Ngoma made the remarks in Goma following a ceremony organised by the AFC/M23 alliance to honour 22 civilians from Masisi Centre, in North Kivu Province, who were killed in a drone strike attributed to the DRC armed forces on January 2, 2026.
Speaking to supporters after the ceremony, Ngoma accused President Tshisekedi of responsibility for the attack and vowed accountability.
“He will definitely pay for this. It won’t be long. He will go to court for these things. We will arrest him, and he will go to court,” Ngoma stated.
Meanwhile, AFC/M23 political coordinator Corneille Nangaa accused the Kinshasa government of continued violence against civilians, arguing that the state has failed to distinguish between combatants and non-combatants.
“The false political power that the Kinshasa government has given itself does not have the right to kill its citizens,” Nangaa said. “No elections, no international recognition, and no nationalist rhetoric can justify the killing of civilians.”
Nangaa also sought to reassure residents in areas under AFC/M23 control, pledging that the coalition’s forces would continue to ensure their security.
The AFC/M23 alliance, which controls significant territory in eastern DRC, has in recent weeks accused the Kinshasa administration of launching attacks on its positions and on civilian areas, despite the group’s unilateral declaration of a ceasefire.
The group says its armed struggle is aimed at defending the rights of Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese communities, who continue to face marginalisation and persecution.
The twins, both males, were discovered on Saturday, January 3, 2026, by community trackers, who observed 22-year-old female Mafuko cradling her newborns. The park confirmed that “both appeared to be in healthy condition at the time of the observation.”
Twin births among mountain gorillas are exceptionally uncommon, occurring in roughly 1% of all births, and require extra care, as newborns rely entirely on their mother for survival during the first months of life. The last birth of mountain gorilla twins in Virunga National Park was in September 2020.
The birth of the twins increases the Bageni gorilla family to 59 individuals, making it the largest family in the park.
“This birth of twins constitutes the first birth recorded in 2026 at the Park. Twin births among mountain gorillas are rare and present additional challenges, particularly during the early months,” the park noted:
Authorities said that “additional monitoring and protection measures will be deployed to closely observe the twins and support their health and survival during this critical early period.”
Virunga National Park, Africa’s oldest and largest protected area, spans 7,800 square kilometers of rainforest, mountains, lakes, and active volcanoes. The park is home to fewer than 1,100 mountain gorillas, which are found only in Virunga and in neighbouring national parks in Rwanda and Uganda.
The Extraordinary Meeting of the Specialized Committee of Defense Experts of the ICGLR is expected to lay the groundwork for the Extraordinary Meeting of Chiefs of Defense Forces/Staff scheduled for Friday, followed by the Extraordinary Meeting of the Committee of Ministers of Defense on Saturday.
The meetings aim to forge a unified and coordinated regional response to the security situation in eastern DRC.
Among the key issues under consideration are the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus (EJVM+), the terms of reference for the ceasefire, and the oversight and monitoring mechanism signed in Doha.
In his opening remarks, Zambia Army Commander Geoffrey Zyeele said the security challenges facing the region call for strengthened collective efforts, deeper information sharing, and enhanced coordinated cross-border operations.
He noted that armed groups have continued to destabilize peace and security in the region, describing the challenges as immense. “Only through unity of purpose and decisive action can we overcome these destabilizing forces and secure a future of lasting stability for the Great Lakes Region,” Zyeele said.
Zyeele added that the humanitarian situation in eastern DRC remains precarious, requiring urgent attention, as families are being displaced and communities continue to live under constant threat.
Yasir Ibrahim Ali Mohammed, deputy executive secretary of the ICGLR, said the humanitarian and security situation in eastern DRC has deteriorated significantly, threatening the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states and risking peace and stability.
He expressed concern that the situation has worsened following the signing of the Washington Agreements last month, intended to reaffirm commitments to peace and prosperity.
“This underscores the urgent need for all parties to respect their engagements and honor the commitments they have made under regional and international agreements,” he said.
The meeting, he added, is a response to an escalating crisis that demands collective and decisive action.
