The programme was launched by the Government of Rwanda in 2024 as part of efforts to accelerate the country’s transformation under the second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2).
The initiative aims to equip one million people, particularly young people, with coding and other digital skills over a five-year period.
The programme was introduced amid Rwanda’s growing young population and the increasing demand for digital skills.
Data from the 2022 Population and Housing Census shows that people aged 30 and below account for 65.3% of Rwanda’s population.
The 1MRC programme is implemented under the supervision of the Digital Inclusion Council (DIC) in partnership with the Ministry of ICT and Innovation.
Some of those who have benefited from the programme told Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA) that the training has provided them with valuable skills and opened up new opportunities.
Umuhoza Evodie said the programme equipped her with skills to develop computer applications that can help address challenges faced by Rwandans.
“I was trained in computer programming, and the applications we develop can help Rwandans in their everyday lives,” she said.
Umuhire Aimée Cynthia said the skills she acquired through the programme helped her secure employment and prepared her to work on projects with potential impact both in Rwanda and internationally.
“They train us to compete in the global labour market, not just in Rwanda. Even the projects we are given to work on are designed with the international market in mind.
We are encouraged to think about how people outside Rwanda, or people in other countries, would use the solutions we develop,” she said.
She added that without the opportunity to acquire digital skills through the 1MRC programme, she would not have been able to work on the international projects she is currently involved in.
Ernest Mpundu, Project Manager in charge of Programs at the Digital Inclusion Council, said the initiative is not limited to teaching coding.
“The programme is not only about equipping people with computer programming skills. It is also about giving them broader digital literacy skills.
Technology has become an essential part of everyday life, and by taking this approach, we are confident that we can achieve the goals we have set,” he said.
The 1MRC programme is part of Rwanda’s broader efforts to strengthen digital skills among its population and prepare young people for opportunities in the increasingly technology-driven global economy.
Over 300,000 people have been trained in coding over the past two years
The call was made by the Archbishop of Kigali, Antoine Cardinal Kambanda, on August 15, 2026, as Catholics across Rwanda marked the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, a feast that commemorates the Catholic belief that Mary was taken into heaven, body and soul.
The celebration brought thousands of worshippers together at churches across the country, while more than 80,000 pilgrims gathered at Kibeho in Nyaruguru District, Rwanda’s major Marian pilgrimage site, to mark the feast.
The Assumption is observed in Rwanda both at Kibeho, where Marian apparitions were reported in 1981, and in Catholic parishes where worshippers normally attend Mass.
In Kigali, large numbers of Catholics attended Mass at churches including Regina Pacis Parish in Remera and Saint Michael Parish in the city centre.
At Saint Michael, the celebrations also coincided with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Archdiocese of Kigali.
Cardinal Kambanda said the Assumption should be an opportunity for Christians to reflect on how Mary lived her faith and to consider how those values can guide their own lives.
He encouraged Christians to see Mary as an example of humility and obedience to God, saying the feast is not only a celebration of her place in Catholic faith but also a reminder of the spiritual journey Christians are called to undertake.
Cardinal Kambanda said: “Because the Virgin Mary was the Mother of God, she held such a unique dignity that her body, free from sin, could not remain in the grave.
“From the earliest times, Christians believed that she was taken into heaven, body and soul. Pope Pius XII later established this as a doctrine of the Catholic faith that is not open to dispute, because it is a divine mystery beyond human reason and understanding.”
A message for families
The Assumption was also used to highlight the role of Christians in their families and communities.
Father Janvier Nshimirimana of Regina Pacis Parish said Mary’s life offers lessons for parents, particularly in raising children and creating responsible families.
“Mary also lived in a family, just as we do. The message to Christians is therefore to pay attention to raising children, just as Mary and Joseph cared for Jesus and provided what he needed,” he said.
He also urged Christians to avoid excessive individualism and instead embrace values that enable them to fulfil their responsibilities to their families and society.
For many Catholics in Kigali, the feast provided an opportunity to renew their commitment to prayer and to values associated with Mary’s life.
Nizeyimana Edouard said the celebration reminds him that Christians are on a journey towards God and can learn humility from Mary.
“This day reminds us that Mary is the Mother of God and our mother, and that we are on a journey towards God. We learn humility from her, and celebrating this day encourages us to strengthen our prayer life and daily conduct,” he said.
Kanzirisa Caritas said the celebration also influences how she raises her children.
