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The race took place from September 21 to 28, marking the first time in its 125-year history that the competition was held on the African continent.

Rwandans embraced the event with warmth, lining the streets alongside international fans all week. Flags waved, drums echoed, and chants rolled through Kigali’s avenues.

Reflecting after the race, UCI President David Lappartient said his strongest memory was the passion and enthusiasm that defined the event — exhausted but joyful riders, dedicated organizers, and spirited spectators all contributing to what he described as an atmosphere of “happiness.”

He stressed that all the key elements for success came together — local expertise, political will, stability, and a well-established cycling culture — and highlighted the decisive support of President Paul Kagame in making the event possible.

Beyond the races themselves, Lappartient emphasized the international reach of the championships, which put Rwanda in the global spotlight.

A record 132 nations took part in the UCI Congress, 108 competed in the race, and television broadcasts reached audiences in 130 countries, placing Rwanda “at the center of the world” during the event.

Many visitors also took the opportunity to explore national parks and the country’s scenery, combining tourism with the sporting experience.

Responding to early doubts from some quarters, the UCI president underlined the organization’s political neutrality and expressed regret over attempts to politicize the event.

He noted that several delegations who were initially hesitant eventually came to Kigali and left with a positive impression after witnessing the smooth organization.

“The purpose of sport,” he said, “is also to unite and bring people together,” a mission he believes was fully achieved in Kigali.

Looking ahead, Lappartient confirmed that major events are on the horizon, including the 2027 combined World Championships in Haute-Savoie, France, which will bring together around twenty cycling disciplines at once.

Lappartient also hailed Rwanda’s modern infrastructure, and said he leaves Kigali with “unforgettable memories,” convinced the event will mark a historic chapter for cycling and its athletes.

karirima@igihe.com

The initiative was announced recently by the International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council (IHPC), Office of Development Affairs, and the Presidential Court.

The programme is designed to deliver strategic masterclasses to reimagine aid through smarter tools, stronger collaboration and future-ready leadership.

Built on four foundational pillars – education, capacity building, experience sharing, and strategic networking – it aims to sharpen leadership in a volatile aid and development landscape. It also reflects the UAE’s commitment to a future-ready foreign aid model by focusing on leadership development, ecosystem strengthening, innovation and knowledge, and collaboration.

It will equip leaders in the humanitarian sector to reimagine how aid is delivered through innovation, technology and strategic partnerships.

The initiative integrates diplomacy, development and data to address modern crises with holistic solutions. It is based on the premise that the UAE has a unique opportunity to redefine the future of aid and development regionally and globally at a time of shifting global priorities and reduced budgets from major donors.

Dr. Tareq Ahmed Al Ameri, Director of the Office of Development Affairs, said the programme reflects the UAE’s strong commitment to advancing global cooperation in aid and development. He noted, “It highlights the UAE’s willingness to learn from external expertise, networks and resources, underscoring its unique position in the global ecosystem as a unifying force working to bridge divides and achieve shared goals.”

He added that in a world that is increasingly reactive, the need is for proactiveness, innovation and leadership. “The future of aid depends on anticipation and agility, and the UAE stands ready to deliver both through strategic initiatives such as the Aid Foresight Programme. Developing and promoting adaptive leadership in the aid and development space is crucial. Adoption of cutting-edge features including the use of digital tools to enhance delivery, tracking and coordination is important.”

The five-day programme covers a wide range of topics, including innovation and leadership, innovation in government, data and analytics in development and humanitarian aid, developments in Africa, East Asia and Latin America, partnerships and resources, climate and health diplomacy, innovative financing, and the impact of geopolitical shifts on aid.

On October 18, 2025, Kigali’s BK Arena will host the PFL Africa League semi-finals, where some of the continent’s top fighters will compete for a place in the grand finals scheduled for December.

In a video shared on the league’s social media platforms, Francis Ngannou, who serves as Chairman of PFL Africa, confirmed he will be present in Rwanda.

“I am calling all of you to join us in Kigali at BK Arena on October 18, where Africa’s MMA [Mixed Martial Arts] takes center stage,” Ngannou said. “Come witness greatness, watch our warriors rise, and be part of history. Don’t miss it — be there with us.”

A total of 22 fighters will face off across different divisions, including Heavyweight, Bantamweight, Welterweight, and Featherweight.

This marks the first time for Rwanda to host a continental-level mixed martial arts event. Among the featured bouts, James Opio will represent Rwanda, facing Isaac Omeda from Uganda.

The event, being held in Africa for the first time, is organized by the Global Association of Mixed Martial Arts (GAMMA) through the Professional Fighters League Africa.

He noted that he hopes Rwanda will not again be requested to facilitate the repatriation of mercenaries, as was the case with the Romanian mercenaries who suffered a humiliating defeat earlier this year.

His comments came in response to a social media post by Jacquemain Shabani Lukoo Bihango, the DRC’s Vice Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, Security, Decentralisation, and Customary Affairs, who appeared to confirm and even boast about the deployment of foreign mercenaries by a private security firm linked to former U.S. Navy SEAL officer Erik Prince.

In a post shared on X on Monday, Shabani shared an image of ocean water with the caption “Blackwater” alongside the DRC flag. The firm associated with Erik Prince has been widely reported to provide mercenaries to support the Congolese army, including guarding strategic mineral sites and fighting against the M23 rebels.

Reacting to the post, Nduhungirehe said it was “only in DRC” that a senior government official could publicly brag about the deployment of mercenaries, despite international law prohibiting the practice under the 1977 OAU/AU Convention and the 1989 United Nations Convention.

