Byanyima said on Sunday that Besigye, who has been in custody since November 2024, remained weak and required continued care following his recent health challenges.
“I am hurt, angry and anxious. Kizza Besigye has been returned to his prison cell, and his sisters who have been caring for him at the prison hospital have been sent away,” Byanyima said.
She added that he was still extremely weak and expressed concern that conditions in prison could affect his recovery.
The Uganda Prisons Service had not immediately commented on Besigye’s transfer or his current condition.
Besigye’s health has been under scrutiny since he collapsed during a court session in Kampala on July 29 while attending proceedings in his treason case.
Detained Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye is put in an ambulance after he collapsed while attending a court session where he is on trial for treason, at the High Court in Kampala, Uganda, July 29, 2026.
A subsequent psychiatric assessment found that he remained alert and able to understand information but had difficulty speaking or writing. Doctors said he had preserved comprehension but an impairment affecting his ability to express himself, which could interfere with his participation in his defence.
According to the medical report, Besigye could communicate by pointing to letters and numbers, although doctors noted that the method made it difficult for him to provide detailed instructions or communicate effectively about his case.
The medical team recommended further assessment and continued speech, language, physical, occupational and neurological rehabilitation.
Meanwhile, proceedings in the treason case against Besigye and his co-accused have continued. Justice Emmanuel Baguma allowed the trial to proceed despite Besigye’s absence on medical grounds, with prosecution witness Wilson Orlando giving testimony.
The medical assessment did not categorically declare Besigye unfit to stand trial but noted that his communication difficulties could affect his ability to participate meaningfully in the proceedings.
Besigye, 70, is jointly charged with Hajj Obeid Lutale and Capt. Denis Oola with treason-related offences stemming from allegations that they travelled to Kenya and held meetings aimed at plotting to overthrow the Ugandan government. The three have denied the charges.
Besigye and Lutale were detained in November 2024 after they were brought back to Uganda from neighbouring Kenya, where they had travelled before their arrest. Besigye has since remained in custody as the case proceeds.
Detained Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye gestures before he collapsed while attending a court session where he is on trial for treason, at the High Court in Kampala, Uganda, July 29, 2026.
The high-level Syrian delegation was headed by foreign affairs chief Asaad al-Shaibani and included the heads of the general and military intelligence services, while Israel was represented by a senior delegation, according to the source.
The Jordan-hosted meeting was held as part of efforts to reduce tensions following recent Israeli strikes on Syrian territory and escalating tensions in southern Syria, as well as to support stability in Syria and the wider region.
The discussions focused on establishing practical mechanisms to halt Israeli attacks, arrests and targeting operations and reviving negotiations with the aim of reaching a security agreement that could lay the groundwork for a more comprehensive accord in the future, the source said.
The Syrian delegation stressed that Syria is a sovereign state and has the right to rebuild and develop its national army and determine its alliances and partnerships in accordance with its national interests.
Damascus would not accept any arrangements or mechanisms restricting those sovereign rights, the source added.
The Syrian side also reiterated its position that the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights is Syrian territory, while noting that discussion of its final status and the path toward resolving the issue remains premature at the current stage.
Damascus said its immediate priorities are the withdrawal of Israeli forces to positions held before Dec. 8, 2024, and the full restoration and implementation of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.
The talks also addressed efforts to narrow differences between Türkiye and Israel and prevent tensions between the two regional powers from spilling onto Syrian territory, according to the diplomatic source.
The meeting focused on practical steps to reduce tensions while exploring ways to return to negotiations, with the Syrian side stressing that any security arrangements must respect Syria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and sovereign rights.
Israel struck the Abu al-Duhur military airport in northwestern Syria on Tuesday, saying Damascus was preparing to allow Turkish forces to deploy there, a claim denied by Syria and Türkiye.
Senior Syrian and Israeli delegations held talks in Jordan on Sunday under US mediation, focusing on de-escalation and efforts to revive negotiations toward a security agreement, Syria’s state news agency SANA reported, citing a diplomatic source.
“During the day, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Moscow time, air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 269 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones,” the ministry said in a statement.
A day earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted that over the past 40 days, the Ukrainian Armed Forces had persistently launched attacks on Russian civilian and logistics facilities using missiles and drones, which he described as “another gamble” by Ukraine and its Western backers aimed at inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia.
