During a plenary of the National Transitional Council, over 90 percent of councilors approved the elevation of the president’s military rank, the council said in a statement.
Deby, 40, a former army general, assumed power after his father, Idriss Deby Itno, died from wounds sustained on the front line in the country’s north in April 2021.
He won the presidential election in May 2024 after leading a transitional government for three years.
According to the Britain-based war monitor Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Israel launched a series of airstrikes in Syria, targeting such sites as Syrian navy vessels docked at Latakia Port, military depots in coastal areas, and arms depots in Damascus.
In addition, the attacks hit the 112th Brigade between the cities of Sheikh Miskin and Nawa in the west of Daraa province, as well as military depots near the Mahja town in northern Daraa.
Two civilians were killed in the assaults on the 12th Brigade in the city of Izraa, the observatory added.
In Damascus, a Xinhua correspondent witnessed Israeli warplanes flying overhead.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar told reporters on Monday that the Israeli army launched strikes targeting “strategic weapons systems, residual chemical weapons capabilities, and long-range missiles and rockets” in Syria to prevent them from falling into the hands of “extremist elements,” claiming that Israel does not aim to interfere in Syria’s internal politics.
He also said that “the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) carried out a targeted and temporary operation to take control of areas near the border” with Syria because Syrian militants crossed into the buffer zone between the two countries over the weekend, violating the Agreement on Disengagement signed in 1974 between Israel and Syria.
Airstrikes are expected to continue in the coming days, an anonymous Israeli official told Xinhua.
Multiple regional countries, including Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, among others, condemned the occupation, calling for respecting Syria’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.
Also on Monday, Syrian online media outlet Sawt al-Asima reported that Muhammad al-Bashir, born in 1983 and an electrical engineer and head of the “Syrian Salvation Government” opposition group in Idlib under the aegis of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has been tasked with forming a new Syrian government.
Following the latest developments in Syria, the international community has voiced concern about peace and stability in the country, as United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday called for calm and “avoiding violence at this sensitive time.”
“We will need the support of the international community to ensure that any political transition is inclusive and comprehensive and that it meets the legitimate aspirations of the people of Syria,” said Guterres.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that his country would continue diplomatic consultations with relevant parties as well as the United Nations to help stabilize the situation, highlighting the necessity to hold dialogue among different segments of the Syrian society.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday voiced readiness to support and coordinate efforts with all stakeholders to secure Syria’s territorial integrity and stability, saying that Türkiye will make efforts for the safe return of over 3.5 million Syrian refugees residing in the country back home.
China hopes all parties concerned will proceed from the fundamental interests of the Syrian people and find a political solution to restore stability in Syria as soon as possible, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters on Monday, stressing that the future of Syria should be decided by the Syrian people.
Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden said that Washington “will engage with all Syrian groups, including within the process, led by the UN, to establish a transition away from” the Assad government, while President-elect Donald Trump said on social media that “The United States should have nothing to do with” the situation in Syria.
The merger, which resulted in the creation of the newly restructured IBUKA, was finalized during a meeting on December 8, 2024, aimed at strengthening the organization’s capacity to fulfill its mission.
Speaking to the press on December 9, 2024, Dr. Gakwenzire explained that the merger was not an overnight decision, but the culmination of long-term discussions and careful reflection.
“What you saw yesterday is the outcome of years of deliberation,” he stated.
He went on to explain that the decision was rooted in the need for a unified approach to remembrance, advocacy for genocide survivors, and preventing future atrocities.
“Our decision was driven by our shared history and the urgent need to ensure that these memories serve as a powerful lesson to prevent genocide—not only in Rwanda but across the globe.”
Dr. Gakwenzire highlighted that while the organizations had been operational for years, overlapping activities had led them to recognize the benefits of collaboration.
“We realized that our objectives were often aligned, and by working together, we could more effectively advance our shared goals: remembrance, support for genocide survivors, justice, and the well-being of our communities. Now, we will continue to pursue these objectives collectively,” he noted.
