Mutayomba, who operates within the FDLR’s Nyatura faction in North Kivu, was injured during intense clashes around Rubaya, a strategically important mining area that has repeatedly been the scene of heavy fighting between AFC/M23, Congolese government forces, and allied armed groups.
Initial reports had indicated that the commander had been killed, but subsequent information confirmed that he survived and was evacuated to Kinshasa, where he is currently receiving medical treatment.
The circumstances surrounding the fighting remain fluid, but Rubaya has become a focal point of military operations in recent months due to its mineral wealth and strategic location. The area has seen escalating violence involving multiple armed actors competing for control.
Mutayomba is said to have played a key role in operations targeting Banyamulenge and other Congolese Tutsi communities in eastern DR Congo, accusations that have long been associated with FDLR-linked activities in the region.
The FDLR, formed by individuals linked to the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, has operated in eastern DR Congo for decades. It has repeatedly been accused of cross-border attacks into Rwanda and of promoting anti-Tutsi ideology and violence in the region.
Reports further indicate that Mutayomba is a Rwandan national who fled to DR Congo after the genocide and later rose through the ranks of armed groups active in North Kivu. His brother, Nzima, who reportedly fought alongside him, was killed earlier in January 2025.
Reacting to the reports, North Kivu Vice Governor Willy Manzi described Mutayomba as a commander whose activities had caused widespread suffering. He accused him of overseeing killings, looting, and destruction of property in Masisi, including the burning of villages and displacement of civilians.
“Mutayomba’s legacy is one of destruction. He killed civilians, looted communities, slaughtered livestock belonging to the people of Masisi, and reduced homes and entire villages to ashes,” Manzi wrote in a post on X, on Sunday.
Manzi also criticized what he called the continued protection and support allegedly extended to the militia leader, adding that Mutayomba was not a trained military officer but had risen from mining areas to become a self-styled commander within the FDLR structure.
Mutayomba (centre), who operates within the FDLR’s Nyatura faction in North Kivu, was injured during intense clashes around Rubaya.
Globally, an estimated 60% of people who died between 2023 and 2026 were cremated. Japan and South Korea lead the practice, with more than 90% of deaths resulting in cremation, while Sweden, Denmark and Slovenia report rates of around 87%.
The method is gaining popularity largely because it requires far less land than traditional burials.
A grave occupies significantly more space than an urn containing cremated remains, allowing cremation to reduce cemetery land use by up to 95%.
In countries such as Rwanda, where burial grounds may remain unused for up to 20 years and the population continues to grow, this presents a practical advantage.
Rwanda established a legal framework for cremation in 2015 through a ministerial order. Despite its benefits and growing global use, however, cremation remains an emotional subject for many people.
A new step for cremation in Rwanda
Rwanda may soon take another step by introducing electricity-powered cremation and establishing standard charges for the service. If all goes according to plan, the change could take effect in 2026.
Since Rwanda legalized cremation, members of the Hindu community, under Hindu Mandal, have been the primary providers of the service, mainly cremating the bodies of their fellow worshippers living or working in Rwanda.
The Government of Rwanda later reached an agreement with the Hindu community allowing their cremation facility to continue offering the service to all Rwandans who may wish to use it, especially since cremation has not yet become common among the local population.
The Hindu community, which has a temple in Kigali, originally operated a cremation site in the city. However, as Kigali expanded, the government requested that the facility be relocated from the city center to an area away from growing residential and development zones.
In 2009, the community moved the cremation site to Murama Cell in Nyamata Sector, Bugesera District.
However, a major challenge emerged: electricity had not yet reached the area, a situation that remains unchanged today. As a result, cremations have continued to be carried out using firewood rather than modern equipment.
Since the relocation, more than 200 bodies have been cremated at the site, including those of seven Rwandans. Most of the Rwandans cremated were married to foreigners from countries where cremation is a common practice.
Since January 2026 alone, the facility has cremated the remains of 20 foreign nationals, including several people who died in the same accident.
Officials responsible for managing the Hindu cremation site say preparations to introduce modern electric cremation services are at an advanced stage. The transition will also allow authorities to establish standard pricing for the service.
Until now, the service has largely been provided as assistance to those seeking cremation rather than as a commercial operation.