“It encourages us to teach our children good values at home by following Mary’s example. Her humility helps us show them that humility is one of the virtues of a Christian,” she said.
More than 80,000 pilgrims gather in Kibeho
At Kibeho, more than 80,000 pilgrims from Rwanda and abroad gathered to celebrate the Assumption and pray for their personal and family needs.
Kibeho has become an important Catholic pilgrimage destination following the reported Marian apparitions that began in 1981. The apparitions were officially recognised by the Catholic Church in 2001.
Many pilgrims travelled long distances to attend the celebrations, with some walking for days as they sought spiritual renewal and prayed for their intentions.
Akankwasa Annet travelled from Mbarara in Uganda and spent the night at the Kibeho Marian Shrine. She said she came seeking help with an eye condition that makes it difficult for her to see in the evening.
“Being here in Kibeho, on this holy ground, and with the faith I have, I am hopeful that I will return home with my eyesight healed,” she said.
Nsengiyumva Samuel travelled from Kigali and said he spent a week making his way to Kibeho, praying the Rosary along the journey.
He said he came to pray for his family and ask for continued protection.
Nikomeze Judith travelled on foot from Gisagara District. She said she is preparing for her wedding in November 2026 and came to Kibeho to pray for the success of her marriage.
For the pilgrims and other Catholics who marked the feast across Rwanda, the Assumption offered an opportunity not only to honour Mary but also to reflect on the kind of lives they are expected to lead.
The celebration ultimately served as a reminder that faith, humility, prayer and responsibility towards others remain central to the Christian journey towards God.
Catholics have used the Assumption Feast to renew their faith and commitment to prayer.Thousands of pilgrims have travelled to Kibeho for the annual Assumption celebrations.Pilgrims have gathered at Kibeho to pray and seek the intercession of the Virgin Mary.A Mass has been celebrated at the Kibeho Marian Shrine as Catholics have marked the Feast of the Assumption.Cardinal Kambanda has urged Catholics to follow the Virgin Mary’s example of humility, faith and devotion to God.Worshippers have marked the Assumption as a reminder of the Christian journey towards God.Worshippers have gathered in churches across Rwanda to mark the Assumption Feast.Catholic faithful have prayed for their families and personal intentions during the Assumption celebrations.
Kanimba made the remarks in an interview with KP Media24 about his career, leadership experience and some of the major decisions he took while serving in positions that shaped Rwanda’s economic development.
Kanimba joined the National Bank of Rwanda in 2000 as Deputy Governor and was appointed Governor in 2002.
When he took over as Governor, the Rwandan franc was weak and the country faced a serious shortage of foreign currency.
He explained that one of the reasons for the shortage was that some Rwandan businesspeople who had accumulated significant wealth had fled the country after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, taking their money abroad.
Others who stayed in Rwanda had also kept their wealth outside the country rather than depositing it in local banks.
According to Kanimba, this was partly driven by a misconception that foreign currency belonged to the government and that individuals did not have the right to own it.
At the time, the central bank was the only institution authorizing people to access and use foreign currency, a system he said created room for corruption, favoritism and other irregularities.
“It is why we introduced a system where everyone could open a foreign currency account, just as they had a Rwandan franc account, and use the money as they wished,” Kanimba said.
He said the reform helped bring more foreign currency into Rwanda, with funds flowing into the central bank as well as commercial banks operating in the country at the time.
Tackling the informal foreign exchange market
As foreign currency began returning to the country and people became more aware of their right to use it, some foreign exchange service providers continued operating outside the legal framework.
Kanimba said one of the major areas where he believes he contributed to the country’s economic transformation was in organizing and formalizing Rwanda’s foreign exchange market.
“One of the major things I think I helped this country put in order was organizing and improving the foreign exchange market in Rwanda,” he said.
He recalled inviting some of the informal money changers to a meeting, where he explained that their activities were being conducted outside the law.
He then encouraged them to organize themselves into associations that could obtain legal authorization to operate as recognized foreign exchange businesses.
The proposal was initially met with resistance because some of the money changers feared that formalization was simply a way for the government to take away the little income they were making.
Kanimba said he reassured them that they would receive tax relief as they transitioned into the formal system.
“I immediately called the Commissioner at RRA, who came and addressed them, assuring them that those who followed that process would not pay taxes for three years,” he said. Kanimba said the reforms became an important catalyst for the development of business and the wider economy.
