Voter turnout was approximately 52.43% in the December 28, 2025, elections, which included presidential, legislative, regional, and municipal votes. The final results will be confirmed by the Constitutional Court in mid-January.
Analysts credit Touadéra’s victory to his efforts to restore peace and security in a country long plagued by armed groups and civil conflict. These efforts were bolstered by support from Rwandan and Russian forces, which helped the government regain control over much of the territory.
Following the pacification of key armed factions, Touadéra’s administration negotiated peace agreements aimed at ending hostilities and promoting collaboration on national development projects.
During his campaign, Touadéra highlighted that while his nine years in office had brought significant progress, challenges remained that he aimed to address in a third term. The election outcome suggests that a majority of citizens continue to place their confidence in his leadership.
Touadéra has been in power since March 2016. He was permitted to run for a third term following a constitutional amendment in 2023, which was upheld by the Supreme Court in November 2025.
The discussion took place on January 5, 2026, as lawmakers reviewed a draft law amending existing road use regulations. A central provision of the draft is the introduction of a points-based penalty system, which will be managed using technology.
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MP Mukabalisa Germaine questioned how the system would operate. “Will penalties be consistent, or could a driver be penalised multiple times?”
While supporting the system, she noted its potential benefits for insurance companies, which often require proof of good driving behaviour, but stressed the need for careful implementation.
MP Nizeyimana Pie proposed a transitional period to help drivers adapt. “I recommend a three-month training period so drivers understand the system without immediate penalties. This will better equip them to follow the rules,” he said.
MP Nyirabazayire highlighted that while the law links penalties to the vehicle owner, the system must ensure the person who actually committed the offence is the one penalised.
“Points should be deducted from the record of the driver who committed the offence, not someone else. The system must ensure the right person is penalised,” Nyirabazayire added.
MP Mukabunani Christine sought clarification on the criteria for point deductions and the process for license suspension or revocation, while MP Ngiruwosanga suggested linking the points system to existing infrastructure to prevent unfair penalties.
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The Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Security Committee, Amb. Tumukunde Hope Gasatura, explained that the system is new and that additional details will be provided in a Ministerial decree.
Minister of Infrastructure, Dr. Jimmy Gasore, emphasised that the points system is intended to promote responsible driving rather than serve as punishment. He explained that drivers will start each year with 15 points, which will be deducted automatically based on violations. If a driver’s points fall below one, their license will be temporarily suspended until they regain sufficient points.
The draft law categorises traffic offences by severity, with points deducted accordingly. Drivers who flee the scene of an accident will lose six points, while failing to use a speed governor will result in a five-point deduction.
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs carries a four-point penalty, and offences such as speeding, driving without a license, or ignoring traffic signals will lead to a three-point deduction. Lesser violations, including driving an uninsured vehicle or using a mobile phone while driving, will result in a two-point deduction.
“I am innocent. I am not guilty,” Maduro told the court, according to journalists present at the hearing. He told the court he had been “kidnapped” from his residence in Caracas and insisted that, despite being in US custody, he was still the president of Venezuela.
Maduro appeared alongside his wife, Cilia Flores, who also rejected all charges levelled against her by US prosecutors, saying she was completely innocent.
The court set March 17 as the date for the next hearing in the case.
The courtroom proceedings were tense and closely watched, coming just days after Maduro and Flores were seized in a dramatic US military operation. According to US officials, special forces extracted the pair from their residence within the heavily guarded Fort Tiuna military complex in the Venezuelan capital early on Saturday before flying them to New York.
During Monday’s hearing, a brief but heated exchange broke out between Maduro and a member of the public in the courtroom. At one point, Maduro described himself as a “prisoner of war”.
Earlier in the day, images circulated showing Maduro and Flores being transferred to the courthouse in handcuffs, surrounded by heavily armed officers. The scenes fuelled strong reactions both inside Venezuela and internationally.
In Caracas, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as interim president, a move that Venezuelan authorities said was aimed at ensuring continuity of government. During the ceremony, Rodríguez praised Maduro and Flores as “heroes,” accusing the United States of carrying out an illegal act against a sovereign nation.
Outside the New York courthouse, protesters gathered to denounce the US action. Demonstrators waved banners reading “Free Maduro,” “No War on Venezuela,” and “USA hands off Venezuela,” while chanting slogans against what they described as foreign intervention.
The US operation has triggered widespread condemnation and raised serious concerns across the international community, with critics warning that it represents a dangerous escalation in Washington’s long-running campaign against Maduro.
US officials have said the operation was planned for months and carried out without prior congressional authorisation. The Trump administration has defended the move as part of broader efforts to combat alleged drug trafficking networks linked to the Venezuelan leadership.
