The anonymous accuser, identified only as “Jane Doe,” said the assault happened after she was driven to an MTV Video Music Awards after-party.
The federal lawsuit was originally filed in October in the Southern District of New York, listing Combs as a defendant. It was refiled Sunday to include Carter. Texas-based attorney Tony Buzbee, who filed the suit, did not comment.
Carter called the allegations “idiotic” in a lengthy statement Sunday evening and alleged that Buzbee was engaged in unprofessional behavior.
“These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!! Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, would you not agree?. These alleged victims would deserve real justice if that were the case,” Carter said in a statement to NBC News.
A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York declined to comment on whether the office is pursuing the case when shown NBC News’ report on the lawsuit.
In a statement, legal representatives for Combs called the suits “shameless publicity stunts, designed to extract payments from celebrities who fear having lies spread about them, just as lies have been spread about Combs.”
“As his legal team has said before, Combs has full confidence in the facts and the integrity of the judicial process. In court, the truth will prevail: that Combs never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone—man or woman, adult or minor,” the statement read.
Federal prosecutors in New York criminally charged Combs in September with racketeering, sex trafficking and other offenses, and he is behind bars at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center after he was denied bail for a third time last month. His trial is scheduled for May 5, 2025.
The player left Kigali on Sunday, December 8, 2024, heading to Portugal where he is set to undergo a 10-day trial with Sporting Clube de Braga in the Primeira Liga.
But that’s not all; he will also try his luck in Belgium with Anderlecht, a top-tier team in the Belgian Pro League. If opportunities arise, he may also explore chances with Lille in France, a team that plays in Ligue 1.
Iradukunda is expected to spend a month in Europe and will return to Rwanda in January 2025.
Not only are these clubs interested in him, but Turkish team Antalyaspor, currently in 11th place in the Turkish Super League, has also extended an invitation.
The 18-year-old is one of the most talented players in Rwanda’s Premier League. Last season, he was awarded the Best Young Player after an impressive performance.
In the 55 matches he has played in the Rwandan Premier League, he has scored 11 goals and provided 10 assists.
Officially launched on December 6, 2024, the modern facility is located in Gasabo District’s Kimihurura Sector, Rugando area, near the iconic Kigali Convention Centre.
As Rwanda continues to grow as a regional hub, investors are leveraging opportunities to foster development in key sectors such as tourism. T-Stone Apartment Hotel aims to enhance this momentum, offering premium services tailored to both local and international clientele.
T-Stone Apartment Hotel provides options for short-term and long-term stays, featuring Executive Suites priced at $200 per night or $2,000 per month.
The hotel also offers airport transfer services for international guests, ensuring convenience and seamless experiences.
Guests can enjoy a wide array of amenities, including a sauna and massage centre, a restaurant with affordable dining options, and other features expected of a high-end establishment.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, Daniel Niyomugabo, the General Manager of T-Stone Apartment Hotel, emphasised the hotel’s dedication to delivering exceptional service.
“Our unique value lies in delivering quick and high-quality services. While we acknowledge competition in the area, we are set apart by the quality of our offerings and our prime location. We aim to create a standout experience, ensuring efficient and friendly service unlike any other.”
Niyomugabo added that the hotel’s trained staff are committed to ensuring guests receive top-tier service, from the moment they arrive to the time they depart.
Founder and CEO Muhirwa Gashugi expressed the company’s ambition to contribute to Rwanda’s tourism growth, aligning with the government’s efforts to position the country as a premier destination in Africa.
For reservations or inquiries, T-Stone Apartment Hotel can be reached via:
Women in the workforce are trained and supported in competing for leadership positions. Graduates are prepared to compete in the job market while women with small businesses are empowered on how to expand their ventures.
“Lift Her Up” was launched in 2022 by Salma Habib Nkusi, the CEO of Gate Consulting Group, a company that offers business and leadership consulting services.
“A woman has many responsibilities that make her encounter difficult to rise in leadership as a man would. You can see this even with children just finishing school, where the confidence of girl low, even if she has completed her education,” Nkusi said.
