The step was taken following a ceasefire agreement between the two countries reached on Saturday.
In a statement on Monday, the state-owned Airports Authority of India said the 32 airports that were closed for civilian aircraft operations till 0529 hours local time of May 15 are now available for operations with immediate effect.
The closure of these airports across northern and western parts of the country was announced after a military conflict that began last week between the two neighbours.
The move follows what Algerian authorities called “serious and repeated violations” by the French side, including the appointment of diplomatic and consular staff without prior notification or formal accreditation, in violation of international norms and bilateral agreements.
According to APS, Algerian authorities recently identified at least 15 French employees assigned to missions in Algeria without completing the required procedures. Some had previously held service passports and were later issued diplomatic passports to ease their entry into the country.
Among the 15 were two officials from France’s Interior Ministry, reportedly dispatched to take over the duties of 12 embassy staff expelled by Algeria last month after being declared personae non gratae.
Algeria condemned the appointments, citing broader strains in bilateral ties, including repeated denials of entry to Algerian diplomatic passport holders by France and prolonged delays in accrediting Algerian consuls-general assigned to Paris and Marseille, along with seven other consular officials.
In response, Algeria has demanded the “immediate expulsion” of all French personnel appointed under what it called “irregular” conditions and their prompt return to France.
This marks the second expulsion of French diplomatic staff in less than a month. On April 14, Algeria ordered the removal of 12 French embassy employees following the detention of an Algerian consular officer in France — a move that prompted reciprocal action from Paris.
The expulsion came as the diplomatic rift between Algiers and Paris has deepened in recent months due to disagreements over immigration issues and policies, historical grievances, and France’s backing of Morocco in disputes over Western Sahara, among others.
The revelation was made by Deputy Defence Minister Bantu Holomisa, who appeared before Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Defence on Friday, standing in for Defence Minister Angie Motshekga, who is currently in Russia.
The primary objective of the commission of inquiry is to investigate the circumstances that led to the deaths of 14 South African soldiers in Goma and to understand why others were held as prisoners of war for at least three months.
Appearing alongside senior officials from the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), Holomisa told Parliament that it was premature to assess whether the mission had been a success.
“It’s too early to declare this operation a success or failure because we were not acting alone. The SADC Secretariat must also provide input on the outcomes of this mission,” Holomisa said.
However, the committee expressed frustration over the limited information provided. Critics noted that, in the Minister’s absence, senior SANDF leadership shared only scant details, leaving lawmakers with more questions than answers.
Joint committee co-chairperson Malusi Gigaba said it was too soon for Parliament to decide whether it would initiate its own investigation into the deployment.
At least 18 SAMIDRC soldiers were killed early this year during clashes with the M23 rebel group in the battle to capture the cities of Goma and Sake. Among the dead were two Tanzanian and two Malawian soldiers, with dozens more sustaining injuries.
The SAMIDRC’s offensive mission to dislodge M23 rebels began in December 2023. Critics had long warned that the troops were under-equipped and ill-prepared for the complexities of the conflict.
South Africa is reported to have spent over R1.6 billion (approximately $88 million) on the operation.
Mounting pressure from lawmakers and civil society ultimately led to the termination of the SAMIDRC mission in March, allowing for a shift toward diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict between the rebels and the administration of President Félix Tshisekedi.
Critics argue that the deployment exposed South African soldiers to unnecessary risk and suggest the mission may have been influenced by private interests rather than national security.
The withdrawal of South African troops began in recent weeks, with soldiers and equipment exiting the DRC via Rwanda.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwean activist Rutendo Matinyarare has called on the commission of inquiry to broaden its scope by examining the deeper causes of the conflict. He urged investigators to consider the findings in his recent documentary, which explores the historical factors fueling instability in the region, including the persecution of Kinyarwanda-speaking communities who have taken up arms to fight for their rights.
The commemoration event took place on May 9, 2025, at the Ntarama Genocide Memorial located in Bugesera District.
The visit began with a historical briefing about Bugesera, especially the events leading up to the Genocide, highlighting how the area had been designated as a settlement for Tutsi with the intent of extermination.
Participants were taken through some of the tragic history, including how Bugesera was once considered a cursed, uninhabitable place, suitable only for relocating Tutsi with the hope that they would perish due to the Tsetse fly.
Mukabucyeri Angélique, a survivor of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, shared her harrowing testimony. She recounted how survival was incredibly difficult as they were hunted by neighbours who knew them personally, making hiding nearly impossible.
“I had a baby strapped to my back when they struck me on the head with a club. I lost consciousness and fell. They slashed the child on my back. When I woke up, I was carrying a dead baby and had nine stab wounds and scars all over my body,” she recounted.