One official involved in managing the facility told IGIHE: “The installations have already been completed; what remains is the machinery. That is when the actual prices will be determined. Let electricity arrive first, then we will go to China to bring the cremation machines because the order has already been placed.”
The official declined to provide a specific timeline for the launch of electric cremation services but emphasized that preparations on their side are nearly complete.
The main remaining requirement is the extension of electricity to the area.
Bodies in Rwanda are set to be cremated using electricity.
Electricity expected by the end of June
Valens Nzamurambaho, the official in charge of electricity matters in Bugesera District, told IGIHE that if everything proceeds as planned, electricity should reach several areas of the district that currently lack power, including the location of the cremation site, by the end of June 2026.
He said: “The project to extend electricity there is not limited to that area alone but also covers other sectors across Bugesera District. The contract between the Energy Development Corporation Limited [EDCL] and TBA in Nyamata Sector is, according to the information I have, expected to end in June.”
Nzamurambaho explained that the contract was originally expected to conclude only after electricity had already been supplied to the targeted areas.
He added: “The contract was supposed to be completed by the end of June, which also meant that electricity should already have reached those areas. Although there are still some challenges, not only in that location but also in other places as well, I do not foresee any problem for that area. Electricity could be available there by the end of June. If nothing changes, it should be by June 30.”
Members of the Hindu community have a temple in Kigali where they conduct their religious ceremonies.
A practice with ancient roots
Historians note that the exact origins of cremation are not known. However, some records suggest that it was practiced in China as early as 8,000 years before Christ, while it became more widespread around the world by approximately 3,000 BC.
It is believed that cremation first spread through Europe before moving eastward into Asia and eventually reaching other regions.
Before cremation takes place, farewell ceremonies may be conducted depending on the beliefs of the deceased or their family.
The body is also inspected to ensure that it does not contain metal objects such as necklaces, rings or other items that could explode or be damaged during the cremation process. Such items are removed beforehand.
Under Rwanda’s ministerial regulations, a request for cremation may be made by the deceased before death or by a person authorized by them.
The request can be made either in writing or verbally in the presence of at least two adult witnesses.
The regulations further state that cremation must be carried out in a specially designed furnace powered by electricity and equipped with a continuous heat source. A backup generator must also be available to ensure operations continue during power outages.
The mayor of the district where a body is to be buried may authorize cremation if no individual comes forward to claim it.
After all required checks are completed, the body is placed in a cremation chamber or furnace. Regulations prohibit placing more than one body in the chamber at the same time.
The chamber operates at temperatures ranging between 600°C and 1,000°C, where the cremation process begins.
The entire process takes about three hours. What remains afterward is often referred to as ashes, although the remains are actually bone fragments. These fragments are passed through another machine that grinds them into a fine powder.
The cremated remains of a man typically weigh about 2.7 kilograms, while those of a woman average around 1.8 kilograms.
Rwanda’s ministerial regulations state that cremated remains are considered the property of the deceased’s family or, in some cases, the state.
Family members may agree to keep the ashes in a single urn or divide them among themselves as they wish.
The ashes may then be buried in a public cemetery, a private cemetery, at a family home, or in another location designated by the family. In cases where the deceased has no family, the state determines where the ashes will be placed.
The infrastructure used for cremation in Rwanda is located in Bugesera.
Supporters dressed in shirts bearing seven stars in tribute to the club’s record run of seven consecutive league titles, while players and coaches wore commemorative outfits featuring the three trophies won this season.
The military side capped off the 2025/26 campaign by winning the Rwanda Premier League, the Peace Cup and the FERWAFA Super Cup, completing a domestic treble and extending its grip on local football.
The latest triumph also marked a historic milestone, as APR FC became the first club in Rwanda to win seven league titles in a row. The club’s previous best run had been three consecutive championships.
Speaking during the celebrations, APR FC Honorary Chairman and Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Mubarakh Muganga, said the club’s ambitions remain unchanged despite its recent success.
“Now the trophies are going to keep coming; others should be prepared. APR will always compete for trophies and in large numbers. Winning trophies is what makes us happy, and we will continue striving for more,” he said.
The celebrations followed APR FC’s 2-0 victory over Gicumbi FC at Kigali Pele Stadium, where the champions were officially presented with their 24th league title since joining the top flight in 1995.
Goals from William Mel Togui and league top scorer Djibril Ouattara sealed the win, providing a fitting conclusion to another successful campaign.
