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  • Gabon’s ousted leader Bongo freed after nearly two years under house arrest

    Bongo, 66, and his family arrived in the Angolan capital late Thursday, nearly two years after the end of the Bongo dynasty’s 55-year rule over the oil-rich Central African nation.

    The former first family’s release follows discreet diplomatic negotiations between Angolan President João Lourenço and Gabon’s new leader, Brice Oligui Nguema, according to a statement from Angola’s presidency.

    Bongo and his family welcomed at the airport in Luanda.

    Photographs shared on the Angolan presidency’s official Facebook page show Bongo and his family being welcomed at the airport in Luanda.

    “The Bongo family has been released and has just arrived in Luanda,” the statement read.

    Ali Bongo was placed under house arrest in Libreville immediately following the August 2023 coup, which brought General Nguema, a former head of the presidential guard, to power.

    Nguema was sworn in as president for a seven-year term earlier this month after securing nearly 95% of the vote in elections widely seen as consolidating military control.

    Bongo’s wife, Sylvia, and their son, Noureddin, had been detained separately and accused of embezzlement and money laundering. Reports indicate that the two were recently moved from basement cells in the presidential palace to house arrest on May 9. Their supporters allege they were subjected to torture while in custody—claims that Nguema’s administration denies.

    The African Union had been pressing for the release of the Bongo family. At a meeting on April 30, the AU’s Peace and Security Council formally readmitted Gabon after suspending the country following the coup. The council urged Gabonese authorities to guarantee the rights and health of the Bongo family.

    Ali Bongo came to power in 2009 after the death of his father, Omar Bongo, who ruled Gabon for over four decades. His presidency was marred by allegations of electoral fraud and corruption, culminating in widespread discontent that paved the way for the 2023 coup.

    Gabonese authorities have not officially commented on the former first family’s departure.

    One of the photographs shared on the Angolan presidency’s official Facebook page showing Bongo and his family being welcomed at the airport in Luanda.

  • M23 regains control of Bambo and Kishishe in Rutshuru

    The group had withdrawn from these areas over a year ago without engaging in combat, in order to reinforce its positions in the Virunga National Park, as well as in Rugari and Kibumba.

    Sources in North Kivu report that AFC/M23 recaptured Bambo and Kishishe following clashes with Wazalendo militias on May 14, 2025.

    According to Radio Okapi, a few residents fled during the fighting, while others remained in their homes. As of May 16, the situation was reported to be relatively calm.

    On May 15, further clashes broke out in the Buabo and Banyungu areas of Masisi Territory between AFC/M23 and Wazalendo forces, leading to more civilian displacement.

    These renewed hostilities come amid ongoing peace talks between AFC/M23 and the Congolese government, which have been taking place in Qatar since March.

    In April, both parties announced a ceasefire agreement; however, the Wazalendo militias—who receive backing from the government—appear to be ignoring the truce.

    M23 had withdrawn from these areas over a year ago without engaging in combat, in order to reinforce its positions in the Virunga National Park, as well as in Rugari and Kibumba.

  • ‘We expect him to deepen Church ties with Rwanda’ – Cardinal Kambanda on Pope Leo XIV

    In an interview with Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA), Cardinal Kambanda—who made history as the first Rwandan Cardinal to vote in a papal conclave—highlighted the significant progress Pope Francis had made in fostering closer ties between the Church and the Rwandan government.

    He expressed confidence that Pope Leo XIV will continue along the same path.

    “We expect him to enhance the relationship between the Church and the Government of Rwanda. Pope Francis had made great strides in improving ties, and agreements between the Vatican and the Rwandan government were nearing completion,” said Cardinal Kambanda. “The journey we are on—particularly in terms of unity, reconciliation, and resilience—is understood and supported by the global Church.”

    He noted that these efforts align with the broader mission of promoting peace, development, and social harmony in Rwanda and beyond.

    The election of Pope Leo XIV coincides with the 125th anniversary of the arrival of the Gospel in Rwanda. When asked whether the Pope would be invited to the Jubilee celebrations, Cardinal Kambanda explained that the Pope’s tight schedule may make such a visit unlikely.

    “The year is already halfway through, and the Jubilee coincides with the 2025 global celebration of the Gospel’s spread. It would be difficult for him to fit Rwanda into his schedule, but we will certainly extend an invitation for another time,” he said.

    Reflecting on his own participation in the conclave, Cardinal Kambanda described the election of Pope Leo XIV as a historic moment and a profound blessing. He emphasized the global unity of the Catholic faithful during the election.

