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Tag: Editor’s Choice

  • ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan suspended amid sexual misconduct probe

    ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan suspended amid sexual misconduct probe

    The court’s governing body, the Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties, announced on Monday that Khan’s case will be referred to a special session of the ICC’s 125-member states, which will ultimately decide his future at the world’s top war crimes tribunal.

    The suspension follows a vote by the bureau’s executive committee after reviewing findings from a United Nations investigation, advice from an ad hoc panel of judicial experts, and written submissions related to the case.

    In its statement, the bureau emphasised that the suspension “is not an indication of the final outcome” of the proceedings. The decision and supporting documentation will remain confidential.

    Khan, 56, has strongly denied the allegations and rejected the suspension. In a statement issued through his lawyers, he described the decision as “unlawful, procedurally unfair and unsupported by evidence.”

    The allegations, first reported in 2024, were brought by a female ICC staff member who accused Khan of engaging in coercive and non-consensual sexual conduct between 2023 and 2024. The alleged incidents are said to have occurred during work trips, in Khan’s office in The Hague, and at his residence.

    According to media reports, a UN investigation found a “factual basis” for the allegations. However, a three-judge panel tasked with reviewing the findings reportedly concluded that the evidence was not sufficiently conclusive to establish misconduct.

    Khan’s legal team has argued that the judges unanimously determined that the investigation’s factual findings did not establish misconduct or a breach of duty. The prosecutor has also maintained that the allegations are part of a politically motivated campaign against him.

    The case marks an unprecedented moment for the ICC. Khan is the first chief prosecutor to be formally suspended by the court’s oversight body. The referral of disciplinary proceedings to all member states could ultimately lead to a vote on whether he should be removed from office.

    Only the Assembly of States Parties has the authority to dismiss the prosecutor. A majority vote in a secret ballot would be required, meaning at least 63 of the court’s 125 member states would need to support his removal.

    Khan has already been on voluntary leave from the Office of the Prosecutor
    since May while the inquiry was underway. As a result, his suspension is not expected to significantly affect the court’s day-to-day operations.

    A date for the special session of member states has not yet been announced.

    Khan has served as ICC prosecutor since 2021 and gained international prominence for pursuing investigations and arrest warrants in several high-profile conflicts, including cases related to the war in Gaza and former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.

    Karim Khan is the first ICC prosecutor to be formally suspended from his role by the court’s oversight body.

  • Rwanda to subsidize diesel for public buses to keep transport fares unchanged

    Rwanda to subsidize diesel for public buses to keep transport fares unchanged

    The announcement was made by the Minister of State for Infrastructure, Ambassador Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye, after the price of diesel rose by Rwf722 per litre, from Rwf2,205 to Rwf2,927, largely due to rising international fuel prices.

    Diesel price hikes typically lead to higher transport costs, as most buses and public transport vehicles operating in Rwanda run on diesel.

    However, Uwihanganye assured commuters that transport fares would remain unchanged.

    “Public transport buses will continue purchasing diesel at the previous price because the Government will provide a subsidy. We have worked with fuel station operators and transport companies to make this possible. The objective is to ensure that the benefit reaches ordinary citizens,” he said during an interview with RadioTV1.

    He added that transport fares would remain stable across the country, including in Kigali and the provinces, because the main factor that would ordinarily drive fare increases has been addressed.

    “The cost of transport will not increase anywhere in the country, whether in Kigali or upcountry,” he said.
    Uwihanganye also noted that businesses are being encouraged to adapt to the changing fuel market and consider investing in electric vehicles as part of long-term efforts to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

    Claudien Habimana, Chief Executive Officer of Société Pétrolière (SP), one of Rwanda’s leading petroleum importers and distributors, confirmed to IGIHE that fuel companies had been informed about the subsidy plan, although it has not yet been implemented as authorities finalize operational details.

    “The Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority [RURA] is still holding discussions with bus operators. Once they reach an agreement, we will receive guidance on how the system will work,” Habimana said.

    “For now, public transport operators are paying the market price because we have not yet received official instructions. The discussions are ongoing, and we expect the framework to be finalized within the next few days.”

    According to Habimana, RURA is preparing regulations that will determine how the diesel subsidy for public transport operators will be administered.

    He explained that several options can be considered. Under one model, fuel stations could sell diesel to bus operators at the subsidized rate of Rwf2,205 per litre and later claim reimbursement from the Government. Another option would require transport companies to pay the full market price and then seek reimbursement through the subsidy scheme.