Putin said that Russian troops were not only continuing offensives along all fronts but also stepping up military pressure, and expressed confidence in accomplishing the goals of the special military operation.
Russian air defense system intercepted and shot down 269 Ukrainian drones over multiple Russian regions in 12 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday.
The singer will perform on Saturday, September 5, a day after the 21st Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming Ceremony in Kinigi, Musanze District. The ceremony is scheduled for September 4 under the theme “Conservation is Life: Sustaining the Future.”
Rema, whose real name is Divine Ikubor, will be joined by Rwandan and regional performers, with local artiste Kivumbi King already confirmed among the opening acts. More artists are expected to be announced ahead of the concert.
The concert will serve as the entertainment finale to this year’s Kwita Izina celebrations, which bring together conservationists, government officials, tourism stakeholders, communities and international visitors to celebrate Rwanda’s mountain gorilla conservation efforts.
Rema has established himself as one of Africa’s most recognisable Afrobeats artists, gaining international attention with songs including “Dumebi,” “Iron Man,” “Woman,” “Soundgasm,” “Charm” and “Calm Down.”
His global breakthrough was further boosted by the remix of “Calm Down” featuring American singer Selena Gomez. The song peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of the most successful Afrobeats crossover records internationally.
The Nigerian star has also collected several major honours, including the MTV Video Music Award for Best Afrobeats and the Billboard Music Award for Top Afrobeats Song for “Calm Down.” In 2023, he was named Global African Artist and Song of the Year at the Trace Awards in Kigali.
His 2024 album HEIS earned him his first Grammy nomination, adding to his growing list of international achievements.
For Rwanda, Rema’s appearance adds another high-profile entertainment component to Kwita Izina, an event that has expanded beyond the gorilla naming ceremony to showcase the country’s conservation, tourism and cultural ambitions.
Irène Murerwa, Chief Tourism Officer at the Rwanda Development Board, said Kwita Izina is also an opportunity to celebrate Rwanda’s culture and people.
“We are excited to welcome Rema to Kigali for what promises to be a great night at BK Arena,” she said, inviting Rwandans, visitors and music fans from across the region to attend the September 5 concert.
The concert is expected to draw music fans from Rwanda and neighbouring countries, while further strengthening Kigali’s position as a destination for major international entertainment events.
Kwita Izina was launched as an annual gorilla naming ceremony in 2005 and was inspired by the Rwandan tradition of naming children soon after birth. According to the Rwanda Development Board, 438 mountain gorillas have been named through the ceremony since its inception.
Over the years, the event has grown into a major conservation gathering, bringing together researchers, policymakers, conservationists, tourism operators, business leaders and communities around Rwanda’s mountain gorilla habitat.
Rwanda was confirmed as the host of the 2027 edition was made during the closing ceremony of the 2026 FEASSA Games in Morogoro, Tanzania, which ran from August 12 to 22.
FEASSA President Justus Mugisha confirmed that Rwanda would host the next edition of the regional schools sports competition.
“Rwanda will host the next FEASSA Games. We look forward to working with our colleagues in Rwanda to ensure the Games are successfully organised,” Mugisha said.
The Rwanda Federation of School Sports and Culture (FRSS) is planning to hold the 2027 Games, which will be the 24th edition, in Musanze, according to information obtained by IGIHE.
The announcement comes after Rwanda recorded its best-ever medal haul at a FEASSA Games held outside the country. Rwandan teams won 13 medals in Morogoro, including five gold, two silver and six bronze.
At the 23rd edition of the Games, Rwanda was represented by 243 students across 20 teams competing in football, 5×5 basketball, 3×3 basketball, handball, table tennis, volleyball and athletics.
Rwanda’s under-15 teams were among the standout performers, winning gold in boys’ volleyball, girls’ handball and girls’ football. ITS Kigali also retained its title in boys’ basketball, while Tuyishime Eric won gold in the 100 metres.
Rwanda last hosted the FEASSA Games in 2023 in Huye, attracting students from Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya.
Since joining FEASSA in 2005, Rwanda has hosted the Games on three other occasions: in Kigali in 2008, Huye in 2015 and Musanze in 2018.
