Following the coalition agreement, Friedrich Merz from CDU/CSU is expected to be elected chancellor next month.
Calling the agreement “a strong plan with which we can jointly move our country forward again,” Merz said at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon that it is also a clear signal that Germany is getting a government capable of acting and strong in action.
Weeks ahead of the agreement, the CDU/CSU and the SPD had succeeded in amending the Basic Law to loosen the “debt brake” limits on infrastructure and national defense investments.
The future government will reform and invest to keep Germany stable, make it more secure, and make it economically stronger again, and Europe too can rely on Germany, Merz said.
The new coalition government will seek to implement measures such as lowering the corporate income tax and reducing the electricity tax to the European minimum level to improve the competitiveness of the German economy, according to Merz.
In addition, the new government will adopt a new course in migration policy, including measures of enhancing border controls, rejecting asylum seekers, and stepping up the efforts to deport illegal immigrants.
Immigration had become a key topic during Germany’s federal election campaign earlier this year.
Germany is and remains a country of immigration, said Lars Klingbeil, co-leader of the SPD, adding that the country protects the rights of citizens with a migration background.
Klingbeil vowed to invest more in securing jobs, attracting talent and providing housing, as well as scrapping excessive bureaucracy to improve government efficiency.
On the U.S. tariff measures, Merz urged a common European response, as well as efforts to restore Germany’s competitiveness and create new jobs.
The key message to U.S. President Donald Trump is that “Germany is back on track,” he said, noting that Germany will fulfill its obligations in terms of defense, and it is willing to strengthen its own competitiveness.
“That is not just Germany,” Merz added, stressing that Germany will again be a very strong partner within the European Union.
Despite years of international awareness, hateful rhetoric and warning signs similar to those leading to the genocide are still prevalent in the Great Lakes region and East Africa.
However, many have refused to acknowledge this, instead sweeping the issue under the rug of political disputes.
Cardinal Kambanda emphasized that no one chooses the family they are born into, as it is part of God’s divine plan.
“It is God’s will, and that is why it is a serious issue, and a deeply painful one, to be blamed for the way one was born. It is a denial of God, for He is the one who chooses the family we are born into,” he said.
Cardinal Kambanda explained that over a million Tutsis were killed, becoming victims of hatred, division, and colonial ideologies that destroyed the unity and brotherhood of the Rwandan people.
He also noted that many survivors never had the chance to pay last respects to their loved ones, which is why the nation takes time to remember them from April 7th through the 100-day period.
Cardinal Kambanda criticized the international community for turning a blind eye to the lessons of the Genocide against the Tutsi, focusing instead on their own interests.
“There are still those with hardened hearts and countries that should be drawing lessons from the history of the Genocide against the Tutsi, but they are more focused on their own gains, thus ignoring the truth,” he said.
“Let’s continue preparing the youth and raising Rwandans of tomorrow, so that the legacy of unity and brotherhood becomes the foundation from which they grow, ensuring that such horrors are never repeated.”
The Cardinal also emphasized that the time of remembrance coincides with the Easter season, serving as a reminder to Christians that evil does not triumph over good, and darkness does not overcome light.
“Every year, this period of remembrance coincides with Easter season. As Christians, we believe that, despite the severity of sin and death, particularly as witnessed in the genocide, Christ conquered them by dying for us on the cross.
This gives us the hope that evil cannot overpower good, hatred cannot overpower love, death cannot overpower life, and light will always triumph over darkness,” he said.
The Cardinal reflected that while the period of the Genocide against the Tutsi was marked by darkness and despair, the ongoing remembrance of the over a million lives lost continues to shine with an undying light.
Cardinal Kambanda commended the leadership of Rwanda, recognizing those who took action to stop the genocide, hid the persecuted, advocated for the victims, and chose to sacrifice themselves rather than abandon those in need.
Prof. Dr. Wang highlighted Rwanda’s strong leadership, strategic planning, and consistent investment in infrastructure and technology as key drivers of its progress.
He noted that Rwanda’s ability to implement long-term national goals with discipline and vision offers valuable lessons for other developing nations.
Speaking during a public lecture in Beijing, Prof. Dr. Wang described Rwanda as a “good student of modernization,” applauding the country’s steady progress in transforming its economy and governance.
“I mean China was also a student of the West in modernization, right? Because they achieved a lot before. So in this regard, I call her (Rwanda) a student. But China learned from the West, and learned too much, maybe,” he explained.
