“In a pre-dawn action early this morning on December 20, the US Coast Guard with the support of the Department of War apprehended an oil tanker that was last docked in Venezuela,” Noem said on X.
The U.S. military seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela on December 10, a move the Venezuelan government condemned as “a blatant theft and an act of international piracy.”
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he has ordered a total blockade of all U.S.-sanctioned oil tankers traveling to and from Venezuela. He also said in a later interview that the United States will continue seizing additional oil tankers.
She shared these insights in an interview with IGIHE following the first-ever ‘Marrakech Coffee & Tea Festival’ in Morocco, which provided a unique opportunity for Rwandan investors to showcase the quality of Rwandan coffee and tea on the international stage.
During the interview, Amb. Umutoni reflected on the benefits of serving as a Rwandan diplomat, how President Kagame has paved the way for Rwanda’s diplomatic success, and the advantages Rwanda gains from its relationship with the Kingdom of Morocco.
{{IGIHE: Could you provide any recent developments regarding Rwanda’s representation in Morocco?}}
{{Amb. Umutoni: }} After serving in diplomatic missions in countries like Tanzania and Canada and at Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I would like to express my gratitude for the trust my country placed in me to take on diplomatic responsibilities in Morocco.
One of the rewarding aspects of being a diplomat for Rwanda is that His Excellency President Paul Kagame has greatly eased our work. While we strive to carry out our duties to the best of our abilities, the President has made it much easier for us.
Today, as a Rwandan diplomat, we engage in various diplomatic initiatives… and the mere recognition that you are a Rwandan diplomat opens many doors. This is a clear reflection of President Kagame’s leadership, which has expanded our nation’s reach and made our work much easier.
When you meet with leaders or investors who wish to engage with Rwanda, they quickly recognize the quality of work being done in Rwanda. They know about the government’s efforts to make investment and tourism in Rwanda more accessible, and they are confident that they will not face challenges as they might in other countries.
This positive image of the country helps make our diplomatic efforts more successful.
As diplomats, President Kagame is our chief diplomat, having opened the door for us to pursue opportunities in diplomacy, trade, culture, and more. Our role is to continue his work, ensuring that diplomacy leads to economic and cultural growth in line with Rwanda’s Vision 2050.
{{IGIHE: After the appointment as Rwanda’s Ambassador to Morocco in 2023, how has the relationship between the two countries evolved?}}
{{Amb. Umutoni:}} First, I’d like to emphasize that the relationship between Rwanda and the Kingdom of Morocco is very strong. It has existed for a long time, but it was further strengthened in 2016 during President Kagame’s working visit to Morocco, followed shortly by a visit from the King of Morocco to Rwanda.
At that time, the relationship reached new heights, with several agreements signed, leading to concrete initiatives. I took on this role in 2023, but the foundation was laid earlier, with the opening of the Moroccan Embassy in Rwanda following the King’s visit. This marked a significant step forward for our diplomatic ties.
Since my arrival, I have continued the work of my predecessors, focusing on strengthening the ties between our countries. The relationship spans diplomatic, political, and economic areas. It is visible through exchanges between heads of state, ministers, and other key officials, as well as in education, where Morocco offers 100 scholarships to Rwandan students annually.
Economically, Morocco has invested in Rwanda through companies like OCP Africa, which provides fertilizer to farmers, and Cooper Pharma, which has built a $6 million pharmaceutical plant. Furthermore, Bank of Africa now operates in Rwanda, showcasing the positive economic relationship between our two nations.
{{Could you share insights on the newest Moroccan investments in Rwanda?}}
{{Amb. Umutoni: }} There are several Moroccan investments in Rwanda. For example, OCP Africa, a fertilizer company, has opened a branch here to support agricultural production.
Cooper Pharma, a pharmaceutical company, has established a $6 million plant to manufacture various medicines. Bank of Africa has also expanded into Rwanda.
This shows the depth of the economic ties between Rwanda and Morocco. However, there is still much more potential for growth. While we have seen successful investments in Rwanda, we haven’t yet seen as many Rwandans initiating businesses in Morocco, which is something we aim to improve.
We are committed to continuing our diplomatic work to further strengthen these ties. In recent months, we have seen significant progress, particularly in the area of security, with visits from Rwanda’s Minister of Defense, top military officials and Rwanda Correctional Service. These visits further highlight the strong ties between our two nations.
