The deals, signed on Thursday, July 17, in New York, include a visa waiver for all passport holders and two memoranda of understanding (MoUs) covering health and tourism.
Rwanda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Martin Ngoga, and Antigua and Barbuda’s Permanent Representative, Ambassador Walton Webson, signed the agreements on behalf of their respective countries.
The visa waiver agreement allows nationals of both countries to travel without the need for entry, transit, or visitor visas. Officials say the move will ease travel restrictions, promote cultural and economic exchange, and enhance mobility between the two nations.
The MoU on health outlines areas of collaboration including disease prevention, HIV/AIDS and malaria programmes, maternal and child health, health insurance systems, pharmaceutical cooperation, and epidemiological surveillance. The agreement is expected to support knowledge exchange and capacity building in both countries’ health sectors.
In tourism, the two nations committed to working together to promote sustainable travel and eco-tourism, and to explore innovations in green energy and climate-resilient tourism strategies. The MoU also provides a framework for joint marketing and tourism development initiatives.
The agreements are part of Rwanda’s broader strategy to deepen engagement with the Caribbean and advance South-South cooperation.
According to Leavitt, ultrasound exams performed on Trump’s legs revealed chronic venous insufficiency, a condition frequently found in individuals over the age of 70.
Leavitt said additional exams identified Trump with “no signs of heart failure, renal impairment or systemic illness.”
Trump, 79, was recently photographed at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where visible swelling around his ankles sparked public speculation about his health.
Speaking on July 18, 2025, Kanyuka stated that despite ongoing political negotiations between the DRC government and other stakeholders in Qatar, military preparations are continuing on the ground with the help of foreign forces, notably Burundian troops.
He alleged that Burundi is once again engaging in hostile military activities in the region, disregarding past defeats.
“Burundi’s army is repeating the same mistakes as before. It has deployed a battalion of 520 soldiers through Nzibira toward Bukavu to reinforce its forces in the Rusizi Valley,” Kanyuka revealed.
He said this move is part of a broader military coalition mobilized by Kinshasa, which has positioned troops in key areas of South Kivu, while others are arriving from Pinga in Walikale, Lubero, and Kisangani in Tshopo Province to attack AFC/M23 positions.
“Many soldiers are moving from Kalemie to Uvira, and from Bujumbura to Shabunda and Kisangani. This week, their coalition launched intense assaults on our positions,” Kanyuka stated.
He emphasized that AFC/M23 retains the right to defend itself and protect civilians, vowing to neutralize any threats to the stability of areas under its control.
Kanyuka’s warning comes as UN experts, in a May 2025 report, confirmed the presence of 7,000 to 9,000 Burundian troops operating in the Rusizi Valley and near the Minembwe highlands in eastern DRC.
Meanwhile, Burundi’s Minister of Defense, Alain Tribert Mutabazi, speaking on July 15, insisted that his country’s forces are only present in eastern Congo to preserve peace, secure borders, and fight armed groups operating in North and South Kivu.
AFC/M23 sees these deployments as a direct provocation and a threat to the fragile stability of the region.
The agreement, signed on July 17, was represented by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB).
The new plant is expected to reduce Rwanda’s dependence on cement imports, create jobs, and support the country’s infrastructure development with sustainable quarrying practices.
Clinker, a vital component in cement production, will be produced locally for the first time at scale. Cement imports into Rwanda reached $94 million in 2024, marking a 41.5% increase from $67 million the previous year, according to the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
RDB said the investment would “generate employment and support Rwanda’s infrastructure development through sustainable quarrying practices.”
This development follows the government’s recent approval of mineral, quarry, and exploration licences as part of efforts to boost the mining sector.
The clinker plant is expected to play a crucial role in meeting growing local demand for cement, cutting foreign exchange outflows, and driving economic growth in the country.
In his keynote remarks, Fu Hua, forum chair and president of Xinhua News Agency, said greater BRICS cooperation has played a critical role in unifying Global South countries, boosting their influence in global affairs, and driving reform in global governance.
As the forum enters its second decade, Xinhua is committed to working with its BRICS counterparts to tell the Global South’s stories more effectively, promote joint research on major issues, and deepen professional collaboration, Fu added.
Zhu Qingqiao, Chinese ambassador to Brazil, in a congratulatory letter, praised the forum’s inclusion of discussions on artificial intelligence and highlighted its role in advancing the outcomes of the 17th BRICS Summit.
Zhu expressed hope that the event would further position BRICS as a platform for South-South cooperation and a voice for reform in global governance.
Other speakers echoed their calls. Carlos Hernandez, president of the Central American Parliament, said global governance is in urgent need of new models and new voices.
“The countries represented here today have shown the way forward: one grounded in equitable development, dignity, and multilateralism,” he said.