Ouattara, who finished the season with 18 league goals, added to his impressive tally with a second-half header, while Togui opened the scoring in the first half from a tight angle.
APR supporters also welcomed the sight of Andrew Buteera carrying the newly designed Rwanda Premier League trophy onto the pitch before the presentation ceremony. Buteera has now won seven league titles with APR FC, matching the club’s remarkable streak of seven consecutive championships.
Club captain Claude Niyomugabo received the trophy from FERWAFA President Fabrice Shema Ngoga and Rwanda Premier League Chairman Youssouf Mudaheranwa before lifting it alongside teammates and club officials in front of jubilant supporters.
The celebrations later moved to the Senior Officers’ Mess in Kimihurura, where military leadership hosted players, coaches and fans in recognition of a season that delivered three trophies.
During the event, Gen Muganga outlined the club’s next objectives, including winning the 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup, which will be hosted in Rwanda from July 18 to August 8.
He also expressed a desire to see President Paul Kagame return to watch APR FC matches and proposed free entry for children aged 15 and below at all APR FC home games, provided they wear the club’s colours.
APR FC management rewarded players and members of the technical staff with cash bonuses in appreciation of their achievements throughout the season.
Supporters’ group APR Diaspora Fan Club also recognized the club’s standout performers, awarding Rwf500,000 each to top scorer Djibril Ouattara and defender Jean Gilbert Byiringiro for their contributions during the campaign.
Having completed a domestic treble and extended their record league-winning streak, APR FC now turns its attention to regional competition as it seeks to add more silverware to an already memorable season.
Defender Clément Niyigena poses for a photo with fans after the match.Niyigena, whose contract with APR FC expires this season, was among the club’s standout performers and has reportedly attracted interest from Sudanese giants Al-Hilal SC.
APR FC head coach Abderrahim Taleb made his way around the entire stadium, greeting supporters following the match.An APR FC supporter takes a selfie with the club’s captain, Claude Niyomugabo.Moroccan coach Abderrahim Taleb has completed one year in charge of APR FC.It was a joyful moment for APR FC fans, who had the opportunity to take photos with the players.APR FC supporters’ spokesperson Mugisha Frank, also known as “Jangwani,” hands a microphone to a young fan of the club.After the match, a large banner reading “Club Giant” was displayed at the center of the pitch, symbolizing APR FC’s status as a football powerhouse.Mauritanian striker Mamadou Sy also requested a camera and took photos himself.A visibly delighted coach Taleb paused to pose for photographs.APR FC coaching staff pose for a group photograph.Iraguha Hadji (center, front) and Ishimwe Abdul (rear) celebrate winning the league title for the first time in their careers.Rwanda Defence Force Chief of Defence Staff and APR FC Honorary Chairman Gen Mubarakh Muganga applauds the team.APR FC Secretary General Col (Rtd) Vincent Mugisha, Rwanda Defence Force Chief of Defence Staff Gen Mubarakh Muganga, Land Forces Chief Maj Gen Vincent Nyakarundi, and Reserve Force Chief Maj Gen Alex Kagame jointly lift the Rwanda Premier League trophy won by APR FC.
APR FC players and coaching staff celebrate winning the league title.
Reacting to Saturday U.S. media reports that the United States amended elements of the draft agreement and sent it back to Tehran, Tasnim quoted an informed source as saying that Iran will also make its own amendments to the draft deal, and “nothing is final yet.”
The source said Iran will only accept a draft it agrees to, and the amendments made by the United States do not imply Tehran’s approval.
U.S. media, citing officials, said U.S. President Donald Trump raised concerns over parts of the draft, including the release of Iran’s frozen assets, and wanted tougher terms in the MoU, especially on Iran’s nuclear material.
Iran and the United States are reportedly working to finalize an MoU on ending the war that started on Feb. 28 with joint attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran.
The two sides reached a temporary ceasefire on April 8. Over the past weeks, they have exchanged several proposed plans outlining conditions for ending the conflict through Pakistani mediation.
People attend a funeral ceremony for Alireza Tangsiri, chief commander of the Navy of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), and other armed forces personnel killed in U.S. and Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, on April 1, 2026. (Xinhua/Shadati)
The debutants delivered a memorable performance to secure a historic title on home soil, overcoming one of the tournament’s most experienced and successful clubs in a closely contested final. The clash was attended by high-ranking dignitaries, including President Paul Kagame.
