The Investigative Committee of Russia announced that the body of the 53-year-old former minister was discovered in the Odintsovo district, a suburb of Moscow. The primary hypothesis under investigation is suicide.
Starovoyt had been appointed transport minister in May 2024, after previously serving as governor of the strategically sensitive Kursk region, which experienced significant conflict during a Ukrainian cross-border incursion.
The Kremlin issued a decree earlier Monday removing Starovoyt from his post without providing a reason. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated the dismissal was “not linked to a loss of trust,” despite speculation to the contrary.
Starovoyt’s firing followed a weekend marked by travel disruptions at Russian airports amid Ukrainian drone attacks, and came amid reports of a corruption probe tied to embezzlement of funds intended for border fortifications in the Kursk region. Some analysts have suggested Starovoyt’s removal could be connected to this ongoing investigation, though this has not been officially confirmed.
Shortly after the dismissal, President Putin met with Starovoyt’s deputy, Andrei Nikitin, appointing him as acting transport minister. Nikitin, former governor of the Novgorod region, emphasised plans to modernise the transport sector, including digitalisation and improving cross-border logistics.
Starovoyt’s death adds a tragic dimension to a challenging period for Russia’s transport infrastructure, which is currently grappling with supply shortages and financial pressures.
An official investigation is ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the death.
The event, held on July 6, 2025, at Rubirizi Football Ground in Nasho Sector, was not only a musical tribute to his loyal fans but also a platform for promoting HIV prevention.
The concert marked the beginning of a nationwide tour celebrating Senderi’s two decades in the music industry.
Known for his patriotic anthems and infectious Afrobeat rhythms, Senderi returned to his roots in Nyarubuye, Kirehe, to thank the community that shaped him.
“Twenty years is a significant milestone,” he said. “I wanted to honour it meaningfully, starting in the place where my journey began.”
But the evening offered more than just music. The day’s activities began with Umuganda, Rwanda’s traditional community work, during which Senderi and local residents joined forces to clear roads.
As the sun set, thousands gathered for a night of energetic performances by Senderi and guest artists, including rapper Kaligombe, MC Nice, and MC Calypso.
What truly set this concert apart, however, was its dual purpose. Alongside the entertainment, Senderi partnered with HDI to provide free HIV testing and distributed 20,000 condoms, a move that temporarily turned the concert grounds into a health outreach centre. Residents also received information on crop and livestock insurance, blending celebration with practical life education.
While many fans embraced the artist’s commitment to community wellbeing, some were surprised by the unexpected focus on health at a music event.
“We grew up enjoying his songs, and today was special because we saw him live and he inspired us again,” said Beatrice Uwiringiyimana, a resident of Nyarubuye. “His songs always teach us something; this time, the lesson was clearer than ever.”
Olivier Nshimiyimana echoed the sentiment, praising the experience.
“It’s rare to see an artist come to entertain us here. I appreciated not just the music, but also working with him during Umuganda. It made the day feel complete,” he remarked.
The Mayor of Kirehe District, Bruno Rangira, commended Senderi for beginning his tour in his home district and for consistently promoting national unity through his music. Rangira also highlighted the artist’s longstanding contributions to public causes, including the commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi and other civic initiatives.
Senderi’s tour will continue with stops in Burera (July 11), Muhanga (July 12), Huye (July 18), Bugesera (July 19), Kayonza (July 23), Ngoma (July 25), Musanze (July 26), Rubavu (July 27), and Rusizi (July 29), before concluding in Kigali City on August 2, 2025.
Sultan Mohammed Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister for Development and International Organizations Affairs, represented the Government of the United Arab Emirates at the event, which brought together over 250 members of the diplomatic corps, friends of Rwanda, and Rwandan community members in the UAE.
In his address, Ambassador John Mirenge reflected on Rwanda’s historic liberation on 4 July 1994, when the Rwanda Patriotic Army, under the leadership of President Paul Kagame, brought an end to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. This day, Amb. Mirenge noted, marks Rwanda’s emergence from one of the darkest chapters in human history into a new era defined by resilience, unity, and national renewal.
