This initiative is a collaboration between the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), according to a statement released late Monday.
The two regional blocs have selected former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, and former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn to lead their joint peace process in the DRC.
This appointment follows a joint summit held on February 8, where the EAC and SADC proposed merging the Nairobi Process, an EAC-led mediation effort led by Kenyatta, with the Luanda Process, a separate peace initiative facilitated by Angolan President João Lourenço under the African Union.
Both peace processes have encountered obstacles. The Nairobi Process has reportedly reached an “impasse,” according to Kenyatta’s spokesperson, Kanze Dena. Meanwhile, a peace summit under the Luanda Process was abruptly canceled in late December.
As part of their renewed efforts, the EAC and SADC have scheduled a ministerial meeting for February 28.
The M23 rebels have taken control of multiple towns, including Goma and Bukavu, the capital cities of North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, respectively.
The eastern DRC remains a battleground for various armed groups. This renewed mediation effort signals a fresh attempt to bring stability to the region, though the success of the initiative will depend on cooperation from all parties involved.
Reports indicate that calm has been restored in all areas captured by the M23 rebel group, which disclosed intentions to continue fighting for the Liberation of DR Congo, shall Kinshasa maintain reluctance on direct negotiations.
Chi-Man Kwan was received by President Kagame on February 24, 2025.
According to a statement posted on the official X account of the Office of the President, Village Urugwiro, Kwan is in Rwanda to attend the Inclusive Fintech Forum, an international conference on financial technology, taking place from February 24 to 26, 2025.
President Kagame is expected to officially open the IFF conference on February 25, 2025, at the Kigali Convention Center, where leaders from different sectors around the world will be in attendance.
This forum is organized by the Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC) in collaboration with Elevandi, a company specializing in financial technology, and the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR). The partnership aims to establish the forum as a key platform for global financial technology solutions.
According to the 2024 FinSope report, financial services in Rwanda reach 96% of the population, with 86% of them accessing these services through mobile phones.
Insights gathered from the more than 3,000 participants attending this forum will help shape discussions at major global conferences, including the Singapore FinTech Festival, Japan FinTech Festival, 3i Summit, and Point Zero Forum.
Raffles Family Office is one of the leading firms in Southeast Asia, providing wealth management and advisory services to high-net-worth families. The firm manages assets worth billions of US dollars.
On the same day, President Kagame also met with Benjamin Fernandes, CEO of NALA; Marlon Chigwende, Founder of Admaius Capital Partners; Madhusudanan Madhu, Co-Founder of M2P; Parag Bhise, CEO of Nucleus Software, and Prajit Nanu, CEO of Nium. The CEOs are in Rwanda for the Inclusive FinTech Forum.
Their discussions revolved around the growing FinTech sector in Rwanda and the various opportunities for partnerships offered by the ease of doing of business in Rwanda.
The soldiers sustained injuries in recent clashes with the M23 rebel group and were evacuated on medical grounds to receive specialized care in their home countries.
The evacuees include 129 soldiers from the Republic of South Africa Battalion, 40 from the Malawi Battalion, and 25 from the Tanzania Battalion.
They arrived at the Rwandan border at around 1:00 p.m., where they were first searched by security officials before proceeding to have their passports stamped at the immigration office. They remained at the border in Rubavu until the evening, finally departing from the city at around 6:30 p.m. to head toward Kigali.
Some of the soldiers were confined to wheelchairs, having lost their legs in the intense battles they fought. Some were dressed in military uniforms, while others wore civilian clothes.
They were escorted from the La Corniche One-Stop Border Post to Kigali International Airport by the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) Military Police.
The repatriation follows increasing pressure for the SADC mission to withdraw after 18 soldiers, including 14 from South Africa, were killed in clashes with M23 rebels.
The M23 fighters overpowered the Congolese army and the mission’s forces, capturing Goma and surrounding the remaining troops.
The deadly confrontation also resulted in the deaths of two Malawian and two Tanzanian soldiers during skirmishes in Sake and Goma, North Kivu Province.
Reports of the soldiers’ planned departure from Goma first emerged on Friday. However, the process was delayed at the last minute for undisclosed reasons.
For two weeks, discussions had been ongoing regarding their return, with the United Nations mediating talks with M23 rebels, who have long demanded the withdrawal of SADC forces from the DRC.
