Adopted unanimously by the 15-member council, Resolution 2789 instructs all the member states to “take the necessary measures to prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer of arms and related materiel of all types to armed groups and associated individuals operating in that country,” according to a UNSC meeting coverage.
It also extends the mandate of the panel of experts that assists in the implementation of the sanctions until Aug. 31, 2026.
The UNSC lifted last year the arms embargo on the CAR government through Resolution 2745, but left in place the arms embargo on armed groups and associated individuals operating in the CAR and the targeted measures of asset freeze and travel ban against entities and individuals designated by the Sanctions Committee.
In a statement, Downing Street called on Israel to immediately allow the United Nations to resume the delivery of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza to prevent starvation, agree to a ceasefire, and clearly state that there will be no annexations in the West Bank.
The statement also called on Hamas to immediately release all hostages.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer elaborated on the conditional nature of recognizing a Palestinian state during a press conference on Tuesday. He said the British government’s primary goal is to change the reality on the ground, and that “this is intended to further that cause.”
Starmer also explained the timing of the announcement: “I’m particularly concerned that the idea of a two-state solution is receding and feels further away today than it has for many years.”
“There is no better solution for the future of the region than two states,” with Israel living with its secure borders recognized and at peace with their neighbors free from the threat of terrorism, and Palestinians living in their own state, in dignity and security free of occupations, said British Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Tuesday at a high-level international conference on “The Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution” held at the UN headquarters.
At a media press stakeout after his statement at the meeting, Lammy said the decision that has been taken “puts us on a pathway towards recognition” of the State of Palestine.
“We have seen the most terrific scenes. The global community is deeply offended by children being shot and killed as they reach out for aid,” he told reporters.
More than 200 members of parliament from nine political parties signed a letter to the prime minister and Lammy on Saturday, calling on the government to recognize a Palestinian state.
The [Henley Passport Index->https://cdn.henleyglobal.com/storage/app/media/HPI/Henley%20Passport%20Index%202025%20July%20Global%20Ranking.pdf], widely regarded as the original and most authoritative ranking of global passport strength, evaluates the travel freedom of 199 passports against 227 destinations.
The ranking is based on the number of countries a passport holder can access without needing a visa in advance. With historical data spanning two decades and expert analysis updated regularly, the index has become an essential tool for global citizens and a trusted reference point for policymakers worldwide.
In its July 2025 edition, the index exposes a stark divide between the most and least powerful passports. At the top of the list is Singapore, whose citizens can travel to an impressive 193 destinations without needing a visa in advance, making it the world’s most powerful passport once again.
Japan, South Korea, and a bloc of European countries, including Germany, France, Italy, and Spain, closely follow, with scores ranging from 190 to 189.
In contrast, at the very bottom sits Afghanistan, whose passport grants visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to just 25 destinations, the lowest score on the index. Syria follows with access to 27 destinations, while Iraq ranks just above with 30.
Citizens of Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia fare slightly better, though still severely limited, with access to 32 destinations each. Meanwhile, Libya and Nepal round out the group with a modest 38 destinations.
The rankings reflect more than just travel limitations; they underscore broader issues of conflict, governance, and diplomatic isolation.
Countries at the bottom of the list are often plagued by internal instability, strained international relations, and economic hardship, all of which directly affect their citizens’ ability to move freely across borders.
On the African continent, there have been some noteworthy shifts, with Rwanda steadily improving its rankings over the years.
In the latest ranking, the Rwandan passport now offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 63 destinations, a score that places it ahead of several of its regional peers and signals growing confidence in the country’s stability, diplomacy, and openness.
This places Rwanda in the 23rd position in Africa and 73rd globally, ahead of several countries in the region, including Mozambique (62) and Togo (60).
Other East African nations in Rwanda’s neighbourhood rank closely: Kenya has access to 71 destinations, Tanzania to 70, Uganda and Zambia to 67, while Burundi lags behind with 48.
The most recent country to grant [ visa-free access to Rwanda is Antigua and Barbuda->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/rwanda-antigua-and-barbuda-ink-deals-on-visa-waiver-health-tourism], through a bilateral agreement signed on July 18, 2025.
