Speaking at his annual news conference on Thursday, Putin said, “If someone takes part in the election and gains legitimacy, we are ready to talk to him, including Volodymyr Zelensky.”
Putin’s remarks signal an openness to dialogue, but he emphasized that such talks would take into account the evolving situation on the ground, referencing the Istanbul agreements as a potential framework for discussions.
These agreements were initially brokered in March 2022 during peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, although they ultimately failed to bring about a ceasefire.
The war in Ukraine, which began with Russia’s invasion on February 24, 2022, has caused widespread destruction, with tens of thousands of casualties and millions displaced.
The conflict, rooted in long-standing tensions between the two countries, has escalated into a brutal war, marked by fierce battles, significant international sanctions on Russia, and ongoing geopolitical ramifications.
The recent comments from Putin come amidst increasing global pressure for a peaceful resolution and a series of military setbacks for Russian forces, which have prompted discussions about potential negotiations.
However, given the entrenched positions on both sides and the complexities of the conflict, prospects for meaningful peace talks remain uncertain. Ukraine is scheduled to hold its next presidential elections in March 2024, despite the ongoing conflict.
He was speaking on December 19, 2024, at the opening ceremony of the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF)’s 33rd Policy Organs meeting running from 16 to 21 December 2024 in Kigali, Rwanda.
“We must continue working together across political, security, development, and humanitarian pillars, deepening our partnerships as member states, regional economic communities, mechanisms, and our umbrella organisation, the African Union, to effectively contribute to peace, security, and stability,” Marizamunda said.
The Minister further urged EASF member states to enhance their response systems, adapt them to tackle existing challenges, and fully utilise their resources to foster peace and security across the region and the continent.
The Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) Chiefs of Defence who joined the Experts Working Group at the meeting, reaffirmed their commitment to member states’ pledges and acknowledged the valuable suggestions and recommendations provided by the experts during three days of deliberations.
Speaking on behalf of the Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff (CDS) of the EASF, General MK Mubarakh, the RDF Chief of Defence Staff, assured that the EASF Chiefs of Defence Staff remain committed to providing crucial guidance to improve the force’s operational readiness.
Brig Gen (Rtd) Paul Kahuria Njema, the EASF Director, commended the Experts Working Group for their exchange of ideas and productive recommendations, which will significantly contribute to maintaining EASF’s readiness and enhancing conflict prevention efforts.
The 33rd Policy Organs Meeting (POM) coincides with EASF’s 20th anniversary, celebrated under the theme “Two Decades of Commitment to Promote Regional Peace and Security.”
The organisation, now operational under the African Union’s umbrella, comprises ten member states.
The first phase of the centre, currently under construction in Rwamagana District, is almost complete. Initially, it will accommodate up to 250 female inmates.
Dr. Ugirashebuja shared the update at the Annual Conference and General Meeting of the Rwanda Bar Association (RBA) on December 19, 2024.
“The first phase is nearly finished, and we plan to begin operations by hosting up to 250 female inmates in February 2025,” he said. “If successful, we intend to expand the program to other areas across the country.”
The halfway home will provide inmates with the opportunity to reintegrate into society before their full release.
Dr. Ugirashebuja explained that the program will allow inmates nearing the end of their sentences to live at the centre, where they can go out during the day and return in the evening. This will help them adapt to life outside of prison.
“Inmates will start adjusting to life outside of prison and learn how to successfully reintegrate into society,” he explained. “This gradual reintroduction will help reduce recidivism.”
The centre will offer a range of programs, including civic education and vocational skills training to help inmates live independently after their release.
Families will also be allowed to visit their loved ones, supporting their reintegration into Rwandan society.
Dr. Ugirashebuja also emphasized the importance of lawyers in promoting alternative dispute resolution and restorative justice practices.
RIB spokesperson Dr. Murangira B. Thierry emphasized this message in a recent interview with IGIHE.
The warning follows a disturbing incident where a student was severely assaulted after days of harassment at a house party in Kicukiro District.