Among the injured soldiers, one has reportedly suffered a severe disability, losing both legs. Another, a young soldier, lost his eyesight during the war.
Several others sustained grenade injuries, which led to further complications due to the harsh living conditions they endured at the Sake military base. Reports indicate that among the soldiers, two women are expectant.
The repatriation comes even as South Africa’s Parliament continues to press President Cyril Ramaphosa to withdraw troops, criticizing the deployment as sacrificing soldiers in a foreign conflict for private interests.
The mounting losses have intensified debates over the country’s continued military involvement in the DRC.
The petition claims Musk is supporting a foreign government that threatens Canada’s sovereignty.
The petition was initiated by British Columbia writer Qualia Reed and was sponsored by New Democratic Party member Charlie Angus.
It accuses Musk of acting against Canada’s national interests by advising Trump, who has repeatedly suggested annexing Canada during his second term.
Musk, born in South Africa, holds Canadian citizenship through his mother, Maye Musk, who is from Regina, Saskatchewan. Despite leading U.S. companies like Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter), Musk faces criticism for supporting Trump’s push to reduce the U.S. federal government’s size.
Under Canadian parliamentary rules, petitions require at least 500 signatures to be considered. Reed’s petition has far exceeded this, collecting approximately 167,000 signatures by Monday.
The petition asks Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to revoke Musk’s citizenship immediately. The House of Commons will resume on March 24 unless a general election is called beforehand. The petition remains open for signatures until June 20.
Musk’s involvement in the Trump administration has led to significant budget cuts across U.S. federal agencies, affecting thousands of public employees.
Despite criticism, Musk recently appeared at a conservative event in Maryland, where he playfully waved a large chainsaw. On social media, he continues to express support for Trump’s policies.
The new officers, including 346 men and 200 women, completed their training on February 24, 2025, at the RCS training school located in Nsinda, Rwamagana District, after an 11-month program.
According to SSP Jean Pierre Olivier, the head of the RCS training, 550 trainees initially began the program. However, two left to pursue further education at the Rwanda National Police College, while two others failed to complete the training due to misconduct.
He highlighted that the recruits received training on correctional practices, respect for inmates’ rights, military drills, firearms handling, self-defense without weapons, and various government policies to support their future responsibilities.
At the pass out ceremony, Dr. Biruta emphasized the government’s commitment to reforming and advancing the RCS. He encouraged the new officers to ensure the safety and security of correctional facilities.
“We expect you to safeguard the country’s security by effectively managing correctional facilities, applying the rehabilitation principles you’ve learned, respecting inmates’ rights, and avoiding misconduct or criminal behavior. Strive to contribute positively to the nation and the Rwanda Correctional Service,” he said.
He also urged the new officers to embody the values of the RCS while assuring them that the government will continue supporting their professional development and capacity-building initiatives.
Dororatha Ishimwe, a recruit from Nyagatare district, expressed her pride in joining the RCS and vowed to protect inmates’ rights while following the example of her dedicated predecessors.
Viateur Nikwigize shared that he learned how to maintain security, collaborate with other agencies, and is confident these skills will help him perform his duties effectively while upholding the country’s laws.
Steven Muhawenimana added, “I am proud to have completed my training and joined the RCS. My goal is to protect the rights of inmates and contribute to national security.”
These young men and women represent the seventh cohort of RCS trainees and will now be deployed to various correctional facilities across the country.
The 29-year-old Lawal was reportedly heading to the club’s training ground at St. Mary’s Stadium in Entebbe, Central Region of Uganda, but got involved in an accident on Entebbe Road that claimed his life.
Abdul Wasike, the Vipers SC head of communications confirmed the sad news on Monday. “It is a sad day as we communicate the death of our player Lawal. We are still trying to gather more information about the accident,” said Wasike.
The Nigerian forward, who played a pivotal part for SC Vipers, joined the club in 2022 from Rwanda Premier League side AS Kigali.
He previously played in the Nigerian Premier League with Kano Pillars FC, Wikki Tourists FC and FC Nasarawa.
A section of netizens had called on the EGOT-winning artist to cancel his show in Kigali, where he headlined the second edition of Move Afrika, citing the ongoing stand-off between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over the root causes of the conflict in eastern Congo.
“I’m aware of what’s happening, and I’m aware of the calls for me not to do this show, but I really believe that the mission of Move Afrika is still important,” Legend said in a recent interview with the BBC.
