These include Eswatini, Guinea, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Zimbabwe, Georgia, France, Poland, Oman, Suriname, and Canada. The move is expected to strengthen Rwanda’s international connectivity and support its ambitions in aviation, trade, and tourism.
During the same session, the Cabinet also adopted a national data sharing policy aimed at establishing a secure and legally compliant framework for sharing data across public institutions.
The Cabinet further approved periodic reports on Rwanda’s implementation of international human rights treaties.
Additionally, a Ministerial Order concerning the guardianship of children by the state and regulations on intercountry adoption was approved.
The meeting also noted upcoming national events. The 18ᵗʰ National Agriculture Show is scheduled to take place in Mulindi, Kigali, from June 18 to 27, 2025.
Rwanda will also host the 2025 International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Annual Meeting in Kigali from October 6 to 10.
According to a notice dated May 25, 2025, laboratory analysis of the product revealed that it does not meet the required national standard RS 344:2023 for plant-flavoured alcoholic drinks. As a result, the Rwanda FDA has declared the product illegal and unsafe for public consumption.
INEZA Ayurvedic Ltd, the manufacturer of Ubutwenge, is based in Musanze District, Busogo Sector, Gisesero Cell. Authorities confirmed that the company has been producing the drink without proper authorisation and outside the required safety guidelines.
Rwanda FDA has instructed the public to immediately stop consuming the drink to avoid potential health risks.
Retailers have also been ordered to remove all Ubutwenge stock from their shelves and return it to distributors. Wholesalers are required to accept the returned products and coordinate their return to the manufacturer.
Furthermore, the manufacturer has been directed to ensure the safe disposal of all recalled stock.
“The manufacturer, INEZA Ayurvedic Ltd, is requested to organize the immediate and safe disposal of returned stocks of Ubutwenge,” said Prof. Emile Bienvenu, Director General of Rwanda FDA.
Speaking on the latest episode of The Long Form Podcast, hosted by Sanny Ntayombya in Goma, Ngarambe shared his inspiring journey from stateless refugee to provincial leader, outlining his vision for peace and inclusion under the Alliance of Forces for Change (AFC)/M23 administration.
Born in 1985 in South Kivu, Ngarambe’s early life was defined by persecution. As a Congolese Tutsi, he faced systemic discrimination in a country where Kinyarwanda-speaking communities have long been branded as outsiders.
The 1994 Genocide against Tutsis in neighbouring Rwanda triggered a wave of violence that spilt into Congo, forcing Ngarambe’s family to flee when he was eight.
“They hunted us down,” he recalled, describing how his uncle was brutally killed and his father disappeared after being captured by government forces. Ngarambe, his mother, and siblings endured a harrowing 400-kilometre trek, imprisonment, and starvation before reaching refugee camps in Rwanda.
Life in camps like Mudende and Nkamira brought further trauma. In 1997, attacks on Mudende killed thousands, leaving Ngarambe, then 12, haunted by the sound of bullets.
“Nothing is left for me to fear,” he said, reflecting on how those experiences forged his resilience.
After stints in Uganda’s Nakivale camp, Ngarambe resettled in Canada in 2013, where he built a stable life with his wife and three children. Yet, the plight of his people never left him.
“I told my brother, ‘You can’t leave what’s burning inside you,’” he said, explaining his return to activism from the diaspora.
In February 2025, just days after AFC/M23 took control of Goma, Ngarambe was unexpectedly named Vice Governor.
Thrust into leadership, he has overseen rapid changes in North Kivu’s capital. In just 100 days, his administration restored water to neighbourhoods that lacked it for over a decade, provided 24-hour electricity, and reduced violent crime in areas like Ndosho, once a hotspot for kidnappings.
“People are waking up to a new reality—no bullets, water in every neighbourhood,” Ngarambe said.
According to him, market prices have also dropped, with a bag of potatoes falling from $120 to affordable levels, easing the burden on residents.
Ngarambe’s vision extends beyond infrastructure. He aims to end the marginalisation of Congolese Tutsis and other Kinyarwanda-speaking communities, whose citizenship was stripped in the 1980s.
“Being Tutsi shouldn’t be a death sentence,” he asserted, emphasising inclusive governance that protects all ethnic groups. His administration is resolving land disputes—often a source of deadly conflict—through dialogue, fostering handshakes over bloodshed.
He also called on the Congolese diaspora to return, urging them to bring skills to rebuild the region.
Amid criticism from a section of the international community over the operations of the rebel group, Ngarambe said his administration remains committed to changing people’s lives.
