The meetings, organised by Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Ugandan Embassy in Kigali, are scheduled to take place from April 20 to 22, 2026, in Kampala.
The discussions are expected to bring together representatives from more than 15 ministries, with a focus on reviewing and enhancing cooperation across key sectors of mutual interest.
Uganda’s delegation will be led by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, John Mulimba, while the Rwandan delegation will be headed by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Usta Kaitesi.
According to Uganda’s daily NewVision, the meetings will be held at Mestil Hotel in Kampala. In addition to technical discussions, high-level closed-door sessions between ministers from both sides are expected, ahead of the adoption of joint resolutions and the signing of cooperation agreements.
Uganda’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Richard Kabonero, said the talks will cover a wide range of areas, including defence and security cooperation, infrastructure development, immigration and border management, police cooperation, education, and other strategic sectors.
He added that the two sides will also review progress made in implementing previous agreements, particularly those reached during the 11th PJC session held in Kigali in 2023.
The Ugandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs further noted that the session will also explore new opportunities to deepen bilateral relations, boost trade and investment, and develop joint development initiatives aimed at fostering regional integration and mutual growth.
At the most recent session of the Permanent Joint Commission between Uganda and Rwanda, held in Kigali, the two countries concluded cooperation agreements aimed at strengthening bilateral relations.Representatives of Rwanda and Uganda are set to meet once again to discuss and strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
In a wide-ranging discussion with the German newspaper WELT AM SONNTAG, Rutte stated he does not foresee a future where the United States abandons its post-war security commitments. However, he balanced this reassurance with a stern call for a “stronger Europe within a stronger alliance,” suggesting that the burden of Western defense must be more equitably shared.
The remarks serve as a direct response to recent escalations from U.S. President Donald Trump. The President has intensified his “America First” stance, labeling NATO a “paper tiger” and expressing visible frustration over European involvement, or lack thereof, in Middle Eastern tensions, specifically regarding Iran. Trump’s repeated suggestions that he is “considering” a withdrawal have sent ripples of anxiety through Baltic and Eastern European capitals.
Rutte acknowledged that the U.S. commander-in-chief’s disappointment is not without merit.
“The President is visibly frustrated with certain members,” Rutte noted, acknowledging the long-standing U.S. grievance regarding defense spending. Currently, while more nations are hitting the 2% GDP spending target, several key European economies still fall short.
Despite the friction, Rutte emphasized that the structural foundations of the alliance remain indispensable. He reaffirmed that the U.S. nuclear umbrella continues to serve as the “ultimate guarantor” of European security, a deterrent that no individual European nation can currently replicate.
To ensure the alliance remains viable, Rutte argued that Europe must move beyond “rhetorical support” and invest in tangible military capabilities. Analysts suggest that by framing the issue as an opportunity for European growth, Rutte is attempting to bridge the gap between Trump’s isolationist leanings and Europe’s security requirements.
As the next NATO summit approaches, the focus will likely remain on these two pillars: maintaining the U.S. commitment while rapidly accelerating European defense autonomy to satisfy a frustrated Washington.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte dismissed growing concerns over a potential U.S. withdrawal from the alliance in an interview published Saturday.
The discussions were facilitated by Qatar, the United States, Switzerland, the African Union Commission, and Togo in its role as African Union mediator, with participation from the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).
The talks focused on strengthening humanitarian access, establishing mechanisms to monitor a ceasefire, and advancing confidence-building measures, including the release of detainees.
Humanitarian access and civilian protection
The two sides made substantial progress toward a protocol on Humanitarian Access and Judicial Protection, agreeing on the urgent need to ensure life-saving assistance for civilians in eastern DRC.
Both parties committed to comply with international humanitarian law, international human rights law, and international refugee law, as well as constitutional principles of the DRC.
They further agreed to prohibit attacks on or destruction of essential civilian infrastructure, including food supplies, agricultural areas, water systems, energy networks, telecommunications infrastructure, and health and education facilities.
The agreement also emphasises the protection of humanitarian workers and the guarantee of safe, rapid, and unimpeded access for aid delivery. Humanitarian assistance will be provided based on need, without discrimination on political, ethnic, religious, or social grounds.
“The Parties undertake to facilitate the transport of medical and humanitarian relief supplies by impartial humanitarian organisations to support the functioning of healthcare facilities and other medical units in areas affected by armed conflict,” a joint statement released by the parties reads.
