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President Tshisekedi described the new cabinet as a “government of national unity,” highlighting that it includes members of the opposition who agreed to work with him in addressing the pressing challenges facing the country.

Several ministers from the previous administration have been reappointed. These include Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Guy Kabombo Muadiamvita as Minister of Defense, and Jacquemain Shabani who returns as Minister of Interior.

Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo was reappointed as Minister of Transport and Communications, while Patrick Muyaya continues in his role as Minister of Communication and Government Spokesperson.

New faces in the cabinet include opposition figure Adolphe Muzito, now appointed as Minister of Finance; Guillaume Ngefa-Atondoko Andali as Minister of Justice; Eliezer Ntambwe, who will oversee veteran affairs; and Floribert Azuluni as Minister of Regional Cooperation.

Notably, no members of the ECIDé party, led by opposition politician Martin Fayulu, were included in the new government, despite earlier expectations following their June 2025 agreement to cooperate in addressing national issues.

Other major opposition parties, such as the PPRD of former President Joseph Kabila and Ensemble led by Moïse Katumbi, were also excluded from the new cabinet. The government has accused these groups of collaborating with what it calls “the enemy” of the Congolese state.

The Congolese government has been fighting the M23 rebel group which re-emerged in late 2021, claiming to fight for rights of marginalized Tutsi communities in DR Congo.

Since then, the rebel group has taken control of large parts of eastern Congo, including key cities such as Goma and Bukavu.

Residents in the occupied areas report a sense of restored peace, with M23 pledging to continue providing protection amid ongoing attacks from the Congolese armed coalition that was previously expelled from the region.

U.S. Congressman Darrell Issa made the remarks after meeting Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the Baabda Presidential Palace.

He said the United States will “work directly with the Israelis to ensure a full withdrawal in exchange for the Lebanese army’s deployment,” which, he said, is “essential to prevent southern Lebanon from being a launchpad for rockets and to protect its residents.”

The United States will continue to provide equipment, training, and diplomatic backing — under the leadership of the Lebanese government alone, the congressman added.

Responding to questions about Hezbollah’s rejection of disarmament, Issa stressed that there is only one government, one president, and one legal armed force — the Lebanese army.

Meanwhile, Spokesperson for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Andrea Tenenti, announced in a statement Thursday that its forces, in coordination with the Lebanese army, discovered “an extensive network of fortified tunnels” in the vicinity of the villages of Tayr Harfa, Zebqine, and the town of Naqoura in southern Lebanon.

“The discovery included a number of bunkers, artillery pieces, multiple rocket launchers, as well as hundreds of shells and rockets, anti-tank mines, and other explosive devices.”

The UNIFIL had previously reported the discovery of more than 225 weapons and ammunition caches at various locations.

In an updated statement on Thursday, the Public Health Emergency Operations Center, affiliated with the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, said one Syrian was killed, and two Lebanese injured in an Israeli airstrike targeting the town of Deir Seryan in southern Lebanon a day earlier.

The official Lebanese National News Agency reported that Israeli warplanes launched intense airstrikes Wednesday night on multiple areas in southern Lebanon, targeting Lebanese Hezbollah sites. Firefighting and ambulance teams faced difficulties in reaching the area due to the intensity of the strikes.

Since Nov. 27, 2024, a ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel, brokered by the United States and France, has been in effect. It ended the confrontations that erupted between the two sides due to the war in the Gaza Strip.

Despite the agreement, the Israeli army occasionally carries out strikes in Lebanon, claiming they are to eliminate Hezbollah “threats.” It has also maintained its forces in five key positions in the Lebanese border area after a deadline for full withdrawal expired on Feb. 18.

Ingabire faces six criminal charges, including forming a criminal group, inciting unrest, undermining the government, disseminating false information intended to discredit the state abroad, spreading rumours, and planning acts intended to destabilise public order.

On August 4, Ingabire appeared before the Nyarugenge Intermediate Court to appeal the lower court’s July ruling, seeking provisional release. She submitted eight arguments in support of her request, challenging the legality of her continued detention.

Her appeal cited, among others, alleged procedural violations, the expiration of statutory limits on certain charges, inconsistencies between the law used to detain her and constitutional provisions, and the assertion that she had not been granted adequate legal representation. Ingabire argued that her preferred lawyer from Kenya had been denied temporary practice rights in Rwanda.

In its ruling, the court found that Ingabire had been adequately represented by Me Gatera Gashabana throughout all proceedings, and dismissed claims of legal misrepresentation. It further ruled that the Prosecution had acted within its rights in submitting its response through the court’s electronic filing system, even if submitted late.

The court also rejected Ingabire’s challenge to the constitutionality of Article 106, which was used as the legal basis for her detention. It held that the issue was not directly relevant to the decision taken by the lower court.

