The latest batch of returnees comprised 234 children, 22 men, and 81 women, who crossed into Rwanda through La Corniche border post linking Goma and Rubavu.
The repatriation follows agreements reached during a tripartite meeting between Rwanda, the DRC, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on July 24, 2025.
Upon arrival on December 11, 2025, returnees were taken to the Kijote Transit Camp in Nyabihu District.
These Rwandans had been living in a transit camp in Goma after fleeing from various areas in eastern DRC, where they had been held captive by the FDLR.
The Vice Mayor of Rubavu District in charge of social affairs, Ishimwe Pacifique, urged the returnees to join others in building the nation.
“We consider you as the strength we had lost, but we are happy to join hands with you in rebuilding the nation,” she noted.
Returnees will be provided with essential documents, and further assistance to facilitate their reintegration.
Those over 18 years old will receive $188, while those under 18 will receive $113. Additionally, each individual will be given essential food supplies worth Frw 45,000.
According to Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the discussions were chaired by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Amb. Olivier Jean Patrick Nduhungirehe, and Wojciech Zajączkowski, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland.
During the meeting, both leaders also exchanged views on current developments in regional and multilateral issues.
The meeting comes at a time when the relationship between Rwanda and Poland continues to grow stronger.
During Polish President Andrzej Duda’s visit to Kigali in February 2024, the two countries signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) for trade and economic cooperation, as well as collaboration in green technologies, environmental engineering, geology, and energy efficiency.
Education remains a cornerstone of this partnership, as the 2022 Rwanda-Poland Education Forum led to the signing of a series of MoUs between UR and four Polish universities.
On November 13, 2024, Poland and Rwanda signed an Air Service Agreement to enable regular flights between the two countries, creating opportunities to enhance economic and cultural exchanges.
Diplomatic ties have also grown in recent years, with Rwanda opening its embassy in Warsaw in 2021, followed by Poland opening its embassy in Kigali the following year.
Paluku, a veteran journalist and former head of Radio Kivu One, was reportedly shot in Goma. The attackers remain unidentified.
According to a statement from AFC/M23 Cabinet Director, Jean-Pierre Lukamba Alumba Omokoko, Paluku died at Goma General Hospital.
“Following this criminal act, investigations are underway to identify and apprehend the perpetrators,” Lukamba stated, while extending condolences to the family of the deceased and the revolutionary community in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
A native of Butembo in North Kivu Province, Paluku joined AFC/M23 in July 2024. Since then, he had frequently been seen alongside the coalion political coordinator Corneille Nangaa, with sources indicating that their relationship went beyond professional ties and that the two were close friends.
The bookstore offers a broad selection of titles, including Bibles, devotionals, inspirational wisdom books, children’s literature, and Bible commentaries. Customers can place orders through the TLG Africa website or via social media platforms such as Instagram, with deliveries made to any location across Rwanda.
According to Patience Harerayesu, the Managing Director of TLG Africa, also known as The Legacy of God in Africa, the organisation’s affordability model is supported by its partnership with Alpha Courses in the United Kingdom. Alpha Courses is a global Christian organisation known for running programmes that introduce people to the basics of the Christian faith, and it helps TLG source books at lower costs.
She says the goal is to ensure that Christian knowledge remains within reach for anyone seeking spiritual development.
“We want people to be able to order a book online and have it delivered wherever they are in Rwanda,” she told IGIHE.
TLG Africa’s growing presence was most recently visible during the Niwe Healing Concert held at BK Arena, where the organisation was among the event’s supporters. Its stand attracted concert-goers who visited to browse books, make purchases, and learn more about the platform’s mission of promoting a reading culture rooted in faith.
One of the moments that stood out during the concert involved gospel artist Richard Nick Ngendahayo, who received a book gift from TLG Africa.
The team presented him with The Power of a Praying Husband, describing the gesture as an appreciation for his ministry and the influence he continues to have among young believers and worshippers.
TLG Africa’s team said their participation in the event offered an opportunity to connect directly with readers, interact with various Christian communities, and reinforce the value of spiritual growth through reading.
{{How to order a book on the TLG Africa website
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The platform continues to draw attention for its straightforward online ordering process. Customers looking to purchase a book simply visit the website, search for their preferred title, select it, click “Order via WhatsApp”, and await delivery to their location.
Beyond sales, TLG Africa positions itself as an organisation committed to enriching communities with literature that inspires learning and strengthens spiritual understanding. The bookstore stocks both new and gently used Christian titles, catering to readers seeking faith-based guidance, study materials, or meaningful gifts.
To place an order, visit TLG Africa on their website: https://tlg-africa.org/
The incident occurred late on Tuesday in the Al-Mustaqbal neighbourhood when an unoccupied building collapsed, triggering the collapse of an adjacent four-story structure, the prosecutor said. The second building was hosting a traditional Aqiqah celebration marking a birth.
