The decision comes as governments across the region tighten health screening and entry requirements for travellers arriving from affected areas, in efforts to contain the spread of the disease.
KLM Country Manager Rukia Otema said the carrier had suspended flights to Entebbe for two weeks due to Ebola-related restrictions affecting airline crew movements. She explained that the rules could lead to extended isolation periods for pilots and other staff.
“We are suspending flights for two weeks to Entebbe because it’s mentioned among the countries with Ebola cases. If our pilots happen to fly to Uganda, they will be isolated for 21 days,” she said.
In a statement issued on May 29, KLM confirmed it had cancelled flights scheduled for May 30 and June 1, 2026. Flight tracking data showed two Amsterdam–Entebbe services, which operate via Kigali, were among those affected.
The airline said passengers impacted by the cancellations would be contacted directly regarding rebooking or refunds and advised travellers to check their flight status before departure.
KLM noted that Entebbe is not currently classified as an active Ebola risk zone, but said entry restrictions introduced by some countries for travellers who have recently been in Uganda were also applying to airline crews.
The carrier added that it was monitoring developments and assessing how the evolving measures could affect future operations.
The suspension follows similar action by Uganda Airlines, which on May 23 halted flights between Entebbe and Kinshasa over Ebola-related containment measures.
Brussels Airlines has also warned that restrictions could affect crew deployment, while Emirates has advised passengers to check health requirements before travel.
KLM Country Manager Rukia Otema said the carrier had suspended flights to Entebbe for two weeks due to Ebola-related restrictions affecting airline crew movements.
To sustain its activities, the FDLR, whose operations commander, Gustave Kubwayo, commonly known as Colonel Sirkoof, was on Tuesday sanctioned by the United States of America (USA), has relied on a network of revenue-generating activities in eastern DRC, including illegal mining, agriculture, cannabis cultivation and trafficking, and the charcoal trade. The proceeds have enabled the group to purchase weapons, maintain its operations, and recruit new fighters.
The FDLR armed group was formed by remnants of the former Rwandan Armed Forces and extremist militias that fled Rwanda after committing the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Over the years, FDLR has strengthened its presence by recruiting from Rwandan communities that have remained in the DRC and by establishing strongholds in territories such as Rutshuru and Walikale. Despite facing repeated military setbacks, the group has managed to adapt and survive.
The group’s anti-Tutsi ideology has not only targeted Rwandans but also Congolese Tutsis. In areas where it has operated, FDLR has been accused of killings, looting, and the displacement of local communities, forcing many residents to flee to neighbouring countries.
Rise of local resistance
As FDLR expanded its influence, local communities increasingly organised armed groups to defend themselves.
In 2005, residents of South Kivu, including Pastor Jean Musumbu, established the Mai Mai Raia Mutomboki militia to resist FDLR attacks.
A year later, former Congolese army officers led by Gen. Laurent Nkunda formed the National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP), citing the need to protect Congolese Tutsis from persecution by FDLR, particularly in North Kivu.
The emergence of CNDP highlighted growing frustration among communities that felt abandoned by both the Congolese state and the international community.
In 2008, members of the Nyanga community in Walikale created Nduma Défense du Congo (NDC) under Ntabo Ntaberi Sheka to counter FDLR violence and protect local populations.
Although NDC initially weakened FDLR’s influence in parts of North Kivu, internal divisions later led to the creation of NDC-R under Guidon Shimiray Mwisa, reducing pressure on armed group.
To sustain its activities, the FDLR has relied on a network of revenue-generating activities in eastern DRC, including illegal mining, agriculture, cannabis cultivation and trafficking, and the charcoal trade.
Joint military operations
In December 2008, Rwanda and the DRC launched a joint military offensive against FDLR known as Operation Umoja Wetu, followed by Operation Kimia II.
The operations dealt significant blows to the group, killing senior commanders and hundreds of fighters while encouraging others to return voluntarily to Rwanda.
During the 35-day Umoja Wetu operation in early 2009, 153 FDLR combatants were killed, including Lt. Col. Anaclet Hitimana, commonly known as Gasasira Kabuyoya. Thirteen fighters were wounded, 37 captured, and 103 repatriated to Rwanda.
Creation of proxy forces
Facing increasing military pressure, FDLR adopted a new strategy aimed at ensuring its survival.
According to retired Col. Augustin Nshimiyimana, widely known as Bora Manassé and a former FDLR operations commander, the group began organising and training Congolese armed groups composed mainly of Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese Hutu communities.