“Rwanda’s Liberation was anchored in a just cause: to restore dignity, promote unity, and build a nation where every citizen should belong and be proud to identify with,” Amb. Mirenge said.
He went on to emphasize that Rwanda’s Liberation was not only a military triumph but also a moral stand—a fight to free Rwandans from decades of exclusion, oppression, and division rooted in colonial rule and perpetuated by post-independence regimes.
Today, Rwanda stands as a testament to resilience, renewal, and purpose. Over the past three decades, the country has rebuilt itself on three foundational pillars: unity, accountability, and ambition. This bold and forward-looking mindset, the Ambassador explained, has guided Rwanda’s transformation, enabling it to secure lasting peace, drive sustained economic growth, and promote inclusive development.
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The celebration also spotlighted the deepening bilateral ties between Rwanda and the United Arab Emirates.
“The UAE remains Rwanda’s largest trading partner abroad, accounting for 63.9% of our exports in 2024. Bilateral trade exceeded USD 1.5 billion, while cumulative UAE investments in Rwanda surpassed USD 320 million,” the Ambassador noted.
Amb. Mirenge further used the occasion to call on investors and partners from the UAE to continue seizing opportunities in Rwanda’s dynamic and inclusive economy.
“As we look ahead, we invite more investors, innovators, and partners from the UAE and beyond to join hands with Rwanda as we accelerate our shared vision for inclusive and sustainable growth. The potential is vast, and the partnership has never been stronger,” he urged.
The evening concluded with vibrant traditional performances by the UAE-based Uruyange and Abadahigwa cultural troupes, celebrating Rwanda’s cultural richness.
In a statement released over the weekend, AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka said the DRC government had undertaken a “massive and provocative deployment of troops and military equipment” along the frontlines, with support from allied forces including the National Defence Force of Burundi.
The group claimed that heavy weapons were being deliberately aimed at densely populated areas, calling the move “criminally irresponsible” and suggesting it borders on a crime against humanity.
“The illegitimate regime in Kinshasa is showing blatant disregard for ongoing negotiations,” the statement read. “These belligerent actions are a direct insult to the diplomatic process and sabotage efforts to address the root causes of the conflict.”
AFC/M23, which has previously expressed willingness to engage in dialogue, said it had honoured its commitments under current peace frameworks, but accused the Congolese government of failing to uphold its part, particularly regarding confidence-building measures.
“This duplicity is unacceptable,” the group said, while reaffirming its “unwavering commitment” to political dialogue as a path to resolving the crisis.
However, it warned that the continued military build-up posed a direct threat to civilian populations and that the group reserves the “legitimate right” to defend its positions and protect communities under threat.
AFC/M23 controls large swathes of eastern DRC, and efforts have been made by Qatar to resolve the conflict and silence the guns in the region.
However, the group has accused President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration of undermining the process. While attempts to revive peace talks are ongoing, the situation remains fragile.
The GPI, compiled annually by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), is the world’s most comprehensive measure of global peacefulness. Now in its 19th edition, the 2025 report assessed 163 countries based on 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators, grouped into three key domains: societal safety and security, ongoing conflict, and militarisation. The index covers 99.7% of the world’s population.
In East Africa, Tanzania leads the region, ranking 73rd globally and 12th in Sub-Saharan Africa, closely followed by Rwanda (91st globally). Uganda ranks 113th, placing it ahead of Kenya at 127th, while South Sudan (156th) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (160th) remain the least safe countries in the region.
At the continental level, Mauritius (26th globally) retained its position as the most peaceful country in Sub-Saharan Africa. The DRC, South Sudan, and Sudan are among the least peaceful, reflecting the impact of prolonged instability and conflict.
Globally, Iceland remains the world’s most peaceful country, a title it has held since the index began in 2008. It is followed by Ireland, New Zealand, Austria, and Switzerland. At the bottom of the rankings are Russia (163rd), Sudan, DR Congo, Yemen, and Afghanistan, with ongoing wars and political turmoil continuing to drive insecurity in those nations.
