Fabian Ndenzako, WHO representative to Botswana and the Southern African Development Community, made the remarks at the Fifth African Ministers of Health Session on Palliative Care, held as part of the eighth International African Palliative Care and Allied Services Conference from Tuesday to Friday in Gaborone, the capital of Botswana.
Ndenzako emphasized that Africa continues to bear the highest burden of life-threatening diseases while facing significant legal and logistical barriers to accessing essential pain-relief medications.
He commended the progress made by many governments in the region. “Many governments have included palliative care in their universal health coverage documents, strategies, and guidelines,” he said, also noting advances in training health professionals and supporting community and home-based care models.
Lawrence Ookeditse, Botswana’s acting minister of health, acknowledged the country’s strides, such as the launching of its National Hospice and Palliative Care Policy. However, he cited ongoing challenges, including political prioritization, financing, coverage, and commodity availability.
Ookeditse reiterated the government’s commitment to bolstering both community home-based care and palliative care. “Together we will advocate for stronger support, a higher level of investment, and better policies that prioritize the needs of our most vulnerable populations,” he said.
The 18-year-old cycled through the challenging 22.6-kilometre course with a blistering time of 29:07.61, securing his place at the top of the podium.
Mouris’ victory marked a momentous achievement, as it was the second gold for the Netherlands of the day, following Megan Arens’ dominant performance in the Women’s Junior Time Trial earlier in the morning.
Known for his exceptional racing intelligence and explosive speed, Mouris added yet another prestigious title to his growing resume. The young Dutch rider, already the winner of the Paris-Roubaix Juniors and other key stage races, proved once again why he is one of the most promising talents in junior cycling.
Reflecting on his performance after the race, Mouris shared, “It’s incredible that we both won here, and it’s amazing to deliver my best performance and win the world title. Pacing was difficult, and it was hard not to blow up, but I managed to recover enough in the descent to keep my legs going for the final climb.”
He continued, “The course was really tough, and the heat made it even harder. It was definitely one of the most difficult time trials I’ve done.”
{{Ashlin Barry secures a silver medal for the U.S.
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Ashlin Barry (USA) showcased his strength and consistency, finishing in second place with a time of 29:14.45, just 6.84 seconds behind Mouris. Barry, who also earned the U.S. National Junior Time Trial Championship title, showed impressive speed throughout the race, continuing his strong season with podium finishes at several international events.
{{Belgium’s Seff van Kerckhove grabs bronze
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Claiming the third spot was Seff van Kerckhove of Belgium, who crossed the line in 29:16.19—just 8.58 seconds behind Barry. Van Kerckhove, the Belgian Junior Time Trial Champion, has proven to be a fierce competitor, having also triumphed in events like the LVM Saarland Trofeo and Giro della Lunigiana.
Beckam Drake (USA) finished just outside the podium in fourth place with a time of 29:21.16. Known for his performances in the Tour de l’Abitibi and the Junior Tour of Ireland, Drake had a solid race but crossed the line 13 seconds behind Van Kerckhove.
The fifth-place finish went to Max Hinds (Great Britain), who clocked 29:26.52. The gold medalist in the Boys’ Time Trial at the European Youth Olympic Festival, Hinds has been a consistent performer throughout his junior career and demonstrated his potential once again with a strong finish in a fiercely competitive field.
{{Dylan Sage’s surprising setback
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Despite being one of the race’s pre-race favourites, Dylan Sage (GBR), the reigning British Junior Time Trial National Champion, finished in 18th place with a time of 30:28.51. Sage, who had a string of solid results this season—including a podium finish at the LVM Saarland Trofeo—struggled on the day and was unable to match the blistering pace set by the leaders.
{{Junior Men’s Individual Time Trial: Top 10 Results
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Michiel Mouris (NED) – 29:07.61
Ashlin Barry (USA) – 29:14.45 (+6.84)
Seff van Kerckhove (BEL) – 29:16.19 (+8.58)
Beckam Drake (USA) – 29:21.16 (+13.55)
Max Hinds (GBR) – 29:26.52 (+18.91)
Roberto Capello (ITA) – 29:36.55 (+28.94)
Jan Jackowiak (POL) – 29:37.41 (+29.80)
Vilgot Reinhold (SWE) – 29:55.82 (+48.21)
Mattia Agostinacchio (ITA) – 29:58.57 (+50.96)
Max Goold (AUS) – 30:02.15 (+54.54)
{{Rwandan cyclists on the global stages
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In a historic moment for Rwandan cycling, Pacifique Byusa and Brian Ishimwe represented the home nation in the Junior Men’s Time Trial. Byusa finished with a time of 34:34.97, securing 53rd place, while Ishimwe clocked 34:59.77 for 55th place.