RIB’s investigation revealed that the assault took place in a house rented by the perpetrators. Authorities arrested several individuals aged between 19 and 24 in connection with the crime.
Dr. Murangira warned that such events often lead to criminal activities, including child abuse, drug use, assault, theft, and public disturbance. He urged property owners to be vigilant and avoid renting their properties for “House Parties” to prevent the escalation of such incidents.
Landlords who fail to heed this warning may face legal consequences for aiding and abetting criminal activities.
She specifically called for cases to be tried at the locations where the crimes occurred, where feasible.
Mukantaganzwa made these remarks during the swearing-in ceremony for newly appointed judges on December 18, 2024.
The judges sworn in include the President and Vice President of the Commercial Court, as well as the Presidents and Vice Presidents of Intermediate Courts.
In her address, Mukantaganzwa stressed the importance of expediting trials, particularly those involving murder and genocide ideology.
“First, you should expedite trials for defendants charged with murder and genocide ideology, and, where possible, these cases should be tried at the location where the crimes were committed,” she said.
She also emphasized the need for swift trials of corruption-related crimes, adding, “For Rwanda to reach its full potential, we must tackle the issue of individuals accumulating wealth from public resources, believing they will never face justice.”
Further, Mukantaganzwa advocated for adopting judicial practices like mediation, plea bargaining, and reliance on precedents to enhance efficiency.
She also called for greater attention to the directives issued by higher courts in previous rulings, ensuring consistency in the justice system for similar cases.
Among those sworn in were four judges appointed to intermediate courts in Gicumbi, Musanze, Rubavu, and Rusizi, and two to the Commercial Court.
Trump told Fox News he was “totally against” a proposed government funding bill, putting the stopgap measure, which would keep the government open until mid-March, in danger.
Congress has until Friday night to prevent a funding gap, as lawmakers passed a continuing resolution in September to extend government funding through December 20.
The new package, unveiled on Tuesday, mainly allows the government to maintain its current spending levels for the next three months, providing lawmakers with additional time to negotiate new spending bills.
It also includes 100 billion U.S. dollars in disaster relief for recovery from major hurricanes and the collapse of Baltimore’s Key Bridge, a one-year extension of the farm bill with an extra 10 billion dollars in aid for farmers.
With some hardliners opposing the stopgap measure and a slim House majority, Republicans will once again need Democrats’ support to approve government funding.
“We should pass a streamlined spending bill that doesn’t give the Democrats everything they want,” Vice President-elect and Senator JD Vance said in a joint statement with Trump.
“The only way to do that is with a temporary funding bill without Democrat giveaways combined with an increase in the debt ceiling,” said the statement, pressuring the Democrats to cooperate on a debt ceiling increase now.
The latest statement drew criticism from Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
“House Republicans have been ordered to shut down the government. And hurt the working class Americans they claim to support. You break the bipartisan agreement, you own the consequences that follow,” he said on social media platform X.
He had been accused of involvement in attacks against Tutsis on the hills of Nyamure, Nyabubare, ISAR Songa, and roadblocks set up in Nyanza.
From the beginning of the trial, Hategekimana had been charged with his role in the death of Narcisse Nyagasaza, the former Mayor of Ntyazo Commune, accusing him of attempting to smuggle Tutsis into Burundi through the Akanyaru River, though Hategekimana had vehemently denied these allegations.
IGIHE spoke with lawyers representing survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Paris, who expressed their satisfaction with the verdict handed down to Hategekimana.
Lawyer André-Martin Karongozi said that the case had concluded as they had hoped.
“We wanted the court to make a decision like the one made by the first instance court, sentencing him to life imprisonment. This man has been sentenced to life imprisonment, and nothing more is fitting for the gravity of the crime he committed. This is the harshest sentence here. The death penalty no longer exists,” he noted.
Lawyer Richard Gisagara, who also represented the Rwandan community in France, emphasized that anyone familiar with the magnitude of the genocide trials would be pleased with the court’s decision.
