The case seeks to legally end their marriage and will be heard at the Kicukiro Primary Court.
Information obtained by IGIHE shows that the hearing will consider the requests and arguments raised by both parties during a preliminary hearing held on September 14, 2026.
Vestine, through her lawyer, told the court that she was seeking a divorce because Ouedraogo had concealed from her that he already had a family in Burkina Faso.
She told the court that after discovering this and confronting him about it, Ouedraogo began assaulting and beating her.
IGIHE has also learned that Vestine was informed that Ouedraogo had a family in Burkina Faso by his sister, who called her by phone.
During the preliminary hearing, Vestine said she was not seeking a share of any property with her husband.
She also told the court that she would continue raising their child, who lives with her and is still young.
Ouedraogo, however, denied the allegations through his lawyer and said he did not agree to the divorce.
“We do not accept the allegations made against us, and we also do not agree to the divorce because the grounds on which it is being sought never happened,” his lawyer told the court.
Ouedraogo’s side argued that if the court decides to grant the divorce, it should be based on grounds attributable to Vestine, including what it described as her abandonment of the marital home and other grounds presented to the court.
The lawyer also told the court that Ouedraogo believes the child is his but wants a DNA test conducted because there are doubts about their biological relationship.
Beyond the question of paternity, Ouedraogo’s side said he was concerned that he had not been able to see the child and asked the court to order Vestine to allow him to do so.
The court is expected to consider the arguments from both sides when it hears the case on December 3.
Vestine and Ouédraogo married on July 5, 2025, after their relationship became public. The couple had earlier formalised their union through a civil marriage.
Reusser, who turned 35 on September 20, was the final rider to start the race and finished 40 seconds ahead of Britain’s Zoe Bäckstedt, who took silver. Germany’s Franziska Koch claimed bronze, 45 seconds behind the winner. Reusser had also won gold in the event at the 2025 World Championships in Kigali.
Rwanda’s Xaveline Nirere finished 37th in 59 minutes and 41 seconds, while Diane Ingabire was 38th in 1 hour and 9 seconds. Nirere finished nine minutes and 17 seconds behind Reusser, with Ingabire 9 minutes and 45 seconds off the winning time.
The pair were Rwanda’s only representatives in the women’s individual time trial, the first event featuring Rwandan riders at this year’s championships. A total of 11 Rwandan riders are expected to compete at the 2026 World Championships, with the team set to take part in 10 of the 13 events offering medals.
The men’s individual time trial was the second event on Sunday’s programme, where Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel claimed a historic fourth consecutive world title. Evenepoel, who previously won in 2023, 2024, and 2025, completed the 39.2-kilometre course in 44 minutes and 53 seconds to beat Italy’s Filippo Ganna by 57 seconds.
Evenepoel famously battled Tadej Pogačar for the 2025 world title in Kigali, with the race passing through the cobbled streets of Kimihurura. Pogačar, however, did not compete in Montréal after suffering a serious crash during the Vuelta a España on August 29, 2026.
Diane Ingabire was the first Rwandan rider to take part in the road events at this year’s World Championships. Xaveline Nirere competes in the time trial at the 2026 World Championships in Montréal. Marlen Reusser retains the women’s individual time trial world title at the World Championships.
Marlen Reusser (centre), Zoe Bäckstedt (left) and Franziska Koch (right) pose after finishing first, second and third.
Speaking in a dialogue at a special edition of the Qatar Economic Forum in New York City on Sunday, Georgieva said, “Inflation is stubborn. We are not anticipating a quick resolution. And that means that many central banks have to tighten.”
Georgieva noted that the fight to secure price stability also increased the cost and difficulty of debt service. There is a lot of understanding of the necessity of fiscal consolidation, but not enough action, she added.
Moreover, Georgieva highlighted the potential risks from leverage and circular financing in AI investment, saying this is “something that we have to be mindful of.”
“If AI disappoints, because we have these high expectations, if they don’t materialize, disappointment may lead to potentially a shock to the system,” warned Georgieva.
Risk in AI financing is “primarily concentrated in the United States” while many other players in Asia and Europe are included in the supply chain of AI, added Georgieva.
The IMF’s new projection on the world economy to be released in October will reflect the fact that the risks will remain high, according to Georgieva.
