“I would think that would be enough time,” he told reporters aboard Air Force One.
“We’re either going to get a deal or it’s going to be unfortunate for them,” Trump said.
Earlier on Thursday, Trump said at the inaugural meeting of the “Board of Peace” that the outcome of the U.S.-Iran nuclear talks will be decided over the next 10 days, calling Iran “a hot spot right now.”
“It’s proven to be, over the years, not easy to make a meaningful deal with Iran, and we have to make a meaningful deal. Otherwise bad things happen,” Trump said.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance said that the second round of the U.S.-Iran talks in Geneva on Tuesday showed “some” positive signs but key U.S. red lines remain unmet.
A Trump adviser estimated a “90 percent chance” of strikes within weeks if talks fail, Axios reported Tuesday.
The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford was approaching Gibraltar on Wednesday as it made its way from the Caribbean to join the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in waters near Iran, according to local media reports.
The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln was deployed in waters near Iran in the past few weeks.
Independent Online (IOL) reported on Thursday that the four men arrived at Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport on Wednesday, where they were met by South African police before being taken into custody for processing.
According to the report, their return followed diplomatic engagements between South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on Feb. 10, during which the two leaders pledged support for the safe repatriation of South African citizens caught up in the conflict.
Quoting DIRCO Minister Ronald Lamola, IOL reported that the men had been contracted by private security companies in Russia rather than directly enlisted into the Russian military.
“They will be allowed to return when their contracts are cancelled,” Lamola was quoted as saying, adding that the repatriation would take place in phases.
“The Russian government is assisting with their return… What is clear is that they were lured under false pretenses, and that matter is now the subject of a police investigation in South Africa,” the minister said.
On Nov. 6, 2025, the South African Presidency announced that it had been alerted about the 17 men who were “trapped” in the war-torn Donbas region of Ukraine.
The men reportedly claimed they were lured with promises of lucrative employment, only to find themselves caught in a conflict zone.
Local reports indicate that the four men arrived at Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport on Wednesday.
Mukazayire told Members of Parliament on Thursday that the government was not satisfied with the team’s current performance but had put in place a long-term strategy aimed at building a competitive and professional football system.
“We are not satisfied with the way Amavubi are performing,” she said. “Changes will continue at the Federation, the Ministry and elsewhere for as long as we have not achieved the results we expect.”
Her remarks came after MP Rutebuka Balinda, Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Education, Technology, Culture, Youth and Sports, questioned the frequent turnover of coaches and leadership within the Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA), warning that instability could undermine progress.
Mukazayire said the changes were intended to establish a clear direction for Rwandan football, focused on professionalism, talent development and achieving victories.
She acknowledged that the national team’s results reflect the broader state of football development in the country, arguing that meaningful improvement requires structural reforms rather than short-term fixes.
A key pillar of the strategy, she said, is identifying and recruiting talented players of Rwandan origin living abroad while ensuring their integration serves national interests.
“We must identify them, bring them in and use them effectively. We have already discussed this with FERWAFA and implementation is underway,” she said.
The minister also stressed that coaching contracts must clearly define performance targets, warning that leadership changes would persist if expectations are not met.
“If contracts do not clearly state the expected outcomes, you will continue to see changes because we need results,” she said.
Youth development forms the core of the reform agenda. Mukazayire said players under the ages of 15 and 17 will be closely monitored and systematically developed so they can transition into competitive professional football by the age of 21.
“You cannot neglect youth development and expect to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations,” she said. “We must build from the grassroots.”
Rwanda plans to establish a National Football Academy where young players can train and study together as part of a long-term effort to build a stronger national team.
Currently, the Isonga talent development programme operates in 17 schools with 599 children and is expected to expand to more than 2,000 participants. Other initiatives include the Bayern Munich academy in Rwanda, the Paris Saint-Germain academy and the Tony Football academy, which collectively support youth talent development.
Mukazayire cautioned that the reforms would take time to produce tangible results, estimating that visible improvements may require at least five years.
