The sanctions target PARECO-FF for overseeing mining sites in Rubaya, a mineral-rich region, where the group collected illegal fees, engaged in smuggling, and committed human rights abuses, including forced labour and executions.
The group emerged in 2022 as a successor to PARECO, in response to the rise of the M23 rebel group.
In addition to PARECO-FF, the Treasury sanctioned the Congolese mining company Cooperative des Artisanaux Miniers du Congo (CDMC), which operated on Rubaya’s largest mining concession and sold minerals sourced from areas controlled by PARECO-FF. Two Hong Kong-based companies, East Rise Corporation Limited and Star Dragon Corporation Limited, were also sanctioned for buying minerals from CDMC.
“The conflict minerals trade is exacting a deadly toll on Congolese civilians, fueling corruption, and preventing law-abiding businesses from investing in the DRC,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence John K. Hurley.
“The Treasury Department will not hesitate to take action against groups that deny the United States and our allies access to the critical minerals vital for our national defence.”
Under the sanctions, all property and interests in property of the designated entities within the U.S. or controlled by U.S. persons are blocked. Transactions involving these entities are prohibited unless authorised by Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
They are accused of offences linked to the alleged illegal purchase of airline tickets using a Ministry of Defence account.
The case relates to APR FC’s trip to Egypt in September 2024 to play Pyramids FC in the CAF Champions League, a visit that included members of the press among the travelling party.
Those appearing before the court include RCS spokesperson CSP Hillary Sengabo, CSP Olive Mukantabana, and three RDF officers, among them Captain Peninah Mutoni and Captain Peninah Umurungi.
Civilian defendants include journalist Ndayishimiye Reagan, known as Rugaju, Ishimwe Ricard, and former journalist Mucyo Antha Biganiro.
Military prosecutors accuse the group of complicity in receiving and issuing unauthorised documents, as well as complicity in the misuse of public funds for purposes other than those intended.
The lawyer representing Capt Mutoni stated that their client was not ready to stand trial because they received the prosecution’s case at 8 p.m., and the lawyer only saw it in the morning on August 13.
Additionally, Capt Mutoni’s lawyer explained that she is pregnant and does not have the strength to proceed, especially since she was scheduled to visit the doctor that day.
The prosecution countered, arguing that despite Capt Mutoni’s condition, the 27 other co-defendants should continue with their trial. They requested that Capt Mutoni be granted a new trial date.
Capt Mutoni’s lawyer further argued that because all the defendants are charged in the same case, her client’s trial should not be separated from the others.
The lawyer also mentioned that Capt Mutoni is dealing with serious health issues, having recently fainted due to low blood pressure while in detention.
Lawyer Ibambe Jean Paul, representing one of the accused, Nemeye Olivier, argued that the trial should proceed despite Capt Mutoni’s objection. He stated that if she is not ready to stand trial, the other defendants were prepared to proceed.
The lawyer clarified that his client also has a wedding on August 16 but did not request a delay for the trial. He also asked for his client to be allowed to attend the trial while not in detention.
After reviewing the situation, the court accepted the objection based on Capt Mutoni’s pregnancy and ordered that she be taken to the hospital. Her trial has been rescheduled for August 18, while the trial for the other 27 defendants will continue.
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The prosecution explained that they accuse CSP Sengabo, CSP Mukantabana, and Capt Umurungi of being accomplices in the crime of providing unauthorized documents and misusing public funds.
The prosecution added that the other defendants face charges of aiding and abetting in receiving unauthorized documents, misusing public funds, and using forged documents.
The prosecution requested that the trial be held in camera to avoid public statements that could compromise national security and ethics.
“The crimes they are accused of are connected to the Ministry of Defence, and it is impossible to separate the Ministry of Defence from national security,” the prosecution stated.
The defense lawyers requested that the trial be held in public, but if necessary, the military-related charges should be heard in camera.
They argued that closing the trial was unnecessary since it does not threaten national security but pertains to national assets, which concerns the people of Rwanda.
The court ruled that the trial will be held in camera due to its connection with national security. All non-participants were asked to leave before the further proceedings.
The numbers have been rising. In 2019, 707 people were diagnosed, dropping slightly to 495 in 2020, before climbing to 603 in 2021.
By 2022, the figure had jumped to 926, then doubled to 1,845 in 2023. In the first half of 2024 alone, 1,349 people were recorded.
The data comes from four major hospitals: the University Teaching Hospital of Butare, the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali, King Faisal Hospital, and Mediheal Hospital and Fertility Centre.
In response to the growing need, Rwanda’s Parliament passed a new law regulating healthcare services on 4 August 2024, introducing a clear legal framework for assisted reproduction.
The legislation covers in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), surrogacy, and the preservation of eggs and sperm for future use. It allows married couples or individuals whose infertility has been confirmed by a qualified medical professional to access these services.
