On the night of July 21 to 22, 2025, Wazalendo fighters—believed to have emerged from Virunga National Park—launched coordinated assaults in the Mugunga area and the Rusayo locality.
Gunfire echoed for nearly three hours as AFC/M23 forces engaged the attackers in an effort to neutralize the threat to Goma’s security. Residents in neighborhoods such as Ndosho and Kyeshero reported hearing heavy gunfire and expressed fear that the violence might reach their communities.
However, AFC/M23 forces successfully pushed back the Wazalendo fighters before dawn.
The coalition has maintained control of Goma since January 2025. On July 22, Manzi Willy, the North Kivu governor appointed by AFC/M23, reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding the city.
“Our security forces remain steadfast and dedicated to the mission of eliminating criminal elements seeking to disrupt the safety of our people,” Manzi stated.
He further revealed that, following the coalition’s takeover of Goma, opposing forces had hidden weapons, ammunition, grenades, and other explosives among the civilian population.
According to Manzi, AFC/M23 continues to uncover and dismantle these threats on a daily basis.
In a letter addressed to Zoe Lofgren, ranking member of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, on Monday, the scientists accuse the Trump administration of abruptly terminating staff, withholding critical research funds, and drastically cutting the agency’s budget.
Due to concerns about retaliation, all but one of the employees’ signatures have been withheld.
The signatories expressed concerns over a series of “politically motivated” and “legally questionable” actions by the Trump administration that threaten the integrity of the NSF and undermine the civil service protection guaranteed under federal law.
The letter called on the U.S. Congress to defend the NSF’s mission and workforce, reaffirm its scientific independence, and maintain support for research vital to national prosperity and security.
This statement follows similar protest letters released last month by scientists and staff at the National Institutes of Health and employees at the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as the recent Voyager Declaration signed by current and former scientists of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Experts say these collective actions represent an unprecedented wave of dissent among U.S. federal scientific employees.
The Rwanda Formed Police Unit One rotation 10 (RWAFPU1-10) under the command of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Corneille Murigo, will replace their counterparts in Malakal, Upper Nile State.
“You are well-trained, fully equipped, and ready to undertake this important assignment.
“I urge you to maintain the highest standards of discipline and professionalism in the execution of your duties. Take good care of your equipment and support one another as a team,” DCG Ujeneza said.
She emphasized the importance of representing and maintaining Rwanda’s positive image in peacekeeping, both through professional conduct and cultural respect.
“Be proud ambassadors of our country, work harmoniously with other forces, keep our culture, but respect the culture of those you serve alongside and those under your protection,” she advised.
DIGP also encouraged the contingent to actively engage in community policing and human security efforts to support the local communities in South Sudan.
“Participate in local activities such as medical outreach and communal work. These efforts build trust with the community and reflect our core values as a nation,” she noted.
Since 2015, Rwanda has consistently deployed Formed Police Units (FPUs) to UNMISS. The country currently maintains two contingents: RWAFPU1 in Malakal and RWAFPU3 — majority female officers— stationed in the capital, Juba.
Launched in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, the Africa EdTech 2030: Vision, Plan and Policy framework is aligned with AU digital transformation agenda and envisages a future where a critical mass of learners has access to mobile devices connected to high speed internet, enabling them to study remotely.
The Africa EdTech vision and framework aims to bypass traditional education infrastructure hiccups, harness digital tools to reach marginalized children and youth with instructional materials.
Some of the high-impact goals advanced by the strategy includes expanding digital access through low cost devices, solar solutions, offline-first technologies, upskilling teachers, research and data privacy.
“Through coordinated policy, local innovation and equitable infrastructure, Africa can leapfrog legacy education barriers and build a globally competitive digital learning ecosystem. The time was ripe to transition to digital learning in Africa, boost content development, cognitive abilities and social skills of the continent’s youth”, said John Kimotho, EdTech consultant from Kenya.
He cited Kenya, Rwanda and Mauritius as frontrunners worth emulating as the continent expand access to digital learning for a future workforce that is globally competitive.
However, The Vision & Plan responds to urgent continental challenges that over 60 percent of the population is below 25 years, 30 million primary school age children remain out of school and 17 million additional teachers are required by 2030 to achieve universal access to quality education. Also, only 30-65 percent of tutors own the device in South Africa while in Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya.
