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New details emerge on Kinshasa’s role in uniting anti-Rwanda groups

According to sources familiar with the matter, the alleged strategy hinges on cooperation with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an terrorist group formed by individuals linked to the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. The effort reportedly seeks to create a broader coalition of groups opposed to Rwanda’s government.

At the center of the reported initiative is Jean‑Luc Habyarimana, the son of the late president. Sources indicate he is being positioned as a figure capable of rallying remnants of the Hutu Power network and helping reorganize opposition groups under a new structure.

During a recent visit to Kinshasa, Jean-Luc reportedly met Désiré Cashmir Eberande Kolongele, President Tshisekedi’s special advisor on security matters.

According to individuals familiar with the meeting, he conveyed a message that plans were being developed to form a strong military alliance initially focused on confronting AFC/M23, before potentially expanding operations toward Rwanda.

Sources further claim that Jean-Luc, working with officials in the Congolese Ministry of Communication and Media, helped establish a platform known as Xtrafrica. The platform is reportedly used to promote narratives rehabilitating the image of Habyarimana, criticize the Rwandan government and support Tshisekedi’s regional agenda.

Meanwhile, Agathe Kanziga, the widow of Habyarimana, along with other figures associated with the Hutu Power ideology, is said to have advised Jean-Luc to rebrand the FDLR under a new name, the FCLR (Front Commun pour la Libération Rwandaise), in an effort to improve its international image while maintaining its existing structure and ideology.

The broader strategy reportedly involves bringing together political and military figures opposed to Rwanda’s government by offering them refuge and support in Congo.

Attention has also reportedly turned to Nyamwasa, a former senior officer in the Rwanda Defence Force who later founded the Rwanda National Congress (RNC).

Sources say he has been attempting to unite armed, political and propaganda networks in opposition to Rwanda’s leadership.

During a reported trip to Kinshasa in September 2024, Nyamwasa is said to have met leaders of the FDLR to discuss strengthening cooperation. Congolese officials familiar with the matter claim he has remained in close contact with Gaston Iyamuremye, the commander of the FDLR, a relationship described as key to efforts to align the RNC with the group.

In January 2026, Byiringiro reportedly appointed his brother-in-law Cyprien Ngabo as a liaison between the FDLR and an RNC faction led by Frank Ntwali, further indicating growing coordination between the groups.

Sources also claim that cooperation dates back several years. In early 2025, Byiringiro is said to have sent Emmanuel Hakizimana, an RNC member based in Canada, to the United States to represent the FDLR at a meeting of so-called Rwandan opposition figures.

The meeting was reportedly part of a long-running effort to unite fragmented groups opposed to Rwanda’s government. With alleged financial and political backing from individuals close to Tshisekedi, recruitment into the anti-Rwanda coalition is said to have intensified, involving supporters based in Uganda and prominent RNC-associated figures such as Charles Kambanda, Eugène Gasana, and Christine Uwizera Coleman.

Sources claim the initiative is becoming increasingly visible, pointing to alleged logistical support for the FDLR and outreach to individuals linked to or associated with the genocide, as part of a broader effort to unite groups opposed to Rwanda’s government under a single front.

New details have emerged on the coordination between President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and son of former Rwandan President Jean Luc Habyarimana.

March 13, 2026
Rwanda receives 205 citizens returning from DRC

The group crossed into Rwanda on Thursday, March 12, 2026, through the main border post linking the two countries in Rubavu District, where they were received by the district’s Vice Mayor in charge of Social Affairs, Ishimwe Pacifique.

Most of the returnees are women and children, many of whom were born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Speaking to the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency, several of them said they decided to return after being encouraged by fellow Rwandans who had previously repatriated and successfully rebuilt their lives back home.

Many of those returning had spent years under the control of the FDLR, a militia group formed by perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi who fled to the DRC after being defeated by the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA).

Since the M23 rebel forces began taking control of large parts of eastern DRC, the returnees say security conditions have improved, allowing them to consider going back to Rwanda.

In cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, those willing to return are being facilitated to repatriate.

The returning Rwandan nationals were welcomed by the district’s Vice Mayor in charge of Social Affairs, Ishimwe Pacifique.

March 13, 2026
Drunk drivers face up to six months in jail as Rwanda tightens road safety laws

Under the new legislation, any driver found with a blood alcohol content above the legal limit commits an offence. Convicted drivers face a fine ranging from Rwf 100,000 to Rwf 400,000 and imprisonment of three to six months.