    “If the proposal is approved, we could receive payment after deducting the subsidy and then recover the difference from the Government. Alternatively, bus operators could pay the full amount and later apply for reimbursement. Discussions are still ongoing regarding the most practical approach,” Habimana said.

    On July 5, the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority announced new fuel prices, maintaining petrol at Rwf2,938 per litre while increasing diesel from Rwf2,205 to Rwf2,927 per litre.

    Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva recently revealed that without government intervention, the price of diesel could have reached Rwf3,581 per litre.

    The recent surge in global fuel prices has largely been attributed to escalating tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran. The conflict has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic maritime route through which around 20 percent of the world’s daily oil supply passes.

    This photo shows buses parked at Downtown Bus Park. The Government of Rwanda has been subsidizing public transport to lessen the burden on passengers.
  • Kenyan court orders Senate to pay impeached DP Gachagua Rwf 565 million in damages

    Kenyan court orders Senate to pay impeached DP Gachagua Rwf 565 million in damages

    In a ruling delivered on Monday, a three-judge bench comprising Justice Eric Ogola, Justice Anthony Mrima, and Justice Dr. Freda Mugambi held that while Gachagua’s impeachment remains valid, key aspects of the process fell short of constitutional standards of fairness.

    The court found that senators infringed on Gachagua’s fair hearing rights when they declined to grant an adjournment despite his absence from the proceedings, thereby proceeding with hearings in a manner that violated due process protections.

    The judges said the award of Ksh 50 million was both compensatory and constitutional in nature, aimed at vindicating the Constitution, restoring the dignity of the affected party, and deterring future violations by state organs.

    “The court awards constitutional damages of Kenya Shillings 50 million to His Excellency Gachagua payable by the Senate to vindicate the Constitution, restore the dignity of the affected party, and deter future violations,” the bench stated.

    The court further emphasised that Parliament must establish a clear statutory framework governing the impeachment of a Deputy President under Article 150 of the Constitution, noting that procedural clarity is essential to safeguard constitutional protections.

    On issues relating to pension and emoluments, the court made no determination, stating that Gachagua is free to pursue the matter before the appropriate forum.

    Gachagua’s legal team said they would challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal, arguing that the court’s finding of a fair hearing violation raised unresolved constitutional contradictions in the impeachment decision.

    Kenya’s High Court has ordered the Senate to pay former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua Ksh 50 million (about Rwf 565 million) in constitutional damages after finding that his right to a fair trial was violated during impeachment proceedings that led to his removal from office in October 2024.
  • UB40 ft. Ali Campbell arrive in Kigali ahead of BK Arena concert (Photos)

    UB40 ft. Ali Campbell arrive in Kigali ahead of BK Arena concert (Photos)

    The group touched down from South Africa following a highly successful, fast-paced multi-city tour. The band kicked off their southern leg in Cape Town on June 2, moved to Durban on June 4, and wrapped up with back-to-back performances in Pretoria on June 6 and 7.

    The band was originally expected to land in Kigali yesterday, June 8. However, due to the tight logistics of their packed touring schedule, management requested an extra night of rest, pushing their arrival to this morning.

    UB40 was originally formed in Birmingham, United Kingdom, in 1978 by a group of working-class friends who took their name from the British unemployment benefit form. They went on to become one of the most commercially successful reggae acts in history, selling over 70 million records globally with timeless hits like “Red Red Wine,” “Kingston Town,” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”

    Internal disagreements eventually led to a permanent split in the band’s legacy. In 2008, iconic lead vocalist Ali Campbell left the original lineup due to management disputes. Seeking to preserve the classic sound, he launched his own touring version of the group in 2014, known today as UB40 featuring Ali Campbell.

    This spin-off previously featured original bandmates Mickey Virtue and Terence “Astro” Wilson, the latter of whom sadly passed away in late 2021. Meanwhile, the remaining original members of the 1978 group chose to keep the standard UB40 name, replacing Ali with his brother Duncan Campbell, and later, current vocalist Matt Doyle. That separate entity continues to tour globally with long-standing members like Robin Campbell, Jimmy Brown, Earl Falconer, and Norman Hassan.

    Because of this historic divide, it is strictly UB40 featuring Ali Campbell taking the stage in Kigali tonight, bringing the distinctive voice behind the band’s greatest studio hits to Rwanda for the very first time.

    For generations of Rwandan music lovers who grew up hearing these songs on local radio stations, in public transport, and at family gatherings, tonight’s performance at the BK Arena represents a massive milestone, bridging nostalgia with a live, world-class production.