The Tigers become the first Rwandan team to lift the trophy in the tournament’s sixth edition.
American guard Craig Randall II once again proved decisive for the Tigers, leading all scorers with 33 points in a standout display that powered the Rwandan side to victory. His consistency throughout the tournament was rewarded as he was named BAL 2026 Most Valuable Player (MVP), edging out teammate Mangok Mathiang as well as Petro de Luanda duo Childe Dundao and Aboubacar Gakou for the top individual honour.
The final lived up to expectations, with both teams battling intensely in a game that remained competitive until the decisive moments. RSSB Tigers, however, held their nerve in front of a passionate home crowd to complete a remarkable championship run in their first appearance in the competition.
In the third-place playoff earlier on Sunday, Libya’s Al Ahly Ly secured the bronze medal after defeating their Egyptian counterparts, Al Ahly SC, 106–98 at BK Arena. The Benghazi-based side bounced back strongly from their semifinal defeat to Petro de Luanda, with Majok Deng and Charlie Moore combining for 52 points to seal a podium finish.
Petro de Luanda had reached the final after a dramatic semifinal victory over Al Ahly Ly on Thursday, where they overturned a late deficit to win 94–88. That comeback, driven by Lukeny Gonçalves and Childe Dundao, set up what was expected to be another title push for the Angolan champions, who have a strong BAL pedigree, including the 2024 championship and multiple top-four finishes in recent seasons.
However, it was RSSB Tigers who ultimately rose to the occasion, completing a fairytale debut campaign by lifting the BAL trophy and etching their name into the competition’s history.
RSSB Tigers defeated Petro de Luanda 90–88 to win the 2026 BAL title.The Tigers become the first Rwandan team to lift the trophy in the tournament’s sixth edition.The final lived up to expectations, with both teams battling intensely in a game that remained competitive until the decisive moments. American guard Craig Randall II once again proved decisive for the Tigers, leading all scorers with 33 points in a standout display that powered the Rwandan side to victory. His consistency throughout the tournament was rewarded as he was named BAL 2026 Most Valuable Player (MVP).
Government Spokesperson Yolande Makolo said Rwanda is working with multiple international partners to develop its nuclear capabilities, as feasibility studies continue for the construction of a facility using Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology and the establishment of a Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology.
“Rwanda is working with a variety of global partners to develop our civil nuclear capabilities,” Makolo said in a statement on X.
She noted that alongside Russia’s state nuclear corporation, Rosatom, Rwanda recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States government during the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa (NEISA), held in Kigali earlier this month.
The summit also resulted in additional agreements between the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board (RAEB) and companies from the United States, South Africa and Austria, underscoring Kigali’s strategy of building broad international cooperation in the sector.
Rwanda’s nuclear partnership dates back several years. In December 2018, Rwanda and Russia signed an intergovernmental framework agreement in Moscow on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The cooperation was further strengthened in October 2019 when the two countries signed a roadmap with Rosatom during the Russia-Africa Summit in Sochi.
Most recently, on May 19, 2026, Rwanda and Russia signed another MoU at the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit in Kigali. The agreement focuses on nuclear medicine, advanced healthcare cooperation and broader training in nuclear science.
At the same summit, Rwanda and the United States signed a Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation MoU, which established a framework for collaboration in areas including regulatory capacity building, workforce development, scientific research and the future deployment of advanced nuclear technologies such as SMRs.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Dr. Usta Kayitesi described the agreement as an important step in Rwanda’s efforts to diversify its energy sources in line with Vision 2050.
“Nuclear energy is a key component of Rwanda’s long-term energy strategy and broader national development ambitions,” she said.
The agreement was welcomed by Renee Sonderman, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Arms Control and Nonproliferation, who praised Rwanda’s structured approach to nuclear energy development and its plans to deploy SMR technology.
The summit also saw RAEB sign a Comprehensive Development Agreement with U.S.-based company Holtec International to support the potential deployment of SMR-300 reactors in Rwanda.
Under the agreement, both parties will undertake technical cooperation activities, including site assessments, feasibility studies and data collection related to future reactor deployment. Officials said the initiative could eventually support up to 5 gigawatts of nuclear generation capacity, strengthening Rwanda’s long-term energy security while providing carbon-free baseload electricity.
