According to the ministry, the incident took place on Tuesday evening when a military patrol from Tunisia’s Rapid Intervention Unit, operating under the UN’s peacekeeping mission, was ambushed.
The unit was on a routine mission as part of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).
Tunisia has been contributing troops to MINUSCA since June 2021, with its Rapid Intervention Unit tasked with reinforcing frontline security, ensuring civilian protection, securing strategic locations, escorting humanitarian convoys, and safeguarding UN personnel.
The visitors, hosted by Abercrombie & Kent, a luxury travel company, are set to explore various parts of Rwanda, including the Volcanoes National Park.
These elite travelers embarked on a journey through different countries, having previously arrived from Kenya and Tunisia, with their journey starting in London, UK. Their tour includes visiting world-renowned natural attractions, and they are accompanied by Abercrombie & Kent staff throughout.
Each tourist paid between $300,000 and $400,000 for the 30-day trip, which covers travel, luxury accommodations, and services in some of the world’s most scenic destinations, including Rwanda’s prestigious One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, and Kataza House.
On their trip around the world, they came a private chef, doctors. Upon arrival in Kigali, 17 classic tourist vehicles were at their disposal to take them to the Volcanoes National Park in the Musanze District, where they will visit gorillas and other wildlife.
Some moved by helicopter ride for some of them. The group will also visit local markets and shop for souvenirs.
Abercrombie & Kent primarily selects destinations known for security, high-end hotels, professional services, and unique natural wonders, with only a handful of countries included in their exclusive tours. Rwanda is consistently one of their chosen destinations.
In an interview with IGIHE, Paul Muvunyi, the CEO of Abercrombie & Kent Rwanda, praised Rwanda’s continued progress and its strong tourism appeal. He emphasized that Rwanda’s safety, hospitality, and the opportunity to see the famous mountain gorillas are major attractions.
Muvunyi noted that as demand grows, they aim to bring these high-end tourists to Rwanda more frequently, potentially even every month.
These visitors, who are wealthy individuals worth millions of dollars, often return to Rwanda because of the unique experiences the country offers. According to Albert Mitcho, an Abercrombie & Kent staff member in the region, many tourists visit Rwanda repeatedly due to its exceptional offerings.
Ann Epting, a senior representative from Abercrombie & Kent in the United States, highlighted Rwanda’s unique wildlife and culture as major reasons why clients choose to visit repeatedly. She emphasized that Rwanda is one of the few places in the world where tourists can experience mountain gorillas in the wild, contributing to its popularity.
The travelers will continue their journey to other African destinations, including Botswana, South Africa, and West Africa, as part of their ongoing luxury adventure.
Abercrombie & Kent, a leading luxury travel agency founded in 1962 by Geoffrey Kent, operates in over 100 countries with more than 60 branches, including one in Rwanda. They employ over 2,500 staff worldwide.
As regional tensions continue to boil, with the M23 rebels seizing Goma in the eastern part of DR Congo and threatening to advance to Bukavu, Kagame firmly responded to the allegations in a video conference interview with Jeune Afrique.
He called for a fair judgment based on facts and evidence rather than sweeping accusations. “We have faced existential threats for years. Threats and sanctions will not deter Rwanda from defending its sovereignty and security,” he said.
Kagame made it clear that it is not his responsibility to intervene in the internal matters of the DR Congo or support any group for political change. “It’s none of my business to try and effect supporting them or do it for them to do the change that may be justified and they want to see,” he asserted.
Regarding casualties during the ongoing conflict, Kagame explained that casualties in any conflict are inevitable, but questioned the logic behind holding those defending their nation accountable for enemy losses.
The Head of State emphasized Rwanda’s unwavering position in defending its national interests while also encouraging a broader understanding of the complex situation in the Great Lakes region.
The M23 crisis, which has been shaking the region for almost three decades, has once again come onto the international spotlight as leaders prepare to discuss the crisis further during the upcoming African Union summit in Addis Ababa.