Mikhail Gusman, first deputy director-general of TASS Russian News Agency, noted that BRICS nations reflect the diversity of emerging economies.
Facing growing global media challenges, BRICS media cooperation has an important role in defending truth, justice and peace, he said.
Tia Ju, vice president of the Legislative Assembly of the state of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, praised China’s efforts to unite Global South countries and emphasized the need for media collaboration to increase international visibility and influence for BRICS.
Yeidckol Polevnsky Gurwitz, chair of the Asia-Pacific Foreign Relations Committee of the Mexican Senate, said that Mexico shares with BRICS a vision of inclusive growth and fair trade.
“We cannot allow external interference in our development paths. Together, we must build a multipolar world,” she said, referencing China’s concept of building a community with a shared future for humanity.
The forum concluded with the release of a think tank report titled “BRICS Cooperation: Advancing the Collective Progress of the Global South” and the launch of two major initiatives: Global South Joint Communication Partnership Program and “Tapping into BRICS, Voices from the South” Content Collaborative Project.
The forum marked the first full meeting of the BRICS media mechanism since the bloc’s historic expansion and was co-hosted by Xinhua News Agency and Brazil Communication Company under the theme “BRICS United: Forging a New Chapter for the Global South.”
According to a statement released on July 17, this financing approved by the Board of AfDB on July 14, 2025, will be bolstered by an additional €86.92 million (more than Frw 143 billion) from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), bringing the total program cost to €260.76 million (over Frw 433 billion).
This marks the AfDB’s second result-based energy sector operation in Rwanda, following a $305 million program in 2018, underscoring Rwanda’s commitment to performance-based financing to bridge its power infrastructure gaps.
Aligned with Rwanda’s Energy Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP II 2024–2029), the RBF II program is designed to enhance quality of life, spur economic growth, and alleviate poverty through targeted energy sector investments.
The program focuses on three key areas, namely: modernising and expanding the electricity grid, increasing access to both on-grid and off-grid electricity and clean cooking technologies, and building technical and institutional capacity.
It aims to connect 200,000 households and 850 productive use customers to the national grid, provide 50,000 new off-grid electricity connections, distribute clean cooking devices to 100,000 households and 310 public institutions, and install street lighting across 200 km of roads in Rwanda’s secondary cities.
As a cornerstone of the AfDB’s High-5 priority areas—“Light up and Power Africa” and “Improve the Quality of Life of the People of Africa”—the RBF II program also supports the ambitious Mission 300 Initiative, a joint effort by the AfDB and the World Bank to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030.
This initiative complements Rwanda’s remarkable strides in expanding electricity access.
According to a recent report by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), household access to electricity significantly increased, from 34% in 2017 to 72% in 2024.
The findings, published in the Seventh Integrated Household Living Conditions Survey (EICV7) on April 16, 2025, show that 50% of households are now connected to the national grid, while 22% rely on standalone solar systems.
While urban areas experienced an increase in household electricity access from 76% to 88%, the growth in rural areas has been even more substantial. Access in rural areas dramatically increased from 24% in 2017 to 65% in 2024.
Notably, electricity access has also improved for the lowest economic segment, with 53% of households in the lowest quintile now having access, compared to only 9% in 2017.
The files were submitted by Jean Kuete, secretary general of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) party.
Kuete told reporters after officially submitting the files that CPDM is “fully ready for the election any time”.
On Sunday, Biya, 92, officially announced that he will run for the upcoming presidential election. He became president in 1982, and was re-elected president in 1984, 1988, 1992, 1997, 2004, 2011 and 2018.
The Elecam said that Biya is among some nine political leaders who have already submitted their application files for the election.
The deadline to submit the application is July 21, according to the country’s electoral code. Cameroon’s presidential election is scheduled for Oct. 12.
The Secretary-General expressed deep appreciation for Tetteh’s leadership and dedicated service during her tenure. Her contributions were particularly noted in advancing peacebuilding and diplomatic engagement across the volatile Horn of Africa region.
Guang Cong brings over 23 years of experience in United Nations peace operations, with much of his work focused on the Horn of Africa. He is currently serving as Deputy Special Representative (Political) for South Sudan and Deputy Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
From 2016 to 2020, he served as Director of Civil Affairs in UNMISS, having earlier held leadership roles in several other UN missions. These include his tenure as Chief of Civil Affairs in the UN-African Union Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), and earlier posts in Jonglei State, Blue Nile State, and Abyei under the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS).
His extensive international service also includes work as Chief of Political Affairs and Chief of Staff at the United Nations Special Coordinator’s Office in Lebanon (2012–2014) and as a senior field officer with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) between 2002 and 2009.
Before joining the UN, Mr. Cong held a diplomatic career with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Shanghai International Studies University and a Graduate Certificate from China Foreign Affairs University. In addition to his native Chinese, he speaks fluent English.