“Having growth that would be hovering around 3 percent is a massive achievement, given all the shocks we have been experiencing,” said Georgieva.
Georgieva said she saw optimism from remarkable, fast action when it’s necessary to counter the energy supply shock.
“While there is a lot of talk about a fragmented world. And indeed, it is less unified. It is still a world in which we are interdependent and we cooperate,” said Georgieva.
“We have to be careful and cautious. The risks are high and uncertainty is the new normal,” she added.
Kristalina Georgieva (R), managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), speaks in a dialogue at a special edition of the Qatar Economic Forum in New York City, the United States, September 20, 2026.
Nduhungirehe’s remarks follow reports that Rwandans who had sought refuge in eastern DRC are continuing to return home. According to figures from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), 3,752 Rwandans have returned home since the beginning of 2026.
Clarifying the details behind the figures in a post on X, Nduhungirehe pointed out that these 3,752 refugees, repatriated with the assistance of the UNHCR and MONUSCO, were located in territory controlled by the AFC/M23 alliance. Conversely, he emphasised that those living under Kinshasa’s control are being actively prevented from leaving.
“As for the refugees living in the government-controlled area, they are still being held hostage by the genocidal FDLR, which prevents them from returning to their country and subjects them to miserable living conditions,” Nduhungirehe said.
He further argued that the return of refugees poses a direct challenge to organisations claiming to protect them, as a successful repatriation process disproves their narrative that an ongoing Rwandan refugee crisis exists.
“Finally, it is surprising to see that RFI is attempting to give credence to the arguments of the ‘movements that present themselves as close to these refugees’, which have consistently obstructed the return of these refugees,” Nduhungirehe wrote.
“Their return would undermine the main argument of these genocidaires, along with their networks in Europe, such as Jambo ASBL, which present themselves as the ‘protectors’ of these refugees.”
The Radio France Internationale (RFI) report referenced by Nduhungirehe was published on September 20, 2026. While acknowledging that Rwandan refugees continue to return from eastern DRC, RFI raised questions about how information regarding departures from areas controlled by the AFC/M23 alliance is gathered. RFI reported that these concerns were voiced by civil society organisations close to the refugees.
UNHCR statistics confirm that 3,752 Rwandan refugees have been repatriated from the DRC since early 2026, including a recent cohort of 366 individuals returning from Kamanyola as well as the cities of Goma and Bukavu.
UNHCR maintains that these returns are voluntary, safe, and carried out under conditions respecting the dignity of the refugees.
According to data compiled by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), approximately 194,500 Rwandans remain in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The vast majority are located in the volatile eastern provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu.
Jambo ASBL is a Belgium-based non-governmental organisation largely comprised of diaspora Rwandans whose parents were key figures involved in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, including high-ranking officials from the former regime of Juvénal Habyarimana. While the organisation claims to advocate for refugee interests and solutions grounded in international law, its members are accused of promoting genocide ideology and collaborating with FDLR combatants and the DRC government.
Kigali points to a recent statement by Jambo ASBL expressing support for a protocol signed between the DRC government and the FDLR on the disarmament, demobilisation and cantonment of the armed group as evidence of this connection.
Niyonkuru completed the 21-kilometre race in 1:06:08 (a new national record), finishing behind Kenya’s Agnes Jebet Ngetich, who set a women-only world record (1:05:15) for gold, and Kenya’s Veronica Loleo, who took silver in 1:06:05.
The 25-year-old was the best-performing of Rwanda’s three representatives in the race. Emeline Imanizabayo (15th) and Ibishatse Angelique (39th) also competed for Rwanda.
The World Athletics Road Running Championships are organised by World Athletics and were held in Copenhagen.
The bronze adds to Niyonkuru’s recent run of strong performances. She finished third in the 10,000 metres at the Commonwealth Games, winning Rwanda’s first-ever senior medal at the Games. She also won gold at the TCS World 10K Bengaluru in India earlier this year.
Niyonkuru completed the women’s half marathon in 1:06:08, setting a new Rwandan national record in the 21-kilometre race.The 25-year-old was the best-performing of Rwanda’s three representatives in the race.
The request seeks technical, legal and judicial assistance to support Libyan authorities’ ongoing investigations, share the investigative burden, help establish the circumstances of the incidents and identify those responsible, according to the statement.