Surrogacy will also be regulated. It involves fertilising an egg with sperm in a laboratory to create an embryo, which is then transferred to a surrogate’s womb, typically via IVF. The new law requires a formal agreement between the surrogate and the intended parents, overseen by doctors, to ensure all parties understand their roles and obligations.
Minister of State in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Yvan Butera, said the law was a “major milestone” in improving access to healthcare.
“We continue to receive a high number of requests for assisted reproduction from people who cannot conceive naturally. This law establishes clear guidelines on how such services will be provided, removing barriers for those who currently have to seek them abroad,” he recently posted on X.
Infertility in Rwanda is linked to a variety of causes. Dr. Butera noted that 30 percent of cases are related to men, 30 percent to women, another 30 percent to both partners, and 10 percent to unknown factors.
The IVF process, often used when other treatments fail, involves stimulating a woman’s ovaries with hormones to produce eggs, which are then retrieved and fertilised with sperm in a lab.
The resulting embryos are monitored for several days before two are typically implanted into the uterus to increase the chances of pregnancy. This approach explains why IVF often results in twins or multiple births.
The procedure is becoming more common in Rwanda. At Kanombe Hospital alone, more than 108 babies had been born through IVF by July 2024. Globally, IVF contributes to the birth of over half a million babies each year.
The law also permits the storage of eggs and sperm for individuals at risk of infertility due to illness or other medical conditions. Approval will be granted by a doctor, and the preserved material can be used later when the individual is ready to conceive.
Health officials say that with demand for assisted reproduction climbing each year, the new legal framework will make these services more accessible within Rwanda, ensuring they are delivered safely, ethically, and without the need to travel abroad.
Maiga, along with his chief of staff and several financial and administrative officials, was detained by the National Economic and Financial Unit over alleged embezzlement of public assets and forgery related to the Prime Minister’s Office accounts for 2021-2024.
Maiga’s lawyer, Cheick Oumar Konare, also confirmed the detention in a Facebook post.
Maiga, a key figure in the “Movement of June 5 – Rally of Patriotic Forces” (M5-RFP), served as prime minister from June 2021 to November 2024, when he was replaced following tensions with the ruling junta.
Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva announced the plans on August 12 while presenting the Government’s 2024–2029 program to a joint session of Parliament.
He said the projects are aimed at enhancing connectivity, particularly for farmers and livestock keepers, by making it easier to deliver produce to markets. The government also expects the improved road network to support broader economic growth.
“Agriculture and livestock production are projected to increase by 50%,” Dr. Nsengiyumva said, adding that the new transport infrastructure will be complemented by the promotion of electric vehicles to reduce environmental impact. Public transport in Kigali will also be expanded to ease congestion during peak hours.
In the aviation sector, Rwanda plans to increase RwandAir’s destinations and double passenger numbers by 2029, while expanding the airline’s cargo capacity to boost exports. The Kigali International Airport is expected to be completed in 2027/2028, further strengthening the country’s air transport network.
The government projects that average per capita income will rise from USD 1,040 to over USD 1,360 by 2029.
The delegation, comprising representatives of 15 members of the AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC), engaged with South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and other political leaders on the ongoing implementation of the revitalized peace accord as well as the December 2026 elections, which will end the transition period in the conflict-hit country.
“The council stressed the need to ensure the full implementation of the remaining tasks in the revitalized agreement, and called for a permanent ceasefire and protection of civilians and humanitarian workers,” the AUPSC said in a statement.
Commending the commitment expressed by South Sudanese political leaders for the completion of the transition process, the council called for “an inclusive political high-level dialogue among the political leaders for an amicable resolution of the current political situation in the country.”
The AUPSC reaffirmed its “continued dedication to support South Sudan to end the conflict and ensure a successful completion of the transition period,” expressing its unwavering support to South Sudan toward the organization of the December 2026 elections.
According to the AU, the field mission was undertaken as an expression of the AU’s solidarity with the people of South Sudan. The delegation’s visit came as regional diplomatic efforts intensified to shore up the faltering revitalized peace deal.
South Sudan, which gained independence in 2011 following decades of struggle and a protracted peace process, has navigated a precarious path between restoring peace and enduring instability, most notably in 2013 and more recently in 2016, when widespread conflict triggered the initiation of internal peace processes.
Her death has drawn condolences from across Africa and the international community.
The President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, extended sympathies to her family and to the people of Rwanda.
The Chief of Staff in the Office of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Souef Mohamed El-Amine, also expressed sorrow over her passing, describing her as a leader dedicated to building connections between people from Kigali to the United Nations.
Dr. Kacyira’s career spanned senior roles both in Rwanda and abroad. She served as a Member of Parliament from 2003 to 2006 before becoming Mayor of Kigali from 2006 to 2011. She was then appointed Governor of the Eastern Province, serving briefly in that capacity.
During her tenure as Mayor of Kigali, she was recognised in 2008 by UN-Habitat for transforming the city into a model of cleanliness, tranquillity, and sustainable development.