He also dismissed claims that the group is backed by Rwanda, describing them as “old propaganda.”
“The Rwanda accusation is old propaganda. Kinshasa uses it to deflect from its failures. We’re Congolese, fighting for Congolese rights. If Rwanda supports us, where’s the evidence? Show me the troops, the weapons,” he said, arguing that the government’s arming of militias like the FDLR—comprising remnants of those responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda—has fueled instability.
“It’s a lie to rally their base and gain foreign sympathy,” he added.
Addressing reports of cash flow challenges caused by the closure of banks in Goma by the Kinshasa administration, he acknowledged it remains a challenge but noted that local markets are still vibrant, supported by the AFC/M23-backed CADECO Bank, which reopened in April.
The launch event took place on Friday at the MIC Branch, BPR’s flagship location for the Ikamba proposition, and brought together women entrepreneurs, key partners such as GIZ,Access to Finance Rwanda (AFR), and the KCB Foundation, as well as BPR Bank’s management and staff.
Ikamba combines both financial and non-financial services tailored to the needs of WSMEs. These include flexible cash-flow-based loans of up to Frw 100 million, reduced transaction fees, smart savings options, and access to dedicated WSME branches with personalized support.
Additionally, members benefit from business insights, capacity-building programs, and discounted access to the BPR Biashara Club, all geared toward fostering business growth and financial inclusion.
In her remarks, Patience Mutesi, Managing Director of BPR Bank Rwanda, emphasized the bank’s commitment to economic inclusion: “With Ikamba, we are making a bold statement – that Rwandan women in business deserve more than just access to finance; they deserve a partner that understands their unique journeys.
“We are proud to launch this proposition at our MIC Branch, with plans to roll it out to more branches across the country. Ikamba reflects our values of inclusivity, resilience, and innovation.”
BPR is partnering with Access to Finance Rwanda (AFR) and GIZ to bring Ikamba to life.
Commenting on the development, Jean Bosco Iyacu, CEO of AFR, remarked: “Ikamba is a result of strategic co-design with BPR Bank to unlock financing for women entrepreneurs in a way that is practical, scalable, and sustainable.
“We are proud to support this initiative, which aligns with our mission to facilitate a diverse and inclusive financial sector that supports increased resilience and sustainable livelihoods for all and contributes to Rwanda’s economic transformation.”
BPR’s MIC Branch is the first dedicated location to roll out the Ikamba proposition. The bank plans to expand to additional branches over time to ensure broader accessibility and continued support for women entrepreneurs across Rwanda.
In a statement, PNAT confirmed it has formally lodged an appeal against the May 16 decision, which concluded there was “no serious and consistent evidence” linking the 82-year-old to either complicity in genocide or participation in a conspiracy to commit genocide.
The prosecutor’s office is requesting further investigations to pursue potential charges of conspiracy to commit genocide, in a case that has dragged on for nearly two decades.
The May 16 ruling dismissed the PNAT’s supplemental indictment request filed in September 2024, which sought to indict Habyarimana after years of stalled proceedings.
The judges noted that “the rumour is persistent” regarding her alleged involvement, but insisted that “it cannot be treated as proof in the absence of specific and consistent evidence.”
Reacting to the appeal, Agathe Habyarimana’s lawyer expressed frustration with the prosecutor’s decision to continue pursuing the case, describing it as a “denial of justice”.
“Faced with an empty case, as analysed by the ten judges who have handled it, they stubbornly persist in a purely delaying strategy aimed only at postponing the inevitable dismissal… all to satisfy diplomatic interests,” he said.
But civil party groups and genocide survivor associations argue that Habyarimana was not a passive figure during the Genocide against the Tutsi.
According to the Collective of Civil Parties for Rwanda (CPCR), which filed the original complaint in 2008, she was a central member of the Akazu, the elite circle of Hutu extremists believed to have planned and coordinated the Genocide against the Tutsi.
The CPCR has also accused Habyarimana of financing Radio Télévision Libre des Mille Collines (RTLM), the notorious broadcaster that incited mass violence against Tutsis, and of ordering the massacre of staff at an orphanage she founded.
Other allegations include her involvement in compiling hit lists of Tutsi elites and her support for the presidential guard’s terror campaigns following her husband’s assassination on April 6, 1994.
Despite residing in France since 1998, Agathe Habyarimana has neither been granted asylum nor extradited to Rwanda.
She was evacuated from Kigali on April 9, 1994, with French assistance under the orders of then-President François Mitterrand, a close ally of her late husband. In 2016, French authorities designated her an assisted witness, a status between that of a suspect and a simple witness.