President Paul Kagame has repeatedly reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to introducing nuclear energy as part of the country’s development agenda. During NEISA, he said Rwanda remains on track to operationalise nuclear energy infrastructure by the early 2030s.
“We intend to have nuclear energy operational by the early 2030s. This assessment confirms that we are on track,” Kagame said after receiving the Phase I Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review report from the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Makolo said financing discussions are also evolving globally. While nuclear projects have traditionally been funded by governments, she noted that multilateral development banks have recently begun exploring financing frameworks aimed at expanding access to nuclear energy projects in emerging economies.
As Rwanda pursues its ambitious energy expansion plans, officials say international cooperation, technological partnerships and innovative financing mechanisms will be critical to bringing the country’s first nuclear power project to fruition.
Rwanda aims to generate up to 1.5 gigawatts of electricity from nuclear power by 2050.
Farmers in Western Australia and South Australia have reported plague-like mouse populations since March, with rodents destroying wheat, canola and barley crops by feeding on freshly planted seeds and grain stored on farms.
The outbreak comes at a difficult time for the agricultural sector, with farmers also facing increased fuel and fertiliser costs linked to ongoing global geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
Many producers say they have been forced to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars replanting crops and purchasing bait in an effort to control the growing rodent population. Despite these efforts, losses continue as mice consume newly sown seeds overnight.
Western Australian farmer Geoff Cosgrove described the current outbreak as the worst he has experienced in his 25 years of farming. He said mice have invaded his home, running through ceilings and air-conditioning systems and creating constant noise and unpleasant odours.
Agronomist Belinda Eastough said some affected areas are recording between 8,000 and 10,000 mice per hectare, far above the level typically associated with a mouse plague. Researchers from Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, define a mouse plague as approximately 800 mice per hectare.
Experts say favourable conditions created by strong harvests and summer rainfall provided abundant food and ideal breeding environments for the rodents. Mice can begin reproducing at just six weeks of age and produce multiple litters within short periods, allowing populations to explode rapidly.
Beyond the economic damage, farmers are also reporting significant psychological strain. The constant presence of mice in homes, sheds and machinery has disrupted sleep and increased stress levels across affected communities.
Authorities recently approved stronger bait products following weeks of pressure from farmers. While some producers have reported early signs that cooler winter temperatures may be slowing mouse activity, many say the damage has already been severe.
Farmers remain hopeful that winter conditions will help bring the outbreak under control, but for many, recovery from the losses may take much longer.
Farmers in Western Australia and South Australia have reported plague-like mouse populations since March, with rodents destroying wheat, canola and barley crops by feeding on freshly planted seeds and grain stored on farms.
The world-famous rap artist performed in Türkiye for the first time, drawing an estimated 118,000 fans to one of Istanbul’s largest live music venues. The concert, organised in collaboration with NTRteam, attracted a highly international audience, with attendees travelling from across Türkiye as well as the United Kingdom, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Russia, Poland, the Middle East and other regions.
Long before West took the stage, the stadium was already packed, with fans filling both stands and pitch areas hours ahead of the performance. The anticipation reflected the scale of the event, which was widely presented as one of Istanbul’s biggest music moments of the year.
West opened the night with “Father,” immediately setting a reflective tone before moving through a catalogue of some of his most recognisable hits. His setlist included fan favourites such as “Power,” “Flashing Lights,” “Heartless,” “Runaway,” “Black Skinhead,” “Homecoming,” “King” and “All The Love.” He closed the concert with “Stronger,” bringing the two-hour performance to a high-energy finish.
The show was staged on a spherical platform, echoing designs previously seen in his Los Angeles SoFi Stadium productions. The setup was enhanced by intense lighting effects, fog bursts and synchronised visuals that transformed the venue into a globe-lit spectacle visible across the stadium.
As the performance unfolded, thousands of fans illuminated the arena with their phone lights, adding another layer to the atmosphere and turning the crowd into part of the visual design.
The concert also drew a number of well-known Turkish public figures, including actors Şükrü Özyıldız, Alina Boz, Nilperi Şahinkaya, Hazar Ergüçlü, Yasemin Allen, Afra Saraçoğlu and Aslı Tandoğan, alongside Ayşe Tolga, Umut Evirgen, singer Elif Buse Doğan and Burak Kut.
