The research, led by Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore in collaboration with Singapore General Hospital and Cardiff University, identified a gene called DEAF1 that becomes increasingly active as muscles age, disrupting the processes needed to maintain healthy muscle tissue.
Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), the study found that exercise can help restore the balance between producing proteins and removing damaged ones inside muscle cells.
Muscles gradually lose strength and function with age, making everyday activities more difficult and increasing the risk of falls and fractures.
Researchers say maintaining muscle health is essential for preserving mobility and independence in older adults.
At the cellular level, muscles must continuously produce new proteins while clearing away damaged ones.
This process is partly controlled by a signalling pathway called mTORC1, which regulates protein production and cell growth.
The researchers found that DEAF1 levels can rise with age, causing excessive activity in this pathway.
As a result, muscle cells produce proteins without efficiently removing damaged ones, gradually affecting their ability to function and repair themselves.
Normally, proteins known as FOXOs help regulate DEAF1. However, FOXO activity tends to decline with age, allowing DEAF1 levels to increase and further disrupting muscle maintenance.
Exercise appeared to interrupt this process by activating regulatory proteins that reduce DEAF1 levels.
This helped restore mTORC1 activity to a healthier balance, allowing muscle cells to clear damaged proteins and maintain healthy tissue.
To investigate the mechanism, researchers conducted experiments in fruit flies and older mice.
Increasing DEAF1 levels caused muscles to weaken more rapidly, while reducing the gene’s activity improved protein maintenance and restored muscle strength.
However, the researchers found that exercise might not fully restore normal muscle repair when DEAF1 levels become extremely high or FOXO activity falls too low.
The findings may also help explain why older adults respond differently to exercise.
Researchers suggested that targeting DEAF1 could eventually lead to treatments that help preserve muscle strength, particularly among people who struggle to exercise because of illness, surgery or other health conditions.
Nevertheless, the research was conducted in animals, and further studies are needed to establish whether targeting the same mechanism can safely improve muscle health in humans.
For now, the study provides new insight into how exercise supports muscle maintenance and could guide future efforts to prevent age-related muscle loss.
Researchers identified a gene called DEAF1 that may help explain how exercise supports muscle repair and strength during ageing.
“Turns out the future does have flying cars,” Elon Musk on X following the demonstration.
The vehicle was demonstrated on October 15, 2026, at SpaceX’s rocket testing facility in McGregor, Texas. During the presentation, which showcased joint engineering efforts between Tesla and SpaceX, the prototype drove up an inverted ramp, executed controlled mid-air attitude manoeuvres, and touched down under thruster control.
Musk explained that the vehicle features perimeter attitude-control thrusters and main thrusters mounted at the rear. “The car has obviously attitude control thrusters and main thrusters in the rear.
“So it can basically fly like a rocket,” Musk told attendees during the unveiling.
Unlike conventional aerospace propulsion, the thrusters utilise ultra-high-pressure compressed air rather than chemical rocket fuel. To accommodate the heavy compressed-air pressure vessels, performance variants will replace the standard rear seats, transforming the car into a two-seater or single-seater layout.
Musk described the project as a cross-industry collaboration between his two companies: “What happens when you have a collaboration with the world’s best car company and the world’s best rocket company.”
However, Musk acknowledged that the vehicle’s regulatory and safety status remains complex. Tesla’s official reservation portal highlights that thruster-assisted flight functions are strictly restricted from public road use, and street legality will vary significantly across global jurisdictions.
“I should say that this is not necessarily a safety-optimised car. But it takes the Fun meter to 11 out of 10,” Musk remarked, noting that regulatory frameworks for active aerial vehicle propulsion on public highways remain undeveloped.
Tesla claims performance trim levels with active thruster engagement can achieve 0–60 mph acceleration in as little as 0.81 seconds, with top speed targets exceeding 230 mph. Mass production is slated to begin in 2028, following an eight-year gap since the model’s initial announcement in 2017.
Nyiranyamibwa died on the morning of Friday, October 16, 2026, according to information obtained by IGIHE.