The case has been derailed by multiple legal hurdles, including the 2022 decision by the investigating judge to signal a potential case closure due to “excessive delays.”
However, the PNAT reignited proceedings with a new indictment request in 2024 and continues to push for judicial accountability, citing the gravity of the charges and the ongoing demands for justice by survivors and civil society.
If the Paris Court of Appeal overturns the May 16 decision and grants PNAT’s request, Agathe Habyarimana could finally be indicted for her alleged role in orchestrating one of the worst atrocities of the 20th century. Conviction on such charges would likely carry a life sentence.
The Court of Appeal’s response to the prosecutor’s appeal is expected in the coming weeks.
Billed as “Jose Chameleone Live in Kigali,” the concert marked the artist’s long-awaited return to Rwanda after a health-related hiatus.
Chameleone, who has ruled the East African music scene for over 25 years, was joined on stage by his brother Weasel and Rwanda’s music veteran Rafiki Coga Style, creating a night of celebration that bridged generations.
Originally slated for earlier this year, the show was postponed after Chameleone travelled to the U.S. for medical treatment, spending five months recovering. But the buzz never died down. The moment tickets went on sale, they were snapped up in record time by fans eager to relive the golden days of East African music.
And when the night finally arrived, Kigali Universe was the place to be. A packed house of devoted fans, many of whom grew up on Chameleone’s music in the early 2000s, filled the venue to capacity. DJs Lexx Lexx, Niyem, and RY kept the energy high while MC Bior hyped up the crowd with effortless charisma.
The show kicked off with a powerful set by Rafiki Coga, a pioneer of Rwanda’s “Coga Style.” Performing fan favourites like “Gikomando” and “Bwongoza 4” (a collab with Jay Polly and Riderman), Rafiki was met with loud cheers.
In a touching moment, co-host Lucky, alongside Power FM’s Iradukunda Bertrand, paused the show to honour Rafiki as one of the trailblazers of the Rwandan music scene. Fans raised their hands in solidarity and respect.
Then came the man of the hour. As Chameleone hit the stage, the entire atmosphere shifted. The crowd jumped to their feet, the nostalgia kicked in, and hit after hit rang out in full live-band glory.
From timeless anthems like “Valu Valu,” “Tubonge,” and “Nkoleki” (with Melody), to newer tracks like “Agatako” (performed alongside DJ Pius), Chameleone showed why he remains one of the region’s most magnetic performers.
The surprises kept coming.
Midway through the show, Weasel joined Chameleone on stage, sparking loud cheers. The pair performed “Bomboclat” and “Lwaki Onumya,” the latter dedicated to their late music partner Radio, whom Weasel honoured with a heartfelt tribute:
“Rest in peace, brother Radio.”
But it was Weasel’s romantic declaration to his Rwandan lover Sandra Teta that melted hearts.
Before performing Good Life’s “Breath Away,” he turned to the crowd and said:
“Do you know why this song means so much to me? Because Kigali gave me the most beautiful woman, Sandra Teta Ndayigutuye. And there are so many beautiful women here tonight.”
He ended by affirming the Mayanja family’s deep love for Rwanda, revealing that his visit would include a family introduction at Sandra Teta’s home. The couple, who share two daughters, have been together for seven years.
The crowd chanted for more, refusing to let the night end. Fans across every age group sang along, danced, and relived their youth with every beat.
The concert was graced by some of Rwanda’s biggest names in entertainment, including Massamba Intore, Jules Sentore, Teta Diana, Platini P, Ishimwe Clement, Christopher, Junior Rumaga, David Bayingana, Shemi, Kenny Sol, and MC Ange K. Umulisa, the ex-wife of DJ Pius.
Chameleone’s return to Kigali came after a long hiatus. His last performance in the Rwandan capital was in 2018 at DJ Pius’ ‘Iwacu’ album launch.
Unlike previous editions organized in collaboration with the Rwandan Embassy and Charleroi city authorities, this year’s event was independently coordinated by the local Rwandan community in Charleroi.
The commemoration was attended by key figures including Eugène Twagiramutabazi, President of Ibuka Mémoire & Justice – Belgique; Pamela Kamuzima, head of DRB-Rugali Section Charleroi; and Lina Mukandori, representing the association of genocide survivors in the city.
Also present was Marina Shumbusho, 24, who gave a moving testimony as a child born to genocide survivors. Friends of Rwanda and members of the diaspora from various parts of Belgium also joined the event.