He made these remarks on July 29, 2025, during a parliamentary session where Members of Parliament voted to ratify the Peace Agreement between Rwanda and the DRC. The agreement was signed in Washington, D.C., United States, on June 27, 2025.
MP Minani Bizimana raised concerns about expectations for Rwanda to lift its defensive measures while the root causes of insecurity have not yet been resolved.
He asked, “Is national defense now considered a crime? Even powerful nations maintain defense systems, including satellite surveillance. So why would it be a problem for Rwanda to do the same?”
In response, Minister Nduhungirehe highlighted that trusting the DRC remains difficult.
“We signed the agreement, but we know these people—we’ve worked with them and we’re still in contact. There are mercenaries fighting on the front lines. You saw Romanian mercenaries pass through Kigali, and now they have brought in others from Colombia… we told them, ‘this is happening right in front of you, and you are watching.’”
He emphasized that Rwanda expects the DRC to fully implement the commitments it signed onto.
“What we are asking for is political will. As we have always said, we cannot accept any situation that threatens Rwanda’s security or that of its people. That is non-negotiable. That is why our defense measures will remain in place until a clear and visible resolution is achieved.”
Minister Nduhungirehe further stated that Rwanda cannot dismantle its security structures as long as the FDLR, whose presence prompted the measures, is still active and has not been dismantled, as stipulated in the agreement.
He explained that the peace process would begin with encouraging FDLR fighters to voluntarily repatriate. For those who refuse, military force would be used to neutralize the threat.
Announced in a special Gazette notice on July 28, 2025, Trade Minister Selemani Saidi Jafo clarified that the government will no longer issue or renew business licences for non-citizens engaged in these sectors.
The banned businesses include mobile money transfer services, electronic device repairs, small-scale mining, postal and parcel delivery, tour guiding, radio and television operations, and museum shop management.
Additionally, foreigners will be prohibited from involvement in real estate, clearing and forwarding services, on-farm crop purchasing, and cleaning services for homes, offices, or the environment.
Salon businesses will only be allowed if they operate within hotels or serve tourism purposes. Moreover, foreign ownership of wholesale and retail businesses is banned, with exceptions made for supermarkets, specialised outlets, and wholesale centres dedicated to local producers.
Other restricted sectors include gambling machine operations and small manufacturing industries.
The penalties for foreigners violating these restrictions are severe: a fine of no less than 10 million Tanzanian shillings (approximately Frw 5.6 million), imprisonment for up to six months, and revocation of visas and residence permits.
Tanzanian citizens who assist foreigners in running banned businesses face fines of up to 5 million Tanzanian shillings (approximately Frw 2.8 million) or imprisonment for up to three months.
The government states that this move aims to protect local businesses and promote economic participation by Tanzanian citizens, but critics warn it may damage Tanzania’s international business relations with neighbouring countries and other international partners.
Minister Nduhungirehe made this clear on July 29, 2025, during a session of the Chamber of Deputies to ratify the recently signed peace agreement between Rwanda and the DRC.
MP Christine Mukabunani had asked whether Rwanda’s participation in the peace deal might prompt countries that had sanctioned it to reconsider their decisions.
She posed the question: “Given Rwanda’s decision to sign this agreement, do you expect the countries that imposed sanctions to lift them now?”
In response, Minister Nduhungirehe clarified that the Rwanda-DRC agreement was never intended as a means to have sanctions lifted, and that Rwanda signed it solely out of its commitment to regional peace.
“The Washington Agreement was not aimed at removing sanctions,” he said. “The countries that imposed those measures did so for their own reasons — reasons we have openly rejected. We made our position clear, including recently, because these sanctions have also prevented those countries, particularly in Europe and North America, from meaningfully contributing to the search for solutions.”
He noted that some countries that had imposed sanctions later attempted to participate in the peace process, but Rwanda dismissed their involvement.
“There were actors who tried to re-enter the conversation through manipulative channels under the guise of supporting this agreement. Yet these are the same countries that, as recently as January and February, were threatening further sanctions. They didn’t speak about the region — they explicitly sided with Congo.”
Nduhungirehe emphasised that Rwanda’s decision to sign the agreement had nothing to do with seeking favours from those nations.
“These agreements are not about pleading. We are not here to beg anyone. Let them do as they wish. We signed the agreement because we want peace in the region — not to convince European countries to lift sanctions.”
