The agreements were signed in Kigali on November 21, 2025, during RWCA’s 10th anniversary celebrations, which highlighted the organisation’s achievements in crane conservation over the past decade.
Representatives from wildlife organisations in Burundi, Tanzania, and Uganda attended the ceremony and joined RWCA in signing the collaborative agreements. Partner organisations include Nature Uganda and the International Crane Foundation from Uganda, Nature Tanzania, and the Association Burundaise pour la Protection de la Nature from Burundi.
Under the agreements, the organisations will work together to protect cranes across a 24,904-square-kilometre area. This includes the Rwandan border regions, home to 1,030 cranes, representing 82% of the national population, as well as 787 cranes in neighbouring Uganda. Additional coverage includes 266 cranes in Tanzania’s border areas and 19 cranes in Burundi.
RWCA founder and Executive Director, Dr Olivier Nsengimana, said surveys showed that some Rwandan cranes, especially those in wetlands near borders, cross into neighbouring countries without returning, with their survival uncertain outside Rwanda.
“In wetlands near borders such as Akagera, Akanyaru, and Kagitumba, crane numbers fluctuate and are generally low, but the birds are not dying. Some cross borders, while populations in protected wetlands like Urugezi increase each year. In wetlands used for agriculture, cranes may leave during planting seasons,” he said.
Dr Nsengimana added that GPS tracking of some cranes revealed their cross-border movements, prompting RWCA to collaborate with local organisations to protect the birds, educate communities, and promote shared use of tracking technology.
“We realised that monitoring these cranes would require complex permits, so we signed agreements with organisations in Burundi, Tanzania, and Uganda to jointly protect cranes in the region, share information, and take coordinated action,” he said.
Over the past decade, RWCA has helped increase Rwanda’s crane population from fewer than 300 in 2015 to 1,245 today. Public awareness of crane conservation has grown, and the organisation has expanded from five volunteer staff to 300 permanent employees.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Fidèle Bingwa, praised RWCA’s dedication, noting that the organisation’s work over the past 10 years has strengthened government efforts in biodiversity conservation and produced tangible results.
The 18-carat Jules Jurgensen timepiece, which had remained in the Straus family for more than a century, was the star item at a sale held by Henry Aldridge & Son Auctioneers on Saturday, November 22. The auction house, known for handling significant Titanic artefacts, confirmed the sale marks the highest price ever achieved for an item connected to the sinking.
Straus, a prominent American businessman, politician, and co-owner of Macy’s department store, was travelling first class with his wife Ida when the Titanic struck an iceberg on its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York. Both were among the more than 1,500 passengers and crew who perished.
Their story is remembered as one of the most poignant of the tragedy. Witnesses recalled Ida refusing a seat on a lifeboat, insisting she would not leave her husband of 41 years behind. The couple were last seen sitting together on the deck as the ship went down. Isidor’s body was later recovered; Ida’s was never found.
Among the items discovered with him was the gold watch, its hands stopped at 02:20, the moment the Titanic slipped beneath the Atlantic. The piece had originally been a gift from Ida to Isidor for his 43rd birthday in 1888, engraved with his initials and carried with him until his final moments.
The watch was returned to the family after the disaster and carefully preserved through the generations. Isidor’s great-grandson, Kenneth Hollister Straus, later had the mechanism repaired and restored, while keeping the original casing intact.
The auction generated strong global interest, with auctioneer Andrew Aldridge describing the watch as a symbol of the couple’s enduring legacy.
“This world record price illustrates the lasting fascination with the Titanic and the profound human stories attached to it,” he said. “The Strauses embody what many consider the ultimate love story of the disaster, and this sale is a testament to the respect in which they are held.”
The auction also featured other significant Titanic-related items. A letter written by Ida Straus on Titanic stationery, posted during the voyage, sold for £100,000 (Frw 167 million). A passenger list fetched £104,000 (Frw 174 million), while a gold medal presented to the crew of the rescue ship RMS Carpathia was purchased for £86,000 (Frw 144 million). In total, the sale of memorabilia reached £3 million.
