“We are discussing this with President Trump and representatives of the Coalition of the Willing. This would be a strong position in security guarantees,” Zelensky told reporters, adding that the decision on the issue will be made by the United States.
Earlier on Tuesday, Zelensky said in a post on Telegram that national security advisors of the Coalition of the Willing countries plan to meet in Ukraine on Jan. 3, 2026, followed by a leaders’ meeting in France on Jan. 6.
“The suspension of Major General Sylvain Ekenge from his position as spokesperson for the FARDC is, in fact, just a smokescreen aimed at the international community, as the problem at the top of the state is deeply rooted,” Nduhungirehe said.
He added that the decision, which he said was clearly taken under Western pressure, echoed historical instances where individuals accused of incitement were protected rather than held accountable.
“This suspension reminds us of the exfiltration of Léon Mugesera by President Juvénal Habyarimana after his inflammatory speech in Kabaya in November 1992,” the minister noted.
After Mugesera declared that Tutsi would be killed and dumped into the Nyabarongo River to be sent back to Abyssinia, the judiciary at the time sought to prosecute him. However, the top leadership of the MRND party protected him and helped him flee.
In 1992, Mugesera first went to Spain and later to Canada, where he worked as a university lecturer until January 2012, when he was extradited to Rwanda to face charges brought by the courts.
Nduhungirehe recalled that Mugesera’s speech took place at a time when the Rwandan state was already organising and enabling violence against Tutsi.
“I also remind you that at the same time, President Habyarimana was creating the infamous Interahamwe militia, which was already committing massacres against the Tutsi in Kibilira, Mukingo, Murambi, Bugesera, and elsewhere in the country,” he said.
The remarks come in the wake of public outrage over hate speech targeting Congolese Tutsi, following comments made by Gen Maj Ekenge during a recent appearance on national television. While Congolese authorities announced his suspension shortly afterwards, critics argue that the action does little to address what they describe as entrenched tolerance of extremist rhetoric within state institutions.
Further inflaming tensions, President Félix Tshisekedi recently hosted two Congolese nationals from the United States on December 22 2025, under the banner of “Congolese Unity”.
One of them, Jean-Claude Mubenga, has previously described Tutsi as “cockroaches” and a virus that should be eliminated, remarks that drew sharp condemnation.
According to Nduhungirehe, symbolic measures such as temporary suspensions risk obscuring the broader issue of accountability, particularly when senior officials continue to use or tolerate language that fuels ethnic hatred.
The Rwandan government has consistently warned that failure to confront incitement and genocide ideology at leadership level risks further destabilising the eastern region of the DRC and undermines efforts toward lasting peace and regional stability.
The funding round was backed by Burrow Capital, the Luxembourg Development Agency, Hanga Ignite by BRD, and develoPPP Ventures. Kayko said the capital will be used to strengthen its infrastructure, deepen its data capabilities, and support financial institutions with tools that improve credit assessment for small businesses across Rwanda.
Founded in 2021 by brothers Crepin and Kevin Kayisire, both graduates of the African Leadership University (ALU) in Kigali, Kayko was born out of a personal challenge. The idea was reportedly inspired by their mother’s difficulty in securing a bank loan for her catering business due to the absence of formal financial records, a common obstacle for many SMEs in Africa.
Kayko was created to address a structural gap in the financial system, where millions of small businesses operate daily but lack usable financial data needed to grow or access formal credit. While transactions occur, taxes are paid and inventory moves, many banks remain unable to assess these businesses due to limited visibility into their operations.
Today, more than 8,500 SMEs use Kayko’s platform for bookkeeping, inventory management, and tax compliance, making it an increasingly important system of record for small businesses across Rwanda. The platform captures real-time sales, expenses, inventory levels and compliance data, creating what the company describes as a trusted “data layer” that financial institutions can use to better understand SME performance.
“From markets to shops to service businesses, Kayko is quietly becoming the system of record for small businesses across the country,” the firm says.
The startup positions itself as a micro-ERP and data infrastructure provider, rather than a lender. By translating everyday business activity into structured, verifiable data, Kayko enables banks and other financial institutions to assess credit risk without relying on traditional collateral.
As Rwanda continues to push for financial inclusion and digital transformation of its SME sector, Kayko’s data-led approach places it at the centre of efforts to bridge the long-standing gap between small businesses and formal finance.
This decision follows the government’s official announcement about integrating BDF into BRD, a strategic move aimed at enhancing service delivery, improving efficiency, and increasing access to finance for businesses across Rwanda.
The integration of BDF into BRD is expected to yield several benefits for Rwandan businesses. Entrepreneurs seeking loans through partner banks and microfinance institutions will experience faster turnaround times, with reduced delays in accessing credit guarantees. Additionally, the merger will provide a wider range of financing options tailored to the needs of startups, growing businesses, and large-scale investment projects.