The newly reorganized IBUKA will be led by Dr. Gakwenzire as President. Other key leadership appointments include Christine Muhongayire as First Vice President, Blaise Ndizihiwe as Second Vice President, and Louis de Montfort Mujyambere as Secretary-General.
Additional members of the leadership team include Aline Mpinganzima as Commissioner for Youth, Education, and Culture; Lawyer Janvier Bayingana as Commissioner for Remembrance, Justice, and Peacebuilding; Monique Gahongayire as Commissioner for Health, Social Welfare, and Gender Equality; and Evode Ndatsikira as Commissioner for Research, Development, Capacity Building, and Investment.
On December 9, 2024, a French court convicted Cameroonian researcher Charles Onana for denying the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The conviction stemmed from his book, Rwanda, la vérité sur l’opération turquoise: quand les archives parlent (Rwanda, the Truth about the Turquoise Operation: When the Archives Speak), published on October 30, 2019.
The verdict followed a complaint filed by three organizations: CPCR, Survie, and IBUKA France. In his book, Onana claimed there was no deliberate plan for the Genocide against the Tutsi.
The court ordered Onana to pay a fine of €7,400 within 120 days, while Damien Serieyx, his publishing director, was fined €5,000. The court explained that both Onana and Serieyx would be eligible for a 20% reduction in their fines if paid within 30 days, but the reduction would not exceed €1,500.
Onana and Serieyx were also ordered to pay €11,000 in damages to the parties who filed complaints.
Commenting on the ruling, Ambassador Nduhungirehe expressed his satisfaction with the “historic decision” of the court.
“I am pleased with the decision of the XVIIth Chamber of the Paris Criminal Court, which has just found Cameroonian writer Charles Onana guilty of denying the Genocide perpetrated against the Tutsi in Rwanda,” he said.
“This is a landmark decision that, I hope, will discourage all journalists, writers, and politicians who engage in genocide denial in Europe and our region,” added Amb. Nduhungirehe.
Raphael Doridant from the Survie organization also welcomed the ruling, emphasizing that Onana’s statements in his book amounted to genocide denial.
Doridant further explained that Onana’s words were an insult to the memory and dignity of genocide victims and their families, calling the court’s decision a victory against genocide denial.
Onana’s legal team, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling and announced plans to appeal the decision.
Upon arrival, Sulayem engaged with young girls at the BK Arena for the “Girls on Track” program welcoming over 100 young women from schools across Kigali to a packed schedule of exciting and inspiring events at the BK Arena.
Joined by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and racing driver, F1 analyst, and presenter Naomi Schiff, the girls took to the track in karts for the first time as well challenging themselves on the simulators, trying their hands at different sporting challenges.
Besides, they had the chance to meet with and hear from inspiring experts from across the world of motorsport who shared their advice and experiences with the girls.
Participants also had the unique opportunity to connect online with FIA Women in Motorsport Chairperson Burcu Çetinkaya who joined them remotely from the Women in Motorsport North America summit in Indianapolis, fostering an inspiring international dialogue.
The participants, involved in karting and e-sport activities, are set to play a role in the upcoming General Assembly events.
Key figures at the program included Minister of Sports Nyirishema Richard, Permanent Secretary Nelly Mukazayire, State Minister of Education Irere Claudette, and Rwanda Automobile Club (RAC) President Gakwaya Christian.
The week-long General Assembly, coinciding with the FIA’s 120th anniversary, will feature ten major activities. These include a tree-planting initiative at Nyandungu Eco-Park, a session for university students on motorsport career opportunities, and visits to the Zipline facility in Muhanga District.
Additionally, there will be a meet-and-greet for motorsport enthusiasts and displays of iconic race cars, including the Toyota Gazoo Racing WRC, Porsche 99X Electric (GEN3 Evo), and Red Bull RB13.
On Thursday, December 12, a session will focus on the role of technology in reducing environmental damage.
The General Assembly and awards ceremony will take place on Friday, December 13, at the BK Arena, recognizing achievements across various motorsport disciplines including Formula One, Rally, and Karting.