To make the vision achievable, all stakeholders-governments, educators, private sector actors, communities, and partners are invited to review and comment on the vision and plan to ensure it enables the collective action envisaged.
This region is known for its breathtaking natural landscapes, with the Volcanoes National Park at the forefront, home to the endangered mountain gorillas, which are found in few places around the world. In addition, the area is home to a variety of high-end hotels and other tourist attractions.
In an interview with IGIHE, Northern Province Governor Maurice Mugabowagahunde, highlighted the immense potential for tourism in the region, driven by its outstanding natural beauty.
In Musanze District alone, there are more than 50 hotels, including five-star facilities that cater to elite tourists.
He mentioned notable hotels such as Amakoro Songa Lodge, located in Kinigi, Bisate Eco Lodge, and One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, which continue to provide employment opportunities for many people in the Northern Province.
“We have five-star hotels, as well as others with four and one-star ratings, so every visitor can find a place to stay here,” he said.
These hotels provide jobs across various sectors, including tourism transport, hotel staff, food services, and other related businesses, benefitting local residents living near these facilities.
Mugabowagahunde also pointed out that many of the construction materials used for these hotels come from within Musanze, particularly bamboo, which is abundant in the region. He noted that bamboo, once viewed as a nuisance, has now become a valuable building resource for the region’s high-end hotels.
“I was born in this area, and bamboo was once seen as a challenge […] but now it has become highly valuable, and these hotels are using it in their construction,” he added.
Moreover, these hotels are celebrated for their role in preserving Rwandan culture and promoting environmental sustainability, especially as Rwanda and the world face the challenges of climate change.
Mugabowagahunde cited Amakoro Songa Lodge, where guests are welcomed with traditional Kinyarwanda music, which helps introduce them to Rwanda’s rich cultural heritage.
He also highlighted that many of the hotel employees, who once participated in illegal activities such as poaching and deforestation, are now educated on the importance of conserving the Volcanoes National Park and protecting wildlife.
“Additionally, visitors to these hotels are encouraged to plant trees as part of environmental conservation. Every guest plants a tree, names it, and can come back to check its growth, helping us preserve the environment,” he explained.
The hospitality sector also plays a crucial role in boosting the local economy as the goods used in these hotels are often sourced from nearby communities. Farmers are trained on modern agricultural techniques to meet the demands of the hotels.
Aside from the Volcanoes National Park, Musanze offers other tourist attractions such as Burera and Ruhondo lakes, the Nkotsi and Bikara areas (where historical meetings between leaders took place), and Kabuye Hill in Gakenke District.
The region is also home to the Rugezi Marsh, which supports a diverse range of wildlife. Recently, over 400 species, including some rare ones, have been discovered in this area.
The Northern Province has also developed agricultural tourism, with districts like Rulindo and Gakenke offering visitors the opportunity to learn about coffee production.
“We have now launched agricultural tourism in Musanze, where people can learn about the cultivation of potatoes. We also have a potato processing plant where alcohol is produced from potatoes, which gives people a deeper understanding of the entire agricultural process,” he said.
Recently, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) announced an investment of over 30.7 billion Rwandan francs to support community-based projects around the Volcanoes National Park until 2028.
Each year, communities surrounding the park receive 10% of the park’s revenue, which is invested in public welfare projects and development initiatives.
Reports indicate that 105 community projects have received funding, with 43.1% allocated to agriculture, 41% to infrastructure, 10.5% for tools and materials, 2.9% for repairing damage caused by wildlife, and 1.9% for local businesses near the park.
“This 10% helps us implement various projects, including water distribution across the community. For example, in the eight sectors surrounding the park, the water issue has been resolved,” the Governor explained.
These funds have also been used to build more infrastructure, including schools, bridges, and roads, which facilitate the transportation of agricultural products to markets and help alleviate poverty in the region.
Mugabowagahunde also stressed the importance of the annual Gorilla Naming Ceremony, which not only attracts tourists to the Northern Province but also creates numerous job opportunities for locals.
He expressed gratitude to the government for investing in infrastructure that makes visiting the region’s natural attractions easier and encouraged Rwandans to explore these areas as they have become much more accessible.
The Northern Province has a population of 2,038,511 people and covers an area of 3,293.3 square kilometers. It is made up of five districts, 89 sectors, 414 cells, and 2,744 villages.