Preliminary investigations by relevant Libyan institutions indicated that the attacks were part of what the authorities described as a broader plan targeting civilian infrastructure, including fuel storage facilities and power stations, while putting civilians’ lives at risk.
The council said security agencies and the National Safety Authority had contained some of the operations and prevented others from being carried out.
Given the nature and gravity of the incidents and the circumstances surrounding them, they could constitute crimes against humanity or genocide, according to a legal assessment by the Libyan authorities, the statement said.
Earlier this month, Libya’s internationally recognized Government of National Unity announced that it had dismantled an organized sabotage cell and arrested five Libyans and foreigners allegedly involved in suicide drone attacks on oil and electricity facilities in Tripoli and Zawiya.
It said investigations were ongoing to identify other individuals involved and the parties that planned, financed, or supported the operations.
Libya has formally requested support from the International Criminal Court (ICC) in investigating attacks on vital civilian facilities in the capital Tripoli and the western city of Zawiya.
Ishimwe shared the emotional account in a lengthy Instagram post on Sunday, September 20, 2026, describing it as “my story of thanksgiving” and noting that she wanted young people facing similar experiences to learn from her journey.
She recounted that her difficulties began after completing secondary school, when she fell in love with a man she had known for years but did not fully know.
Ishimwe explained that she ignored advice from those around her because she was driven by emotions, later discovering that the man already had another family and children.
She chose to remain silent and endure what she was experiencing, guided by the biblical teaching that “love bears all things and endures all things.”
The singer revealed that the situation eventually became so difficult that she began thinking her life was over and contemplated taking her own life.
“She saw things that disturbed her so deeply that she began to think her life was over because of what she witnessed every day,” she wrote.
Ishimwe recalled being unable to tell her parents, relatives or friends what she was going through, but credited God with preventing her from taking her own life.
“Eventually, she reached a point where she thought the only way to escape what she was experiencing was to take her own life and leave this world,” she wrote.
Ishimwe alleges attempts to derail her music career
The Vestine & Dorcas singer also accused her husband of trying to interfere with her music career by preventing her from attending concerts and going to the studio, as well as attempting to separate her from her sister Kamikazi Dorcas.
She claimed he also succeeded in separating her from her former management, believing this would end her musical career.
“Instead, that was only the beginning,” she wrote.
Ishimwe further alleged that after failing to stop her music career, the man turned to efforts to damage her reputation.
She claimed he accused the man she regarded as a father figure, whom she had known for about five years, of being the biological father of her child. The man is believed to be Murindahabi Irene, Ishimwe’s former mentor and manager, whom she has previously described as a father figure.
She also alleged that people were paid to spread rumours about her, including accusations of sexual misconduct and fraud.
Court battle over child
Her revelations come days after Ouedraogo filed a case at Kicukiro Primary Court seeking access to a child he claims they had together and requesting a DNA test to establish paternity.
Ouedraogo filed the case on September 17, 2026, following a divorce case initiated by Ishimwe.
According to court documents, Ishimwe cited alleged abuse and maintained that she sought a divorce after discovering that Ouedraogo had other wives. Ouedraogo denies the allegations.
He also maintains that he has never seen the child since birth despite repeatedly seeking an opportunity to meet them.
Ouedraogo is asking the court to order Ishimwe to allow him to see the child and to conduct a DNA test involving him and the child.
Ishimwe explained that she had avoided allowing him to see the child because the two were in conflict, adding that she was waiting for a peaceful moment for him to meet the child.
The couple married on July 5, 2025, after their relationship became public. They had earlier formalised their union through a civil marriage.
Ishimwe ended her message by encouraging women and girls going through difficult situations to remain hopeful and urging unmarried people to be cautious about people who may not be what they appear to be.
She also asked her supporters to pray for her and Dorcas, expressing hope that her “anointing” would not run dry.
The couple married on July 5, 2025, after their relationship became public. They had earlier formalised their union through a civil marriage.
The award, announced at a ceremony in London on September 18, recognises the combined performance of airline staff working in airport ground operations and onboard cabins, including efficiency, hospitality, boarding assistance and customer service.
RwandAir finished ahead of several major African carriers in the Best Airline Staff Service in Africa category, including EgyptAir, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways and South African Airways.
The recognition comes a year after RwandAir was named Best Regional Airline in Africa at the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards. In the 2026 results, the carrier placed second in the same regional category, ranking ninth globally.