He highlighted that the last months of 2024 had been marked by the delivery of justice for genocide survivors, noting that since October 2024, the Biguma case had become the third trial in a series.
He also referenced other cases, such as that of Dr. Eugene Rwamucyo, who was sentenced to 27 years for genocide crimes, and Charles Onana, who was convicted for genocide denial and revisionism—the first such conviction by a French court.
“This is encouraging,” Gisagara said. “It is a significant step here in France to fight against the culture of impunity for those accused of genocide crimes, including denial and revisionism.”
Lawyer Gisagara acknowledged that while progress was being made, they must remain vigilant and continue to push for those responsible for the genocide to face justice.
Alain Gauthier, founder of the Collective of Civil Parties for Rwanda (CPCR), and his wife Daphrose, whose organization advocates for the prosecution of those involved in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi hiding in France, also welcomed the sentence.
Gauthier said, “The decision did not surprise us. It is what we expected. We followed this case from start to finish, attending each hearing and writing reports about how the trial proceeded. I don’t understand why Biguma would not be handed a life sentence.”
He further commented on Rwamucyo case, saying that they were up against someone deeply entrenched in genocide ideology, but they were pleased with the outcome, as he was convicted.
Gauthier also expressed satisfaction with the case against Dr. Sosthène Munyemana, who played a key role in the genocide in Tumba (Huye) and the former Butare Prefecture, noting that justice had been delivered after a long wait, with proceedings that started in 1995.
“Although the legal process took nearly 20 years, justice has been delivered in these final months of 2024,” he said. “We’ve won. We’ve won all eight cases that were tried in this court since 2014.”
Gauthier thanked the genocide survivors for their continued trust in the justice process and reassured them that they would keep fighting for justice.
Lawyer François Epoma, representing civil claimants in the case, also reflected on the difficult six weeks of the Biguma trial.
“It was a tough period, with heated debates about the genocide crimes he committed,” Epoma said. “However, despite the challenges, it ended well. Justice has been served, and Biguma has been sentenced to life imprisonment, which is what we expected.”
Epoma highlighted that prosecuting individuals responsible for the genocide sent a clear message that those who partake in such crimes would face the law.
Lawyer Sylvain Tapi, a lawyer based in Brussels and Abidjan, also commented on Biguma’s case, stating that he had lied throughout the trial but was ultimately convicted based on evidence and testimonies.
“Philippe Hategekimana did nothing in this trial except lie, and in the end, he was found guilty thanks to the evidence and the testimonies of those who accused him,” Tapi said. “I am pleased that the survivors of the Genocide against the Tutsi have received justice.”
In a series of posts on the X platform, General Muhoozi claimed he would “capture Khartoum” with the support of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, prompting Sudan to issue an official demand for a public apology.
In a strongly-worded statement, Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the remarks as “reckless and irresponsible.” The ministry described the comments as an unprecedented violation of diplomatic norms, international law, and the principles of mutual respect between sovereign nations.
“The threat of war, the violation of state sovereignty, and the defiance of the United Nations Charter and African Union regulations are too dangerous to be treated lightly or used as tools for personal publicity,” the statement emphasized.
The Sudanese government, which has faced instability due to ongoing civil war, urged the African Union and other international bodies to denounce Muhoozi’s statements, which it said undermine regional stability and insult African nations.
Although the posts were deleted shortly after being published, their impact was significant. Sudanese social media users continued to express widespread anger, urging authorities to pursue accountability measures against Uganda.
Similarly, the army chief’s remarks about the crashing “white machineries” in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have provoked tensions with the Congolese government. This led to the summoning of Uganda’s Acting Chargé d’Affaires, Matata Twaha Magara, by DRC’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, on Wednesday.
The son of President Yoweri Museveni had declared: “This is my final warning to all white mercenaries operating in eastern DRC. Starting January 2, 2025, we will launch operations against all white mercenaries in our zones. In the name of Jesus Christ, the God of all Bachwezi, no mercenary will remain in the DRC next year.”
