“Following its annual review of restrictive measures in relation to Zimbabwe, the EU has lifted all provisions concerning individuals and entities while extending the arms embargo,” the delegation said in a statement.
According to the European Council, the embargo will remain in force until Feb. 20, 2027.
The bloc imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe in 2002, citing “serious concern” about the situation in the country.
Scheduled for February 21, 2026, in Paris, the event will bring together nearly 500 Rwandans, particularly young people born abroad or those who left Rwanda at a very young age in 1994 during the Genocide against the Tutsi, along with representatives of diaspora associations and community leaders from several European countries.
Designed as a space for exchange, sharing, and information, this dialogue will provide an opportunity to better understand Rwanda’s journey in building national unity, addressing the challenges encountered over the years, and presenting the opportunities available to the diaspora to remain connected to their country of origin.
At the heart of this initiative is the desire to create a welcoming environment where everyone can share their life experiences, their attachment to Rwanda, and the ways in which they keep Rwandan culture alive in Europe. Discussions will focus in particular on identity transmission, the importance of family narratives, the role of youth in preserving cultural reference points, and the contribution of associations to community cohesion.
The day’s program will revolve around keynote speeches, expert panels, the sharing of lived testimonies, and plenary discussions.
Beyond the formal exchanges, this gathering is above all intended as a moment of reunion and sociocultural dialogue, where the Rwandan diaspora can strengthen its ties, value its shared identity, and pass on to younger generations the values of solidarity, respect, and resilience that define the community.
karirima@igihe.com
The delegation included Prof. Subra Suresh, Founder and President of the Global Learning Council; Michelle Gyles-McDonnough, Executive Director of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR); Dr. Lee Howell, Executive Director of the Villars Institute; and Dr. Gururaj Deshpande, Co-founder of the Deshpande Foundation.
The conference’s objectives focus on the intersection of education, health, environment, and sustainability. The conference is designed as a practical forum to co-design new learning models, with sessions exploring how artificial intelligence and exponential technologies can be harnessed responsibly to expand access to quality education.
It will also highlight the integration of human health and planetary sustainability into lifelong learning, the alignment of education with the green economy and entrepreneurship, and innovative approaches for governments, NGOs, and the private sector to fund education at scale. Alongside the main conference sessions, an AI hackathon and a student robotics competition will engage young innovators in shaping the future of learning.
Each guest brings a wealth of experience and forward-thinking ideas to the conversation. Prof. Subra Suresh is known for pioneering initiatives in global learning and science policy through the Global Learning Council, while Michelle Gyles-McDonnough drives innovative approaches to UN training, capacity building, and sustainable development education at UNITAR.
On the other hand, Dr. Lee Howell focuses on environmental sustainability and systemic change as Executive Director of the Villars Institute, and Dr. Gururaj Deshpande has championed entrepreneurship and innovative educational initiatives through the Deshpande Foundation.
Speaking at the country’s First National Conference on Digital Transformation in Maputo last week, President Daniel Francisco Chapo framed digitalisation as a governance reform rather than a purely technological upgrade.
“Countries are not transformed only with physical infrastructure. They are also transformed through digital infrastructure that connects citizens to the State and to opportunity,” he said.
At the heart of the initiative is the creation of a Multi-Sector Technical Commission on Digital Services, tasked with delivering a national roadmap for integrating public digital systems by mid-2026. The Commission will map existing platforms, promote interoperability, eliminate duplication, and define a strategy for a fully connected government.
President Chapo acknowledged that fragmentation across government institutions—such as separate databases and non-communicating systems—creates inefficiencies and administrative burdens.
“There must be no technological islands within the State,” he said.
The reform aims to enable citizens and businesses to access services such as identity documentation, licensing, tax payments, and business registration remotely through interoperable platforms and a central Citizen Portal.
Officials say digital integration could reduce bureaucratic delays, improve transparency, and strengthen Mozambique’s investment climate, a key priority as the country seeks to expand private-sector participation and align with regional digital trade frameworks under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Mozambique has already established a dedicated Ministry of Communications and Digital Transformation, consolidating institutional leadership of the digital agenda. The initiative comes amid recent floods affecting several provinces, with President Chapo noting that digital platforms are vital for disaster preparedness, early warning systems, and secure preservation of administrative records.
