She emphasized that these assaults are, in fact, conducted by the Congolese Army (FARDC) in coordination with Burundian troops and the Wazalendo forces.
Makolo’s remarks came in response to statements by DRC Government Spokesperson Patrick Muyaya, who had insisted that attacks on the Banyamulenge in Minembwe are perpetrated by M23.
Addressing Muyaya’s claims, Makolo highlighted the deliberate misrepresentation of facts, referencing what has become known as the classic poisonous tactic.
“‘Accusation in a mirror’ – where perpetrators falsely attribute their own crimes to their intended victims. Often used to incite violence or genocide, reversing reality to portray attackers as defenders against a threatening out-group and preemptively shift blame,” she stated.
The DRC has long propagated false narratives in its conflict with M23. Even during moments of ceasefire agreement; FARDC, Burundian forces, FDLR, and allied groups have continued attacks in areas controlled by M23.
Peace talks in Doha included agreements on prisoner exchanges and temporary ceasefires, yet FARDC reportedly violated them by continuing targeting civilians.
Rwanda maintains that sustainable peace in the region will only be possible when the DRC takes decisive action against the FDLR, the terrorist group responsible for spreading genocidal ideology throughout the region.
The Spokesperson of the Government of Rwanda, Yolande Makolo has dismissed DRC’s false claims on attacks against the Banyamulenge community.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that more than 1.1 million Lebanese have been displaced as displacement orders continue to affect new areas.
OCHA said nearly 15 percent of Lebanon’s territory has been affected by displacement orders over the past month. While many families have fled to collective shelters, relatives’ homes or informal settlements, others have remained behind in affected areas and are in urgent need of assistance.
Half of the healthcare facilities supported by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) in affected conflict areas have been forced to close due to violence. Many healthcare workers themselves have been displaced. Hospitals and primary healthcare centers that remain operational are overwhelmed and understaffed.
Humanitarian partners are working to sustain essential services where possible. UNFPA has deployed nine mobile health units across Lebanon, providing maternal health services and emergency obstetric care in collective shelters. The units also offer psychosocial support, care for survivors of sexual violence and the distribution of dignity kits and essential supplies for pregnant women and new mothers.
However, OCHA said the humanitarian response is facing growing logistical constraints. Disruptions to major global transport routes are delaying the delivery of critical supplies. While aid agencies are attempting to reroute shipments and secure alternative supply lines, significant gaps remain as needs continue to rise sharply.
The office renewed its call on the international community for an immediate de-escalation of hostilities, the protection of civilians, healthcare facilities and humanitarian workers, full and unimpeded humanitarian access, particularly to southern Lebanon, and urgent funding to meet rapidly expanding needs.
UN peacekeepers along the Blue Line, known as UNIFIL, describe the situation as bleak and concerning.
UNIFIL said the Israel Defense Forces have expanded their incursion westward, with tanks and clashes reported in Sector West, roughly 12 km north of the Blue Line.
In Gaza, OCHA said humanitarian needs continue to far exceed what aid organizations can provide. Only one crossing is currently open for cargo to enter the Gaza Strip.
On food security, UN agencies and partners reported that distributions for March were completed, reaching every other family with rations covering half of minimum caloric requirements.
UN aid partners are also serving nearly 1.5 million meals daily and producing about 130,000 two-kilogram bread bundles daily. Still, OCHA said it is insufficient. Limited entry of commercial goods, particularly cooking gas, continues to constrain food preparation, forcing nearly half of households to rely on unsafe cooking methods such as burning trash.
On health, OCHA said that UN-supported emergency medical teams provided about 23,000 consultations across Gaza during the final week of March. However, persistent delays in clearing specialized medical and surgical equipment are limiting the ability to deliver complex care.
On shelter, the office said most of Gaza’s population is still displaced, and assistance is largely confined to short-term solutions. More durable shelter support depends on the entry of materials that are difficult to approve, including equipment needed to clear debris and unexploded ordnance or repair damaged homes.
During the last week of March, humanitarian partners assisted nearly 14,000 families with tarpaulins and household items, prioritizing those affected by flooding from recent rainstorms.
In education, last week’s rains damaged at least 15 temporary learning spaces, disrupting schooling for around 20,000 students. UNICEF and its partners continued setting up specialized learning tents and distributing stationery and recreational materials for children.
In the West Bank, OCHA data showed that violence has surged since the regional escalation began on Feb. 28. Two-thirds of Palestinian fatalities recorded in the first quarter of this year occurred after that date. Four Palestinians women were killed by falling munitions during an Iranian missile attack.
The office also reported more than 200 settler attacks in March that caused casualties or property damage, affecting over 100 Palestinian communities.
OCHA said that Palestinians must be protected, perpetrators of unlawful attacks must be held accountable, and policies driving displacement, insecurity and humanitarian needs must be reversed.