On Wednesday, February 12, 2025, the DRC government officially barred flights from Rwanda from entering its airspace or landing on its territory, citing security concerns. Just hours after the announcement, RwandAir confirmed that it had started implementing the directive.
“Due to the closure of DRC airspace to Rwandan-registered aircrafts, RwandAir has established alternative routes for affected flights. We are doing everything possible to ensure safe and reliable travel while minimizing disruptions for our customers,” RwandAir said in a statement. The airline also apologized to passengers affected by the decision.
“Civil or government aircraft registered in Rwanda, or elsewhere but operating in Rwanda, are prohibited from DRC airspace and territory due to security threats posed by the ongoing conflict,” the DRC Civil Aviation Authority said earlier.
This decision comes as tensions between the two countries continue to rise amid ongoing clashes between the Congolese army and the armed group M23, which has controlled the city of Goma since January 27, 2025.
The latest ban follows a similar measure imposed by the DRC in 2022, which suspended RwandAir’s operations within the country. Before that, RwandAir operated flights to key DRC airports, including Goma International Airport, Lubumbashi International Airport, and N’Djili International Airport in Kinshasa.
This agreement signifies that both nations have agreed to remove visa requirements for their citizens. However, once both parties finalize and confirm the terms, a formal agreement will be signed, ensuring there are no further changes or improvements needed.
The announcement of this agreement was made on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, as confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar.
The official confirmation took place during a Government Council meeting led by Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani.
This approval means that Rwandans wishing to travel to Qatar will no longer need a visa, and similarly, citizens of Qatar will not require a visa to visit Rwanda. Since 2019, Qatar has included Rwanda among the countries whose citizens can travel to Qatar without a visa for up to 30 days.
Opening the doors for citizens of other countries to easily obtain visas upon arrival, or apply for them later, aims to promote trade, business, and tourism between the two nations.
This agreement comes shortly after President Kagame’s official visit to Qatar, where he met with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. President Kagame arrived in Doha on the evening of February 11, 2025, for a working visit.
Rwanda and Qatar already share strong cooperation in several sectors, including security. In October 2024, the Rwanda National Police and Qatar’s internal security agency, Lekhwiya, signed a cooperation agreement to enhance security and fight crime.
Additionally, the two countries collaborate in air transport, with Qatar Airways expected to acquire a 49% stake in RwandAir in the near future.
Qatar also holds a 60% stake in the Bugesera International Airport project, which is set to be completed with an investment of $780 million. Upon completion, the airport will be capable of accommodating 14 million passengers annually.
The ceremony was held in RWABATT-1 Headquarters, at the UN Tomping Base Camp at Juba on Wednesday, February 12, 2025.
The UNMISS Force Commander, Lt Gen Mohan Subramanian who presided over the medal awarding ceremony, thanked the Government of Rwanda for providing key contribution to the UN peacekeeping operations and commended Rwandan peacekeepers for their discipline and dedication while performing their duties.
He highlighted that Rwandan peacekeepers are the largest peacekeeping contingent in South Sudan and therefore the backbone of the UNMISS.
Brig Gen William Ryarasa, the Sector Unity Commander and Rwanda Senior National Representative in South Sudan, said that RWABATT-1 successfully carried out various operations that contributed to security and stability in their area of responsibility.
They include patrols to liaise with local security forces, monitor human rights situations, and gather critical information for the protection of civilians.
RWABATT-1 ensured the security of the UN Tomping and Torit Company Operating Base Camp, safeguarding key installations and personnel.
They also conducted community activities aimed at promoting cleanliness, health and education such as provision of medical services to the local community, provision of scholastic and hygiene materials to students and planting of trees and cleaning among others.
Lt Col Emmanuel Ntwali, RWABATT-1 Contingent Commander, said that the event was a milestone for the peacekeepers who have now completed 11 months fulfilling their duties under UNMISS.
He added that Medal decorations play a crucial role in raising UN Peacekeepers’ motivation and morale.