In a statement, her family expressed grief over her sudden death and said arrangements for her funeral and burial would be announced in the coming hours.
The cause of her death had not been established by the time of publication.
Nyiranyamibwa was a prominent figure in Rwanda’s traditional music scene, known for songs including Telefone ko ititaba and Ni muberwe bakobwa .
She was also among the founders of Itorero Isamaza, a cultural troupe known for songs that helped rally support for Rwanda’s liberation struggle.
Her life was shaped by years in exile. In 1973, she left Rwanda for the Democratic Republic of Congo after facing persecution against the Tutsi. She later moved to Belgium, where she spent part of her life abroad.
Despite her long stay outside Rwanda, Nyiranyamibwa maintained a strong attachment to her homeland. She eventually returned to Rwanda, expressing a desire to spend her final years in the country.
She was one of nine children in her family and had four children. Her husband died while the family was in exile in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Nyiranyamibwa also contributed to music commemorating the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Her song Ese mbaze nde? reflects the grief caused by the Genocide and its lasting impact on Rwandans.
Her death marks the loss of a veteran artist who contributed to preserving Rwanda’s traditional music and cultural heritage.
Nyiranyamibwa died on the morning of Friday, October 16, 2026, according to information obtained by IGIHE.
Here, modern industrial parks, research laboratories and emerging technologies exist alongside centuries-old gardens, historic neighbourhoods and waterways that remain part of everyday life.
Located in Jiangsu Province, close to Shanghai and at the heart of the Yangtze River Delta, Suzhou has developed into one of China’s major economic centres.
Founded in 514 BC, the city has more than 2,500 years of history. Over time, it has also become an important destination for investment, industrial development and international cooperation under China’s reform and opening-up policy.
This dynamic blend of heritage and modern enterprise was recently on display for a delegation of media representatives attending the 2026 Belt and Road Journalists Forum in Jiangsu Province, who toured Suzhou to gain firsthand insight into its industrial development, technological innovation, cultural heritage, and rural life.
From international cooperation to a global innovation hub
Suzhou Industrial Park was established in 1994 through cooperation between China and Singapore. The partnership drew on Singapore’s experience in investment promotion, urban planning and public administration as China developed the park into a destination for international investment and industrial activity.
More than three decades later, the park is home to businesses operating in advanced manufacturing, research and technology.
The park is part of a wider network of industrial and innovation zones in China that support trade, investment and cooperation with international partners. Trade between China and Belt and Road partner countries reached RMB 1.27 trillion (over US$ 189 billion) in 2025.
Suzhou is also home to BioBAY, an innovation hub specialising in biotechnology and life sciences. Established nearly two decades ago, it hosts more than 680 innovative high-tech companies and around 35,000 scientific and technological professionals. Companies based there work in areas including innovative medicines, high-end medical devices, cell and gene technologies, nucleic acid therapeutics and synthetic biology.
Medical technology has also advanced in ways that can have lasting effects on patients. A person who received a heart implant eight years ago is now 68 years old.
In another area of technological development, AISpeech Co Ltd specialises in conversational artificial intelligence and voice technologies. Its work includes developing systems that allow people to interact with digital devices through speech, as well as AI applications for smart homes, vehicles and smart-city services. These technologies enable devices and digital systems to respond to spoken instructions, provide information and support everyday tasks.
Kunshan town, which is administered by Suzhou, is home to the World’s First Robot 6S Store. Covering approximately 1,000 square metres, the facility brings together more than 100 brands and offers sales, spare parts, servicing, surveys, leasing and customised solutions.
Its product range includes humanoid robots, industrial robots, drones and other AI-related products. The store brings together product sales and services related to the selection, maintenance and use of robotic equipment.
A modern city preserving its cultural identity
Beyond its industrial parks and technology businesses, Suzhou retains a historic urban landscape shaped by canals, traditional architecture, gardens and narrow streets.
Pingjiang Road is one of the city’s best-preserved historic districts. Waterways run alongside streets lined with traditional buildings, with small bridges connecting the banks.