    Legendary reggae group UB40, featuring Ali Campbell, arrived in Kigali early Tuesday morning ahead of their historic concert at BK Arena tonight.
    Upon arrival in Kigali, Ali Campbell first took time to greet a small group of journalists who were present at the airport.

  • Rwanda’s proposed 2026/27 budget rises 12% to Rwf 7.8 trillion

    Rwanda’s proposed 2026/27 budget rises 12% to Rwf 7.8 trillion

    The proposed budget is designed to strengthen agricultural production, boost industrial growth, accelerate job creation and maintain macroeconomic stability, according to resolutions adopted during a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Paul Kagame on June 8.

    The budget represents an increase of approximately Rwf 844.2 billion compared to the revised 2025/26 budget, reflecting the government’s continued focus on economic transformation and development.

    Sixty-eight percent of the budget, equivalent to Rwf 5.3 trillion, will be financed through domestic resources, while foreign grants will account for 7 percent.

    The government said the budget will prioritise interventions aimed at strengthening economic resilience while accelerating the implementation of key development projects and programmes across various sectors.

    The Cabinet’s approval follows the presentation of the 2026/27 Budget Framework Paper to Parliament by Finance and Economic Planning Minister Yusuf Murangwa on May 11, 2026.

    Murangwa is expected to formally table the budget before Parliament for debate and consideration on June 11, when Rwanda will join other member states of the East African Community in presenting their national budgets.

    Finance Minister Yusuf Murangwa presents the 2025-26 national budget before parliament on June 12. Rwanda’s Cabinet has approved a draft law determining State finances for the 2026/27 fiscal year, endorsing a national budget of Rwf 7.8 trillion, a 12 percent increase from the previous year’s revised budget.
  • UN report calls for urgent global collaboration to protect marine ecosystems

    UN report calls for urgent global collaboration to protect marine ecosystems

    Launched on World Oceans Day, which is observed annually on June 8, the third World Ocean Assessment found that the ocean continues to be under severe and accelerating anthropogenic pressure, driven by climate change, pollution and increased human activities.

    These pressures are often cumulative, combining to cause widespread biodiversity loss, undermining the ecosystems that support fisheries, coastal protection and human health.

    “The third World Ocean Assessment, launched today, documents a deepening crisis driven by climate change, overfishing, biodiversity loss and marine pollution,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a message for the launch of the report.

    “We cannot keep treating the ocean as limitless. We must build a new relationship with the ocean: Grounded in science. Framed by international law. And built on shared responsibility — across nations, sectors, and generations — to advance the Sustainable Development Goals,” said Guterres.

    The third World Ocean Assessment identified the main human drivers of change to the ocean: human population growth and demographic changes; economic activity; technological advances; changing governance structures and social, economic and geopolitical instability; climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.

    It found that about 16 percent of the total increase in ocean heat content since 1955 has occurred since 2018. The greatest relative warming has been observed in the Atlantic Ocean and the southern parts of the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

    The sea level continued to rise at increasing rates, from less than 2 millimeters per year prior to 2015 to 4.3 millimeters per year in 2023, according to the report.

    Also, it found that 52.1 million tonnes of plastic waste enter the ocean each year, contributing to an estimated 24.4 trillion microplastic particles, which are now known to affect more than 4,000 marine species.

    Large gaps persist in ocean knowledge, the report said, with only 27.3 percent of the seafloor mapped as of 2025, leaving deep-sea ecosystems, biological processes, and cumulative impacts poorly understood.

    “The imperative for a healthy and resilient ocean has never been more urgent. Global collaborations and research, and our increased understanding of the ocean, provide essential insights into the state of marine ecosystems, the profound changes they are undergoing and the need for our care,” said Rafael Gonzalez-Quiros, joint coordinator of the group of experts for the third World Ocean Assessment.

    The third World Ocean Assessment found that the ocean continues to be under severe and accelerating anthropogenic pressure, driven by climate change, pollution and increased human activities.
  • Ebola cases rise to 550 in DR Congo as outbreak trend remains upward

    Ebola cases rise to 550 in DR Congo as outbreak trend remains upward

    According to an update released Monday, 35 new confirmed cases, including 10 deaths, were recorded on Sunday in the eastern provinces of Ituri and North Kivu. Seven additional patients recovered, bringing the total to 19.

    The outbreak was still on an upward weekly trend and the recent slight decline shown in the epidemic curve may reflect delayed laboratory updates, not a real slowdown in transmission, it said.