“So what I’m saying is that Rwanda is a good student among African countries. In recent years, it has achieved economic prosperity, I think it goes beyond the Western model,” he added.
Recently, The International Monetary Fund (IMF) praised Rwanda’s economic performance and resilience, following the conclusion of a two-week mission assessing the country’s reform progress under the fifth review of the Policy Coordination Instrument (PCI).
Rwanda recorded an impressive GDP growth rate of 8.9% in 2024, making it one of the fastest-growing economies in sub-Saharan Africa.
The growth was fueled by strong performances in agriculture, construction, trade, tourism, transport, and telecommunications sectors. Labour market indicators also improved, with increased participation and a reduction in the unemployment rate.
Inflation remained stable at 4.8% by the end of 2024, within the National Bank of Rwanda’s target range. Thanks to improved food production and effective monetary policy.
Prof. Dr. Wang attributed Rwanda’s development success to “consistent national policies, strong government leadership, and effective cooperation with China.”
He emphasized that for Africa and other countries in the Global South to reach their development goals, they must draw lessons from China’s modernization path, a journey largely driven by firm and visionary government leadership.
“The government owns the land, the resources, everything. It shouldn’t just provide services to the market, but also create the market for modernization. The Western model tells governments to do less and let the market decide. But in poor countries, the market is weak and limited.”
“Like I mentioned, you need to build a swimming pool to train the babies how to swim. Only then can they gradually move to the sea. If you put a baby straight into the sea, they will drown,” Wang said.
According to him, governments needs to build that swimming pool by training the people, training the market, and creating the conditions for development, like building high-speed railways and highways. That’s what strong governments do, and it’s crucial for modernization, especially in developing countries.
Over the past three decades, Rwanda has transformed from one of the continent’s weakest economies to becoming Africa’s fastest-growing, with significant investments in digital innovation, healthcare, education, and urban development.
The government has played a central role in this transformation, actively shaping the economy by building markets through initiatives like smart city development, public-private partnerships, and strategic international cooperation, especially with countries like China.
The new tariffs are set to take effect from Thursday.
Beijing has called on the international community to unite against Trump’s tariffs, as Chinese exporters face significant challenges from the new levies.
In 2024, the US imported approximately $440 billion worth of goods and services from China, while China imported around $145 billion in goods and services from the US.
This center, hosted by the University of Rwanda (UR) Regional Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Engineering and eHealth in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, marks a transformative step in the country’s efforts to standardize data-driven healthcare.
Following South Africa, Rwanda now becomes the second African country to host such a center, signaling a shift in the balance of global health data leadership toward the region.
The designation was communicated by the Acting WHO Regional Director, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, effective from 12 March 2025 for a period of 4-year period up to 12 March 2029.
This positions Rwanda as a key player in the development, implementation and global advocacy for WHO international health classifications, namely the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), the International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI) and the International Classification of Functioning and Disability (ICF).
The center will play a strategic role in strengthening Africa’s health data infrastructure through training, policy development, and research cooperation.
Speaking at the launch, Ihekweazu emphasized the center’s importance to the region. “A first for Rwanda, and only the second on the continent, this proud milestone signals Africa’s growing capacity for leadership in health information systems. Congratulations to UR’s Regional Centre of Excellence in Biomedical Engineering and eHealth upon this designation,” he said.
Ihekweazu stressed the urgent need for countries to shift from development to implementation of global health classification tools.
“Good data, whether for better mortality statistics or smarter resource allocation, makes all the difference. COVID-19 exposed the weaknesses in our systems, but today, we are witnessing progress. Every country now has mechanisms to generate more reliable health and mortality data,” he remarked.
He also encouraged wider adoption of tools like the WHO Digital Open Rule Integrated Cause of Death Selection (DORIS) software and the new online training for medical certification of cause of death. These, he said, are crucial to closing persistent gaps in data accuracy across the continent.
Dr. Muhammed Semakula, Ministry of Health Head of the Department of Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Health Financing, representing Minister of Health, lauded the center as a reflection of Rwanda’s progress in digital health.
“This recognition signifies our country’s commitment to evidence-based policymaking, robust disease surveillance, and efficient resource allocation,” he said.
Semakula revealed that Rwanda has already embedded ICD-11 across its health systems, with 97% of citizens enrolled in health insurance schemes, thus not only improving the accuracy of diagnoses and reimbursements but also enhancing the quality and timeliness of healthcare services.