By the end of June 2023, 26.8% of Rwanda’s foreign exchange reserves were invested in short-term assets, while 73.2% were held in medium- and long-term investments, broadly in line with BNR’s targets of 25% and 75%, respectively.
The reforms Kanimba described came as Rwanda continued to strengthen its financial sector and expand economic activity.
In 2025, the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda reported that the country’s gross domestic product grew by 11.8% in the third quarter, following growth of 7.8% in the second quarter and 6.5% in the first quarter.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has also projected strong economic growth for Rwanda in 2026, with the country’s GDP expected to expand by 7.2%.
François Kanimba, former Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda, has reflected on reforms that reshaped Rwanda’s foreign exchange market.
Maingain is among the lawyers representing the Banyamulenge community in a complaint submitted to the ICC Prosecutor’s Office in The Hague on August 14, 2026. The complaint calls for an investigation into alleged serious crimes committed against Banyamulenge people in Minembwe and other parts of eastern DRC.
Speaking to IGIHE, Maingain said the decision to approach the ICC came after the community had exhausted avenues available through DRC’s domestic justice system.
“We came to The Hague to take an important step by submitting a complete file to the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court under Article 15 of the Rome Statute,” he said.
According to Maingain, the file contains evidence and information relating to alleged crimes that the Banyamulenge representatives believe fall within the jurisdiction of the ICC.
He said efforts had been made over several years to have the alleged crimes investigated through DRC institutions, but those efforts had not resulted in what he considered a concrete response from the authorities.
“We had no other option left but to turn to the International Criminal Court,” Maingain said.
The material submitted to the ICC includes witness accounts, other evidence, statements that the complainants consider to be incitement to hatred and an analysis of the historical context surrounding the alleged abuses.
Maingain said the lawyers were asking the ICC Prosecutor’s Office to examine the material and determine whether there are grounds for opening an investigation.
“We will never stop seeking justice for the Banyamulenge,” he said.
He said particular attention had been given to recent events in Minembwe, which he believes warrant consideration by international justice institutions.
Maingain is handling the case alongside lawyer Innocent Nteziryayo, who provided further details about the allegations contained in the complaint.
Nteziryayo said the filing focuses in part on alleged drone strikes in Minembwe, which he said took place mainly in recent months and caused damage to infrastructure.
He said the complaint names several individuals and officials whom the lawyers want investigated, including DRC President Félix Tshisekedi, members of his government and Burundian officials.
“Our focus was particularly on allegations concerning drone attacks in recent months that destroyed infrastructure in Minembwe and other areas,” Nteziryayo said.
The lawyers also allege that the attacks were accompanied by statements they consider to be hate speech, which they attribute to senior officials and other influential figures in DRC.
Nteziryayo said the complaint also names the Burundian military and some of its officials, alleging that they were involved in attacks against Banyamulenge civilians and the destruction of their infrastructure.
The complaint submitted to the ICC argues that the alleged acts could amount to crimes against humanity, war crimes, forced displacement on ethnic grounds and genocide.
Lawyer Bernard Maingain, who represents the Banyamulenge in a complaint filed with the International Criminal Court (ICC), said they turned to the court after years of seeking justice in the Democratic Republic of Congo without receiving a concrete response from the country’s institutions.Lawyers representing the Banyamulenge say they want alleged attacks and other abuses in Minembwe examined by international justice institutions.The Banyamulenge community is seeking an ICC investigation into alleged crimes committed in Minembwe, according to its lawyers.Representatives of the Banyamulenge community submit a complaint to the ICC Prosecutor’s Office in The Hague.
Izere was among high school students from 22 countries who took part in the seventh edition of the Icebreaker of Knowledge scientific and educational expedition, which returned to Murmansk, a city in northwestern Russia on August 13.
The expedition travelled from Murmansk to the North Pole and Franz Josef Land before returning to Murmansk. Rosatom said the voyage also marked the 200th expedition by a surface vessel to reach the North Pole.
For Izere, the journey provided an opportunity to experience the Arctic firsthand, meet students from different countries and see how science and technology are applied beyond the classroom.
“Reaching the North Pole was an experience I will never forget. Seeing the endless ice and snow with my own eyes made me realise how much of our planet remains to be explored,” Louise said.
“I was especially proud to make this journey representing Rwanda. The expedition showed me that science can take you to places you once thought were impossibly far away, and it has inspired me to dream even bigger about my future.”
The expedition included a scientific and educational programme designed to expose participants to advanced technologies and scientific research.
