The ceremony, held as part of the Dutch royal palace’s diplomatic engagements, sets the stage for Ambassador Dushimimana to deepen Rwanda–Netherlands cooperation across sectors such as trade, development, and diplomacy.
A seasoned public servant, Dushimimana previously served as a senator and the Governor of Western Province. He was appointed to the ambassadorial role in December 2024.
He replaces Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, who was named Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in June of the same year.
Beyond traditional diplomacy, Ambassador Dushimimana is expected to actively engage with the Rwandan community abroad and foster partnerships with Dutch institutions, with a focus on areas like education, climate action, and inclusive development.
Rwanda and the Netherlands established formal diplomatic relations on October 1, 1964. However, diplomatic engagement between the two countries started earlier, with the first contacts dating back to 1957 when the Heineken Group established a brewery in Rwanda.
Following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, the Netherlands was among the first countries to offer humanitarian aid and has since become a reliable partner in Rwanda’s recovery and development.
The Rwandan Embassy in the Netherlands was established on November 1, 2006.
Hosted by the Education Collaborative in Kigali, the Rwandan capital, the symposium brought together higher education stakeholders, including education leaders, policymakers, and industry players from across Africa to explore and exchange innovative practices to improve student experiences and graduate outcomes.
The Education Collaborative is a continental initiative spearheading a collective engagement model aimed at improving higher education outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa.
“Within an increasingly interconnected global landscape, higher education must serve as a catalyst for deeper economic, social, and scientific integration,” Rwandan Minister of Education Joseph Nsengimana told delegates while opening the forum.
“This year’s theme challenges us to reflect, mobilize, and realign around one of the most urgent goals of our time: delivering meaningful, relevant, and transformational learning experiences for African students,” he said.
Running from Tuesday to Friday, the discussions will focus on four topics: recentering student development, reflecting on current practices and identifying areas for improvement, mobilizing resources and coordinating efforts for action, and adjusting national policies and strategies to better implement commitments that serve students’ development.
Rose Dodd, executive director of the Education Collaborative in Ghana, emphasized the need to ensure that every African student can access a university system that “sees them, serves them, and prepares them to lead.”
The event, co-organized by the Kingdom of Morocco, the United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect, and their partners, focused on the critical intersection of hate speech and artificial intelligence (AI) in the digital age.
Amb. Ngoga began by expressing Rwanda’s gratitude to the organizers for their leadership in addressing the global rise of hate speech, emphasizing the urgency of countering its spread in an era where AI amplifies its reach.
“Rwanda strongly supports a coordinated global approach to regulating AI and digital platforms rooted in international human rights law,” Ngoga stated, highlighting the need for ethical safeguards to protect vulnerable communities, as outlined in the Global Digital Compact.
Drawing on Rwanda’s painful history, Ngoga underscored the devastating consequences of unchecked hate speech, referencing the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
“Radio broadcasts, newspapers, and state rhetoric dehumanized the Tutsi, paving the way for one of the worst atrocities of the 20th century,” he said.
This experience fuels Rwanda’s deep conviction in the need for robust measures to combat hate speech and prevent its weaponization.
Ngoga also paid tribute to Professor Gregory Stanton for his influential work in genocide studies, which has shaped post-genocide jurisdictions, including Rwanda’s own legal efforts.
Reflecting on his tenure as Rwanda’s former Prosecutor General and his work with the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), Ngoga highlighted the landmark “media trial” of Ferdinand Nahimana, Hassan Ngeze, and Jean-Bosco Barayagwiza.
This trial, he explained, set a critical judicial precedent in distinguishing between protected free speech and criminal hate speech. “The Tribunal for Rwanda resolved that problem,” Ngoga said, urging tech companies and global actors to draw on this jurisprudence to address hate speech in the digital realm.
The ambassador emphasized the evolving nature of hate speech, now accelerated by AI-generated content and algorithmic amplification. “Online hate spreads faster than truth, radicalizes communities, and undermines the foundations of peace we have worked hard to build,” he warned, noting that behind every slur or viral image lie real consequences for real people.
