Shaibu visited the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) headquarters in Kigali on Monday, October 19, 2026, during a five-day official visit running from October 18 to 23.
He paid a courtesy call on the Chief of Defence Staff, General MK Mubarakh, before holding bilateral talks with his counterpart, RDF Army Chief of Staff Major General Vincent Nyakarundi.
In a statement, the Ministry of Defence said discussions focused on strengthening existing cooperation between the Nigerian Armed Forces and the RDF, with both delegations exchanging views on defence and security issues of mutual interest.
Speaking after the meetings, Shaibu said the visit aimed to reinforce bilateral cooperation between the two armies and advance the implementation of existing agreements.
“As the outcome of today’s discussion, we have made key promises to implement the various memoranda of understanding that have been there between both countries in the area of training, exchange of directing staff as well as logisticians,” he said.
The commitments are expected to support cooperation in military training, the exchange of instructional personnel and logistics.
Earlier in the day, Shaibu and his delegation visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where they paid their respects to victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The delegation also visited the Campaign Against Genocide Museum, which documents the efforts to stop the Genocide and the role of the Rwanda Patriotic Army in ending it.
Shaibu visited the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) headquarters in Kigali on Monday, October 19, 2026, during a five-day official visit running from October 18 to 23.He also He paid a courtesy call on the Chief of Defence Staff, General MK Mubarakh.Earlier in the day, Shaibu and his delegation visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where they paid their respects to victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said drones reportedly struck locations in the capital Khartoum, including near the airport, on Monday. A civilian was reportedly killed and some flights were canceled following the attacks.
OCHA said that a drone strike in West Darfur state reportedly killed 11 people, including nine children, and injured others in the Bir Saliba area on Saturday.
In South Darfur state, a drone strike reportedly hit the Almawashi market in the state capital Nyala last Friday, killing at least four people, including a child.
In North Kordofan state, at least four civilians were reportedly killed and others injured in a drone strike in the locality of Abu Zabad on Saturday.
“OCHA is also deeply saddened by the killing of a Sudanese Red Crescent volunteer while providing first aid at a health center in the town of Um Darfa, in Blue Nile State, last week, following a drone attack on the facility,” the office said. “Since the conflict began in April 2023, 25 Sudanese Red Crescent volunteers have reportedly been killed while on duty.”
The office said international humanitarian law requires the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, including medical facilities and humanitarian personnel.
OCHA said rising food prices further challenge families struggling to meet their basic needs.
The World Food Programme said the cost of its local food basket rose by 24 percent in September compared with August. Currency depreciation, fuel shortages and conflict-related disruptions to markets and supply routes are driving up costs.
“Despite immense challenges, the United Nations and its humanitarian partners continue to deliver life-saving assistance,” OCHA said. “In Central Darfur State, partners recently rehabilitated a water facility in the locality of Zalingei, restoring access to safe water for some 2,500 people. More than 2,000 families also received water, sanitation and hygiene assistance across several localities.”
However, the humanitarian office said underfunding threatens relief operations.
With less than three months left in the year, Sudan’s humanitarian response plan is just over 43 percent funded, with 1.2 billion U.S. dollars of the nearly 2.9 billion required received so far, OCHA added.
UN humanitarians said Monday they are alarmed by reports of continued deadly drone strikes across Sudan, which are killing civilians and disrupting essential services.
The partnership was launched through the two-day Executive AI Academy held at ASYV, which brought together senior business leaders for an immersive experience focused on AI, leadership and organisational transformation.
Built on a shared commitment to leadership development, workforce capability and long-term societal impact, the partnership brings together TeKnowledge’s expertise in AI transformation and capability-building with ASYV’s mission of developing young people into leaders who drive positive change in their communities and beyond.
Through practical AI insights, peer learning and leadership discussions, the Executive AI Academy helped executives build the understanding and confidence needed to turn AI ambition into measurable outcomes.
Rwanda needs an AI leadership pipeline that prepares both the leaders making decisions today and the young people who will shape the economy tomorrow. What makes this initiative different is its focus on leadership as the starting point for AI transformation.
Countries investing seriously in AI are increasingly recognising that technology alone is not enough; people must be prepared to understand it, use it and lead through the change it brings. Qatar, for example, has combined investment in AI with deliberate efforts to build capability among senior leaders and across its workforce, an approach that is already contributing to measurable gains in AI adoption and productivity.