Women and children were among the victims. Sixteen other people were injured, with some in serious condition. Authorities said the toll could rise as rescue operations continue.
Judicial police have opened an investigation under the supervision of the public prosecutor to determine the cause of the collapse. Preliminary findings show the two buildings were constructed in 2006.
Local officials said the structures were built under so-called “self-construction” schemes for residents of the Ain Smen area as part of the “Fez, City Without Slums” program.
The disaster has renewed concerns over building safety in Morocco. In January, Secretary of State for Housing Adib Ben Ibrahim said about 38,800 buildings nationwide were at risk of collapse.
Fez, Morocco’s third-largest city, has seen protests in recent months over poor living conditions and public services. The collapse is among the deadliest building accidents in the country since a minaret fell in the historic city of Meknes in 2010, killing 41 people.
Burundian forces have been working alongside the FARDC troops for over three years in their fight against the AFC/M23 rebel coalition, who are engaged in a battle against President Tshisekedi’s government.
Various UN reports indicate that the Burundian military is working alongside FDLR fighters in this conflict.
The FDLR is a terrorist group made up of former members of EX-FAR and Interahamwe who were involved in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. The group is built on the ideology of genocide, which they have spread in Eastern DR Congo for over 30 years.
Speaking to RBA on December 10, Minister Nduhungirehe confirmed that Burundi collaborates with FDLR.
“Burundi does not support the FDLR; they collaborate. Burundi works with the FDLR because it is one coalition, with FARDC joining forces with the FDLR, Burundian troops, and mercenaries—it’s one unified coalition,” he stated.
Nduhungirehe also noted that over 20,000 Burundian soldiers stationed in South Kivu had kept the Banyamulenge people confined to their homes, preventing them from going to markets or engaging in other livelihood activities.
In Eastern DR Congo, there are between 7,000 and 10,000 fighters aligned with FARDC and Burundian forces.
“The main concern is about security. You cannot collaborate with the FDLR without intentions to disrupt Rwanda’s security because what FDLR desires is to destabilize Rwanda, and you remember in 2023, during elections in DR Congo, President Tshisekedi mentioned in political meetings or on radio and TV that he had plans to launch attacks on Kigali, without deploying ground troops, and he would support Rwanda’s youth in overthrowing the government.”
These words, spoken publicly, were later reflected in actions as Tshisekedi aligned FARDC, FDLR, Burundian forces, and mercenaries to fight in a campaign aimed at destabilizing Rwanda.
“This situation is threatening regional security. To resolve this issue, Burundian forces need to leave Eastern Congo, the FDLR must be eradicated, and these attacks by Congolese troops should end, allowing us to implement the agreements we’ve signed.”
Rwanda indicates that by March 2025, relations with Burundi were headed in a positive direction but were strained when President Ndayishimiye deviated from the held negotiations and began making false claims in international media that Rwanda was preparing for war against Burundi.
Rwanda and DR Congo signed peace and economic cooperation agreements on December 4, 2025, in Washington, D.C., with the presence of Burundian president.
However, on that same day, a coalition of FARDC, Burundian forces, Wazalendo, FDLR, and mercenaries launched attacks in South Kivu near the Rwandan border, causing over 1,000 people to flee to Rwanda.
Nduhungirehe said, “We told the mediators, we told everyone involved that what we want is peace. For peace to return, Burundian forces creating instability in South Kivu must withdraw, and these attacks by the Congolese government must stop so that we can implement the agreements we signed.”
The signed agreements include provisions that, once the fighting ceases, a joint security coordination mechanism involving DR Congo, Rwanda, and the U.S. will be responsible for implementing security measures, including the elimination of the FDLR, after which Rwanda can lift its border security measures.
Difference She Makes, launched in 2025 and already reaching more than six million people in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and beyond, is pushing for a shift from symbolic inclusion to real transformation. The campaign argues that while Africa leads globally in progressive gender policies in the justice sector, those policies have not translated into equitable leadership opportunities for women.
Reports, including from the International Bar Association, show that women are joining law schools, courts, corporate legal departments and law firms in unprecedented numbers. Yet across many countries, they remain under-represented at senior levels, and where women do rise, cultural norms and institutional biases often impede their ability to lead fully and visibly.
{{Driving accountability, not celebration
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Difference She Makes seeks to close this gap by building institutional accountability for cultural change, beyond simply celebrating representation statistics. The movement uses storytelling, art, culture and intergenerational dialogue to expose invisible barriers and elevate the voices of women shaping Africa’s evolving legal landscape.