The 18-year-old cyclist delivered a stellar performance, completing the 18.3-kilometer course in 25:47.41, securing her spot at the top of the podium.
“It was a really hard race. I tried to go a little easier on the first climb and push harder on the last one. This win really means a lot to me. I still can’t believe it just happened,” she remarked after her victory.
Arens’ victory adds to an already impressive season. In 2025, she placed second in both the Ronde van Vlaanderen WJ and Gent-Wevelgem WJ, proving her ability to compete with the best.
Arens had also won the National Championships Netherlands WJ – ITT in 2024 and finished 9th in last year’s World Championships ITT in Zürich, showcasing her consistency at the highest level.
{{Spanish and Norwegian riders push hard for podium finishes
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In second place, Spain’s Paula Ostiz Taco finished with a time of 26:22.71, 35.30 seconds behind Arens.
Ostiz Taco, who won the 2024 European Junior Time Trial Championship, had an outstanding season in 2025, securing victories at the Grand Prix Valromey Tour Féminin and the Watersley Ladies Challenge, as well as finishing as the runner-up in both the Spanish Junior Time Trial Championship and the Ronde van Vlaanderen WJ.
Norwegian rider Oda Aune Gissinger, another standout in time trials, took third place with a time of 26:24.95, just 37.54 seconds off Arens’ pace.
Gissinger, the current European Junior Time Trial Champion, has quickly become one of Norway’s brightest cycling talents. This year, she won the Grand Prix Ceratizit Women Junior and the Norwegian Junior National Championships, among other accolades.
{{Boothman’s near podium finish derailed by mishap
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The competition was fierce, and one of the most notable stories of the day was the unfortunate mishap of Erin Boothman from Great Britain.
Boothman, the 2025 European Junior Time Trial Champion, was riding strong and even placed herself in contention for a podium finish, having been very close to Arens at the intermediate point. However, a setback struck as Boothman unclipped her foot from the pedal at the bottom of the climb in Kimihurura, bringing her to a complete stop.
Boothman finished in 5th place with a time of 26:36.10, just 48.69 seconds behind Arens.
{{Women’s Junior Individual Time Trial: Top 10 Results
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1. Megan Arens (Netherlands) – 25:47.41
2. Paula Ostiz Taco (Spain) – 26:22.71 (+35.30)
3. Oda Aune Gissinger (Norway) – 26:24.95 (+37.54)
7. Maria Okrucinska (Poland) – 26:54.25 (+1:06.84)
8. Abigail Miller (Great Britain) – 27:19.43 (+1:32.02)
9. Liliana Edwards (USA) – 27:20.17 (+1:32.76)
10. Laura Five (Belgium) – 27:23.54 (+1:36.13)
{{Rwandan cyclists show their potential
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Rwandan junior cyclists Masengesho Yvonne and Uwiringiyimana Liliane competed fiercely in the race, completing the course in times of 29:43.04 and 30:58.67, finishing in 33rd and 40th place, respectively.
According to Rwanda’s Presidency, the two leaders held private discussions, before being joined by members of their respective delegations for an expanded meeting.
Rwanda and Egypt have a strong bilateral relationship, with each country maintaining an embassy in the other’s capital. The two nations recently signed several agreements in various sectors, including healthcare, transportation, trade, and others, on August 12, 2024.
As part of these agreements, both countries committed to exchanging land for business purposes. Rwanda has been granted land in Egypt, while Egypt has been provided with 10 hectares of land in the Kirehe District of Rwanda, near the border with Tanzania.
Rwanda and Egypt have multiple cooperation agreements across various sectors such as technology, industrial development, trade, agriculture, education, youth, healthcare, and military cooperation, among others. In 2017, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi visited Rwanda with the aim of further strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries.
Both Rwanda and Egypt are also members of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
The partnership between Rwanda and Egypt has been long-standing, with Egypt having opened its embassy in Kigali in 1976, and Rwanda reopening its embassy in Cairo in March 2015.
His remarks came after AFC/M23 forces took control of Nzibira town in Walungu Territory, South Kivu, on Sunday, September 21, 2025.
Brig. Gen. Kapend, who also commands the army in Katanga, said the situation does not pose a major threat as long as Katanga remains untouched.
“All the pressure is in eastern DRC. If we fail to stop the enemy there, we will be the first to face its heavy weapons,” he said.
He added that the rebel coalition could expand further without endangering national stability.
“They may take over other areas, but as long as they do not take Katanga, the country will endure,” he stated.