The 2026 edition in Morogoro brought together about 6,000 athletes and 2,000 officials and accompanying members, who competed in 43 sports.
The competition featured teams from Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, Burundi and Uganda.
Rwanda was confirmed as the host of the 2027 edition during the closing ceremony of the 2026 FEASSA Games in Morogoro, Tanzania, which ran from August 12 to 22.
Rwanda was among the five countries that participated in the 2026 FEASSA Games in Morogoro, Tanzania.
Huye hosted the FEASSA Games when Rwanda last hosted the competition in 2023.
The camp, which concluded on August 22, is an annual programme launched in 2022 by Uwineza Iman Josiane, popularly known as Miss Jojo. The initiative was inspired by an experience she had at a wedding, where she learned that a 20-year-old bride was marrying a man she barely knew after meeting him fewer than three times.
The camp was held at Nyamata High School, where participants received sessions on self-awareness, personal development, reproductive health and mental health.
The girls were also encouraged to be confident and assertive, including knowing when to say “no”. This year’s programme also included lessons on Rwanda’s history, particularly the liberation struggle and efforts to stop the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, culminating in an educational visit to the Campaign Against Genocide Museum in Gishushu.
The closing event was attended by the participants’ parents, local government officials, representatives of Imbuto Foundation and the Ministry of Youth, among others.
Miss Jojo thanked parents for trusting the programme and allowing their children to participate, reflecting on the initiative’s journey over the past five years. She said the organisers continue to follow up on participants for at least a year after they complete the camp.
“We continue to engage with them even after the camp, providing ways for them to reach us and following up to see whether they are putting the positive plans they made into practice,” she said.
Miss Jojo commended the 59 girls for completing the 10-day camp, noting that all participants who enrolled at the beginning remained through to the end.
Beyond mentoring the girls, Miss Jojo said the programme also engages parents, creating opportunities for both sides to share information and perspectives that can help them better understand the challenges facing young people.
Yvette Imanishimwe, the Vice Mayor of Bugesera District in charge of Social Affairs and the guest of honour, said initiatives such as Igikari demonstrate the opportunities created by Rwanda’s governance to support the development of girls. She commended First Lady Jeannette Kagame for her continued efforts to promote girls’ education and well-being.
“Igikari Events is an opportunity that we should make the most of to address the challenges facing girls,” she remarked.
Imanishimwe encouraged the participants to take an active role in addressing challenges affecting adolescent girls and to share the lessons they gained from the camp with their peers and communities.
She also urged parents to reflect on their role as role models and ensure they are creating an environment that enables their children to thrive.
The vice mayor called on the girls to uphold good morals and behaviour, avoid drugs and resist social influences that undermine Rwanda’s cultural values. She also encouraged them to speak Kinyarwanda properly and to be mindful of their appearance and dress.
Jean Pierre, an official in charge of youth at the Ministry of Youth and Arts, commended the facilitators and pledged the ministry’s support in addressing challenges facing adolescent girls, including mental health issues and gender-based violence.
He noted concerns over the rise in teenage pregnancies, saying the rate had increased from 5 percent to 8 percent.
Jean Pierre also thanked First Lady Jeannette Kagame for recently inaugurating the Imbuto Hub in Bugesera District, a facility aimed at nurturing talent and supporting youth-focused initiatives.
He encouraged Igikari to work with youth centres across the country and establish partnerships that could help expand the programme and reach more young people.
Parents who attended the closing event praised Miss Jojo and her team for the initiative and pledged their continued support. Some called for the programme to be expanded to reach boys and more children across different parts of the country, saying it provides young people with guidance and helps keep them engaged during school holidays.
Fifty-nine girls aged between 12 and 19 attended the 10-day programme at Nyamata High School from August 13 to 22, 2026.The closing event was attended by the participants’ parents, local government officials, representatives of Imbuto Foundation and the Ministry of Youth, among others.The camp concluded on a joyful note as the girls celebrated the experience they had shared.Parents joined their daughters to celebrate the conclusion of the two-week Igikari Holiday Camp.The camp was held at Nyamata High School, where participants received sessions on self-awareness, personal development, reproductive health and mental health.