Meanwhile, FERWAFA recently parted ways with head coach Adel Amrouche on January 14, 2026, after one year in charge. The federation said it has received 688 applications from qualified candidates and will shortlist coaches based on credentials, experience with national teams and participation in major tournaments such as the Africa Cup of Nations and the FIFA World Cup.
With less than a month before Rwanda hosts the FIFA Series friendly matches in Kigali from March 23–31, the national team remains without a head coach. Rwanda is scheduled to face Estonia, Grenada and Kenya in Group A.
Mukazayire also emphasized the importance of mentality, noting that defeats are not always due to a lack of technical ability but can stem from psychological factors affecting players and coaching staff.
Sports Minister Nelly Mukazayire stressed that there is a plan to turn Amavubi into a results-driven team.Sports Minister Mukazayire expressed dissatisfaction with Amavubi’s current performance.
Col Charles Sumanyi previously served as Vice President of the Supreme Military Court since 2024. He has also held other positions, including serving as a military court judge for eight years and as a judge in the Military High Court for seven years.
After administering the oath, Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva reminded Col Sumanyi that his new role requires prudence and integrity.
“As you have sworn, in the duties you are about to undertake it is essential that you refrain from using the authority entrusted to you for your personal gain,” he said.
“You must prioritise the interests of the country and diligently fulfill your responsibilities, always striving to deliver fair justice to all and to uphold the positive image of the Rwanda Defence Force and the Republic of Rwanda as a whole,” the Prime Minister added.
Col Sumanyi’s appointment was approved by the Cabinet meeting chaired by President Paul Kagame on January 28, 2026.
Expressing gratitude for the trust placed in him by the Head of State, Col Sumanyi pledged to carry out his duties diligently, aiming to strengthen good conduct within the Rwanda Defence Force.
“This role I am taking up is all about promoting discipline and good conduct in our country’s army. Recently, you heard the President emphasizing that these security institutions are ones he has always wished for… In this position, my primary duty is to reinforce discipline and good conduct, starting with educating soldiers about crimes and their consequences.
“As you know, wherever there are people, minor infractions are inevitable. Where crimes occur, we will take them to court. Our goal is to deliver justice that is both fair and swift.”
He affirmed that he will execute his responsibilities with full dedication to ensure they are fulfilled properly.
The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Defence and Minister of Defence, among others.The ceremony took place on Thursday, February 19, 2025. Col Sumanyi expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him by the Head of State.
NBR Governor Soraya Hakuziyaremye announced the decision on Thursday, February 19, following a meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) on Wednesday, which reviewed recent domestic and international economic developments and updated the country’s economic projections.
Inflation in Rwanda increased to 8.9 percent in January 2026, up from 8.0 percent in December 2025, exceeding the Central Bank’s target range of 2–8 percent.
The rise, the central bank boss said, has been driven largely by higher energy costs, electricity tariffs, fuel prices, and supply constraints on fresh food, particularly vegetables affected by below-normal rainfall.
“The Monetary Policy Committee has decided to increase the Central Bank Rate to 7.25 percent to limit second-round effects of recent price increases and support a timely return of inflation to the target range,” she stated.
The governor noted that headline inflation is expected to remain slightly above 8 percent in the first half of 2026, before easing toward the target band by the end of the year.
“The MPC will continue to closely monitor economic developments and the inflation outlook. Should the highlighted risks materialize, we will assess the need for further policy adjustments to ensure inflation converges to the target range over the medium term,” Governor Hakuziyaremye added.
Despite inflationary pressures, Rwanda’s economy continues to perform strongly. The country recorded an average growth of 8.7 percent during the first three quarters of 2025, with the Composite Index of Economic Activity (CIEA) rising 17.1 percent in the fourth quarter.
Merchandise exports grew by 14.1 percent, supported by traditional exports such as coffee and minerals, while non-traditional exports, including processed cooking oil and wheat flour, also recorded notable gains.