    As of Sunday, 309 people were in isolation or hospitalized, including 116 confirmed cases and 193 suspected cases.

    The contact follow-up rate in the three affected provinces rose to 64.4 percent, with 5,418 contacts under follow-up and 3,489 seen. The rate remained well below the target of 95 percent.

    Laboratory capacity remained under pressure in North Kivu, with 183 test results pending due to a shortage of reagents.

    The current outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, was officially declared by the DRC Health Ministry on May 15.

    The affected provinces, namely Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu, have a combined population of nearly 15 million people and face massive internal displacement and cross-border movements toward neighboring countries.

    The number of confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has risen to 550, including 101 deaths, with health authorities warning that the outbreak continues to trend upward.
  • Netanyahu says Israel halting Iran strikes

    Netanyahu says Israel halting Iran strikes

    “At the moment, the fire is on hold because after we struck … it (Iran) stopped attacking us,” Netanyahu said in his first televised statement more than 20 hours after Iran first launched missiles at Israel on Sunday night.

    If Iran “makes the mistake of attacking us again, we will respond with force,” he added.

    Earlier, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that Israel would continue to carry out attacks against Hezbollah and would strike the Dahieh district, south of the Lebanese capital Beirut, in response to any attack on communities in northern Israel.

    Following Netanyahu’s statement, Israel’s Home Front Command said it will lift most civil defense restrictions across the country on Tuesday morning, while restrictions will remain in place in several northern communities near the Lebanese border.

    Later on Monday, Israeli ministries announced in statements that Israel’s hospitals have returned to full and normal operations on Monday, while schools are expected to reopen on Tuesday after Israel and Iran halted the exchange of strikes.

    Earlier in the day, Iran’s main military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, announced in a statement the cessation of strikes against Israel, but warned that any further Israeli “aggression and malicious acts,” including in southern Lebanon, would trigger a much more “severe and crushing” response from Tehran.

    It said the Iranian armed forces’ actions were carried out in support of the Lebanese people following Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon and the Dahieh district. It also accused the United States of backing Israeli operations and said that Israel should have learned its lesson from Iran’s response.

    Iran’s official news agency IRNA said that at least 15 people were wounded in Israeli attacks against Iran on Monday, with no death reported yet.

    Following flight restrictions imposed earlier in the day on Iran’s airspace, the country’s Civil Aviation Authority said aviation operations are returning to normal, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.

    Meanwhile, COGAT, the Israeli military agency overseeing aid coordination, said the Kerem Shalom crossing and the Rafah crossing into the Gaza Strip will gradually reopen for the entry of humanitarian aid starting Tuesday after being closed on Sunday due to Iranian attacks on northern Israel.

    The latest escalation came after the Israeli military conducted airstrikes in the southern suburb of the Lebanese capital Beirut on Sunday, killing at least two people.

    Following the Israeli operations, Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) announced late Sunday that it launched ballistic missiles at the Ramat David Air Base in northern Israel in response to Israel’s “widespread crimes” in southern Lebanon.

    The Israeli military on Monday carried out airstrikes on several targets in Iran, including radar sites and a petrochemical company in the southwestern province of Khuzestan. In response, the IRGC launched strikes on the Nevatim and Tel Nof air bases as well as certain industries in Israel.

    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks in a video message released on June 8, 2026. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that the fire against Iran is currently “on hold,” but warned that Israel will respond forcefully if Iran resumes its attacks.

  • Trailblazing Somali referee denied entry to US ahead of World Cup

    Trailblazing Somali referee denied entry to US ahead of World Cup

    Artan arrived at Miami International Airport on Saturday on a flight from Istanbul and was subjected to additional screening by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Following the inspection, authorities determined that he was inadmissible due to unspecified vetting concerns and placed him on a return flight to Turkey.

    The 52-year-old was among 52 referees selected by FIFA to officiate at the World Cup, which kicks off on June 11 across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

    FIFA confirmed on Monday that Artan would be unable to participate in training or officiate at the tournament.

    “FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications,” a FIFA spokesperson said. “In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country.”

    CBP said all travellers seeking entry into the United States, including athletes, coaches and tournament staff, are subject to inspection and vetting.

    “Following inspection, the traveler, a referee for the FIFA World Cup, was determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns and was denied entry,” the agency said in a statement.

    Officials in Somalia expressed disappointment over the decision. A senior adviser to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports said Artan had been travelling with valid documents, while a Somali embassy official noted that he had been issued a diplomatic passport to facilitate international travel after experiencing visa-related difficulties in the past.

