He presented his credentials alongside the ambassadors of Ghana, Slovenia, France, Nepal, and Mongolia in a ceremony that took place at the Royal Palace of Madrid on Monday, February 24.
Nkulikiyimfura, who also serves as Rwanda’s ambassador to France, Italy, Monaco, and Portugal, expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to strengthen diplomatic ties with Spain.
“It has been an honour to present my credentials to His Majesty King Felipe VI,” he said. “I express my deep gratitude to His Majesty and his Government for the solid cooperation with Rwanda in multiple sectors.”
Spain’s government reaffirmed its commitment to diplomatic traditions, noting that the presentation of credentials is a longstanding practice dating back to the 18th century.
The ceremony, conducted with full honors, plays a key role in enhancing bilateral ties between Spain and its global partners.
The Letters of Credence formally recognize an ambassador as the highest diplomatic authority of their nation in the host country.
Nkulikiyimfura’s appointment is expected to further enhance Rwanda-Spain relations in various sectors.
During these operations, soldiers from the Paratroopers Brigade reportedly discovered various weapons, including rifles, ammunition, and other military supplies left behind by former Syrian regime forces. The military confirmed that all seized materials were either taken into custody or rendered unusable.
The Israeli military stated that similar operations have been conducted regularly since December, resulting in the removal of numerous weapons and explosives.
A battalion commander in the 474th Brigade, who was not identified, explained in a military-released video that the goal of these raids is to eliminate Syrian army weapon stockpiles and operational capabilities.
He noted that previous operations uncovered rockets, explosives, landmines, as well as tanks and armored personnel carriers, which were subsequently dismantled.
This announcement follows a statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who emphasized that Israeli forces would maintain a long-term presence on Mount Hermon and in the buffer zone along the Syrian border. He also reiterated the call for a demilitarized zone south of Damascus.
In December of the previous year, after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s government, Israel deployed ground forces into the buffer zone, a demilitarized area between the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights and Syria.
Monitored by the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force since the 1974 Agreement on Disengagement, the zone has been a focal point of tensions.
Despite international criticism, Israel later secured what it described as key strategic positions on the Syrian-controlled side of Mount Hermon, justifying the move as a measure to safeguard Israeli civilians.
Initially scheduled for earlier completion, the project faced unforeseen delays. Maurice Rugaba, Branch Manager for Rwanda Energy Group (REG) in Rutsiro, confirmed to IGIHE that the plant’s output will be added to the national grid by May 2025.
The construction has provided daily employment for over 200 workers over the past two years. The project is now in its final stages, with only the installation of electricity-generating turbines remaining.
The turbines have already arrived on-site, and experts from the supplying company are expected soon to complete the installation.
According to the Energy Sector Policy released by the Ministry of Infrastructure in February 2025, Rwanda’s electricity production capacity has reached 406.4 megawatts.
The Kore hydropower plant’s contribution will provide electricity for approximately 1,000 to 1,500 households.
The entire project is expected to cost over 2.3 billion Rwandan francs upon completion.
The resolution passed with 10 votes in favor, none against, and five abstentions, including France, Britain, Denmark, Greece, and Slovenia.
Reaffirming the UN’s mission to maintain global peace and resolve conflicts, the resolution calls for an immediate end to hostilities and mourns lives lost without assigning blame to Russia.
Acting U.S. Ambassador to the UN Dorothy Shea emphasized that while the resolution is not a “peace deal,” it provides “a path to peace.”
UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo stressed that peace must be “just, sustainable, and comprehensive.”
Earlier, the UN General Assembly rejected the U.S. draft and instead approved a resolution submitted by Ukraine and European allies, reaffirming Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while advocating for a just and lasting peace.
UN Security Council resolutions are legally binding under international law.
Speaking in Port Sudan, Sudan’s Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Hussein al-Amin announced plans to escalate actions, accusing Kenya of hostility.
According to reports, Hussein mentioned submitting a memorandum to the African Union and imposing economic sanctions, including a ban on Kenyan tea imports.