Kagame was warmly welcomed by his Mauritania counterpart Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, who is also the Chairperson of the African Union.
The forum will focus on transforming Africa’s education systems to meet the demands of the 21st century. Key discussions will cover curriculum reform, teacher development, digital technologies in education, inclusive education, and financing mechanisms for educational transformation.
The conference aims to identify best practices, strengthen partnerships, and explore sustainable solutions to reduce the number of out-of-school children and improve overall learning outcomes.
Held under the theme, “Educating and Qualifying Our Youth for a Prosperous, Integrated, and Dynamic Africa,” the forum will run between December 9-11, 2024.
With the African Union’s theme for 2024 focused on education, the forum will also explore strategies to build resilient education systems that prepare African youth to tackle the continent’s challenges and seize its economic potential.
This forum underscores the importance of collaboration and innovation in transforming education to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving global economy.
It comes at a time when Africa has made significant strides in expanding access to education but still faces challenges in ensuring quality, inclusive, and equitable education for all.
The continent struggles with high numbers of out-of-school children, poor infrastructure, a shortage of qualified teachers, and the impact of crises such as climate change and conflict.
During the International Conference on Genocide prevention held in Kigali on December 9, Dr. Jean Damascène Bizimana, the Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, the center will focus on conducting research on genocide prevention worldwide, a role previously handled by Western international organizations.
The conference brought together diverse participants, including researchers, university professors, representatives of international organizations and other global stakeholders.
It was highlighted the global community lacks full engagement in addressing conflicts that could potentially lead to further genocides if left unchecked. Examples were cited of hate speech and violence targeting the Kinyarwanda speaking Congolese in eastern DRC, the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the war in South Sudan.
Minister Bizimana emphasized that as a country that experienced genocide, Rwanda strongly opposes and actively works to prevent any actions that could lead to division or discrimination, which are the root causes of violence and loss of life.
He explained that Rwanda, in collaboration with the African Union, has established the African Centre for the Prevention of Genocide to serve as a global platform for research and training.
“The center aims to prevent genocide wherever it may arise globally. It will offer training programs for various groups, including diplomats, researchers, teachers, business people, youth, and others. While the center will primarily focus on Africans, it will also engage international participants in efforts to prevent genocide and its ideologies,” he elaborated.
He also noted that while international organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch produce reports on these issues, Rwanda wants the new center to conduct in-depth research that goes beyond the actions of Western nations.
“We want this center to become a hub for expert, comprehensive research that is not limited to Western narratives,” he said.
Dr. Bizimana further stressed the need for collective efforts to combat the ideology of genocide, as the spread of such ideologies remains pervasive across various social groups, including youth.
Ismael Buchanan, a political science and international relations lecturer at the University of Rwanda, stated that hosting this center provides Rwanda with an important platform to contribute to global genocide prevention.
“Having this center in Rwanda would serve as a global lesson, enabling us to exchange knowledge on how to tackle issues like genocide, which often arise from deep-seated conflicts and hate speech, as seen in places like the DRC,” he said.
Adama Dieng, the African Union’s Special Envoy for the Prevention of Genocide, called the center vital not only for Rwanda, a nation that lived through the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, but also for the entire continent.
“This center will serve as a platform for dialogue and reconciliation, promoting peace and healing not only within Rwanda but across Africa,” he said.
“Remembering the painful history of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi is crucial for building a resilient society. This center will help Rwanda and the region to not only heal but also educate the current and future generations about Rwanda’s and Africa’s history,” he added.
Women in the workforce are trained and supported in competing for leadership positions. Graduates are prepared to compete in the job market while women with small businesses are empowered on how to expand their ventures.
“Lift Her Up” was launched in 2022 by Salma Habib Nkusi, the CEO of Gate Consulting Group, a company that offers business and leadership consulting services.
“A woman has many responsibilities that make her encounter difficult to rise in leadership as a man would. You can see this even with children just finishing school, where the confidence of girl low, even if she has completed her education,” Nkusi said.
