The move follows Trump’s directive to reduce several federal agencies to the minimum level required by law, a decision that has drawn sharp criticism from free press advocates and international media experts.
The U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees VOA, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and Radio Free Asia, was among the agencies targeted by the order.
Kari Lake, a Trump ally and senior adviser to USAGM, confirmed the layoffs in a post on X, advising employees to check their emails for official notifications.
VOA Director Michael Abramowitz also confirmed the mass layoffs in a statement, saying, ‘For the first time in 83 years, the storied Voice of America is being silenced.”
He revealed that nearly all 1,300 VOA employees were placed on leave, effectively crippling a media network that operates in almost 50 languages.
“VOA promotes freedom and democracy around the world by telling America’s story and providing objective news, especially for those living under tyranny.”
The sudden cuts also include the termination of USAGM grants to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Radio Free Asia, organizations that broadcast news into authoritarian states such as China, North Korea, and Russia. The network’s president, Stephen Capus, called the cuts a “massive gift to America’s enemies.”
Critics, including Reporters Without Borders, condemned the move, warning that it undermines America’s global leadership in press freedom.
“This is a stark departure from the U.S.’s historic role as a defender of free information,” the organization said in a statement, calling for congressional intervention to restore the media outlets.
The cuts are part of Trump’s broader effort to reduce government spending and eliminate agencies he deems inefficient. In addition to USAGM, the executive order targets several smaller federal programs, including the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness.
Despite the backlash, Lake defended the move, arguing that USAGM was a “burden to taxpayers” and needed to be downsized.
“We’re doing everything we can to cancel wasteful contracts and save money,” she said in a video message.
The couple arrived in Kigali on February 21, 2025, and while Legend headlined the concert, they also took time to explore Rwanda’s rich natural beauty.
Sharing the experience with his fans on Instagram, Legend posted a video capturing the intimate encounter with a family of gorillas, calling it a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“While we were in Rwanda for @glblctzn #MoveAfrika, we were able to spend some time in nature. We got up close and personal with a family of gorillas in their natural habitat. Truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” he captioned a video highlighting their trekking experience on Saturday night.
The American singer-songwriter and pianist also extended his heartfelt gratitude to the people of Rwanda for their hospitality during his first visit to the country.
“We’re so grateful to the people of Rwanda for their hospitality and loving welcome,” he added.
The “Move Afrika” concert, which John Legend headlined, is part of Global Citizen’s larger mission to develop Africa’s international touring circuit.
Meanwhile, gorilla tourism is a major revenue earner for Rwanda. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda primarily occurs in Volcanoes National Park, located in the northwest part of the country. The park is part of the larger Virunga Mountain range, which is home to the endangered mountain gorillas.
Volcanoes National Park is one of the best places in the world to go gorilla trekking, and visitors can embark on guided treks to see these incredible animals in their natural habitat. The park is famous for its stunning scenery, with its lush forests and towering volcanic mountains.
An internal memo seen by several outlets outlines the proposed restrictions, categorizing affected nations into three tiers: “red,” “orange,” and “yellow.”
{{Countries Facing Full Travel Suspension (Red List)
}}
Citizens from 11 countries in the “red” category would face a complete ban on entry into the United States. These countries are:
-* Afghanistan
-* Bhutan
-* Cuba
-* Iran
-* Libya
-* North Korea
-* Somalia
-* Sudan
-* Syria
-* Venezuela
-* Yemen
If approved, these nations would face indefinite travel restrictions under the executive order signed by Trump on January 20, aimed at preventing entry by individuals perceived to pose security risks.
{{Countries Facing Partial Visa Restrictions (Orange List)
}}
A second group of countries, under the “orange” category, would be subject to partial visa suspensions affecting immigrant, tourist, and student visas, with some exceptions. The ten countries on this list include:
A third category, the “yellow” list, includes 22 countries that would be given 60 days to address security and information-sharing concerns raised by Washington.
Failure to comply could result in movement to the more restrictive “red” or “orange” categories. These countries are:
-* Angola
-* Antigua and Barbuda
-* Benin
-* Burkina Faso
-* Cabo Verde
-* Cambodia
-* Cameroon
-* Chad
-* Democratic Republic of the Congo
-* Dominica
-* Equatorial Guinea
-* Gambia
-* Guinea
-* Liberia
-* Malawi
-* Mali
-* Mauritania
-* Republic of the Congo
-* Saint Kitts and Nevis
-* Sao Tome and Principe
-* Vanuatu
-* Zimbabwe
The proposed travel ban marks a return to one of Trump’s most controversial policies during his first term in office.
In January 2017, shortly after taking office, Trump signed the “Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States” order. This initial travel ban temporarily barred entry for citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries and led to widespread protests and legal challenges.
