In August 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping had a phone call with Starmer at the latter’s request, and in November that year, during his attendance at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Xi met with Starmer, leading China-Britain relations onto a track of improvement and development.
During Starmer’s visit, the first by a British prime minister in eight years, President Xi will meet with him, Premier Li Qiang will hold talks with him, and China’s top legislator Zhao Leji will also meet with him. The two sides are expected to have in-depth exchanges on bilateral relations and issues of common interest.
In addition to Beijing, Starmer will visit Shanghai.
Since taking office, the British Labor Party government has clearly expressed its willingness to develop a consistent, enduring and strategic relationship with China and actively promote dialogue and cooperation between the two countries.
Starmer is leading a delegation comprising senior executives from over 50 major British firms and representatives of British institutions. They represent Britain’s leading sectors including finance, medicine, manufacturing, culture and creativity.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Tuesday that China wishes to use this visit as an opportunity to enhance political mutual trust with Britain, deepen practical cooperation, jointly open a new chapter of healthy and stable development in bilateral relations, and work together for global peace, security and stability.
In an interview with IGIHE, NAEB Chief Executive Officer Claude Bizimana outlined how the agency is positioning the agriculture and livestock export sector among key drivers of economic growth under the country’s Second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) and Vision 2050.
Bizimana said NAEB is pursuing all possible avenues to modernize and streamline agricultural export processes, with the aim of boosting production and improving access to international markets, particularly in West and Central Africa.
Rwanda recently signed a cooperation agreement through its embassy in the Republic of Congo to facilitate the export of fresh fruits and vegetables.
The deal followed Bizimana’s working visit to Congo-Brazzaville in December 2025, where NAEB, in collaboration with partners including RwandAir, agreed on measures to ease export logistics and address long-standing challenges faced by exporters.
“Producers often struggled to secure sufficient cargo space on flights, and shipments sometimes took too long to reach their destinations,” Bizimana said. “We engaged RwandAir and agreed to facilitate exporters to send their produce efficiently.”
During the visit, Bizimana also met Congo’s Minister in charge of Hydrocarbons, Bruno Jean Richard Itoua, and Rwandan diplomatic officials to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation and increase trade flows.
As a result of this partnership, 17 tonnes of Rwandan-grown fruits and vegetables were shipped directly to Congo-Brazzaville on January 21, 2026, marking a milestone in Rwanda’s regional export expansion.
Bizimana noted that this progress reflects Rwanda’s broader trade openness, including its commitment to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which is designed to boost intra-African trade.
He added that NAEB plays a central role in processing, preserving, aggregating, and ensuring the quality of export products through cold storage facilities before they reach international markets.
Exports to Brazzaville were initiated after Rwandans living and working there raised concerns about limited access to Rwandan produce. NAEB then coordinated exporters and provided guidance on how to organize shipments effectively.
According to Bizimana, direct exports without unnecessary transit stops demonstrate strong coordination among Rwandan institutions and embassies abroad, helping reduce losses caused by delays.
“When shipments take too long, produce can spoil before reaching the market,” he said. “Efficient logistics benefit exporters and generate foreign exchange earnings for the country.”
Beyond Africa, Rwanda continues to expand its reach to global markets. Between December 22 and 26, 2025, agricultural exports generated $15.6 million. The largest volumes of fruit were exported to the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, Germany, and France, alongside several African countries.
During the same period, Rwanda exported 241 tonnes of vegetables, with the UAE, the UK, and Spain emerging as the top destinations.
Agricultural exports remain a major source of foreign exchange for Rwanda. In 2025, the sector generated $893.1 million. Between January 12 and 16, 2026, agricultural and livestock exports earned the country over $15.2 million (approximately Rwf 22.2 billion).
NAEB further reports that exports between January 19 and 23, 2026 generated $13.9 million, equivalent to more than Rwf 20 billion.
These figures are expected to rise. Under the 2025/26 national budget, the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources projects that exports from the sector will generate over $1 billion.