The “Lift Her Up” program has three main interventions; the first prepares female graduates to compete in the job market, the second helps women or girls ambitious to start their own businesses while the third supports women and girls in the workforce who seek to advance in their careers. Each year, about 100 women and girls are facilitated through this training.
Gate Consulting Group first assesses the gaps in the development of women and girls and what they want to learn, then connects them with relevant training on a monthly basis.
Successful women in decision-making positions are invited to share their experiences and guide others on the paths they took and what they need to focus on to advance.
At the close of the third phase of “Lift Her Up,” which had lasted nine months, the CEO of the Rwanda Development Bank (BRD), Pitchette Kampeta Sayinzoga, and the CEO of Canal+ Rwanda, Sophie Tchatchoua, shared their journeys with participants, discussing how they reached leadership positions.
Marie Aimée Ingabire, who works at Bralirwa and has been receiving training for nine months also shared her experience.
“I have received valuable knowledge, including personal development, professional growth, and leadership. It’s a great program, and we wish it would continue to expand so more women can benefit. You get to know yourself, understand the people around you, work towards goals, and more,” she said.
Rwanda has made significant strides in advancing women across various sectors. For instance, the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament has 63.75% women, the Senate has 53.8% women, and Rwanda has allocated 30% of parliamentary seats to women, with the possibility for them to compete for the remaining positions. This is also the case in government sectors.
“We want to promote this initiative, increasing the number of women in all sectors. Additionally, if an opportunity arises, a woman should be given the chance not because she is a woman, but because she is capable. It’s a journey, but we are on the right track,” Nkusi said.
In the first phase for graduates, Gate Consulting Group works with universities to support their alumni. For those wishing to become entrepreneurs, the program has a registration process for those who want to be trained.
For women already working, Gate Consulting Group collaborates with their employers to arrange the necessary training.
His trial began on October 7, 2024, and lasted four days. It was based on a complaint filed by three organizations namely; CPCR, Survie, and IBUKA France. Through his book, Onana argued that there was no plan for the Genocide against the Tutsi.
The key issue in the trial was whether the French military’s Opération Turquoise had been conducted with the intention of furthering the genocide against the Tutsi or whether such a plan did not exist.
The trial was attended by many people, including Rwandans on the side of the plaintiffs and the defendant. There were also people from the Democratic Republic of Congo supporting Onana.
Legal expert, Professor Thomas Hochmann, was one of the witnesses for the plaintiffs. Contrary to Onana’s arguments, Hochmann explained that the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), established for the prosecution of crimes committed in Rwanda, had confirmed the existence of a Genocidal plan against the Tutsi.
Professor Hochmann clarified that the tribunal, which operated in Arusha, convicted individuals for committing genocide and for planning it, which serves as evidence that the Genocide took place and was premeditated.
He pointed out that denial of Genocide includes distorting the term in publications, rejecting the findings of courts like the ICTR, as Onana had done.
Lawyer Bernard Maingain explained to the court that it would be impossible for genocide to occur without prior planning.
“How is it possible for 10,000 people to be killed in one day without preparation? How could machetes and other weapons be distributed to people to carry out the killings if it wasn’t planned? Could they have identified and killed all Tutsis, knowing where they lived and their identity, without any preparation?” he wondered.
Maingain, from Belgium, further argued that before the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi began, lists had already been made of the Tutsis who were to be killed, emphasizing that this is evidence of premeditation.
Onana arrived in court stating that he had never denied the genocide but had linked it to the shooting down of President Juvénal Habyarimana’s plane. He also claimed that the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) Inkotanyi had blocked Opération Turquoise from proceeding as planned by France.
The researcher used testimonies from witnesses including General (Retd) Jean-Claude Lafourcade, who led Opération Turquoise, Johan Swinenn, former Belgian Ambassador to Rwanda, and Christian Quesnot, former Chief of Staff for François Mitterrand who led France’s operations.