The Executive AI Academy brings this leadership-first mindset to Rwanda through a new kind of executive AI learning experience, combining practical AI application, leadership development, peer learning and immersion in the Village.
At the same time, the ASYV Future Skills Hub will build the other end of that pipeline by preparing young people with the skills, confidence and real-world exposure to participate in and lead Rwanda’s emerging digital economy.
From the boardroom to the classroom, the partnership is built around a simple idea: Rwanda’s AI future will depend as much on the people prepared to lead it as on the technology itself.
Beyond the executive program, the partnership establishes the foundation for the ASYV Future Skills Hub, an initiative focused on developing the capabilities, confidence and leadership mindset young people need to thrive in an AI-enabled world.
By combining practical technology experience, hands-on learning and real-world problem-solving, the initiative aims to prepare the next generation to participate in, shape and lead the future digital economy.
“The future of AI will be shaped not only by the technologies we build, but by the people who lead and use them. Through this partnership, we are creating opportunities for executives to lead AI transformation with confidence while helping young people develop the skills, capabilities and mindset needed to thrive in the digital economy”, shared Aileen Allkins, President & CEO, TeKnowledge
“At ASYV, we believe every young person deserves the opportunity to realise their full potential. This partnership strengthens our ability to prepare young people for the future by combining leadership development, technology education and real-world learning experiences.
“Through initiatives like the ASYV Future Skills Hub, we are creating new pathways for students to develop the confidence, skills and opportunities they need to shape their own futures and contribute to Rwanda’s continued growth,” said Jean Claude Nkulikiyimfura, Chief Executive Officer, ASYV
The Executive AI Academy marks the first initiative under the partnership, with additional executive learning opportunities, future talent initiatives and capability-building programs planned as part of the ongoing collaboration.
Together, TeKnowledge and ASYV are creating a model that connects leadership development, workforce capability and future talent development, helping today’s leaders and tomorrow’s workforce turn the opportunities of AI into meaningful impact for organisations, communities and society.
TeKnowledge is an AI execution partner helping organisations and governments turn AI ambition into measurable outcomes. Combining expertise across strategy, workforce transformation, governance, trust, technology and operations, TeKnowledge helps customers build capability, establish trust, deliver transformation and drive adoption at scale through every stage of their AI journey.
Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village (ASYV) empowers young people through education, leadership development and community-building, equipping them with the skills, confidence and values needed to become future leaders and positive agents of change.
The partnership was launched through the two-day Executive AI Academy held at ASYV.The session brought together senior business leaders for an immersive experience focused on AI, leadership and organisational transformation.Through practical AI insights, peer learning and leadership discussions, the Executive AI Academy helped executives build the understanding and confidence needed to turn AI ambition into measurable outcomes.
It started with a phone call that kept repeating itself.
Employers looking for technical talent regularly asked Niyonshuti Yves, who works as Assistant Lecturer at Rwanda Polytechnic – Tumba College, to recommend students who could do the job. He usually could. Many of the people he recommended have since become senior professionals in their organisations.
But the process had a weakness: it depended on who knew whom. Yves began to ask whether technology could give employers the same insight without needing a personal introduction.
The answer became Mpuza, an AI-powered talent and recruitment platform conceived in 2017 and now live. Its ambition is bigger than a job board: to become a trust-based professional platform, focused on employment, where the work people deliver becomes verified proof of what they can do.
The plan is to pilot in Rwanda, expand across Africa and compete worldwide, so that the next generation of employment technology is built by Africans for the global market.
Beyond the CV
Yves is an alumnus of the University of Rwanda’s African Centre of Excellence in Data Science (UR-ACEDS), where he enrolled in a master’s degree in Data Science with a specialization in Data Mining.
CVs remain central to hiring, he says, but they rarely tell the whole story. Candidates present their experience in different ways, and employers spend long hours deciding who really fits a vacancy as well as receiving a lot of candidate that is very difficult to evaluate each and everyone.
What Mpuza does
For job seekers, Mpuza offers:
Semantic job search, which understands descriptions written in natural language instead of relying only on exact keywords, combining contextual matching with keyword signals.
Personalised recommendations based on a user’s profile and on the jobs they explore, save or apply for.
Custom job categories to follow personalized opportunities across different professional domain.