Ceasefire monitoring mechanism activated
In a significant step toward implementing the ceasefire under the Doha Framework, the parties, together with ICGLR, signed a memorandum of understanding operationalising the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus (EJVM+).
This mechanism enables the Ceasefire Oversight and Verification Mechanism (COVM) to begin surveillance, monitoring, verification, and reporting on compliance with the permanent ceasefire.
Initial verification missions are expected to be planned within a week, with logistical support from the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO).
Prisoner release within 10 days
As part of confidence-building measures, the parties also agreed to release prisoners within ten days, in line with a previously established detainee release mechanism signed in September 2025.
Under the agreement, the DRC government is expected to release 311 prisoners linked to AFC/M23, while the rebel group will free 166 individuals held from the government side.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) provided the relevant detainee lists to facilitate the process under agreed procedures.
The parties reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining momentum in the peace process and advancing remaining protocols under the Doha Framework. They also agreed to submit proposals for next steps to the mediation team to expedite negotiations.
After repeated setbacks in the implementation of the ceasefire, including accusations by AFC/M23 that Kinshasa forces have continued to carry out drone strikes on civilian populations, questions remain over whether the latest commitments will succeed in breaking the cycle of mistrust and restoring stability on the ground.
As part of confidence-building measures, the parties also agreed to release prisoners within ten days, in line with a previously established detainee release mechanism signed in September 2025.
The U.S. “will actively pursue any Iranian-flagged vessel or any vessel attempting to provide material support to Iran,” Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Thursday.
The move will enable the U.S. to take control of Iran-linked vessels around the world, including ships carrying Iranian oil that are already sailing outside the Persian Gulf and those carrying arms that could support Tehran, the report said.
The operation would be carried out in part by the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, according to Caine.
It marks a new phase of the U.S. pressure campaign against Tehran, dubbed “Economic Fury” by the Trump administration, aiming to maximize economic pressure on the Middle Eastern country as a temporary ceasefire between the two sides is set to expire next week.
U.S. President Donald Trump is optimistic that the naval blockade, combined with measures imposed under “Economic Fury,” “will help facilitate a peace deal,” White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly was quoted as saying.
The U.S. “will actively pursue any Iranian-flagged vessel or any vessel attempting to provide material support to Iran,” Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Thursday.
The establishment of diplomatic relations was finalised during a meeting between Uzbekistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bakhtiyor Saidov, and his Rwandan counterpart, Olivier Nduhungirehe. Speaking on Saturday, Saidov said Rwanda becomes the 167th country to establish diplomatic relations with Uzbekistan.
“Rwanda has become the 167th country with which Uzbekistan has established diplomatic relations. Together with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Rwanda H.E. @onduhungirehe, we signed a Joint Communiqué on the establishment of diplomatic relations,” Saidov wrote on X.
Key officials from Rwanda and Uzbekistan attended the meeting.
As part of the agreement, the two countries also signed a Memorandum of Understanding between their Ministries of Foreign Affairs. The MoU establishes a mechanism for regular political consultations aimed at enhancing dialogue and cooperation between Kigali and Tashkent.
According to Saidov, the signing of the documents represents an important step toward expanding Uzbekistan’s engagement with countries across the African continent.
The establishment of diplomatic relations was finalised during a meeting between Uzbekistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bakhtiyor Saidov, and his Rwandan counterpart, Olivier Nduhungirehe.
The establishment of diplomatic relations is expected to open new avenues for cooperation between Rwanda and Uzbekistan in areas of mutual interest, including political dialogue and broader international engagement.
Uzbekistan is a doubly landlocked country in Central Asia, a distinction it shares only with Liechtenstein. Historically, it lay at the heart of the ancient Silk Road and has since evolved from a former Soviet republic into a rapidly modernising state. It is also uniquely positioned as the only Central Asian country bordering all four of its regional neighbours, as well as Afghanistan.
Tashkent is the capital and largest city of Uzbekistan.
In recent years, Uzbekistan has emerged as one of the fastest-growing economies in the region, underpinned by its Development Strategy 2022–2026. The country recorded real GDP growth of 7.7% in 2025, with projections of 6.8% in 2026, supported by strong investment inflows and favorable global commodity prices, particularly for gold.