From the end of the year, all former BDF clients will be served directly by BRD. These services will be available through BRD’s digital service platform at online.brd.rw.
By consolidating BDF services under one roof, BRD aims to streamline processes, improve coordination, and provide clearer, faster, and more efficient services to clients across the country. With improved accessibility through both digital channels and local presence, more entrepreneurs, especially those in rural areas, will benefit from development finance.
BDF has supported over 40,000 businesses through credit guarantees and other financing products, while BRD has played a pivotal role in funding national development priorities, including agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, and affordable housing.
The integration combines BDF’s grassroots reach and specialized support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with BRD’s financial strength, sectoral expertise, and large-scale lending capacity.
As part of the government’s broader vision, this restructuring will allow BRD to become a more agile and impactful development finance institution, helping unlock the private sector’s potential as a key driver of economic transformation.
The newly restructured BRD will continue to offer all current BDF products, facilities, and support systems, now managed under BRD’s umbrella.
“The enemy is always at the door because the devil is still the king of the world. Things should be addressed the way they are. You know that we have a neighbor to the north of our country who has not been on good terms with us, and now they continue to pursue us, accusing us of being interference in a plan to conquer the neighboring Congo,” he said.
However, political analyst Tite Gatabazi believes Ndayishimiye uses this rhetoric to divert attention from internal issues.
“He faces numerous internal challenges, including governance issues, corruption, and the shortage of basic necessities including food and fuel. To maintain control over his population, he must create an external enemy. Since he cannot find one internally, he seeks one outside the country to shift the blame for his problems,” Gatabazi told IGIHE.
Gatabazi added: “In order to distract the population from these issues, he has to reinforce the idea that Rwanda is about to attack… ‘You are asking me for this and that, but do you realize we are about to be attacked?’”
Ndayishimiye further claimed that Burundi is always prepared for any conflict, asserting, “Burundi is not a country to be trifled with. Therefore, you must be cautious and work together with your leaders and the people. What we promise is that we are always prepared for that war. Let me inform you that all the citizens are alert. Whoever dares to attack Burundi will know how the war begins but will not know how it will end.”
However, Gatabazi believes that Ndayishimiye’s leadership is marred by corruption, where the military is divided along ethnic lines, training is based on nepotism, and officials embezzle funds, making it impossible for them to have the modern equipment necessary to win a war.
“Ndayishimiye is left with only words; he knows it, he doesn’t have the resources or the military strength. We have seen this in North Kivu and South Kivu, but he continues to rely on rhetoric. However, these words have political intentions. He is trying to show Burundians that he is their leader by saying, ‘Don’t worry, Rwanda will not defeat us’.”
Despite his boastful claims, Ndayishimiye’s actions show the challenges his government faces. Burundi’s military, over 20,000 strong, has been deployed in South Kivu, where they fought alongside FARDC and FDLR terrorist group but were ultimately defeated by M23 fighters in December 2025.
According to reports, DRC President Tshisekedi has voiced dissatisfaction with the performance of the Burundian forces, questioning their failure to achieve their objectives.
Gatabazi insists that Ndayishimiye’s rhetoric is a tactic to manipulate the population.
“He knows very well that Rwanda has no plans to attack him, and that is why he continues to boast. He uses this to manipulate his people, but you can see he is afraid.”
Ndayishimiye’s reliance on his relationship with the DRC complicates his position on Rwanda.
Gatabazi explained that President Ndayishimiye’s reliance on Kinshasa is so strong that he is not ready to soften his approach towards Rwanda.
“Ndayishimiye is using rhetoric to avoid taking practical actions. If he opens the borders, he would be betraying Tshisekedi, and we know the Belgians would not approve of that. He is trying to show that he is open to talks but is also looking for ways to delay the implementation of agreements from those talks, to give himself a reason to blame others,” he added.
Since January 2024, Burundi has closed its borders with Rwanda, accusing it of supporting the RED Tabara rebels.
Rwanda has repeatedly denied these claims, emphasizing that the refugees from Burundi, who fled in 2015, are civilians and can return freely.
At the same time, Rwanda has accused Burundi of working with FDLR, a terrorist group with intentions to threaten Rwanda’s security.
Gatabazi confirmed that even before the FDLR group was involved in smuggling precious minerals through the Bujumbura market, with many of its fighters running investments in the country.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe, made the compelling statement during the 1321st Ministerial Meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council on Monday, December 29, highlighting the urgent need to neutralise the FDLR to achieve lasting peace.
The FDLR militia comprises remnants of the individuals involved in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and continues to perpetuate the genocide ideology, threatening Rwanda’s security along its border.