In a public notice released on January 5, 2026, RDB said the decision is aimed at reinforcing Rwanda’s position as a leading destination for domestic and regional tourism. RDB, however, clarified that the promotional rates will not apply during the peak tourism period from June to October 2026.
Under the extended promotion, Rwandan citizens and East African Community (EAC) nationals are required to pay $200 (over Rwf290,000) for a gorilla trekking permit. Eligible visitors must present a national identity card, a valid passport, and a birth certificate to benefit from the discounted rate.
Africans and African residents from outside the EAC will pay $500 for a permit during the promotional period. To qualify, visitors in this category must present a valid passport, a resident identity card or diplomatic card, and a valid visa covering at least four consecutive months.
Outside the promotional window, the standard gorilla trekking fee is $1,500.
Volcanoes National Park remains one of Rwanda’s most significant tourism assets. In 2024, the tourism sector generated $647 million in revenue, driven largely by a 27 percent increase in earnings from gorilla-based tourism.
The updated legislation imposes harsher penalties for violations, emphasizes modern technology for enforcement and management, and aims to boost transparency, accountability, and road safety while cutting accidents and fatalities.
The previous framework, Law No. 34/1987 dated September 17, 1987, has been superseded. The new law was approved on January 5, 2026, at 9:30 p.m., with 77 parliamentarians in the plenary session voting in favor after a full day of article-by-article review.
Lawmakers highlighted that the reforms align with national development, introducing tougher sanctions to deter intentional breaches and encourage responsible driving.
Under Article 37, driving with a blood alcohol level exceeding the legal limit of 0.80 g/L is an offense. For drivers of public transport vehicles, those carrying students, employees, or tourists, heavy goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, or income-generating vehicles, conviction carries a fine of Rwf 100,000 to 400,000 and 3–6 months in prison.
For other drivers, penalties include a fine of Rwf 150,000 to 300,000 and up to 10 days in prison, or one of these alone. If the blood alcohol level is at least double the limit, penalties rise to a fine of Rwf 200,000 to 500,000 and 3–6 months in prison, or one of these. Repeat offenders within one year face the maximum penalty, which may be doubled.
Refusing a blood alcohol test is also an offense. For higher-risk category drivers, it brings a fine of Rwf 300,000 to 600,000 and 3–6 months in prison. For others, a fine of Rwf 400,000 to 600,000 and up to 10 days in prison, or one of these.
The prospect of jail terms sparked discussion in parliament. Deputy Christine Mukabunani argued against imprisonment where possible, proposing longer driving suspensions and steeper fines instead, believing higher financial consequences would be more effective.
Deputy Pie Nizeyimana raised concerns about potential psychological impacts.
In response, Ambassador Hope Gasatura Tumukunde, Chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Security, defended the tough measures as necessary to shift attitudes toward road safety.
She stressed that the penalties were weighed against the gravity of offenses, their threat to lives, and the need for strong deterrence, addressing an urgent issue requiring shared responsibility.
Article 39 states that refusing to stop when signaled by a police officer or authorized official is an offense, punishable upon conviction by a fine of Rwf 400,000 to 700,000 and 3–6 months in prison. Driving without a valid license carries 15–30 days in prison and a fine of Rwf 100,000 to 200,000, or one of these.
For serious safety-threatening offenses, police must prepare case files and forward them to the National Public Prosecution Authority within legal deadlines. A forthcoming ministerial order will define administrative offenses, fines, and demerit points.
Those issued administrative fines must pay within 30 days of notification. Late payment incurs a 30% surcharge, due within another 30 days.
Non-compliance leads to vehicle impoundment. However, alleged offenders or vehicle owners can appeal in writing or other means; if no reply comes within three days, the offense is canceled.
Photos from U.S. media show Maduro landed in Manhattan by a helicopter from a Brooklyn detention center and was placed in an armored car, accompanied by heavily armed law enforcement officers.
Protesters gathering outside the court were shouting slogans and holding banners writing “Free Maduro” and “USA hands off Venezuela.”
U.S. troops carried out a raid on Saturday to kidnap Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and flew them out of Venezuela, then put them in custody in New York.
“Congratulations to my brother, President Mamadi Doumbouya, on his election as President of the Republic of Guinea. We look forward to deepening our strong bilateral relations and working closely together to advance our shared priorities and the prosperity of our nations,” President Kagame said in a post on X.
Doumbouya’s win was confirmed by Guinea’s Supreme Court on Sunday, formalising his transition from junta leader to democratically elected president. The court validated the provisional results announced earlier, crediting Doumbouya, 41, with 86.72% of the vote.
The runner-up, Abdoulaye Yero Baldé, received 6.59% of the votes. The court noted that Baldé, who had initially challenged the election results with the Supreme Court, had since voluntarily withdrawn his complaint.