Profile connections, such as GitHub, so recruiters can see technical projects and contributions beyond what a CV shows.
For employers, Mpuza offers:
Tools to publish vacancies, manage applications and run recruitment workflows.
AI assistance to draft job descriptions and to rank or shortlist applicants against a vacancy’s requirements.
Project-management tools to create projects, organise teams, assign tasks and track work.
The AI is designed to support recruiters, not replace them. Employers remain responsible for reviewing candidates and making final hiring decisions.
The platform’s wider direction is to link verified work and completed deliverables to professional skills profiles, building a more evidence-based picture of what people can do. That could especially help professionals whose abilities are not fully captured by their formal qualifications.
More than a talent platform: a trust platform for employment
Yves describes Mpuza’s bigger picture as a trust platform for employment: a place where people are known for the work they have verifiably delivered, not only for what they say about themselves.
Most platforms help people look for work or describe their careers. Mpuza’s project-management tools are meant to do something different. They are the engine that turns everyday work into evidence. Here is the idea, step by step:
An organisation creates a project, forms a team and assigns tasks.
Team members complete and deliver their work on the platform.
Project owners or managers review and confirm the deliverables.
Confirmed work is added to the person’s profile as verified skills and experience.
Recruiters see evidence, not just claims, and can hire with greater confidence.
This verified-work direction is being built step by step and is not yet a finished feature set. It would also need to protect privacy and let professionals decide what they share with recruiters, a principle Mpuza will have to prove in practice.
Local infrastructure behind the technology
Mpuza’s development has been supported by the UR-ACEDS and its Data Driven Incubation Hub. Through the Hub, Yves has had access to high-performance computing, servers for running AI model inference and GPU resources for training models.
For Dr. Jennifer Batamuliza, Head of the Data Driven Incubation Hub, the aim is to help innovators build real capability, not simply use existing tools.
“We have provided access to high-performance computing, servers for running AI model inference and GPU resources for training models. These resources allow the team to experiment with AI technologies and develop practical engineering expertise rather than depending exclusively on existing commercial AI APIs,” said Dr. Jennifer Batamuliza, Head of the Data Driven Incubation Hub, UR-ACEDS
“Young engineers should have opportunities to understand how AI systems are developed, trained, evaluated and deployed,” she added. She also noted that startups need continued technical guidance, business mentorship and a deeper understanding of customers as they prepare to scale.
A vision for education and industry
An UR-ACEDS representative said the centre wants Rwanda to produce engineers and innovators who build advanced technologies rather than only consuming solutions from elsewhere.
“Mpuza illustrates the potential of translating data science expertise into practical innovation,” said Prof. Charles RURANGA, Director of African Center of Excellence in Data Science(ACEDS)
The centre sees a future in which responsibly governed and anonymised workforce data could help researchers and TVET students study labour-market trends, spot emerging skills requirements and understand where education and employer expectations diverge. Such evidence could inform curriculum development, practical AI projects and workforce planning in line with Rwanda’s NST2 agenda.
This remains an ambition, not an achievement. Any research would depend on suitable data, strong privacy safeguards, institutional approval and the participation of employers and educational institutions.
Looking further ahead, Yves is also interested in how organisations may combine human workers with AI agents. That is part of his long-term vision for the future of work and is not a feature currently available on Mpuza.
Inspired by a national vision for AI
Yves says his ambition is shaped by Rwanda’s leadership in artificial intelligence. In July 2026, President Paul Kagame was named co-chair of the AI for Good Global Commission, a UN-backed initiative set up through the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and co-chaired with Salesforce chair and CEO Marc Benioff. The Commission focuses on building trust in AI, widening access to it and making sure developing countries are not left behind
For Yves, that leadership is a source of motivation. He hopes Mpuza can help grow a dynamic community of African builders who follow that lead and contribute to its success, raising the flag of Rwanda and of Africa together. He is also grateful for the continued support given to young entrepreneurs to keep creating and innovating while serving the world.
Why digital exports matter: from a Rwandan pilot to a global product
Yves also sees Mpuza as an economic idea. If Rwanda can build software that customers abroad pay for, it can earn foreign currency without shipping a single container.
Early days, honest goals
At the time of writing, Mpuza records 13 users, 3 companies and 96 job postings. Yves is clear that these are early numbers, a snapshot of activity and not proof of large-scale adoption.
