resignation, citing Police Standing Order Chapter 3, which mandated that pregnant policewomen either resign voluntarily or face dismissal.
Determined to challenge the policy, Bangirana directly appealed to then-Inspector General of Police Erinayo Wilson Oryema, arguing that she had followed the proper procedures and should not be penalized for pregnancy.
Oryema granted her 36 days of annual leave and an additional 90 days of unpaid leave, a decision that marked a turning point in improving conditions for women in law enforcement.
During her career, Bangirana noted that female officers were primarily assigned cases involving women and children, such as taking statements from rape victims and searching female suspects. However, she was proud of how the situation evolved over time, with women now holding senior command positions in the Uganda Police Force.
She lived to see female officers fully integrated into the force, taking on leadership roles and rising through the ranks—progress she attributed to the resilience of the early female recruits who pushed back against gender-based restrictions.
Bangirana’s legacy is one of perseverance and progress for women in law enforcement. Her passing marks the end of an era in Uganda’s policing history. Calls for the Uganda Police Force to accord her an official burial in recognition of her contributions continue to grow.
According to an official statement, the decision follows a ceasefire declaration by the warring parties and aims to facilitate negotiations for a peaceful resolution.
The M23 rebel group announced late Monday that it would implement a unilateral ceasefire starting Tuesday.
However, on Wednesday, fighting resumed after the group came under attack from the Congolese army and its allies, leading to retaliation.
Malawian troops have been part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), whose mandate was extended late last year.
Reports indicate that various stakeholders had urged Chakwera to withdraw from the mission, arguing that continued involvement was not in Malawi’s best interest.
Malawi recently lost three soldiers in the SAMIDRC mission during clashes in which M23 forces defeated the coalition and took control of Goma.
The decision to withdraw also follows growing concerns from South African lawmakers, who questioned their country’s involvement in the DRC conflict after losing 14 soldiers in the battle for Goma.
They have since called for the withdrawal of South African troops and the repatriation of deceased soldiers, though challenges remain as some troops are reportedly surrounded by M23 fighters.