{{Can you tell us a bit about the Marrakech Coffee and Tea Festival, which was recently attended by Rwandans?}}
Recently, the first-ever Marrakech Coffee and Tea Festival took place in Marrakech. It was more of an exhibition, with several countries invited to showcase their coffee and tea products. Rwanda was the guest of honor, with over 10 Rwandan coffee and tea producers participating. This was a significant event for us because Morocco has a strong tea-drinking culture, although coffee is also consumed.
Rwanda, on the other hand, is known for producing high-quality tea and coffee. The festival showed us that there are great opportunities for collaboration. After the three-day exhibition, we, as the embassy, organized an additional two days for Rwandan producers to meet with potential buyers in Morocco. This allowed them to discuss their products, understand the market demand, and explore ways to bring Rwandan coffee and tea to the Moroccan market.
We are hopeful that after returning to Rwanda, the producers will take the necessary steps to start exporting their products to Morocco. We believe that this collaboration will create lasting opportunities for Rwandan coffee and tea in Morocco.
{{What role do students and Rwandans living in Morocco play in Rwanda’s development?}}
In Morocco, many Rwandans are students who come here on scholarships. Some of them have completed their studies and are now working, while others are part of various organizations.
The primary role of these students is to participate in initiatives aimed at advancing the country, especially those organized by the embassy.
One of the first things I did when I arrived was to meet with these students, listen to their experiences, and discuss how we could support them in their studies. We also encourage them to contribute to Rwanda’s development after their studies, particularly as many of them are studying sciences.
The students also actively participate in embassy-organized events such as the commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in April, Liberation Day in July, and Umuganura. These events are marked both in Rwanda and here in Morocco, and it’s always inspiring to see our students engage in these important occasions.
Some students have also started combining their studies with running businesses. Additionally, we are working to promote Rwandan culture here. We now have a student association that performs and promotes Rwandan traditions during various activities, which has gained recognition. Whenever other groups organize events, we encourage them to involve our students, allowing them to showcase their talents and contribute to the promotion of Rwanda’s culture.
These contributions are vital for advancing the development of our country. The embassy organizes events for the diaspora, celebrating important national holidays, which helps maintain a strong connection between Rwanda and those living abroad. This also fosters a sense of belonging and pride in our students and encourages them to share their love for Rwanda with others.
Many people in Morocco became familiar with Rwanda when our President visited here, as well as during the Moroccan King’s visit to Rwanda. However, many still don’t fully understand what Rwanda is truly like—the culture, values, and the people. Through these events, students and diaspora members have a chance to share more about Rwanda and its development plans.
{{Where do you want to see the relationship between the two countries?}}
As diplomats, our responsibility is to implement the country’s foreign policy. The representative of this policy is the President of the Republic, who provides the framework we follow. Rwanda’s foreign policy includes promoting the country’s economic interests, effectively utilizing the diaspora, and ensuring it plays a role in national development, among other priorities.
When we reach the embassy, we assess the current state of the relationship between the two countries and identify how we can contribute. While we have made progress, there is still much to be done. In the future, we must continue focusing on promoting investments, expanding industries, and facilitating travel between our countries.
For example, we currently don’t have direct flights between Rwanda and Morocco, but this is an area we are working on through discussions. Once travel routes are established, business professionals and those in the travel industry will see the opportunities available in both countries, especially if access becomes easier.
Rwanda has a policy to make visa applications as simple as possible. Diplomats and service passport holders can obtain their visas upon arrival, while regular passport holders must apply beforehand. While applying for a visa is not difficult, we hope that in the future, all Rwandans will be able to travel to Morocco without any hassle.
Morocco has made great strides in tourism, and we believe that Rwanda could learn from them in terms of promoting the country to attract more visitors. We are working on connecting the tourism sectors of both countries by providing information on travel opportunities, such as flights to Rwanda, where visitors can experience gorilla trekking and explore our national parks.
A tourist could visit Morocco, then come to Rwanda, and later continue their journey to Europe or America.
{{You recently earned a PhD degree in Business Management. How did you manage balancing diplomacy, being a mother at home, and being a student to reach this level?}}
Indeed, it’s a lot to juggle, but one thing doesn’t stop the other. It requires commitment and discipline.
I have wanted this PhD degree for a long time, but because of my numerous responsibilities, I couldn’t find the time to pursue it, even though I was eager to do so.
I tried before, but I was unable to make it work due to time constraints. However, two years ago, I decided to go for it because I realized my children were growing, and I now had the time to commit to my studies while balancing everything else.
To achieve this degree, I chose a Hybrid Program, where most of the learning was done remotely, with in-person sessions on weekends.
Over these two years, it wasn’t easy. Studying doesn’t stop you from working, and working doesn’t stop you from being a mother. Similarly, being a mother doesn’t prevent you from managing your home.