The “Lift Her Up” program has three main interventions; the first prepares female graduates to compete in the job market, the second helps women or girls ambitious to start their own businesses while the third supports women and girls in the workforce who seek to advance in their careers. Each year, about 100 women and girls are facilitated through this training.
Gate Consulting Group first assesses the gaps in the development of women and girls and what they want to learn, then connects them with relevant training on a monthly basis.
Successful women in decision-making positions are invited to share their experiences and guide others on the paths they took and what they need to focus on to advance.
At the close of the third phase of “Lift Her Up,” which had lasted nine months, the CEO of the Rwanda Development Bank (BRD), Pitchette Kampeta Sayinzoga, and the CEO of Canal+ Rwanda, Sophie Tchatchoua, shared their journeys with participants, discussing how they reached leadership positions.
Marie Aimée Ingabire, who works at Bralirwa and has been receiving training for nine months also shared her experience.
“I have received valuable knowledge, including personal development, professional growth, and leadership. It’s a great program, and we wish it would continue to expand so more women can benefit. You get to know yourself, understand the people around you, work towards goals, and more,” she said.
Rwanda has made significant strides in advancing women across various sectors. For instance, the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament has 63.75% women, the Senate has 53.8% women, and Rwanda has allocated 30% of parliamentary seats to women, with the possibility for them to compete for the remaining positions. This is also the case in government sectors.
“We want to promote this initiative, increasing the number of women in all sectors. Additionally, if an opportunity arises, a woman should be given the chance not because she is a woman, but because she is capable. It’s a journey, but we are on the right track,” Nkusi said.
In the first phase for graduates, Gate Consulting Group works with universities to support their alumni. For those wishing to become entrepreneurs, the program has a registration process for those who want to be trained.
For women already working, Gate Consulting Group collaborates with their employers to arrange the necessary training.
His trial began on October 7, 2024, and lasted four days. It was based on a complaint filed by three organizations namely; CPCR, Survie, and IBUKA France. Through his book, Onana argued that there was no plan for the Genocide against the Tutsi.
The key issue in the trial was whether the French military’s Opération Turquoise had been conducted with the intention of furthering the genocide against the Tutsi or whether such a plan did not exist.
The trial was attended by many people, including Rwandans on the side of the plaintiffs and the defendant. There were also people from the Democratic Republic of Congo supporting Onana.
Legal expert, Professor Thomas Hochmann, was one of the witnesses for the plaintiffs. Contrary to Onana’s arguments, Hochmann explained that the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), established for the prosecution of crimes committed in Rwanda, had confirmed the existence of a Genocidal plan against the Tutsi.
Professor Hochmann clarified that the tribunal, which operated in Arusha, convicted individuals for committing genocide and for planning it, which serves as evidence that the Genocide took place and was premeditated.
He pointed out that denial of Genocide includes distorting the term in publications, rejecting the findings of courts like the ICTR, as Onana had done.
Lawyer Bernard Maingain explained to the court that it would be impossible for genocide to occur without prior planning.
“How is it possible for 10,000 people to be killed in one day without preparation? How could machetes and other weapons be distributed to people to carry out the killings if it wasn’t planned? Could they have identified and killed all Tutsis, knowing where they lived and their identity, without any preparation?” he wondered.
Maingain, from Belgium, further argued that before the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi began, lists had already been made of the Tutsis who were to be killed, emphasizing that this is evidence of premeditation.
Onana arrived in court stating that he had never denied the genocide but had linked it to the shooting down of President Juvénal Habyarimana’s plane. He also claimed that the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) Inkotanyi had blocked Opération Turquoise from proceeding as planned by France.
The researcher used testimonies from witnesses including General (Retd) Jean-Claude Lafourcade, who led Opération Turquoise, Johan Swinenn, former Belgian Ambassador to Rwanda, and Christian Quesnot, former Chief of Staff for François Mitterrand who led France’s operations.
These witnesses stated that Onana’s book aimed to reveal the truth about Rwanda’s history, but they emphasized that the 1994 Tutsi Genocide was not planned.