The event aligns with the UN’s broader efforts to counter hate speech, as outlined in the 2019 UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech and the 2021 UN General Assembly resolution proclaiming June 18 as the International Day for Countering Hate Speech. The resolution calls for increased efforts to address discrimination, xenophobia, and hate speech in line with international human rights law.
Echoing this sentiment, UN Secretary-General António Guterres remarked, “Today, hate speech travels faster and farther than ever, amplified by Artificial Intelligence. Let’s commit to using AI not as a tool of hate, but as a force for good. Let’s stand united in the pursuit of peace, mutual respect, and understanding for all.”
The announcement comes as the artist gears up for the MTN Iwacu Muzika Festival, where he is among seven artists confirmed to headline the nationwide tour.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with IGIHE, the ‘Mowana’ crooner revealed that the celebration will go beyond the main tour.
“Besides the concert I’m planning in Kigali, I’m also considering taking the celebration across different countries. Spending 20 years making music that people enjoy is not something I take lightly. I want to connect with my fans and celebrate together,” he said.
While he didn’t disclose a specific date for the Kigali concert, King James assured fans that plans are in motion and that more details will be shared after the MTN Iwacu Muzika Festival wraps up.
King James joins a stellar line-up for this year’s MTN Iwacu Muzika Festival, including Riderman, Juno Kizigenza, Ariel Wayz, Kevin Kade, Kivumbi King, and Nel Ngabo.
The festival, known for showcasing homegrown talent, will tour multiple districts, offering fans a chance to enjoy live performances across the country.
The tour is set to kick off on July 5, 2025, in Musanze, before moving to Gicumbi on July 12 and Nyagatare on July 19. It will then head to Ngoma on July 26, followed by Huye on August 2. The performances will continue in Rusizi on August 9, with the final show taking place in Rubavu on August 16, 2025.
Rwanda’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, James Musoni, has said that the people of Zimbabwe are grateful for President Paul Kagame’s role in helping the country raise its voice in the fight to have economic sanctions lifted.
In 2000, under the leadership of Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe made the decision to repossess land that had been allocated to white settlers during colonial times, returning it to Black farmers.
The move sparked diplomatic tensions between Zimbabwe and countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and the European Union (EU).
These nations swiftly imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe, with the United States implementing economic sanctions in 2001, followed by the EU and other countries in 2002. These sanctions severely crippled Zimbabwe’s economy and remain in place to this day.
However, in 2017, during and after his tenure as Chairperson of the African Union, President Kagame actively advocated for the lifting of those sanctions, amplifying Zimbabwe’s voice on the global stage.
In a recent interview, Ambassador Musoni told RBA that President Kagame’s efforts had a significant impact, resulting in the removal of some sanctions, and that the remaining ones could also be lifted in the near future.
“They thank President Kagame for his efforts in advocating for the removal of the sanctions imposed on them. His voice has consistently stood out, calling for an end to these sanctions on Zimbabwe. Progress has already been made — some sanctions have been lifted and others are in the process,” he said.
“His role is deeply appreciated. You hear this in government circles, among private sector players, and from ordinary citizens,” he added.
Relations between Rwanda and Zimbabwe took a major step forward in 2019 when both countries opened embassies and began signing various cooperation agreements.
Since 2022, the two nations have signed trade agreements, with entrepreneurs from both sides commending the benefits that have emerged from their collaboration.
Zimbabwe has also sent over 150 teachers to Rwanda through bilateral agreements on workforce exchange, and Ambassador Musoni confirmed that more teachers are expected to arrive from Zimbabwe this September to contribute further to Rwanda’s education sector.
Reports indicate that this project is a key part of Mali’s broader mining reforms, led by President Assimi Goïta’s government, which aim to retain more value-added processing within the country.
By keeping more gold processing local, Mali hopes to develop its workforce and retain more economic benefits from its gold industry.