In a press briefing held in Kinshasa on Monday, Minister Shabani claimed that both Congolese and Rwandan interior ministers had been summoned to Doha to serve as “moral authorities” or “guarantors” in the deal signed between the DRC and the AFC/M23 rebel group on Saturday, July 19, to end fighting in the eastern DRC.
Responding to the minister’s remarks in a post on X, Nduhungirehe labelled the claims as “an outright lie,” accusing Kinshasa of routinely misinforming the Congolese public about the ongoing peace processes. He described such narratives as part of a broader pattern of communication failures from the Congolese government.
Nduhungirehe explained that Rwanda’s role in the Doha talks was limited to that of an observer, following the June 27 peace agreement between the DRC and Rwanda mediated by the United States.
“The truth is that on the afternoon of the signing of the Washington Peace Agreement, June 27, 2025, the Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs invited all parties (DRC and Rwanda) and all guarantors (United States, Togo, African Union Commission) to a meeting at the Qatari Embassy in Washington to discuss the next steps in the process,” he revealed.
That meeting, he said, was attended by the foreign ministers of Congo, Rwanda, and Togo, alongside U.S. Special Advisor Massad Boulos. It was during this gathering that Qatar requested all involved parties and guarantors to send representatives to Doha to follow up on the peace negotiations, emphasising that the Washington and Doha tracks were complementary.
“In that context, and only that context, Rwanda was invited to Doha as an observer, just like the United States and the African Union,” Nduhungirehe explained.
“The DRC is a party to the Doha process, and thus Minister Shabani could not possibly have been considered an ‘observer.’”
The Rwandan minister also mocked recent remarks made by DRC government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya, who claimed that Rwanda’s economy has been “suffocating” since February 2025 due to Western sanctions prompted by President Félix Tshisekedi’s “firmness.”
“I must admit—I’m ‘suffocating’ from laughter instead,” Nduhungirehe quipped.
The exchange follows a series of heated statements between officials of both countries in the aftermath of two landmark agreements: the Washington Peace Agreement signed between Rwanda and the DRC and the Doha Declaration of Principles signed between the Congolese government and the AFC/M23 rebel group.
While the Washington agreement focuses on dismantling the genocidal FDLR militia and easing border tensions, the Doha process aims to address the political roots of the M23 conflict through dialogue.
Minister Nduhungurehe on Sunday reiterated that the [AFC/M23 is not covered->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/joint-security-mechanism-is-for-fdlr-not-m23-nduhungirehe-dismisses-muyaya-s?var_mode=calcul] under the Washington agreement’s Joint Security Coordination Mechanism (JSCM), which is strictly bilateral between Kigali and Kinshasa.
According to a statement by the U.S. State Department, the withdrawal was due to what Washington saw as the UN cultural agency’s policy to “advance divisive social and cultural causes” over the Israel-Palestine conflicts.
“UNESCO’s decision to admit the ‘State of Palestine’ as a member state is highly problematic, contrary to U.S. policy, and contributed to the proliferation of anti-Israel rhetoric within the organization,” the statement said.
The U.S. exit will take effect at the end of December 2026.
In its latest quarterly report released on July 21, 2025, NISR highlighted that Rwanda’s exports stood at $480.82 million, while imports into the country were valued at $1.379 billion.
Compared to the same period in 2024, Rwanda’s exports grew by 11.40% in Q1 2025. However, when compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, exports dropped by 29.02%.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerged as Rwanda’s top export destination, receiving goods worth $288.75 million. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) followed with $54.96 million, while China, Luxembourg, and the United States came next with $23.45 million, $11.98 million, and $10.73 million respectively.
Regionally, Uganda ranked second after the DRC, importing Rwandan goods worth $5.88 million, followed by Burundi at $3.74 million.
The DRC also received the highest value of re-exported goods through Rwanda, totaling $127.14 million representing a massive 93.91% of all re-exports, which stood at $135.39 million.
Meanwhile, the value of Rwanda’s imports slightly dropped by 2.23% in Q1 2025 compared to the same quarter in 2024, and by 15.36% compared to Q4 of last year.
China was Rwanda’s top import partner, sending goods worth $338.53 million. Tanzania followed with $151.30 million, Kenya with $135.35 million, India with $115.65 million, and the UAE with $81.09 million.