Rwanda aims to increase export volumes by an average of 13 percent annually, with the goal of doubling export revenues to $7.3 billion by 2029.
The area experienced an extraordinary downpour accompanied by hail and strong winds on January 26, 2026, at 10 PM.
The rain affected the sectors of Bugarama, Muganza, Nyakabuye and Gikundamvura.
Emmanuel Byishimo, a rice farmer, told IGIHE that the heavy rain caused significant losses, especially since the rice was nearing harvest and much of it had not yet been harvested.
“When I arrived in the field, I found that the hail had completely destroyed the crops, causing them to fall to the ground. This is a loss because, even though we have insurance that reimburses our capital, it does not cover the profits that the farmer would have made,” he explained.
According to reports from the leaders of the four rice cooperatives in the Bugarama marshland, the rain damaged a total of 87 hectares of rice. This includes 45 hectares in Gikundamvura sector, 23 hectares in Bugarama, 14 hectares in Nyakabuye, and 5 hectares in Muganza.
Oscar Hamenyimana, president of COPRORIKI Cooperative, which grows rice in Gikundamvura, told IGIHE that they have already assessed the damage to 45 hectares.
“We immediately contacted the insurance company to show them the damage in the fields. The next step is to measure the affected areas for each farmer so they can be compensated,” he said.
Hamenyimana praised the crop insurance program and encouraged farmers who grow insured crops such as rice, maize, beans, and cassava to take out insurance policies.
Samuel Furaha, the president of the rice farmers’ cooperative in Nyakabuye and Muganza (KOIMUNYA), shared that, in addition to the 19 hectares of rice ravaged by the rain in their sectors, their rice storage facility was also damaged.
“This storage facility, worth Rwf 20 million, was built for us by the district. We are requesting assistance from the CDAT project, which is being implemented in Rusizi District, to help us secure another rice storage facility,” he said.
Alfred Habimana, the Vice Mayor of Rusizi District in charge of economic development, told IGIHE that they are currently gathering data on the damage in partnership with insurance companies and agricultural organizations to ensure prompt assistance for those affected by the disaster.
Among the other damages caused by the heavy rain, five houses in Bugarama sector were destroyed by the strong winds.
Before crossing into Rwanda, the ex-combatants were temporarily accommodated under the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), through its program for the disarmament and reintegration of former fighters.
The group entered Rwanda through Rubavu District on January 27, 2026. The former fighters are expected to be transferred to the Mutobo Demobilization Center in Musanze District, which is run by the Rwanda Demobilization and Reintegration Commission (RDRC).
Earlier, on January 20, Rwanda received another group of 13 former FDLR fighters accompanied by six family members. This came just three days after the return of 14 Rwandans, including eight fighters from a special unit of the group known as CRAP.
According to MONUSCO, the number of FDLR fighters returning home has increased since the AFC/M23 coalition took control of Goma in January 2025. Nearly 300 fighters have been repatriated so far.
Returns are continuing in small groups as Rwanda awaits the implementation of operations by the Congolese armed forces to dismantle the FDLR, as stipulated in the peace agreement signed in Washington, D.C. on June 27, 2025.
As of June 2025, the FDLR was estimated to have between 7,000 and 10,000 fighters, most of whom—including senior leaders—were based in the Walikale and Masisi territories of North Kivu Province.
In a detailed official statement released on January 27, 2026, Rwanda explained that it formally initiated arbitration on November 24, 2025, by submitting a Notice of Arbitration to the Permanent Court of Arbitration under Article 22 of the MEDP Treaty.
The government described the partnership, originally initiated at the request of the United Kingdom, as “a bold new approach to deter the dangerous migration journeys which are causing untold suffering, while also addressing the global imbalance of economic opportunity, which is one of the underlying causes of mass irregular migration.”
Rwanda highlighted its own humanitarian credentials, noting that the partnership “reflects Rwanda’s commitment to protecting vulnerable people and builds on Rwanda’s track record of welcoming and hosting refugees and migrants from around the world.”