According to him, implementing a unified classification system will address discrepancies between healthcare facilities and insurance systems, reducing inefficiencies and complaints.
The WHO Country Representative for Rwanda, Dr. Brian Chirombo, applauded the collaborative efforts that led to the establishment of the new center. “I would like to congratulate University of Rwanda and the Ministry of Health for this tremendous achievement,” he said.
Chirombo emphasized that health classifications are more than just technical tools. They are the language through which experts understand and communicate the complexities of health and disease. “They allow us to track disease outbreaks, develop public health policies, and evaluate their impact,” he noted.
He further reported that between 2018 and 2024, in collaboration with WHO, the University of Rwanda and the Ministry of Health designed of a short course curriculum on medical coding offered at the University of Rwanda.
Health professionals in medical coding and certification of causes of death were trained, field tested ICD-11 through electronic medical records (EMR) in two hospitals, and embedded the ICD-11 in the OpenMRS and eBuzima platform, an EMR which the country is deploying in health centers.
These initiatives not only improved national systems but also contributed to global knowledge and experience sharing through WHO-FIC meetings.
Central to the development of the Regional Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Engineering and eHealth is Dr. Michael Mugisha, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Rwanda and co-founder of the WHO Collaborating centre. Proudly reflecting on the achievement, he expressed gratitude for this milestone.
Mugisha explained that ICD-11 is not only a tool for documenting diseases but also for capturing health interventions, enabling data-driven planning, resource allocation, and research.
“Now, with structured and uniform data across hospitals, from health posts to referral hospitals, we can aggregate and analyze information to inform policy and guide decisions. We can answer questions like how many cesarean sections were performed last month, or which districts are seeing certain disease trends,” he said.
Crucially, he added, the center will act as Rwanda’s voice on the global stage. “With a WHO Collaborating Center, we now have the platform to reflect Rwanda’s unique health context in international classification standards. We will be contributing to revisions, ensuring that African-specific conditions and realities are recognized globally,” he said.
Mugisha highlighted the value of local expertise. “We have very talented scientists, clinicians, and researchers in Rwanda. We are mobilizing them to contribute to the global cause of improving how diseases and interventions are documented and understood worldwide,” he noted.
As Rwanda steps into this leadership role, this WHO Collaborating Centre is not only a symbol of national progress but also a regional beacon, demonstrating what is possible when technology, data, and public health vision align.
Mudiamvita made this admission during a visit to the Uvira territory in South Kivu province, aimed at boosting the morale of soldiers and local militia members fighting against AFC/M23.
Congolese soldiers and local militias in Uvira are largely composed of those who had fled when AFC/M23 took control of the city of Bukavu on February 16, just two weeks after capturing Goma, another key city in the region.
Since AFC/M23 took control of Bunagana town in North Kivu province in June 2022, the DRC military has explained to the Congolese people that their retreat was strategic, allowing them to regroup and prepare to reclaim lost territories.
Mudiamvita was questioned about the frequent claims by the DRC military that they were retreating for strategic reasons, only to lose further ground. He explained that the root cause was the poor living conditions of the soldiers.
“If soldiers are not given adequate resources and are living in poor conditions, what results can you expect from them? The blame lies with politics. That is why we are to improve the situation,” he stated.
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As the conflict in eastern DRC worsened, the government decided to significantly increase the military budget. Last year, the government allocated $19.5 billion over five years to the military and other security sectors, amounting to $3.8 billion per year.
In 2023, the government raised the military budget by 300%, increasing it from $330 million in 2022 to $1 billion. This increase has been largely used to purchase modern military equipment, including fighter jets, refurbish military infrastructure, and train new soldiers.
However, soldiers—especially those on the front lines—have complained about low salaries and delayed payments. Reports indicate that some of the funds sent from Kinshasa never reached the eastern region, as senior officers allegedly pocketed the money instead.
Last month, the DRC government announced an increase in the basic salary of soldiers to $500 per month. However, there is little confidence that the increase will be properly distributed, as many believe corrupt officials will continue to divert the funds.
Many leaders in the DRC are known for their dishonesty, and when an opportunity arises, they exploit the system for personal gain. Mudiamvita himself has been accused of similar actions.
Mining industry leaders in the former Katanga province recently revealed that when Mudiamvita became Minister of Defense, he and his colleagues quickly took control of some of the region’s mining operations.
One of them said, “We wondered where the money went, but the answer is simple: everyone comes to Lubumbashi and Kolwezi to fend for themselves. Ministers always come to our provinces to take their envelopes… they don’t come to help us; they come to defend themselves.”