The next stage is practical: grow the user base, build stronger relationships with employers, improve the recruitment experience and establish a sustainable business model. The longer-term test will be building trust and showing that AI-assisted recruitment is used responsibly, with people accountable for every hiring decision.
For Yves, the goal is not simply to build an AI product, but to build trusted technology that connects people with opportunities, and to show what Rwanda’s own technology talent can create.
If Mpuza earns that trust, it could become one of many African-built products that serve customers worldwide, adding to Rwanda’s digital economy and proving that Africa is a builder of technology, not only a consumer of it.
Developing local industries, creating employment and expanding access to international markets are central to efforts to diversify African economies. China’s transformation into a major manufacturing power offers an experience to examine, particularly as African countries deepen economic cooperation with China and other international partners.
China, the world’s second-largest economy, recorded a GDP of approximately $19.5 trillion in 2025, with GDP per capita of $13,862 from approximately $ 770 in 1986. Its economy grew by 5% that year while its total foreign trade reached approximately $6.48 trillion, cementing its position as the world’s largest goods-trading nation.
Over the recent decades, China has expanded its industrial and agricultural output, developed extensive infrastructure and lifted hundreds of million out of poverty.
Speaking about China’s development and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on October 18, Professor Zhu Feng, Executive Director of the Collaborative Innovation Center of South China Sea Studies and Professor at the School of International Studies at Nanjing University, discussed the importance of moving beyond infrastructure investment to strengthen production, participate in global supply chains and establish mutually beneficial economic relationships. He was addressing participants of the 2026 Global South Journalists Workshop in Nanjing.
Prof. Zhu Feng describes the Belt and Road Initiative as China’s unique way to connect to the rest of the world.
From consumers to producers
Prof. Zhu began by emphasising that China–Africa relations should extend beyond infrastructure development to include a stronger focus on production.
He illustrated his point by recalling China’s dependence on imported products several decades ago. Around 30 years ago, when he wanted to buy his first car, he said Chinese consumers had limited choices beyond Japanese and American vehicles. Today, Chinese manufacturers account for a substantial share of car sales in their domestic market.
The transformation illustrates the changes in China’s manufacturing capacity over several decades. For African countries, Prof. Zhu argued, the challenge is to consider how their economies can evolve and how their economic relationships with China can support that process.
He acknowledged that manufacturing capabilities remain at an early stage in some African economies, while emphasising that countries’ circumstances differ.
Rather than assuming that every country should follow the same path, he said each needs to consider how its economy can adjust and develop. Opportunities may include processing agricultural products, adding value to minerals and establishing manufacturing activities suited to local resources, skills and markets.
Connecting to global markets
Zhu placed international connectivity at the centre of China’s development experience, describing the Belt and Road Initiative, launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, as a way of extending economic cooperation beyond national borders.
“The most important task is how you can build the connectivities to the rest of the world,” he said.
He explained that participation in the global economy requires countries to connect their production systems with international markets and supply chains.
“You need to refit yourself into the supply chain and also production chain against the background of global competition,” he said.
For African countries, this means considering how infrastructure, trade agreements and international investment can support local businesses in producing goods and services for wider markets.
Roads, railways, ports and energy infrastructure can help reduce barriers to trade. However, their contribution to industrial development also depends on whether businesses have the capacity to produce competitively, obtain necessary inputs and reach customers.
China’s extensive railway network has made travel between cities faster.
China’s trade with Belt and Road partner countries reached RMB 23.6 trillion, equivalent to more than $3.5 trillion, in 2025, accounting for 51.9% of its total foreign trade.
Meanwhile, China–Africa trade reached a record $295.6 billion in 2024. The scale of this relationship offers opportunities for businesses on both sides, although the benefits for individual African economies depend on the composition of trade, the sectors receiving investment and the ability of local producers to access markets.
Chinese manufactured products, including vehicles, machinery and electronic goods, also reach markets across Africa, including Rwanda.
The challenge for African economies is to use these expanding commercial relationships to build local production, develop technical skills and increase the value of goods produced on the continent.
For African countries, the question is how stronger connectivity can support economic diversification, expand exports and increase local participation in production networks.
Making economic cooperation mutually beneficial
Zhu described the Belt and Road Initiative as an approach intended to connect economies through trade, access to markets and cooperation based on shared benefits.