Quesnot stated that Onana is an honest person who could not deny the genocide, adding that the ICTR never confirmed the existence of a genocide plan. However, he acknowledged that the genocide occurred and blamed the RPA forces for committing crimes against humanity and war crimes.
For his conviction, Onana has been ordered to pay a fine of 1,400Euros with the risk of 115 days in detention if the fine is not paid on time while his publisher, Damien Serieyx, was fined 5,000Euros.
However, Dr. Habineza who serves as the chairperson of DGPR was notably excluded from the parliamentary list—a decision he describes as carefully considered.
He recently spoke to IGIHE about his political journey, the challenges of the election, and his plans for the future of the Green Party.
{{Electoral defeat and party realignment}}
After the election, Dr. Habineza withdrew from the public eye, a move he attributes to his focus on restructuring his party internally.
“When you don’t win, some people feel discouraged, and it’s the leader’s responsibility to reunite and motivate the team,” he explained.
Despite the electoral loss, the DGPR remained resolute in realigning and reorganizing its structures to face future challenges.
Dr. Habineza briefly visited Sweden but returned quickly, to continue with his law studies and party responsibilities.
“During my time in Parliament, I learned a lot, but I hadn’t studied law yet. There were areas where I felt I lacked expertise, particularly in advocating for the Rwandan people. I started studying law while in Parliament, and I’m happy to say that I’m in my second year now. I’ll be finishing next year,” he shared.
{{Decision to run for president again}}
Dr. Habineza’s decision to run for president again in 2024, despite his previous defeat in 2017, was a thoughtful one.
He emphasizes that it was not driven by personal ambition but by a desire to contribute to Rwanda’s democratic development.
“We realized that although I ran in 2017 and didn’t succeed, we gained valuable insights,” he noted.
According to the 47-year-old, the DGPR’s participation in the election was about presenting a platform for their vision of national leadership.
Reflecting on the 2024 elections, Dr. Habineza observed significant improvements in the election environment.
“In 2024, the security situation was excellent,” he said, noting that local leaders were more receptive and the police provided necessary protection throughout the campaign.
{{The future}}
Despite two electoral defeats, Dr. Habineza remains committed to the political process.
“What could prevent me from running again?” he asked, emphasizing that the party’s confidence in him is a strong motivator.
He also draws inspiration from leaders like Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal, who ran for president four times before eventually succeeding.
“Running once or twice doesn’t mean giving up; it means correcting past mistakes through continued effort,” he explained.
Dr. Habineza also indicated that he is open to stepping aside if the party identifies a more capable candidate.
For now, he is focused on strengthening the party’s election strategy, particularly by increasing its representation at polling stations.
“We had plans for this, but our resources fell short,” he admitted. Improving election monitoring will be a key priority moving forward.
{{Financial challenges}}
Dr. Habineza discussed the financial challenges his party faced, explaining that five political parties contested the 2018 parliamentary elections and received about Frw100 million each.
“We used those funds to purchase a party house, which we later sold to finance the campaign,” he said.
While the sale of the property came with additional debt, he confirmed that the debts have now been settled.
Looking ahead, Dr. Habineza is hopeful that the party will be reimbursed for campaign expenses, as the law allows political parties that garner more than 5% of the vote to recover part of their costs.
“We are optimistic that we’ll receive reimbursement, which we can use to buy another property,” he said.
Dr. Habineza revealed that the party spent over Frw300 million during the 2024 election campaign.
{{Exclusion of party member from parliamentary list}}
A recent development that attracted attention was the removal of one of the DGPR’s candidate from the parliamentary list just before swearing-in.
Carine Maombi, who was second on the party’s list, was unexpectedly replaced by Jacqueline Masozera Icyizanye after issues arose regarding her candidacy.
Dr. Habineza explained, “At the last minute, the Rwanda Investigation Bureau informed us that there were issues with her candidacy.”
While the matter is under investigation, he clarified that it has not yet reached the courts, and the party considers the issue resolved for now.