Mr. Cong is expected to bring deep regional knowledge and diplomatic experience to his new role at a critical time for the Horn of Africa, a region facing complex challenges ranging from conflict and displacement to climate-driven crises.
Camp Geille, the largest French military installation in Senegal located in the capital Dakar, and the French air detachment at Dakar’s international airport were officially transferred to the Senegalese authorities at a ceremony attended by Mbaye Cisse, chief of General Staff of the Senegalese Armed Forces, and Pascal Ianni, commander of French forces in Africa.
At the ceremony, Ianni said that the handover of Camp Geille marked the end of France’s permanent military presence in Senegal and the beginning of a new phase in bilateral military cooperation.
For his part, Cisse said that the Senegalese government is updating its defense and security cooperation framework, with a core focus on supporting the autonomous development of Senegal’s military.
“The future direction of Senegal-France cooperation will depend on the political will of both governments and must also show greater respect for Senegal’s sovereignty,” he added.
French troops have been present in Senegal since the country gained independence in 1960.
On Dec. 31, 2024, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye urged French forces to leave the country, while delivering his New Year’s address.
In recent years, several African nations, including Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad and Cote d’Ivoire, have urged the withdrawal of French and U.S. troops and the handover of their military bases.
In an exclusive interview with IGIHE, Dr. Berhane Redae, a consultant endoscopic surgeon at KFHR, revealed that the procedure was introduced locally to save patients the cost and inconvenience of seeking the service abroad.
“Gastric balloon placement is a well-established global procedure. For years, patients had to travel to Kenya, Turkey, or elsewhere just to get it done. Now, everything is available here in Rwanda,” said Dr. Redae.
The procedure involves placing a silicone balloon inside the stomach using an endoscope. Once inserted, the balloon is filled with sterile water, occupying space in the stomach and helping patients feel full faster. The result is reduced food intake, smaller portions, and steady weight loss over several months.
According to Dr. Redae, the entire process, from preparation to recovery, takes less than an hour. The balloon itself is inserted in 15 to 20 minutes under light sedation, and the patient can return home the same day.
“We use anaesthesia and so the patient sleeps and feels no pain or discomfort,” he explained. “It’s far less invasive than surgery and completely reversible.”
The gastric balloon remains in the stomach for about six months. During this period, patients are encouraged to adopt healthier habits, particularly around portion control, physical activity, and nutrition.
“The gastric balloon is reversible,” Dr. Redae explained. “If the patient doesn’t follow the recommended lifestyle changes, they can regain the weight, just like with surgery. The idea is that during the six months it’s in place, the patient adapts to a new lifestyle. If they maintain that lifestyle, the weight loss is sustainable.”
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The ideal candidates for this procedure are adults with a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 27 and 40, typically individuals classified as overweight or moderately obese. For those with a BMI above 50, Dr. Redae says additional interventions such as surgery may be more suitable.
The expected average weight loss is about 15% of a patient’s starting weight, though outcomes vary depending on personal discipline, diet, and activity levels. “For someone who weighs 100 kg, they might lose around 15 kg within the balloon’s placement period,” said Dr. Redae.
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Dr. Redae reassures patients that the procedure is among the safest weight loss interventions available.
“It doesn’t permanently alter the body. If necessary, we can remove the balloon early without complications.”
Complications, though rare, may include nausea, discomfort, or, in very rare cases, balloon leakage (deflation). Patients are educated on warning signs and have access to follow-up care throughout the six-month period.
“It’s a very well-proven silicone product. It won’t burst easily,” Dr. Redae said. “But if there’s a manufacturing defect and water leaks, it can result in dyspepsia or other self-destruction signs, which may happen.”
King Faisal Hospital offers scheduled follow-up appointments at one week, one month, three months, and six months to monitor patient progress, provide nutritional counselling, and support long-term success.
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At present, the gastric balloon itself must be purchased out-of-pocket from pharmacies, though the endoscopic procedure is covered by medical insurance. Dr. Redae believes that, in time, insurers will begin recognising the value of obesity treatment.
“Obesity is not just a cosmetic issue, it’s a disease,” he said. “By helping people lose weight, we reduce the risk of diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and joint problems. It’s preventive medicine.”
With rising urbanisation, sedentary lifestyles, and changing dietary habits, obesity is becoming an increasingly pressing health issue in Rwanda, much like in many parts of the world. Dr. Redae believes the gastric balloon is a crucial tool in addressing this challenge.
“This is just one tool,” Dr. Redae said. “But it’s a valuable one, especially for people who’ve struggled with other weight loss options.”
For those considering the procedure, Dr. Redae’s advice is for them to start with a consultation.
“Come in, talk to a physician, and we’ll work with you to find the best path forward.”
Watch the full interview with Dr. Berhane Redae on our YouTube channel.