Nduhungirehe described the “Kinshasa-backed FDLR as the most significant unaddressed security threat in the region,” citing recent violence in the Walikale territory on December 15, 2025, where a village was burned. He stressed that the militia’s actions continue to destabilise the region and undermine efforts for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.
“The diplomatic gains of 2025 provide the most credible pathway to ending repeated cycles of violence in our region,” Nduhungirehe said. “We, therefore, call on this Council to fully support their implementation.”
He further underscored that Rwanda has repeatedly raised concerns over the ongoing ceasefire violations by the DRC armed coalition.
“A ceasefire, by definition, is an agreement between two warring parties to silence the guns, pending the settlement of underlying issues. Both parties are bound by it in equal measure,” Nduhungirehe explained. “Therefore, a ceasefire cannot be imposed on one party to the conflict only.”
Rwanda has reaffirmed its full commitment to the peace process, including the implementation of commitments made during the Washington talks between Rwanda, the DRC, and the U.S. In particular, the neutralisation of the FDLR remains a top priority, but progress continues to face setbacks linked to the Kinshasa administration’s lack of good faith.
On the diplomatic front, Rwanda welcomed the unilateral withdrawal of the AFC/M23 from Uvira, viewing it as a positive gesture aimed at encouraging further negotiations. Nduhungirehe reiterated Rwanda’s full engagement with the AU mediator and U.S.-supported mediation efforts, emphasising that addressing the FDLR issue is crucial for regional stability.
Rwanda’s call for the neutralisation of the FDLR has been echoed in various international forums, including a recent Extraordinary Summit on the security situation in DRC held in Entebbe, Uganda, in late December. At the summit, Rwanda’s Interior Minister Vincent Biruta stressed the urgency of neutralising the FDLR to ensure long-term peace in the region.
“The neutralisation of this force is important for regional security,” Biruta said, while also urging all actors to honour existing commitments under the Doha and Washington frameworks. These agreements, signed in December, provide the most credible pathway to peace and stability in the region, according to Rwanda.
During this period, the country exported 1,226 tons of coffee, earning $7.67 million. Additionally, 985 tons of tea were shipped, bringing in $2.92 million.
Exports of vegetables contributed $452,410, while fruits generated $407,409. Rwanda also exported 19 tons of flowers, which earned $108,534, and 378 tons of livestock products, amounting to $473,159.
A significant portion of these exports went to countries including Nigeria, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.
The Government of Rwanda has set a target to increase agricultural and livestock production by 50% by 2029, aiming to enhance both food security and the country’s economic growth.
The government has outlined several initiatives to achieve this goal, focusing on boosting agricultural productivity and promoting the use of modern technology to support farmers and enhance yields.
In 2024, agriculture contributed 25% to Rwanda’s GDP. The sector has played a key role in improving the country’s GDP per capita, which grew from $754 in 2017 to $1,040 in 2024.
Agriculture remains a crucial source of employment, with 55% of jobs in rural areas and 12% in urban areas linked to the sector. By 2025, it is projected that 48% of farmers will be involved in commercial farming, while nearly 70% of Rwandans will continue to depend on agriculture for their livelihoods.
Speaking alongside Netanyahu, Trump suggested that Iran may be attempting to restore its weapons capabilities at new sites after a massive U.S. strike on Iranian facilities earlier in the year.
“We know exactly where they’re going, what they’re doing … and I hope they’re not doing it,” Trump told reporters, indicating Washington’s awareness of Tehran’s activities and the possibility of future action if the threat grows.
The meeting focused on advancing the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire plan that the United States helped broker between Israel and Hamas. Trump emphasized the need for Hamas to disarm, warning the militant group of serious consequences if it fails to do so. Israel and Hamas have accused each other of breaching the existing ceasefire, complicating efforts to move the peace process forward.
Trump also discussed broader regional security concerns, including Iran’s growing influence and military activities and the role of Hezbollah in Lebanon. Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s interest in ensuring the durability of the Gaza ceasefire and addressing Tehran’s strategic ambitions.
The Gaza ceasefire agreement, first reached in October after two years of intense conflict, envisioned a series of steps including a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces from the enclave, increased humanitarian aid, and the deployment of international peacekeeping forces. However, progress has stalled amid mutual distrust and key conditions that both sides have struggled to fulfill.
In addition to warning Iran and Hamas, Trump reiterated his support for Israel’s leadership in pursuing regional stability, even as differing views on issues such as the Israeli‑occupied West Bank persisted between the two leaders.
These individuals have subsequently been reassigned from their administrative positions to teaching roles.
The assessment targeted head teachers, deputy head teachers in charge of studies, and deputy head teachers responsible for discipline.