Mitterrand died at the age of 79, shortly after completing 14 years in office. He remains one of the most controversial French leaders in modern history, particularly over his African policy, which critics argue contributed to instability across the continent. His presidency has been closely scrutinised for France’s conduct before, during, and after the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
Presidency coinciding with the genocide
Mitterrand’s final term coincided with the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, a period during which he was reportedly weakened by illness. Critics maintain that his close personal and political relationship with then Rwandan President Juvénal Habyarimana influenced France’s actions in Rwanda.
That relationship, analysts argue, shaped France’s continued political, military, and diplomatic support for the Habyarimana government, even as preparations for mass violence were underway.
The anti-genocide-denial organisation Survie has documented the involvement of French actors in Rwanda prior to and during the Genocide. Among those cited is Captain Paul Barril, a former French gendarme who had worked closely with senior Rwandan officials from 1989. Barril reportedly operated with the backing of François de Grossouvre, a close adviser and confidant of President Mitterrand.
Barril is accused of having signed an agreement on May 28, 1994, with Rwanda’s Interim Government, represented by Prime Minister Jean Kambanda, to supply weapons and provide military training to forces implicated in the Genocide. Reports indicate that the government at the time agreed to pay France approximately three million US dollars for the arms.
{{Bisesero and accusations of abandonment
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French forces have also been criticised for failing to protect Tutsi civilians during massacres in several parts of the country. In Bisesero, where tens of thousands of Tutsi had gathered and attempted to resist attacks, documents later revealed the presence of French mercenaries in mid-May 1994.
Survivors and investigators allege that these mercenaries encouraged continued attacks rather than intervening to protect civilians, leading to the deaths of thousands.
{{Zone Turquoise under scrutiny
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Under Operation Turquoise, French forces established what was described as a humanitarian safe zone in parts of Cyangugu, Kibuye, and Gikongoro. However, critics argue that the operation failed to prevent killings of Tutsi who sought refuge in those areas.
Despite Radio Télévision Libre des Mille Collines (RTLM) continuing to broadcast genocidal propaganda into the French-controlled zone, no action was taken to shut it down. French troops also did not arrest members of the Interim Government who fled Rwanda through Zone Turquoise into what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo.
When questioned in the French National Assembly, France’s Foreign Minister at the time stated that the troops had not been given a mandate to investigate crimes or arrest suspects.
While the conduct of French forces has been widely criticised, President Mitterrand consistently defended them, claiming they had saved thousands of lives.
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In an interview with journalist Mario Nawfal last year, President Paul Kagame stated that France and Belgium played a role in preventing timely United Nations intervention during the Genocide.
“You see an ideological link from the beginning,” Kagame said, referring to Belgium’s colonial legacy and policies that entrenched ethnic divisions.
On France, Kagame described Mitterrand’s relationship with Habyarimana as very close.
“The French president at the time was François Mitterrand. He was a very close friend of Habyarimana. Very close. One was like a father figure to the other,” President Kagame said.
He added that historical records show that Mitterrand bore responsibility comparable to others who enabled the killings.
{{Protection of Agathe Habyarimana
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Following the shooting down of President Habyarimana’s plane, Mitterrand facilitated the evacuation of Habyarimana’s widow, Agathe Kanziga Habyarimana, and her children to Europe.
Despite international arrest warrants over her alleged role in the Genocide against the Tutsi, France has neither extradited her to Rwanda nor prosecuted her domestically.
President Kagame once said he raised these issues with individuals close to Mitterrand, including his son, who wielded influence over French policy in Africa, but they consistently rejected any responsibility.
{{Rwanda marginalised after the genocide
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After the fall of the Habyarimana government, Mitterrand distanced himself from Rwanda’s new leadership under the RPF-Inkotanyi. Rwanda was sidelined diplomatically at a time when it urgently needed international support.
In November 1994, France hosted the France–Africa Summit in Biarritz, attended by 25 African heads of state. Discussions included France’s relations with Africa and post-genocide Rwanda. However, Rwanda was not invited.
Former presidential adviser Dr Charles Murigande later said the exclusion reflected Mitterrand’s stance toward the new Rwandan government.
“The fact that we were not invited did not surprise us,” Murigande said. “That was his mindset. He had aligned himself with those who had destroyed Rwanda. He carried a burden of shame and could not bring himself to invite the President of Rwanda to Biarritz.