Addressing the defence’s claim that certain charges, such as inciting public disorder and spreading rumours, were time-barred, the court concluded that investigations were ongoing and that the alleged offences continued to have legal effect, particularly in the case of online content that remains publicly accessible.

The court cited several elements to justify continued detention, including audio recordings allegedly involving Ingabire and others discussing protest planning, testimony from associates, and digital evidence linked to platforms such as YouTube and Umubavu TV. It also referenced communication between Ingabire and alleged co-conspirators, including messages instructing the distribution of anti-government leaflets.

Claims that the evidence was unlawfully obtained were also dismissed, with the court noting that such matters would be considered at the substantive trial stage rather than during the remand process.

The court ultimately found that the prosecution had presented sufficient grounds to justify Ingabire’s continued detention as investigations proceed, and ruled that she remain held at Nyarugenge Prison in Mageragere.

He made the remarks during a training session held in July 2025, which brought together district-level representatives of nurses and midwives affiliated with RNMU.

Gitembagara pointed out that the nursing and midwifery professions remain economically underdeveloped, making it vital for professionals in these fields to explore alternative sources of income to boost their financial security.

“When you look at many nurses, they earn around 200,000 Rwandan Francs, whether in rural or urban areas, and this amount is often insufficient to invest in even a small side business,” he said. “We are currently in discussions with Muganga SACCO to explore support programmes that can facilitate these projects.”

He further emphasised that supporting professionals in this field also contributes to women’s empowerment, as approximately 65% of nurses and midwives are women.

The training also covered key topics related to labour rights and the legal frameworks governing the nursing and midwifery professions. Participants were equipped with knowledge on how to protect and advocate for their rights in the workplace.

Legal expert Hobess Nkundimana highlighted that nurses and midwives often dedicate the majority of their time to work, which can make them vulnerable to unfair treatment due to limited legal awareness.

“Understanding labour laws will help them contribute meaningfully to human resource management processes, ensuring that decisions are made fairly — whether in favour of the employer or the employee,” Nkundimana said.

Rwanda currently has over 14,000 nurses and midwives in active practice, with more than 12,000 registered under RNMU.

The two-day training was attended by representatives from all 30 districts across the country.

The membership was formalised on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, during a charter signing ceremony at SONARWA Life’s headquarters in Kigali. The event brought together senior executives, financial sector leaders and partners, marking what participants described as a “critical step” towards more inclusive leadership in the industry.

In his remarks, Isaïe Muhoza, Acting CEO of Rwanda’s leading life insurance company, said the company’s decision to join WIFR was not symbolic, but a strategic and values-driven move to institutionalise gender equity across all levels of its operations.

“This membership is not a ceremonial act—it is a serious commitment to systemic change,” Muhoza said. “Today, as SONARWA Life, we make a public commitment to ensuring that women have equal opportunities to grow, lead, and shape the future at our organisation and in the financial sector.”

Muhoza said gender inclusion is embedded in the company’s recruitment, assessment, and promotion practices, noting that building diverse teams was key to delivering sustainable business impact and serving customers better.

SONARWA Life’s entrance into WIFR also presented an opportunity to empower the company’s young female professionals. Three staff members, Esther Mugisha, Ingrid Isimbi, and Chantal Ikirenga, were awarded scholarships to pursue professional qualifications with the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI).

Muhoza celebrated the awarding of scholarships to three female employees, calling them “the future of ethical leadership in the sector.”

Speaking on behalf of the scholars, Esther Mugisha, a Corporate Business Officer at SONARWA Life, expressed gratitude to both WIFR and the company’s leadership.

“This gesture is not only a testament to your commitment to empowering young women professionals in the finance sector, but also a great encouragement for us to pursue excellence and contribute meaningfully to the growth of Rwanda’s financial industry,” Mugisha said.

WIFR, a non-profit network launched in 2023, champions diversity and inclusion within Rwanda’s financial services industry. Its work spans banking, insurance, investment, and microfinance, with a focus on, among others, building capacity, promoting mentorship, and advocating for gender-responsive policies.

Annie Nibishaka, CEO of Old Mutual Rwanda and an institutional member of WIFR, welcomed SONARWA Life into the network with a pointed reminder that Rwanda’s financial sector is at a turning point, where good intentions on gender equality must now give way to concrete action.

“The path towards gender balance in the financial sector has reached a critical moment where intention must translate into accelerated action,” Nibishaka said. “Gender balance enhances decision making, improves governance and ultimately delivers better outcomes for all.”

She highlighted some of the Foundation’s key achievements to date, including a research study on the state of women in the financial sector, mentorship cohorts with a pipeline of over 60 mentees, and partnerships with public institutions such as the Gender Monitoring Office and the Rwanda Standards Board (RSB), all aimed at supporting the organisation’s mission.