The militias, collectively known as Nyatura, were established as local allies that would share FDLR’s ideology and help shield the organisation from military offensives.
“I was sent to establish Nyatura on the orders of Gen. Omega, the commander of FOCA,” Bora said in testimony about the group’s strategy. He explained that FDLR sought to recruit young people from Masisi and Rutshuru after suffering losses during confrontations with Raia Mutomboki fighters.
Training of the newly formed Nyatura groups reportedly began around 2010 and was conducted largely by FDLR’s elite CRAP unit under Guillaume Rurakabije.
Over time, multiple Nyatura factions emerged, including Nyatura-Domi, Nyatura John Love, Nyatura Kasongo, Nyatura Jean-Marie, Nyatura Kigingi, Nyatura Gatuza, Nyatura Abazungu, Nyatura Kalume, and Nyatura Karume.
According to former FDLR members, these groups operated in close coordination with FDLR and shared the same anti-Tutsi ideology.
Alliance with APCLS
FDLR also developed close ties with the Alliance of Patriots for a Free and Sovereign Congo (APCLS), a Hunde militia formed in 2010 under Janvier Karairi.
The two groups found common ground in their opposition to Congolese Tutsi communities and later cooperated in military operations.
APCLS traces its origins to PARECO-Hunde and previously fought alongside Congolese government forces against the M23 rebellion during earlier phases of the conflict in North Kivu.
Former fighters and regional analysts say FDLR, Nyatura factions, and APCLS often operate together, making it difficult to distinguish between members of the various groups on the battlefield.
FDLR fighters have also reportedly adopted tactics designed to avoid detection, including frequently changing names, rotating between units, and blending into local communities.
The Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) continues to pursue its long-standing objective of destabilising Rwanda.
Ongoing debate over FDLR’s future
The dismantling of FDLR has remained a key issue in regional diplomacy.
Since 2025, discussions involving Rwanda, the DRC, and the United States have increasingly focused on neutralising the group as part of broader efforts to restore stability in eastern DRC.
However, critics argue that progress remains limited.
According to Congolese researcher Dr. Alex Mvuka, FDLR has become deeply intertwined with armed groups operating under the Wazalendo umbrella, including some Nyatura factions and APCLS.
Mvuka argues that disarming FDLR without simultaneously addressing Wazalendo groups would be difficult because of their operational links and shared networks.
As of June 2026, estimates placed FDLR’s strength at between 7,000 and 10,000 fighters. The group’s military spokesperson, Lt. Col. Octavien Mutimura, has claimed that its actual numbers are higher.
Mvuka further argues that FDLR continues to draw recruits from segments of the Rwandan population that remain in the DRC, as well as from Congolese communities influenced by anti-Tutsi narratives, while cooperation with allied armed groups continues to bolster its capabilities.
The FDLR armed group was formed by remnants of the former Rwandan Armed Forces and extremist militias that fled Rwanda after committing the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The decline came after many previously listed suspected cases were tested and ruled out, World Health Organization (WHO) spokesperson Christian Lindmeier said Tuesday.
A DRC health ministry report released on May 27 said the country had recorded 1,077 suspected Ebola cases as of May 26.
Lindmeier told reporters that during the outbreak, anyone identified through surveillance or seeking treatment at a healthcare facility with Ebola-like symptoms is initially considered a suspected case until testing confirms otherwise. After laboratory tests, many of those cases were ruled out, with some found to be malaria, meningitis or other unrelated illnesses, he said.
According to the latest DRC health ministry update, as of Monday, the country had reported more than 340 confirmed Ebola cases, including 60 deaths. A total of six patients have recovered, up by one from the previous day, while 173 suspected cases are in isolation.
The WHO declared the Ebola outbreak in the DRC a public health emergency of international concern on May 17. The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment.
Medical officers sanitise areas in Ebola-prone areas in the DRC.
In a statement issued on June 2, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced that Col Sirkoof had been designated for sanctions as the head of the FDLR’s Commando de Recherche et d’Action en Profondeur (CRAP), an intelligence and special operations unit.
According to the Treasury Department, Col Sirkoof also led an FDLR operational command structure in North Kivu’s Nyiragongo Territory that was established in 2022 after M23 offensives forced FDLR fighters to disperse geographically.
The FDLR armed group was formed by remnants of the former Rwandan Armed Forces and extremist militias that fled Rwanda after committing the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The United States said the FDLR group has carried out ethnically motivated violence against civilians, recruited child soldiers, committed conflict-related sexual violence, and cross-border attacks that continue to threaten Rwanda’s security.