The previous record for a Titanic artefact was £1.56 million (Frw 2.6 billion) for a gold watch given to the Carpathia captain, sold last year. With this latest sale, the Straus watch now stands as the most valuable piece of Titanic history ever auctioned.
The announcement of the declaration’s adoption was made at the opening of the summit, the first ever held in Africa. The two-day gathering is being held in Johannesburg under the theme “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability.”
The declaration warns that increasingly frequent and intense disasters and shocks are undermining development and overstretching response systems. Leaders said they “hinder progress towards sustainable development and strain both national capabilities and the international system’s ability to respond.”
They called for integrated, people-centered approaches and highlighted the need for “strengthened disaster resilience and response,” particularly for vulnerable small island developing states and least developed countries.
Energy access and transition also featured prominently. The declaration underscores stark inequalities, noting that “over 600 million Africans have no access to electricity.”
The leaders support efforts to triple global renewable capacity and double energy-efficiency improvements by 2030, and emphasized the urgency of mobilizing scaled-up investment and facilitating low-cost financing for developing countries in line with national circumstances. They also highlighted the importance of voluntary technology transfer “on mutually agreed terms.”
On critical minerals, the G20 endorsed a Critical Minerals Framework, describing it as a voluntary guide for “sustainable, transparent, stable and resilient critical minerals value chains that underpin industrialization and sustainable development.”
The declaration stresses that mineral resources should serve as “a catalyst for value-addition and broad-based development, rather than just raw material exports,” affirming the right of producing countries to harness their endowments for inclusive growth.
The leaders’ declaration reflects a shared recognition that global challenges require more coordinated and equitable approaches.
The G20 (Group of Twenty) is the premier international forum for economic cooperation, comprising the world’s major advanced and developing economies. It currently includes 19 countries and two regional bodies (the African Union and the European Union), bringing the total number of participants to 21 members.
Despite this broad representation, the United States did not participate in the G20 South Africa Summit, an absence ordered by President Donald Trump. The stated reasons for the U.S. boycott were discredited claims that South Africa’s government was persecuting its white Afrikaner minority and the administration’s opposition to South Africa’s summit priorities, which focused on issues like climate change and global inequality.
She was also the Deputy Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies in the Parliament, responsible for legal affairs and government oversight, a role she held for six years.
Mukabagwiza served as Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Canada and Cuba between 2007-2013, after which she was elected as a Member of Parliament from 2013-2018, and later became one of the leaders of the Chamber of Deputies.
She is an expert in law, having studied at the University of Rwanda after completing her secondary education at Collège Saint André.
Mukabagwiza holds a Master’s degree in Diplomacy from Washington International University in the United States, along with other qualifications in law. She has worked in various ministries and non-governmental organizations.
She recently took the oath to become a legal advocate and has founded her own firm, EM Pathways Legal & Advisory Ltd.
In an interview with IGIHE, this legal expert explained that becoming an advocate was something she chose to do after finishing her political career, emphasizing that it is a way to continue contributing to the country.
{{IGIHE: How did you transition to becoming an advocate?}}
{{Mukabagwiza:}} I have worked in the political field, meaning I was involved in a career where I had to step into the job market. I thought that I could be more useful by focusing on issues directly related to justice.
First of all, I am a lawyer. I studied law and later added other qualifications in this field, and with the experience I have, I felt it would help me continue my mission of serving the people.
A lawyer helps a citizen or an institution, but for our purposes, let’s focus on helping the people. It’s about advocating for justice and explaining the law to the public.
So, as someone trained in law and having taken part in justice-related duties, representing the people, I have a lot of information on what the citizens need.
I felt that moving into this profession would be beneficial, because a lawyer is not focused on their personal gain but on helping others legally.
Indeed, it is a profession that can sustain you and your family, but most importantly, a lawyer works with the justice system to ensure that justice is effectively delivered to the people as they need it. This is what led me to this profession.