The law specifically targets drivers of public transport, school buses, employee shuttles, tourist vehicles, and cargo trucks over 3.5 tons. Drivers whose blood alcohol level is at least twice the legal limit may face fines between Rwf 200,000 and Rwf 500,000 and imprisonment of three to six months, or one of these penalties.

Refusing a blood alcohol test is also criminalised. Drivers convicted of this offence face fines of Rwf 300,000 to Rwf 600,000 and imprisonment of three to six months if they operate public transport, school, or tourist vehicles, or cargo trucks over 3.5 tons. Drivers of other vehicles may face fines of Rwf 400,000 to Rwf 600,000 and imprisonment of up to 10 days.

The law sets the maximum permissible blood alcohol content at 0.80 grams per litre of blood. It also prohibits driving without a valid license, punishable by fines of Rwf 100,000–200,000 and 15–30 days in jail. Additionally, refusing to stop when signalled by a traffic officer is punishable by fines of Rwf 400,000–700,000 and imprisonment of three to six months.

The revision incorporates modern technology to enhance transparency and accountability in law enforcement, aiming to improve road safety and reduce accidents and fatalities. Traffic officers will prepare case files for prosecution in accordance with criminal procedure law.

Under the new legislation, any driver found with a blood alcohol content above the legal limit commits an offence. Convicted drivers face a fine ranging from Rwf 100,000 to Rwf 400,000 and imprisonment of three to six months.

March 12, 2026
74 Burundian refugees voluntarily return home from Rwanda

Seventy-four Burundians, who had sought refuge in Rwanda over the years, have voluntarily returned to their home country, expressing gratitude for the safety and support they received while in Rwanda.

The group crossed the Rwanda-Burundi border at Nemba One Stop Border Post in Bugesera District on Thursday, March 12. The group included 44 men and 30 women from 47 families. Among them, 62 had lived in Mahama Refugee Camp in Kirehe District, while 12 had been residing in Kigali City.

They were received by officials from Burundi following their transfer, with representatives from Rwanda’s Ministry of Emergency Management (MINEMA) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) accompanying them.

The group crossed the Rwanda-Burundi border at Nemba One Stop Border Post in Bugesera District on Thursday, March 12.

Jérémie Havugiyaremye, who spent 25 years in Rwanda, said he lived a normal life during his stay and had four children there, adding to three he had brought with him, making seven in total.

“Life in the camp was not easy, but we did not face any problems while in Rwanda,” Havugiyaremye said. “However, a camp is not a place to stay permanently. I miss my country, and I have decided to return to rebuild my life there.”

He added that his decision was influenced by friends who had returned earlier and reported that peace had been restored in Burundi.

The voluntary repatriation was facilitated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in coordination with officials from Rwanda and Burundi.

Oda Mariya, who had lived in Rwanda for 11 years after fleeing the unrest in Burundi in 2015, said she returned after learning that peace had returned.

“I fled alone, leaving my family behind,” she said. “Friends who returned earlier told us it was peaceful. I decided to go back and live normally with others, as we had no issues here in Rwanda.”

Karagire Gonzague, Refugee Programme Manager at MINEMA, said that since 2020, more than 31,000 Burundians have voluntarily returned home, with Burundi actively encouraging returns.

“In 2022, Burundi officials visited Mahama Camp and Kigali to speak with refugees and encourage them to return,” he said. “Last year, online discussions were held to explain to refugees the reasons for going back home.”

The 74 returnees join 115 others who returned in November 2025 from Mahama Camp and Kigali. MINEMA reports that since 2020, more than 30,000 Burundian refugees have returned home, while Rwanda continues to host over 50,000 others.

The Burundian nationals expressed gratitude for the safety and support they received while in Rwanda.

March 12, 2026
Amavubi gets new head coach

In a statement released on Thursday, the federation highlighted that the appointment ‘reflects Rwanda’s continued commitment to strengthening football structures and achieving excellence on the continental and global stage’.

Coach Constantine is set to take charge of the Amavubi squad on Monday, March 16, 2026, and will immediately begin preparations with the existing team ahead of the FIFA Series Tournament scheduled later this month in Kigali City.

FERWAFA announced that further details regarding technical plans, strategic objectives, and the roadmap for the teams will be shared during an official press conference planned for next week.

Stephen Constantine previously served as the team’s head coach between 2014 and 2015 before leaving to take charge of the India national football team.

During his earlier stint with Amavubi, Constantine had been tasked with preparing the team for the 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN), which was hosted in Rwanda. After his departure, Rwanda went on to reach the quarter-finals of the tournament.

He returns to Rwanda at a time when the country is ranked 131st in the FIFA rankings, compared with 68th when he left the role, the highest position Rwanda has ever achieved in its history. During his tenure, Amavubi remained unbeaten at home.