He recalled that in late January 2025, more than 280 Romanian mercenaries fighting alongside the Congolese army in Goma were routed by M23 rebels and later granted safe passage through Kigali before flying back to Europe.

“Following the humiliating defeat of Romanian mercenaries in Goma… the Government of DRC has this time hired Colombian mercenaries through Erik Prince’s private security firm, once known as Blackwater,” Nduhungirehe said.

The minister stressed that Congo’s continued reliance on mercenaries undermines peace efforts, running against the Washington Peace Agreement and the Doha Declaration of Principles, which were intended to help the DRC achieve lasting stability.

“And I hope that Rwanda will not again be requested to facilitate the repatriation of another bunch of mercenaries,” he concluded.

The exchange comes amid growing fears of renewed escalation in eastern Congo, where M23 accuses the Congolese army and its allied forces and militias of targeting civilians in the eastern DRC.

The deal was signed recently on the sidelines of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) General Assembly by Morocco’s Minister of Transport and Logistics, Abdessamad Kayouh, and Rwanda’s Ambassador to Canada, Prosper Higiro.

This milestone expands civil aviation cooperation, creating new opportunities for trade, tourism, and investment while further deepening the ties of friendship between the two nations.

On this occasion, both sides discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation and exchange expertise in areas related to aviation safety, with the goal of ensuring the highest levels of safety and security in international air transport. They also agreed to strengthen coordination within regional and international forums.

Mr. Kayouh told the media that the signing of this agreement is part of the policy initiated by King Mohammed VI, aimed at connecting the Kingdom with other African countries by encouraging the opening of new air routes.

For his part, Ambassador Higiro welcomed the agreement, saying it reflects the excellent relations between the two countries.

Rwanda and Morocco share a longstanding partnership, reinforced through multiple agreements over the years.

In 2016, King Mohammed VI visited Rwanda, during which the two nations signed 19 cooperation agreements in areas such as banking, diplomatic relations, and investment facilitation.

One of the agreements allowed diplomatic and official passport holders to travel between the two countries without restrictions.

In 2019, Rwanda and Morocco signed 12 additional agreements in Rabat, further solidifying their collaboration. Morocco remains a key partner in education, offering numerous scholarships to African students, including Rwandans.

In 2020, Rwanda’s then-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta, and his Moroccan counterpart signed two agreements, one enhancing government collaboration and another focused on sports development in Africa.

The apology came during a trilateral phone call with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani and U.S. President Donald Trump.

According to a statement from Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, Netanyahu expressed regret over the incident and pledged that such an event would not recur.

Al Thani strongly condemned the strike, emphasizing that the protection of Qatari citizens and residents was “an absolute priority” and reaffirming Qatar’s determination to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The statement also underscored Qatar’s continued commitment to mediating an end to the Gaza war.

On Sept. 9, Israel carried out airstrikes on Doha, claiming they targeted senior Hamas leaders based in the city. Hamas said its delegation was in Doha at the time to discuss a U.S.-brokered ceasefire proposal.

The strikes killed five Palestinians and one Qatari security officer, drawing widespread international condemnation. The attack followed a pattern of Israel’s “decapitation strikes” in the past two years against leaders of Hezbollah, Hamas, Yemen’s Houthis, and Iran’s military.

Speaking from the United States, Netanyahu told his Qatari counterpart that Israel “had no plan to violate your sovereignty again in the future,” a pledge he said he also conveyed to Trump.

“I want to assure you that Israel was targeting Hamas, not Qataris,” he added. Netanyahu also endorsed Trump’s proposal for a trilateral mechanism with Qatar to address outstanding disputes.

Israeli media, including state-run Kan TV, reported that the apology was a necessary condition for Qatar to continue its mediation efforts to secure a Gaza ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages.

Just a day earlier, Netanyahu had defended the strike in a Fox News interview, saying that “any self-respecting country doesn’t give a pass to terrorists.” The apology drew criticism from within Israel’s ultra-right coalition, with some cabinet members reportedly calling it “humiliating” and accusing Qatar of supporting Hamas.

“I also want to thank Prime Minister Netanyahu for agreeing to the plan and for trusting that if we work together, we can bring an end to the death and destruction that we’ve seen for so many years, decades, even centuries, and begin a new chapter of security, peace and prosperity for the entire region,” Trump told a joint press conference at the White House.

Trump also called on Hamas to accept the terms of the peace proposal.

The sanctions cover travel bans, asset freezes, and restrictions on trade, finance, and transport. They also include bans on Iranian oil, gas and petrochemical imports, the supply of energy-sector equipment and precious metals, as well as limits on Iranian banks and cargo flights.

The EU move follows the return of UN sanctions after Britain, France and Germany (the E3) triggered the accord’s “snapback” mechanism on Aug. 28. Under the procedure, unless the UN Security Council votes to extend sanctions relief, pre-2015 UN restrictions automatically resume within 30 days.

The UN Security Council failed on Friday to adopt a resolution that sought to grant a six-month extension for the nuclear deal between Iran and the six major countries of Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States, as well as Security Council Resolution 2231 that endorsed the deal.

Explaining Friday’s vote, Geng Shuang, China’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said his country was deeply disappointed at the result.

Geng reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy were the only viable ways to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue and preserve peace in the Middle East.

In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Sunday that the snapback procedure invoked by the E3 and the United States was “null and void,” citing Washington’s withdrawal from the JCPOA in 2018 and the European countries’ failure to meet their obligations under the deal.

He stressed that Iran would continue to defend its sovereign rights and legitimate interests while remaining open to “genuine negotiations on an equal footing.”