Aditya Chacko, General Manager of Kigali Marriott Hotel and Four Points by Sheraton Kigali, stated that they joined Rwandans in commemorating the 31st anniversary of the Genocide to honour the innocent victims who were brutally murdered in 1994.
“We gather to honor the memory of the victims, recognize the incredible courage and resilience of the survivors, and acknowledge their tireless efforts to rebuild this nation,” he noted.
“As representatives of Kigali Marriott Hotel and Four Points by Sheraton, we stand united with all Rwandans in supporting genocide survivors. It is crucial that we reflect on our roles to ensure that such atrocities and their ideologies are never repeated in Rwanda or anywhere else,” added Chacko.
He also expressed gratitude to the Rwandan leadership, particularly to President Paul Kagame, for making the decisive choice to halt the genocide and for laying the groundwork for national unity.
The monthly publication, which tracks changes in the cost of goods and services across the country, revealed that urban CPI rose by 6.3% and rural inflation surged to 6.9%. The urban inflation serves as the headline index for monetary policy decisions.
Food and non-alcoholic beverages were the largest contributors to inflation, with urban prices in this category rising by 7.9% year-on-year and 2.7% month-on-month. This category carries a significant weight of 27% in the CPI.
Among the steepest increases was the price of meat, which surged 33.8% in urban areas and 35.5% in rural areas compared to April last year. Vegetables, a key staple in Rwandan households, also saw significant hikes—8.5% annually in urban areas and 6.6% in rural regions.
The fresh products index, which includes seasonal items such as fruits and vegetables, recorded a striking 14.6% annual rise. In contrast, energy prices saw a slight 0.7% decline on an annual basis, helping to moderate overall cost pressures.
A rise in restaurant and hotel charges also contributed to the surge in inflation, with prices increasing by 14.7%, according to NISR. While substantial, restaurants and hotels have a smaller weight of 9% in the CPI calculation compared to food.
Prices of housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels (with a weight of 21%) went up by 3.3%, while transport prices (with a weight of 12%) grew by 3.8%.
On a monthly basis, Rwanda’s CPI increased by 2.3%, a noticeable jump from March, signalling continuing upward pressure on consumer prices.
Meanwhile, core inflation, which excludes volatile items like fresh food and energy, rose by 4.4% year-on-year, suggesting broader underlying price increases.
The data is crucial in helping policymakers monitor inflation as part of broader economic stabilisation efforts.
In a statement released Saturday, May 10, AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka said that Burundi has been deploying troops in support of the Kinshasa government’s military campaign while covertly equipping Wazalendo fighters via the town of Uvira, near the Burundian border.
Kanyuka said the allegations were substantiated after the Congolese Revolutionary Army (ARC), the military wing of M23, captured and presented to the media several combatants affiliated with the Congolese army (FARDC), the Wazalendo militia, and the FDLR. The fighters were reportedly apprehended while destabilising areas around the city of Goma.
“We commend the professionalism of ARC,” said Kanyuka, “whose actions not only helped halt the massacre of civilians in Goma and South Kivu but also exposed Burundi’s role in the violence.”
In recent weeks, Wazalendo militias have been engaged in deadly clashes with the Twirwaneho armed group in Uvira territory, South Kivu, committing atrocities against civilians, including killings. AFC/M23 blames these actions on foreign-backed support, particularly from Burundi.
The accusations come barely a month after AFC/M23 and the DRC government announced a ceasefire agreement brokered by Qatar on April 23, 2025, intended to pave the way for peace talks in Doha. However, M23 now claims the Congolese government has violated the agreement multiple times.
“We alert the national and international community to the repeated violations of the April 23 joint declaration and the unilateral ceasefire declared by AFC/M23,” Kanyuka stated.
M23 reaffirmed its readiness to protect civilians and “eliminate the threat at its source,” signalling a possible escalation in hostilities if diplomatic avenues fail.
“The Secretary-General welcomes the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan as a positive step toward ending current hostilities and easing tensions,” Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN chief, said in a statement.
“He hopes the agreement will contribute to lasting peace and foster an environment conducive to addressing broader, longstanding issues between the two countries,” Dujarric said.
The spokesman added that the United Nations stands ready to support efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability in the region.
Pakistan and India announced earlier Saturday a ceasefire with immediate effect, following days of military strikes on each other.
As part of his visit, Gen. Muganga delivered a lecture to senior officers attending the Senior Command and Staff Course in Jinja, a move hailed as a significant step in regional military cooperation.
The lecture titled “The Pursuit of African solutions to African problems: A case of Rwanda’s bilateral interventions on the African continent” examined Rwanda’s contributions to finding solutions to security problems affecting allies and partners on the continent.