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The GPI findings align closely with local sentiment. According to the 2024 Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) Citizen Report Card, security and public tranquillity scored the highest among governance pillars, with a citizen satisfaction rate of 93.82%. This continues to reflect the country’s investment in public safety, community policing, and post-genocide reconciliation efforts.
The 2025 GPI also sheds light on the economic cost of violence, which in 2024 was estimated at $19.97 trillion in purchasing-power parity (PPP), equivalent to 11.56% of global GDP, or $2,446 lost per person globally.
Military spending alone accounted for $9 trillion, representing 45% of the total economic impact of violence. In stark contrast, peacebuilding and peacekeeping efforts received only $47.2 billion, amounting to just 0.52% of global military expenditure.
Out of the 163 countries assessed in the 2025 index, 94 recorded a deterioration in their peace levels. Meanwhile, 66 showed improvement, and only one country remained unchanged.
Since the index’s inception in 2008, 17 out of the 23 indicators used to measure peace have worsened. The number of global conflicts has now reached its highest level since the Second World War, with 59 countries actively engaged in wars and 78 involved in cross-border conflicts.
For decades, attempts to shield the FDLR terrorist group from accountability have persisted. Even former DRC President Laurent-Désiré Kabila once promised to help the group overthrow the Rwandan government, hiding their presence from the international community.
But his efforts proved futile. The same strategy appears to be repeating itself today, with senior Congolese officials, such as the Minister of Foreign Trade and former North Kivu governor Julien Paluku, continuing to claim the group no longer exists.
Yet conflicting narratives from within the Congolese leadership undermine that stance. While some officials argue the FDLR is no longer active, others acknowledge its role in the violence plaguing eastern DRC.
Former Foreign Minister Christophe Lutundula often dismissed the group as a myth invented by Rwanda. However, in March 2024, he also admitted the government lacked information on the FDLR’s whereabouts, suggesting if any country had intelligence on their location, it should come forward to help eliminate them.
President Félix Tshisekedi, meanwhile, conceded that the FDLR still operates but downplayed its strength, calling it a group of elderly fighters with limited numbers. However, the spokesperson of the Congolese army, Maj Gen Sylvain Ekenge, contradicted this narrative in April 2024 by openly blaming the FDLR for much of the violence that has claimed millions of lives in eastern Congo over the past three decades.
Despite official denial, the FDLR itself has publicly acknowledged its presence in eastern DRC through statements signed by its leadership, including Lt Gen Victor Byiringiro and spokesperson Cure Ngoma. The group frames itself as a movement of Rwandan refugees seeking political rights, while rejecting accusations of violence. In early 2025, after the UN Security Council voted to disband the FDLR, the group criticized the resolution, portraying it as biased and a potential pretext for regional military intervention.
Rwanda has taken a firm stance on the matter. After welcoming thousands of returning refugees from DRC, it revoked refugee status. Many returned, except those suspected of links with the FDLR. The Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe, recently stated that no negotiations with the FDLR are possible, citing their role in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Evidence of military cooperation between the DRC government and the FDLR has surfaced on multiple occasions, especially during the Congolese army’s struggles against the M23 rebel group.
Reports indicate that the FDLR received weapons, supplies, and financial support from the Congolese military. In one instance, an injured member of the FDLR’s elite unit, CRAP, was seen receiving medical treatment in Kinshasa after a clash with M23 fighters.
In November 2023, amid growing international pressure, then-Chief of the Congolese Armed Forces, Gen Christian Tshiwewe, ordered all units to cease collaboration with the FDLR. Yet, this directive had little effect, as reports later confirmed deeper cooperation between the two forces.
M23 offensives further exposed the reality on the ground. As the rebel group advanced across North Kivu, it captured dozens of FDLR fighters, including senior commanders such as Secretary General Brig Gen Ezechiel Gakwerere and Maj Gilbert Ndayambaje.