Washington said the group finances its activities through looting civilians, imposing unlawful taxes, kidnapping people for ransom, illegal logging in Virunga National Park, and other illicit activities.
The U.S. government further stated that the FDLR has received support from local militias and units of the Congolese army despite a government ban on cooperation with the group.
The FDLR was first sanctioned by the United States on January 3, 2013, for serious violations of international law involving children in armed conflict, including killings, sexual violence, abductions, and forced displacement.
The Treasury Department said Col Sirkoof was sanctioned for being a leader of the FDLR, an entity already subject to U.S. sanctions.
In the same announcement, the United States also imposed sanctions on John Imani Nzenze, the intelligence chief of the M23 rebel group. U.S. authorities said Nzenze is a senior M23 commander and a close associate of the group’s military leader, Gen Sultani Makenga.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the sanctions are part of broader efforts by the United States to support peace and stability in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
“Persistent violence by armed groups is exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis and presents a threat to U.S. interests in the region,” Bessent said. “Today’s sanctions support a peaceful resolution and end to the bloodshed.”
As a result of the sanctions, any property or interests in property belonging to the designated individuals that are within the United States or under the control of U.S. persons are blocked. U.S. persons are also generally prohibited from engaging in transactions involving them.
The United States said the FDLR group has carried out ethnically motivated violence against civilians, recruited child soldiers, committed conflict-related sexual violence, and cross-border attacks that continue to threaten Rwanda’s security.
He made the remarks on June 2, 2026, during the inauguration of Les Archives, a memorial dedicated to the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi, where he was accompanied by First Lady Jeannette Kagame and other dignitaries.
In his address, Kagame reflected on his personal experience of displacement and Rwanda’s history of repeated tragedy, noting what he described as a “cycle of thirty years” between earlier violence in the 1960s and the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
He said, “The events of the Genocide against the Tutsi are within living memory. And so the work of memory necessarily begins with the word of survivors.”
Kagame stressed that survivors themselves carry the burden of history, describing them as “living memorials, not only by virtue of the visible scars of the body, but also the indelible wounds of the spirit.”
Speaking about the significance of the newly unveiled memorial, he said it plays a critical role in preserving truth for future generations: “The memorial before us is powerful because it sets the truth in stone and protects it from the heartlessness of time, by instructing the living.”
Kagame added that the memorial is not about validation, but respect, saying it stands as “a mark of respect for the dignity of Rwandans and our history.”
Turning to relations with France, Kagame commended President Emmanuel Macron for his approach to historical responsibility, stating: “President Macron, I want to commend you on both counts: courage and humanity.”
He referenced France’s acknowledgment of its past during Macron’s 2021 visit to Rwanda, noting the recognition that France “could have stopped the genocide but did not,” and describing such acknowledgment as more meaningful than an apology.
Kagame also praised earlier steps taken by France, including historic remarks by former President Nicolas Sarkozy, and efforts by journalists and researchers who helped document the truth of the genocide.
He said Rwanda’s engagement with its past and international dialogue has contributed to what he called an “irreversible journey towards truth.”
Kagame further emphasized Rwanda’s internal responsibility and resilience, saying the country has chosen to confront its history directly and invest in educating younger generations to prevent repetition of past atrocities.
He concluded by stressing that overcoming history requires political will, adding that the unveiling of the memorial in Paris represents a deeper commitment to peace, understanding, and remembrance.
French President Emmanuel Macron also paid tribute to the victims during the official inauguration of the memorial, emphasizing the importance of remembrance.
The French Head of State described the memorial as “the culmination” of the long process of recognition undertaken in recent years regarding the Genocide against the Tutsi.
According to Macron, the construction of the memorial in Paris now places the Genocide against the Tutsi “at the heart of the French capital and its history.”
He noted that the project is the result of years of dedicated work based on survivors’ testimonies, historical research, academic publications, and the sustained commitment of memory and remembrance associations.
The French President also recalled the speech he delivered at the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Gisozi in May 2021, when he acknowledged France’s responsibilities in the events that led to the Genocide against the Tutsi.
“I do not wish to take back a single word of what I said,” Macron stated, reaffirming his commitment to continuing the pursuit of truth between the two countries.
The memorial was inaugurated in Paris on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. President Kagame has hailed Macron for ‘humanity’ and the role played by his country to preserve memory of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. President Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame honored victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi at the unveiled memorial in Paris.