RwandAir finished ahead of several major African carriers in the Best Airline Staff Service in Africa category.
RwandAir also ranked fifth in the overall Best Airline in Africa category.
Following the announcement, RwandAir thanked its passengers and staff for the recognition.
“We are honoured to be named the Best Airline Staff in Africa 2026 by Skytrax,” the airline said, thanking passengers for choosing to fly with it and its team for the “warmth, professionalism, and dedication” they bring to flights, ground operations and passenger experiences.
RwandAir was named Africa’s Best Airline Staff Service at the 2026 Skytrax World Airline Awards.
Ethiopian Airlines retained the Best Airline in Africa title in 2026, while RwandAir’s second-place finish in the regional category placed it behind the African regional winner.
Singapore Airlines reclaims global crown
The awards, based on more than 24 million traveller survey responses worldwide, also saw Singapore Airlines reclaim the overall global title.
Singapore Airlines secured its sixth World’s Best Airline award, moving back to first place after Qatar Airways, last year’s winner, dropped to second.
Cathay Pacific Airways ranked third, followed by ANA (All Nippon Airways), Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Air France, Hainan Airlines, Japan Airlines and Korean Air.
Singapore Airlines secured its sixth World’s Best Airline award
Key cabin and service winners
Qatar Airways retained major honours in premium travel, winning World’s Best Business Class and Best Onboard Wi-Fi.
Air France took World’s Best First Class, while EVA Air was named Best Premium Economy.
Singapore Airlines also won World’s Best Economy Class and Best Economy Class Catering, adding to its overall award.
STARLUX Airlines was recognised for having the World’s Cleanest Cabin and received a five-star Skytrax rating.
Among low-cost carriers, AirAsia retained the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline title, while Scoot was named World’s Best Long-Haul Low-Cost Airline.
STARLUX Airlines was recognised for having the World’s Cleanest Cabin and received a five-star Skytrax rating.
Regional winners
Beyond Africa, Bangkok Airways was named Best Regional Airline in Asia, while Turkish Airlines led Europe, Air Canada topped North America and LATAM Airlines took the South American regional title.
Air India also recorded several gains, winning Best Airline in India and Best Staff Service in South Asia, while receiving an upgrade to a Skytrax four-star rating.
Campbell Wilson, CEO & MD, Rajesh Dogra, Chief Customer Experience Officer, and Anjali Birla, Head of Customer Experience and Loyalty, alongside members of the Air India cabin crew, receive Air India’s awards at the 2026 Skytrax World Airline Awards in London.
In a post on his Truth Social account, Trump said he would not stand by and let the “decimation or destruction” of AI happen.
“We will not in any way hinder or stifle the Growth of this incredible Industry. Rather, we will cherish it, help it, and watch over it, as it grows! However, we will also be looking for BAD, and we can do that, very easily, with our already existing Criminal and Civil Justice System,” Trump said.
Trump also described AI as the next Industrial Revolution or Internet, and said it could possibly account for as much as 25 percent of U.S. gross domestic product.
Trump did not provide details on the structure of the planned “AI Force” or the role of the “AI Czar.”
The announcement comes amid growing debate in the United States over the rapid development of AI and its potential risks.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he is forming an “AI Force” and will announce an “AI Czar” in the near future.
The championships are scheduled to take place in Montréal from September 20 to 27, bringing together cyclists from around the world.
Higiro met the Rwandan delegation on Saturday ahead of the championships. The delegation included FERWACY President Nkurayija Ishimwe Jean Hubert, cyclists and other officials.
Higiro encouraged the riders to use the championships as an opportunity to showcase Rwanda on the international stage.
Rwanda is taking part in the competition following the 2025 edition held in Kigali, which made the country the first in Africa to host the UCI Road World Championships.
Rwanda’s campaign begins on Sunday, with Nirere Xaverine and Ingabire Diane competing in the women’s individual time trial (ITT).
Higiro met the Rwandan delegation on Saturday ahead of the championships. The delegation included FERWACY President Nkurayija Ishimwe Jean Hubert, cyclists and other officials.The championships are scheduled to take place in Montréal from September 20 to 27, bringing together cyclists from around the world.Higiro encouraged the riders to use the championships as an opportunity to showcase Rwanda on the international stage.