“We should not just mutually reach out. We should also mutually complement each other. We should also accommodate each other,” he said.
He explained that China’s economic development has increased its need for resources and products from other countries, even as its manufacturing sector has expanded.
For African countries, this creates opportunities to develop trade relationships that go beyond exporting raw materials and importing finished goods.
Prof. Zhu cited China’s policy of providing tax-free access for African exports as an example of efforts to expand economic engagement. Such arrangements can create opportunities for eligible exporters, although taking advantage of them also requires competitive products, consistent quality and reliable supply chains.
Prof. Zhu also pointed to domestic conditions as an important part of China’s development experience, citing political stability and a development direction broadly shared by government officials and the public.
For African countries, the relevant considerations include maintaining effective institutions, sustaining development priorities and creating predictable conditions for long-term investment. These factors can influence the implementation of economic plans and the ability of businesses to expand production.
Prof. Zhu also cautioned that domestic instability can threaten the continuity of economic partnerships, particularly where investment depends on long-term infrastructure and commercial connections.
A view of one of Jiangsu Province’s highways, part of a road network linking its cities.
Development and the Global South’s voice
The discussion of economic development also connects with the representation of countries in international media and global debates.
At the opening of the Belt and Road Journalists Forum in Nanjing on October 17, 2026, He Ping, president of the Belt and Road Journalists Network, questioned the limited voice of Global South countries in international discourse.
“Who gets to draw the map of humanity and human history? And who gets the right to define it for us in the new media landscape?” he asked.
He called on journalists to document the changes taking place across Global South countries and give greater attention to their histories, development experiences and contributions.
Shanghai’s intricate elevated expressway system weaves through the heart of the city, standing as a striking symbol of rapid urban expansion and modern engineering.
NCBA’s sponsorship of the Rwanda Open 2026 marked an important milestone for the country’s golfing landscape.
The tournament brought international professional golfers to Kigali, increasing Rwanda’s visibility on the international golf calendar and demonstrating the country’s growing potential as a destination for major sporting events.
Building on this momentum, the third edition of the NCBA Golf Series will bring together golfers, partners and the wider golfing community, continuing the bank’s commitment to supporting the sport beyond major international tournaments.
Building on Rwanda’s growing golf momentum
Since its introduction in Rwanda in 2024, the NCBA Golf Series has provided a platform for golfers to compete, connect and celebrate their shared passion for the game.
The series forms part of NCBA’s broader commitment to supporting sporting initiatives that promote ambition, excellence and meaningful community engagement.
The third edition comes at a significant moment for golf in Rwanda, following the increased international attention generated by the Rwanda Open.
While the Rwanda Open showcased the country’s capacity to host professional international competition, the NCBA Golf Series continues to support the development of the local golfing community and sustain interest in the sport.
In 2025, NCBA further strengthened its partnership with Kigali Golf Resort & Villas, with a focus on developing the game and expanding opportunities for young golfers through junior golf initiatives.
These efforts reflect the importance of investing in emerging talent and creating opportunities for the next generation to participate in and contribute to the future of golf in Rwanda.
More than a game
For NCBA, golf represents more than competition. It offers a platform for building relationships, promoting discipline and excellence, and bringing people together around shared ambition.
Through its sponsorships and partnerships, NCBA continues to support initiatives that create opportunities for individuals and communities to thrive.
Its involvement in both the Rwanda Open and the NCBA Golf Series reflects a commitment to the sport at different levels, from international professional competition to local participation and talent development.
“Rwanda’s recent hosting of the Rwanda Open was an important milestone for golf in our country. At NCBA, we believe that the growth of the sport depends not only on international tournaments but also on sustained investment in the local golfing community.
Through the NCBA Golf Series, we are proud to continue supporting a platform that brings people together, encourages ambition and contributes to the future of golf in Rwanda.” Maurice Toroitich, Managing Director, NCBA Bank Rwanda PLC.
The NCBA Golf Series aligns with the bank’s purpose of Banking on Belief and Empowering Ambition, reflecting its commitment to initiatives that inspire progress and create lasting value for customers, partners and communities.
As Rwanda continues to strengthen its presence on the regional and international sporting stage, NCBA remains committed to supporting platforms that encourage participation, nurture talent and contribute to the long-term growth of golf.