He reiterated the need for African countries to address continental security challenges by harnessing opportunities of both bilateral and multilateral arrangements in order to build internal resilience.
“I thank General Muganga for responding to my invitation positively and coming to deliver a lecture of opportunity to officers… Long live the brotherly relations between UPDF and RDF! God bless Uganda and Rwanda!” Gen. Muhoozi posted on X.
The visit comes just weeks after Gen. Muhoozi concluded a three-day trip to Rwanda, from March 20 to 22, during which he met with President Paul Kagame, First Lady Jeannette Kagame, and RDF senior leadership.
The Uganda military chief’s visit included a lecture at the RDF Senior Command and Staff College in Nyakinama, Musanze District, where he spoke on peacekeeping and security in Africa.
At the time, Muhoozi underscored the importance of defence diplomacy in securing regional peace.
“When we combine the strength of our powerful armies, there is no challenge we cannot overcome together,” he said.
His Rwandan visit also featured high-level talks with RDF commanders and Ugandan military officials, where the two sides explored avenues for enhanced cooperation in defence and regional security.
The back-to-back visits between the two military chiefs reflect a renewed momentum in military engagement and diplomatic relations between Uganda and Rwanda, two countries whose cooperation is seen as vital to the region’s stability.
The public display took place on Saturday, May 10, 2025, in what M23 described as a direct response to violations of a recently agreed ceasefire.
In a statement, AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka said the captured individuals were responsible for recent insecurity in and around Goma and South Kivu.
The group praised the ARC for its “professionalism” and claimed their actions had halted civilian massacres in the region.
AFC/M23, which controls large swathes of eastern Congo, also accused Burundi of playing a destabilising role by deploying troops in support of the Kinshasa regime and by financing and arming Wazalendo militias via the eastern Congolese town of Uvira.
“We commend the professionalism of the ARC, whose actions not only brought an end to the massacres of civilians… but also exposed Burundi’s involvement,” the statement read.
The rebel group further accused the Congolese government, led by President Félix Tshisekedi, of repeatedly violating the April 23 joint declaration and the unilateral ceasefire announced by AFC/M23.
“We alert the national and international community to the repeated violations by the Kinshasa regime,” the group stated, reaffirming its commitment to protecting civilians and “eliminating the threat at its source.”
Ce samedi 10 mai 2025, l'Armée Révolutionnaire Congolaise (ARC) a capturé et présenté aux médias des éléments des forces du régime de Kinshasa, notamment des FARDC, des Wazalendo et des FDLR, responsables de l'insécurité à Goma.
Nous saluons le professionnalisme de l'ARC dont… pic.twitter.com/A7XwSf1mJq
— Lawrence KANYUKA (@LawrenceKanyuka) May 11, 2025
The developments come just weeks after the two parties issued the rare joint statement, signalling a mutual willingness to halt hostilities and work toward a permanent truce.
The Qatar-mediated talks raised cautious optimism after years of failed ceasefires in the volatile eastern region, where more than half a dozen such agreements have collapsed since 2021.
Saturday’s public parading of captured combatants and the subsequent accusations could undermine fragile progress and reignite tensions, casting doubt on the durability of the current peace efforts.
In a public notice released on Saturday, RGB stated that Grace Room had engaged in prayer-related activities inconsistent with its registered mission, leading to the decision to revoke its legal status.
The move underscores RGB’s commitment to ensuring that all registered organizations adhere strictly to the mandates under which they were approved.
“Grace Room has been engaging in prayer-related activities that are inconsistent with its stated mission,” the notice reads.
RGB emphasized that any deviation from an organization’s declared objectives can trigger administrative action, including the withdrawal of legal recognition.
RGB reiterated its message to all faith-based entities, urging them to uphold the integrity of their legal status by aligning their operations with approved objectives and national laws.
The agency assured continued oversight and enforcement across the sector.
“The Rwanda Governance Board reminds all Faith-Based Organisations of their obligation to uphold the integrity of their legal personality,” the statement said. “Continued oversight and enforcement will be applied to ensure accountability and lawful conduct within the sector.”
Grace Room Ministries is led by Pastor Julienne Kabirigi Kabanda and is based in Nyarutarama. It is currently one of the most attended ministries in the country and has recently held high-profile events at the BK Arena, attracting large crowds.
Attempts to reach Pastor Kabanda by phone for comment were unsuccessful.
Pastor Julienne Kabanda has previously stated that she founded Grace Room Ministries in 2018 after receiving a divine revelation.
According to her, the ministry was established with a vision to help two million people receive Jesus Christ and support the vulnerable within a span of seven years.