These witnesses stated that Onana’s book aimed to reveal the truth about Rwanda’s history, but they emphasized that the 1994 Tutsi Genocide was not planned.
Quesnot stated that Onana is an honest person who could not deny the genocide, adding that the ICTR never confirmed the existence of a genocide plan. However, he acknowledged that the genocide occurred and blamed the RPA forces for committing crimes against humanity and war crimes.
For his conviction, Onana has been ordered to pay a fine of 1,400Euros with the risk of 115 days in detention if the fine is not paid on time while his publisher, Damien Serieyx, was fined 5,000Euros.
He committed the crimes on November 13, 2024, when Minani opened fire at a bar in the Rushyarara Trading Center, Rubyiruko Village, Nyamasheke District.
The victims were identified as 17-year-old Denis Benemugabo, 20-year-old Onesphore Habumugisha, 44-year-old Zephanie Sindayiheba, 35-year-old Jonas Muhawenimana, and 51-year-old Ezra Nsekambabaye.
Prior to the shooting, Minani had reportedly argued with the bar owner over an unpaid bill.
Witnesses testified that Minani, who had been granted a 10-day leave from duty, went to the bar, where he fired 60 rounds from an SMG-3945 firearm after the disagreement.
The trial, held publicly in Rubyiruko village, was attended by both civilians and military personnel.
Minani’s legal representative, Lawyer Jean Claude Murigande, withdrew from the case, citing rejected claims of mental illness.
The court dismissed this argument, referencing a medical report that confirmed Minani was mentally fit.
The prosecution requested a life sentence, which was upheld by the court, considering the brutal nature of the killings.
Minani confessed to the crimes, expressing remorse and asking the court to take into account the violence he had endured prior to the incident.
The tribunal determined that the killings were premeditated, with Minani leaving the bar to retrieve a weapon, demonstrating intent to commit an act of revenge.
Additionally, it was found that Minani violated military regulations by using a weapon without authorization from his superiors and by stealing military equipment.
Despite the defense’s request for leniency, the court held that the extreme cruelty of killing five people warranted a harsh sentence.
However, Dr. Habineza who serves as the chairperson of DGPR was notably excluded from the parliamentary list—a decision he describes as carefully considered.
He recently spoke to IGIHE about his political journey, the challenges of the election, and his plans for the future of the Green Party.
{{Electoral defeat and party realignment}}
After the election, Dr. Habineza withdrew from the public eye, a move he attributes to his focus on restructuring his party internally.
“When you don’t win, some people feel discouraged, and it’s the leader’s responsibility to reunite and motivate the team,” he explained.
Despite the electoral loss, the DGPR remained resolute in realigning and reorganizing its structures to face future challenges.
Dr. Habineza briefly visited Sweden but returned quickly, to continue with his law studies and party responsibilities.
“During my time in Parliament, I learned a lot, but I hadn’t studied law yet. There were areas where I felt I lacked expertise, particularly in advocating for the Rwandan people. I started studying law while in Parliament, and I’m happy to say that I’m in my second year now. I’ll be finishing next year,” he shared.
{{Decision to run for president again}}
Dr. Habineza’s decision to run for president again in 2024, despite his previous defeat in 2017, was a thoughtful one.
He emphasizes that it was not driven by personal ambition but by a desire to contribute to Rwanda’s democratic development.
“We realized that although I ran in 2017 and didn’t succeed, we gained valuable insights,” he noted.
According to the 47-year-old, the DGPR’s participation in the election was about presenting a platform for their vision of national leadership.
Reflecting on the 2024 elections, Dr. Habineza observed significant improvements in the election environment.
“In 2024, the security situation was excellent,” he said, noting that local leaders were more receptive and the police provided necessary protection throughout the campaign.
{{The future}}
Despite two electoral defeats, Dr. Habineza remains committed to the political process.
“What could prevent me from running again?” he asked, emphasizing that the party’s confidence in him is a strong motivator.
He also draws inspiration from leaders like Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal, who ran for president four times before eventually succeeding.