The announcement follows concerns from some residents who, upon attempting to pay their land taxes for the year, discovered that rates had increased. Many were unaware of these changes. The land tax rate is now set at Rwf 80 Rwandan Francs per square meter, a significant rise from the previous rate.
In response, the City of Kigali clarified via its official social media platforms that the new rates were approved by the Kigali City Council on February 21, 2025, and are now being enforced.
“These rates replaced those that were last approved by the District Councils in 2017–2018, which had continued to be applied until the end of 2024,” the City of Kigali explained.
The City further stated that, once finalised, the new tax rates were communicated to the public through multiple channels, including the media, social networks, and online platforms.
The new rates were established based on a Ministerial Order issued by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, which outlines base tax rates for land. Published on November 28, 2023, the order specifies that land tax can range from 0 to 80 Rwandan francs per square meter. Land within Kigali’s Central Business District (CBD), which includes major business and industrial areas, will have tax rates between Rwf 70 and Rwf 80 per square meter. These rates apply to commercial, industrial, and non-residential areas, while residential areas within the CBD are taxed between Rwf 60 and Rwf 80 per square meter.
In less urbanized parts of Kigali, residential areas are taxed between Rwf 40 and Rwf 60 per square meter, and non-residential areas such as business or industrial zones are taxed between Rwf 50 and Rwf 70 per square meter. Agricultural and livestock zones, which are more rural, are taxed between 0 and 0.4 Rwandan francs per square meter.
In areas that have a mix of urban and rural features, such as small business centers or locations with basic infrastructure, residential areas are taxed between Rwf 10 and Rwf 40 per square meter, while non-residential areas such as business and industrial properties are taxed between Rwf 20 and Rwf 50 per square meter.
Finally, rural agricultural zones located between urban and rural areas of Kigali will continue to be taxed between 0 and 0.4 francs per square meter.
The call came at a sensitive moment in the U.S.-Colombia relations, which have been strained over a series of disputes, including disagreements on drug policy and recent U.S. military action in the region. Trump recently called Colombia a “sick man” and suggested military action in the country “sounds good to me.”
According to a Colombian official familiar with the exchange, the leaders discussed issues related to drug trafficking and other disagreements, and both sides considered the dialogue a “180‑degree change” in rhetoric compared with previous statements.
President Trump confirmed the call and described it as “friendly,” even as tensions had escalated recently with sharp public criticism and accusations traded between the two leaders. Trump’s administration previously accused Petro of failing to control drug production and trafficking, and at times used harsh language in public about Colombia’s leadership.
Petro, who is Colombia’s first left‑leaning president in decades, has also been an outspoken critic of some U.S. policies, particularly military actions in neighbouring Venezuela. He condemned what he described as a violation of regional sovereignty and sharply criticized U.S. military involvement.
Despite the earlier tensions, both Trump and Petro expressed satisfaction with the tone of Wednesday’s call. The leaders agreed that diplomatic engagement was a priority and indicated plans to continue discussions and cooperation, including potentially meeting in Washington in the near future to address shared challenges.
The diplomatic shift comes as both countries face pressure to maintain cooperation on issues such as drug trafficking, regional security, and economic ties. Colombia has historically been a key ally of the United States, particularly in efforts to combat drug cartels and organized crime, and the renewed conversation suggests both governments are seeking to manage tensions and strengthen collaboration.
Analysts note that while the phone call represents a positive sign of diplomatic dialogue, significant issues remain unresolved. Both sides are expected to continue negotiations to find common ground on security concerns and policy differences that have previously driven a wedge between the two nations.
The ceremony was held on January 7, 2026, at the RWABG VII Base Camp in Bria, Sector East, Haute‑Kotto prefecture under the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).
The medals were presented to personnel from Rwanda Battle Group VII (RWABG VII) and the Rwanda Level II+ Hospital (RWAMED X).
The ceremony was presided over by the MINUSCA Deputy Force Commander, Major General Maychel Asmi, who commended the Rwandan contingents for their professionalism, discipline, and operational effectiveness.
He particularly highlighted their vital role in supporting the electoral process, in line with MINUSCA’s mandate.
