The report suggested that the majority of the 82.2 million people live in the IGAD region, with 54.7 million in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Ethiopia.
“Conflict remains the dominant driver of East Africa’s food crisis, with about 39 million people across the IGAD region facing high levels of acute food insecurity. Conflict has resulted in critical destruction of infrastructure and main sources of food and income, aggravating the already dire food security conditions,” the agencies said.
Food insecurity in the area is also worsened by climate shocks and hazards.
The institutions found that extreme weather and climate change like floods and droughts, which are now more severe and frequent, have become major drivers of food insecurity.
The IGAD member states, namely Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda, are home to over 29 million displaced individuals, mostly in Sudan, as a result of both conflict and climate-related risks, the report noted.
The food security situation may deteriorate as the region is expected to experience below-average rainfall during the October-December season.
According to the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Center, La Nina, associated with drought conditions in the eastern Horn of Africa, will likely emerge in late 2024 and persist through early 2025.
According to Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) statement, Admiral Mangrasse commended the progress made over the past years since Rwanda Security Forces deployed to fight terrorists.
He appreciated the strong partnership between Rwandan Security Forces and Mozambican Forces which brought peace and stability and enabled thousands of displaced persons to return to their homes in Cabo Delgado Province.
Both sides discussed the progress registered so far in the joint effort to uproot terrorists from their strongholds and hideouts in the last three years since the first deployment of Rwanda Security Forces in Cabo Delgado Province in July 2021.
Before the intervention of Rwandan troops , terrorists had claimed the lives of 3,000 civilians, and more than 800,000 people had been displaced. The insecurity had also brought all development projects in the insurgent-controlled areas to a standstill.
Over the past three years, the Rwandan security forces, in collaboration with Mozambique’s armed forces, have made significant strides in dismantling the Al Sunna Wa Jama (ASWJ) terrorist group from their strongholds in Mocimboa da Praia and Palma. This has allowed a substantial number of internally displaced people to safely return to their villages.
Rwanda and Mozambique have enjoyed vibrant relations for many years, with cooperation agreements spanning various sectors, including security, trade, and investment.
The students shared their testimonies during an event organized to celebrate their graduation from various institutions on September 27, 2024. This is the fourth such event for scholars hosted by FAWE in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.
The graduates include 272 young women from low-income families, sponsored from their fourth year of secondary school through their university studies in various fields.
The group comprises 125 former students from the University of Rwanda (UR) and 147 from INES Ruhengeri, all of whom received their degrees at the end of 2023.
Mpinganzima Lydivine, who studied medicine at INES Ruhengeri, said FAWE Rwanda acted as a bridge to achieving her dreams.
She stated, “It was difficult to find the means to study. FAWE was like a parent to us from secondary school and turned our dreams into reality. As someone from a rural area, I never thought it would be possible.”
“We will use what we’ve learned to uplift the broader community and help others in rural areas build the confidence to succeed in completing their education.”
Shimwa Uwase Sylvie, who studied computer science at the University of Rwanda, shared that the support FAWE Rwanda provided helped her secure a job in her field.
She said, “After completing my studies, I secured a job in my field, and now I train youth in entrepreneurship, specifically in software development.”
“I’m delighted that FAWE helped me pursue studies in technology because it was my dream to be one of the women contributing to the technology sector, which our country prioritizes.”
Mutoro Antonia, the FAWE Rwanda representative, encouraged the graduates to work hard and continue developing themselves while also giving back to the community, noting that 75% of them have already secured jobs.
She said, “We expect them to become women leaders who believe in their ability to help other girls advance. We also have programs that help them gain confidence in public speaking and becoming role models.”
The Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Irere Claudette, highlighted FAWE Rwanda’s role in promoting girls’ education.
She said, “The first FAWE school in Rwanda, founded in 1999, began by teaching girls and encouraging them to believe in their ability to study science, which they often feared, and to speak up when facing challenges. Since then, many have passed through FAWE’s programs, and both the school and FAWE’s initiatives have grown.”
Irere also addressed parents who still abandon their daughters when they become pregnant, telling them that “having a child does not mean life is over. She gives birth, but she should continue her education. If you don’t support her, she won’t be able to help her child in the future.”
FAWE began operating in Rwanda in 1997 and started sponsoring students in 2013 in partnership with Mastercard Foundation.
Since then, 12,000 girls have received school sponsorship, including over 800 who have gone on to university. The organization plans to begin sponsoring boys from disadvantaged families starting next year.
WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, expressed the organization’s commitment to supporting Rwanda via his X account, stating, “Rwanda’s Ministry of Health has reported cases of Marburg. WHO is scaling up its support and will work with the government of Rwanda to stop the spread of the virus and protect people at risk.”