So, everything comes down to knowing how to manage your time effectively.
I’m proud to have completed my degree, and one of the reasons it was easier for me was that I worked on topics related to my profession. I focused on diplomacy in economics, investment, and development, with a special focus on programs like Visit Rwanda and Made in Rwanda.
These are areas I am already involved in, and conducting research with my fellow Rwandan ambassadors helped me gain valuable insights into economic diplomacy and leveraging Made in Rwanda and Visit Rwanda. This made the process easier because I was working on familiar topics, allowing me to perform better.
For students in Rwanda who want to study in Morocco, for businesses seeking opportunities in Morocco, or for those interested in tourism, we welcome them all. Rwandans, wherever they are, are always welcome.
He made these remarks during the 17th RPF Inkotanyi Congress, held on Friday at Intare Arena in Rusororo.
President Kagame emphasized that he particularly appreciates the security sector for their efforts.
He said, “Among the sectors I want to thank, I would like to specifically highlight the security forces. RDF, the police, the security services—what these people do, what they do for our country, for all of us—I cannot ask more than what they are already doing. Our forces are the ones I have always wanted to have.”
He continued by praising the Rwandan people, saying they deserve special recognition for their role in the nation’s progress.
” I don’t know of any country with better citizens than ours. I say this because of where we have come from: divisionist politics, genocide. And yet we have reached a point where our people stand together, even as the world keeps trying to take them back to that history.
“The first place where outsiders who seek to destroy us have failed is with our citizens. They tried to divide Rwandans again, to create conflict among them, but our people resisted—and those efforts failed,” he said.
He pointed out that those who fled the country were used as instruments by those seeking to divide Rwandans.
“Even those who fled the country were first used by external forces trying to divide the RPF and separate the Rwandan people…” he said.
He also referred to attempts by some foreign influences to interfere with internal politics, suggesting that certain individuals should become president.
However, he emphasized that desiring such a position is not a crime; rather, it is about how one goes about it. He insisted that those under foreign influence eventually failed.
President Kagame acknowledged that the Rwandan people have been a powerful force against those attempting to divide the country, including those trying to operate under the guise of non-governmental organizations and other groups.
He further emphasized that while Rwanda is home to wonderful people, leaders who fail to provide what the people deserve should reflect on their actions and change their ways.
President Kagame also praised other political parties for their stance against efforts to divide the Rwandan people.
The recent Rwanda Governance Scorecard (RGS), released on October 31, 2025, highlighted that Safety and Security pillar remains Rwanda’s highest-performing area with a score of 90.02%, reaffirming the country’s reputation as one of Africa’s safest nations.
The report attributes this to consistently high citizen confidence in the Rwanda Defence Force, National Police, and local security structures.
He made the remarks on Friday, December 19, 2025, during the 17th National Congress of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), which convened over 2,200 party members to discuss key priorities for Rwanda’s transformation.
“But even as things change, and they must change continually, not everything changes. There is always something that remains constant: who you are, and the values and aspirations that define how you should live and respond in the midst of change. The core must remain constant,” President Kagame, who also serves as the party chairman, stated.
He emphasised that while strategies and tools may adapt over time, fundamental principles endure.
“The RPF has always said we must fight corruption. That principle does not change. The idea of fighting corruption from 31 years ago cannot be abandoned simply because we now live in a world that tolerates corruption, whatever that world may be. Rather, what changes are the methods we use to fight it. The principle itself does not change,” he added.
Rwanda continues to rank highly in global anti-corruption efforts. According to the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released by Transparency International, Rwanda is ranked the 49th least corrupt country globally and the least corrupt in East Africa.
{{New RPF-Inkotanyi leaders
}}
Meanwhile, Friday’s Congress ratified a series of organisational changes within the party. Christophe Bazivamo was appointed Secretary General of FPR–Inkotanyi following revisions to the party’s statutes and leadership structure approved during the Congress. Under the new arrangement, the National Executive Committee now comprises two Vice Presidents and two Secretaries General.
Consolée Uwimana was confirmed as First Vice Chairperson, Kayisire Marie Solange as Second Vice Chairperson, and Stephen Gasana was appointed Deputy Secretary General. Bazivamo replaces Gasamagera Wellars, who previously held the position.
In a statement, AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka said the alliance had declared the ceasefire “in a spirit of responsibility and in order to offer a real chance for the return of peace.” However, he accused the Kinshasa government of persisting with “a plan for the systematic extermination of our compatriots, in flagrant violation of all its commitments.”