The remarks were interpreted as a direct reference to foreign operatives from groups like Agemira and RALF, which have reportedly supported the Congolese national army (FARDC) against the M23 rebellion since 2022.
General Muhoozi has a history of making controversial statements. He previously threatened to invade Kenya while serving as commander of the land forces, a remark that led to his dismissal from that post before he was appointed commander of the Ugandan People’s Defence Forces.
This decision came after Judge Andrew Bashaija confirmed that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to warrant a full trial.
The case revolves around allegations that Arinaitwe exploited a young woman under the guise of offering her employment. In mid-2023, the victim, who had been promised a housemaid position, traveled from Mbarara to Kampala after receiving transport money.
Upon arrival, she was taken to Arinaitwe’s residence in Nalumunye, Rubaga Division, where she worked as a housemaid. However, the victim claims she was later subjected to sexual exploitation.
“The evidence shows the accused arranged and paid for the victim’s transportation, received her at his home, and provided accommodation,” noted Justice Bashaija during the ruling. “As a law enforcement officer, the accused used his position of power to manipulate and exploit the victim.”
The court heard harrowing details from the victim, who alleged that Arinaitwe forced her into unprotected sex at gunpoint and subjected her to invasive acts to exert control over her. Medical examinations corroborated her claims, revealing physical injuries consistent with sexual assault.
In his defense, Arinaitwe did not deny the victim’s presence at his residence or certain interactions but refuted the allegations of coercion. However, the judge pointed out that the evidence, including the victim’s testimony and forensic findings, established substantial grounds for trial.
This case has reignited debates about accountability within Uganda’s law enforcement. Critics argue that cases involving public officials often highlight systemic abuses of power.
“The fact that this crime was allegedly committed by a law enforcement officer is deeply troubling,” said Henry Muguzi, Executive Director of the Alliance for Campaign Finance Monitoring. “It shows the urgent need for reforms to address abuse within public institutions.”
The Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act categorizes trafficking by public officials as aggravated, carrying severe penalties upon conviction. Legal experts believe this case will serve as a litmus test for the judiciary’s commitment to justice.
The meeting, initiated on December 18, 2024, by DRC’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, followed a series of controversial posts by Gen. Muhoozi on social media platform X.
In one now-deleted post, Gen. Muhoozi declared: “This is my final warning to all white mercenaries operating in eastern DRC. Starting January 2, 2025, we will launch operations against all white mercenaries in our zones. In the name of Jesus Christ, the God of all Bachwezi, no mercenary will remain in the DRC next year.”
The remarks were interpreted as a direct reference to foreign operatives from groups like Agemira and RALF, which have reportedly supported the Congolese national army (FARDC) against the M23 rebellion since 2022.
However, the DRC has maintained that these individuals are military trainers, not mercenaries, helping to modernize FARDC operations in key areas such as Goma and Sake.
The DRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement, saying: “On December 18, Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner summoned Uganda’s Chargé d’Affaires to the DRC, Mr. Matata Twaha Magara, to explain comments made by Uganda’s Commander of Land Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, concerning President Tshisekedi.”
Gen. Muhoozi had also praised Rwandan President Paul Kagame, describing him as a peacemaker advocating for stability in eastern DRC. He hinted at plans to visit Kinshasa for the first time in 22 years, stating: “I shall visit my big brother, President Tshisekedi, soon to ask for peace.”
These posts come amid heightened tensions after the DRC rejected a proposal from Rwanda and Angola to negotiate with the M23 armed group for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict. Gen. Muhoozi has been a vocal supporter of M23, asserting their mission to protect civilians and criticizing the FARDC’s reliance on external actors.
Despite his conciliatory tone in some posts, Muhoozi’s remarks have added strain to an already fragile relationship between Uganda and the DRC. Regional observers warn that such incidents could further complicate efforts to address security challenges in eastern DRC.
The DRC government has demanded official clarification from Uganda, emphasizing the importance of diplomatic engagement to manage the situation.