In the seven matches played during that period, the team lost only one, against Congo national football team, while drawing two games against Burundi national football team and Morocco national football team.

In 2025, Constantine expressed his continued appreciation for Rwanda after defeating Nigeria national football team on their home ground. He described Rwanda as a country that has made progress in football with talented players.

Stephen Constantine has been confirmed as new Amavubi head coach.

March 12, 2026
Disasters claim 28 lives in Rwanda since start of 2026

Data shared with IGIHE shows that between January 1 and March 11, 2026, disasters including lightning strikes, landslides and floods claimed lives in different parts of the country.

Among the victims, 14 people were killed by lightning, while five died in fires. Floods and landslides each killed three people, while two people died after houses collapsed. One person lost their life in a disaster linked to mining activities.

MINEMA also reported that besides the fatalities, 75 people have been injured since the start of the year, while 297 houses were damaged.

The disasters also destroyed crops on 220 hectares of land, killed 25 cows and nine other livestock, and damaged public infrastructure.

According to the ministry, the incidents also destroyed eight school classrooms, 14 roads, 22 electricity lines, and 22 bridges. In addition, one church and one market were damaged.

Recently, Rwanda’s Meteorological Agency warned that March 2026 is expected to receive above-average rainfall, which could increase the risk of disasters.

The meteorological agency said rainfall during the month could be slightly higher than the usual average, increasing soil moisture levels.

While this may benefit agricultural activities at the beginning of the Season B planting period, it could also bring strong winds and thunderstorms capable of triggering disasters, especially in areas where the ground is already saturated.

Forecasts indicate that rainfall between 100 and 350 millimeters is expected in the first and second ten-day periods of March, slightly above the usual average for those periods. Between March 21 and 31, rainfall is expected to return to normal levels ranging between 89 and 292 millimeters.

The Minister in charge of Emergency Management, Albert Murasira, recently urged residents to take precautions against disasters linked to heavy rains, particularly those living in high-risk zones.

He also called on people living in wetlands and high-risk zones to relocate to safer areas to avoid putting their lives in danger, stressing that long-term measures are being implemented to ensure communities do not settle in hazardous locations.

MINEMA has reported that disasters claimed 28 lives in Rwanda since start of 2026.

March 12, 2026
Rwandan, Burundian bishops hopeful for border reopening

From March 9 to 11, 2026, Kigali hosted a meeting of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference bringing together bishops from both countries to discuss cooperation and ways to address challenges affecting communities, particularly Christian faithful.

Speaking to the media, Bishop Joachim Ntahondereye of Muyinga Diocese and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Burundi, encouraged believers from both nations not to lose hope despite the prolonged border closure.

“Our message to Christians in Rwanda and Burundi at a time when the border between the two countries is closed is that they should not lose hope because no rain falls without eventually stopping,” he said.

“As the saying goes, every rain passes. The issues that led to the closure of the border will also pass, and people will once again travel, cooperate and support one another as they used to.”

Bishop Ntahondereye also urged those who have the means to continue using air travel, which remains open between the two countries, so they can keep sharing ideas, develop joint initiatives and help strengthen peace between Rwanda and Burundi.

Meanwhile, Cardinal Antoine Kambanda, Archbishop of Kigali and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Rwanda, said the arrival of Burundian bishops in Kigali by plane was itself a sign that the people of the two nations remain closely connected despite the border closure.

“It is strong testimony that we must work together to find solutions,” Cardinal Kambanda said. “We must do so as people who understand one another, because we have more to gain from living in harmony than from living in conflict.”

Burundi closed its land borders with Rwanda in January 2024, citing security concerns. Although air travel between the two countries has continued, the closure has significantly disrupted cross-border trade and movement of people who have long relied on ties between the neighboring nations.

Bishop Joachim Ntahondereye of Muyinga Diocese and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Burundi, encouraged believers from both nations not to lose hope despite the prolonged border closure.

Cardinal Antoine Kambanda, Archbishop of Kigali and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Rwanda, stressed the need for people from both countries to remain connected.

Eight Catholic bishops from Burundi spent three days in Rwanda.

March 12, 2026
Kenya and Rwanda central banks sign MoU to ease cross-border payment licensing

Signed on the sidelines of the Inclusive FinTech Forum 2026 in Kigali on Wednesday, the new framework aims to reduce duplicative regulatory processes while maintaining strong oversight, allowing licensed PSPs to operate seamlessly in both Kenya and Rwanda.