Heavy fighting between AFC/M23 and the Congolese army coalition flared again late last week, with clashes reported in Cisaza, Cibanda, Muyange, Karhuliza and Kalongo in South Kivu, as well as in Masisi and Walikale in North Kivu.
The celebration took place in Bweramana Sector, Ruhango District, marking the 16th World Bamboo Day. The event is observed every year on September 18.
The theme for this year’s celebration highlighted bamboo as a solution for both environmental sustainability and innovative applications in the craft industry.
EcoPlanet Bamboo Rwanda was lauded for its contributions to environmental protection, with a particular focus on its efforts to restore land along riverbanks in eight districts. Notably, 307 hectares of land in Ruhango District were restored, and bamboo was planted to combat soil erosion.
In addition to land restoration, EcoPlanet Bamboo Rwanda created employment for 1,000 people and established 60 kitchen gardens to help combat malnutrition in the region. The organization also partnered with local communities to promote modern farming techniques that contribute to soil restoration, with efforts covering seven hectares in Bweramana.
Furthermore, EcoPlanet Bamboo Rwanda supported 270 farmers through various initiatives aimed at improving their livelihoods. The organization also renovated five houses for vulnerable families and built a daycare center to support community well-being.
Sharon Higiro Umuratwa, the General Manager of EcoPlanet Bamboo Rwanda, expressed the organization’s commitment to advancing bamboo cultivation to protect riverbanks and improve the livelihoods of people in Ruhango District. She also extended her gratitude to the community for their partnership over the past three years, which has been instrumental in the restoration of the 307-hectare area.
The Vice Mayor for Economic Development of Ruhango District, Jean Marie Vianney Rusilibana, highlighted EcoPlanet’s significant role in improving the community’s quality of life through erosion control measures and emphasized the importance of bamboo conservation for providing sustainable livelihoods.
Remy Songa, representing the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), emphasized how bamboo plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change by reducing carbon emissions and combating soil erosion and landslides.
Divine Cyambarantama, Forest Extension Officer at Rwanda Forestry Authority (RFA), also urged the residents of Ruhango to continue preserving bamboo and thanked EcoPlanet for its ongoing contributions to environmental conservation.
The conference, held under the theme “Innovate – Integrate – Insure,” brought together industry leaders, regulators, and practitioners to reflect on the role of brokers in promoting inclusive and customer-focused insurance services in Rwanda.
Several companies stood out for their achievements in different categories. MUA Insurance Company ® Ltd was recognised as the best provider of general insurance, while SONARWA Life emerged top in the life insurance category.
Eden Care received the award for health insurance, with Prime Insurance celebrated for its innovation in the sector. MayFair Insurance was recognised for outstanding customer service.
RIBA President Mendies Mhiribidi highlighted the crucial role brokers play in making insurance accessible and understandable.
“Insurance can often seem like a foreign language, filled with complex terms and deep explanations. Brokers help simplify these concepts, guide clients to the right cover, and stand by them throughout the process,” he said.
{{Embracing innovation and technology
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Mhiribidi also emphasised the evolving nature of the industry, noting that new risks linked to climate change, cyberattacks, and rapid technological shifts demand advanced solutions. He pointed to the need for insurance brokers to adopt digital tools such as data analytics and collaborate with InsurTech companies to simplify processes like purchasing and claims management.
In a step toward strengthening industry communication, RIBA launched the RIBA Magazine, an [online publication->https://riba.rw/riba-magazine/] designed to provide timely information and market insights with a strong focus on customer needs.
{{Brokers hailed as key partners
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The National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) reinforced the importance of professional insurance brokers, describing them as vital partners who connect clients with insurers and expand access to insurance. BNR noted that engaging brokers is a key strategy to raise insurance penetration rates, in line with Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation (NST2).
Practitioners also shared their experiences. Jean de Dieu Katabogama of Zion Insurance Brokers Ltd, with two decades in the field, stressed that brokers ensure clients receive quality services and support during claims.
Similarly, James Nteziryayo of Alpha Insurance Brokers Ltd called for increased awareness campaigns to attract more young people to the profession, while urging that insurance studies be made more accessible in Rwanda.
{{Regional cooperation
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Speakers at the conference applauded RIBA’s efforts in uniting industry stakeholders to tackle challenges and enhance collaboration. They also emphasised the growing opportunities for regional integration, which will allow Rwandan clients to access quality insurance services across the East African Community.
The 2025 RIBA Annual Conference reaffirmed the association’s commitment to promoting innovation, professionalism, and customer-centred practices in Rwanda’s insurance sector.