{{Having served as Minister of Justice and Deputy Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, what core values do you bring to your ongoing service to the citizens?}}
I believe the values I had then are still the same as those I carry now. As a leader, it’s about fighting for the truth, advocating for justice, and being aware of the issues so that, in addition to what I already knew, I can continue sharing those insights with different bodies, whether governmental or partners, to find solutions.
I feel a responsibility to highlight what needs improvement, support what is going well to further build on it, and also help expand the boundaries.
The profession I’ve entered into shouldn’t be inward-looking. We should be like people in the world, in the region, and what’s happening should concern us.
We shouldn’t be people confined to just our country; as members of the EAC, we should expand our knowledge of how lawyers in the region work and how they practice.
I also come to learn because your knowledge is never enough. There are others with more experience in this profession, and I will learn from them, observe them, and sometimes follow how cases are being handled, how lawyers are advocating, to truly master this profession in the proper way.
I respect justice, both in front of the people, the Rwandan society, and the judges, because in our duties and oaths, we commit to respecting our profession and those we work with.
{{How do you think efforts should be prioritized?}}
I am an arbitratior, and I completed my training in June 2025. Looking at the issues within the justice system, the number of cases continues to increase rather than decrease. The problem here is that Rwandans still have numerous cases to settle.
Among the people, there are still disputes, but there is also the issue of some cases not being resolved quickly.
A person loses a case, and it is quite evident, but they continue to take the case to higher courts. This is an issue that has been ongoing, but it is good that the justice policy has begun to address these issues before they go to court.
People can be helped to meet and resolve their issues without wasting time or money, but at the same time, we need to educate them to avoid grudges.
{{What do you mean by holding grudges?}}
When one person says, “I will deal with you,” that’s where the gap grows. These are the problems that can cause people to drift apart in different ways.
There are cases that arise within families, between neighbors, or between friends.
Many people end up in court with someone they were very close to, especially when there is a disagreement over money lent, a partnership in a business, or other issues. These are things that show how close people were but then became divided.
{{What should be done in such cases?}}
I think that in our role as people responsible for justice and those who defend the law, we should put more effort into resolving these issues because the person comes to you, seeking advice.
That means, first, you can advise the person not to take the case to court, suggesting they should resolve it with the other party, whether they are right or wrong.
So, I believe the contribution I can bring is to work with others who joined this career before me, and together, we can look at ways to reduce the conflicts between people who are involved in legal disputes.
{{In your oath, you pledge not to defend an unjust case. What types of cases would you consider unjust and choose not to defend?}}
Some people come to court with false claims. When a person tells you their issue and you listen to them, sometimes you can immediately tell that they are not telling the truth.
For example, you might find that the person claiming someone has stolen from them is the one who actually took the property, but they are saying they were robbed.
At that point, you can give them advice, rather than going to court and defending something that isn’t true. It’s important to make them realize the truth.
If all lawyers gave clients this type of advice before they started, there would be fewer cases in the courts because you would have already shown them that they cannot win.
There is also the case where someone may admit they did something wrong but still want you to represent them as if they hadn’t done anything wrong. In such cases, it’s important to know the truth and advise them accordingly. Maybe you can help them reduce their penalties due to the circumstances, but the truth should always be part of the conversation.
For that person, if they want to pursue a case knowing they are wrong, you are not helping build the unity we want for Rwandans. It would not be in the interest of justice, and their actions might lead to an unfair verdict that could hurt them even more in the future.
{{How do you view a woman in justice today?}}
A woman, as she was created and how she stands, if she uses the gifts given to her by God well, with the kind heart she has to love people and be compassionate, she should be honest in justice, stand for the truth, and not back down. This would make her trustworthy.
Because of her compassion, she listens and acts quickly. I’m not saying that men don’t have these qualities; there are men who possess them, and they build these qualities based on their character and relationships.
So, a woman, using these values, continues to develop herself, becoming an honest person, and helping the justice system in many ways. However, the world we live in is tainted. This doesn’t mean that all women are flawless.