Sudan criticizes Kenya for hosting the RSF’s signing of the Sudan Founding Charter, which aims to establish a parallel government. Hussein condemned this as interference and a violation of international agreements.
Since the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and RSF began in April 2023, it has claimed at least 29,683 lives by the end of 2024, according to crisis monitoring reports.
This initiative is a collaboration between the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), according to a statement released late Monday.
The two regional blocs have selected former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, and former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn to lead their joint peace process in the DRC.
This appointment follows a joint summit held on February 8, where the EAC and SADC proposed merging the Nairobi Process, an EAC-led mediation effort led by Kenyatta, with the Luanda Process, a separate peace initiative facilitated by Angolan President João Lourenço under the African Union.
Both peace processes have encountered obstacles. The Nairobi Process has reportedly reached an “impasse,” according to Kenyatta’s spokesperson, Kanze Dena. Meanwhile, a peace summit under the Luanda Process was abruptly canceled in late December.
As part of their renewed efforts, the EAC and SADC have scheduled a ministerial meeting for February 28.
The M23 rebels have taken control of multiple towns, including Goma and Bukavu, the capital cities of North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, respectively.
The eastern DRC remains a battleground for various armed groups. This renewed mediation effort signals a fresh attempt to bring stability to the region, though the success of the initiative will depend on cooperation from all parties involved.
Reports indicate that calm has been restored in all areas captured by the M23 rebel group, which disclosed intentions to continue fighting for the Liberation of DR Congo, shall Kinshasa maintain reluctance on direct negotiations.
Chi-Man Kwan was received by President Kagame on February 24, 2025.
According to a statement posted on the official X account of the Office of the President, Village Urugwiro, Kwan is in Rwanda to attend the Inclusive Fintech Forum, an international conference on financial technology, taking place from February 24 to 26, 2025.
President Kagame is expected to officially open the IFF conference on February 25, 2025, at the Kigali Convention Center, where leaders from different sectors around the world will be in attendance.
This forum is organized by the Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC) in collaboration with Elevandi, a company specializing in financial technology, and the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR). The partnership aims to establish the forum as a key platform for global financial technology solutions.
According to the 2024 FinSope report, financial services in Rwanda reach 96% of the population, with 86% of them accessing these services through mobile phones.
Insights gathered from the more than 3,000 participants attending this forum will help shape discussions at major global conferences, including the Singapore FinTech Festival, Japan FinTech Festival, 3i Summit, and Point Zero Forum.
Raffles Family Office is one of the leading firms in Southeast Asia, providing wealth management and advisory services to high-net-worth families. The firm manages assets worth billions of US dollars.
On the same day, President Kagame also met with Benjamin Fernandes, CEO of NALA; Marlon Chigwende, Founder of Admaius Capital Partners; Madhusudanan Madhu, Co-Founder of M2P; Parag Bhise, CEO of Nucleus Software, and Prajit Nanu, CEO of Nium. The CEOs are in Rwanda for the Inclusive FinTech Forum.
Their discussions revolved around the growing FinTech sector in Rwanda and the various opportunities for partnerships offered by the ease of doing of business in Rwanda.
The soldiers sustained injuries in recent clashes with the M23 rebel group and were evacuated on medical grounds to receive specialized care in their home countries.
The evacuees include 129 soldiers from the Republic of South Africa Battalion, 40 from the Malawi Battalion, and 25 from the Tanzania Battalion.
They arrived at the Rwandan border at around 1:00 p.m., where they were first searched by security officials before proceeding to have their passports stamped at the immigration office. They remained at the border in Rubavu until the evening, finally departing from the city at around 6:30 p.m. to head toward Kigali.
Some of the soldiers were confined to wheelchairs, having lost their legs in the intense battles they fought. Some were dressed in military uniforms, while others wore civilian clothes.
They were escorted from the La Corniche One-Stop Border Post to Kigali International Airport by the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) Military Police.
The repatriation follows increasing pressure for the SADC mission to withdraw after 18 soldiers, including 14 from South Africa, were killed in clashes with M23 rebels.