White walls and dark-tiled roofs give the neighbourhood a distinctive appearance. The area contains more than 100 protected heritage sites and numerous elements of Suzhou’s historic urban landscape.
Narrow lanes lead past traditional homes, small shops and waterside buildings, while boats move along the canals that have long formed part of the neighbourhood.
Lion Grove Garden, established in 1342, is known for its elaborate rock formations, some of which resemble lions. The garden follows traditional Chinese landscaping principles, combining rocks, pathways, plants, pavilions and water features within a carefully arranged space.
Winding passages lead visitors between tall, irregular rock formations, through narrow openings and sheltered spaces before opening onto courtyards and pavilions. Trees and other vegetation provide shade throughout the garden.
A different architectural approach can be found at the Suzhou Museum of Contemporary Art, designed by the Danish architectural firm BIG.
The complex comprises interconnected structures whose design draws inspiration from classical Chinese gardens. Its buildings, courtyards and pathways create transitions between enclosed galleries and outdoor spaces.
Jinji Lake is located in the central part of Suzhou Industrial Park, in eastern Suzhou. The freshwater lake covers approximately 7.4 square kilometres, while the wider scenic area extends across about 11.5 square kilometres. Its waterfront is surrounded by commercial buildings, cultural facilities, hotels and public spaces.
The area includes the Suzhou Culture and Arts Centre, Suzhou International Expo Centre and Suzhou Jinji Lake International Convention Centre. Other landmarks include the Oriental Gate, Suzhou Center, Eslite Bookstore and Ligong Causeway, a waterfront promenade lined with restaurants and other businesses.
Walking paths connect sections of the lakeside, offering views of the water and the surrounding skyline. The area also accommodates exhibitions, cultural performances, sporting events and other public activities, alongside shopping, dining and recreational facilities.
Rural life is another part of Suzhou’s landscape. Shangmingdian Village, located in Zhangpu Town in Kunshan, combines traditional agricultural activities with efforts to develop rural tourism and new business opportunities.
Farmland, waterways and village settlements form part of the local landscape, while crop cultivation remains an important aspect of rural livelihoods. Agricultural development initiatives in the area include improvements to farmland and village infrastructure, alongside activities involving agricultural production, countryside recreation and tourism.
The village’s development also involves finding new uses for existing spaces and encouraging businesses associated with cultural tourism, creative industries and innovation. Such activities take place alongside farming and other established rural pursuits, providing additional avenues for local economic activity.
Across Kunshan town, rural tourism initiatives connect villages, agricultural landscapes and traditional settlements, giving visitors opportunities to explore areas beyond the main urban centres.
During a briefing for the visiting journalists, Dr. Zheng Changzong, Director of the Research Center for Party Building and National Development at Fudan University, described Suzhou as a live example of how international cooperation extends beyond industrial growth to shared human progress.
Reflecting on history, ancient Silk Road trade, and collective responsibility, Dr. Zheng emphasized that real progress in an interconnected world is built on mutual support rather than zero-sum competition.
“We live on the same planet, and our lives are interconnected. If I want to live well, I should also hope that you can live well. The objective should be to create opportunities for countries to develop together, rather than treating development as a process in which one country’s progress must come at the expense of another.”
At Lion Grove Garden, one can see elaborate rock formations, winding pathways, and historic pavilions highlighting 14th-century landscaping.At BioBAY, a specialized life sciences hub hosts over 680 high-tech biotechnology and medical companies. This photo shows the entrance of BioBAY in Suzhou.Inside BioBAY’s research facilities, scientists develop advanced medical devices, including heart implants.Inside Kunshan’s World’s First Robot 6S Store, visitors can explore humanoid robots and industrial equipment.Historic lanes along Pingjiang Road preserve more than 100 protected heritage sites amidst active neighborhood life.Local farmers in Shangmingdian Village showcase fresh agricultural produce grown through traditional farming practices.Performances of traditional folk songs form an integral part of Shangmingdian’s local culture and heritage.Skyscrapers, luxury hotels, and public promenades line the vibrant waterfront of Jinji Lake in eastern Suzhou.Dr. Zheng Changzong, Director at Fudan University, speaks to international journalists about international exchange and shared development.Lion Grove Garden follows traditional Chinese landscaping principles.Traditional village homes and modern renovated residences sit along scenic waterways, reflecting the improved living conditions and countryside lifestyle in Shangmingdian Village.Located in Jiangsu Province, close to Shanghai and at the heart of the Yangtze River Delta, Suzhou has developed into one of China’s major economic centres.