“Running once or twice doesn’t mean giving up; it means correcting past mistakes through continued effort,” he explained.
Dr. Habineza also indicated that he is open to stepping aside if the party identifies a more capable candidate.
For now, he is focused on strengthening the party’s election strategy, particularly by increasing its representation at polling stations.
“We had plans for this, but our resources fell short,” he admitted. Improving election monitoring will be a key priority moving forward.
{{Financial challenges}}
Dr. Habineza discussed the financial challenges his party faced, explaining that five political parties contested the 2018 parliamentary elections and received about Frw100 million each.
“We used those funds to purchase a party house, which we later sold to finance the campaign,” he said.
While the sale of the property came with additional debt, he confirmed that the debts have now been settled.
Looking ahead, Dr. Habineza is hopeful that the party will be reimbursed for campaign expenses, as the law allows political parties that garner more than 5% of the vote to recover part of their costs.
“We are optimistic that we’ll receive reimbursement, which we can use to buy another property,” he said.
Dr. Habineza revealed that the party spent over Frw300 million during the 2024 election campaign.
{{Exclusion of party member from parliamentary list}}
A recent development that attracted attention was the removal of one of the DGPR’s candidate from the parliamentary list just before swearing-in.
Carine Maombi, who was second on the party’s list, was unexpectedly replaced by Jacqueline Masozera Icyizanye after issues arose regarding her candidacy.
Dr. Habineza explained, “At the last minute, the Rwanda Investigation Bureau informed us that there were issues with her candidacy.”
While the matter is under investigation, he clarified that it has not yet reached the courts, and the party considers the issue resolved for now.
According to Karua, the council rejected her application citing incomplete documentation and questioning the necessity of her involvement, sparking a strong protest from the seasoned lawyer.
In a detailed response dated December 9, 2024, Karua expressed dismay over the council’s decision, calling it an attack on her integrity and a disregard for Besigye’s constitutional right to legal representation of his choice. She criticized the council for failing to request additional documentation rather than outright rejecting her application.
“The issues raised in your letter could have been addressed if you had asked for any additional documents you required,” Karua wrote. “Instead, this decision undermines the spirit of regional cooperation and the principle of justice.”
Karua also dismissed allegations that she misrepresented herself as a practising advocate in Uganda during a December 2, 2024, court appearance. She clarified that she attended the session as a visiting jurist alongside Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, who introduced her to the court as awaiting approval for her temporary licence.
The rejection comes at a critical moment in Besigye’s trial, where he and his ally, Obeid Lutale, face charges related to alleged activities undermining Uganda’s security and the illegal possession of firearms. They were controversially apprehended in Nairobi, Kenya, on November 16, 2024, while attending the launch of a book by Karua.
The duo’s trial has drawn widespread attention, with rights groups and legal experts questioning the jurisdiction of the military court over civilians and the political motivations behind the charges.
The next hearing is scheduled for December 10, 2024, following a request by Besigye’s defence team for an adjournment to allow time for Karua’s application to be processed.
Karua’s protest letter also highlighted what she described as “disparaging and personalized aspersions” on her character by the council. She urged the council to exercise its discretion under the Advocates Act judiciously and to respect regional cooperation principles, particularly within the East African Community.
Dr. Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate and long-time critic of President Yoweri Museveni, has faced numerous arrests and trials over his activism. His current trial has further heightened tensions in Uganda’s political landscape.
Karua, a former Kenyan Justice Minister, was seen as a significant boost to the defence team, which includes over 50 lawyers and representatives from the Pan-African Lawyers Union (PALU) and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ).
The disease, which surfaced in late October 2024, primarily affects malnourished children under five years old and presents symptoms such as fever, headache, cough, runny nose, and body ache.
The outbreak has severely impacted nine health areas within the remote Panzi health zone of Kwango Province, with Tsakala Panzi, Makitapanzi, and Kanzangi reporting the majority of cases. The outbreak coincides with the DRC’s ongoing battle against an mpox outbreak.
In a statement on Sunday, December 8, 2024, WHO said the remote and rural nature of Panzi health zone, compounded by the rainy season, has created significant logistical barriers.