The country added that it “remains committed to finding solutions to the global migration crisis, including providing safety, dignity and opportunity to refugees and migrants who come to our country.”
The treaty entered into force on April 25, 2024. Yet, only months later, in July 2024, shortly after taking office, the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the MEDP was “dead and buried”.
“He did so without prior notice to Rwanda, contrary to the spirit of the partnership that had always characterised the MEDP.
“Later that day, Rwanda was informed that no future removals of individuals under the MEDP were scheduled or intended to be scheduled, and that the UK Government would consider the formal termination of the MEDP treaty in due course,” reads the statement.
Tensions over finances arose in November 2024 when the United Kingdom requested that Rwanda forgo two payments of £50 million that were due in April 2025 and April 2026, saying it was doing so in anticipation of the formal termination of the treaty.
Rwanda indicated it “was prepared to accept these arrangements should the treaty be terminated, provided that new financial terms would be negotiated and agreed.”
Discussions, however, did not ultimately take place and “the amounts remain due and payable under the treaty.”
The statement further states that the United Kingdom has since made clear that it has no intention of making any further payment under the MEDP treaty or of honouring its further commitment to make arrangements to resettle in the UK a portion of the most vulnerable refugees hosted in Rwanda.
Despite Rwanda’s attempts to move the UK from its entrenched position, these efforts have been unsuccessful.
Shortly after filing its response to Rwanda’s Notice of Arbitration, the UK notified Rwanda of the termination of the treaty, which took effect on March 16, 2026 in accordance with its terms.
Rwanda “sincerely regrets that the UK has decided to bring the partnership to an end.”
In the arbitral proceedings, Rwanda advances three claims: first, “a claim that the United Kingdom has breached an exchange of notes setting out the treaty’s financial arrangements”; second, “a claim of breach of Article 18 of the treaty in respect of these financial arrangements”; and third, “a claim that the UK has breached Article 19 of the treaty by refusing to make arrangements to resettle vulnerable refugees from Rwanda.”
The government stated that it “regrets that it has been necessary to pursue these claims in arbitration, but faced with the United Kingdom’s intransigence on these issues, it has been left with no other choice.”
“There’s another beautiful armada floating beautifully toward Iran right now, so we’ll see,” Trump said at a rally in the midwestern U.S. state of Iowa.
“I hope they make a deal,” Trump added, “They should have made a deal the first time they’d have a country.”
One day earlier, the U.S. Central Command said the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group was deployed to the Middle East amid rising tensions with Iran.
Last week, USS George H.W. Bush departed Virginia for Europe, amid speculation that the supercarrier could be deployed to the Mediterranean and transit the Suez Canal if tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to rise, Forbes reported.
The Pentagon also ordered U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles that were forward-deployed at Royal Air Force Lakenheath in Britain to American air bases in Jordan, Forbes added.
On Monday, the U.S. Air Forces Central said in a statement that “Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central) will be conducting a multi-day readiness exercise to demonstrate the ability to deploy, disperse, and sustain combat airpower across the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.”
The exercise will allow the U.S. military “to validate procedures for rapid movement of personnel and aircraft; dispersed operations at contingency locations; logistics sustainment with a minimal footprint; and integrated, multi-national command and control over a large area of operations,” said the statement.
Cameron Chell, a leading military drone expert, told Fox News on Sunday that Iran’s drone swarms would pose a credible and serious threat to U.S. naval assets, including the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group.
So far, there is no indication that the White House has made any decision on Iran.
Trump has repeatedly said he is considering several options, including striking Iran, but also noted that Tehran “wants to talk,” suggesting that Washington may enter into discussions with Tehran, CNN reported.
This figure covers cases reported from September 3, 2025, to January 20, 2026, highlighting a sustained public health challenge in several provinces.
Official bulletins from the National Directorate of Public Health show that the outbreak has continued to spread in areas including Nampula, Tete, and Cabo Delgado provinces.