    “It was a great joy to elect a Pope for the first time. Even more so because he is a person the world truly needs at this moment,” he said.

    Pope Leo XIV is expected to continue the legacy of Pope Francis, who established a uniquely strong relationship with Rwanda during his papacy.

    One of the most significant gestures came in 2017, when Pope Francis publicly asked for forgiveness for the Catholic Church’s role in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

    On May 20, 2017, President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame visited the Vatican and held talks with Pope Francis. The meeting marked a turning point in Rwanda–Vatican relations.

    During the visit, the Pope asked God for forgiveness for the Church’s failings, including the actions of clergy and other Church members who had been complicit in hatred and violence, betraying their missionary responsibilities.

    Pope Francis expressed deep sorrow—on his behalf, the Holy See, and the Catholic Church—for the horrors of the genocide, and offered solidarity with the victims and survivors.

    On May 8, 2025, American-born Robert Francis Prevost was elected as the new Pope, taking the name Leo XIV.

    He became the 267th pontiff in the history of the Catholic Church, and the first American to hold the position. He secured over 89 out of 133 votes from the Cardinals participating in the conclave.

    On May 8, 2025, American-born Robert Francis Prevost was elected as the new Pope, taking the name Leo XIV.Pope Francis, who established a uniquely strong relationship with Rwanda during his papacy.

  • US presents draft peace deal to Rwanda and DRC leaders

    U.S. Senior Advisor for Africa, Massad Boulos, announced the development in a statement issued on Thursday night, following what he described as “constructive conversations” with President Paul Kagame and his DRC counterpart Félix Tshisekedi.

    The conversation followed the submission of the respective draft agreement versions by DRC and Rwanda earlier this month.

    “We have provided the first draft of a peace agreement to both sides and will work with the parties to iterate on the agreement to reach consensus,” Boulos said.

    “Resolving long-standing differences is hard work, and we are committed to seeing this through. We look forward to further engagement to come to a resolution,” he added.

    The draft agreement comes ahead of a landmark ceremony scheduled for June at the White House, where Presidents Kagame and Tshisekedi are expected to formally sign the peace accord in the presence of U.S. President Donald Trump.

    On the same occasion, additional agreements on economic cooperation between the United States and the two African nations are expected to be concluded.

    If all proceeds as planned, the deal could pave the way for significant American investments in both Rwanda and the DRC, marking a major step forward in regional development and bilateral relations.

    The U.S. has emphasised that before the agreement can be finalised, both parties must meet a series of preconditions.

    For the DRC, this includes addressing internal security issues such as the disbanding of the FDLR militia—a group formed by the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda—and implementing governance reforms to ensure a more equitable distribution of national resources.

    The peace process has gained momentum in recent months, with notable diplomatic progress made during a series of negotiations held in Doha, Qatar.

    Delegations from Rwanda, the DRC, the United States, and Qatar participated in the talks. Rwanda was represented by Brig Gen Jean Paul Nyirubutama, Deputy Director General of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS), and Brig Gen Patrick Karuretwa, Head of International Military Cooperation.

    Talks initially mediated under the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) frameworks are now being facilitated by the African Union, with Togo taking a lead role in guiding the final stages of the process.

    U.S. Senior Advisor for Africa, Massad Boulos, said the draft peace deal was ready, following what he described as “constructive conversations” with President Paul Kagame and his DRC counterpart Félix Tshisekedi.

  • Man charged with arson after fire at British PM’s home

    According to the police statement, Roman Lavrynovych faces three counts of arson with intent to endanger life.

    The charges, authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service, relate to three incidents: a vehicle fire in NW5 on May 8, a fire at the entrance of a property in N7 on May 11, and a fire at a residential address in NW5 in the early hours of May 12.

    The suspect was arrested early Tuesday in connection with a series of suspected arson attacks, including the fire at a property owned by Starmer.

    Police Community Support Officers stand near the fire damaged doorway of a house belonging to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Kentish Town in London on May 13, 2025. (PHOTO / AP)

  • Rwanda’s medical cannabis processing plant nears completion

    The project, located in Musanze District in the Northern Province, is part of a broader national effort to tap into the lucrative global medical cannabis market and drive economic diversification.

    An official from the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) confirmed during a parliamentary budget hearing on Tuesday that the project is 83 percent complete.

    Joseph Cedrick Nsengiyumva, RDB’s Chief Financial Officer, informed lawmakers that remaining tasks include the installation of a double-layered security fence—an international requirement for medical cannabis infrastructure.