The third edition of the NCBA Golf Series will take place on October 24 2026, at Kigali Golf Resort & Villas, marking another chapter in the bank’s continued support for the sport and Rwanda’s golfing community.
NCBA Bank Rwanda PLC is part of NCBA Group, a financial services group operating across East Africa. Guided by its purpose of Banking on Belief and Empowering Ambition, NCBA supports individuals, businesses and communities through financial solutions and strategic partnerships that enable growth and opportunity.
The third edition of the NCBA Golf Series will take place on October 24 2026, at Kigali Golf Resort & Villas.Through its sponsorships and partnerships, NCBA continues to support initiatives that create opportunities for individuals and communities to thrive.NCBA’s sponsorship of the Rwanda Open 2026 marked an important milestone for the country’s golfing landscape.
Amoth announced the arrival of the supplies during an interview with Citizen TV on Sunday evening, October 18, 2026, as he confirmed that the number of infections had risen from seven to eight.
Kenya recorded the latest case after a 49-year-old male patient attendant tested positive for the virus following the testing of 38 people.
“As I was coming to speak with you, the number had increased by one. Today, we tested 38 people, and one tested positive,” Amoth said.
He explained that the patient was not a direct healthcare worker but a patient attendant who had developed a fever, headache and muscle pain.
“He has now been isolated, and we are preparing to begin the compassionate treatment that we have administered to the other seven patients,” he noted.
Amoth said the seven previously confirmed patients had received monoclonal antibodies, a type of treatment that uses laboratory-produced antibodies to target a virus.
He added that a separate shipment of medicines from Rwanda had arrived shortly before 9 p.m. on Sunday and would be deployed as part of the country’s response.
“Today, a few minutes before 9 p.m., a shipment of another medicine arrived from Rwanda, which we are also going to deploy,” he said.
Rwanda, which shares a border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the latest Ebola outbreak began in May 2026, has not reported any cases but remains on high alert as authorities monitor the risk of the virus spreading across borders.
Encouraging progress
Amoth reported encouraging progress among patients who had received treatment, highlighting the recovery of a 65-year-old woman whose vomiting and diarrhoea had stopped.
“The older woman is doing very well. She is 65 years old, and she is up and about, feeding herself. The vomiting has stopped, and the diarrhoea has stopped,” he said.
He added that another male patient was also doing well, while three staff members at the Nairobi Hospital isolation centre had received their medication on Sunday afternoon and were all in stable condition.
“We are cautiously optimistic that everything will turn out well,” Amoth said, calling for cooperation to bring the outbreak to an end.
Medical treatment for the outbreak
The outbreak in Kenya is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a species of Ebola virus distinct from the Zaire ebolavirus. Kenya confirmed its first case on October 6, 2026, after a Kenyan man who had been living in the DRC died at the Nairobi Hospital on October 5, 2026, after travelling to Kenya via Uganda.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends two monoclonal antibody treatments, ansuvimab and REGN-EB3, for Ebola virus disease caused by the Zaire ebolavirus species. However, there are no approved specific therapeutics for other Ebola virus diseases, including Bundibugyo virus disease.
Supportive care, including rehydration and treatment of symptoms, remains an important part of patient management.
Trump announced his endorsement on Sunday, October 18, in a social media post in which he praised Netanyahu’s leadership and described him as a key partner in confronting Iran.
Netanyahu has long presented his close relationship with Trump as an advantage in his efforts to remain in power.
However, Trump had refrained from endorsing him for months as their approaches to developments in the Middle East increasingly diverged.
In his message, Trump described Netanyahu as a “Great Warrior Prime Minister” and praised him as a partner in efforts to confront the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Netanyahu welcomed the endorsement, thanking Trump for his support and cooperation in a statement posted in Hebrew on X.
His Likud Party also shared a 35-second video featuring footage of the two leaders together, including clips of Trump praising the Israeli prime minister.
The endorsement comes ahead of Israel’s first national elections since Hamas attacked the country on October 7, 2023.
The vote is expected to be closely contested, although the potential impact of Trump’s backing on the outcome remains uncertain.
Trump also renewed his warning that the United States could resume or intensify action against Iran if its leaders do not change their course.
He said he would be less inclined to pursue the effort if Netanyahu lost the election, arguing that a different Israeli leader could leave Washington to act alone.
Trump has supported Netanyahu in previous elections and has also intervened on his behalf over his ongoing corruption case.