The US Supreme Court eventually upheld a revised version of the ban in 2018, which continued to restrict travel from several nations, including Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen. President Joe Biden repealed the ban in 2021, describing it as “a stain on our national conscience.”
During his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump vowed to reinstate and expand the travel ban to protect the US from perceived threats.
The new proposal remains under review and could face legal challenges similar to those following the 2017 ban.
Rwanda was represented by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, and Minister of Defense, Juvenal Marizamunda.
The meeting was chaired by Kenyan Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi, with all participants agreeing on the need for collaborative efforts to resolve security threats in the region.
Nduhungirehe stated that the ministers endorsed the resolutions of senior military officials from EAC and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which focused on ceasing hostilities, ending provocations, and ensuring humanitarian assistance in eastern DRC.
He further explained that discussions also revolved around the political dialogue framework under the Luanda-Nairobi process, which seeks to resolve the DRC crisis through diplomatic engagement. This process will be facilitated by three mediators.
They are Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria, Uhuru Kenyatta, former President of Kenya and Desalegn Hailemariam the former Prime Minister of Ethiopia.
This EAC ministerial meeting precedes a joint session between EAC and SADC ministers, set to take place on March 17, 2025, in Harare, Zimbabwe, where further deliberations on ending the conflict in eastern DRC will be held.
The discussions build on decisions made by EAC and SADC heads of state during their summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on February 8, 2025, which called for an end to hostilities, cessation of provocations, and facilitation of humanitarian efforts in the conflict zone.
The minister’s remarks followed a statement issued during the G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Charlevoix, Canada, held from March 12 to 14, 2025.
The G7, in its statement, accused Rwanda of supporting M23 and stated that the group’s military offensive was a violation of DRC’s territorial integrity. Rwanda has repeatedly denied these claims.
The bloc further urged all parties to commit to a peaceful resolution of the conflict, supporting the mediation efforts led by the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Additionally, it called for accountability for human rights abuses by all armed actors, including M23 and the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a militia composed of individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Reacting to the G7 statement, Nduhungirehe took to social media to dismiss it as a “recycled formula” that ignores Rwanda’s legitimate security concerns and the key root causes of the conflict in eastern Congo, including decades of persecution of Congolese Tutsi.
“These recycled formulas, forwarded from a western capital to another, 1) which minimise the support of the DRC government to the FDLR genocidal militia, 2) which overlook the security concerns of Rwanda, 3) which condoned the deployment of European mercenaries at our border, 4) which disregard the continued persecution of the Congolese Tutsi in eastern DRC, and 5) which pay lip service to the Africa-led peace process, are really tiresome,” he wrote in a post on X.
He further emphasised that Rwanda remains committed to supporting the ongoing EAC-SADC peace process to find a lasting solution to the crisis in eastern DRC, despite what he termed as “politically and/or economically motivated statements from overseas.”
The G7 forum brings together the leaders of seven of the world’s advanced economies: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
Rwanda recently termed sanctions from some of the members as counterproductive to efforts to restore peace in eastern Congo.
{{FDLR threat
}}
Rwanda has consistently accused the DRC of harbouring and supporting the FDLR, which it considers a direct security threat.
Kigali argues that the FDLR, which collaborates with the Congolese army, seeks to destabilise Rwanda and push for regime change.
Despite these concerns, international actors, including the G7, have primarily focused on Rwanda’s alleged support for M23 while giving less attention to the presence and activities of the FDLR.
The conflict in eastern DRC has seen renewed violence, with the M23, which insists it is fighting for the rights of marginalised communities in eastern Congo, capturing key territories.
The group is scheduled for peace talks with the Congolese government in Angola on March 18, with the aim of resolving the conflict through a peace deal, after the military solution by Congo failed.
Held in Kigali, the competition’s Grand Finale marked a significant moment for the continent’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, recognizing the top ten most impactful and innovative business leaders selected from nearly 20,000 applicants.
Gueye, whose company EYONE is revolutionizing digital healthcare across Africa, took home the top prize of US$300,000.
His company’s mission is to create a connected healthcare ecosystem that facilitates access to quality medical services for patients while improving coordination between healthcare providers, insurers, and government institutions.
The first runner-up, Dr. Salma Bougarrani, Co-Founder and CEO of GREEN WATECH from Morocco, secured US$250,000 for her innovative work in water management solutions.
Kenyan entrepreneur Alexander Odhiambo, Founder and CEO of Solutech Limited, took third place, winning US$150,000 for his company’s efforts in digital transformation for businesses.
The ABH competition, a philanthropic initiative sponsored by the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Philanthropy, has become one of the most prestigious platforms for African entrepreneurs.
This year’s competition was held under the theme “AI – African Innovation, Insight and Impact,” highlighting the role of technology and artificial intelligence in driving solutions across industries.