He noted that fans should not suffer because of disagreements between leaders.
“It’s still important to bring international touring to Rwanda and to other places around the continent, and I didn’t want to abandon that mission just because I may not agree with everything that the leader of the country does. I don’t agree with everything the leader of my country does,” he remarked.
He added, “I don’t believe that we should punish the people of Rwanda and the people of other countries when we disagree with their leaders.”
Congolese authorities have long accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group. Rwanda has consistently denied the allegations, maintaining that M23 fighters are Congolese citizens fighting against decades of marginalisation and persecution of Kinyarwanda-speaking nationals.
Additionally, Rwanda has dismissed claims that it has mineral interests in the DRC, instead arguing that Congolese leadership is using the accusations to divert attention from governance and mismanagement issues.
John Legend [performed in Kigali->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/john-legend-fires-up-kigali-in-thrilling-move-afrika-concert-photos-video] on February 21, 2025, despite the pressure, unlike Grammy-winning singer Tems, whose recent cancellation over the same conflict drew criticism from Rwandan fans.
Tems was scheduled to perform in Kigali on 22 March 2025 as part of her Born in the Wild world tour, which includes stops in major African cities such as Lagos, Nairobi, Johannesburg, Accra, and Addis Ababa. Her decision to pull out of the event sparked criticism from Rwandan fans.
Concerns over the lack of international tours in Africa have persisted for years, with some attributing it to inadequate entertainment infrastructure. Addressing this issue, John Legend emphasised the need for development in the sector.
“I think there does need to be more development when it comes to making it possible for more acts to come and tour here.”
Move Afrika, a pioneering music touring circuit by Global Citizen, aims to drive economic growth, job creation, and entrepreneurship across Africa through world-class entertainment events.
The 2025 tour will expand from East to West Africa, with Nigeria as the next host country.
The project also seeks to set a new gold standard for entertainment events, boosting demand for international and regional artists to tour Africa.
Mulubrhan completed the stage in a time of 3 hours, 57 minutes, and 52 seconds, securing first place in a tightly contested finish. He edged out Rotem Tene of Israel Premier Tech, who finished second, and Lorrenzo Manzin of TotalEnergies, who claimed third place. Milan Menten (Lotto) and Brady Gilmore (Israel Premier Tech) rounded out the top five.
A total of 51 riders clocked the same time as the stage winner, underscoring the intensity of the competition.
Among the Rwandan riders, Byukusenge Patrick (Java-InovoTec) was the highest finisher, securing 13th place with the same time as the leader.
Other notable Rwandan performers included Ngendahayo Jeremie (May Stars) in 17th place, Masengesho Vainqueur (Team Rwanda) in 21st, Mugisha Moise (Team Rwanda) in 28th, and Manizabayo Eric (Java-InovoTec) in 32nd.
Meanwhile, Munyaneza Didier (Team Rwanda) finished 63rd, trailing by 1 minute and 15 seconds.
Fabien Doubey of TotalEnergies leads the general classification with a time of 4 hours, 1 minute, and 43 seconds, followed closely by Milan Menten from Lotto Development Team.
Joris Delbove, also of TotalEnergies, trails by just one second, while Oliver Mattheis of Bike Aid is three seconds behind the leader. Pavel Šumpik from Devo Team Picnic sits in fifth place, four seconds back.
Eritrea’s Henok Mulubrhan holds the 12th position, 10 seconds off the lead, while Aldo Taillieu of Lotto Devo Team shares the same time in 15th place. Rwanda’s Masengesho Vainqueur ranks 26th, 21 seconds behind, with Byukusenge Patrick also in contention.
President Paul Kagame and International Cycling Union President David Lappartient officially flagged off the 17th edition of the Tour du Rwanda which started with the prologue at BK Arena on Sunday morning.
The eight-day race continues on Tuesday with Stage 2, covering 112.8 kilometers from Kigali’s MIC building to Musanze.
Under the theme, “Building resilient and sustainable surgical services in Africa,” the conference emphasized the urgent need to expand surgical capacity and deliver life-saving care to underserved communities.
In his remarks, Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, disclosed the plan and highlighted the significant need for more surgeons in in the country.
“We have only 162 surgeons, yet we need a thousand. This seems like an impossible mission, but it is possible,” he said. Through the government’s “4×4” program, the number of surgical residents has grown from just three annual intakes to over 60 in 2024.