On Friday, September 27, 2024, the Ministry of Health confirmed cases of MVD and announced heightened measures to prevent further transmission of the virus.
In a statement, the ministry reported that the disease, which causes severe haemorrhagic fever, has been confirmed in “a few patients in health facilities across the country,” and that investigations are underway to identify the source of the infection.
The ministry has urged anyone experiencing symptoms such as high fever, severe headaches, vomiting, muscle pain, and stomach aches to contact the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) via its toll-free number 114 or visit the nearest health facility.
Marburg virus disease, part of the same viral family as Ebola, causes severe haemorrhagic fever, leading to multiple organ failure and, in many cases, excessive bleeding. The virus can affect both humans and nonhuman primates and is zoonotic, meaning it is transmitted from animals to humans.
According to WHO, initial human infection with the Marburg virus typically occurs after prolonged exposure to mines or caves inhabited by colonies of Rousettus bats, which are natural carriers of the virus.
Once a person is infected, the virus can spread through human-to-human transmission via direct contact with blood, secretions, or other bodily fluids from an infected person, as well as through contact with contaminated surfaces and materials, such as bedding and clothing.
The virus was first identified in 1967 in the German city of Marburg, during an outbreak linked to laboratory work involving African green monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) imported from Uganda.
Since then, outbreaks and sporadic cases have been reported in countries including Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Uganda.
Launched on September 27, 2024 by GAIN Rwanda in collaboration with National Child Development Agency (NCDA), academic institutions like the University of Rwanda, the University of Global Health Equity and others, the Network will provide research-based evidence to advocate for policy and legislative reforms, as well as to promote collaborative efforts to address malnutrition in line with Rwanda’s NST2.
The University of Rwanda will take the lead in this initiative, working alongside researchers from various higher learning institutions with the support of the National Child Development Agency (NCDA) and partners like UNICEF and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) Rwanda.
Silver Karumba, GAIN Rwanda Country Representative, stated that the Network’s core mandate is to generate, share, and apply evidence-based knowledge while building capacity both horizontally and vertically. This effort aims to inform effective nutrition actions, policies, and programs, ultimately improving the health and nutrition of Rwandans.
“The Network will foster collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and nutrition practitioners, bridging the gap between theory and practice to enhance nutrition interventions,” he said.
Karumba further explained that by involving academic institutions, the Network will build the capacity of local professionals and students in nutrition, ensuring a pipeline of skilled personnel to advance Rwanda’s nutrition agenda.
Rwanda joined the SUN (Scale Up Nutrition) movement in 2011, focusing on the critical first 1,000 days of life to eliminate stunting. Launched in 2010 due to a growing global recognition of malnutrition as a fundamental development challenge, the SUN Movement has since gained traction, with many countries committing to reducing malnutrition by aligning national nutrition priorities and scaling up nutrition initiatives equitably and sustainably.
By joining SUN, Rwanda aims to leverage global resources, technical expertise, and partnerships to enhance nutrition-sensitive and nutrition-specific initiatives.
Existing SUN platforms, such as the SUN Government platform (coordinating multi-sectoral efforts across ministries), the SUN Civil Society Network (focused on advocacy and community-level implementation), and the SUN Business Network (engaging the private sector in nutrition), the SUN Development Partners Platform, and the SUN UN platform will complement the newly established SUN Academia Network, which has been the missing piece for the country to fully comply with all functional SUN platforms
Gilbert Mutuyimana, Deputy Director General at NCDA, noted that this launch is a significant milestone in supporting the country’s commitment to achieving national nutrition targets and international frameworks like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He expressed optimism that academic institutions can contribute to developing robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess the impact of nutrition programs, thereby improving accountability and facilitating continuous learning and program refinement.
“Academia will play a vital role in these commitments by providing research-driven insights and monitoring the progress of nutrition interventions,” he observed.
Reliable sources have confirmed to IGIHE that Kayumba traveled to Kinshasa this September and met with leaders of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).
This follows Tshisekedi’s earlier public statement that he was willing to collaborate with anyone committed to overthrowing Rwanda’s government.
Kayumba Nyamwasa, founder of the Rwanda National Congress (RNC), played a major role in creating the P5 coalition, a group of terrorist organizations with the shared goal of threatening Rwanda’s security.
This coalition initially included groups such as Amahoro PC, Kayumba’s RNC, Victoire Ingabire’s FDU-Inkingi, a faction of PS-Imberakuri led by Bernard Ntaganda, and PDP-Imanzi. However, internal divisions soon surfaced, weakening the coalition’s impact.