The robot, Tiangong Ultra, completed the 100-meter sprint in 9.39 seconds during the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing on Saturday. The time was 0.19 seconds faster than Bolt’s human world record of 9.58 seconds, set at the 2009 World Athletics Championships in Berlin.
Tiangong Ultra, developed by the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, initially fell behind during the race before overtaking Lightning, a humanoid robot produced by technology company Honor, in the final stretch. Lightning finished second in 9.47 seconds.
The performance came after an even faster preparation run by Lightning, which Chinese state media reported completed the distance in 9.32 seconds. The robot reached a peak speed of 14.5 meters per second during the run.
The robots’ performances were a dramatic improvement from last year’s competition. Tiangong Ultra completed the 100-meter race in 21.50 seconds during the inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, meaning its latest official time represents a major gain in speed.
The humanoid’s running time was 0.19 seconds faster than Bolt’s world record of 9.58 seconds, set at the 2009 World Athletics Championships in Berlin.
The race also demonstrated some of the challenges still facing humanoid robots. After crossing the finish line, Tiangong Ultra became unstable and veered to one side, forcing nearby spectators to move away. Lightning also fell after completing the race and had to be removed from the track on a stretcher.
The sprint was among 51 events being contested at this year’s World Humanoid Robot Games at Beijing’s National Speed Skating Oval. The competition features events including football, dance, long jump, weightlifting and industrial tasks.
More than 2,000 robots are taking part, with 2,056 robots from 666 teams representing 16 countries and six continents participating in this year’s games. The number of participating teams has risen sharply from 280 in the first edition.
Robots are also making an impact in other athletic events. One humanoid robot cleared 2.88 meters in the standing high jump, exceeding Cuban athlete Javier Sotomayor’s 2.45-meter human world record set in 1993.
Lightning also won the humanoid robot half marathon, finishing in 50 minutes and 26 seconds. The robot stands 1.69 meters tall, and researchers extended its leg length from 95 centimeters to 1.05 meters before the race in an effort to improve its performance.
The rapid progress comes as China continues to expand its position as a major producer of humanoid robots. The technology has also become a point of tension between Beijing and Washington. The Trump administration in July banned imports of humanoid robots into the United States, citing national security concerns.
China has rejected the U.S. restrictions. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said Beijing opposed what she described as Washington’s excessive use of national security arguments against Chinese companies, warning that protectionism could ultimately harm U.S. businesses and consumers.
The World Humanoid Robot Games will continue through Wednesday, as researchers and companies use the competition to showcase increasingly capable machines, and test how closely robots can replicate, and potentially surpass, human athletic performance.
The regional legislation, the EAC Pharmaceuticals Bill, championed at the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) by Rwandan legislator Francine Rutazana, builds on years of technical work under the EAC Medicines Regulatory Harmonization (EAC-MRH) initiative. The proposed Act is designed to elevate non-binding regional guidelines into a legally binding framework governing essential human medicines, vaccines, and medical products across all eight EAC Partner States.
National stakeholder consultations were held across the member states from August 17 to 21, 2026, to refine key provisions ahead of the Bill’s remaining legislative stages at EALA and its eventual submission to the EAC Summit of Heads of State for assent.
In each Partner State, stakeholders across the healthcare supply chain, including pharmaceutical manufacturers, public health policymakers, National Medicines Regulatory Authorities (NMRAs), academic institutions, traders, and industry players, met to identify provisions needed in the final text.
The consolidated country recommendations will be submitted to EALA for harmonization before the Bill undergoes formal readings.
The legislative push reinforces long-running EALA efforts to harmonize pharmaceutical regulation, improve market surveillance, and promote locally manufactured medical products within the Community. Rutazana previously introduced private member legislative motions aimed at encouraging regional manufacturing, enforcing Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards, and establishing mutual recognition procedures for medicine registrations.
Speaking following consultations held in Rwanda from August 20 to 21, 2026, Rutazana noted that transitioning existing guidelines into statutory law will streamline operations among regulatory authorities across the region.
She cited National Medicines Regulatory Authorities as a primary example, noting that such institutions currently operate at varying levels of development across the bloc. While countries like Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania have established national food and drug authorities, other Partner States are operating with developing frameworks or legacy systems.