The selection process was rigorous, with the Top 10 finalists pitching their businesses before a live audience and an esteemed judging panel.
The panel featured high-profile business leaders, including Dr. Diane Karusisi, CEO of Bank of Kigali; Ibukun Awosika, Founder of the Chair Centre; and Fred Swaniker, Founder and CEO of Sand Technologies.
The judges assessed each entrepreneur based on their business model, scalability, innovation, and potential for social impact.
Speaking after being crowned champion, Gueye said, “I am very proud to be announced as the winner of the 2024 ABH Prize Competition. This achievement is the result of a lot of hard work, and I am incredibly proud of my team. It’s a significant milestone for us, and it serves as an encouragement for us to keep working towards solving the problem our innovation addresses.”
The competition also highlighted the increasing role of AI and technology in Africa’s economic landscape. ABH Managing Director for Africa, Zahra Baitie-Boateng, emphasized the significance of this year’s innovations.
“Congratulations to Henri and all our finalists! As we celebrate their success, we’re excited to launch the 2025 call for applications and continue empowering Africa’s next business leaders,” she said.
The ABH Summit and Grand Finale brought together over 1,600 participants, including top-tier investors, policymakers, and thought leaders.
The event featured a series of interactive sessions, including TED-style ABHx talks, financing masterclasses, and networking experiences such as the ABH Heroes’ Circle business ‘roast’ and Networking in the Dark, a unique blindfolded networking event.
During the event, ABH judge Ibukun Awosika underscored the importance of leveraging African intelligence and homegrown solutions in shaping the continent’s future.
“Africa’s future will be shaped by those who see challenges as opportunities and take action,” she remarked, stressing the role of purpose-driven leadership and lived experiences in fostering impactful entrepreneurship.
Further reinforcing its commitment to African entrepreneurship, ABH announced that Rwanda will continue to host the Summit and Grand Finale for the next four years.
The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and the Rwanda Convention Bureau (RCB) were recognized as key partners, with the Bank of Kigali also supporting the event.
On his behalf, Jean-Guy Afrika, the Chief Executive Officer at Rwanda Development Board highlighted the role of entrepreneurship in Africa.
“Entrepreneurship holds enormous significance for Africa’s economic growth, as it fuels innovation, creates opportunities, and builds sustainable industries. Our continent is home to more than 50 million micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, which significantly boost GDP.
He expressed Rwanda’s commitment to the ABH initiative. “ Since its inception in 2019, ABH has profoundly impacted Africa’s entrepreneurial landscape, engaging over 120,000 entrepreneurs. Rwanda is honored to host this prestigious event, not just this year, but for the next five years,” he said
The event concluded with the official launch of the 2025 ABH call for applications, inviting African entrepreneurs to compete for their share of the $1.5 million prize pool.
President Lourenço’s office announced that talks between M23 representatives and the DRC government are scheduled to begin on March 18, 2025.
The AFC/M23 coalition, which opposes the Congolese government, has insisted that President Félix Tshisekedi must clearly demonstrate his willingness to engage in dialogue.
The invitation, signed by Angola’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tete Antonio, states that at the request of President Lourenço and in alignment with the African Union’s peace and security efforts in eastern DRC, AFC/M23 is formally invited to the discussions.
The letter further reads: “The Government of Angola is pleased to invite you to participate in direct negotiations with the Government of the DRC, scheduled for March 18, 2025, in Luanda, Angola.”
Recently, AFC/M23’s political spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka, expressed appreciation for President Lourenço’s continued efforts to bring peace to eastern DRC.
However, he also noted that the DRC government has repeatedly stated that it has no intention of negotiating with AFC/M23, and therefore, M23 fighters need a clear confirmation that Tshisekedi has changed his stance.
On February 8, 2025, leaders from the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) met and agreed that hostilities and provocations should cease, and that the DRC government should enter negotiations with AFC/M23.
However, the DRC government has consistently refused to engage with M23, labeling it a terrorist group that harms civilians, a claim that M23 has denied, asserting instead that it protects local communities.
Following the announcement of the negotiation date, M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa stated that the group’s fighters were prepared to defeat Tshisekedi militarily until he agrees to peace talks.
The news was announced on March 15, 2025, through a statement released by the Office of the President on X.
The statement read: “This afternoon at Urugwiro Village, President Kagame received the outgoing Ambassador of China to Rwanda, Wang Xuekun, and the outgoing Ambassador of Angola to Rwanda, Eduardo Filomeno Bárber Leiro Octávio, for farewell meetings as they completed their tour of duty.”
Prior to meeting with President Kagame, the two diplomats had also been received by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe, who expressed gratitude for their significant contributions to strengthening relations between their respective countries and Rwanda during their tenure.