What advice would you give to those who have taken the oath, practicing and aspiring advocates?
This profession is a good one. It is a profession that gives you dignity as a lawyer, sustains you if you do it well, and helps the government, especially the justice sector.
My advice is that those in the profession should do it well and bring value to themselves and to the profession.
To do this, one must speak the truth, provide good counsel, and go before the court to represent a person you’ve read about, prepared for, and know that what you are asking for on behalf of the client is legitimate.
It is about recognizing the issues in the case you are handling and sharing them with others, without revealing the secrets of the person you represent, because lawyers are prohibited from doing that.
A lawyer is not just someone who goes before the court. They assist in many different ways: by drafting contracts, advising people, conducting research on a specific issue, offering consultations, and many other things.
Being a lawyer requires thinking ahead. For example, you might ask, “This issue brought to me today, if it involved 10 or 100 people, what kind of problem would it cause in the country?”
Then, you think that maybe the law should be revised, or a new law might come into existence, and then you seek advice from the relevant bodies.
{{What has been the most memorable experience for you throughout your career?}}
I can’t say there is something I specifically miss because, in all the responsibilities I have taken, I am a person who is close to the people and cares about them.
I believe the responsibilities I have carried have always brought me closer to the people, requiring me to protect them.
They asked me to gather the thoughts I encountered, which would build or support a particular program. Even now, I see that my role is to continue getting closer to the people and helping them. I don’t miss these duties because they complement each other.
The campaign seeks to expand access to healthy, life-sustaining meals for vulnerable patients, with a goal to reach individuals across the country.
The campaign encourages contributions of all sizes, emphasizing that even the smallest donation can make a significant impact.
“We want to remind people that they have the power to make a difference with Solid’Africa so we can expand our efforts,” said Inkesha Ariane, one of the founders. “Our goal is to reach every patient in Rwanda, ensuring they receive healthy meals to support their recovery.”
The campaign introduces a new partnership model, allowing customers to contribute through designated accounts by making donations at participating supermarkets, restaurants, and other businesses. Through this, customers can make financial contributions with ease, helping to support patients in need.
“If you buy a bottle of water, you can also buy one for a patient. If you purchase a kilogram of rice, you can contribute the surplus to help a patient,” explained Inkesha.
The six-month awareness campaign is just the beginning, as Solid’Africa plans to make this model a permanent part of its operations.
While the focus is initially on providing free meals to the most vulnerable patients, there is also a plan to allow individuals with the means to contribute a small amount, no more than 600 Rwandan Francs per meal, to support the initiative. This will help sustain the program while continuing to provide meals to those who cannot pay.
Currently, Solid’Africa provides free meals to patients at six hospitals in Kigali and its surrounding areas, including the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK), Kibagabaga Hospital, Muhima Hospital, Nyarugenge Hospital, Masaka Hospital, and Rwinkwavu Hospital (PIH – Partners In Health).
Kamaliza Isabelle, another co-founder of Solid’Africa, shared that since its establishment in 2010, Solid’Africa has been able to restore hope to patients in the hospitals it operates in by providing them with free meals, which they were previously struggling to afford, and offering support alongside the medication they receive.
Currently, Solid’Africa provides meals to 14,972 students once a day and serves 1,500 patients three times a day. In total, the organization delivers 19,500 meals daily.
Supporting Solid’Africa can be done by donating [here ->https://wearesolidtogether.org/] or by dialing 7758*4# and following the instructions.
In this program, Solid’Africa will closely collaborate with IGIHE, BK TechHouse, Nokanda, and Secam.
This appeal is part of an open letter issued by the Mahoro Peace Association, a group advocating for the rights of the Banyamulenge, which was sent to U.S. leaders, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and members of Congress.
Douglas Kabunda, the association’s leader, emphasized that since 2017, Banyamulenge communities in the Fizi, Uvira, and Mwenga territories have endured brutal attacks by a coalition of Congolese military forces.