Rutazana emphasized that these structural discrepancies make joint safety assessments and cross-border market surveillance difficult without a binding regional legal instrument.
The EAC Pharmaceuticals Bill also establishes unified requirements for local and international pharmaceutical manufacturers operating within the Community.
“Pharmaceutical manufacturers need a clear statutory framework to collaborate effectively, as variations in product quality standards impede cross-border trade,” she said.
“Harmonizing quality and safety compliance ensures that if a manufacturing facility operating in one Partner State is inspected and authorized, its products can trade across the bloc without facing redundant, country-by-country inspections.”
Rutazana added that a binding regional framework will expand the market footprint for EAC-produced essential medicines, allowing regional health systems to source quality-assured products locally rather than depending heavily on external imports.
Under EALA’s legislative roadmap, the Bill is expected to complete its parliamentary stages by December 2026 before being presented to the EAC Summit of Heads of State in 2027 for final assent into law.
Mwesigye John Patrick, Director of the EAC Regional Centre of Excellence for Vaccines, Immunization and Health Supply Chain Management (EAC RCE-VIHSCM), told IGIHE that the Bill addresses long-standing enforcement gaps in regional health cooperation.
He explained that while the EAC has developed technical guidelines over the past decade, their non-binding nature creates legal uncertainty during supply chain disputes or enforcement actions.
“This law will provide statutory authority to existing regulatory frameworks. While technical guidelines remain operational, the law will take precedence in any legal or cross-border dispute,” Mwesigye said.
“Previously, there was no comprehensive regional law specifically protecting buyers, suppliers, or public health authorities in cases involving substandard or falsified medicines.”
Under the proposed statute, a standardized Mutual Recognition Procedure (MRP) and unified market authorization system will govern all human medicines entering EAC markets, whether produced locally or imported from outside the region.
The framework is structured to streamline trade barriers for compliant local manufacturers while maintaining rigorous oversight.
“Regulators in our respective Partner States will continue performing GMP inspections at manufacturing facilities to ensure strict adherence to safety and quality standards,” Mwesigye said.
“Once authorized, national procurement agencies, such as Rwanda Medical Supply, can integrate these approved products into their supply networks, allowing seamless distribution across borders without unnecessary administrative hurdles.”
The framework will also empower NMRAs to execute joint, region-wide product recalls whenever a safety or quality defect is identified in a pharmaceutical batch.
119 operational pharmaceutical facilities across the EAC
According to data cited by Mwesigye, the EAC currently hosts 119 licensed human pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities.
Kenya accounts for 30 plants, followed by Uganda (38), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (34), Tanzania (15), Rwanda (7), Burundi (2), and Somalia (1). South Sudan currently has no operational pharmaceutical manufacturing plant.
Together, these facilities satisfy approximately 30% of the human pharmaceutical demand within the EAC, though local production capacity varies widely between Partner States, falling below 1% in some countries. An estimated 50 additional pharmaceutical production plants are currently under development across the bloc.
Mwesigye cautioned that the 30% regional production figure does not equate to complete product coverage. A single manufacturing facility may produce only 20 active formulations, whereas national healthcare systems often require up to 4,000 distinct pharmaceutical lines, leaving the bloc reliant on external imports for 70% of its medical needs.
“The progressive establishment of new facilities has been encouraged by the regulatory guidelines developed under the EAC-MRH initiative over the years,” Mwesigye said. “Enacting a full regional law will provide the long-term regulatory certainty needed to attract large-scale industrial investment.”
The legislative timeline aligns with the African Union’s continent-wide mandate under the Partnerships for African Vaccine Manufacturing (PAVM), which targets 60% self-sufficiency in African vaccine production by 2040, up from less than 1%. Harmonized regulatory frameworks and regional procurement preferences are seen as vital foundations for achieving that target.
Rwanda healthcare stakeholders submit views on proposed EAC medicines law.Mwesigye John Patrick, Director of the EAC Regional Centre of Excellence for Vaccines, Immunization and Health Supply Chain Management (EAC RCE-VIHSCM), told IGIHE that the Bill addresses long-standing enforcement gaps in regional health cooperation.The regional legislation, the EAC Pharmaceuticals Bill, is being championed at the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) by Rwandan legislator Francine Rutazana.