Ambassador Wang Xuekun had presented his credentials to President Kagame in September 2022, replacing Ambassador Rao Hongwei, who had served as China’s envoy to Rwanda since 2016. Similarly, Ambassador Eduardo Filomeno Leiro Octávio had presented his credentials in December 2018.
During his appointment, Ambassador Octávio highlighted the strengthening ties between Rwanda and Angola in politics, economic collaboration, and other sectors. One notable milestone in this partnership was Angola’s decision to waive tourist visa requirements for Rwandans.
The diplomatic relations between Rwanda and both China and Angola continue to flourish. This year marks 54 years of diplomatic ties between Rwanda and China, a partnership based on mutual respect and cooperation, which has led to various developmental benefits.
For instance, by the end of 2019, approximately 1,600 Rwandan students were studying in China, with China having granted scholarships to Rwandans since 1976.
In healthcare, China has made significant contributions, having sent 258 medical professionals to Rwanda since 1982, treating over 700,000 patients and conducting over 37,000 surgeries.
Chinese investment in Rwanda is also growing, with notable projects such as the Anjia Prefabricated Construction Rwanda Company Ltd, a cement manufacturing plant in Muhanga District, which employs over 7,000 people.
The company ranks as the ninth-largest in China and the 23rd among the world’s major industrial firms. Similarly, Rwanda and Angola continue to strengthen economic ties.
In 2022, the two governments began implementing an agreement to eliminate double taxation on income, further enhancing economic cooperation.
Additionally, Angola has played a crucial role as a mediator in diplomatic efforts between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo regarding conflicts in eastern DRC under the leadership of President Félix Tshisekedi.
This conversation took center stage at the 4th Annual Conference organized on March 14, 2025, by Happy Family Rwanda Organization in partnership with UNESCO under its Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future (O3) program.
Since 2022, this gathering has provided a platform for religious leaders and other stakeholders to engage in discussions aimed at strengthening families and empowering the youth.
This year, the focus was on how religious institutions and the media can contribute to reproductive health education.
Dr. Ben Alexandre Mpozenzi, who oversees education, health, and social welfare programs at UNESCO Rwanda, emphasized that religious leaders and the media are key influencers in shaping youth perceptions, particularly in matters of sexual and reproductive health.
Justin Nsengimana Rafiki, Executive Director of Happy Family Rwanda Organization, highlighted the need for collaboration with religious institutions to combat teenage pregnancies, HIV/AIDS, and gender-based violence.
He explained that faith leaders hold significant influence over their congregations, making them ideal messengers for essential reproductive health knowledge.
Leaders from various religious denominations reaffirmed their commitment to incorporating reproductive health education into their teachings while ensuring that moral and spiritual values remain intact.
Bishop Antoine Dr. Nzayisenga, head of the Anglican Mission Episcopal Church, stated that addressing reproductive health aligns with religious teachings rather than contradicting them.
He noted that as spiritual leaders, they are responsible for both the spiritual and physical well-being of their congregants.
Sabine Gasengayire, leader of Efatha Church, shared that her church has already taken steps to integrate reproductive health education into their programs. She explained that three times a month, they hold sessions for children aged 12 and above, providing separate discussions for boys and girls as well as joint lessons.
This approach, she said, helps counter misinformation that young people may receive from unreliable sources.
She encouraged other religious leaders to embrace similar initiatives, stressing that it is vital for young people to understand their bodies, recognize potential risks, and learn how to make informed decisions that safeguard their future.
She added that such education ensures that young people grow into responsible adults who contribute positively to both their faith and society.
The conference also addressed the role of the media in reproductive health education, urging media outlets to focus on content that informs and empowers young people rather than promoting misleading narratives.
Evariste Nkunda, Head of Health and Social Welfare in Nyarugenge District, commended religious institutions for their involvement in tackling societal challenges.
He emphasized that the government alone cannot address all issues affecting young people and families, making the role of faith-based organizations essential in fostering positive change.
Happy Family Rwanda Organization continues to lead various programs focused on health, education, and economic empowerment to strengthen families and communities.
According to a statement from his office, President Lourenço emphasized that ending hostilities would create a favorable environment for the upcoming peace talks between representatives of the DRC government and the M23 armed group, scheduled for March 18, 2025.
“His Excellency João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola and Chairperson of the African Union, acting as a mediator in the peace negotiations, has called on all warring parties to cease fighting in eastern DRC from midnight on March 16, 2025,” the statement read.
The Angolan leader further stressed that the ceasefire must include an end to violence against civilians and a halt to territorial advances.
Lourenço’s intervention follows a meeting with DRC President Félix Tshisekedi on March 11, 2025, where efforts to restore peace in the region were discussed.