    “The works related to drainage layout were completed but are yet to be invoiced,” said Nsengiyumva.

    For the 2024/2025 fiscal year, Rwf2.2 billion has been earmarked for the project, with over Rwf1 billion already spent, representing a 46 percent financial execution rate.

    The medical cannabis initiative marks Rwanda’s foray into the pharmaceutical and health research industries, with the long-term goal of becoming a key exporter of cannabis-derived therapeutic products.

    Based on ministerial orders issued in June 2021 concerning cannabis and its derivatives, King Kong Organics (KKOG) was granted a five-year license to cultivate the plant.

    The firm, a subsidiary of KKOG Global, has already invested $10 million into facility construction, advanced machinery, land acquisition, and the importation of genetically modified cannabis seeds.

    Initially, construction of the production site was expected to be completed by May 2024, but delays linked to infrastructure access pushed the timeline to September of the same year.

    KKOG CEO Rene Joseph said the plant will be used to extract cannabis oils for export to international markets.

    Rwanda has allocated 134 hectares for medical cannabis cultivation, targeting a yield of 5,000 kilograms per hectare for export.

    An official from the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) confirmed during a parliamentary budget hearing on Tuesday that the project is 83 percent complete.

  • Rwanda ushers in 5G era with first network launch

    The fifth-generation network is now live at Kigali Heights and the Kigali Convention Centre (KCC)—signaling the beginning of a broader rollout.

    “We have the first 5G site in Rwanda at the Kigali Heights/KCC area—a proud and exciting step for us as we kick off this journey. As we move forward with our 5G rollout, we can’t wait for our customers to experience the full extent of what 5G has to offer,” MTN Rwanda shared in a post on X.

    MTN Rwanda CEO Ali Monzer also posted on X, revealing that additional 5G sites will be activated soon.

    “In the coming weeks, we will activate more 5G sites across high-demand zones in Kigali. We are committed to expanding coverage swiftly and strategically,” he stated.

    The company began upgrading its network infrastructure back in 2020, starting in Kigali, to prepare for the deployment of cutting-edge technologies such as 5G and even 6G in the future.

    These upgrades aimed to lay a strong foundation for faster, more reliable digital services across the country.

    In 2023, Rwanda and China initiated discussions to enhance their collaboration in the technology sector, with a specific focus on the establishment of 5G infrastructure and mitigating cyber threats.

    Talks about new areas of cooperation began during a two-day visit to Rwanda by Zhuang Rongwen, the Chinese Minister responsible for Cybersecurity.

    Speaking to the press at the time, the Minister of ICT and Innovation, Ingabire Paula, informed the press that the talks with China aimed to explore how both countries could further collaborate in various technological sectors, including the implementation of 5G networks.

    She emphasized, “We discussed in detail how to strengthen this relationship, not only in terms of training but also in research and development, especially regarding 5G.”

    The Minister also highlighted the necessity for Rwanda to have a 5G connection, underscoring the opportunities it presents, particularly in the medical sector.

    5G technology is considered a significant advancement, offering connection speeds up to a hundred times faster than 4G.

    Ingabire expressed that medical services are one of the areas where Rwanda sees outstanding potential for the adoption of 5G.

    What makes 5G a game-changer?

    5G is more than just a faster internet connection. It enables transformative innovations, such as remote surgeries, autonomous vehicles, and smart home systems—like a fridge that alerts you if food is spoiling, or the ability to switch off an appliance remotely.

    Technically, 5G is 10 to 100 times faster than 4G. In the U.S., for instance, telecom giant Verizon recorded download speeds of up to 1.0 Gbps (gigabits per second) in recent tests—allowing users to download entire movies or large files in seconds.

    But speed isn’t everything. 5G drastically reduces latency—the delay between clicking something and seeing it respond. On 4G networks, this delay is around 20 milliseconds. With 5G, it drops to less than 1 millisecond, making real-time applications smoother and more responsive.

    Another key benefit is 5G’s ability to connect thousands of devices simultaneously, making it ideal for the Internet of Things (IoT)—where everything from cars to household appliances can be connected to the internet and communicate with each other.

    Rwanda now ranks third in Africa for internet speed and is among top countries worldwide. As of now, the number of people with 5G-compatible smartphones is growing rapidly—increasing by 10% to 15% each year—suggesting that Rwanda is well on its way to embracing this new digital era.

    MTN Rwanda has officially introduced 5G internet in the country for the first time, marking a major milestone in Rwanda’s ongoing digital transformation journey.