He added that the sanctions imposed on Rwanda had served as a lesson, encouraging the country to become more self-reliant and to guard against foreign aid being used as a form of pressure or coercion.
“These past months have taught us an important lesson. Rwanda must build its own resilience and avoid becoming dependent on aid that is weaponised for political purposes. Every cent we receive must be used for its intended development goals. If donors use funding to advance political agendas, we reject that — and even now, we are not pleading for sanctions to be lifted. They can make their own decisions, since they were the ones who imposed the sanctions in the first place.”
Several Western nations, including Belgium, imposed sanctions on Rwanda, accusing it of playing a role in the insecurity in Eastern DRC. In response, Rwanda severed diplomatic ties with Belgium, citing its bias and efforts to rally the international community to impose further punitive measures.
Rwanda has consistently stated that it will not be intimidated by foreign sanctions aimed at dictating its internal affairs, especially when its actions are rooted in preserving national security and the interests of its people.
During the parliamentary session on Tuesday, members of the Chamber of Deputies unanimously voted in favour of the agreement, which seeks to restore peace in the Great Lakes Region by addressing longstanding security issues.
Dr. Gasore made these remarks on July 29, 2025, during an inspection visit to the Nyabarongo River.
In an interview with RBA, the minister described the situation as critical, noting that the reduced river flow is already affecting water production capacity. He announced the formation of task forces to monitor the situation and manage the limited supply more effectively.
“This is a serious issue that has disrupted the volume of water reaching Kigali,” he said. “As an immediate response, we’ve established a mobile team to inspect our water distribution networks and ensure equitable access to the available supply, as we continue to work on long-term solutions.”
Water from the Nzove plant is distributed to several areas across Kigali, including Gisozi, Kibagabaga, Nyarutarama, Kimihurura, Bumbogo, Birembo, the Special Economic Zone, Gasanze, Karama, Mont Kigali, Kimisange, Nyanza in Kicukiro, Mageragere, and Rebero.
The MoU was signed on July 28, between Wellington Dias, Minister of Development and Social Assistance, Family and Fight Against Hunger and co-chair of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, and Dr. Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe, the Rwandan Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, on the sidelines of the United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS+4) in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.
Dr. Bagabe welcomed the deal as a great milestone in bilateral cooperation. “Today is an important moment in our relations with Brazil. We are consolidating our partnerships in agricultural extension and technology transfer,” he noted.
The signed agreement includes a wide range of joint initiatives aimed at promoting resilient agriculture, strengthening public policies, and expanding access to inputs, technologies, and water for agricultural production in both countries.
Wellington Dias also celebrated the agreement with Rwanda and the current situation in Brazil.
“We are delighted that we are advancing in this partnership. We celebrate this new stage and will work towards positive results in the future. We are working to ensure the eradication of hunger and poverty and are exchanging experiences between the two countries,” he said.
The Brazilian minister explained that the signing of the memorandum and Rwanda’s commitment to the Accelerated Implementation Plan, within the framework of the Global Alliance, represent a strategic opportunity to advance the goals of eradicating hunger and poverty.
“We will motivate our technical teams to begin implementing activities as soon as possible to achieve concrete results, demonstrating the effectiveness of South-South cooperation,” he emphasized.
Wellington emphasized how these initiatives will benefit development in Rwanda, which, along with Brazil, is one of the founding countries of the Global Alliance.
“Cooperation in small-scale agriculture is essential, but through the Global Alliance, we are also already advancing with Rwanda in the area of socioeconomic inclusion, both urban and rural,” he continued.
The diplomatic relations between Rwanda and Brazil began in 1981, and since then, the two countries have signed several cooperation agreements. For example, in 2019, they signed a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) to facilitate air travel between the two nations.
In 2011, they also signed another agreement focused on cooperation for food security. Brazil is the world’s leading producer of coffee, soybeans, sugarcane, and oranges.
Since 2022, Rwanda has been importing wheat from Brazil after supplies from Ukraine significantly declined. Rwanda also regularly imports products such as sugar from Brazil.
These include Major General Andrew Kagame and Major General Wilson Gumisiriza, as well as Brigadier Generals Joseph Demali, Fred Muziraguharara, James Ruzibiza, Frank Mutembe, Pascal Muhizi, Nelson Rwigema, and Jean Paul Karangwa.