Although Mudiamvita acknowledges that politicians play a significant role in the DRC military’s defeats, the junior soldiers have paid the price. Many of them have been imprisoned since early 2022 for deserting the battlefield.
These junior soldiers have been tried in various courts in North and South Kivu provinces and have been sentenced to death for desertion.
The high-stakes meeting had been billed as the first formal engagement between Kinshasa and the M23 since the rebel group seized control of Goma and Bukavu, the two largest cities in eastern Congo.
Though no official reason has been given for the delay, sources from both camps indicated that invitations for the session had not been dispatched as of Monday.
A Congolese official attributed the postponement to logistical challenges, saying, “It’s simply a matter of organization.”
However, behind the scenes, the delay appears more politically charged. The rebel alliance has issued a list of six preconditions it insists must be met by President Félix Tshisekedi’s government before entering any meaningful negotiations.
The demands include a public declaration from President Tshisekedi showing commitment to direct talks, the repeal of restrictive parliamentary resolutions, the cancellation of death sentences and arrest warrants for AFC/M23 leaders, the release of alleged sympathizers detained based on ethnicity or association, and an end to hate speech and discriminatory practices against Swahili and Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese. The rebels also want a formal bilateral ceasefire agreement signed before talks proceed.
The talks were arranged following a surprise meeting in Doha between President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, mediated by Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. During the meeting, the two leaders agreed on the need for a ceasefire and urged Congolese factions to pursue dialogue.
The meeting took place against the backdrop of Tshisekedi’s claims that Rwanda is supporting M23’s offensive in the east. Rwanda has consistently denied these allegations, insisting that its primary concern is the continued presence of the FDLR in the DRC. Rwanda maintains that the militia group, linked to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, poses a significant threat to Rwanda’s security due to its genocidal ideology.
Just two days before the Kagame–Tshisekedi meeting in Doha, AFC/M23 rebels had withdrawn from planned talks with Kinshasa in Angola, in protest against international sanctions imposed on members of the group.
The M23, which now controls nearly half of Eastern Congo, had been advancing rapidly towards Kisangani—the country’s third-largest city—until the Qatari-brokered ceasefire halted their movement.
The rebel leadership, including Corneille Nangaa (AFC President), Bertrand Bisimwa (M23 Political Head), and Major General Sultani Makenga (Military Commander), are currently facing death sentences issued in absentia by a Congolese military court.
The government has placed bounties of up to $5 million on their capture, with an additional $4 million reward for their alleged accomplices.
Justice Minister Constant Mutamba defended the rewards in March, calling the rebel leaders “fugitives guilty of treason and war crimes.”
But Nangaa, speaking from an undisclosed location believed to be within rebel-held North Kivu, dismissed the move as an act of desperation.
“This so-called trial and the baseless punishments are a clear sign of a regime gripped by panic and on the verge of collapse,” he said.
It remains to be seen whether Tshisekedi’s administration will heed the rebel alliance’s demands and pave the way for direct talks aimed at silencing the guns in eastern DRC for good.
He shared his reflections during the 31st commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, held on April 7, 2025, by Rwandans and friends of Rwanda in the United States.
Wilkens highlighted Rwanda’s extraordinary efforts to seek its own solutions for justice and healing, pointing to community-based initiatives like Gacaca courts that were instrumental in fostering reconciliation in a deeply divided society.
“Gacaca and other conflict resolution methods focused on understanding the consequences of what happened and its impact, so that citizens could collectively engage in the healing process. It was not about revenge or retribution,” he said.
Wilkens emphasized the accountability shown by many Rwandans and how it demonstrated a national resolve to transform.
At the event, Troy Fitrell, representing the U.S. State Department, expressed his country’s commitment to supporting Rwanda’s pursuit of justice and warned against the dangers of genocide denial and hate speech.
“We reject any and all efforts to distort history for political gain. Specifically, we fully denounce any attempts to deny or downplay the Genocide against the Tutsi,” he stated.
He called on those who spread hateful rhetoric to redirect their efforts toward promoting peace rather than sowing division and inciting violence.
Immaculée Ilibagiza, a survivor of the genocide, gave a personal testimony and emphasized the importance of forgiveness.
“Since surviving the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, I’ve made it my mission to remind people that hatred is dangerous. I am living proof that where love is absent, people will torture and kill their neighbors. That’s where discrimination begins,” she said.