This photo taken on April 1, 2026 shows the building and vehicle damaged in Israeli strikes in the Jnah area of Beirut, Lebanon. (Photo by Bilal Jawich/Xinhua)
The meeting was chaired by President Paul Kagame at Village Urugwiro. Institutions, communities and individuals have been encouraged to take part in the 32nd commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The cabinet also approved different draft laws, discussed the economic implications of the ongoing situation in the Middle East, particularly its impact on global energy and commodity markets, and several appointments in key government institutions.
Cabinet resolutions
On Thursday, 2 April 2026, His Excellency Kagame Paul, the President of the Republic of Rwanda, chaired a Cabinet Meeting at Urugwiro Village.
1. Cabinet was briefed on preparations for the 32nd Commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi (Kwibuka 32).
The national commemoration week will be observed from 7 – 13 April 2026 in Rwanda and abroad. Institutions, communities, and individuals are encouraged to actively participate in remembrance activities.
As Rwanda commemorates Kwibuka32, Cabinet called upon all citizens to reject genocide ideology in all its forms.
In light of its continued resurgence in the region and beyond, it is essential that all Rwandans come together to safeguard national unity, reconciliation, and the country’s peace and stability.
2. Cabinet discussed the economic implications of the ongoing situation in the Middle East, particularly its impact on global energy and commodity markets.
Cabinet emphasised the need to continuously sustain Rwanda’s macroeconomic stability, mitigate inflationary pressures, and ensure that citizens are consistently informed and engaged throughout this process.
3. Cabinet was briefed on the recently published education statistics and the key measures driving continuous improvement across the education sector.
4. Cabinet approved the following draft laws:
Draft law approving ratification of the Loan Agreement between the Republic of Rwanda and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank for Rwanda’s energy sector result-based financing.
Draft law approving ratification of the Financing Agreement between the Republic of Rwanda and the International Development Association, relating to the credit for the Rwanda inclusive and resilient job creation development policy financing.
Cabinet approved the following policies/strategies/programmes:
National Lottery Operating Agreement between the Government of Rwanda and Moja Rwanda Limited.
Power Purchase Agreement between the Government of Rwanda and G2P Energy Limited related to their investment in generating electricity from methane gas.
Partnership Agreement between the Government of Rwanda and Teleperformance Rwanda Limited related to their investment in telecommunication.
Cabinet granted agrément to the proposed Ambassador and Honorary Consuls as follows:
Mr. El Houssein Nagi, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania to the Republic of Rwanda, with residence in Addis Ababa
Mr. Irene Ndikumwenayo, Honorary Consul of Grenada to the Republic of Rwanda.
Mr. Hugh Delaney, Honorary Consul of Ireland to the Republic of Rwanda.
Cabinet approved the following appointments:
Rwanda Cooperation Initiative (RCI)
Mr. Niwenshuti Richard, Chief Executive Officer
Ms. Tubane Chance, Chief Operating Officer
Rwanda Development Board (RDB)
Mr. Nsengiyumva Joseph Cedrick, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer
Mr. Kayibanda Richard, Chief Licensing Officer
The Office of the Ombudsman
Ms. Mbabazi Judith, Deputy Ombudsman in charge of Preventing and Fighting Injustice.
Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS)
CP Badege Theos, Deputy Commissioner General
National Electoral Commission (NEC)
Mr. Nkiko Albert, Commissioner
National Prosecution Authority (NPPA)
Mr. Habimana Donath, National Prosecutor
AOB
The Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Development Board informed the Cabinet of the 12th edition of the Africa CEO Forum , scheduled in Kigali from May 14 to May 15, 2026.
The Minister of Infrastructure informed the Cabinet of the Nuclear Innovation Summit for Africa scheduled in Kigali from May 18 to May 21, 2026.
President Paul Kagame chaired a Cabinet Meeting at Urugwiro Village on Thursday, 2 April 2026.
Trump demanded that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) navies help reopen the strategic waterway last month after it was effectively closed amid the escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
Several European capitals reportedly rebuffed the request, saying such a move would be impossible while the conflict was ongoing, with some officials arguing that the confrontation was “not our war.”
The FT said Trump then threatened to suspend supplies to PURL, NATO’s weapon procurement initiative for Ukraine, funded by European countries.
It also reported that at the urging of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, a group of countries, including key alliance members France, Germany and Britain, issued a statement on March 19 which said, “We express our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait (of Hormuz).”
The newspaper said that one official briefed on the discussions indicated Rutte had pushed for the joint statement after Trump threatened to pull out of PURL and scale back broader support for Ukraine.
French Minister Delegate for the Armed Forces Alice Rufo said Wednesday that NATO is a military alliance focused on the security of territories in the Euro-Atlantic area and is not intended to conduct operations in the Strait of Hormuz.