According to the Ministry of Health, 12 patients are currently undergoing treatment, while two have recovered and been discharged from hospital. One person has died from the disease.
Health officials said 668 people identified as contacts of confirmed cases are being closely monitored for possible infection.
The outbreak was traced to a Congolese national who travelled to Uganda from Ituri Province in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The patient subsequently transmitted the virus to several other people, including healthcare workers involved in their care.
Meanwhile, the DRC Ministry of Health reported that the country’s Ebola caseload had reached 231 as of May 31, 2026, including 48 fatalities.
The outbreak in the DRC remains concentrated in Ituri Province, particularly in the areas of Mongbwalu, Rwampara and Bunia, although a limited number of cases have also been reported in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.
The Ebola outbreak in Uganda was traced to a Congolese national who travelled to Uganda from Ituri Province in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The number represents a 2% increase compared to the same period in 2025, with around six million more international travelers recorded worldwide.
The year started on a positive note, with strong travel demand in January and February. However, growth slowed in March as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East began affecting global travel patterns.
UN Tourism warns that the conflict could reduce overall growth in international tourist arrivals this year. The agency had initially projected growth of between 3% and 4% in 2026, but the crisis could lower that figure by one to two percentage points.
The conflict has disrupted flights to and from the Middle East, pushed up oil prices and contributed to shortages of jet fuel in some markets. As a result, airfares have increased and some airlines have reduced flight capacity.
UN Tourism Secretary-General Shaikha Al Nuwais said the effects of the conflict are being felt far beyond the Middle East.
“Even amid this uncertainty, international tourism continued to show resilience in the first quarter of 2026,” she said, noting that tourism remains an important source of jobs, income and economic growth.
Europe and Africa recorded the strongest performance during the quarter, each posting a 4% increase in international arrivals. Europe welcomed more than 130 million tourists, while Africa benefited from strong growth in both North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Asia and the Pacific saw arrivals rise by 3%, while the Americas recorded a 2% increase. In contrast, the Middle East experienced a 14% decline in arrivals due to the conflict.
Among the fastest-growing destinations were Paraguay, New Zealand, El Salvador, Mongolia and Uzbekistan.
Despite ongoing challenges, tourism experts remain cautiously optimistic about the upcoming Northern Hemisphere summer season. However, rising travel costs, geopolitical tensions and uncertainty over air connectivity are expected to influence where and how people travel.
The Middle East experienced a 14% decline in arrivals due to the conflict in Iran.
The sanctions were announced on March 2, 2026, with the United States accusing Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group fighting the Congolese government, an allegation Kigali has consistently rejected.
Those sanctioned include the Chief of Defence Staff of the RDF, Gen Mubarakh Muganga; the Army Chief of Staff, Maj Gen Vincent Nyakarundi; the Commander of Special Forces, Brig Gen Stanislas Gashugi; and the Commander of the RDF 5th Division, Maj Gen Ruki Karusisi, as well as the RDF as an institution.
The measures are economic in nature. They restrict access to any assets held in the United States or under U.S. jurisdiction, as such property is frozen and placed under the control of the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
In an interview with journalist Ally Soudy, Ambassador Mukantabana said the crisis in eastern DRC is rooted in the presence of groups originating from Rwanda who played a role in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and later fled into Congo, where she said they continue to spread genocidal ideology.
“Thirty-two years after the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, which was stopped by Rwandans themselves, the country is at peace. However, as I have explained before, the ideology of genocide did not disappear; it spread among some of our neighbouring communities.
“Those who left after killing victims, they continued to target other communities across the border in Congo. That is what we are still dealing with today. We have not abandoned this issue, and as you know, we are currently engaged in peace agreements with the DRC, including agreements supported by the United States.”
She added that addressing injustices faced by Congolese citizens who speak Kinyarwanda, particularly Tutsi communities allegedly targeted or neglected by the Congolese government, contributed to the emergence of the M23 movement, which says it is fighting for their rights.
The group is among those that some foreign governments accuse Rwanda of supporting—an accusation Rwanda has repeatedly denied, insisting that M23 is composed of Congolese citizens and that Kigali has no involvement in its activities.
Asked what Rwanda is doing to ensure the sanctions are lifted, Ambassador Mukantabana said the measures have not closed diplomatic channels between Rwanda and the United States, and that discussions are ongoing.
She said: “They have not closed doors. We are still following up, we are still engaging. They made their decision, but this is not something where you give up. Instead, it is something you stand firm on and continue addressing.”