Lt Col Ntwali further appreciated the support rendered by the UNMISS leadership, the Government of South Sudan and friendly contingents in accomplishing the mandated tasks.
The event was attended by fellow peacekeepers from different nations under the UNMISS, South Sudan senior military officials and other friends. It was marked by parade demonstration, medal pinning and cultural dance performance.
The two leaders discussed the “continuous positive bilateral relations between Rwanda and Qatar and partnership in key sectors,” according to the President’s Office.
A day before, the Head of State arrived in Doha, Qatar, for a work visit. He was welcomed by the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Dr. Ahmad bin Hassen Al-Hammadi, at Hamad International Airport.
Rwanda and Qatar are friendly nations with cooperation in various sectors that benefit both sides. These countries collaborate in areas such as security, investment promotion, economic partnership, trade and technology, tourism, anti-corruption, and more.
Qatar is also partnering with Rwanda in transportation investments, particularly in the Bugesera International Airport project, where Qatar Airways holds a 60% stake.
Last month, Kagame mentioned that significant progress had been made regarding agreements Rwanda signed with Qatar for the construction of Bugesera International Airport and the purchase of a 49% stake in RwandAir, with most aspects bearing fruitful results.
At the end of the work visit, the head of state, along with his delegation, was once again accompanied by Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi, Secretary-General of Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Rwanda’s Ambassador to Qatar, Igor Marara Kayinamura, to Hamad International Airport for departure.
The DRC government has accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 armed group, which has been engaged in conflict since November 2021, allegedly causing human rights violations in North Kivu. This case, filed in August 2023, comes amid escalating tensions between the two nations.
In his address, Dr. Ugirashebuja brought to light the numerous procedural irregularities and legal shortcomings in the case brought against Rwanda.
“From its inception, this application has been marked by lack of coherence, procedural irregularities, and an outright disregard for the established principles governing the court’s jurisdiction and admissibility requirements. It is not merely flawed, but fundamentally untenable,” he stated, criticizing the DRC’s approach from the start.
Dr. Ugirashebuja elaborated on the procedural lapses, emphasizing several instances of non-compliance with court rules.
He specifically pointed to the DRC’s filing of an additional application for an expedited procedure, which he called “an unprecedented move that had no justification.”
He further speculated that the DRC may have been seeking a quick resolution ahead of an upcoming election, though the court had rightfully dismissed this request.
Additionally, he condemned the DRC’s diplomatic maneuver when a government official visited the court in August 2024 with little notice, which he described as “perhaps an attempt to intimidate its members.”
He continued, “This is unheard of. President of the court, members of the court… graver yet was when the applicant sought to lodge 11,000 observations to the respondent’s rejoinder in another breach of procedural norms that underscores the opportunistic and unstructured nature of the applicant’s approach to this case.”
Dr. Ugirashebuja noted that the DRC’s actions, such as filing duplicative claims before the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) without disclosing this to the AfCHPR, revealed a “cavalier attitude” towards the proceedings.
According to the Minister, the DRC’s conduct undermines the integrity of the legal process.
“It should therefore be clear that the applicant’s attempt to conceal its litigation strategy erodes the principles of good governance and transparency essential to international adjudication,” Dr. Ugirashebuja argued, calling for the court to firmly reject such tactics.
Beyond procedural flaws, Dr. Ugirashebuja also pointed to the lack of a solid legal foundation for the DRC’s claims. He stated that the DRC had invoked a wide range of legal instruments without demonstrating their relevance or applicability.
“The applicant seems to be under the impression that it suffices to invoke a bewildering array of legal instruments and alleged norms without demonstrating their applicability, let alone their ratification or even binding nature upon the respondent,” he explained.
Dr. Ugirashebuja emphasized that the DRC had failed to establish a bona fide legal dispute or to address preliminary objections raised by Rwanda.
“The applicant has opted to raise as many arguments as possible while ignoring the respondents’ legitimate objections and is now simply hoping that the court will somehow sort out its case,” he said.