“This campaign is a timely intervention,” said Irene Kerubo of Difference She Makes. “While women continue to enter the legal profession in record numbers, their leadership is still held back by persistent structural and cultural constraints. This campaign brings those realities to the surface, not simply to acknowledge the gaps, but to drive accountability and reimagine environments where women in law can lead and thrive.”
The campaign’s philosophy centres on three principles: transformation over tokenism, institutional responsibility over individual burden, and transparency instead of exclusive power networks.
Advocate Susan Musambaki noted that the movement “amplifies our collective voice to make legal spaces more inclusive and truly reflective of women’s leadership.”
{{A continental coalition for change
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Difference She Makes is powered by a diverse mix of legal trailblazers, young professionals and partner organisations committed to reform. Among them are Linda Kasonde, Zambia’s first female Bar Association President; Nigerian lawyer Becky Dike; South African human rights lawyer Tamika Thumbiran; retired Judge Mohini Moodley; and Kenya’s Natasha Ali Errey.
The movement also collaborates with influential platforms, including Legally Clueless, Drunken Lectures, Nalafem and the East Africa Media Group, building momentum toward a continent-wide coalition for structural reform.
Visibility remains a core challenge, according to South African journalist Ntombi Nkosi, who said the initiative ensures that “women in law are not just included, but visible, respected and celebrated.”
{{Key initiatives driving impact
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Difference She Makes has launched several pioneering initiatives:
{{1. Amplifying Women’s Stories
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Through the Legally Clueless podcast, a journalist–lawyer fellowship and a digital storytelling series, the campaign is uncovering entrenched biases in Africa’s justice systems. The first episode features Anne Ireri, CEO of the Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA-Kenya).
{{2. Pan-African to Global Advocacy
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In partnership with NALAFEM, the movement is coordinating a regional advocacy agenda that highlights Africa’s achievements and remaining challenges. Insights from regional convenings will shape Africa’s contribution to the 70th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), positioning the continent as a leading voice on gender equality in justice.
{{3. Off the Table, On the Record Series
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This dialogue series creates culturally grounded safe spaces for women, allies and decision-makers to address issues often avoided in formal settings, surfacing realities that must be acknowledged to drive meaningful change.
{{4. Voice and Verdict Fellowship
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A first-of-its-kind Pan-African fellowship bringing together six journalists and legal professionals from Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa. The fellows will produce investigative storytelling aimed at confronting tokenism, institutional bias and opaque power structures within Africa’s justice systems.
The fellowship includes legal professionals Susan Musambaki, Judith Anukie Ojovbo and Mpho Mokgehle, alongside journalists Ntombi Nkosi, Lucy Riley and Isioma Joseph Madike.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Ghana took the action after three Ghanaians were reportedly deported from Israel under unacceptable circumstances.
“The government of Ghana will continue to safeguard the dignity of its nationals and also that of other nationals,” the statement said.
The statement said that the charge d’affaires ad interim at the Israeli Embassy in Ghana was summoned to the ministry, in the absence of Israel’s ambassador, and that both governments agreed to pursue an amicable resolution to the impasse.
“We in Ghana deeply value our relations with all friendly countries and expect our citizens to be treated with dignity and respect just the same way as other governments expect us to treat their nationals,” it added.
The immediate focus of the appeal is to help protect the lives of up to 87 million people in need of urgent support with US$23 billion in funding.
The initiative reaffirms the UAE’s unwavering commitment to advancing international efforts to save lives and respond to disasters and crises affecting the most vulnerable populations globally.
This support underscores the vital role of the UAE in promoting multilateral humanitarian action and the nation’s close cooperation with UN agencies, including the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), as well as with relief and development programs operating on the ground, to ensure timely access to aid for those most in need, in line with His Highness’s directives emphasisng a rapid and effective response.
Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, said, “The UAE continues its steadfast commitment to supporting global humanitarian efforts and working with our UN partners to ensure access to aid for those most impacted. This pledge embodies the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and reflects our profound belief in the necessity of international solidarity in responding to urgent humanitarian appeals in an effective and sustainable manner that preserves human dignity and protects lives.”
Tom Fletcher, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator at OCHA, welcomed the announcement, stating, “Our global appeal is about saving lives where shocks have hit hardest – and turning plans into real protection. The UAE’s rapid and generous backing of our 2026 plan sends a strong signal, focused on people who need it most. We must deliver an effective, innovative response that meets the moment.”
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, stated, “Warning signs of health system collapse manifest long before it occurs – outbreaks spread, malnutrition increases, and preventable deaths rise. However, when we come together, services can be restored and lives saved. I thank His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the UAE for their support, which will provide crucial humanitarian health care to millions in need.”