The M23 fighters overpowered the Congolese army and the mission’s forces, capturing Goma and surrounding the remaining troops.
The deadly confrontation also resulted in the deaths of two Malawian and two Tanzanian soldiers during skirmishes in Sake and Goma, North Kivu Province.
Reports of the soldiers’ planned departure from Goma first emerged on Friday. However, the process was delayed at the last minute for undisclosed reasons.
For two weeks, discussions had been ongoing regarding their return, with the United Nations mediating talks with M23 rebels, who have long demanded the withdrawal of SADC forces from the DRC.
Among the injured soldiers, one has reportedly suffered a severe disability, losing both legs. Another, a young soldier, lost his eyesight during the war.
Several others sustained grenade injuries, which led to further complications due to the harsh living conditions they endured at the Sake military base. Reports indicate that among the soldiers, two women are expectant.
The repatriation comes even as South Africa’s Parliament continues to press President Cyril Ramaphosa to withdraw troops, criticizing the deployment as sacrificing soldiers in a foreign conflict for private interests.
The mounting losses have intensified debates over the country’s continued military involvement in the DRC.
The petition claims Musk is supporting a foreign government that threatens Canada’s sovereignty.
The petition was initiated by British Columbia writer Qualia Reed and was sponsored by New Democratic Party member Charlie Angus.
It accuses Musk of acting against Canada’s national interests by advising Trump, who has repeatedly suggested annexing Canada during his second term.
Musk, born in South Africa, holds Canadian citizenship through his mother, Maye Musk, who is from Regina, Saskatchewan. Despite leading U.S. companies like Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter), Musk faces criticism for supporting Trump’s push to reduce the U.S. federal government’s size.
Under Canadian parliamentary rules, petitions require at least 500 signatures to be considered. Reed’s petition has far exceeded this, collecting approximately 167,000 signatures by Monday.
The petition asks Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to revoke Musk’s citizenship immediately. The House of Commons will resume on March 24 unless a general election is called beforehand. The petition remains open for signatures until June 20.
Musk’s involvement in the Trump administration has led to significant budget cuts across U.S. federal agencies, affecting thousands of public employees.
Despite criticism, Musk recently appeared at a conservative event in Maryland, where he playfully waved a large chainsaw. On social media, he continues to express support for Trump’s policies.
The new officers, including 346 men and 200 women, completed their training on February 24, 2025, at the RCS training school located in Nsinda, Rwamagana District, after an 11-month program.
According to SSP Jean Pierre Olivier, the head of the RCS training, 550 trainees initially began the program. However, two left to pursue further education at the Rwanda National Police College, while two others failed to complete the training due to misconduct.
He highlighted that the recruits received training on correctional practices, respect for inmates’ rights, military drills, firearms handling, self-defense without weapons, and various government policies to support their future responsibilities.
At the pass out ceremony, Dr. Biruta emphasized the government’s commitment to reforming and advancing the RCS. He encouraged the new officers to ensure the safety and security of correctional facilities.
“We expect you to safeguard the country’s security by effectively managing correctional facilities, applying the rehabilitation principles you’ve learned, respecting inmates’ rights, and avoiding misconduct or criminal behavior. Strive to contribute positively to the nation and the Rwanda Correctional Service,” he said.
He also urged the new officers to embody the values of the RCS while assuring them that the government will continue supporting their professional development and capacity-building initiatives.
Dororatha Ishimwe, a recruit from Nyagatare district, expressed her pride in joining the RCS and vowed to protect inmates’ rights while following the example of her dedicated predecessors.
Viateur Nikwigize shared that he learned how to maintain security, collaborate with other agencies, and is confident these skills will help him perform his duties effectively while upholding the country’s laws.
Steven Muhawenimana added, “I am proud to have completed my training and joined the RCS. My goal is to protect the rights of inmates and contribute to national security.”
These young men and women represent the seventh cohort of RCS trainees and will now be deployed to various correctional facilities across the country.