Rezaei, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, made the remarks in an interview with state-run IRIB TV.
He said Iran would first negotiate with such countries and ask them to stay out of the conflict, but warned that if they refuse, Tehran will strike their interests, and that if surrounding countries choose to join the U.S. siege, Iran “will not let even a single drop of oil be exported from the Strait of Hormuz.”
He noted that Iran has learned how to bypass U.S. sanctions and continue oil sales over the years.
Rezaei also repeated that the Hormuz Strait will remain closed unless the United States fulfills its commitments under the Iran-U.S. peace memorandum of understanding signed in June, adding that Washington must act first this time.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the United States would launch “the most crushing economic operation ever” against Iran, describing it as an “economic warfare and isolation on an unprecedented scale.”
Iran’s top security official Mohsen Rezaei warned Saturday that any country participating in the U.S. economic war against Iran will be considered an “enemy” by Tehran.
The mission is part of the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus (EJVM+), whose operationalisation was highlighted in a joint statement issued August 21 following five days of talks in Switzerland between representatives of the DRC government and AFC/M23.
The parties said an EJVM+ reconnaissance mission had been conducted on August 20 with logistical support from the UN peacekeeping mission MONUSCO, ahead of the first ceasefire verification mission scheduled for Monday, August 24 in Minembwe.
The announcement comes against a backdrop of continued violence in the highlands of South Kivu, where localised ceasefire arrangements have repeatedly come under strain.
The Minembwe mission is therefore likely to be closely watched as a test of whether the monitoring mechanism agreed to under the Doha peace process can establish facts on the ground, investigate allegations and help prevent further escalation.
Monitoring mechanism faces first major test
The DRC government and AFC/M23 agreed in Doha last year to establish a joint ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism. The mechanism was designed to investigate violations and help the parties address incidents before they trigger renewed hostilities.
The latest joint statement says the parties have now made progress in putting the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus into operation, including establishing its secretariat and conducting the reconnaissance mission in Minembwe.
They also agreed on the need for a standardised method for reporting allegations of ceasefire violations.
That provision could prove particularly important in Minembwe, where the opposing sides have repeatedly issued competing accounts of attacks and casualties.
Fresh allegations of drone strikes
On August 22, AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka accused forces aligned with the Kinshasa government of carrying out drone strikes against populated areas of Mukoko and Nyamabuguma in the Minembwe axis.
The AFC/M23 insists that the people of Minembwe, in South Kivu, continue to be subjected to regular mortar and kamikaze drone attacks.
Kanyuka said the strikes occurred shortly after midnight, caused civilian deaths and damage to civilian infrastructure.
In a separate statement issued August 21, Kanyuka accused a coalition including the FARDC, FDLR, Wazalendo militias, foreign mercenaries and Burundi’s military of continuing attacks against civilians. He cited repeated drone and other bombardments along the Minembwe axis.
Doha process sets broader roadmap
The Minembwe mission comes as the DRC government and AFC/M23 seek to advance negotiations under the Doha Framework for a Comprehensive Peace Agreement, signed in Doha on November 15, 2025.
During their August 17-21 meetings in Switzerland, the parties agreed to establish a mechanism to review progress and address challenges in implementing their obligations under the framework.
They also developed a roadmap setting out steps and timelines for negotiating the remaining protocols.
The parties stressed that the sequence in which the protocols are negotiated would not necessarily determine the sequence of their implementation, and reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing a comprehensive settlement.
“The Parties agreed that the order of negotiation of the protocols does not dictate the order of implementation of the protocols,” the joint statement reads.
Qatar, the United States, Togo, the African Union Commission and Switzerland participated in or supported the meetings.
A credibility test on the ground
For the Doha process, the Minembwe mission carries significance beyond a single verification exercise.
The August 24 mission is expected to provide an early test of whether the EJVM+ can move from an agreement on paper to an operational mechanism capable of monitoring events in one of South Kivu’s most sensitive conflict zones.
Its findings could also shape confidence in the wider Doha process, particularly as mediators push to advance negotiations aimed at achieving a comprehensive peace agreement.
The DRC government and AFC/M23 agreed in Doha last year to establish a joint ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism. The mechanism was designed to investigate violations and help the parties address incidents before they trigger renewed hostilities.