The Rwandan franc showed signs of stabilisation in 2025, with depreciation slowing to 4.4 percent from 9.42 percent in 2024, thanks to stronger tourism receipts, increased remittances, and domestic foreign exchange reforms.
In the financial sector, Rwanda continues to demonstrate resilience. Credit institutions, insurance companies, and microfinance institutions maintained strong capital and liquidity positions, while the consolidated loan book of the banking sector grew by 28.5 percent to reach Rwf 6.8 trillion as of December 2025. Non-performing loans remained low at 2.5 percent, within regulatory limits.
NBR Governor Soraya Hakuziyaremye announced the decision on Thursday, February 19, following a meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) held on Wednesday.
On February 12, 2026, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Yusuf Murangwa, announced that the national budget for 2025/2026 had been revised downward from Rwf 7,032.5 billion to Rwf 6,952.1 billion.
The reduction stems largely from adjustments in financing arrangements for Phase II of the new Kigali International Airport project, which lowered the amount required in the 2025/2026 fiscal year by Rwf 168.2 billion. Changes were also made to the repayment plan for loans owed by RwandAir, with repayments now scheduled to begin gradually from the 2026/2027 fiscal year.
On February 18, 2026, the Senate plenary concluded that the revised budget is well structured and aligned with the pillars of Rwanda’s second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2, 2024–2029).
Funding for social transformation has increased from Rwf 1,526.9 billion to Rwf 1,641.8 billion, representing 23.6% of the total budget. Allocations for good governance have also risen, from Rwf 1,088.3 billion to Rwf 1,105.1 billion, accounting for 15.9% of total expenditure.
Meanwhile, funding for economic transformation has been reduced from Rwf 4,417.2 billion to Rwf 4,205.1 billion, representing 60.5% of the budget. Overall development expenditure, however, has increased from Rwf 2,719.7 billion to Rwf 2,837.2 billion, an increment of Rwf 117.5 billion. Funding for projects alone has risen by Rwf 253.3 billion, reaching Rwf 2,115.8 billion.
Government projections also indicate higher domestic revenue collections than previously expected. Tax and non-tax revenues are projected to rise from Rwf 4,105.2 billion to Rwf 4,146.2 billion, an increase of at least Rwf 41 billion.
Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Finance, Fulgence Nsengiyumva, said the projected growth in tax revenue reflects increasing taxpayer awareness and strengthens Rwanda’s path toward self-reliance.
Data from the Rwanda Revenue Authority show that between July and November 2025, tax collections reached Rwf 1,456.3 billion, surpassing the target of Rwf 1,449.5 billion. Revenue collected on behalf of districts also exceeded expectations.
Domestic borrowing is set to increase significantly, nearly tripling from Rwf 136.6 billion to Rwf 468.4 billion. Minister Murangwa noted that domestic borrowing provides more affordable financing while supporting the growth of local financial institutions.
He added that borrowing in foreign currencies can expose the country to exchange rate losses, whereas local banks remain sufficiently capitalized to support both public and private investment.
External borrowing, on the other hand, will decline by Rwf 512.1 billion, dropping from Rwf 2,151.9 billion to Rwf 1,639.8 billion. Grants are expected to increase from Rwf 585.2 billion to Rwf 649.6 billion.
Combined tax revenues and borrowing will account for 90% of the total budget, slightly down from 91% in the initially approved budget, an indication of continued progress toward financial self-reliance.
The Senate’s recommendations will now be submitted to the Chamber of Deputies, where the Committee on National Budget and State Patrimony will conduct a clause-by-clause review before final approval.
The Government of Rwanda also reported that by December 2025, 65% of the budget approved by Parliament in June 2025 had already been implemented.
The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Yusuf Murangwa presented the revised national budget for 2025/2026 to the parliament on February 12, 2026.
Reuters reports that the list was presented at a DRC-U.S. meeting in Washington on February 5 to advance their strategic minerals partnership agreed in December.
The proposal offers Washington access to highly sought tantalum, a heat-resistant metal processed from coltan ore used in semiconductors, aerospace components, computers, mobile phones and gas turbines.