Naviair, Denmark’s air traffic control company, said operations were suspended at around 20:30 local time (1830 GMT).
Copenhagen police confirmed a “massive presence” at the airport.
According to DR, fire trucks from the Tarnby Fire Department were seen heading toward the Vilhelm Lauritzen Terminal, used for VIP traffic. No immediate police activity was observed at the main passenger terminals 2 and 3.
The deal was signed in New York on September 22, 2025, by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe, and Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Péter Szijjártó.
The agreement follows Minister Nduhungirehe’s visit to Hungary in May 2025, alongside Rwanda’s Minister of Sports, Nelly Mukazayire. During that trip, the delegation toured the famed Hungaroring Formula 1 circuit, which has hosted races since 1986, and also took part in the launch of the Tour de Hongrie, one of Europe’s major cycling races.
Beyond sports, both governments reaffirmed their commitment to deepen cooperation in diplomacy, water resource management, education, and investment.
This latest accord signals Rwanda’s growing interest in expanding international partnerships in sport, while Hungary gains a new African ally in advancing global sporting exchanges.
🎥It’s official! @RwandaMFA Min. @onduhungirehe and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary🇭🇺, H.E Péter Szijjártó (@FM_Szijjarto) have signed an MoU on cooperation in #Sports.
Rwanda🇷🇼 and Hungary🇭🇺’s partnership also continues in diplomacy, water management,… pic.twitter.com/7zoQRKgywF
— Permanent Mission of Rwanda to The United Nations (@RwandaUN) September 22, 2025
The 28-year-old Frenchman delivered 35 goals and 14 assists in 53 appearances last season, spearheading PSG’s historic treble of the Champions League, Ligue 1 and the French Cup. He was also named Ligue 1 and Champions League player of the year, and played a decisive role in PSG’s run to the Club World Cup final.
Dembele, who received the award from Brazilian legend Ronaldinho, was visibly moved on stage. His mother joined him as he delivered an emotional speech.
“What I have just experienced is exceptional, I have no words for it, what happened with PSG,” Dembele said. “I feel a bit of stress, it’s not easy to win this trophy, and to have it presented to me by Ronaldinho, a legend of football, is exceptional.”
It is the first Ballon d’Or for Dembele and makes him the sixth Frenchman to win the award, following in the footsteps of Karim Benzema (2022) and Zinedine Zidane, among others.
{{PSG dominate Ballon d’Or night
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Dembele’s triumph underlined PSG’s dominance at this year’s awards. The club was named Team of the Year, while manager Luis Enrique received the Best Coach award after guiding the Parisians to their first Champions League title. Enrique, who was managing PSG’s Ligue 1 fixture against Marseille that evening, became only the second coach after Pep Guardiola to win trebles with two different clubs.
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was also honoured, winning the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper after keeping 17 clean sheets across the campaign. Donnarumma has since moved to Manchester City, but his performances in PSG’s treble run proved decisive.
{{Bonmatí achieves historic hat-trick
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On the women’s side, Spain and Barcelona star Aitana Bonmatí won the Ballon d’Or Féminin for the third year in a row. The midfielder, who was hospitalised with viral meningitis just days before the Women’s European Championship last summer, helped Barcelona to a domestic treble and was named the tournament’s best player despite Spain’s shootout loss to England in the Euro 2025 final.
“Third time in a row here, and I still can’t believe it,” Bonmatí said. “I owe Barcelona everything. This is the club of my life.”
Her win extends Barcelona’s streak of women’s Ballon d’Or winners to five consecutive years.
{{Youth and scoring honours
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Eighteen-year-old Lamine Yamal, runner-up to Dembele in the Ballon d’Or voting, collected the Kopa Trophy for best player under 21. He became the first footballer to win the award twice, following another standout season for Barcelona and Spain.
In the goalscoring category, Arsenal’s new striker Viktor Gyökeres claimed the Gerd Müller Trophy after netting 54 goals for Sporting CP and Sweden across 2024–25. On the women’s side, Barcelona’s Ewa Pajor received the same prize.
{{Humanitarian recognition
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The Socrates Award went to the Xana Fundación, a charity set up by Luis Enrique’s family in memory of his daughter, who died of bone cancer in 2019. The foundation supports children with life-threatening illnesses.
{{A French revival
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Dembele’s Ballon d’Or completes a remarkable turnaround for a player once plagued by injuries and inconsistency at Barcelona. Signed by PSG in 2023 for £43.5m, he was transformed mid-season by Enrique’s tactical switch to a central striker role. From December onwards, he scored 30 goals in all competitions, establishing himself as one of Europe’s most lethal forwards.