“Yesterday, independence was measured by control of territory. Today, it is also measured by the ability to govern the digital space,” President Chapo said, framing digital transformation as a pillar of national sovereignty.
The conference also saw the unveiling of a new electronic visa (e-Visa) platform, which allows remote applications and faster processing to streamline entry, boost tourism, and improve the ease of doing business.
Mozambique’s “one-click” ambition reflects a broader effort to learn from successful ICT integration models in Africa, including Rwanda’s Irembo platform and Kenya’s M-Pesa system, which Mozambique has recently adopted to expand access to mobile money.
Last August, President Chapo visited Rwanda, including the Kigali Special Economic Zone, where he explored the country’s industrial, manufacturing, and business infrastructure and held discussions with President Paul Kagame on economic and technological cooperation.
“We want to move at the same pace as those ahead, learning from those who have done it already, understanding the challenges they faced and how they overcame them to bring about the same level of services that can be found in those countries,” said Mozambique’s Américo Muchanga, Minister of Communications and Digital Transformation, adding that tech companies from the region can compete for tenders to help transform the country.
While the digital reform signals strong political commitment, implementation will depend on institutional coordination, infrastructure expansion, digital literacy, and sustained financing. Mozambique’s internet penetration, rural connectivity gaps, and cybersecurity capacity remain structural factors that will influence the pace of transformation.
Founded in 2019, this philosophy is built on one simple truth: time is life, and how we spend it determines who we become. Through what I named the “3000 minutes Journey of Potential Liberation,” people dedicate just 40 uninterrupted minutes each day to intentional activities that improve their lives. Over 75 consecutive days, this daily practice adds up to 3,000 minutes or 50 hours of focused self-investment that has the power to transform habits, mindset, and identity.
The program draws from research on habit formation, which shows that adopting or dropping habits takes an average of 66 days, though the range can vary widely. By extending the commitment to 75 days, the Ganzian Philosophy ensures participants overcome internal resistance, stabilize new behaviors, and solidify intentional living.
The Ganzian philosophy of intentional living emphasizes two core principles: time management and consistency. Life cannot be managed without managing time, and transformation comes not from bursts of motivation, but from small, intentional actions practiced consistently. People choose daily activities aligned with their passions, values, or personal growth goals, and commit to them fully and uninterrupted.
The journey is structured into five phases: Foundation, Discipline, Resistance Breaking, Identity Shift, and Integration. Each phase builds on the last, guiding participants from initial commitment to lasting change. Daily reflection, journaling, and affirmations strengthen self-awareness and accountability, ensuring that intentional living becomes part of everyday life.
This practice is more than a commitment but a lifestyle. Participants learn to honor their time, focus on meaningful activities, and break free from procrastination. By dedicating just 40 minutes a day to themselves, they reclaim control over their lives and unlock their potential. Over the course of a year, these daily practices can add up to more than 240 hours, or 10 full days, devoted to personal growth and fulfillment.
As an intentional living coach, I am on a mission of helping people overcome procrastination, strengthen self-discipline, and achieve their fullest potential through daily intentional practices. The Ganzian Philosophy of Intentional Living is a reminder that transformation isn’t about having more time but choosing how you spend it. It is an invitation to live with intentions. For those ready to stop merely surviving and start living intentionally, the 40 minutes daily practice offers a roadmap to liberation, growth, and fulfillment.
The race, which will be staged for the 18th time since attaining international status, is scheduled to run from Sunday, February 22 to March 1, 2026. It will traverse various regions of the country and feature 18 teams.
Four Rwandan teams will take part: Team Rwanda (the national team), May Stars, Benediction Banafrica Team and Team Amani. The remaining 14 teams will come from abroad.
Rembe–Rad-Net Pro Cycling Team touched down in Kigali on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, becoming the first international squad to arrive. On Thursday, February 19, four additional teams are expected: Picnic PostNL of the Netherlands, Lotto Intermarché of Belgium, Soudal Quick-Step of Belgium and Movistar of Spain.
The official team presentation will take place on Saturday, February 21, at 6:00 p.m. at the Kigali Convention Centre. All 18 teams and the 90 riders set to compete will be unveiled during a ceremony open to the public.
UAE Team Emirates Gen-Z, which had initially been listed among the participants, will no longer compete but has since been replaced.