These combatants were later handed over to Rwanda. Many of those captured wore Congolese army uniforms and revealed their involvement in front-line operations against the M23, underscoring their integration into the national army’s ranks.
Over the past two decades, the UN Security Council has passed 20 resolutions affirming that the FDLR poses a serious threat to peace in the Great Lakes region and must be dismantled. A May 2025 report by UN experts confirmed that the group continues to operate in coordination with the Congolese military, effectively functioning as part of its command structure.
On June 27, 2025, Rwanda and the DRC, with support from the United States, signed a peace agreement. One of its key provisions calls for the dismantling of the FDLR within 90 days, alongside the removal of Rwanda’s security measures on its border.
Rwanda’s military spokesperson, Brig Gen Ronald Rwivanga, recently estimated the FDLR to have between 7,000 and 10,000 fighters, many of whom blend into civilian populations when under attack.
Despite years of denial and obfuscation, the DRC’s effort to hide the FDLR has been undone by evidence, testimonies, international reports, and the group’s own admissions.
Launched in 2023, Bird Paradise is located within the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, a world-leading wildlife and nature destination. The Mandai Wildlife Reserve is home to four other iconic wildlife parks – Singapore Zoo, River Wonders, Night Safari and the newly opened Rainforest Wild Asia, alongside other nature-themed indoor attractions and green public spaces.
The aviary was unveiled in partnership with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the Rwanda High Commission in Singapore, and the Mandai Wildlife Group during the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) Asia Pacific, held from June 30 to July 3, 2025.
Covering 1.55 hectares and home to over 800 birds, the aviary is designed to mirror the lush, mountainous terrain of Nyungwe. It features a canopy walkway and forested landscapes modelled on Rwanda’s southwestern rainforest, offering visitors a sensory immersion into one of Africa’s most biodiverse ecosystems.
“We are very proud to partner with Mandai Wildlife Group to showcase Rwanda as a leading eco-tourism destination and inspire conservation the world over. This partnership reflects our commitment to strengthening international ties, promoting sustainable tourism, and sharing the story of Rwanda’s natural treasures with a global audience,” said Irene Murerwa, Chief Tourism Officer, Rwanda Development Board.
The aviary hosts a range of African bird species, including turacos, hornbills, and starlings. While the birds span the continent, the design cues are unmistakably Rwandan, with the walkway and forest structure offering perspectives similar to those found in Nyungwe itself, a rainforest known for its chimpanzees, rare primates, and over 300 species of birds.
Mandai Wildlife Group, which manages the reserve, sees the partnership as part of a broader effort to foster global environmental awareness.
“The Mandai Wildlife Reserve serves as a window into the wild, fostering meaningful connections between people and wildlife to inspire a stronger commitment to protecting nature,” said Dr Cheng Wen-Haur, Deputy CEO of Life Sciences & Operations and Chief Life Sciences Officer, Mandai Wildlife Group.
“With the steadfast support of visionary partners like the Rwanda Development Board and Rwanda High Commission, we are empowered to share compelling conservation stories that resonate across borders. Together, we show how international collaboration can nurture a shared love for nature and a united commitment to its protection.”
The initiative also feeds into Rwanda’s wider strategy to boost eco-tourism. By spotlighting Nyungwe in one of Asia’s premier nature destinations, Rwanda hopes to attract travellers seeking immersive, sustainable experiences.
The event at the Mandai Wildlife Reserve brought together conservation experts, travel industry leaders, and media to experience a taste of Rwanda’s natural heritage and build new connections that will further position Rwanda as the ‘Heart of Africa’ and a top destination for luxury eco-tourism.
Nyungwe, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is often described as Rwanda’s ecological crown jewel. Now, its spirit lives on in Singapore, inviting thousands of visitors each year to discover the natural beauty and conservation efforts behind the “Heart of Africa.”