Among the activities was an aerospace laboratory aboard the nuclear-powered vessel. Working with scientists, participants conducted experiments including the launch of a radiosonde, which can provide information and support communication in hard-to-reach areas of the Arctic and along the Northern Sea Route.
They also took part in testing what Rosatom described as the world’s first recoverable stratospheric platform.
The captain of 50 Let Pobedy, Ruslan Sasov, said the expedition was intended to inspire the next generation by giving young people an opportunity to experience places and technologies they may otherwise only encounter in books or classrooms.
“The brightest and most talented young people join the expedition,” Sasov said, adding that many participants had dreamed of visiting the North Pole and seeing polar bears.
On the day the expedition reached the North Pole, participants also held what Rosatom described as the northernmost and most international circle dance around the 90-degree point.
Yegor Plakhotnyuk, an expert on the Icebreaker of Knowledge expedition and project manager at Rosatom’s Research Institute of Technical Physics and Automation, said the programme was designed to give young people direct exposure to technologies they might otherwise encounter only in theory.
“At Rosatom, we work every day on things that seemed like science fiction just yesterday. That’s why it’s especially important for us to show this to the kids in person,” he said.
The programme brought together students aged 14 to 16 and aims to promote interest in natural sciences and nuclear technologies, while identifying talented young people and providing career guidance.
About 5,000 students from 22 countries competed for places in this year’s expedition. The selection process included a science quiz, webinars led by nuclear industry experts and a final round in which participants presented projects on how nuclear technologies are changing the world.
The expedition is also part of broader cooperation between Rwanda and Rosatom in nuclear education and human-resource development.
The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding in 2019. Rosatom said 18 graduates of Russian universities with nuclear-related qualifications are currently employed in Rwanda’s nuclear and related organisations, while nine Rwandan students graduated from the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI in 2025.
For the 2026/27 academic year, Rosatom has allocated 20 places for Rwandan students to study nuclear and related fields at Russian universities.
More than 470 students have participated in Rosatom’s Icebreaker of Knowledge Arctic expeditions over seven seasons.
Russia operates the world’s only nuclear-powered icebreaker fleet, with eight such vessels currently operated by FSUE Atomflot, a Rosatom enterprise.
Louise Izere joined an international group of young students exploring the North Pole through Rosatom’s educational programme.A polar bear is seen during the Icebreaker of Knowledge expedition to the North Pole, where participants had an opportunity to observe Arctic wildlife.Louise Izere and other young participants take part in Rosatom’s Icebreaker of Knowledge expedition.For Izere, the journey provided an opportunity to experience the Arctic firsthand. Izere experienced the Arctic firsthand during Rosatom’s international Icebreaker of Knowledge programme.A polar bear is seen during the Icebreaker of Knowledge expedition to the North Pole, where participants had an opportunity to observe Arctic wildlife.
In a statement issued on August 14, 2026, AFC/M23 said shells were fired at around 9 a.m. in Kanyola, Walungu Territory, and surrounding areas in South Kivu Province.
The coalition said another attack was launched at around 11 a.m. by the Congolese army and allied groups against Kawere in Masisi Territory, North Kivu Province.
AFC/M23 said the attacks killed people and forced some residents to flee their homes again, although it did not provide figures for those killed or injured.
The accusations come as the DRC government and AFC/M23 have agreed to a ceasefire and mechanisms to monitor its implementation under peace talks held in Doha, Qatar.
The agreement requires both sides to protect civilians, respect human rights and maintain a lasting cessation of hostilities.
AFC/M23 has accused DRC forces and their allies of launching attacks in densely populated areas of eastern DRC.
A new study has found that large numbers of immune cells from the blood can enter the brain as people grow older. Some of these cells can then transform into microglia, specialised immune cells that help protect and maintain the brain.
The discovery challenges a long held belief that the brain’s immune system remains largely separate from the rest of the body throughout a person’s life.
Researchers say the finding could change how scientists understand brain ageing and may eventually open new possibilities for treating neurological diseases. The study was published in the journal Nature.
For many years, scientists believed that microglia were established early in life and remained largely self sustaining. Unlike many immune cells elsewhere in the body, they were thought to renew themselves without receiving new cells from the bone marrow.
However, Stanford researchers found evidence that this may not be the case in ageing humans.
To investigate, the researchers examined human blood and brain tissue collected from people with and without Alzheimer’s disease. They compared the genetic characteristics of immune cells found in the blood with those found in the brain.