The RUD-Urunana terrorist group, responsible for a deadly attack in Musanze in 2019 that claimed 14 civilian lives, was also part of this coalition.
Kayumba’s long-standing connections with Theoneste Misago, an FDLR operative in Southern Africa, and Alphonse Munyarugendo, based in Mozambique, remain strong. These ties have been further bolstered by support from Etienne Mutabazi, a former spokesperson for the RNC who served in Habyarimana’s army.
Mutabazi, who held a key role in the RNC’s Legal and Ethical Conduct Commission, publicly stated in 2022 that the FDLR poses no threat to Rwanda.
Despite this claim, sources reveal that Kayumba continues to maintain contact with Maj. Gaston Iyamuremye, alias Victor Byiringiro, the current leader of the FDLR.
Under Kayumba’s latest plan, Misago coordinates FDLR activities, recruits new members for the terrorist group, and raises funds for their operations.
Alphonse Munyarugendo, known as “Monaco Dollar,” plays a crucial role in this plot. A former member of Habyarimana’s army who joined in 1989, Munyarugendo runs businesses in Mozambique and remains deeply involved with the FDLR.
His brother, Col Anatole Nsengiyumva, was convicted for his role in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Munyarugendo himself was responsible for heavy artillery at Kanombe military barracks in 1994 and later served in the DRC’s army, FARDC, overseeing operations in Pweto.
{{Tshisekedi’s broader plot against Rwanda}}
Kayumba Nyamwasa’s trip to Kinshasa is part of a broader plan by President Tshisekedi to destabilize Rwanda, a goal he has publicly stated multiple times.
In December 2022, Tshisekedi met with Congolese youth and expressed his desire to support efforts to overthrow the Rwandan government.
“Rwandans are our brothers and sisters. They need our help to liberate them… from leaders holding them back,” he said.
Since then, Tshisekedi has ramped up his support for Rwandan subversive groups, including providing platforms for the FDLR and lending support to exiled figures like Eugène Richard Gasana.
Gasana, who has assumed a coordinating role among these groups, is reportedly working closely with Tshisekedi in this destabilization campaign.
Additionally, a confidential document dated July 26, 2024, and signed by Tshisekedi’s Director of Cabinet, Anthony Nkinzo Kamole, reveals that the DRC government has been in talks with Niger to transfer six Rwandan nationals to Kinshasa.
These individuals were prosecuted by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) for their involvement in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, some having been acquitted or released after serving their sentences.
Among these individuals are high-profile figures such as Sagahutu Innocent, Nzuwonemeye François Xavier, Mugiraneza Prosper, Nteziryayo Alphonse, Ntagerura André, and Protais Zigiranyirazo—key actors in Habyarimana’s regime.
Notably, two of them were senior military officers: Major Nzuwonemeye, head of military intelligence, and Captain Sagahutu, his deputy. Protais Zigiranyirazo, President Habyarimana’s brother-in-law, also held significant power within the regime.
Tshisekedi’s moves to gather and collaborate with these individuals, as well as his ties to various subversive Rwandan factions, highlight his continued efforts to destabilize Rwanda.
In a statement, the ministry said the virulent disease, which causes haemorrhagic fever, has been confirmed among a “few patients in health facilities across the country,” and investigations are underway to determine the origin of the infection.
“Enhanced preventive measures are being implemented in all health facilities. Contact tracing is underway, and cases have been isolated for treatment,” the ministry stated.
The ministry urged anyone experiencing symptoms such as high fever, severe headaches, vomiting, muscle aches, and stomach pain to call the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) on toll free number 114 or visit the nearest health facility.
“The Ministry of Health is closely monitoring the situation and will provide further updates regularly. The public should continue with their usual activities while maintaining a high level of vigilance and hygiene,” the ministry cautioned.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Marburg virus belongs to the same family as the virus that causes Ebola.
Like Ebola, Marburg causes severe haemorrhagic fever, affecting multiple organ systems and often leading to profuse bleeding. It affects both humans and nonhuman primates.
The viral infection is zoonotic, meaning it is transmitted from animals to humans.
“Human infection with Marburg virus disease initially results from prolonged exposure to mines or caves inhabited by Rousettus bat colonies,” a statement on the WHO website reads.
Once infected, Marburg can spread through human-to-human transmission via direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected people, as well as through contact with contaminated surfaces and materials such as beddings and clothing.
The Marburg virus is named after the German city of Marburg, where it was first identified in 1967.
The initial outbreak was associated with laboratory work involving African green monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) imported from Uganda.