Kanyuka detailed that early Friday morning, Congolese government forces launched coordinated attacks on Makobola and Minembwe in South Kivu.
He said the assault began at around 5:00 a.m., when coalition forces targeted Makobola using kamikaze drones and naval troops deployed from Baraka. Shortly after, at approximately 5:30 a.m., Minembwe came under attack with drones and heavy artillery, spreading terror among the civilian population.
“These repeated and deliberate violations of the ceasefire, along with the continuation of massacres against our compatriots, demonstrate unequivocally that the Kinshasa regime seeks neither peace nor the protection of civilians,” Kanyuka said.
The announcement follows AFC/M23’s recent withdrawal from the strategic city of Uvira, which the alliance had captured earlier in December. The group described the move as a confidence-building measure intended to support ongoing peace talks under the Doha Peace Process.
The withdrawal, which was announced on Monday, December 15, 2025, was carried out at the request of the United States.
Despite this gesture, AFC/M23 maintained that government forces and allied militias, including Wazalendo and Burundian troops, have previously exploited trust-building measures to retake territory and target civilians sympathetic to the alliance.
Kanyuka called on the guarantors of the peace process to implement measures ensuring civilian protection, demilitarisation, and neutral monitoring of the ceasefire in Uvira and surrounding areas.
As a company that believes in the benefits of a modern, connected life, MTN Rwanda recognizes that both young and old deserve to safely enjoy the opportunities offered by the internet.
MTN Rwanda is now offering a Child Online Protection USSD-based solution that empowers parents and guardians to manage and control the type of online content their children can access.
Through a simple dial of *807#, parents and guardians can block websites and content they deem inappropriate, giving them peace of mind while allowing children to explore the digital world safely.
This initiative ensures that children can remain connected without parents and guardians having to worry about the content they are exposed to, reinforcing MTN Rwanda’s commitment to leaving no one behind in the digital age.
“As we enter the festive season, we reflect on how best to serve our customers and ensure the safety of Rwanda’s children as they spend more time online, which emerged as a clear priority. While the internet is a powerful and valuable tool, without guidance it can quickly become harmful.
“Through the use of *807#, we are providing parents and guardians with the peace of mind that their children can explore the benefits of the internet without being exposed to damaging content,” states Sharon Mazimhaka, General Manager, Corporate Services and Company Secretary.
By introducing this simple, free, and mobile-first solution, MTN Rwanda bridges the digital safety gap by enabling even non-smartphone users with a tool that allows them to protect their children online.
This Child Online Protection solution marks an important step towards making every connection safe, by empowering parents and guardians, educating young users, and partnering with key stakeholders to safeguard Rwanda’s digital future.
The decision was taken during the 17th National Congress of FPR–Inkotanyi on Friday, where party members approved amendments to the party’s statutes and endorsed a revised structure of the National Executive Committee. Under the new structure, the committee comprises two Vice Presidents and two Secretaries General.
The Congress also approved new members of the National Executive Committee, with Consolée Uwimana confirmed as First Vice President and Kayisire Marie Solange as Second Vice President.
Christophe Bazivamo was endorsed as Secretary General, while Stephen Gasana was appointed Deputy Secretary General.
Bazivamo replaces Gasamagera Wellars, who previously held the position.
This was revealed by the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr. Telesphore Ndabamenye, during a meeting with members of the The National Consultative Forum of Political Organisations (NFPO).
Dr. Ndabamenye highlighted that Rwanda’s agricultural exports generated a substantial revenue of $893.1 million in 2025, equivalent to Rwf 1,301,159,552,579.
Among the main exports, coffee was the largest contributor, earning the country over $116.18 million. This is a remarkable increase compared to the previous year, 2024, when Rwanda earned $78.7 million from coffee exports.
The coffee export revenue for 2025 is almost on par with the figures from 2023, which stood at $115.9 million.
However, tea exports saw a slight decline. In 2025, tea earned the country $110.9 million, down from $114.9 million in 2024.
Pyrethrum exports also experienced a reduction, earning $7.445 million compared to $8.063 million in 2024.
Regarding vegetables, fruits, and flowers, Rwanda earned over $86.08 million from these exports in 2025, an increase from $75.1 million in the previous year.
Dr. Ndabamenye explained that Rwanda has set an ambitious target to increase foreign currency earnings from exports, aiming to reach $1.5 billion as outlined in the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2).
As part of the Ministry’s five-year plan, Rwanda intends to expand the area under cultivation for export crops such as fruits, vegetables, and flowers, increasing the land from 1,373 hectares to 14,733 hectares. This will also result in a significant boost in production, from 7,222 tons per year to 91,073 tons.