Her remarks came after Trump’s statement that he is strongly considering pulling the United States out of NATO after the alliance failed to join the attacks on Iran. He also described the alliance as “a paper tiger,” British newspaper The Telegraph reported on Wednesday.
In response to Trump’s threat to withdraw from NATO, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday said Britain would act in its national interest and would not change its position on the Iran war.
Trump insisted that the negotiations between the United States and Iran “are ongoing” despite Iran’s denial.
“I can say tonight that we are on track to complete all of America’s military objectives very shortly. We are going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks. We’re going to bring them back to the Stone Ages where they belong,” Trump said in a primetime address to the nation.
The president insisted that the negotiations between the United States and Iran “are ongoing” despite Iran’s denial, saying Iran’s “regime change has occurred because of all of their original leaders’ deaths” and “the new group is less radical and much more reasonable.”
“If there is no deal, we are going to hit each and every one of their electric generating plants very hard and probably simultaneously,” Trump said. He also signaled the U.S. military could target Iran’s oil infrastructure.
Trump again urged U.S. allies to “build up some delayed courage” and take the lead in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, suggesting Washington may end the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran without reopening the crucial global energy waterway, whose prolonged closure has fueled a global energy shock and sent oil and gas prices sharply higher.
“Go to the strait and just take it, protect it, use it for yourselves,” Trump urged U.S. allies, claiming again that the strait would “just open up naturally” with the end of the war.
Grappling with market volatility and public concerns over a drawn-out war, Trump argued the ongoing conflict, now in its fifth week, is far shorter than wars such as World War II, Vietnam or Iraq, and should be viewed as a necessary “investment” in the future rather than another prolonged conflict abroad.
Trump used the primetime address to justify the Iran war, tout U.S. military gains, and assure the U.S. public the war is nearing its end, local analysts say.
Markets reacted negatively to Trump’s address on his Iran war strategy, with S&P 500 futures falling 0.75 percent, Nasdaq futures down 1 percent, and Dow futures dropping more than 310 points.
Meanwhile, oil prices surged, with U.S. crude rising from about 98 U.S. dollars to nearly 104 dollars a barrel, while Brent crude climbed from around 99 dollars to 106 dollars.
Up to 67 percent of Americans believe that Trump does not have a clear plan for handling the situation in Iran, according to the latest CNN poll.
Trump insisted that the negotiations between the United States and Iran “are ongoing” despite Iran’s denial,
He made the remarks following an announcement by the Congolese armed forces (FARDC) on March 29, 2026 that it had sent its deputy chief of staff, Lt Gen Nduru Jacques Ychaligonza to Kisangani to initiate operations to disarm FDLR fighters.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has often claimed that the FDLR, terrorist group which Rwanda accuses of collaboration in destabilizing the region, is being used as a pretext.
Rwanda has shown that its fighters are already integrated into FARDC forces, both in combat operations in eastern Congo and in Kinshasa, and have long been involved in teaching genocidal ideology.
Lt Gen Nduru told the media on March 29, 2026 that he had been sent to eastern DRC, in the Kisangani area, to prepare operations against the FDLR. He stated: “They must surrender their weapons voluntarily or by force.”
Minister Nduhungirehe, commenting on a report by RFI about FARDC’s push for FDLR disarmament, emphasized that agreements cannot be implemented through words alone.
“The implementation of the Washington Peace and Prosperity Agreements requires concrete actions on the ground, not empty words, unfulfilled promises, endless awareness campaigns, or a government cacophony over the existence or threat posed by the FDLR genocidaires,” he said.
The Concept of Operations (CONOPS) under the peace agreement signed by Rwanda and DRC in Washington, with support from the United States, indicates that the removal of Rwanda’s security measures will be preceded by actions by the DRC to dismantle the FDLR terrorist group.
Col (Rtd) Augustin Nshimiyimana, also known as Col Bora, a former FDLR combatant, recently told IGIHE that FARDC’s statements about dismantling the FDLR would be hardly achieved, given the ongoing collaboration.
“If they truly intended to act, they should start in Kinshasa, because the FDLR is there, and there are FDLR members within FARDC even today. These statements are deceptive—they plan the operation secretly, but instead of announcing it, they should act immediately because the FDLR is already within FARDC ranks. Where would they even pursue them when they are already integrated?” he wondered.
Previously, the number of FDLR combatants was estimated between 7,000 and 10,000 fighters.
Rwanda continues to emphasize its commitment to the Washington Peace Agreement signed on December 4, 2025 and supports the Doha process.
Minister Nduhungirehe has called for concrete actions to dismantle the FDLR.
The incident occurred on the night of March 31 at a military facility known as “Base,” located in the Musaga area of Bujumbura.
Burundi’s military and the Ministry of Internal Security stated that the fire was caused by an electrical fault.