Its economy is anchored in key sectors such as natural resources, where it is a major global producer of gold and natural gas, and agriculture, which is gradually diversifying beyond its traditional reliance on cotton into higher-value exports. Uzbekistan is also advancing an ambitious green energy agenda, targeting 25% renewable energy generation by the end of 2026, with solar power playing a central role.
Registan Square, a historical landmark in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Tourism has become a fast-growing sector, with the country aiming to attract 12 million visitors by 2026, bolstered by new cultural and heritage investments, including the Silk Road Museum in Samarkand and expanded cultural infrastructure.
According to the National Statistics Committee, Uzbekistan’s permanent population stood at 38,382,685 as of April 1, 2026.
The deal was concluded during peace talks held in Switzerland from April 13 to 17, 2026, with support from Qatar and the United States.
Under the agreement, the DRC government is expected to release 311 prisoners linked to AFC/M23, while the rebel group will free 166 individuals held from the government side.
The prisoner exchange is seen as a confidence-building measure aimed at supporting ongoing peace efforts.
Both parties indicated that the list of prisoners to be released was provided by the International Committee of the Red Cross, in line with an agreement previously signed on September 14, 2025.
On April 14, 2026, the two sides also agreed to operationalise a revised international mechanism tasked with monitoring the ceasefire, known as EJVM+. This body will include three representatives from each side.
The decision to establish EJVM+ was initially made during earlier peace discussions held in Doha, Qatar, last year. However, its implementation had been delayed due to persistent tensions between the DRC government and AFC/M23.
The mechanism is now expected to begin overseeing the ceasefire within a week. Troops from the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) are also set to support its operations.
The Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the AFC/M23 rebel coalition have reached an agreement to release more than 400 prisoners within the next 10 days.
Baghaei, speaking on state-run IRIB television, said that recent public statements by Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi were made within the framework of the ceasefire between Iran and the United States announced on April 8, not as signals of a new diplomatic opening.
Earlier Friday, Araghchi said the Strait of Hormuz would remain “completely open” to commercial shipping for the duration of the current truce between Iran and the United States.
Baghaei moved to clarify the foreign minister’s position, saying that following a ceasefire in Lebanon on Friday, Tehran chose to apply safe-passage conditions outlined in its agreement with Washington to vessels transiting the strait.
“We have reached no new agreement,” he said. “The ceasefire agreement is the one announced on April 8.”
He accused the United States of failing, from the outset of the truce, to honor a commitment to extend its terms to Lebanon, a provision Iran insists was included in the April 8 agreement. Washington and Jerusalem have rejected that characterization.
Baghaei also warned that Iran would take “countermeasures” if a United States naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz persisted. He said no talks on extending the ceasefire had taken place, and that mediation efforts led by Pakistan remained focused on ending the conflict and protecting Iran’s interests.
Iran tightened its grip on the strait beginning Feb. 28, when it barred safe passage to vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States following joint strikes on Iranian territory.
The United States subsequently imposed its own blockade, preventing ships traveling to and from Iranian ports from transiting the waterway after peace negotiations in Islamabad collapsed over the weekend.
Axios reported Friday, citing people familiar with the talks, that a second round of United States-Iran negotiations is expected to take place in Pakistan this weekend, most likely on Sunday.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei speaks at a weekly press conference in Tehran, Iran, April 6, 2026.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a statement that “the passage for all commercial vessels” through the strait would remain open for the remainder of the truce. The narrow waterway, through which a significant portion of the world’s oil supply passes, has been a focal point of conflict during recent hostilities involving Iran, the United States, and its regional allies.
The announcement triggered an immediate reaction in global markets, with oil prices dropping sharply, falling by more than 10 percent to below $89 per barrel, amid expectations of stabilised supply.
The global impact of disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz has also been felt far beyond the Middle East, including in Rwanda, where fuel prices have surged in recent days. Authorities raised the price of petrol to Rwf 2,938 per litre, up sharply from Rwf 2,303, citing sustained pressure from international oil markets and supply constraints linked to the conflict.
While petrol prices have been increased to align more closely with these global trends, the government has opted to hold diesel prices steady through targeted interventions. Diesel is a key input in Rwanda’s transport and logistics sectors, and keeping its price unchanged is aimed at limiting knock-on effects on public transport fares, goods movement, and overall inflation.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Iran’s move in a post on Truth Social, writing: “Iran has just announced that the Strait of Iran is fully open and ready for full passage. Thank you!” However, in a follow-up statement, he emphasised that the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports would remain in place until a permanent agreement is reached.