The envoys made the remarks after presenting their letters of credence to President Paul Kagame at Urugwiro Village on Friday, October 16.
Sweden’s new Ambassador to Rwanda Henrik Nilsson said expanding trade and economic cooperation would be among his priorities, noting that businesses in both countries could benefit from opportunities in digitalisation, electrification and artificial intelligence.
Relations between Sweden and Rwanda are already strong, he said, but the volume of trade remains relatively low compared with its potential.
“There is potential to increase trade, and that will be one of my top priorities,” Nilsson said.
Sweden’s new Ambassador to Rwanda Henrik Nilsson said expanding trade and economic cooperation would be among his priorities.
He cited Swedish companies already operating in Rwanda, including telecommunications firm Ericsson and education company EF Education First, as examples of existing business links that could provide a foundation for further cooperation.
EF partners with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and the Mastercard Foundation to deliver English-language and communication skills training for workers in Rwanda’s tourism and hospitality sectors.
South Korea’s new envoy Huh Jungae, who becomes the first woman to represent her country as ambassador to Rwanda, said she would focus on development cooperation, technology and people-to-people exchanges.
South Korea’s Huh Jungae becomes the first woman to represent her country as ambassador to Rwanda.
She highlighted projects supported through South Korea’s Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF), official development assistance and technical cooperation programmes.
The initiatives are expected to support skills development through education, strengthen agricultural capacity and technology, advance digital governance and help develop infrastructure needed for sustainable economic growth.
Huh said these priorities aligned with Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), adding that South Korea would share its experience and knowledge as Rwanda pursues a knowledge-based, technology-driven economy.
She also highlighted plans to promote educational exchanges, including opportunities for Rwandan students to study in South Korea through the Global Korea Scholarship programme.
The ambassador wore a custom-made hanbok, South Korea’s traditional dress, incorporating the colours of the Rwandan flag, which she said symbolised her respect for Rwanda and her hopes for its future.
“This reflects my heartfelt commitment to working tirelessly for both our nations,” she remarked.
South Africa seeks to normalise relations
South Africa’s new High Commissioner Tinyiko George Hlungwane said his priority was to normalise relations with Rwanda and take bilateral cooperation beyond the level reached before diplomatic tensions intensified in 2014.
His appointment comes as the two countries pursue a diplomatic reset after more than a decade of strained relations.
South Africa’s new High Commissioner Tinyiko George Hlungwane said his priority was to normalise relations with Rwanda and take bilateral cooperation beyond the level reached before diplomatic tensions intensified in 2014.
In June 2026, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe, met his South African counterpart, Ronald Lamola, in Pretoria to launch a new chapter of bilateral cooperation.
The two governments agreed on a roadmap to restore cooperation, expand trade and investment, strengthen political dialogue and deepen collaboration across several sectors.
South Africa also committed to resuming the issuance of visas to holders of ordinary Rwandan passports within 12 months. The countries further agreed to reactivate their Joint Commission of Cooperation, with Rwanda scheduled to host the next session in the first quarter of 2027.
Hlungwane said the two countries shared common experiences and supported multilateral cooperation, creating opportunities to strengthen ties for their mutual benefit and that of the wider continent.
He also highlighted opportunities for South Africa to support Rwanda’s preparations to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix in the early 2030s.
Rwanda secured a 10-year agreement to host the championship this week, bringing Formula 1 back to Africa for the first time since 1993, when South Africa hosted the last race on the continent at the Kyalami circuit.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has offered his country’s experience in organising major sporting events to support Rwanda’s preparations.