By promoting mutual recognition of licensing regimes, the initiative is expected to foster competition, encourage innovation, and accelerate the delivery of digital financial services across borders.

The MoU, the partners said, aligns with the East Africa Community Cross-Border Payment System Masterplan (EAC Masterplan), which envisions a more integrated, efficient, and inclusive regional payments ecosystem.

One of the Masterplan’s key priorities is to create a mutual recognition system for PSP licensing across partner states, addressing the regulatory fragmentation that has historically limited cross-border payment expansion.

Rwanda’s central bank termed the new agreement a “major step toward stronger competition, greater innovation, and faster cross-border digital financial services under robust regulatory oversight.

The Central Bank of Kenya reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regional collaboration and ensuring that national payment infrastructures meet the evolving needs of the economy.

The agreement is expected to pave the way for a more connected East African payments landscape, benefiting businesses and consumers alike by facilitating faster, safer, and more accessible digital financial services.

Signed on the sidelines of the Inclusive FinTech Forum 2026 in Kigali on Wednesday, the new framework aims to reduce duplicative regulatory processes while maintaining strong oversight, allowing licensed PSPs to operate seamlessly in both Kenya and Rwanda.

March 12, 2026
President Kagame attends PSG–Chelsea Champions League clash in Paris

The match was played at PSG’s home stadium, Parc des Princes.

“This evening in Paris, President Kagame attended the UEFA Champions League match at Parc des Princes, where Visit Rwanda partner Paris Saint-Germain secured a 5–2 victory over Chelsea FC,” the Office of the President said in a post on X.

The partnership between Visit Rwanda and Paris Saint-Germain was first signed in 2019 and renewed in 2025, extending the agreement until 2028.

Under the deal, PSG promotes the Visit Rwanda brand at its home ground, Parc des Princes, and on the club’s training kits.

Since the partnership began, millions of football fans around the world have gained greater awareness of Rwanda through media coverage and the visibility of the Visit Rwanda brand.

Through the collaboration, more than 400 children have also received football training through PSG Academy Rwanda, established by the French club in Rwanda.

Each year, the club sends players and legends to Rwanda to visit the country’s tourist attractions and share their experiences with global audiences.

The latest visitors were Océane Nathalie Toussaint Dit Marseille, Baby Jordy Benera, and Jade Le Guilly, members of the Paris Saint-Germain Féminine, who visited Rwanda in late February this year.

According to the Rwanda Development Board, the continued partnership helps position Rwanda as a global tourism destination, with further exposure expected as the Visit Rwanda brand appears on training kits worn by PSG youth teams in the United States.

President Kagame was welcomed by senior officials from Paris Saint-Germain.

The match ended with PSG defeating Chelsea 5–2.

March 12, 2026
Former Burundi Prime Minister Gen Alain-Guillaume Bunyoni released from prison

Bunyoni, who served as Prime Minister of Burundi from June 2020 to September 2022, was freed alongside ten other detainees on health grounds. The release was confirmed by security officials in Burundi as well as his lawyer Placide Gatoto.

One of the most influential figures in Burundi’s political and security establishment, Bunyoni held several senior positions during his career, particularly within the security sector. He was also the first person to receive the rank of General in the country’s national police.

He was arrested in April 2023 and accused of crimes linked to an alleged plot to harm President Évariste Ndayishimiye as well as charges related to undermining the country’s economy.

Following his trial, Bunyoni was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. He was subsequently transferred to Gitega Central Prison, where he had been serving his sentence.

At the time of his conviction, the court also ordered the seizure and sale of his assets, which reportedly included numerous buildings and vehicles. The proceeds were intended to compensate the Burundian state for funds he was accused of embezzling.

Bunyoni’s health had deteriorated significantly during his detention. On October 9, 2025, he was admitted to a hospital in Gitega after human rights activists who visited him in the special cell where he was being held warned that his condition could be life-threatening.

According to Pierre Claver Mbonimpa, chairperson of the human rights organization APRODH, Bunyoni was suffering from severe diabetes and serious mental health issues. Mbonimpa said the former prime minister sometimes became extremely frightened, even hiding under his bed when people visited him.

Medical treatment at the Gitega hospital reportedly failed to improve his condition. He was later transferred to the private Kira Hospital in Bujumbura, but he was discharged shortly afterward when no significant improvement was observed.

The Burundian government’s decision to release Bunyoni has fueled speculation that he may be allowed to seek specialized medical treatment abroad, where doctors may be better equipped to handle his condition than facilities in Bujumbura or Gitega.

Bunyoni served as Prime Minister of Burundi from June 2020 to September 2022.

March 11, 2026