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell stated, “UNICEF appreciates the UAE’s generous support, which will go a long way to save and improve the lives of children caught in humanitarian crises. Children are always the most vulnerable when a crisis strikes. As needs outpace funding, this is an especially critical time, building on UNICEF’s strategic partnership with the UAE.”
Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), welcomed the announcement, stating, “We value UAE’s strong commitment to humanitarian efforts.” He added: “While severe funding shortfalls present a significant challenge for millions of vulnerable forcibly displaced people, contributions from governments like the UAE allow UNHCR to enhance its response efforts and provide a glimmer of hope for those in need.”
Cindy McCain, World Food Programme (WFP) Executive Director, stated, “As humanitarian needs soar and resources lag dangerously behind, the United Arab Emirates’ generous pledge is a lifeline that will help ensure urgent assistance reaches the people in greatest need. We thank the UAE for its humanitarian leadership in these unprecedented times. WFP stands ready to work with the UAE to ensure this desperately needed support reaches the millions facing acute hunger across the globe.”
This support builds on the strong strategic partnership between the UAE and the United Nations humanitarian system and reaffirms the UAE’s central role in addressing the most pressing humanitarian challenges, enhancing the international community’s ability to protect lives, and supporting stability in crisis-affected areas, in line with His Highness’s directives that reinforce the UAE’s leading approach to global humanitarian action.
Among this year’s top contenders is a unique project that focuses on creating porridge flour from a variety of materials, including chicken eggshells.
The initiative is part of a broader effort supported by the ACCESS project (African Centre for Career Enhancement & Skills Support), which aims to help students implement their business ideas. ACCESS provides the necessary resources and guidance to turn these ideas into tangible and impactful ventures.
Dr. Niyibizi François Xavier, the ACCESS coordinator in Rwanda, explained that the competition’s goal is to offer students the opportunity to bring their creative business ideas to life.
“Many students have great ideas, but lack the resources to implement them. Our project helps them by providing the essential tools to transform their concepts into real-world businesses,” he stated.
This year, the competition started with 49 projects, which were narrowed down to 20. These finalists received business training and further evaluation, resulting in the selection of the top seven. Among them, five projects will receive additional support to begin implementation.
One of the promising projects is by Niyomugabo Thierry and Uwizeyimana Patrick, who are developing a modern toilet design that prevents the spread of diseases.
The toilet will feature self-cleaning technology, which automatically sanitizes itself after use.
“Our research shows that public toilets contribute to the spread of disease, particularly affecting women. Our design will cover the leftover water, preventing contamination,” Niyomugabo explained. “Additionally, it will assist people with disabilities by making it easier to operate,” Uwizeyimana added.
Another standout project comes from Patrick Hans Weedy Jr., who is working on the ‘Bible Coding Academy.’ This project aims to teach young people not only Bible studies but also coding. “Youth today need to integrate their beliefs with practical skills. By combining faith with technology, we can prepare them for the future,” he said.
Tuyizere Patrice is working on a project to produce nutrient-rich flour for porridge and biscuits. The flour will be made from a variety of ingredients, including mushrooms, maize, wheat, and even eggshells. Tuyizere emphasized the nutritional value of eggshells, which are often discarded.
“Eggs are nutritious, and the shells are rich in minerals. We plan to grind the shells into flour, blending it with other ingredients like honey, mushrooms, and maize to create a nutritious porridge flour that will help combat malnutrition and stunting,” he explained.
Irakoze Beni Benjamin is developing a project that involves recycling plastic waste into bricks and paving materials. This initiative aims to reduce environmental damage while providing useful building materials.
“Plastic waste is a major environmental hazard, but it can be repurposed into useful building materials. Our process ensures no harmful emissions are released during recycling,” Irakoze said.
Irikumwenatwe Olivier is working on a technology that will weigh vehicles to ensure they don’t exceed road weight limits. He explained, “Many roads and bridges are damaged by overloaded vehicles. Our technology will allow for real-time weight measurement to ensure vehicles comply with weight restrictions.”
Among others, Sani Raouf is developing assistive technology for people with disabilities, including glasses equipped with cameras and technology that help the visually impaired navigate their surroundings.
In addition, he is working on gloves that translate sign language into speech, helping people with hearing or speech disabilities communicate more easily.
“The glasses will have a camera that tells the wearer what is in front of them, guiding them to their destination. The gloves will help people using sign language communicate with those who don’t understand it by converting signs into speech,” Sani explained.
Lastly, Umutoni Sumaya and Ukunzwenimana Olivier are working on an eco-friendly project to produce fertilizer from agricultural waste and chicken manure. They are also developing a pesticide from ginger peels.
“We realized that agricultural waste and chicken manure are often discarded but can be used to make affordable, environmentally friendly fertilizers,” Umutoni said.
The competition is open to all institutions collaborating with INES Ruhengeri, including universities in the Musanze District.
