“It’s bound in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” he said not long before departing the International Space Station to return to Earth.
After being asked what his “life lesson or takeaway from these nine months in space” was, astronaut Barry Eugene “Butch” Wilmore replied, “Well, I can tell you honestly, my feeling on all of this goes back to my faith. It’s bound in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
“He is working out his plan and his purposes for his glory throughout all of humanity, and how that plays into our lives is significant and important, and however that plays out, I am content because I understand that,” Wilmore continued.
“I understand that He’s at work in all things, some things are for the good, go to Hebrews chapter 11, and some things look to us to be not so good. But it’s all working out for His good, for all those that will believe,” the astronaut added. “And that’s the answer.”
Wilmore and fellow astronaut Sunita “Suni” Williams, who launched into space on the first piloted test flight of Boeing’s Starliner on June 5, 2024, ended up stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) orbital laboratory for 286 days, when they were only supposed to be on a ten-day trip.
After the Starliner had faced problems, Elon Musk’s SpaceX reportedly worked on a plan with NASA to fly Wilmore and Williams back to Earth.
As of Wednesday March 19, 2025, the two astronauts had finally completed their long-awaited journey back to Earth on a SpaceX capsule, thanks to the combined drive and ambition of President Donald Trump and Musk to “go get them.”
The event welcomed representatives from various religious affiliations, including Catholics, Muslims, Anglicans, and other special guests, highlighting the spirit of inclusivity during the holy month of Ramadan.
Speaking at the iftar, H.E. AlQahtani expressed his appreciation to the attendees and emphasized the UAE’s commitment to fostering peace and understanding.
“It is a pleasure for me to welcome you to this interfaith iftar dinner during Ramadan, one of the holiest months of the Islamic calendar,” he said, adding how the gathering reflected the multicultural fabric of the UAE, where more than 200 nationalities of different faiths live together in peace and harmony.
“We in the UAE believe in the importance of bringing people together during the month of Ramadan, reflecting our principles of compassion, generosity and coexistence,” he added.
H.E. AlQahtani also underscored the UAE’s dedication to promoting the values of tolerance, peaceful coexistence, and dialogue, stressing that these values are crucial not just during Ramadan but throughout the year.
“Ramadan is an opportunity for a new beginning, a time to recalibrate, reflect, and renew,” he said, concluding by extending his warm wishes for a blessed Ramadan to all.
Rwanda’s Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Clementine Mukeka, also addressed guests, commending the UAE Embassy’s efforts to foster dialogue and unity.
“On behalf of everyone here, I would like to thank Your Excellency Ambassador AlQahtani and the entire team for organizing such a wonderful event,” she said.
Reflecting on Rwanda’s own journey toward reconciliation after the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, Mukeka also emphasized the power of unity and dialogue in fostering lasting peace.
“In Rwanda, we have seen firsthand the power of unity. Today, Rwanda is a living example of what’s possible when we work toward a shared goal of peace, healing, and progress,” she said, reiterating Rwanda’s readiness to build bridges and partnerships with countries around the world, based on the principles of peace and cooperation.
“As we reflect on the values of Ramadan, let us remember that these aren’t just for this month. They’re values we can carry with us every day, in how we treat one another and in the actions we take to make the world a better place,” she added.
Abdellatif Oulad Aouid, head of the Islamic Cultural Center in Kigali, also spoke at the event, reflecting on the long-standing partnership between the center and the UAE. He acknowledged the pivotal role played by the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation in supporting educational and humanitarian programs in Rwanda.
“The Islamic Cultural Center is a model of tolerance and coexistence, hosting more than 700 students under the guidance of 45 teachers, without any religious, gender, social, or other discrimination,” he said.
He also commended the cooperation between the Islamic Cultural Center and the UAE Embassy in promoting values of solidarity and tolerance through initiatives such as iftar programs, supporting vulnerable communities, and encouraging academic excellence.
“On this occasion, I extend my sincere gratitude to Your Excellency for your continuous support and to the Rwandan authorities for their cooperation. We look forward to furthering our humanitarian efforts together,” he said.
The event was a celebration of the shared values that unite people across cultures and faiths, where guests shared conversations over a traditional iftar meal, fostering a spirit of community and mutual respect.
The UAE Embassy’s Interfaith Iftar Dinner served as a powerful reminder that dialogue, understanding, and compassion can foster a more peaceful and inclusive world.
The group’s military spokesperson said in a televised statement that the attack was made to support the Palestinians and in response to the new wave of deadly Israeli airstrikes across Gaza earlier in the day.
According to a joint stament released by Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting which took place in Qatar on March 18, 2025, welcomed the progress made in the Luanda and Nairobi processes, and the joint the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit in Dar es Salaam on February 8, 2025.
A photo released by Qatar showed Sheikh Tamim seated between the two presidents, with President Kagame on the left and President Tshisekedi on the right.
The statement emphasized the commitment of the countries involved to cease hostilities without further delay, as previously agreed at the said summit.
“The Heads of State then agreed on the need to continue the discussions initiated in Doha in order to establish solid foundations for lasting peace as envisioned in the Luanda/Nairobi process, now merged and/or aligned,” reads part of the statement.