President Kagame welcomed the offer in a message posted on X on October 15, saying Rwanda looked forward to working with South Africa and other partners to make the Grand Prix a continental event and advance motorsport across Africa.
Hlungwane said South Africa could contribute expertise in infrastructure, engineering and motorsport training, including opportunities for young Rwandans to gain experience at facilities in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
“We will work hard together with our other African countries to make sure it becomes a very successful event for the continent,” he said.
EU seeks greater investment
European Union Ambassador-designate Jérémie Blin said he would work to deepen the bloc’s partnership with Rwanda, building on progress made in recent years.
European Union Ambassador-designate Jérémie Blin also presented his credentials to President Kagame.
He highlighted health, digitalisation, logistics and mobility as areas in which the EU and Rwanda could continue working together.
Blin also identified private sector investment as a priority, saying both sides wanted to attract more European companies to Rwanda and the wider region.
“We have shared interest to see more EU companies coming to Rwanda and investing here and in the region,” he said.
He added that the partnership should be based on shared values and common interests, with benefits for both sides.
Mauritania eyes economic cooperation
Mauritania’s new envoy, El Houssein Ould Nagi, who is based in Addis Ababa, said relations between his country and Rwanda were strong politically but could deliver greater economic benefits.
Mauritania’s envoy El Houssein Ould Nagi called for stronger economic ties with Rwanda.
He said the two governments were working to translate their political ties into practical outcomes, particularly in trade and other areas of economic cooperation.
“In the coming period, you can expect a number of announcements that will give a new and decisive boost to our bilateral relations,” he said.
The envoys’ statements come as Rwanda seeks to strengthen international partnerships through investment, technology transfer, development cooperation and closer regional engagement.
The new envoys presented their credentials to President Paul Kagame on Friday, October 16, 2026.
The latest incidents include strikes on two chemical tankers near Romania’s Black Sea coast on October 15, 2026, which set both vessels ablaze and left seven sailors missing from one of the ships.
Romanian President Nicușor Dan confirmed that drones had hit the vessels but said it was too early to establish responsibility.
Dan told reporters in Brussels ahead of a meeting of European Union leaders, adding that Romanian authorities needed more information about the attacks. The incidents followed other attacks on commercial shipping near Romania and neighbouring Bulgaria, both NATO members whose proximity to Ukraine has made the western Black Sea an increasingly sensitive security area.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte met Dan and Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev on October 15 to discuss maritime security and the latest attacks on commercial vessels.
In a statement posted on X, Rutte said NATO had strengthened its military posture along the eastern flank including increasing counter drone capabilities.
“NATO will continue to work closely with our Allies in the Black Sea, adjusting our deterrence and defence posture as needed,” he said.
Romania has called for additional allied support to protect its territory and shipping routes while Bulgaria has sought assistance to improve maritime and airspace surveillance and strengthen its ability to respond to drone threats.
The attacks have also raised concerns about the safety of commercial shipping along routes used to transport Ukrainian agricultural exports through the Danube River and the Black Sea.
Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu described the sea as a critical route for global food supplies, saying: “We’re looking at the Black Sea as a global food artery.” She added that the growing number of casualties among sailors highlighted the need for greater investment in deterrence and defence.
Meanwhile, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev has called for coordinated international efforts to protect civilian vessels, including discussions on a possible moratorium on attacks against commercial shipping in the Black Sea.
Although a NATO military source identified the drones involved in the latest tanker fires as Russian in origin, Romanian authorities have said they are still gathering information about the incidents.
The developments add to growing concerns about the regional consequences of the war in Ukraine, as Romania and Bulgaria push for stronger cooperation with NATO to protect maritime trade, civilian crews and critical infrastructure.
A view shows a vessel that was hit by a drone in the Black Sea, in this handout image released by the Bulgarian Interior Ministry on October 13, 2026.
Nsanzimana announced the figures on October 15, 2026, during a meeting with members of the National Consultative Forum of Political Organisations (NFPO), where he outlined the impact of measures to combat illicit alcohol.
He said health facilities had recorded a significant decline in people seeking emergency treatment for injuries sustained in fights linked to the drinks since their production was halted.