Nicole Karekezi, President of IBUKA-USA, stressed the importance of using the correct terminology when referring to the genocide.
“It is the Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994, as recognized by the United Nations. It’s not ‘violence in Africa,’ nor ‘ethnic conflict,’ and certainly not ‘genocide against Tutsi, Hutu, and Twa.’ Such mislabeling distorts the truth and reopens our wounds,” she asserted.
Rwanda’s Ambassador to the U.S., Mathilde Mukantabana, noted that remembering the genocide againt the Tutsi is a responsibility for all humanity, not just survivors.
Meanwhile, U.S. Congressman Tim Welberg commended Rwanda’s development as a symbol of hope, forgiveness, and resilience.
Commemoration activities for the 31st anniversary of the Genocide against the Tutsi will continue in various U.S. cities, organized in collaboration between Rwandan communities and friends of Rwanda.
The accusations stem from revelations that the suspect, 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, had reportedly tried to obtain advanced military weapons from Ukraine in preparation for an attack on Trump.
In a post on X on Tuesday, April 8, Trump Jr. blasted Kyiv for failing to alert U.S. authorities about Routh’s attempt to source weapons through contacts he believed were tied to Ukraine’s military.
“If you think it’s bad that Ukraine never said thank you for everything the United States has done for them,” Trump Jr. wrote, “the fact that they seemingly did not tell us that this sociopath literally tried to buy arms from them to assassinate my father seems like a much bigger deal. Wonder why?!?”
Court documents made public this week reveal that Routh, a convicted felon and pro-Ukraine activist, was arrested near Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida in September 2024. Authorities say he was carrying a rifle and had previously attempted to obtain a rocket-propelled grenade launcher and a Stinger missile from a source he believed had access to Ukraine’s arsenal.
According to filings by the U.S. Department of Justice, Routh used encrypted messaging apps to contact what he thought was a Ukrainian weapons supplier.
In one of the messages, he allegedly stated, “I need the equipment so that Trump don’t get elected,” suggesting clear intent to use the weapons for political violence.
Despite his failure to join the Ukrainian military in 2022, Routh remained involved in activities connected to the conflict, including efforts to recruit former Afghan soldiers to fight for Ukraine.
U.S. prosecutors claim he viewed the wartime chaos as an opportunity to acquire heavy weapons discreetly, telling his contact that “one missing [weapon] would not be noticed.”
Routh never received the arms he sought and was apprehended shortly after his last known attempt to secure the weapons. He currently remains in custody and faces a possible life sentence if convicted. His trial is scheduled for later this year.
Ukrainian military officials have acknowledged that Routh made multiple efforts to enlist, but they deny any official connection to him. The Ukrainian government has not responded publicly to Trump Jr.’s accusations of a cover-up.
The incident is linked to one of two assassination attempts on Donald Trump during the 2024 election cycle. The more widely known attempt occurred in July at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a rooftop gunman opened fire, injuring Trump and killing a supporter. The assailant, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was killed by Secret Service agents on the scene.
Dated April 8, 2025, the letter follows the Rwandan government’s decision to sever diplomatic and cooperative ties with Belgium, citing the country’s continued promotion of propaganda intended to isolate Rwanda from its partners.
The decision also references a directive issued on March 27, 2025, by the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), which prohibits both local and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), particularly those rooted in faith or public interest, from engaging in any cooperation with the Belgian government or its affiliated institutions.
“We advise you to begin preparing all necessary arrangements to transition to a different educational system for the 2025–2026 academic year,” the letter reads in part.
The ministry assured the school of its continued support throughout the transition process as it detaches from the Belgian educational model.
École Belge de Kigali has operated in Rwanda since 1965. In 2018, the school moved from Kiyovu in central Kigali to Gisozi Sector, Gasabo District, in line with Kigali’s master urban plan.
In the 2022/2023 academic year, the school had more than 500 students and 45 teachers. The École Belge network also operates in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Morocco.
The March 27 announcement from RGB further emphasized that no financial aid, donations, support, or funding from the Belgian government or its affiliated institutions would be permitted in Rwanda.
This includes budgetary support, project funding, technical assistance, and indirect financial contributions channeled through partner organizations. The governance agency warned that any entity violating these directives would face serious consequences.
Among the penalties outlined are suspension or revocation of operational permits, in accordance with laws governing NGOs, religious organizations, and other institutions. Additional administrative actions could be taken against any organization found to be in breach of these new regulations.