In her remarks, Lina Mukandori reflected on Rwanda’s painful past, noting that 31 years ago, ethnic division led to atrocities where people turned against neighbors, friends, and even close relatives.
“Over the past three decades, Rwanda has chosen a different path—one of unity, rebuilding, and dignity,” she said.
She also addressed genocide denial, especially claims that the genocide began only after the 1994 plane crash that killed President Juvénal Habyarimana. “That’s not true,” she stated, referencing genocide researcher Gregory H. Stanton’s work on the stages of genocide planning.
Eugène Twagiramutabazi commended the youth for their involvement in organizing the event. “We remember, no matter what. Remembrance is not mine or yours—it belongs to all of us,” he said.
As in previous years, the ceremony also honored the 10 Belgian peacekeepers killed in Rwanda on April 7, 1994—including Charleroi natives Corporal Alain Debatty, First Lieutenant Thierry Lotin, and Corporal Marc Uyttebroeck.
The event began with the laying of wreaths at the Genocide Memorial in Parc Reine Astrid, a park in central Charleroi that also holds monuments tied to World War history.
A walk to remember followed, carried out under heavy rain, but continued undeterred, as participants remained committed to the cause.
The final segment included testimonies, solemn songs, reflection, and a night vigil featuring remembrance music and photos of victims—honoring their names, lives, and legacies.
A 21-day-old infant has tested positive for mpox in Moyale town, near the Kenyan border, the Ethiopian Ministry of Health and Public Health Institute said in a joint statement.
Noting that subsequent testing also confirmed that the child’s mother is infected with the virus, the ministry said the child and his mother have been placed in quarantine.
According to the ministry, both the child and his mother have not suffered any serious health problems so far and are currently in stable condition. It said coordinated efforts are underway to trace the source of the infection.
As Ethiopia becomes the latest African country to report a mpox case, the total number of affected countries on the continent since the start of last year has now reached 26, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
The ministry said that since the onset of the mpox outbreak in Africa, it has implemented a series of coordinated measures aimed at preventing the virus from entering the East African nation, while also establishing strategies to control its spread should it enter the country. It said an emergency coordination center has been established at the Public Health Institute to facilitate such efforts.
“The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, wishes to emphasize its commitment to enhancing ongoing measures aimed at preventing and controlling the spread of the disease,” it said. The ministry also urged anyone who has come into contact with individuals infected with the virus, as well as those exhibiting symptoms of mpox, to promptly seek appropriate medical care.
Given that the virus has been reported only in a confined area, the ministry said the public should remain calm and maintain their usual daily routines while adhering to safety protocols outlined by health authorities.
On Thursday, the Africa CDC announced that 25 mpox-affected African countries had reported more than 130,000 cases since the start of last year. Of these, 31,745 were confirmed, and about 1,774 related deaths were recorded.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, was first detected in laboratory monkeys in 1958. It is a rare viral disease transmitted through body fluids, respiratory droplets and contaminated materials. The infection often causes fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes.
Speaking during a press conference in Goma on Sunday, May 25, 2025, M23 President Bertrand Bisimwa criticised Burundi’s military involvement in eastern DRC, saying that Burundian troops are operating alongside Congolese forces and enabling FDLR fighters near the border region to kill innocent civilians.
“Burundi is fighting us alongside the Congolese government. Along the border with the DRC, they’re hosting and enabling another enemy—the FDLR,” Bisimwa said.
“There are many FDLR fighters in that area, where they’re organising to attack us. That’s where the threats are coming from.”
According to Bisimwa, the Congolese government is also conducting drone strikes in the region, guided by its intelligence operatives, which have resulted in further civilian casualties.
While expressing no hostility toward the Burundian population, Bisimwa condemned what he described as the Burundian leadership’s role in the conflict.
“We have no problem with the Burundian people—they’re our brothers,” he said. “But their leaders are using the army to kill Congolese civilians, and we can’t support such a government.”
The M23 leader called for the withdrawal of Burundian troops, citing the recent move by SADC forces to exit Congo as an example to follow.
“All we’re asking is for them to leave our land… Just like the SADC forces who withdrew, they should do the same and return to Burundi,” he said, warning that the rebels have nothing to lose in their “fight for survival.”
Bisimwa also disclosed to members of the press that he had met with Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye before the country joined the conflict. According to him, the Burundian leader acknowledged similarities between M23’s struggle and the historic rebellion that brought his own CNDD-FDD party to power.