“At health facilities, we have seen an almost 80% decline in the number of people brought in with injuries after fighting or attacking one another because of these drinks, based on the figures we have collected since their production was halted. We compile these figures and compare them with data from security agencies,” he said.
The government intensified its crackdown on illicit alcoholic drinks in early August, targeting their production and distribution over concerns about their effects on public health and safety.
Nsanzimana said the measures had already produced encouraging results, while highlighting the burden that alcohol-related injuries and illnesses had placed on health facilities.
He revealed that 250 factories producing substandard alcoholic drinks had been closed, while more than 200 other investors had applied to establish similar businesses.
The figures prompted questions from NFPO members about how so many factories had operated and whether institutions responsible for regulating products manufactured locally and imported into Rwanda had adequately performed their duties.
Deputy Ombudsman Mukama Abbas questioned whether corruption or negligence had allowed the problem to grow.
“There may have been corruption because, looking at the figures the ministry has given us, it is difficult not to conclude that there was a problem. One would wonder why the numbers kept increasing without a decision being taken to investigate, given that this problem had become an epidemic among other issues,” he said.
Senate Vice-President Mukabaramba Alvera also questioned the large number of factories producing alcoholic drinks, arguing that the country had other essential consumer goods needs, including clothing and hygiene products.
NFPO spokesperson Leonard Ndagijimana welcomed the government’s decision to halt the production of substandard alcoholic drinks, saying it would help prevent illnesses and mental health problems associated with their consumption.
He warned that without the intervention, the number of people requiring medical attention could have continued to rise, increasing public expenditure on treatment.
Ndagijimana also called on political organisations to support efforts to combat illicit alcohol and help ensure that the restrictions were enforced.
NFPO members urged authorities to sustain the crackdown and impose severe penalties on those found continuing to produce or conceal illicit alcoholic drinks.
In an interview with Newsmax aired on Thursday, October 15, Trump said Ukraine’s attacks on facilities producing diesel fuel were harmful to global energy supplies, as efforts to secure a ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv faced renewed setbacks.
“All he’s doing is making the world oil price higher. Well, I think that’s a disgrace,” Trump said, criticising Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over the renewed attacks.
Trump argued that Ukraine should avoid targeting facilities that supply fuel to international markets, saying the strikes could have consequences beyond Russia’s borders.
“There are a lot of targets you can hit, but when you shoot at diesel refineries where you make, you know, diesel oil, and we need that, and the world needs that, then he’s not doing a good service for the world,” he said.
Trump said Ukraine’s attacks on facilities producing diesel fuel were harmful to global energy supplies.
The remarks followed Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, including a Rosneft oil refinery in the Ryazan region, southeast of Moscow. The facility supplies fuel to the Russian capital and represents a significant part of Russia’s refining capacity.
Ukraine resumed attacks on Russian energy facilities after Zelensky said Kyiv would no longer observe the energy ceasefire announced by Trump, citing continued Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure.
Russian missile and drone strikes have repeatedly targeted Ukraine’s energy facilities, disrupting electricity supplies and leaving communities facing power shortages.
Zelensky told the Financial Times that Ukraine’s patience had run out, signalling Kyiv’s unwillingness to continue refraining from attacking Russian refineries while its own energy infrastructure remained under attack.
Trump also expressed frustration with the Ukrainian president, saying that although he believed both Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin wanted the war to end, he considered the Ukrainian leader more difficult to negotiate with.
“I’m not a big fan of Zelenskiy,” Trump said. “I think they actually both would like to see it end, but I think I find Zelenskiy to be more difficult to deal with than Putin.”
The US president has sought to broker an agreement to end Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022. However, continued attacks on energy infrastructure have complicated efforts to establish a lasting ceasefire.
Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to rely on Western military support and intelligence as it defends against Russian attacks. The latest developments have also highlighted tensions surrounding the military and technological assistance Kyiv receives from Washington.
The renewed strikes on energy facilities come amid wider concerns about the war’s impact on international energy markets, with attacks on oil production and refining infrastructure threatening to disrupt supplies and put additional pressure on prices.