According to the statement, President Kagame and Tshisekedi Tshilombo, thanked the State of Qatar and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, for their hospitality and for organizing this fruitful meeting, ‘which helped build confidence in a shared commitment to a secure and stable future for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region’.
Qatar has gained recognition as a mediator in several global conflicts, most recently collaborating with Egypt and the United States to address the ongoing war between Hamas and Gaza.
The meeting between the two leaders was previously undisclosed and surprised many.
Although talks between both parties had been planned for Qatar in January 2023, they were initially canceled when the DRC side refused to participate, citing other commitments. At that time, President Tshisekedi had also declined a meeting with President Kagame, despite a request from French President Macron.
President Kagame had recently stated that if he were to meet with President Tshisekedi again, he would tell him that he was not fit to lead the DRC.
Kagame also expressed his frustration with Tshisekedi’s approach to discussions, saying that agreements made during talks are often reversed or forgotten soon after.
“These negotiations will begin immediately in the Middle East”, said the statement, noting the two leaders agreed that the three-year Ukraine conflict needs to end with a lasting peace.
Trump and Putin also stressed the need for improved U.S.-Russia bilateral relations, said the statement.
Mali had been suspended from the OIF in August 2020 after a military coup ousted President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.
The OIF had called for Keita’s release and the establishment of a civilian-led transition government amidst the country’s ongoing crisis.
In a similar stance, Burkina Faso and Niger, both also governed by military juntas, announced their departure from the OIF.
These countries, which have distanced themselves from France and strengthened ties with Russia, have also left the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to create their own Sahel confederation.
The OIF, based in Paris, works to promote the French language and foster cooperation in various sectors among its 93 member states.
In a statement, RCSP chairperson Theoneste Murangira expressed deep concern over the worsening security and humanitarian situation in South and North Kivu, warning that tensions between the DRC, Rwanda, and Burundi risk further destabilizing the Great Lakes region.
The apex civil society body emphasized that punitive measures against Rwanda could exacerbate the crisis and hinder ongoing mediation efforts led by African regional blocs.
In recent weeks, the international community has imposed a series of sanctions targeting Rwanda. The United States sanctioned the Minister of State of Foreign Affairs in charge of Regional Cooperation General (Rtd) James Kabarebe.
The European Union (EU) suspended defense consultations and announced a review of its Memorandum of Understanding on Sustainable Raw Materials Value Chains with Rwanda. The United Kingdom halted direct financial aid, except for humanitarian assistance, while Germany and Canada imposed similar punitive measures.
RCSP argued that such actions undermine the principle of collective action, which is crucial for effective conflict resolution, and called on global leaders to adopt a humanitarian, peace, and development lens when addressing the crisis.
“Sanctions could complicate mediation by fostering exclusion, emboldening non-sanctioned parties, and undermining the impartiality of mediators,” the RCSP stated, citing research that suggests sanctions rarely incentivize cooperation or break negotiation deadlocks.
“Instead, they can exacerbate conflicts by strengthening hardliners and prolonging crises.”
The conflict in eastern DRC has intensified since late January 2025, when the M23 rebel group advanced into Goma and other strategic towns after overwhelming the Congolese army and its coalition forces.
The worsening situation prompted urgent interventions from regional bodies, including the African Union (AU), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the East African Community (EAC), which have been calling for dialogue to resolve the conflict between M23 and Kinshasa through diplomatic means.
The RCSP highlighted that the humanitarian toll continues to mount, with essential infrastructure destroyed and communities facing acute humanitarian needs. It called for unfettered access to humanitarian aid and the restoration of critical services to alleviate the suffering of affected populations.
RCSP urged regional leaders to focus on a structured and inclusive peace process that addresses the root causes of the conflict. It warned that a ceasefire alone is insufficient without tackling the underlying grievances of all parties involved.
“Ignoring these issues risks future conflict outbreaks with even more devastating consequences,” RCSP cautioned, while encouraging the active involvement of civil society, grassroots communities, women, and youth in peace negotiations.
RCSP also urged all stakeholders to prioritize humanitarian assistance and civilian protection while calling on the UN Security Council to pressure the DRC and other actors to commit to long-term, inclusive peace solutions.
“The DRC crisis is not merely a national emergency but a regional crisis with spill-over effects that require bold, coordinated, and inclusive action,” the platform stressed.
Since Belgium began colonizing Rwanda in 1917, it implemented several oppressive policies that divided Rwandans. Among them was the introduction of forced labor punishments known as “ikiboko,” which involved caning individuals who failed to complete their assigned labor.
In 1930, Belgium introduced identity cards that classified Rwandans into artificial ethnic groups. These identity cards later played a key role in the Genocide against the Tutsi, as they were used to identify those targeted for killing.
The 1978 Constitution and other laws enacted between 1962 and 1994 institutionalized discrimination. For example, these laws stipulated that Tutsi should not exceed 10% of government positions, while Hutu were allocated 89% and Batwa only 1%, based on demographic proportions.