The researchers used mutations in the DNA of the cells as markers to trace where the cells came from.
When the same mutations were found in immune cells in both the blood and brain, the scientists were able to determine that the cells shared the same origin.
Their analysis showed that immune cells originating outside the brain can enter the human brain, with this process beginning as early as middle age.
Once inside the brain, some of these cells can take on the characteristics and functions of microglia.
The researchers said the finding appears to be different from what is seen in some other animals, including mice and non human primates.
The discovery could also have important implications for the study of diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Scientists believe it may eventually be possible to use blood based immune cells as part of new treatments for brain diseases.
One possible approach could involve modifying immune cells so that they can enter the brain and help remove harmful substances associated with neurodegenerative diseases, including amyloid and tau proteins.
Researchers also believe the health and history of blood stem cells could influence brain health as people age.
Changes in these cells may affect the microglia that develop in the brain and, in turn, potentially influence the risk of neurological diseases.
The Stanford team says the findings provide a new understanding of how the immune system and the ageing brain interact and could lead to further research into ways of protecting brain health later in life.
Scientists Uncover a New Link Between the Blood and Aging Brain.
Speaking at a political rally in New York state on Friday, Trump said the United States would soon impose measures on Iran that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had described a day earlier as unprecedented, according to media reports.
“After we finish defeating Iran — which is being very badly defeated — pretty soon I’ll be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States,” Trump said, though it remained unclear whether the remark represented a serious policy proposal.
Iran rejected the threat. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Tehran would not be intimidated and insisted that control over the strategic waterway remained with Iran.
The comments came as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a major global energy route, fell sharply. Media reports said only a handful of vessels were recorded passing through the waterway on Friday, with no crude oil shipments visible.
The Strait normally handles about 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, making prolonged disruption a major concern for energy markets. Brent crude has approached $90 a barrel, while US gasoline prices have risen to around $4 per gallon.
Trump has urged Americans to accept higher fuel prices, saying the cost was necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Meanwhile, US media have reported concerns over the welfare of sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been deployed for about nine months. Trump said the carrier would soon be replaced by another ship.
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) transits the Arabian Sea, in a photo released July 1, 2026. (US Navy photo)
Three people familiar with the matter told Reuters that the model was developed in partnership with Alibaba and trained with support from the Chinese technology company. They spoke anonymously because the information has not been made public.
Apple had previously relied on models from Chinese technology companies to bring generative AI features to its devices in China.
US-developed services such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude are not available in the country.
Apple Intelligence, the company’s suite of AI tools, is expected to launch in China in the coming months after an iOS update.
A China-specific model could give Apple greater control over the AI experience on devices sold in the country.
It could also help the company meet China’s regulatory requirements, which challenge foreign technology companies.
The move comes as Apple faces strong competition from Chinese smartphone makers, including Huawei, that have moved quickly to introduce AI-powered features.
The absence of Apple Intelligence from Chinese iPhones has been cited as one factor affecting the company’s competitiveness as consumers increasingly choose domestic brands with built-in AI assistants.
The development follows a lengthy regulatory process. Last month, China’s Cyberspace Administration registered Apple’s generative AI service, clearing the way for Apple Intelligence to reach Chinese iPhones.
Under the existing arrangement, Alibaba’s Qwen model is expected to be incorporated into the version of Apple Intelligence for compatible iPhone, iPad, Mac and Vision Pro devices sold in China. The service was also expected to include Baidu technology.
Apple recently published a Chinese-language guide showing eligible Mac users in mainland China how to connect Qwen to Siri and Apple’s Writing Tools. Apple later removed the guide without explanation.
Apple’s partnership with Alibaba was first confirmed in February 2025, when Alibaba Chairman Joe Tsai said Apple had selected Alibaba to provide AI technology for its phones in China.
The rollout was later delayed as Apple worked to adapt its features to Chinese regulations.
China remains an important market for Apple, accounting for a significant share of its revenue.
The company’s latest AI strategy could help it strengthen its position while navigating the country’s regulatory environment.
Apple’s latest AI move comes as the company works to strengthen its position in China’s competitive smartphone market.
The complaint was submitted on August 14, 2026, during a ceremony attended by Banyamulenge representatives from different parts of the world and lawyers representing the complainants.
Ahead of the submission, participants held a short march to the ICC headquarters to commemorate Banyamulenge refugees killed in Gatumba, Burundi, in 2004.