It was mandated by the Teachers’ Statute and is designed to occur every three years going forward.
This particular evaluation focused on leaders who had held their positions for at least three years prior to the statute’s guidelines.
Conducted at both district and national levels, it commenced in November 2024.
According to the Rwanda Education Board (REB) and the Ministry of Education, the district-level component examined key aspects of school leadership, including regular presence at the workplace, effective task management, overall professional conduct, and adherence to the five pillars of effective school governance.
These five pillars include: the leader’s vision for the school, how they support teachers in their teaching, how they support students, how they manage the school’s finances, and how they engage with parents.
Dr. Flora Mutezigaju, the Deputy Director General of the Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB), explained in a media interview that each head master scored out of 100 on these aspects.
District evaluations were sent to REB, which then administered four tests, including one on good governance principles, in written form, to test whether the leaders understood these principles. The tests also used case scenarios to assess how the leaders would respond to certain situations.
They were also evaluated on their English proficiency and the performance of their school over the last three years.
Dr. Mutezigaju said, “In some schools, instead of seeing improved student performance, we noticed a decline. Upon closer examination, many of the five pillars of good leadership were neglected. Most teachers are not supported, and students are not well taken care of.”
{{Leaders scoring 70% or higher retain their positions}}
School leaders who achieved an overall score of 70% or higher in the evaluation were confirmed as having sufficient leadership capabilities and were allowed to remain in their administrative positions.
The final score combined two equally weighted components: the district-level assessment (50%) and the Rwanda Education Board’s operational evaluation (50%).
Dr. Flora Mutezigaju emphasized the rigor of the process, stating that even a score of 69.9% was considered evidence of inadequate leadership competence.
She added that affected leaders are being reassigned to teaching roles, noting that most had at least six years of prior classroom experience before being promoted to leadership positions.
The evaluation encompassed 5,277 school leaders across Rwanda: 1,415 primary school head teachers, 1,664 secondary school head teachers, 1,425 deputy head teachers in charge of studies, and 773 deputy head teachers responsible for discipline.
Of the 890 leaders found to lack the required competencies, 349 (39.2%) were primary school head teachers, with the remaining 541 coming from secondary schools.
The official report indicates that 621 of these leaders will be reassigned to classroom teaching: 297 from primary schools and 324 from secondary schools. The other 164 did not qualify for immediate reassignment to teaching posts, primarily due to insufficient prior teaching experience.
These changes will take effect in the second semester of the 2025/2026 academic year.
As of December 2025, Rwanda’s government and public-private partnership schools employ 3,283 head teachers, 1,903 deputy head teachers for studies, and 995 deputy head teachers for discipline.
Many of the leaders who failed scored particularly low on professional conduct, including how they treated students, teachers, and the wider school community, as well as in their management of school resources.
Dr. Mutezigaju highlighted serious issues uncovered during the process, such as frequent absenteeism, lax attitudes toward duties, and cases of mismanaging or even stealing food intended for students.
Other common shortcomings included weak English proficiency and declining student performance in national examinations over the previous three years.
Leaders reassigned to teaching will be placed on a waiting list for available classroom positions. They will continue to receive two-thirds of their previous salary for up to six months.
If no post is found within that period, their salary will be suspended while they remain on the list for a further six months. Should no teaching position become available after a total of 12 months, they will be dismissed in accordance with the Teachers’ Statute.
{{What happens next?}}
REB confirmed that 500 of the 890 leaders will be directly placed into teaching roles after passing the evaluation tests, while the remaining 300 will assume temporary leadership positions, with available positions placed on the job market.
Dr. Mutezigaju stated, “We expect that by March 2026, all schools will have headmasters and teachers, as the leaders will be reassigned from teaching positions.”
Those removed from leadership roles will have the option to decline teaching roles; if they choose to do so, they will be dismissed.
The announcement was made by a newly-appointed spokesperson, who assumed the same nom de guerre, Abu Obeida, during a televised press conference.
The new spokesperson, wearing the uniform associated with the title, confirmed that Abu Obeida, whose real name was Hudhaifa Samir Al-Kahlout and also known as Abu Ibrahim, had died.
He said Abu Obeida “remained connected to his people during the darkest circumstances” and confirmed that several other senior leaders were also killed, including former Hamas military leader Mohammed Sinwar.
In 2005, Abu Obeida was appointed the military group’s official spokesperson.
He became widely known after announcing the capture of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in 2006 and later gained prominence during Israeli military offensives on Gaza, particularly in 2014.
Abu Obeida delivered his last recorded statement on July 18, and was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza on Aug. 30, according to sources within Hamas.
On Aug. 31, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that the spokesman of Hamas’s armed wing, Abu Obeida, had been killed in a strike in the Gaza Strip.