Additionally, Rwanda pointed out the DRC’s failure to exhaust local remedies before seeking international intervention.
Dr. Ugirashebuja underscored that the burden of proof lies with the applicant to show that such remedies were unavailable or unnecessary, a requirement the DRC had not met.
“The applicant has utterly failed to rebut, preferring to believe that it is not bound by the usual rules of admissibility,” he added.
The Rwandan Minister concluded by urging the court to consider the procedural chaos and substantive deficiencies of the case.
“This case is therefore remarkable, but it’s couched with a lot of procedural chaos and substantive deficiencies,” he said. He called on the court to reject the claims and reaffirm the importance of adhering to international legal principles.
Rwanda’s legal representative, Prof. Dapo Akande, argued that the African Court lacks jurisdiction over the case filed by DRC, as it pertains to actions outside Rwanda’s borders.
Rwanda’s representatives claimed the complaint aimed to dodge diplomatic processes for peace in eastern DRC.
This case, led by ten judges, follows a similar complaint filed by DRC against Rwanda in the East African Court of Justice in September 2024, related to the ongoing conflict since November 2021.
The meeting brought together leaders from the political coalition AFC, which consists of various political groups and the M23. Among the attendees were AFC leader Corneille Nangaa, North Kivu’s Deputy Governor Manzi Willy, and M23 military officials.
Recently, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Congo (CENCO) and the Anglican Church (ECC) launched a program to engage with various groups in the region in a bid to bring peace to Eastern DRC.
On February 9, 2025, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, the Catholic Archbishop of Kinshasa, announced that the churches were ready to engage M23 rebels, with peace as the primary goal.
“If going to Goma is necessary, we will go. We will meet and talk with everyone. Even if they are in the moon, we will meet them there. We cannot achieve anything if we don’t give everyone a chance, if we want these talks to lead to a lasting solution,” he stated.
However, the initiative by CENCO and ECC has been criticized by the ruling UDPS party in the DRC, which argued that the churches should not be involved in political activities without authorization from President Félix Tshisekedi.
UDPS stated, “UDPS/Tshisekedi reminds that religious groups do not have a mandate to engage in political processes on behalf of the state. We call on religious leaders to focus on promoting peace and unity among citizens, while respecting the authority of the legitimate state leadership.”
Both the Catholic and Anglican Churches support the peace initiatives endorsed by the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which include halting fighting in Eastern DRC and facilitating talks between the DRC government and M23.
Irembo, a leading digital services provider in Rwanda, termed the strategic partnership a significant milestone in the country’s ongoing digital transformation.
By making the RW country domain more accessible, this collaboration aims to simplify the process of domain registration, providing a seamless experience for both individuals and businesses seeking to establish a digital presence in Rwanda and beyond. RW domain registration is now available alongside other services provided on the IremboGov platform.
Through this integration, clients can now purchase RW domains directly on the IremboGov platform, aligning with Rwanda’s vision of building a modern digital ecosystem.
The addition of RW domain services enhances IremboGov’s comprehensive suite of digital services, empowering Rwandans and international investors with an easy-to-use, centralized platform to access essential online services.
“Users can now register their RW domains with just a few clicks,” Irembo said in a statement.
RICTA is a non-profit organization with a mandate to manage Rwanda’s RW country code top-level domain (ccTLD).
The new partnership is part of RICTA’s broader effort to promote the adoption of the RW domain, which is essential for establishing trust and authenticity in the digital space.
The RW domain serves as a symbol of Rwanda’s national identity, offering businesses, startups, and individuals a unique opportunity to strengthen their digital presence while supporting the country’s efforts to foster a thriving digital economy.
The collaboration with Irembo is expected to increase the visibility and adoption of the RW domain, making it the domain of choice within and beyond Rwanda.
RICTA has affirmed its commitment to ensuring the growth of Rwanda’s internet ecosystem. The integration with IremboGov is a significant step toward achieving this goal.