She further noted that some Americans understand Rwanda’s position and believe the sanctions were not justified.
“The positive thing is that there are Americans who also do not agree with how those measures were taken. It is about continuing collaboration with such friends so that they can eventually be lifted. Above all, peace in that region must be achieved, because even if they are lifted now, other accusations will continue as long as the conflict persists,” she said.
Mukantabana added that the key solution lies in the full resolution of the conflict in eastern DRC, arguing that as long as instability continues, Rwanda will continue to be blamed.
She said: “That country has many problems, but whenever difficulties arise, Rwanda is often pointed at as a way of shifting responsibility. These are challenges we did not create, but we will continue to engage and we will not back down. We will prevail.”
Since the signing of peace agreement between Rwanda and DRC in June and December 2025, in the United States, DRC has continued to violate agreed commitments.
Rwanda has consistently stated that it remains committed to implementing the agreements and is ready to lift its defensive measures once the DRC fully neutralizes the FDLR terrorist group.
Ambassador Mukantabana said the crisis in eastern DRC is rooted in the presence of groups originating from Rwanda who played a role in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and later fled into Congo.
In a letter issued on June 1, 2026, the city administration, which has been a key sponsor of both clubs, officially notified them that the current funding arrangements will come to an end at the close of the existing contract period.
According to a letter signed by the City of Kigali Mayor, Samuel Dusengiyumva, the sponsorship agreements took effect on July 1, 2025, and were set to run until June 30, 2026.
Earlier, on March 12, 2026, the City of Kigali had written to Kiyovu Sports proposing a consolidation of its supported clubs under a single structure, involving AS Kigali and Gasogi United.
However, the proposed arrangement was not accepted by Gasogi United.
Dusengiyumva thanked the clubs for their cooperation throughout the partnership period, noting that the collaboration had contributed to the development of sports and talent promotion in the city.
“I am writing to inform you that the financial support provided by the City of Kigali will cease upon the expiration of the partnership agreement on June 30, 2026,” he stated.
“I also take this opportunity to appreciate the partnership and results achieved during our collaboration in promoting sports and nurturing talent within the City of Kigali.”
Gasogi United FC president Kakoza Nkuriza Charles also expressed gratitude for the partnership, saying it had contributed positively to the club’s development and youth empowerment.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the fruitful journey we have shared, which ensured smooth cooperation between Gasogi United Football Club and the City of Kigali,” he said.
He added that the partnership had helped identify and develop young talent, giving opportunities to Rwandan youth and improving their access to education and football-related prospects.
“Throughout this journey, we have worked together to change many lives,” he noted.
Under the arrangement, the City of Kigali had been providing an annual sponsorship of about Rwf 150 million to each club. In return, the teams promoted city campaigns related to hygiene, security, and other public awareness initiatives.
With the end of these agreements, AS Kigali remains the only club still directly supported by the City of Kigali.
AS Kigali remains the only team sponsored by the City of Kigali. The City of Kigali has announced the end of sponsorship partnership with Kiyovu Sports and Gasogi United FC effective June 30, 2026.
The ceremony comes as Rwanda continues the commemoration of the 32nd anniversary of the Genocide Against the Tutsi, a period marked by remembrance, reflection, and renewed commitments to preserving the memory of more than one million lives lost during the 100-day genocide.
The unveiling will bring together senior government officials from Rwanda and France, members of the diplomatic corps, academics, researchers, and other distinguished guests.
The monument, titled Les Archives, was commissioned by the French State in partnership with the City of Paris and Ibuka France. It was created by Portuguese-born artist Grada Kilomba and is intended to serve as a permanent place of remembrance and reflection.
Located along the Esplanade Habib-Bourguiba in the heart of Paris, Les Archives consists of two large-scale rectangular structures designed to honour the victims of the Genocide Against the Tutsi and provide a space for contemplation and tribute.
Following the ceremony, President Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame will attend a dinner at the Palais de l’Élysée hosted by President Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron.
The unveiling of Les Archives is expected to stand as a lasting symbol of remembrance in one of Europe’s most prominent capitals, ensuring that the memory of the victims of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi continues to endure for generations to come.
President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame are in Paris, France, where they will join French President Emmanuel Macron for the unveiling of a monument honouring the victims of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi.The monument, titled Les Archives, was commissioned by the French State in partnership with the City of Paris and Ibuka France. It was created by Portuguese-born artist Grada Kilomba and is intended to serve as a permanent place of remembrance and reflection.