Beyond the stadium experience, the show reached a global digital audience after being streamed live on Kanye West’s official YouTube channel, attracting millions of viewers within minutes and extending the reach of the Istanbul performance far beyond the venue itself.
The show was staged on a spherical platform, echoing designs previously seen in his Los Angeles SoFi Stadium productions. The setup was enhanced by intense lighting effects, fog bursts and synchronised visuals that transformed the venue into a globe-lit spectacle visible across the stadium.Thousands of fans illuminated the arena with their phone lights, adding another layer to the atmosphere and turning the crowd into part of the visual design.The concert also drew over 100,000 fans.The concert, organised in collaboration with NTRteam, attracted a highly international audience, with attendees travelling from across Türkiye as well as the United Kingdom, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Russia, Poland, the Middle East and other regions.
In 1996, as the camps began to be dismantled and refugees were encouraged to return home, Musabyemungu decided to repatriate and join fellow Rwandans in rebuilding a nation devastated by the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
While many civilians returned, former government soldiers (Ex-FAR) and Interahamwe militia members refused to do so. Instead, they organised armed groups with the aim of launching attacks on Rwanda and reclaiming power. Their continued presence eventually prompted military operations to facilitate their repatriation.
In 2000, these groups formally established the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a rebel movement that sought to continue armed operations against Rwanda. Musabyemungu’s husband, Jérôme Ngendahimana, then a colonel, became commander of the group’s Second Division before later being appointed head of intelligence.
Speaking to KP Media24, Musabyemungu recalled how her efforts to bring combatants home began in 2001 after RPA forces captured approximately 2,000 FDLR fighters and transferred them to Mudende, in present-day Rubavu District.
“I decided to go and see them because I knew many of them,” she said. “Some had studied with me, worked with me, or lived with me in the refugee camps. I wanted to talk to them, explain the situation, and encourage them to return to their country.”
During one of those visits, Musabyemungu met James Kabarebe, who was serving as Chief of Defence Staff of the Rwanda Defence Forces at the time. Impressed by her determination, he agreed to support her proposal to travel into the forests of eastern Congo and persuade other FDLR members, including her husband, to return to Rwanda.
Two years later, in 2003, Musabyemungu embarked on the mission. She travelled across Lake Kivu to Bukavu and continued on foot through dense forests to reach FDLR-controlled territory.
Upon her arrival, she was housed with the wives of FDLR fighters, as many members of the group distrusted her motives. She later learned that some individuals within the movement had proposed killing her, but the group’s commander, Paul Rwarakabije, repeatedly intervened to protect her.
“Commander Rwarakabije saved my life,” she said. “Whenever reports recommending my execution were brought to him, he would reject them. Sometimes he would say, ‘Leave her alone; I will deal with her myself.’ At other times he would insist that they could not kill me before my husband arrived.”
Musabyemungu explained that her husband was stationed roughly a week’s journey away from the location where she first arrived. When she eventually reached him, she seized an opportunity to speak with him privately.
She told him she had come to take him home and relayed assurances from Gen. Kabarebe that he would be welcomed back and allowed to live peacefully in Rwanda.
Initially sceptical, Ngendahimana struggled to believe the guarantees. He asked for three days of fasting and prayer before making a decision. At the end of that period, he agreed to return, though he remained uncertain about what awaited him during the journey and upon arrival in Rwanda.
In October 2003, after a difficult trek through the forests of eastern Congo, Musabyemungu and Ngendahimana reached Bukavu before crossing into Rwanda through Rusizi. They later travelled to Kigali, where they were personally received by Gen. Kabarebe.
“It was already night when we arrived in Kigali,” she recalled. “I felt immense relief because I had managed to bring him back alive.”
According to Musabyemungu, Kabarebe welcomed them into his home and shared a meal with them.
Soon after Ngendahimana’s return, Kabarebe contacted Rwarakabije by telephone to inform him that the former FDLR commander’s colleague had safely arrived in Rwanda. He then entrusted Musabyemungu with another mission of bringing Rwarakabije home as well.
Musabyemungu said she later spoke directly with Rwarakabije, who told her he would only return if she personally came back to the forests and accompanied him to Rwanda, just as she had done with her husband.