Her efforts also included promoting affordable housing and creating accessible job opportunities for residents.
From 2011 to 2018, Dr. Kacyira was the Deputy Executive Director of UN-Habitat. She also held the role of Project Director in Rwanda’s Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources and worked with international organisations such as Oxfam and Care International.
In 2020, she was appointed Rwanda’s Ambassador to Ghana, with concurrent accreditation to Benin, Togo, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, and Liberia. In 2023, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres appointed her Head of the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), a position she held until her passing.
Dr. Kacyira held a master’s degree in Veterinary Science in Animal Production and Economics from James Cook University in Australia, and a bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Medicine from Makerere University in Uganda.
Ament, whose mother is Rwandan, is set to join the University of Tennessee Men’s Basketball Program this fall and is widely projected as a top-five pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
At a time when his profile is rising, Nate chose to step away from the U.S. spotlight to spend time in the country he calls his second home, reconnect with family, and inspire the next generation of Rwandan athletes.
It was an opportunity for Ament to engage directly with young people through basketball sessions in Nyamirama, where local players, school children, and community members gathered for a day of sport, celebration, and learning.
The visit was hosted on courts developed by Shooting Touch, a nonprofit that has worked in Rwanda for over a decade to combine basketball with community health and youth empowerment.
Nate shared skills, played in scrimmages, and even joined in local dances with youth and women’s teams. These moments of joy and interaction highlighted a key message: that basketball is as much about relationships and shared experiences as it is about performance.
For many young players, Nate’s presence served as living proof of what can happen when hard work meets opportunity.
While the day included training sessions, games, and plenty of laughter, it also offered access to free health screenings — a reminder that sport can be a gateway to wider opportunities and well-being.
Reflecting on the visit, Shooting Touch’s Director of International Strategy and Programming, Chloe Rothman, emphasized the value of building courts within communities and pairing them with comprehensive health programs around the game.
“Our goal is to ensure athletes aren’t just healthy enough to play, but equipped to thrive long after their time with us. Having Nate Ament — arguably the most influential figure in Rwandan basketball to date — here with us, embracing our ‘bigger than basketball’ mission, means the world to our team and our community,” she said.
{{A homecoming rooted in family and service}}
Nate’s Rwandan connection runs deep. His mother, Godelive Mukankuranga, and father, Albert Ament, met in Rwanda in 1998 while working in health and humanitarian development.
Guided by the values instilled by his parents, Nate believes in using his talents to uplift others — a belief that shaped his activities during this trip.
One of the most meaningful moments came when students from the Itetero Kayonza Nursery and Primary School, run by Nate’s aunt, joined the basketball clinic.
For Nate, seeing his extended family alongside local children created a shared space where sport, culture, and heritage intertwined.
The event brings together modern technology, innovative solutions, and traditional crafts, offering visitors a comprehensive view of Rwanda’s evolving business landscape.
This year’s exhibition spans a wide range of industries, including telecommunications and IT, public institutions, construction, agriculture, electronics, petroleum, machinery, textiles, tourism, handicrafts, furniture, mining, banking, food and beverages, and more.
IGIHE visited the expo to speak with some of the exhibitors and learn about their products and experiences.
Many exhibitors share a common goal: to provide quality products while using the expo as a platform to reach new customers. Whether offering practical tools, health products, or home goods inspired by local culture, they emphasize the importance of understanding customer needs and adapting to the market.
Helen Uwimbabazi, a five-year participant in the expo, showcased Indian herbal products such as the Shilajit blood stone—believed to aid in detoxification—and hair oil designed to promote growth and shine. She noted that the expo has been instrumental in expanding her customer base and boosting sales, particularly during promotions like her current 25% discount.
Another exhibitor, Helally Mucyo, presented products sourced from Egypt and Dubai, including cotton toys, sofa covers, mosquito nets, and bed linens made of 100% cotton. She advised new entrepreneurs to focus on product quality, team selection, and understanding market demands. The expo’s diverse audience, she said, allows her to connect with both new and returning customers.
“Confidence in your product is key! Choose reliable workers and deeply understand how the market works to succeed in business,” she said.
From Uganda, Denis Mugabe showcased a multi-function hose designed for car washing and gardening, available in various lengths.
Together, these businesses demonstrate resilience and dedication. Many have built strong relationships with customers through consistent quality, while the expo provides them with exposure to wider, often international, markets.
Promotional offers and live demonstrations help attract buyers, with some exhibitors reporting significantly higher daily sales at the expo compared to regular retail outlets.
Rwanda’s supportive business environment, coupled with regional trade opportunities, continues to encourage new entrepreneurs to explore market potential and grow their ventures.
The expo is organised by the Private Sector Federation (PSF) in partnership with the Ministry of Trade and Industry. The three-week event is scheduled to close on August 17, 2025.
Watch the video below for more highlights from Rwanda Expo 2025.