The complaint focuses mainly on a series of attacks by forces aligned with the DRC government in Minembwe and surrounding areas, particularly since fighting resumed between government forces and the AFC/M23 rebels.
Innocent Nteziryayo, one of the lawyers representing the complainants, told IGIHE that the complaint names President Félix Tshisekedi, members of his government and officials from Burundi.
“We mainly focused on incidents that occurred in recent months, particularly the drone strikes that destroyed infrastructure in Minembwe and other areas,” he said.
Nteziryayo said the complaint also refers to statements by senior officials that the Banyamulenge representatives consider to be incitement to hatred.
“We also linked them to statements that have been made by senior officials, starting with the President, ministers and various journalists. We also filed a complaint against the Burundian army and its leaders because they allegedly played a role in operations targeting the Banyamulenge and destroying their infrastructure, and there is substantial evidence,” he said.
Another lawyer representing the complainants, Bernard Maingain, said the delegation had come to The Hague to take what he described as a significant step by bringing the case before the ICC Prosecutor’s Office under Article 15 of the Rome Statute.
“We have come to The Hague to take a particularly significant step: to bring before the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, under Article 15 of the Rome Statute, a comprehensive dossier concerning crimes that we believe were committed against the Banyamulenge and fall within the jurisdiction of the ICC,” Me Maingain said.
According to Me Maingain, the move comes after attempts to seek justice through the Congolese judicial system failed to produce results.
He said that despite efforts made over several years, the authorities did not provide an effective response.
“We had no other option but to come before the International Criminal Court,” he said, explaining that the dossier submitted to the Prosecutor includes testimonies, evidence, hate speech and historical analyses.
The lawyer called on the Office of the Prosecutor to examine the material submitted and open investigations into the crimes.
“We will never give up seeking justice for the Banyamulenge population,” Maingain said, stressing the importance of the recent events in Minembwe.
In documents submitted to the ICC Prosecutor’s Office, the complainants contend that residents of Minembwe have been subjected to acts that constitute crimes against humanity and war crimes. They also cite forced displacement on ethnic grounds and acts that they say may amount to genocide.
The dossier includes testimonies from people affected by the bombardments in Minembwe, along with photographs, videos and other analyses intended to document the abuses.
The complainants further testify that some residents were forcibly removed from their homes, while others were displaced, unlawfully detained, tortured or subjected to other forms of cruel or degrading treatment.
The Banyamulenge have named several political, military and administrative officials in the DRC and called for an assessment of their role in the abuses documented in the complaint.
The dossier also mentions armed groups including Wazalendo, Nyatura and the FDLR. The complainants are calling for investigations into the possible role of these groups in attacks against civilians in Minembwe.
They have also asked the ICC Prosecutor’s Office to examine the involvement of Burundian officials whom they accuse of cooperating with DRC authorities in operations carried out in Minembwe.
To support the complaint, the Banyamulenge submitted documents signed by residents, associations and institutions in Minembwe authorising their representatives to act on their behalf in seeking justice.
The institutions cited in the dossier include health centres in the Minembwe highlands, churches, Minembwe General Hospital, universities, primary and secondary schools, and Radio Tuungane de Minembwe.
Their lawyers said they also submitted a list of people who were forcibly displaced, unlawfully detained, tortured or subjected to other forms of mistreatment or degrading treatment.
The Banyamulenge say the 2004 Gatumba massacre, in which many Banyamulenge refugees from the DRC were killed, remains one of the most painful events in the community’s recent history.
Those gathered in The Hague said their decision to approach the ICC was intended to give a voice to people who have suffered abuses and to ensure that the violations in Minembwe receive international attention.
They called on the ICC Prosecutor’s Office to review the documents, testimonies and other evidence submitted and determine whether there are sufficient grounds to open an investigation into the crimes.
The filing in The Hague marks another step by Banyamulenge representatives in what they describe as a broader effort to seek justice for people who have suffered abuses in Minembwe and other conflict-affected areas of eastern DRC.
The complaint was submitted on August 14, 2026, during a ceremony attended by Banyamulenge representatives from different parts of the world and lawyers representing the complainants.Lawyers Innocent Nteziryayo and Bernard Maingain signing the complaint dossier.
Representatives of various Banyamulenge associations also signed.
Lawyers Bernard Maingain and Innocent Nteziryayo during the submission of the complaint to the ICC. Banyamulenge youth led the event on Friday. Lawyer Ruhamira Jean Pierre explaining the sequence of events.