Kabunda pointed out that the Banyamulenge areas in South Kivu are surrounded by over 58 military camps, where civilians are prohibited from accessing markets, hospitals, or receiving humanitarian assistance.
He also highlighted that many houses and crops have been burned, with drone strikes by the FARDC and Burundian forces still targeting civilians in November 2025, despite the Doha ceasefire agreement.
He also reminded that Burundi had acknowledged its blockade of the Minembwe area, which is home to the Banyamulenge. On November 12, Brigadier General Gaspard Baratuza, the spokesperson for the Burundian army, accused the residents of collaborating with the enemy.
Kabunda stressed that the ongoing attacks against civilians, without distinction between combatants and non-combatants, constitute severe violations, including war crimes such as starvation, displacement, and genocide, as the Banyamulenge are being targeted as a group.
The Mahoro Peace Association is calling for an end to the siege of Banyamulenge-inhabited areas and for Burundian forces to withdraw from eastern DRC.
Additionally, they have requested that an independent international commission be dispatched to the Fizi, Uvira, and Mwenga regions to investigate the ongoing war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide targeting local populations.
Kabunda also urged for sanctions against the Burundian and Congolese military officers responsible for the siege and starvation of Banyamulenge civilians, including asset freezes and travel bans to the United States.
To amplify their message, Banyamulenge communities in the U.S. are planning protests from November 23 to 28, demanding that the U.S. government take action.
“I’ve had a lot of deadlines, but if things are working well, you tend to extend the deadlines,” Trump told Fox News Radio. “But Thursday is it — we think an appropriate time.”
Ukraine was losing land and “will lose in a short period of time,” he said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday on X, following a phone call with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, that the Ukrainian side “agreed to work together with the U.S. and Europe at the level of national security advisors to make the path to peace truly doable.”
In an address to the nation, Zelensky said: “Ukraine could now face a very difficult choice: either the loss of dignity, or the risk of losing a key partner. Either the difficult 28 points, or an extremely difficult winter.”
Born on May 6, 1987, Kigenza’s journey into the arts is unconventional yet inspiring. A self-taught artist, he initially pursued formal education in economics and management at the former National University of Rwanda, specializing in Accounting Sciences.
However, despite his formal education and career as a professional accountant since 2012, Kigenza’s passion for visual expression remained unshakeable.
This led him to leave his stable profession to pursue his true calling as an artist, a bold step that transformed his life and career.
In 2020, Kigenza took the leap from part-time to full-time artist, dedicating himself entirely to his craft. This transition not only allowed him to fully immerse himself in the creative process but also significantly enhanced his productivity and innovation.
Over time, his art evolved as he explored new techniques, expanded his mediums, and created works that connected with both local and global audiences.
Kigenza’s creative process spans multiple mediums. He predominantly works in acrylic and oil paints on canvas, often incorporating mixed media to create textures that evoke depth and emotion.
Beyond painting, he has carved a niche in sculpture, particularly using metal and iron to bring form and meaning to repurposed materials.
From old car parts to bicycle frames and motorcycle scraps, Kigenza transforms discarded objects into powerful artistic statements, reflecting his ingenuity and commitment to sustainability.
Central to Kigenza’s artistic philosophy is an exploration of themes that resonate universally yet remain deeply rooted in Rwandan culture. His work often celebrates life, nature, and wildlife, while also confronting the complex narratives of history.
One of his most acclaimed series, Season of Delight, showcases abstract representations of nature through vivid colors and intricate textures, inviting viewers to experience the environment not merely as observers but as participants in its rhythm and energy.
In the realm of sculpture, Kigenza has created iconic pieces that speak to Rwanda’s collective memory and resilience.
His monumental silverback gorilla sculpture, Renaissance, stands as a poignant tribute to Rwanda’s journey following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Through this work, Kigenza intertwines the strength and majesty of wildlife with the nation’s history, creating a symbol of endurance, healing, and renewal that resonates both locally and internationally.