“This process should go very quickly,” Trump added, suggesting that most elements of a broader deal had already been negotiated.
Despite the reopening, uncertainty remains over how shipping will operate in practice. Iranian authorities indicated that vessels should follow “coordinated routes” set by the country’s Ports and Maritime Organisation, though it is unclear whether new conditions, such as transit fees, could apply.
The move comes as diplomatic efforts intensify to bring a broader end to the conflict. Talks between U.S. and Iranian officials in Islamabad reportedly identified control and access to the strait as a major sticking point.
Meanwhile, a separate 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon has taken effect, raising cautious hopes for de-escalation across the region. Celebrations were reported in Beirut, though the humanitarian toll of the conflict remains severe.
More than 2,000 people in Lebanon have been killed over six weeks of fighting, and roughly one in five residents has been displaced. Israel has reported the deaths of two civilians and 13 soldiers.
Iran announced on Friday that the Strait of Hormuz is “completely open” to commercial shipping for the duration of a fragile regional ceasefire.
In exercising its veto on April 7 on the draft resolution submitted by Bahrain on behalf of Gulf states, China upheld international fairness and justice, defended the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and prevented the conflict from expanding further. The veto also created favorable conditions for achieving a temporary ceasefire and launching dialogue and negotiations, said Fu Cong, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations.
“China’s vote represents a choice responsible for peace and for the people of the region. It stands on the right side of history and will stand the test of history,” he told a UN General Assembly meeting on the use of veto in the Security Council.
China attached great importance to the draft resolution and fully understood the Gulf states’ major concerns. At the same time, Security Council actions should be aimed at de-escalation. They must not provide a veneer of legitimacy for unauthorized military operations or authorize the use of force, let alone further exacerbate tensions and add fuel to the fire, thereby leading to an escalation of the conflict, said Fu.
“China does not go along with Iran’s attacks on Gulf states. China believes that the passage and safety of a strait used for international navigation should be safeguarded. We call on Iran to take proactive measures to restore normal navigation in the Strait of Hormuz at an early date,” said Fu.
“Meanwhile, the ramped-up military deployment and targeted blockade by the United States constitute a dangerous and irresponsible move. The issue of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is a spillover effect of the conflict in Iran. Only a complete ceasefire can fundamentally create conditions for easing the situation,” he said.
China welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire agreement by the relevant parties and supports all efforts conducive to ending the conflict. The U.S.-Iran negotiations in Pakistan mark a step in the right direction toward de-escalation, Fu said.
“The relevant parties should adhere to the ceasefire agreement, stick to the direction of dialogue and peace talks, stay committed to resolving disputes through political and diplomatic means, and take concrete actions to de-escalate regional tensions,” he said.
The international community, he said, should continue to intensify efforts to promote peace talks and unequivocally oppose any actions that undermine the ceasefire or escalate confrontation.
All parties should also earnestly respect Lebanon’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, and prevent the escalation of the situation in Lebanon from undermining the ceasefire arrangement, Fu said.
As a sincere friend and strategic partner of countries in the Middle East, China is closely following the regional situation, maintaining an objective and impartial position, and has been engaged in intensive mediation with all parties to actively promote peace talks, he said.
China stands ready to continue facilitating de-escalation, promoting the improvement of relations between regional countries, and playing a constructive role in ultimately achieving enduring peace and stability in the Middle East, he said.
China has called on Iran to take proactive measures to restore normal navigation in the Strait of Hormuz at an early date.
The ceremony took place at Kintele Stadium in the northern suburbs of Brazzaville, the capital city, in the presence of several African heads of state.
In his inaugural address, Sassou Nguesso pledged to implement his development programme, titled “Accelerating the March Toward Development,” with a focus on economic diversification and modernization, agricultural mechanization, infrastructure development, education, youth training, and improvements to the health system.
He said peace, stability and infrastructure development would be the priorities of his new mandate.
The president also called on Congolese citizens to promote Pan-Africanism and strengthen regional integration, while reaffirming his support for initiatives aimed at advancing Africa’s economic development.
President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso takes the oath of office during his inauguration ceremony at Kintele Stadium in the northern suburbs of Brazzaville, the Republic of the Congo, April 16, 2026.