“I explained our situation, and he told me our struggle reminded him of what CNDD-FDD went through. He said it was the same injustice that led them to take up arms,” Bisimwa recalled. “So why is he now doing to us what he once fought against?”
Bisimwa, while defending what he described as the rebels’ and marginalised communities’ struggle, revisited the political histories of Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi, noting that their current governments came to power through armed struggles against marginalisation.
He cited remarks by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who once warned that those excluded today could rise to power tomorrow.
“President Museveni once said in Kinshasa that he and President Kagame came to power by fighting marginalisation. He warned that those who are excluded today could be the ones to topple you tomorrow,” he stated.
“That’s the message we’re sending to Kinshasa. They know it, and I’m simply reminding them. To Burundi, I want to say this: when people are oppressed, they have nothing to lose. They fight with everything they have to survive and stay safe. And that’s exactly what we’re doing,” he added.
M23, which positions itself as fighting against poor governance and the marginalisation of Kinyarwanda-speaking communities in eastern DRC, currently controls large swathes of territory in the region.
Efforts led by Qatar and the African Union to resolve the conflict diplomatically are ongoing, but the rebel group accuses the Kinshasa administration of lacking commitment to that path.
The announcement was made on Monday morning via a statement shared on X by the movement’s coordinator, Corneille Nangaa, marking a significant political moment in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Kabila’s return to the eastern city comes after an extended period abroad, primarily spent in South Africa and Zimbabwe, where he lived in forced exile.
According to AFC/M23, his decision to return via Goma is being seen as both symbolic and strategic.
“The return of this prominent political figure is warmly received. He made the right choice by coming back rather than remaining in forced exile,” the statement read.
AFC/M23 emphasised that Goma is currently the only part of the country free from political persecution, arbitrary arrests, hate speech, and tribal discrimination.
Since February, the movement claims Goma has hosted delegations from diverse backgrounds, including a joint mission from the Church of Christ in Congo (ECC) and the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO), which AFC/M23 says blessed the peace efforts under their control.
The group also positioned Goma as a safe haven for political actors who wish to operate freely.
“The gates of Goma—which are also the gates of Congo—are wide open to all compatriots who wish to carry out political activities in a republican spirit,” they said.
{{Katumbi’s reaction}}
Kabila’s return has also drawn sharp political reactions. Moïse Katumbi, a leading opposition figure and former Katanga governor, echoed the sentiments shared by Nangaa, through a pointed message posted on X.
“I stand with you, dear coordinator @CNangaa. What you said is true, painful, and powerful. Those who were supposed to lead the fight for justice and freedom have fallen short. They’ve forgotten why they once rose up,” Katumbi wrote.
He contrasted Kinshasa’s current leadership with the environment in Goma, saying, “While Kinshasa crushes, humiliates, insults, and divides, Goma welcomes, protects, and unites. Even Joseph Kabila is returning there. That alone shows how far Tshisekedi’s regime has pushed away all the values of the Republic.”
Katumbi ended his statement with a call for change: “Our only wish today is to remove Tshisekedi from power. Congo deserves better than this disguised dictatorship, this institutionalised tribalism, and this incompetence turned into a system. Thank you for saying out loud what so many are quietly thinking. The people will decide.”
Last week, DRC senators voted to lift Joseph Kabila’s immunity, paving the way for possible prosecution over alleged links to the M23 rebel group. The move followed the seizure of his assets by authorities who accused him of supporting the rebels.
The situation intensified amid reports that Kabila had visited Goma in April—claims he has firmly denied.
In an address to Congolese on May 23, 2025, Kabila clarified he had not been to Goma but plans to visit soon, dismissing the accusations as politically motivated and based on rumors.
He also noted that even if such a visit had occurred, it would have been in the spirit of dialogue with fellow Congolese, especially given the government’s ongoing peace talks with M23 leaders in Qatar.
The AFC/M23 claims to fight for the rights of marginalised communities, particularly Kinyarwanda-speaking groups long subjected to persecution in eastern Congo.
Following a major offensive, the group now controls key territories, including the cities of Bukavu and Goma, which it seized in January 2025.
Recent mediation efforts by the U.S. and Qatar led to talks between M23 and the Congolese government. However, tensions remain high, with Kinshasa reportedly committed to continued military action.
After the withdrawal of Romanian mercenaries defeated by M23, President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration is now said to be seeking new mercenaries from Colombia.
As Kabila’s reemergence and Katumbi’s defiance converge in the eastern region, the political climate in the DRC appears to be shifting, possibly setting the stage for deeper opposition alignment ahead of future national transitions.