Minister Dr. Bizimana told RBA that “a constitution that reinforces discrimination and divisions is extremely harmful. It was influenced by the Belgians, who strongly supported Habyarimana’s government and political parties in their country.”
He pointed out that in 1946, when Belgium was given the mandate to govern Rwanda, it was supposed to develop the country in all aspects and prepare it for independence. However, it failed to do so.
“Belgium should humble itself and acknowledge the truth—that it is the root cause of Rwanda’s problems. From the moment it signed agreements with the United Nations in 1946 to lead Rwanda to independence, improve living standards, uphold human rights, and provide quality education, it failed in all these aspects and instead introduced ethnic divisions,” he stated.
After Juvénal Habyarimana overthrew Kayibanda in 1973, Belgium continued to support him and helped him draft laws that entrenched discrimination.
He added, “The Belgians helped Habyarimana draft the 1978 Constitution, providing him with two advisors: Filip Reyntjens and René de Wolf, who wrote the Constitution. This Constitution explicitly supported the ethnic-based ideology of Parmehutu.”
This Constitution described the “revolution” of 1959 and Habyarimana’s rise to power as a “cultural revolution” and mandated that they be regarded as fundamental principles in Rwanda’s history and laws.
It also stated that Rwandan refugees living abroad would be governed by laws set by Rwanda, even though the 1966 laws explicitly denied refugees and those exiled to Bugesera and Rukumberi the right to return home or reclaim their properties.
Kayibanda, who operated under Belgium’s influence, even issued directives prohibiting judges from accepting legal claims from refugees or their families regarding property restitution.
Minister Bizimana remarked, “This injustice was embedded in the Constitution drafted by a Belgian legal expert, who was paid with Belgian cooperation funds.”
Article 7 of the Belgian-drafted Constitution established the MRND as the sole political party, forcing every Rwandan to be a member without choice.
In February 2025, Rwanda terminated its development cooperation agreements with Belgium after the latter took sides in the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and engaged in propaganda aimed at isolating Rwanda from international aid.
On March 17, 2025, Rwanda decided to sever diplomatic ties with Belgium due to its historical role in Rwanda’s suffering and its ongoing actions against the country.
According to Africa Intelligence, which cites close sources, Kabila, absent from the DRC since the 2023 general elections, spent a few days in Kampala before departing for Nairobi on March 14.
While the purpose of his visit remains unclear, reports suggest he met with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to discuss the political and security situation in the DRC.
This visit comes at a time of rising tensions in the region and increasing diplomatic pressure on Kabila’s successor, Félix Tshisekedi.
In recent weeks, Kabila has stepped back into the political spotlight, publishing an op-ed in the Sunday Times on February 23 and granting an interview to Namibia’s NBC News, where he expressed his readiness to “serve the country.”
While there is no confirmed meeting between Kabila and Nangaa, authorities in Kinshasa suspect the former president of aiding collaborations between the opposition leader and the M23 rebels.
The French National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office (PNAT) has sought her indictment for “conspiracy to commit genocide and crimes against humanity,” further expanding the scope of the investigation.
The request will be reviewed behind closed doors by the investigating chamber of the Paris Court of Appeal on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 4:00 PM, with a deliberation to follow.
Agathe Habyarimana, now 82, has been under investigation in France since 2008, following a complaint by the Collective of Civil Parties for Rwanda (CPCR). Despite multiple legal proceedings, she has so far evaded prosecution.
She is accused of being a key figure in the ‘akazu’, the inner circle of Hutu power which orchestrated the Genocide against the Tutsi which claimed over a million lives, but has denied all accusations.
Agathe was evacuated to France three days after President Habyarimana’s plane was shot down on April 6, 1994.
She was evacuated to France with the help of then-French President François Mitterrand who was close to her late husband.
Despite residing in France since 1998, she has been denied asylum due to suspicions about her involvement in the genocide. However, France has also refused to extradite her to Rwanda.
In 2016, she was designated as an “assisted witness,” an intermediate legal status, and in February 2022, the investigating judge signalled the potential closure of the case, citing excessive delays.
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The PNAT has since pushed for further inquiries, issuing a supplementary indictment in August 2022.
Former National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor Jean-François Ricard, speaking ahead of the 30th anniversary of the genocide, emphasised that the case remains one of the most complex on their docket. The charges include allegations that Agathe Habyarimana gave orders and incited violence during the genocide.
The prosecution argues that the investigating judge failed to take sufficient action and, in September 2024, formally requested her indictment. With no response from the judge, the matter has now been escalated to the Court of Appeal to advance the case.
The CPCR alleges that Agathe Habyarimana financed Radio Mille Collines, the infamous broadcaster of anti-Tutsi hate messages, and participated in the creation of a list of Tutsi figures targeted for execution.
She is also accused of endorsing terror campaigns by the presidential guard following her husband’s death and of ordering the massacre of seven employees at an orphanage she had founded.
Investigators questioned her again under assisted witness status on December 5, 2024.
If the Court of Appeal grants the PNAT’s request, Agathe Habyarimana could finally face charges for her alleged role in one of the 20th century’s worst atrocities. If convicted, she could spend the rest of her life in prison.