Despite the impressive numbers, Rwanda’s overall trade volume decreased by 0.99% in Q1 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, which had reached $2.015 billion. It also saw a 29.02% drop compared to Q4 2024, which had recorded $2.484 billion.
The ceremony took place on July 20, 2025, at the Amphorn Royal Palace in Bangkok.
The King extended his greetings to President Paul Kagame and the people of Rwanda, and underscored the importance of continued friendship based on shared values and mutual understanding.
He expressed satisfaction with the growing cooperation between Rwanda and Thailand, emphasising the value of closer collaboration in various sectors to enhance bilateral engagement.
Amb. Mukasine will serve with residence in Tokyo, Japan, where she is also accredited as Rwanda’s envoy to other countries in the region, including Malaysia and the Philippines.
Ahead of the credentials presentation, Amb. Mukasine held a courtesy meeting with Mrs. Natthira Krasaesarn, Secretary of the Department of Protocol at the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Continuing her diplomatic engagements, the Ambassador met on July 21 with Ekachat Seetavorarat, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Commerce. The discussions focused on deepening Rwanda–Thailand cooperation in key sectors such as trade, investment, renewable energy, agri-processing, culture, and hospitality.
Later that day, Amb. Mukasine met with the Thai Minister of Justice to review existing bilateral agreements and convey Rwanda’s gratitude for Thailand’s recent support in the repatriation of ten Rwandan nationals.
During her stay, Rwanda was also invited to participate in an upcoming Thai government
event designed to introduce African countries to the Thai public.
The cultural and diplomatic initiative aims to enhance people-to-people connections and promote a deeper understanding of Rwanda’s heritage and contemporary achievements.
The formal trade deficit dropped to $226.75 million in May, reflecting a 2.32% decrease from April 2025 and an even more substantial 18.42% decline compared to the same period last year. The reduction was primarily driven by a strong rebound in domestic exports and moderated import growth.
Rwanda’s total exports rose to $177.31 million, up 19.39% from April. Domestic exports, mainly goods produced within Rwanda, reached $127.81 million, marking a monthly increase of 21.24%, although still 39.58% lower than in May 2024.
The export rebound was largely driven by traditional mainstays, particularly tea, coffee, and fresh produce such as avocados, which generated US$31.98 million, representing a 12.64% increase from April and a 40.38% rise year-on-year.
Exports of animal and vegetable oils soared to $8.79 million, up 20.70% from April and a remarkable 358.48% compared to the same month last year. Beverages and tobacco, though modest in absolute value at $0.93 million, recorded a dramatic surge in annual growth rate of over 12,700%.
Machinery and transport equipment also contributed to the rebound with a 192.34% increase compared to May 2024, despite showing a monthly decline.
Meanwhile, re-exports rose to $49.51 million, representing a 14.87% increase from April, although this remained 16.25% below the level registered in May 2024. Re-exports continued to be driven by regional demand, particularly from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
On the import side, Rwanda imported goods worth $404.06 million in May, a 6.15% increase from April. Despite the monthly uptick, this figure reflects a 26.35% decline compared to May 2024.
Imports were largely composed of mineral fuels and lubricants, valued at $60.48 million, which rose by 16.12% month-on-month. Machinery and transport equipment followed, amounting to $83.22 million, an increase of 12.66% from the previous month. Food and live animals, which cost $75.76 million, saw a modest year-on-year increase of 4.14%.
A striking development in May was the sharp rise in imports from Saudi Arabia, which surged by over 1,026% year-on-year, indicating a spike in petroleum or fuel-related imports. This import surge placed Saudi Arabia among Rwanda’s top import sources for the month.
In terms of trade partnerships, the United Arab Emirates remained Rwanda’s largest export destination, purchasing goods worth $44.68 million. The Democratic Republic of Congo followed with $22.31 million in imports from Rwanda, while China was third at $14.07 million.
On the import side, China led the way with $96.88 million in goods sold to Rwanda. Tanzania followed with $47.09 million, while India contributed $35.97 million. Imports from Kenya also saw a recovery, rising to $32.87 million after a significant slump earlier in the year.
Most of Rwanda’s trade was conducted via land routes, with land transport accounting for $357.25 million in imports and $84.60 million in domestic exports. However, air transport also saw increased activity, with $46.81 million in imports and $43.21 million in exports handled through airports, highlighting a growing reliance on air freight for high-value or time-sensitive goods.