After the Liberation Struggle and halting the Genocide, Rwanda embarked on a development path characterized by sustained peace and security; improved living standards and public health; good governance and international cooperation; inclusive education and women’s empowerment; among other areas.
This journey has brought visible infrastructure development, including schools, health centres, modern buildings, progress in technology, healthcare, modern agriculture and livestock, and much more.
These changes are evident to every Rwandan and affirm the country’s full liberation, a process driven by Rwandans themselves.
Though the armed struggle ended, the country has spent the last 31 years in a different kind of battle: rebuilding and developing toward a dignified life for every citizen.
The Seventh Integrated Household Living Conditions Survey (EICV7) showed that poverty in Rwanda dropped from 39.8% in 2017 to 27.4% in 2024, while extreme poverty fell from 11.3% to 5.4% during the same period.
The data also shows that Rwandans now earn an average of $1,040 per person per year. According to the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), there have been major changes in the country’s economy.
For example, the percentage of Rwandans with access to electricity increased from 11.1% in 2011 to 72% in 2024.
Those with access to clean water rose significantly as well — from 74.2% in 2011 to 89.7% in 2024.
Figures from the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) show that mobile phone users increased to 13,480,095 in September 2024, up from 12,538,106 in 2023.
The education sector has improved through the government’s commitment to universal access, though challenges remain in improving quality.
Tito Rutaremara, Chairperson of the Rwanda Elders’ Advisory Forum, noted that when the RPF-Inkotanyi launched the Liberation Struggle, it had clear goals for Rwanda and its people.
“The liberation struggle was just one step. We had a broader mission — ensuring national security, unity, building a democracy that suits our country, developing the economy, and establishing diplomatic relations based on mutual respect.”
He emphasized that in the 31 years since liberation, much has been achieved to improve Rwandans’ lives and that continued efforts will be needed to keep transforming those lives.
“We prioritized essential needs such as security for people and property, access to food and healthcare — and from there, we’ve continued building on those foundations.”
He stressed that, in today’s world, the country must fully embrace technology in all sectors to build a knowledge-based economy.
“We’ve reached a stage where we must integrate new innovations — technology and creative intelligence. That means embedding technology in every sector so that our economy and daily life are driven by both tech and ingenuity.”
In terms of service delivery, he noted that some improvements are still needed, particularly in digital transformation and speeding up access to public services.
Rutaremara added that Rwanda’s ongoing rebuilding efforts aim to ensure that every citizen can access the services they need, healthcare, education, and employment, without having to seek a better life elsewhere.
He projected that in the next 30 years, Rwanda should have reached this goal, in line with Vision 2050.
He concluded by emphasising the need to promote positive values and protect Rwanda’s cultural heritage so that other countries can learn from Rwanda’s experience.
The borders in question include the Grande Barrière (also known as “La Corniche”), Petite Barrière, which connect Rwanda with the DRC. These borders now open at 6:00 a.m. and close at 10:00 p.m.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 50,000 people crossed three official borders daily, with the Grande Barrière operating 24 hours a day.
Rubavu District Mayor, Mulindwa Prosper, told IGIHE that the number of people using the Rubavu–DRC border crossings has reached 43,000.
“The number of users at the Grande Barrière and Petite Barrière has increased to 43,000, not counting those who use the Kabuhanga border,” he said.
Residents working at the Gisenyi cross-border market told IGIHE that they now rely on trust-based trade, as many Congolese clients lack cash.
They cited reasons including the shut down of banks in Goma by the Tshisekedi administration, making it difficult for citizens to access their savings.
Sifa, a Congolese resident of Ndosho in Nyiragongo Territory, said that most products coming from Rwanda to her area are fruits and vegetables. She also confirmed that their current trade depends heavily on mutual trust.
“Banks are closed, so we’re using the little money we had at home or we take goods on credit based on trust. We go, sell them, and return to pay later,” she said.
Sifa added that reopening banks would give them access to much-needed capital.
The AFC/M23 rebel group began controlling the border posts between Rwanda and the DRC on the side of Goma in January 2025.