Major General Asmi praised RWABG VII for its sustained efforts in securing the Bria, Ouadda, and Sam-Ouandja areas, and commended RWAMED X for providing critical medical services to both United Nations personnel and the local population.
In his remarks, Lieutenant Colonel Willy Ntagara, Contingent Commander of Rwanda Battle Group VII, described the medal parade as one of the highest honours in a military career. He noted that the recognition serves as strong motivation for continued commitment to the mission’s objectives and mandate.
Similarly, Colonel Dr. Simon R. Nyagasaza, Commander of RWAMED X, highlighted the achievements of the Rwandan level 2+ hospital over the past year since their deployment in January 2025. He said that RWAMED X has provided medical services to MINUSCA personnel and local civilians that contributed to the achievement of their mandate.
The United Nations service medals recognize peacekeepers who have completed their tour of duty with distinction, reflecting discipline, courage, and unwavering dedication to the mission.
The group included Police Constable Patrick Kithinji and Police Constable Ahmed Ali, both attached to the Tononoka Police Station Crime Office in Kenya. They were reportedly pursuing a suspect wanted in Kenya in connection with an alleged fraud case involving obtaining money by false pretence when they crossed into Tanzanian territory on Tuesday.
Also among those detained were the suspect’s wife, Sophia Menza Mbogo, their driver, Abdikadir Adan, and a government official from the Coast Development Authority, who were travelling together in a Kenyan government vehicle.
At the time of their arrest, Tanzanian authorities confiscated two loaded Ceska pistols, each held by one of the police officers, along with ammunition and the vehicle. The Tanzanian side said the group breached immigration laws and East African Community regulations by entering the United Republic of Tanzania without permission and carrying firearms on foreign soil without prior coordination.
Tanzanian officials stated that the group’s actions violated both national immigration laws and the East African Community One‑Stop Border Post Act, 2016, which governs the operation of joint border controls and requires partner states to coordinate cross‑border activities.
“I would like to confirm that five Kenyans were arrested for conducting the arrest of a suspect in violation of the law and the East African Community One‑Stop Border Post (OSBP) Act of 2016. I request that they be presented for further action,” said Earnest Lukaza, the Tanzanian officer in charge of the One‑Stop Border Post (OSBP) at Lunga Lunga, while confirming the arrest.
The detained Kenyans were initially held at the Horohoro border. A letter from Tanzanian authorities to Kenyan border officials notified them that the individuals entered Tanzania unlawfully and lacked the necessary authority to conduct an arrest on Tanzanian soil.
Following diplomatic engagement between the two countries, the five Kenyans were later handed over to Kenyan authorities at Lunga Lunga.
Among the fresh graduates, 15 specialized in e-commerce, while the remaining 15 pursued electrical automation technology under a program that allowed them to complete two years’ foundational training at RP-Musanze College before spending their final year in China.
For Aimable Tuyishime, a 23-year-old graduate in e-commerce, the year in China was a life-changing experience. “I spent almost a year in China, and now I am back to implement what I studied there,” he said in an interview with Xinhua.
Tuyishime described China’s e-commerce sector as “highly developed,” adding that the teaching approach is strongly practical rather than theoretical.
“We studied all aspects of e-commerce and improved our skills through hands-on experience,” Tuyishime said, adding that the study enabled him to gain extensive, real-world exposure to e-commerce in one of the world’s most advanced digital markets.
During their studies, students interacted with major Chinese e-commerce companies such as Alibaba and regularly used platforms like Pinduoduo, Taobao, and JD.com for online shopping.
Inspired by this experience, Tuyishime is already working toward launching his own e-commerce platform in Rwanda. Together with friends and team members, he is developing a website and application designed to offer Rwandans a similar online shopping experience.
“This is the right time to put all the skills and experience I gained into practice,” he said, adding that he hopes the platform will have a positive impact on Rwanda’s economy.
Protais Muhire, a graduate in electrical automation technology, also described the year in China as a turning point, saying the exposure to advanced equipment and technologies significantly strengthened his skills.
“In China, I studied programmable logic controller (PLC) programming, robotics, hydraulic and pneumatic systems,” he said.