“The area is rural and remote, with access further hindered by the ongoing rainy season,” WHO noted.
The health zone has no functional laboratory, requiring samples to be sent to Kinshasa for testing, further delaying diagnosis.
Efforts to pinpoint the cause of the illness are underway, with potential factors including malaria, measles, influenza, pneumonia, and COVID-19. Laboratory testing is being expedited to confirm or rule out these possibilities.
The outbreak has been worsened by malnutrition and food insecurity in the region.
To combat the crisis, rapid response teams (RRTs) from provincial and national levels have been deployed, equipped with medications and diagnostic tools. These teams are conducting active case searches, investigating community deaths, and engaging with local populations to strengthen awareness and preventive measures.
The WHO highlighted that “infection prevention and control measures are being reinforced,” with health workers receiving training and supplies to reduce transmission risks.
Surveillance efforts have also intensified, with data collection and community-based monitoring helping to track the outbreak’s dynamics.
While local risks remain high, WHO has assessed the regional and global risk as low. However, the proximity to Angola has raised concerns about potential cross-border transmission, prompting calls for enhanced coordination between the two countries.
The October 2024 report highlights a significant shift in Rwanda’s import dynamics, with imports from Kenya soaring to $121.45 million—a staggering 241.55% increase compared to September 2024 and a 361.43% rise year-on-year.
The growth propelled Kenya to the second spot among Rwanda’s top import partners, contributing 19.29% of total imports.
Meanwhile, Tanzania experienced a notable decline, with its exports to Rwanda plummeting by 39.04% month-on-month to $57.38 million, representing just 9.11% of Rwanda’s total imports.
Tanzania’s sharp drop from its previously dominant position indicates a significant shift in Rwanda’s import landscape, as it has long been Rwanda’s primary partner due to its geographical proximity and the role of the Dar es Salaam port.
Kenya’s performance has been attributed to increased trade in key commodities such as food products and manufactured goods, sectors in which it is highly competitive. By contrast, Tanzania’s decline reflects reduced trade volumes in categories like crude materials and other traditional export items.
China remains Rwanda’s top import partner, supplying $142.08 million worth of goods in October 2024. However, Kenya’s surge underscores its growing role in the regional trade landscape.
The shift also highlights Kenya’s robust trade infrastructure and strong bilateral relations with Rwanda. Enhanced trade agreements, improved logistics, and competitive pricing are likely contributing factors to Kenya’s rise.
Other notable import partners include India, the United Arab Emirates, Uganda, Malaysia, Belgium, Egypt, and Japan.
In the export market, the United Arab Emirates led as the largest destination, accounting for 67.44% of exports, despite a 15% month-on-month decline. Other notable export partners include the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Luxembourg, and Uganda.
In October 2024, Rwanda’s trade deficit stood at $363.65 million, reflecting a 7.37% decrease compared to September 2024 but an 11.89% increase compared to October 2023.
Rwanda’s total exports displayed a mixed performance during the same month. While exports declined by 12.29% month-on-month, they showed a remarkable 45.49% increase year-on-year. Domestic exports followed a similar pattern, with a 15.75% month-on-month decline but an impressive 61.81% rise year-on-year. Meanwhile, re-exports recorded modest growth, increasing by 1.63% month-on-month and 8.87% year-on-year.
Among export sectors, animal and vegetable oils, fats, and waxes stood out with exceptional growth, registering a 42.43% increase month-on-month and a staggering 6347.55% increase year-on-year. Similarly, miscellaneous manufactured articles performed strongly, growing by 23.76% month-on-month and 57.26% year-on-year.
On the imports side, total imports experienced a slight decline of 1.92% month-on-month but rose significantly by 23.99% year-on-year. The food and live animals category contributed notably to this growth, increasing by 19.21% month-on-month and 22.00% year-on-year. Additionally, chemicals and related products exhibited robust performance, with imports rising by 21.42% month-on-month and 35.15% year-on-year.