The state will hold a 62% stake in the refinery, while Yadran Group will own 38%. The refinery is set to become a regional hub, processing gold not only for Mali but eventually for neighboring countries like Burkina Faso as well.
This project aligns with a growing trend across the Sahel region, where countries are revising mining laws to ensure that more value-added processing takes place domestically.
Mali’s move reflects the urgent need for African countries to process their raw materials locally, rather than exporting them for others to reap the profits.
The agreement was formalised on Tuesday, June 17, at the OPEC Fund Development Forum 2025 in Vienna, Austria, where Rwanda’s Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Yusuf Murangwa, and OPEC Fund President Abdulhamid Alkhalifa announced the deal.
The financing allocated for the 2025–2028 period will be channelled into key sectors identified as critical to Rwanda’s long-term growth. These include agriculture and food systems (with a focus on irrigation and post-harvest management), renewable energy—particularly solar power—transport (notably in the aviation sector), and environmental restoration.
The framework is designed to support Rwanda’s development priorities, including the expansion of quality infrastructure, improved access to essential basic services, and the promotion of entrepreneurship and private sector growth.
The agreement is part of a broader theme at this year’s forum, “A Transition That Empowers Our Tomorrow,” highlighting global commitments to inclusive and climate-resilient development pathways.
The OPEC Fund for International Development is a development finance institution established by OPEC member states in 1976. It provides financing to support the economic and social progress of developing countries.
On this occasion, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to working together to boost trade between Tunisia and Rwanda, particularly within the frameworks provided by the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
They also emphasised their commitment to enhancing bilateral economic exchanges, highlighting the importance of exploring cooperation opportunities in promising fields such as renewable energy and energy transition.
During the phone call, the Prime Minister highlighted the successful exchange of expertise between the two countries, citing as an example the fruitful cooperation in electricity and water distribution in Rwanda,a project led by two Tunisian companies: STEG International services (STEG-IS) and the National Exploitation and Distribution Utility (SONEDE) International.
The construction and public works sector was also discussed during the call.
For his part, the Rwandan Prime Minister expressed a desire to broaden the exchange of experience and skills between the two countries to include other fields, notably health.
“As he has said many times, President Trump does not want TikTok to go dark,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. “This extension will last 90 days, which the Administration will spend working to ensure this deal is closed so that the American people can continue to use TikTok with the assurance that their data is safe and secure.”
This marks the third extension since Trump took office in January. He initially signed an executive order delaying the TikTok ban by 75 days, saying it would permit his administration “an opportunity to determine the appropriate course of action with respect to TikTok.” In April, he granted another 75-day extension to avoid disrupting the app’s operations. The latest extension expires on June 19.
In his first term, Trump signed an executive order effectively seeking to ban the app in the United States unless ByteDance sold its U.S. operations to an American company, but the order didn’t go into effect amid legal challenges.
In April 2024, then-President Joe Biden signed a law giving ByteDance 270 days to sell TikTok, citing national security concerns that critics called unfounded. Under the law, failure to comply would require app store operators like Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their platforms starting Jan. 19, 2025.
The app went dark for hours and resumed its service on Jan 19, one day before Trump’s inauguration for his second term.
The draft regulation, part of the Commission’s REPowerEU Roadmap, bans the conclusion of new contracts for Russian gas as of Jan. 1, 2026, and mandates the termination of existing short-term contracts by June 17, 2026.
Long-term pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) contracts with Russian suppliers would be permitted to run only until the end of 2027.
EU member states are required to present diversification plans with precise measures and milestones for the gradual elimination of Russian gas and oil imports, said the Commission in the press release.
EU member states will also be required to report on Russian gas volumes and contractual obligations, including LNG shipments, to enhance transparency and enforceability.
The plan also targets Russian oil, setting a 2027 deadline for ending imports. While Russian oil has already dropped from 27 percent of EU imports in early 2022 to just 3 percent in 2024, the Commission argued that a complete cessation is necessary to eliminate residual risks.
The regulation still requires adoption by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU, with a qualified majority needed for approval.