Nampula has recorded the highest number of infections with 1,314 cases and 17 deaths, while Tete reported 932 cases and 13 deaths, and Cabo Delgado saw 404 cases with two deaths. In the five days covered by the latest update, four additional deaths and about 300 new cases were recorded, underscoring ongoing transmission.
Health officials say the case fatality rate in the most recent reporting period remained around 1.2%, slightly higher than in December 2025, when it was about 0.5%, according to the data. This suggests not only persistent transmission of the disease but also challenges in controlling severe cases.
Cholera, a highly contagious waterborne disease caused by contaminated water and poor sanitation, has been an ongoing concern in Mozambique, particularly in regions affected by flooding and limited access to safe drinking water. The Ministry of Health has issued repeated warnings to communities, urging adherence to hygiene practices and prompt treatment for symptoms such as severe diarrhea and dehydration.
Last month, Mozambique’s Health Minister highlighted that at least 169 people died from cholera in 2025 out of around 40,000 total cases recorded that year, a broader measure of the disease’s impact beyond the latest four‑month period. He attributed many deaths to gaps in community awareness and communication about prevention and treatment, noting that about 70% of cholera deaths occurred in community settings rather than health facilities.
To combat the outbreak, the government has secured approximately 3.5 million doses of cholera vaccine and launched public health campaigns to promote hygiene and sanitation. Officials are also implementing plans aimed at eliminating cholera as a public health problem by 2030, with strategies focused on improving access to clean water, sanitation, and quality healthcare through coordinated, evidence‑based actions.
Despite these efforts, health workers and international partners continue to express concern about the ongoing threat, especially in flood‑affected areas where access to safe water remains limited and conditions favor the spread of waterborne diseases.
The delegation, led by Prof. Dong-Sup Yoon, President of Yonsei University, and Dr. Won-Yong Lee, Executive Vice President for Research Affairs, held talks at Urugwiro Village focusing on academic exchange, research partnerships, and capacity building in education.
The meeting builds on a growing relationship between Rwanda and Yonsei University. In September 2025, the University of Rwanda (UR) and Yonsei University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen academic exchange, advance research, and foster innovation.
The agreement, signed on the sidelines of Yonsei University’s 140th Anniversary Conference by UR Vice Chancellor Prof. Kayihura Muganga Didas and Prof. Dong-Sup Yoon, initially focuses on medical sciences, technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT).
“The MoU is a major milestone for the University of Rwanda,” said Prof. Kayihura, noting that it aligns with Rwanda’s commitment to invest in education, skills development, and research infrastructure.
“By collaborating with one of the top three universities in South Korea, we are giving our students and faculty an opportunity to interact with world-class researchers and academics.”
The partnership is expected to open doors for joint research projects, faculty exchanges, and shared innovation initiatives, further strengthening Rwanda’s knowledge economy. Prof. Kayihura emphasized that the collaboration also aligns with UR’s focus on ethical and responsible research, reflecting Yonsei University’s reputation for values-driven technological advancement.
The two institutions have previously collaborated, including a 2024 general cooperation agreement with Rwanda’s Ministry of Education and the honorary doctorate awarded to President Kagame by Yonsei University in recognition of his leadership in transforming Rwanda.
Founded in 1885, Yonsei University is one of South Korea’s top private universities, with 158 research centres across multiple campuses, including the main Sinchon campus in Seoul and the International Campus in Songdo. The university continues to engage with Rwandan students and researchers, strengthening ties between the two countries through education, research, and innovation.
Appearing before the Committee on Governance and Gender Affairs on Tuesday, Minister of State in the Ministry of Health Dr. Yvan Butera said that the prevalence had dropped from 20.5% in 2018 to 18.6% in 2025.
“The preliminary figures show a decrease, which we attribute to the increasing efforts and resources dedicated to mental health services,” Dr. Butera said.