In November 2025, he wrote to Israeli President Isaac Herzog requesting a pardon for Netanyahu.
However, the US president’s recent comments had raised questions about whether he would support Netanyahu’s latest campaign.
Earlier in October, Trump told Time magazine that he was “not involved in politics anymore” when asked about the Israeli leader’s re-election bid.
Relations between the two leaders have also faced tensions over military operations and ceasefire proposals.
Trump criticised Israel’s decision to attack a major Iranian gas field during the war and expressed frustration over fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, which he said was complicating peace negotiations with Iran.
In August, Netanyahu rejected Trump’s latest proposal to advance a stalled ceasefire in Gaza, opposing Washington’s call for Israel to withdraw from territory it controls until Hamas had been disarmed.
Despite these disagreements, Trump’s endorsement signals continued support for Netanyahu as the Israeli prime minister seeks another term. Whether it will influence voters remains to be seen.
US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meet at Mar-a-Lago in Florida on December 29, 2025.
Uwizeyimana made the remarks on October 18, 2026, during an interview on Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA), in which he discussed the possible implications of the formation of the Front pour la Refondation de la Nation (FRN), a political and military movement led by former DRC president Joseph Kabila.
Established on October 12, 2026, the movement replaced the AFC/M23 coalition, which has been fighting the government in Kinshasa.
Uwizeyimana said Tshisekedi had contributed to Kabila’s departure from the DRC but continued to put pressure on him during his exile, eventually pushing him to engage in political and military activities against the government.
“Kabila was pushed into a corner, to the point where he felt he had no other option. Tshisekedi played a role in the path Kabila chose because he was the one who pushed him into that position.
Kabila had lost everything and eventually received a death sentence. He decided to engage in both political and military warfare as someone who had nothing left to lose, because he had already lost everything he stood to lose,” Uwizeyimana said.
On September 30, 2025, the DRC’s High Military Court sentenced Kabila to death in absentia after finding him guilty of offences including treason and war crimes.
Uwizeyimana said that despite continued pressure from the Kinshasa government, Kabila retained financial resources and connections with influential figures internationally.
In the senator’s view, the main thing Kabila lacked was a military force, which he has now gained through his alliance with former members of AFC/M23.
“The army under Kabila was the DRC’s national army. Tshisekedi took control of it and gradually removed some of its members. He is the only person I have seen imprison more than 56 generals,” he said.
The senator said the alliance between Kabila and the former M23 movement benefited both sides.
Kabila gained a military force to support his struggle, while the movement gained an experienced politician with considerable influence in the DRC.
“Politically, no one has as much influence as Kabila. I cannot see a future for the DRC that does not involve him, and M23 has gained a highly influential figure,” he said.
Tshisekedi could find himself negotiating with Kabila
Uwizeyimana said one of the major challenges facing President Tshisekedi could be having to negotiate with Kabila, despite his administration having previously treated the former president as someone who should not be involved in political negotiations.
He believes the formation of FRN could require a reassessment of the Doha peace talks between the DRC government and AFC/M23, given the changes in leadership on the side opposing the government.
“The Doha talks are still ongoing, but the fact that they were being held with AFC/M23 does not mean they will automatically shift to FRN. The matter needs to be reconsidered.
It will not happen automatically because the other side is not a government that can simply continue from where it left off.
“Another issue is that Tshisekedi excluded Kabila from the list of people he was willing to negotiate with, yet Kabila is now the leader of FRN. Whether Tshisekedi accepts it or not, he will have to negotiate with Kabila, one way or another,” Uwizeyimana said.
In a statement issued on October 14, 2026, FRN announced that it had taken over AFC/M23’s responsibilities and agreements, including those related to the Doha peace talks.
Uwizeyimana believes Kabila could use his position within FRN to set conditions before entering negotiations with the Kinshasa government.
These could include seeking the reversal of the death sentence imposed on him, as well as other sentences handed down against individuals allied with him in leading FRN.
Could M23’s objectives change?
Although Uwizeyimana believes Kabila’s alliance with AFC/M23 has strengthened the forces opposing the Kinshasa government, he said the partnership could also raise questions about the direction of their struggle.
He explained that M23 initially said it was fighting for the rights of people who claim to face discrimination in their own country. However, Kabila’s involvement could broaden the movement’s objectives to include removing the current government from power.