“We have expanded training sites to provincial hospitals and the plan is to decentralize them to district hospitals. By bringing training closer to the communities, we not only increase the number of surgeons but also ensure patients receive timely care without needing long-distance transfers,” Nsanzimana explained.
He assured that expanding training would not compromise quality. “Training more does not mean reducing quality. We can have both the needed numbers and the required quality standards,” he emphasized.
The minister encouraged young doctors to consider careers in surgery, highlighting the unique role of human expertise. “With advancements in technology and artificial intelligence, surgery remains one field that cannot be replaced by machines. AI will assist surgeons, but it cannot replace the human touch required for critical procedures,” he said.
He expressed confidence in Rwanda’s ability to meet its ambitious goals. “We have a plan, not just a dream. With the support of our partners and the dedication of our medical community, we will bring surgical care closer to those who need it most,” he declared.
This initiative aligns with the 76th World Health Assembly’s call in May 2023 to strengthen emergency, critical, and operative care services as part of Sustainable Development Goal 3 which stipulates ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all.
In his keynote address, Prime Minister Édouard Ngirente, representing President Paul Kagame, reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to universal surgical care.
“Surgery is not a luxury; it is a fundamental pillar of healthcare. Rwanda recognizes the critical role of surgical care in achieving universal health coverage,” he said.
He detailed the government’s roadmap to expand surgical capacity by investing in training and infrastructure.
“We are activating and expanding teaching hospitals across our communities. Our goal is to train the next generation of surgeons in areas that are geographically accessible,” he stated.
Rwanda is also collaborating with global partners to enhance surgical education. The government has partnered with Operation Smile and UNHCR Africa to equip specialists with advanced techniques, including minimally invasive and robotic surgeries.
“These partnerships reflect our commitment to sustainable change, not only in Rwanda but across the continent,” the Prime Minister said.
Operation Smile, a key partner, is playing a vital role in decentralizing surgical care. Co-founder and CEO Kathy Magee stressed the importance of local capacity-building.
“To ensure that every child has access to care close to home, we harness the talent and resources within the country,” she said.
The organization employs a “hub-and-spoke” model to facilitate care delivery. The central hub, based in Kigali at CHUK and the Rwanda Military Hospital, supports six district hospitals in Ruhengeri, Gisenyi, Kibuye, Bushenge, Kibungo, and Rwinkwavu.
This model enables patients in remote areas to access quality surgical services without traveling to major urban centers.
“We have gained the trust of Rwanda’s leading plastic surgeons, Professor Faustin Ntirenganya and Dr. Charles Furaha. Their leadership is instrumental in shaping our five-year plan and strengthening surgical education,” Magee noted.
As the Pan-African Surgical Conference continues, Rwanda’s vision stands out as a model for the continent.
Through innovation, collaboration, and a steadfast commitment to training, Rwanda is paving the way for a future where every district hospital has a surgeon and every patient has access to life-saving surgical care.
The management of the Kigali Genocide Memorial announced the visit in a statement on Monday, noting that through a guided tour of the memorial exhibits, John Legend and his team had the opportunity to learn about the causes and consequences of the Genocide against the Tutsi, as well as the incredible stories of post-genocide reconstruction.
The celebrated American singer and producer arrived in Rwanda on Friday to headline the second edition of Move Afrika at BK Arena.
Move Afrika, a pioneering music touring circuit by Global Citizen, aims to drive economic growth, job creation, and entrepreneurship across Africa through world-class entertainment events.
The concert in the Rwandan capital was attended by thousands of fans, including President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame.
This marks John Legend’s first visit to Rwanda.
{{Kigali Genocide Memorial}}
The Kigali Genocide Memorial, located in Gisozi, Kigali, serves as the final resting place for over 250,000 victims of the genocide.
Established in 2004 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the genocide, the memorial remains one of the most significant sites of remembrance in Rwanda.
The site includes detailed exhibits on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, a section on other genocides worldwide, a children’s memorial honouring young victims, and mass graves where families continue to hold remembrance ceremonies.
The memorial underscores the importance of learning from the past to prevent future atrocities.
In 2023, the Kigali Genocide Memorial, along with other key genocide memorial sites such as Nyamata, Murambi, Gisozi, and Bisesero, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, further cementing its global significance as a place of reflection and education.