In a message posted on social media platform X, President Ndayishimiye expressed his sympathy to affected citizens and reassured the public.
“I extend my condolences to those affected by the fire that broke out in one of the depots at a military base in Musaga zone. We reassure all Burundians that national institutions are doing everything possible to respond and maintain security. May God protect Burundi,” he said.
The fire triggered a series of powerful explosions from the stored weapons, with blasts heard across several parts of Bujumbura.
According to reports by BBC, explosions were still being heard as late as 10:30 p.m.
The incident caused panic among residents, with some seen fleeing their homes. People living near the military base reported damage to their houses, forcing some to relocate to safer areas within the city.
Fragments from the explosions landed in residential neighborhoods including Kinanira 3 and 4, while others reached Ngagara Zone, particularly Quartier 9, located more than five kilometers from the site of the incident.
As of now, the full extent of the damage remains unclear, though reports indicate that several injuries and dozens of casualties have already occurred near the base and in other areas affected by the explosions.
President Ndayishimiye expressed his sympathy to affected citizens and rcalled for divine protection. Photo taken on March 31, 2026 shows smoke rising after explosions followed a fire at a military camp in Bujumbura Province, Burundi. Several blasts were heard in Bujumbura, Burundi’s economic capital, on Tuesday.
“We leave because there’s no reason for us to do this,” Trump told reporters at the White House.
“All I have to do is leave Iran, and we’ll be doing that very soon, and they’ll become tumbling down,” Trump said when asked about his plan for lowering gas prices.
The U.S. president, facing mounting pressure from energy market volatility and investor concerns over a prolonged conflict, has issued a number of conflicting remarks on the timeline of the war since the U.S. and Israel launched massive attacks on Iran on Feb. 28.
Trump said the U.S. and Iran are negotiating, and it’s possible that the war will come to an end sooner if the two countries reach a deal.
“It’s possible that we’ll have a deal because they want to make a deal. They want to make a deal more than I want to make a deal. But in a fairly short period of time, we’ll be finished,” Trump said.
“Now we have a group of people that’s very — that are very different. They’re much more reasonable,” Trump added.
Trump reiterated that it will be up to other countries to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and secure the crucial global energy waterway.
“If France or some other country wants to get oil or gas, you go up through the strait and — the Hormuz Strait — they’ll go right up there and they’ll be able to fend for themselves,” Trump said.
Trump said the U.S. and Iran are negotiating, and it’s possible that the war will come to an end sooner if the two countries reach a deal.
Flydubai said Iranian nationals holding a UAE “Golden Visa” are exempt from the restriction.
The restriction comes amid growing strains between Iran and Gulf nations.
On Wednesday morning, loud explosions from intercepted missiles were heard across Dubai. Authorities in the emirate of Fujairah reported that one person was killed after debris from an intercepted drone fell on a farm in the Al-Rifa’a area.
The total value of the losses may exceed the cumulative regional GDP growth achieved in 2025, said the report from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Coupled with an estimated rise in unemployment of up to 4 percentage points or 3.6 million jobs lost, more than the total jobs created in the region in 2025, these reversals will push up to 4 million people into poverty, according to the report titled “Military Escalation in the Middle East: Economic and Social Implications for the Arab States Region.”
The assessment exposes the concerning reality of structural vulnerabilities characteristic to the region, which enable a short-lived military escalation to generate profound and widespread socioeconomic impacts that may persist over a long term, it said.
The findings highlight that impacts are not uniform, varying significantly across the region due to the structural characteristics of its main subregions.
Across the region, human development as measured by the Human Development Index is expected to decline by approximately 0.2 to 0.4 percent, corresponding to a setback of roughly half a year to nearly one year of human development progress, according to the report.
“This crisis rings alarm bells for countries of the region to fundamentally reevaluate their strategic choices of fiscal, sectoral, and social policies, representing an important turning point in the development trajectory of the region,” Abdallah Al Dardari, UN assistant secretary-general and director of the Regional Bureau for Arab States in UNDP, said in a press release.
“Our findings underline the pressing need to strengthen regional collaboration to diversify economies — beyond reliance on growth driven by hydrocarbons, and to expand production bases, secure trade and logistics systems, and broaden economic partnerships, to reduce exposure to shocks and conflicts,” he said.
The assessment employs Computable General Equilibrium modeling to capture the magnitude of disruptions caused by a four-week conflict, and models its effects through key transmission channels, including increased trade costs, temporary productivity losses and localized capital destruction.
It conducted five simulation scenarios, representing escalating levels of conflict scenarios, ranging from a “moderate disruption,” where trade costs increase by tenfold, to an “extreme disruption and energy shock,” where trade costs increase a hundred-fold, intensified by a stop of hydrocarbon production.
This photo shows a damaged building after joint U.S.-Israeli strikes in Tehran, Iran on March 29, 2026.