In addition to the Generals, President Kagame approved the retirement of 120 senior officers, 26 junior officers, and 927 other ranks.
Speaking at [a send off ceremony ->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/rdf-honors-retiring-service-members] of retiring soldiers on Monday, July 28, 2025, the Minister of Defence, Juvenal Marizamunda, on behalf of the Commander-in-Chief of the RDF expressed his appreciation for the outstanding service rendered by Retirees during the times when Rwanda needed them.
“You stood firm during the liberation struggle, stopped the genocide against Tutsi, and have been instrumental in rebuilding our country ever since. You played a crucial role in transforming RDF into a strong and professional force, both within Rwanda and on international platforms. Your contributions, especially in the military, have left a lasting legacy,” he said.
He also said that even as they retire, their experience and wisdom remain vital to our nation’s progress. He urged them to always be part of the RDF family and assured them to continue to benefit from their expertise.
In his address, the RDF Chief of Defence Staff, Gen MK Mubarakh, expressed appreciation to the RDF retirees for their sacrifices, commitment, and significant contribution to the nation.
He commended them for the discipline they upheld throughout their military careers and encouraged them to continue collaborating with the wider Rwandan community in efforts to develop the country.
As a token of appreciation, the retirees were awarded certificates in recognition of their dedicated service to the Rwanda Defence Force.
The aircraft, equipped as a state-of-the-art teaching hospital, has been stationed at Kigali International Airport since July 21 and will remain until August 1, 2025.
Rwanda is the 84th country to host Orbis since the program launched in 1982.
The initiative is a collaboration between Orbis International, the Ministry of Health, the Rwanda International Institute of Ophthalmology (RIIO), and Kibagabaga Hospital.
Over 100 Rwandan eye specialists have already received hands-on training using advanced technology, and more than 140 patients, 40 aboard the aircraft and 100 at Kibagabaga Hospital, are expected to benefit from surgeries.
Speaking at the launch of the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital mission, Health Minister Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana hailed the initiative as a milestone in advancing high-tech healthcare in Rwanda and across Africa.
He highlighted the partnership between the Ministry of Health, Orbis International, and local institutions like RIIO as vital for expanding capacity and improving eye care services across the country.
He also underscored the importance of integrating artificial intelligence and digital tools in ophthalmology, which can predict complications early and prevent blindness.
Reflecting on past successes, he noted a recent nationwide cataract screening campaign that operated on thousands of patients, emphasising the ongoing efforts to reach even the most remote communities.
Dr. Nsanzimana noted that the government is working hard to increase the number of eye specialists in Rwanda from the current 30 to at least 120 over the next five years, as part of a broader strategy to quadruple the total number of doctors.
“Let’s increase the number of ophthalmologists from 30 to 120 in the next five years. This is achievable.”
The Flying Eye Hospital’s director, Maurice Geary, praised Rwanda’s warm reception and infrastructure support, calling it a historic collaboration.
Dr. Ciku Mathenge, Orbis Medical Advisor for Africa and RIIO co-founder, shared powerful stories of patients, including a young man treated for parasitic worms in his eye and Esther, a 26-year-old woman whose sight was saved through AI-supported diagnosis and treatment for diabetic retinopathy.
“Esther’s story is really a testament to why this work that Orbis is supporting Rwanda to do matters. Lasting, happy change happens when we invest in people, when we foster strong partnerships, and when we strengthen the foundations that your ministry has so ably set down in the health system in Rwanda,” said Dr. Mathenge.
“As a doctor, as a mother, as a proud African woman, and as a passionate advocate for eye care, I know firsthand the life-changing difference that sight makes in an individual. Seeing all of you here today with your dedication and belief fills me with a lot of joy, and it confirms that all of you understand why our mission is so critical.”
The Orbis Flying Eye Hospital will continue operating until August 1, with further training and surgeries planned in close collaboration with RIIO and Rwandan universities.
RIIO, founded 14 years ago by Brig Gen Prof. John Nkurikiye and Prof. Mathenge, was established to address the gap in eye care services in Rwanda and continues to play a central role in building a sustainable, high-quality ophthalmology workforce in the country.