According to the ministry, mental health problems linked to depression fell from 11.9% in 2018 to 9.1% last year, while cases associated with stress decreased from 8% to 3%. However, conditions related to alcohol and drug use rose from 1.6% to 2.4%.
Other mental health conditions include schizophrenia (3%), bipolar disorder (0.4%), suicidal thoughts (0.9%), and substance use disorders (0.8%).
Dr. Butera noted that support programs for survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, their descendants, and school-based mental health initiatives have contributed to the overall decline, even as challenges remain.
He identified three major factors driving mental health issues in Rwanda: depression linked to the country’s historical trauma, stress, and substance abuse.
“Depression has decreased from 11.9% in 2018 to 9.1%, stress from 8% to 3%, while alcohol and drug use has increased slightly from 1.6% to 2.4%,” he explained.
The ministry’s data also highlights age-related trends. Adults aged 46–55 represent the largest group affected (25%), followed by those aged 36–45 (24%) and 56–65 (23.6%). Among younger people, 26–35-year-olds account for 18.2%, 19–25-year-olds for 13.7%, and 14–18-year-olds for 8.7%.
Rwanda’s mental health services are anchored at the community level, with approximately 60,000 health advisors across the country. Specialised hospitals provide more advanced care, and 80% of health centres now offer at least some mental health services.
Access to medication has also improved, with 14 types of drugs available at health centers and 20 at hospitals. The country has also launched a specialized clinic for severe depression and suicidal tendencies, known as the “Ketamine Clinic,” at King Faisal Hospital.
In response to concerns from Deputy Mukayiranga Muyango Sylvie about potential risks of using ketamine, Dr. Gishoma Darius, manager of the Mental Health Division at the Rwanda Biomedical Centre, explained that although ketamine was initially used in veterinary medicine, it has been safely used in mental health treatment for the past 20 years.
He noted that research shows it can be effective for patients who have attempted suicide multiple times and do not respond to conventional medication, and that its use is closely monitored.
The move comes as protests and political pressure mount over the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement operation in the Minneapolis area.
The deployment of Homan, a former acting director of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was confirmed by the White House on Monday. Trump said Homan had “not been involved” in previous operations in Minnesota but “knows and likes many of the people there,” and would oversee ongoing immigration enforcement efforts known as Operation Metro Surge.
According to a senior official, Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino, who had been a central figure in the state’s federal response, will leave Minnesota and return to his former post along the U.S. Mexico border. Some agents deployed under his command are also expected to depart.
The Trump administration’s heightened immigration activity in Minnesota was ordered earlier this month, but it quickly drew intense public scrutiny after two U.S. citizens were shot and killed by federal agents.
One of the victims, Alex Pretti, a 37‑year‑old ICU nurse, was fatally shot by U.S. Border Patrol agents during clashes in Minneapolis, an incident that was widely captured on bystander video and raised questions about the circumstances under which force was used. The first fatal shooting earlier in January involved Renée Good, another American citizen who was also killed by a federal agent, a case that sparked nationwide protests and legal challenges to the federal presence in the state.
Trump’s decision to send Homan reflects efforts to manage political fallout as bipartisan calls grow for deeper investigations into the shootings and the broader enforcement strategy. Republican leaders including gubernatorial candidate Chris Madel dropped out of races in protest, and some lawmakers have demanded independent reviews of how immigration policy is being implemented.
The president also spoke by phone with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on Monday, striking a notably more conciliatory tone than in earlier public exchanges. Officials from both sides described the discussions as constructive, a shift from weeks of sharply critical remarks about federal tactics.
Trump’s broader immigration policy and the surge of federal agents have become highly controversial, contributing to a drop in public approval. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll showed that just 39 percent of Americans approve of Trump’s handling of immigration a record low for his presidency as criticism intensifies over the approach in Minneapolis.
The legal question of the federal crackdown is also before the courts. A federal judge is weighing arguments from Minnesota officials seeking to curtail elements of the immigration operation, and the state has pressed for more local control over investigative processes and oversight amid the unrest.