Speaking at the event, Emmanuel Gatera, Director of the National Standards Division at RSB, announced that Rwanda will, in October, launch the world’s first standalone gender equality certification standard during the ISO General Assembly, which the country will host.

The certification, developed in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Gender Monitoring Office, will be free of charge and available to both public and private institutions that meet the criteria for gender equity in operations and governance.

“We’ve seen transformational change when women are empowered in the workplace,” Gatera said…I would be happy to recognise some organisations that have demonstrated their compliance with gender equality requirements, including members of Women in Finance.”

Jessica Igoma, CEO of Mayfair Insurance, said SONARWA Life’s inclusion comes at a pivotal time, as WIFR prepares to launch a dedicated insurance sector chapter. She pointed to low insurance penetration in Rwanda, currently at 2.1% compared to the global average of 7%, as a challenge that could be tackled through targeted inclusion and awareness strategies.

“Looking at some of the statistics, we have about 92% of women with no insurance in this country, but also 38% of women do not know what insurance is or how insurance works. So, this will give us a good opportunity as women in insurance to be able to create a difference,” Igoma remarked.

SONARWA Life is the fifth insurer and the fifteenth institution to join the growing list of organisations aligned with WIFR’s mission, including Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC), Bank of Kigali, BRD, NCBA Rwanda, Access to Finance Rwanda, Ecobank, I&M Bank, Umwalimu Sacco, Old Mutual Insurance, Coopedu, Mayfair, Sanlam, and Zep-Re.

As part of its membership, SONARWA Life will be expected to uphold the WIFR Gender Charter, monitor internal progress, and participate in sector-wide efforts to achieve parity.

He voiced the appreciation on August 6, 2025, in Kigali, following the signing of bilateral cooperation agreements.

“His words carry significant weight. His support for the cause of justice is highly important in this regard. The call by President Kagame to lift sanctions on Zimbabwe is a significant one, resonating across the African continent. Through the African Union, this resolution is being adopted, bolstered by the support of leaders like President Kagame,” Prof. Murwira noted.

In 2000, under former President Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe launched a land reform program that reclaimed large tracts of land previously controlled by white settlers and redistributed them to Black farmers. This move created diplomatic tensions with several Western nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and the European Union.

By 2001, the U.S. had imposed economic sanctions on Zimbabwe, with the EU and other nations following suit in 2002. These sanctions severely weakened Zimbabwe’s economy and remain in place to this day.

Since 2017—when he chaired the African Union—President Kagame has consistently advocated for the removal of these sanctions.

Prof. Murwira hailed his efforts, disclosing that a United Nations resolution to remove the sanctions could also be passed by December 2025.

“This momentum stems from calls like the one made by President Kagame, emphasising the need to stand for and execute justice globally. Rwanda serves as an example of a country that stands resilient against adversity, advocating for peaceful resolutions and justice in many spheres, including the issue of sanctions,” he noted.

The Minister also stressed that both President Kagame and his Zimbabwean counterpart, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, share a common belief in prioritising their citizens and the principle that African countries must find homegrown solutions for their development.

On his part, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe, emphasised the importance of African solidarity in addressing the continent’s challenges.

He thanked Zimbabwe and highlighted the country’s strong contributions to regional peace and security, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, within the framework of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and across the continent.

Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe further noted that Rwanda values Zimbabwe’s support for the principle that African problems must be solved with African solutions.

Currently, Rwanda and Zimbabwe have signed over 25 cooperation agreements. These cover sectors such as health, youth development, policing, energy, and customs information exchange. The most recent of these agreements was signed on August 6, 2025.

Teta Sandra was arrested after allegedly hitting her husband with her car three times, which resulted in injuries to both of his legs. The incident took place on the night of August 6, 2025, at a bar known as Chans in Munyonyo.

Sources from Kabalagala Police, as reported by The Independent, indicated that Teta Sandra admitted to knocking her husband down but explained that the action followed a heated altercation earlier in the day. She told authorities that Weasel had been verbally abusive and had kicked her and their children out of their home. In response, she sought help from Weasel’s parents.

Weasel’s parents reportedly advised her to return home and attempt to resolve the issue. However, Teta Sandra explained that upon her return, Weasel continued to mistreat her physically. Later that evening, Weasel went to the Chans bar, and Sandra followed him there. After another confrontation at the bar, she made the decision to drive her car into him.

The police spokesperson, Patrick Onyango, confirmed Teta Sandra’s arrest and reported that Weasel was taken to Nsambya Hospital for treatment. He added that the initial investigation revealed that the conflict began at home but escalated at the bar. Although Weasel sustained fractures to one of his legs, he is reported to be in stable condition.

Teta Sandra and Weasel have been living together since 2018 and have two children. However, their relationship has been marked by frequent disputes. In 2022, Teta Sandra left for Rwanda but returned to Uganda in April 2023 and reconciled with her husband.