For tea, the plan is to increase the area under cultivation to 40,000 hectares, which will help in raising tea production. As for coffee, in addition to expanding the cultivation area, there are plans to increase productivity to four kilograms per tree, up from two kilograms, while aiming to raise the price to $12 per kilogram, up from the current $6.
Dr. Ndabamenye emphasized that efforts to boost agricultural productivity are being given high priority to double the country’s agricultural output.
“We have carried out a land survey involving various farmers, and now we have nearly 600,000 hectares under agricultural reforms. We are training farmers on best farming practices, helping them access technology, seeds, fertilizers, and other soil-enhancing resources. We are also assisting farmers in finding markets for their produce,” he revealed.
The Minister emphasized that the “food basket site” initiative would be instrumental in doubling agricultural output and even surpassing current production levels.
In the livestock sector, production has also increased. For the 2024/2025 period, milk production reached 1,152,514 liters, meat production totaled 219,523 tons, fish production amounted to 52,439 tons, and egg production reached 29,855 tons.
The ministry reported that between December 5 and 15, 2025, Burundi received 71,989 Congolese refugees and 8,700 returnees from DRC, fleeing escalating violence in the region.
The influx of refugees has placed immense pressure on temporary camps, including those in Ndava, Gatumba, Vugizo, Rumonge, and Makombe, which are already struggling to accommodate the growing number of displaced individuals.
Providing adequate shelter, food, security, and sanitation for these refugees has become a significant challenge.
Many of the refugees have chosen to live with local residents in surrounding villages, with some renting homes. However, the Burundian government has mandated that all refugees leave these villages and relocate to border camps, citing the need for better management and resources.
The government has also pointed out that, aside from the recent arrivals, there are other refugees who arrived earlier in 2025 who require immediate assistance.
In a statement, the ministry said, “The Government of Burundi urgently requests assistance from both domestic and international partners to address this growing humanitarian crisis. We appeal to humanitarian organizations, technical and financial partners, civil society, and faith-based groups to contribute towards a collective solution to this issue.”
As part of efforts to better manage the situation, the government plans to move refugees to camps farther from the border, in line with international refugee protocols.
The AFC/M23 alliance, which has taken control of several areas in South Kivu Province near the Burundian border, was a key factor in the border closures at Gatumba and Vugizo. As a result, Lake Tanganyika is currently the only open passage for movement between the two countries.
The AFC/M23 also helped some Burundian nationals stranded in Uvira return to their home country. The alliance has urged the Burundian government to reopen the border, allowing Congolese refugees in Bujumbura Province to return to their homeland.
In response, the Burundian government stated that it is working on a long-term solution to repatriate those wishing to return, but emphasized that this process will only begin once the necessary conditions for a safe and sustainable return are in place.
As of October 31, 2025, UNHCR reported that Burundi had already hosted 110,746 Congolese refugees. Between December 5 and 16, an additional 82,275 refugees from areas such as Kamanyola, Luvungi, Katogota, and Uvira arrived in Burundi.
According to the investigation, the conflict has produced catastrophic humanitarian consequences, with an estimated 150,000 civilians killed, approximately 12 million people forcibly displaced, and widespread famine affecting large swaths of the country.
The report, which is based on months of research, combines analysis of hundreds of videos, satellite imagery, whistleblower accounts, and interviews with survivors on the ground. It documents patterns of violence that indicate deliberate targeting of non-Arab communities — including mass killings and disposal of bodies in canals and mass graves — following the Port Sudan Authority’s offensive to retake the strategic city of Wad Madani earlier this year.
Eyewitness testimony and visual evidence show civilians being executed, often after being accused of supporting opposing forces. Some victims were found bound and killed — a pattern described by independent observers as possibly rising to the level of ethnic cleansing or genocide.
The investigation also highlights that orders for these operations appear to have originated from high command, although the Sudanese military has not responded to requests for comment.
The findings have drawn attention from members of the UN Independent Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan, with at least one representative characterizing the conduct as “systematic genocide” and crimes against humanity.
Humanitarian agencies warn that the combination of sustained violence, mass displacement, and agricultural disruption has led to acute food insecurity, raising the specter of famine across regions already devastated by conflict.
As international attention focuses on Sudan’s deepening crisis, this report aims to shed light on some of the war’s most severe abuses and urges global actors — including media, policymakers, and human rights advocates — to respond to the documented evidence and address gaps in the prevailing narrative.
Read the full report [here->https://edition.cnn.com/2025/12/16/world/video/sudan-satellite-imagery-investigation-canals-digvid]