Congo estimates that Rubaya needs $50 million to $150 million to restart and ramp up commercial output. The mine accounts for around 15% of the world’s coltan output, all dug manually by locals earning a few dollars a day.
The deal puts the U.S. at the center of Congo’s strategic minerals push. However, with the Rubaya mine and surrounding hills still under the control of the M23 rebels, it remains unclear how Washington could exercise control over the site or secure its operations, given ongoing fighting and the possibility of disputes over mining rights.
AFC/M23 political coordinator, Corneille Nangaa, has in the past criticised the deal, calling it “deeply flawed and unconstitutional” and highlighting concerns over transparency and legal procedures. He said mining sites offered to Washington “could later become the subject of disputes because they may already have been granted to other partners.”
This file photo shows miners at work at a coltan mining site in the town of Rubaya.
The accident occurred in Rukerereza Village, Kanazi Cell, Ruharambuga Sector, at a spot locally known as Shangazi.
Witnesses said the driver failed to negotiate a sharp bend, causing the vehicle to leave the road and overturn, injuring all 16 workers on board.
Traffic Police spokesperson Emmanuel Kayigi said the victims suffered minor injuries.
“Those who were in the truck sustained minor injuries and were taken to Bushenge Hospital for treatment, and most have already been discharged. The accident was caused by poor speed control and improper vehicle handling,” he said.
He urged motorists to remain vigilant, warning that negligence on the road can have serious consequences for lives and property.
The accident which occurred in Nyamasheke on February 18, 2026, left 16 people injured.
Delivering the verdict on Thursday, Presiding Judge Ji Gwi-yeon said, “The declaration of martial law resulted in enormous social costs, and it is difficult to find any indication that the defendant has expressed remorse for that.”
“As to defendant Yoon Suk Yeol, the crime of insurrection leadership is established,” the judge said. “We sentence Yoon to life imprisonment.”
The ruling by the Seoul Central District Court concluded that Yoon led the events of December 3, 2024. Prosecutors had sought the death penalty for the impeached leader, who was removed from office after declaring martial law.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the court determined that a central element of the case was Yoon’s deployment of military forces to the National Assembly of South Korea in December 2024.
Judges found he intended to disrupt and paralyze parliamentary operations for a significant period, though they rejected claims that he sought to establish a long-term dictatorship.
Throughout the trial, Yoon, 65, denied wrongdoing, insisting he had constitutional authority to impose martial law and that the move was meant to counter obstruction by opposition parties.
Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol speaking at a past event before his arrest.
According to data from the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB), coffee and tea remained the leading foreign exchange earners during the period under review.
Coffee leads export revenues
Coffee recorded export volumes of 741 metric tons, generating $4,854,267 in revenues, the highest among all product categories. The strong performance underscores Rwanda’s reputation for high-quality speciality coffee in global markets.
Tea followed closely, with 1,097 metric tons exported and revenues amounting to $3,175,927, reinforcing its position as one of the country’s traditional top export commodities.
Vegetable exports reached 509 metric tons, generating $485,340. Key destination markets included Great Britain, the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, France, China, as well as cross-border and other African countries.
Fruit exports totalled 385 metric tons and earned $286,215. Japan, Great Britain, Vietnam, and regional African markets were among the primary destinations.
Flower exports, though smaller in volume at 44 metric tons, generated a notable $388,241. Major markets included Nigeria, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
Diversified agricultural products accounted for the largest export volume at 6,500 metric tons, bringing in $3,431,876. The main destinations for these products were the United States of America, Oman, India, and cross-border and other African countries.
Animal products also contributed to overall earnings, with 266 metric tons exported and revenues totalling $449,009, largely destined for cross-border and regional African markets.
The export data highlights Rwanda’s expanding footprint across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, North America, and intra-African markets. The diversified export basket demonstrates the country’s ongoing efforts to strengthen agricultural value chains and enhance competitiveness in international trade.
Diversified agricultural products accounted for the largest export volume at 6,500 metric tons, bringing in $3,431,876.