    The case has drawn attention because Somalia remains on President Donald Trump’s travel ban list. While exemptions exist for World Cup athletes and team personnel, those provisions reportedly did not apply to referees.

    Artan’s exclusion marks a significant setback for a referee whose rise has been widely celebrated across Africa. In 2025, he was named Africa’s Referee of the Year by the Confederation of African Football and has officiated at major continental competitions, including the Africa Cup of Nations.

    Earlier this year, Artan reflected on the challenges he faced pursuing a refereeing career in Somalia.

    “At times, I have had to change my route to my local stadium because of explosions in the country,” he said. “You cannot give up as a referee. You have to have a target.”

    Despite the setback, Artan struck a positive tone in a statement released on Monday.

    “Despite the circumstances, I am in a positive mood and I am focused on the next challenges in my refereeing career,” he said. “I want to thank the football family for their messages and wish my colleagues all the best success during the World Cup.”

    Ciise Aden Abshir, a senior adviser to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports and a former national team captain, said the decision undermined football’s values.

    “Denying him entry to the United States and preventing him from officiating scheduled matches harms not only him personally but also undermines football’s commitment to fairness, merit, and the spirit of fair play,” he said.

    The incident is the latest controversy surrounding US immigration policies and the World Cup, with concerns previously raised over visa processing delays for some participating nations.

    Artan’s exclusion marks a significant setback for a referee whose rise has been widely celebrated across Africa. In 2025, he was named Africa’s Referee of the Year by the Confederation of African Football and has officiated at major continental competitions, including the Africa Cup of Nations.

  • IMF approves $250 million credit facility for Rwanda

    IMF approves $250 million credit facility for Rwanda

    In a communiqué released on Monday, June 8, 2026, the IMF Executive Board approved a 38-month Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement totalling SDR 185.031 million (about US$250 million) and authorised an immediate disbursement of SDR 26.433 million (approximately US$35.7 million).

    According to the IMF, the program is designed to help Rwanda navigate tighter global financing conditions while sustaining economic growth, protecting social and development spending, and rebuilding policy buffers.

    Rwanda’s economy has continued to demonstrate strong resilience despite a challenging international environment. Economic growth reached 9.4 percent in 2025, significantly exceeding expectations, driven by robust domestic activity and strong export performance, particularly in coffee and mineral exports.

    However, inflationary pressures have intensified. Inflation rose to 13.2 percent year-on-year in April 2026, moving above the National Bank of Rwanda’s target range. The IMF attributed much of the pressure to higher global oil and fertilizer prices linked to the ongoing war in the Middle East.

    While Rwanda’s external position improved in 2025 and foreign exchange reserves remained healthy at just over four months of import coverage, the IMF warned that the conflict in the Middle East poses significant risks to the country’s outlook. Economic growth is projected to slow to below 6.8 percent in 2026 as higher import costs and financing pressures weigh on the economy.

    The IMF-supported program will focus on three key priorities: strengthening macroeconomic policies, managing fiscal and debt risks to preserve sustainable growth, and promoting private sector-led development through improved transparency and oversight of state-owned enterprises.

    IMF Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair Bo Li said Rwanda’s economy had remained resilient despite successive global shocks, reflecting strong policymaking and reform efforts.

    “Rwanda’s economy has remained resilient amid successive shocks, reflecting strong reform ownership and agile policymaking,” Li said.

    He noted that advancing development goals while rebuilding economic buffers will require a carefully balanced policy approach, including greater exchange rate flexibility and a credible medium-term fiscal consolidation strategy.

    The IMF emphasised the importance of strengthening domestic revenue mobilisation, improving public investment management, and enhancing oversight of fiscal risks to maintain Rwanda’s moderate risk of debt distress while protecting social spending.

    The Fund also called for a tight and forward-looking monetary policy to address elevated inflation and reinforce confidence in the inflation-targeting framework. Although rapid credit growth warrants close monitoring, the IMF said Rwanda’s financial sector remains stable.

    Looking ahead, the IMF stressed that continued structural reforms, including improvements in public investment efficiency and accelerated reforms of state-owned enterprises, will be essential for enhancing economic resilience and fostering stronger private-sector-led growth.

    The newly approved ECF arrangement is expected to serve as a key policy anchor for Rwanda as it seeks to manage external shocks, maintain reform momentum, and attract additional financing from development partners.

    According to the IMF, the program is designed to help Rwanda navigate tighter global financing conditions while sustaining economic growth, protecting social and development spending, and rebuilding policy buffers.