  • Comment of the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Rwanda on the article by Alcade Ndemeye, published in the online edition IGIHE

    We will not comment on the latter, even though Ukraine wholeheartedly wishes every success to the ongoing peace process involving several parties and facilitators. And of course, we will not react to any of the allegations in the above manipulative article, none of which have anything to do with reality. And it is difficult not to notice the striking similarities between all its deceptions and the lies spread by the Russian propaganda machine, aimed at undermining the heroic resistance of the Ukrainian people against Russia’s unprovoked aggression – a barbaric crime and fatal blunder that have become the greatest in its history.

    Yet, to prevent Rwandan readers from being misled by that article, we feel compelled to recall several well-established facts about Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, which began in 2014 with the annexation of Crimea – a sovereign part of Ukraine – and escalated on 24 February 2022 into a full-scale invasion.

    By launching its aggression against Ukraine, Russia has blatantly violated all most fundamental principles of international law enshrined in the UN Charter.

    Any violation of a sovereign state’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is a grave affront to international law and cannot be justified under any circumstances. Yet, even if one looks at the justifications for that aggression put forward by Russia – such as preventing NATO expansion or protecting the Russian-speaking population in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine – it is easy to understand that these justifications are totally false.

    When Finland and Sweden joined the North Atlantic Alliance in 2023 and 2024, respectively, Russia did not move a single platoon to prevent NATO expansion. On the contrary, it relocated the bulk of its troops stationed near those new NATO member states to the front line in Ukraine.

    Russian-speaking citizens of Ukraine have never faced discrimination due to their language or for any other reason. The Donetsk and Luhansk regions enjoyed a peaceful life before Russia decided to ‘protect’ them. Now, they are largely depopulated, completely in ruins, with no hope for a return to normal life in sight.

    The real ‘root cause’ of Russia’s aggression is Ukraine itself – its independence, its determination to shape its own future, and its rejection of its former colonial masters in the Kremlin. The overwhelming majority of members of the international community fully understand what is at stake in this war – including African countries, which themselves had to fight for freedom and independence. The entire world applauds the Ukrainian people’s heroic resistance under the leadership of President Zelenskyy.

    Ukraine simply has no other choice than to defend itself against the brutal invader. But of course, no one strives more for peace than Ukraine itself. Ukraine has always tried to find a diplomatic way of achieving peace. As far back as 2022, President Zelenskyy presented 10-point Peace Formula to restore a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine, based on respect to the international law and the UN Charter.

    Ukraine has also fully embraced and supported the U.S. Administration’s recent peace efforts, including its proposal for a thirty-day ceasefire starting on May 12, 2025, as a first step toward restoring peace.

    Both Ukraine and the international community continue to wait for Russia to reciprocate.

    This bloodiest war in Europe since World War II has already caused immense bloodshed and tremendous suffering in Ukraine, while also having a significant negative impact on many regions of the world, including Africa. It appears that only Russia is interested in continuing it.

    We trust that Rwandan readers can judge for themselves whether there are any similarities between this war and the conflict in the Great Lakes region. However, it remains crucial not to encourage the spread of falsehoods that directly or indirectly support Russia’s continued aggression against Ukraine.

    The Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Rwanda

  • Rwanda’s central bank to begin investing in gold starting July

    Rwanda Central Bank Governor Soraya Hakuziyaremye made the revelation during a press conference on Thursday, May 15, following a recent Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting.

    Addressing growing interest in gold among central banks in the East African Community (EAC) region, Governor Hakuziyaremye said Rwanda’s central bank conducted a detailed study on incorporating gold as an additional reserve asset.

    The move follows a trend observed by the EAC Central Bank Monetary Affairs Committee, which noted several regional central banks considering gold to diversify and strengthen their reserves.

    “Given gold’s ability to counter shocks in the financial market and serve as a hedge against external uncertainties, we have decided to explore it as a new asset class,” Governor Hakuziyaremye explained.

    The central bank boss emphasised that capital preservation, liquidity, and reasonable returns remain the primary objectives for the central bank’s foreign reserves investments.

    “The good news is that gold meets these criteria at this time, which makes our consideration positive,” she said.

    The central bank has already secured board approval to include gold investments in its portfolio.

    However, Governor Hakuziyaremye highlighted that gold is a new asset for the bank, and further updates on acquisition volumes and expected returns will be communicated by the end of the current financial year.

    “This is a learning process, and as we continue benchmarking with our peers, we plan to start adding gold to our reserves from July 2025,” she said.