Uwizeyimana added that Kabila could have a different view of how the DRC’s crisis should be resolved.
“Although I cannot speak for Kabila, he could tell them: ‘Why should we remain here when the problem is in Kinshasa? There is someone who will continue buying weapons and firing at us. Let us go and resolve the problem where it is,’” he said.
The senator believes this approach could change the direction of the struggle M23 initially said it was pursuing, shifting it from defending the rights of a section of the population towards a campaign to change the DRC’s government.
He said this would represent a significant shift because a conflict previously presented as a fight for people’s rights could instead come to be seen as a struggle for political power.
Kabila could also lose public trust
Uwizeyimana also warned that Kabila’s alliance with armed groups could have political consequences, particularly among Congolese citizens who may question why a man who served as president for 18 years has chosen to join forces with groups he previously opposed.
He said some people could question what Kabila intends to achieve for the DRC through his alliance with armed groups that he did not accomplish during his years in power.
The senator believes Kabila’s decision to ally with the fighters may have been the only option left to him after facing sustained pressure from Tshisekedi’s administration.
Uwizeyimana added that Kabila’s decision to join forces with former adversaries should not come as a major surprise, arguing that in politics, neither enemies nor friends are permanent, as shared interests can bring people together or drive them apart.
Senator Evode Uwizeyimana says President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) made a major political miscalculation by sentencing former president Joseph Kabila to death, despite the possibility that he may be needed in future peace negotiations.
The engagement, held on October 16, 2026, brought together small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly businesses operating in tourism, hospitality and related agricultural value chains.
Kataza targets women and young entrepreneurs aged 18 to 35, offering loans of up to Rwf25 million at an interest rate of 9%, compared with rates of between 17% and 19% for conventional loans, according to information shared during the event.
The facility is offered by I&M Bank Rwanda in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD).
The bank also presented Kwihaza, a financing facility targeting tomato, onion and avocado farmers, fish farmers and fish feed traders.
Kwihaza provides loans of up to Rwf150 million without collateral at an interest rate of 8%. The facility is offered in partnership with Access to Finance Rwanda (AFR), an organisation that works to expand access to financial services.
The engagement also featured business management training organised by I&M Bank Rwanda in partnership with Le Village de la Femme, an organisation that supports women entrepreneurs.
The training focused on improving financial management and helping business owners adopt professional practices in running their enterprises.
Gertrude Majyambere, Strategic Partnerships Manager at I&M Bank Rwanda Plc, said many entrepreneurs struggle to access financing because they lack proper financial records and systems for managing their businesses.
“Although we can provide guidance and advice, we often find that entrepreneurs have many things they have not yet organised or put in order. These include failing to distinguish between their personal accounts and business accounts, as well as not knowing how much they have invested or how much profit they have made,” she said.
Majyambere said separating personal and business finances and keeping track of investments and profits were essential practices that could help entrepreneurs manage their businesses more effectively and improve their chances of accessing credit.
She said Muhanga was selected for the engagement because of the area’s growing business activity.
“Some people lack information and do not know that affordable loans are available. Others do not know that they can access loans without providing collateral. These engagements give us an opportunity to reach more customers while helping the district benefit from having more entrepreneurs,” she said.
Mukarugwiro Florida, an avocado trader in Muhanga, said access to capital had been a challenge for businesses like hers.
“Sometimes we need capital but do not know where to go to get a loan. When you apply, you may be asked to provide collateral that you do not have, or you may have to go through a lengthy process to obtain it. I&M Bank could make things easier for us because we were told that they would assess the businesses we operate without requiring collateral,” she said.
I&M Bank launched Kataza in April 2024, with a three-year target of supporting 500 small and medium-sized enterprises and helping them create more than 15,000 jobs.
Figures released by the National Bank of Rwanda in October 2026 show that banks extended more than Rwf7 trillion in loans during the first six months of the year, with agriculture accounting for 5% of the total.
The engagement, held on October 16, 2026, brought together small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly businesses operating in tourism, hospitality and related agricultural value chains.Gertrude Majyambere, Strategic Partnerships Manager at I&M Bank Rwanda Plc, said many entrepreneurs struggle to access financing because they lack proper financial records and systems for managing their businesses.Wilson Muhirwa of Le Village de la Femme conducted a training session for small and medium-sized business owners in Muhanga District.