In May 2025, Weasel was in Kigali attending a concert by his brother, Jose Chameleone, and mentioned plans to visit his father-in-law’s home at the time.

According to a White House release, the duties increase to 15 percent for countries such as Lesotho, Madagascar, and Nigeria, while Libya, South Africa, and some others face a 30-percent tax, effective seven days after the date of the order.

African officials and experts have warned that the unpredictability of U.S. trade policy fuels uncertainty for the continent’s development, while underscoring the need for a strategic and coordinated response across African countries.

{{Challenge to fragile economies }}

In July, amid the harsh winter of the Southern Hemisphere, textile workers roamed an industrial zone of Maseru, the capital of Lesotho, to search for new jobs.

Landlocked in Southern Africa, Lesotho is one of the world’s least developed nations, classified by the United Nations, with nearly half of its population living below the poverty line and unemployment standing at around 25 percent.

The U.S. tariff regime has dealt a heavy blow to the country’s textile industry, said Mokhethi Shelile, Lesotho’s minister of trade, industry, business development, and tourism, in a recent interview with Xinhua.

Textiles are a cornerstone of Lesotho’s economy as the country is one of Africa’s largest garment exporters to the United States. But since the tariff was announced, many orders have been canceled, potentially leaving around 13,000 workers jobless.

According to Teboho Kobeli, head of Afri-Expo, one of Lesotho’s largest textile companies, the sudden halt in orders has caused a major disruption, even if the U.S.-bound exports account for just 10 percent of their total output. “We had to lay off nearly 500 workers to ease the financial pressure,” he said.

In Madagascar, the vanilla sector has been directly hit. Contributing around a quarter to the country’s export revenues, the industry relies heavily on the U.S. market, which consumes approximately 70 percent of Madagascar’s vanilla exports.

“The current price of vanilla is already low,” noted Noe Rene Solo, director of agriculture and livestock for the Atsinanana region, one of Madagascar’s key vanilla-producing zones.

If further tariffs are imposed, he warned, prices could drop even more, discouraging farmers and potentially leading to the abandonment of vanilla plantations.

{{Move toward self-reliance}}

In the face of such growing uncertainty, experts are calling for faster economic integration across Africa to strengthen the continent’s resilience.

“In Tanzania, the share of exports — such as construction materials and agricultural products — to neighbors like Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been steadily rising. This provides a buffer against external dependencies,” said Humphrey Moshi, professor of economics and director of the Center for Chinese Studies at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which began trading in 2021, is emerging as a key lever.

According to Balew Demissie, researcher at the Ethiopian Policy Studies Institute, strengthening regional trade through frameworks like the AfCFTA can encourage trade within Africa, spur industrial growth, and promote diversification, which acts as a safety net against global trade disruptions and reduces external dependencies.

Carlos Lopes, former executive secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, urged “a mindset shift” among African policymakers to move beyond viewing integration into global value chains as the ultimate goal.

“The goal should focus on enhancing domestic value addition, investing in regional infrastructure, and expanding economies of scale to strengthen the negotiating position of African countries on the global stage,” he added.

{{Expand global reach}}

As Africa’s top coffee producer and the world’s fifth-largest exporter of Arabica beans, Ethiopia is seeking alternative markets in response to a 10 percent U.S. tariff.

The Ethiopian government will not accept any decision that harms the coffee sector, said Shafi Umer, deputy director general of the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority (ECTA), warning that the Trump administration’s tariff policy could slash about 35 percent of the country’s coffee export revenues.

The ECTA is striving to strengthen trade ties with existing markets such as China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Germany, and Italy, while exploring new opportunities in the Far East and Middle East regions. The goal for the current fiscal year is to expand coffee exports to 20 countries.

Many others, like South Africa, are also accelerating their diversification strategies toward Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and South America.

With the China-Africa economic cooperation gaining momentum, China’s recent decision to extend zero-tariff treatment to cover 100 percent of tariff lines for all 53 African countries with diplomatic ties has also received a broad welcome.

For Emmanuel Yinkfu, a trader based in Cameroon’s city of Douala, the move is a powerful signal. “This represents a shift toward a more coherent, inclusive, and strategic economic partnership (between China and Africa),” he said.

Joseph Tegbe, director-general of Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership, believes the policy will unlock trade opportunities and strengthen industrial competitiveness across the continent. Nigeria, he noted, stands to gain substantially from the policy, especially in agricultural exports, value-added manufacturing, and technology partnerships.

Leslie Dwight Mensah, a Ghanaian economist at the Institute for Fiscal Studies, also views China’s decision as one of the opportunities for African countries to expand their foreign market access, as well as an alternative to help offset losses that might result from the U.S. tariffs.