    Meanwhile, the bank maintained the lending rate at 6.5 percent, a level Governor Soraya noted is aimed at keeping inflation within the targeted 2 to 8 percent range.

    Commenting on the economic outlook, she said headline inflation rose to 6.7 percent in the first quarter of 2025, up from 5.2 percent in the previous quarter, largely driven by increases in core and fresh food prices. Core inflation climbed to 6.1 percent, while fresh food inflation surged to 11.2 percent, mainly due to a base effect from unusually low prices in early 2024 and rising meat prices.

    Despite the uptick, inflation remains within the medium-term target range and is expected to average 6.5 percent in 2025 before easing to 3.9 percent in 2026.

    “Inflationary risks remain, particularly from global geopolitical tensions and shifting trade policies,” the central bank governor warned, but emphasized that the current rate should continue to anchor inflation expectations.

    The recent MPC meeting also noted Rwanda’s ongoing economic resilience, with the Composite Index of Economic Activity (CIEA) registering a 9.3 percent year-on-year increase in Q1 2025, supported by robust industrial and services performance. The economy grew by an impressive 8.9 percent in 2024, buoyed by a rebound in agriculture and strong domestic demand.

    However, Rwanda’s trade deficit widened by 10.8 percent in Q1 2025, as merchandise exports fell by 3.0 percent—mainly due to declining re-exports—while imports rose 5.8 percent, driven by increased demand for machinery and raw materials. This put pressure on the Rwandan franc, which depreciated by 2.46 percent against the U.S. dollar by the end of April.

    NBR Governor Soraya Hakuziyaremye confirmed that the central bank plans to begin investing in gold as part of its foreign exchange reserves portfolio starting in July 2025.Addressing growing interest in gold among central banks in the East African Community (EAC) region, Governor Hakuziyaremye said Rwanda’s central bank conducted a detailed study on incorporating gold as an additional reserve asset.

  • Rwanda’s central bank maintains lending rate at 6.5%

    NBR Governor Soraya Hakuziyaremye announced the decision on Thursday, May 15, a day after a meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), which sets the rate quarterly to guide the cost of borrowing and maintain macroeconomic stability.

    This marks the fourth consecutive time the MPC has held the rate at 6.5 percent, following its initial reduction from 7.0 percent in August 2024.

    Addressing members of the press, Governor Soraya said the current rate remains appropriate to keep inflation within the targeted 2–8 percent band.

    Headline inflation rose to 6.7 percent in the first quarter of 2025, up from 5.2 percent in the previous quarter, largely driven by increases in core and fresh food prices. Core inflation climbed to 6.1 percent, while fresh food inflation surged to 11.2 percent, largely due to a base effect from unusually low prices in early 2024 and rising meat prices.

    Despite the uptick, inflation remains within the medium-term target range and is expected to average 6.5 percent in 2025 before easing to 3.9 percent in 2026.

    “Inflationary risks remain, particularly from global geopolitical tensions and shifting trade policies,” the central bank boss warned, but emphasised that the current rate should continue to anchor inflation expectations.

    The MPC also noted Rwanda’s ongoing economic resilience, with the Composite Index of Economic Activity (CIEA) registering a 9.3 percent year-on-year increase in Q1 2025, supported by robust industrial and services performance. The economy grew by an impressive 8.9 percent in 2024, buoyed by a rebound in agriculture and strong domestic demand.

    However, Rwanda’s trade deficit widened by 10.8 percent in Q1 2025, as merchandise exports fell by 3.0 percent—mainly due to declining re-exports—while imports rose 5.8 percent, driven by increased demand for machinery and raw materials. This put pressure on the Rwandan franc, which depreciated by 2.46 percent against the U.S. dollar by the end of April.

    Money market trends have followed suit. The interbank rate declined to an average of 6.78 percent in Q1 2025, down from 8.29 percent a year earlier, reflecting the impact of earlier rate cuts. Deposit and lending rates also fell, with the average lending rate dropping to 15.89 percent from 16.35 percent.

    Going forward, the central bank reaffirmed its commitment to closely monitoring both global and domestic economic trends and to adjusting policy as needed to maintain price stability and support growth.

    “The MPC stands ready to take appropriate measures if inflationary pressures intensify,” Soraya stated.

    Addressing members of the press, NBR Governor Soraya Hakuziyaremye said the current rate remains appropriate to keep inflation within the targeted 2–8 percent band.This marks the fourth consecutive time the MPC has held the rate at 6.5 percent, following its initial reduction from 7.0 percent in August 2024.