His works encourage reflection, conversation, and emotional engagement, bridging the gap between traditional storytelling and modern artistic expression.
Since moving into the art world full-time, Kigenza’s reach has expanded beyond Rwanda’s borders.
His paintings and sculptures have been exhibited in multiple venues around the world, including the United States, allowing global audiences to engage with Rwanda’s cultural narratives through his distinctive lens.
Back home, Kigenza is a central figure at the Niyo Arts Center in Kigali, where he serves as managing director and resident artist. The gallery, a vibrant hub for creativity, attracts thousands of tourists and art enthusiasts each year.
Through his efforts, Kigenza hopes to foster a thriving art scene in Rwanda that will not only elevate local talent but also contribute to the global appreciation of Rwandan artistry.
The attack occurred around 1 p.m., following a series of drone strikes that have targeted the area in recent days. These airstrikes appear to be aimed at civilians who have sought refuge in these camps.
The MRDP-Twirwaneho movement reports that on November 15, a DRC military drone attacked Mikenke, damaging the homes of local residents. Two days later, on November 17, another drone strike targeted Rwitsankuku, further harming the civilian population.
Alexis Mugisha Nkurunziza, the Second Vice President of MDRP-Twirwaneho, responsible for administrative, political, and diplomatic affairs, confirmed that the damage from the Sukhoi airstrike is still being assessed. He added that the exact location from which these planes launched remains unclear.
Politician Moïse Nyarugabo reported that after attacking Mikenke and Rwitsankuku, the Sukhoi jet flew over Minembwe, heading toward the town of Kalemie in the Tanganyika province.
“Panic is widespread among the population. After the bombing, the plane flew over Minembwe toward Kalemie. Schools emptied, students and parents alike all took shelter in the bush under heavy rain,” he noted.
On November 20, two Sukhoi jets were observed flying over Minembwe several times, suggesting preparations for further strikes on residents in this region and surrounding areas.
Sheikh Tamim arrived in Rwanda on Thursday for a two-day official visit, which concluded on November 21, 2025. During the visit, President Kagame hosted him for a private discussion at his farm in Kibugabuga, Bugesera District, and gifted him long-horned cattle, known as Inyambo.
In a statement posted on the X social media platform, the Emir shared details of their expanded discussions, emphasizing their mutual commitment to enhancing opportunities for bilateral cooperation.
He expressed his gratitude toward President Kagame, stating, “Qatar and Rwanda are united by strong and growing relations, and they are advancing with rapid strides toward promising horizons of partnership and mutual interests. I commend His Excellency’s efforts in supporting peace initiatives in the regional surroundings of his country.”
Since March 2025, when Sheikh Tamim brought President Kagame together with Félix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), for a meeting in Doha, the Government of Qatar has played a central role in mediating regional conflicts in the Great Lakes region.
Qatar has facilitated talks between the DRC government and the AFC/M23 coalition, aiming to address the root causes of tensions between Congolese communities. Qatar has also supported the Washington peace talks between Rwanda and the DRC.
The Rwandan government has consistently pledged its support for all initiatives aimed at resolving the region’s issues. In addition to participating in the Washington talks, Rwanda supports the Doha-based negotiations between the AFC/M23 and the DRC government, alongside other partners such as the United States, Togo, and the African Union (AU).
Qatar and Rwanda are working closely together in key sectors such as technology, innovation, education, energy, and agriculture. One of the major collaborative projects is the construction of Bugesera International Airport, set to be completed in 2027 with an investment of USD 1.3 billion. This partnership builds on agreements signed in 2019.
Qatar is also supporting the Zero-Out-Of-School initiative, a joint project between Rwanda’s Ministry of Education and the EAA Foundation from Qatar, launched in September 2023. The initiative aims to return all out-of-school children to education, with plans to reintegrate up to 177,000 Rwandan children over five years.
Additionally, Rwandan students are currently studying in Qatar, and Rwanda hopes to send more students in the future to acquire the knowledge they can use to contribute to the country’s economic development.