The election marks Guinea’s first presidential vote since Doumbouya led a coup in September 2021, which ousted Alpha Condé. The vote was held under a new constitution that removed the ban on military leaders running for office and extended the presidential term from five to seven years.
Rwanda and Guinea enjoy cordial relations, reinforced through exchanges of visits and cooperation across multiple sectors. President Kagame last visited Conakry in November 2025, joining President Doumbouya for the launch of the Simandou Iron Ore Project, considered the largest ongoing mining project in the world.
The Simandou deposit is estimated to contain approximately 3 to 4 billion tonnes of high-grade recoverable iron ore and is expected to reach full production capacity by 2030, with an annual output of around 120 million tonnes.
Bilateral cooperation has also been strengthened through agreements signed on October 9, 2024, in Kigali during a session of the Joint Cooperation Commission. According to announcements from both countries’ foreign ministries, the 12 agreements cover areas such as public administration modernisation, export promotion, tourism development, special economic zones, migration data management, defence and security, justice, economy, and trade.
“The partnership between our two countries is based on complementary and a win-win approach,” said Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe. He noted that Rwanda can benefit from Guinea’s expertise in mining, while Guinea can learn from Rwanda’s experience in public service innovation and digitisation.
Although relatively new, the bilateral relationship has strengthened since Rwanda opened its embassy in Conakry in January 2024. President Doumbouya has expressed interest in adopting Rwanda’s development model, and the two leaders have met frequently to explore cooperation opportunities.
In addition to the agreements, both countries have established a follow-up mechanism to ensure proper implementation of recommendations from the first session of the Joint Cooperation Commission.
Valais Canton police said the 40 victims, aged between 14 and 39, included 21 Swiss nationals, seven French nationals, five Italian nationals, one Belgian national, one Portuguese national, one Romanian national, one Turkish national, one dual Swiss-French national, one victim holding French, Israeli and British nationalities, and one dual Italian-United Arab Emirates national. Many of them were minors.
According to the police, a criminal investigation has been opened against the two managers of the “Le Constellation” bar on suspicion of negligent homicide, negligent bodily injury and negligent arson.
President of the Swiss Confederation Guy Parmelin told Swiss media on Sunday that Switzerland will hold a national day of mourning on Friday.
Andean pan flute music provided the backdrop to the demonstration. Alberto Calderon, a member of a traditional Andean music group and descendant of Peruvian migrants, led the rhythm and guided the chorus.
He said the melodies, rooted in the Andean highlands and shared across Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, and parts of Argentina and Chile, predate modern national borders and were adapted to address Venezuela’s current situation.
“Venezuela, an immortal nation,” the crowd chanted. “For your resistance, the peoples of the world stand with you.” Araceli Munoz Rojas, one of the participants, said she joined the rally to protest what she described as U.S. military interference in Venezuela, calling it a violation of international law and national sovereignty. Miguel Sanchez, a dual Spanish-Argentine citizen, warned that external intervention could set a precedent across the region.
As the rally concluded, the music and chants gradually faded, leaving participants emphasizing solidarity and the ongoing memory of foreign intervention in Latin America. “Even if time passes, I can’t forget you, it’s impossible,” the crowd sang.
Earlier on Saturday, the United States launched a large-scale strike on Venezuela, during which Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were “captured and flown out of Venezuela,” according to a post by U.S. President Donald Trump on his Truth Social account.
The U.S. military action against the South American nation has drawn widespread international condemnation, with multiple countries calling for a coordinated global response.
At a press briefing, First President of the Supreme Court Fode Bangoura officially announced Doumbouya’s election to a seven-year presidential term in accordance with the Constitution.
According to data previously released by Guinea’s General Directorate of Elections, about 6.8 million voters were registered for the election. Voter turnout was initially announced at 80.95 percent and later revised by the Supreme Court to 82.86 percent.
The presidential election marks a significant step in Guinea’s efforts to restore constitutional order. In September 2021, then-President Alpha Conde was overthrown in a military coup, after which a transitional government led by Doumbouya assumed power.
In September this year, Guinea adopted a new constitution through a nationwide referendum and announced that the presidential election would be held on Dec. 28. The new constitution lifted restrictions on junta members running for office and extended the presidential term from five to seven years, clearing the way for Doumbouya’s candidacy.
Throughout the election period, the overall situation across the country remained stable, with no major security incidents reported. Guinean political figures, electoral authorities, as well as domestic and international observers said the voting process was largely calm and orderly and that the organization of the election broadly complied with relevant legal procedures.
According to the official website of the Guinean presidency, Doumbouya, 41, was born on Dec. 5, 1984, in Kankan, northeastern Guinea.