Muhire highlighted the abundance of training equipment at JUVT, which allowed students from Rwanda to engage deeply in practical work. “We had access to many machines, PLCs, robots, pneumatic and hydraulic components, which helped us apply what we learned in real situations.”
Muhire’s cohort also achieved international recognition. While in China, he, together with other Rwandan and Chinese students, won the Excellence Award at the 2025 World Vocational College Skills Competition Championship Finals.
“This achievement showed us that what we study can be applied in practice and can help our community,” he said, adding that the training received in China is highly relevant to Rwanda’s context, especially as local industries increasingly adopt modern technologies to improve productivity.
Looking ahead, Muhire plans to use his skills to contribute to Rwanda’s industrial development. “Industries are moving from old systems to new automated systems. I want to help upgrade industrial processes using automation technologies like PLCs and robotics,” he said.
Speaking to Xinhua, Qian Xiangming, dean of Musanze International College at JUVT, said that under this program, Rwanda has sent 60 students to JUVT for advanced studies for two consecutive years and the feedback from local employers has been very positive.
“Through this program, we aim to cultivate outstanding local talent, support employment, and enhance the quality and efficiency of vocational education in Rwanda,” he said, adding that the initiative ultimately supports national industrial upgrading and development.
Emile Abayisenga, principal of RP-Musanze College, described the graduation as a moment of pride. “This achievement reflects the strength of international collaboration, industry-driven training, and practical, future-oriented education,” he said.
The skills acquired by the graduates align closely with Rwanda’s Vision 2050 and the demands of a rapidly evolving global economy, Abayisenga added.
The figures, based on records from the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), show that 4,219 women underwent the procedure in 2024 alone, reflecting a steady increase in uptake over the past five years.
{{Family planning trends in Rwanda
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Family planning use in Rwanda continues to rise, with the number of continuing users increasing from 1.57 million in 2019 to 2.06 million by the end of December 2024. Over the same period, hundreds of thousands of new users joined family planning programs each year, highlighting sustained demand for reproductive health services.
Among modern contraceptive methods, implants remain the most popular, with 879,113 continuing users by the end of 2024, up from 571,510 in 2019. In 2024 alone, 212,974 women newly adopted implants, making it the leading method both in uptake and total use.
Injectable contraceptives, mainly Depo-Provera and Noristerat, rank second, with 671,008 continuing users at the end of 2024, including 180,182 new users during the year. Oral contraceptive pills recorded 348,291 continuing users, with 141,205 new users added during the year.
The use of hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs) also increased, reaching 51,630 continuing users, including 11,990 new users in 2024. Despite the dominance of modern methods, 25,705 people still rely on traditional family planning approaches, such as cycle beads, lactational amenorrhea method (LAM), and auto-observation, which do not require medical procedures or pharmaceutical products.
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The number of women opting for tubal ligation has risen sharply over time in Rwanda. Tubal ligation is a surgical procedure in which a woman’s fallopian tubes are blocked, tied, or cut to prevent eggs from reaching the uterus, thereby eliminating the possibility of fertilisation.
Records show 14,456 continuing users in 2019, increasing to 18,350 in 2020, 20,904 in 2021, 26,285 in 2022, 31,439 in 2023, and finally 35,105 by the end of 2024. This consistent growth suggests increasing acceptance of long-term reproductive decisions, particularly among women who have completed their desired family size.
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Meanwhile, male involvement in permanent family planning remains limited. By the end of 2024, only 4,432 men had undergone vasectomy, with only 121 procedures recorded during the year. Vasectomy remains the only permanent family planning method available to men and involves blocking the ducts that carry sperm from the testes, preventing fertilisation.
Family planning remains a cornerstone of Rwanda’s strategy to manage population growth, reduce poverty, and improve health outcomes. NISR data show that Rwanda’s population growth rate stood at 2.3% between 2012 and 2022, and projections indicate the population could rise from just over 14.1 million today to more than 22 million by 2050, while the country’s land area remains unchanged.
The average fertility rate for Rwandan women is estimated at 3.6 children per woman, which is significantly higher than the global average fertility rate of 2.3 children per woman. This underscores the importance of sustained investment in reproductive health services.