In this photo taken from a video released by Governor of Bryansk Region Alexander Bogomaz’s Telegram channel, oil reservoirs ignite in flames after a Ukrainian drone struck an oil storage depot in the Bryansk Region of Russia.
Amb. Ndangiza made the call at the Strategic Legislative Governance Forum in Arusha, Tanzania, where lawmakers and other stakeholders discussed ways to strengthen legislative institutions and improve governance across the continent.
The forum was organised by the Africa Governance Centre in partnership with EALA and the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSPAL). Participants examined legislative independence, budget scrutiny, continental cooperation and women’s representation in political institutions.
Amb. Ndangiza warned against allowing discussions to end with declarations, stressing the importance of sustained collaboration among African legislative institutions.
She also highlighted divisions inherited from colonial rule, including language barriers that complicate cooperation between Anglophone, Francophone and Lusophone institutions. Overcoming these differences, she argued, requires practical engagement and stronger institutional relationships.
Reflecting on Rwanda’s reconstruction following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Amb. Ndangiza pointed to unity, accountability and ambitious thinking as important principles in rebuilding public institutions. She emphasised that countries must draw lessons from one another while recognising their different histories and circumstances.
The legislator also underscored the need to equip parliaments with adequate resources to fulfil their oversight responsibilities. Effective scrutiny of public spending and major development projects requires reliable information, specialist expertise and the capacity to assess government policies.
She further highlighted the importance of giving women and young people a stronger voice in political institutions, particularly as decisions on employment, education and technological change shape their future.
The forum also saw the launch of the Strategic Legislative Governance Platform, designed to sustain cooperation among African legislative institutions beyond the meeting in Arusha.
Ambassador Fatuma Ndangiza represents Rwanda at the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).
Introduced in April 2024, the ZiG was designed to restore confidence in the domestic currency and promote monetary stability. However, many Zimbabweans remain reluctant to hold their savings in it, preferring the US dollar for everyday transactions.
According to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), annual inflation measured in ZiG stood at 3.7 per cent in September 2026, while monthly inflation was 0.54 per cent. Despite the relatively low inflation rate, the currency continues to face challenges in gaining widespread public acceptance.
Zimbabwe abandoned its domestic currency in 2009 following a period of hyperinflation that wiped out savings and undermined public confidence. Although a local currency was reintroduced in 2018, subsequent instability reinforced concerns about its ability to preserve purchasing power.
A report published by Al Jazeera examined the difficulties facing Zimbabwe’s latest attempt to strengthen its domestic currency, highlighting the experiences of workers and businesses still wary of the ZiG.
Primary school teacher Charles Mbwandarikwa told Al Jazeera that he exchanges the ZiG portion of his salary quickly rather than keeping it, following losses suffered during previous currency crises.
He lost his pension savings when Zimbabwe’s currency collapsed in 2009. After the reintroduction of a local currency in 2018, he said the value of his salary fell from the equivalent of $540 to $40 by the end of that year.
Economist Cornelius Dube told Al Jazeera that demand for the currency remained weak. “ZiG has to be available in a ratio relative to its demand. Demand for ZiG is currently very subdued,” he said.
Dube said reducing dependence on the US dollar was possible, but would require patience. “History shows that it is possible to de-dollarise, though it’s not easy. It takes time,” he said.
He also argued that policymakers should encourage confidence in the domestic currency rather than force people to abandon the dollar.
“Policy should not try to force a conversion but should create the necessary incentives which will eventually see both businesses and consumers being indifferent to holding ZiG or US dollars,” Dube said.
Zimbabwe’s experience highlights the difficulty of rebuilding confidence after repeated currency crises. While lower inflation can support monetary stability, the ZiG’s long-term prospects will also depend on whether households and businesses believe it can reliably preserve the value of their earnings and savings.
For the government, the challenge is not simply to increase the circulation of the ZiG, but to convince Zimbabweans that holding and using the currency is a dependable choice.
Introduced in April 2024, the ZiG was designed to restore confidence in the domestic currency and promote monetary stability.