Recognized as a major crossroads for global agriculture, the event brings together professionals, institutions, investors, and visitors from around the world, creating a unique space for dialogue, exchange, and strategic partnerships.
This year again, Rwanda will take part in this major international gathering to showcase its agricultural potential, its expertise, and its ambitions in agro-processing and investment.
Rwanda’s participants will be led by theNational Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB), in collaboration with the Embassy of Rwanda in France, alongside fifteen companies and entrepreneurs traveling from Rwanda.
Through this participation, Rwanda will highlight the modernization of its agricultural sector, the quality and diversity of its export products such as coffee, tea, and horticultural products, as well as the growing investment opportunities within its agri-food industry.
The country will also emphasize its commitment to sustainable and resilient agriculture, in line with global challenges related to climate change and food security.
The show continues to serve as a strategic platform for participating countries, offering opportunities to develop commercial partnerships, attract investors, and promote a strong and dynamic national image.
By taking part in this international event from February 21 to March 1, 2026, Rwanda once again affirms its place among the nations contributing to the future of agriculture and strengthening cooperation within the global agricultural community.
Photos from Rwanda’s participation in the previous edition
karirima@igihe.com
The Grammy-winning rapper addressed the breakup while responding to a social media post from her rival, rapper BIA, during her Little Miss Drama Tour performance in Los Angeles on Sunday. BIA had written amid rumours of the split: “Can u name someone with more bms than receiving yards? I can! and I know that. ykwnvm.”
Cardi B responded firmly to both the rumours and BIA’s jab, telling the crowd, “Let me tell you somethin’, just because I ain’t f–kin’ with my baby daddy doesn’t mean you get to talk about my baby daddy. B*tch this is for you.” She then performed the BIA diss track Pretty & Petty, according to TMZ.
Reports indicate that Cardi B and Diggs ended their relationship after allegations of infidelity on the footballer’s part. Their split comes just three months after the couple welcomed a child together, all while Cardi B navigates a divorce case with her ex-husband, Offset.
The rumours of a breakup intensified following Super Bowl 2026, in which the Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots 29-13. Both Cardi B and Diggs appeared to unfollow each other on social media after the game. During that season, Diggs, 32, recorded three receptions for 37 yards in his first year with the Patriots after signing a three-year deal in free agency.
Diggs also recently faced legal troubles, appearing in court for an arraignment after being accused of attacking his personal chef. He pleaded not guilty and is set for a pretrial hearing on April 1.
The couple had made their relationship Instagram official in the summer of 2025. Cardi B, 33, continues to tour on her Little Miss Drama Tour, which runs through mid-April, performing across major cities in the U.S.
The operation was launched on the reported presence of militants in the area, during which an exchange of fire took place, resulting in the killing of eight terrorists, the CTD said in a statement.
During the confrontation, three CTD personnel were injured and shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment, the statement said.
Authorities said a large cache of weapons and ammunition was recovered from the scene.
Security forces cordoned off the area and carried out a search operation to ensure the situation was under control, the statement added.
Initial reports suggested that the slain militants were affiliated with a banned organization. However, investigations are ongoing to ascertain their identities and possible network, the CTD said.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) cited government figures showing that at least 52 people were killed, over 800 others injured, and nine remain missing after Tropical Cyclone Gezani made landfall on Feb. 10 on Madagascar’s eastern coast.
Earlier, Tropical Cyclone Fytia made landfall on Jan. 31.
Preliminary reports indicate that over 470,000 people have been affected by Cyclone Gezani and more than 35,000 have been displaced, including 3,200 people sheltering in 19 temporary sites, OCHA said.
“The UN and its partners are providing lifesaving food, water and sanitation, health care, protection, nutrition and shelter, among other essential services,” OCHA said, adding that humanitarian partners estimate that 49 million U.S. dollars is urgently required to support 382,000 people over the next two and a half months.
The office said the target amount is part of the Malagasy government’s Feb. 14 appeal for 142 million dollars to address urgent humanitarian, recovery and reconstruction needs.
“In a positive forecast, Cyclone Gezani is expected to gradually weaken over the coming days,” the office added.
The UN Children’s Fund said at least 6,000 of the displaced by Gezani are children and nearly 29,000 are unable to attend school.
The fund said it is working with the government to restore services as quickly as possible to reduce further risks for children in the weeks ahead.