“He had refused to come,” she said. “He told me that he would only return if I came back for him. I agreed and returned to Congo. By then, I was no longer thinking about the possibility of being killed. I was only focused on the outcome.”
Ngendahimana supported the new mission and assured Kabarebe that his wife was capable of accomplishing it.
Musabyemungu described the second mission as even more challenging than the first.
“The first time, I had my husband with me. If something happened, we would face it together. This time, I was alone. Reaching Rwarakabije’s base and convincing him to leave was much more difficult,” she said.
In November 2003, she successfully escorted Rwarakabije back to Rwanda. He returned alongside more than 120 soldiers, including 12 officers.
“When we reached Rusizi, an aircraft was sent to transport us because we were such a large group,” she said. “When we landed at Kanombe, senior military officers and generals were waiting for us.”
The return of Rwarakabije and the officers dealt a major blow to the FDLR. Musabyemungu said the group also brought back weapons and equipment from the movement’s headquarters, making it significantly harder for the organisation to regroup and rebuild its capabilities.
Following his repatriation, Rwarakabije joined the Rwanda Defence Forces and rose to the rank of Major General. After retiring from military service, he was appointed Commissioner General of the Rwanda Correctional Service.
Ngendahimana also joined the Rwanda Defence Forces and retired with the rank of Major General.
For her part, Musabyemungu continued her education, earning postgraduate qualifications from the former National University of Rwanda and later from Kigali Independent University (ULK). Between 2008 and 2013, she served as a member of Rwanda’s Parliament.
Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Jérôme Ngendahimana returned to Rwanda in October 2003.Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Paul Rwarakabije returned to Rwanda in November 2003, along with 120 other fighters.Anne Marie Musabyemungu said the mission to repatriate the generals was highly challenging, but that she remained confident.
Paris Saint-Germain secured the title after a dramatic final against Arsenal in Budapest, where the French side triumphed in a penalty shootout following a tightly contested match that ended level after normal time. The victory sealed PSG’s second Champions League crown and sparked celebrations across France.
According to the French interior ministry, a total of 416 people were detained nationwide on Saturday night, including 283 in Paris, as tens of thousands of supporters flooded streets to mark PSG’s dramatic win.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez described the unrest as “absolutely unacceptable,” confirming that seven police officers were wounded during clashes that broke out in several parts of the capital. Six vehicles and two businesses were also damaged.
Police scrambled to contain the large crowd at the iconic Champs-Elysees avenue.
A heavy police presence of around 22,000 officers was deployed across France, including 8,000 in Paris, amid fears of a repeat of last year’s disorder. Authorities moved to shut down tram lines, close metro stations and restrict bus services in central Paris in an effort to contain crowds.
Despite the measures, around 20,000 fans gathered on the Champs-Élysées, where flares were lit and traffic was disrupted. Police said two dozen flares and around 100 fireworks were seized, while a bus shelter near the avenue was destroyed.
Smaller groups of supporters also caused disturbances near PSG’s Parc des Princes stadium, where tens of thousands had gathered to watch the match on big screens. Between 4,000 and 5,000 people outside the stadium were involved in confrontations with police, with projectiles thrown at officers. Tear gas was used after fireworks were launched in their direction.
A car burns and fireworks explode as police watch PSG supporters celebrate in Paris, Saturday, May 30, 2026 after Champions League final soccer match between PSG and Arsenal.
Police said about 150 individuals attempted to force entry through one of the stadium gates, while others tried to build barricades using rental bicycles, which were later dismantled.
In central Paris, a group briefly blocked the ring road, the périphérique, while scattered incidents of vandalism were reported, including damage to a bakery and restaurant. Authorities also said some individuals attempted to storm a police station in the 8th arrondissement before being dispersed.
The unrest came as celebrations across the city coincided with other major events, including concerts and the French Open tennis tournament, adding pressure on security services.
Far-right political figures criticised the violence, with Marine Le Pen claiming on social media that “only in France does a football club’s victory spark riots.”
Despite the clashes, city officials confirmed that PSG players are expected to hold a victory parade on Sunday at the Champ de Mars near the Eiffel Tower, with an estimated 100,000 people expected to attend before a reception at the Élysée Palace hosted by President Emmanuel Macron.
Paris Saint-Germain secured the title after a dramatic final against Arsenal in Budapest, where the French side triumphed in a penalty shootout following a tightly contested match that ended level after normal time.