Since then, outbreaks and sporadic cases have been reported in Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Uganda.
In a statement, the police said the suspect, who was on the list of major drug trafficking suspects, was intercepted at the Grand Barriere border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) while crossing into Rwanda on Wednesday, September 25, 2024.
At the time of the arrest by officers from the Revenue Protection Unit (RPU) and Border Security Unit, the suspect was found in possession of 40 large bundles of cannabis.
The suspect is said to have created a secret compartment in his car to conceal the narcotics in an attempt to evade security checks.
“On Wednesday, September 25, at around 3:30 p.m., police officers, acting on a tip-off, intercepted a Congolese-registered vehicle at the Grand Barriere in Kivu village, Nengo cell, Gisenyi sector. The vehicle was transporting 40 large bundles of cannabis, and the driver, who is the suspected rightful owner of the narcotics, was arrested,” Superintendent of Police (SP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the police spokesperson for the Western Region, said.
The suspect was handed over to the Rwanda Investigation Bureau at Gisenyi station.
Investigations indicate that the suspect was on his way to Kigali when he was cornered by the police.
“We believe he was headed to Kigali to supply one of his clients. Operations are still underway to bring all members of this drug trafficking ring to justice,” SP Karekezi said.
SP Karekezi praised the impact of community policing in identifying and arresting drug dealers, as well as dismantling trafficking networks and local retailers.
Cannabis is classified as a severe narcotic in Rwanda, with penalties ranging from 20 years to life in prison.
In a statement, the technology company said the pioneering event will bring together some of the brightest minds in AI and technology to create solutions that address real-world challenges and drive meaningful impact in Rwanda.
The AI Connect Hackathon will unite 20 teams of AI developers, data scientists, and problem-solvers, challenging them to harness the power of artificial intelligence to create innovative solutions for public services, healthcare, education, customer service, agriculture, financial inclusion, education, and cybersecurity.
In under 48 hours, participants will work to build functional, AI-driven applications that address critical issues affecting Rwandan society.
“This hackathon goes beyond coding prototypes; it’s about unlocking the transformative power of AI to ignite real change where it’s needed most,” said Patrick Ndjientcheu, Irembo’s Chief Product and Engineering Officer.
“We are committed to leveraging AI’s boundless potential to address critical societal challenges, empower communities, and spark innovations that leave a lasting, meaningful impact on people’s lives.”
Throughout the three-day event, participants will leverage large language models (LLMs) and locally built technologies to develop practical AI solutions.
Teams will have the opportunity to access IremboPay APIs to integrate cutting-edge digital payment solutions into their projects. Pindo, a partner of the event, will also provide access to its latest speech-to-text and text-to-speech AI model for voice-enabled applications.
Irembo AI experts will guide participants, helping them refine their ideas and push the boundaries of what AI can achieve.
On the final day, teams will pitch their solutions to a panel of distinguished judges, with the top innovations receiving prestigious recognition.
The judging criteria for the AI Connect Hackathon will focus on four key areas:
First, impact—judges will assess the project’s long-term potential for growth and its ability to improve people’s lives. Second, creativity—the originality and innovation of the AI application will be evaluated. Third, technical implementation—the quality of the technology’s execution will be taken into account. Finally, presentation—the team’s final pitch will be judged on how compelling and clear it is.
{{Prizes
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The team that secures first place will receive RWF 5 million and VIP passes to the Global AI Summit on Africa in April 2025. The second-place team will be awarded RWF 2 million, while the third-place team will receive RWF 1 million.
In addition to cash prizes, the winning teams will gain invaluable exposure and recognition for their contributions in using AI for social good.
The event is co-organized with C4IR and supported by several other sponsors, including Pindo, GIZ, Andela, and QT Global Software. Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB) will also offer internships to the winning teams, providing them with valuable hands-on experience and an opportunity to apply their solutions in real-world scenarios.
He made these remarks in an exclusive interview with IGIHE following his swearing-in on September 26, 2024.
Dr. Kalinda reflected on his experience since taking over from Dr. Iyamuremye Augustin in 2023.
He expressed his gratitude for the support he received, stating, “I joined the Senate midway through its term, but I was pleased to work with those I found there, as they helped me better understand the Senate’s operations, and together we achieved a lot.”
Dr. Kalinda outlined key achievements from the previous term, highlighting that the Senate upheld constitutional principles and successfully passed several important legislative measures.
These included the passage of one constitutional law, seven organic laws, and 18 ordinary laws. The Senate also held 43 standing committee meetings, produced 14 reports on government programs, and engaged in numerous discussions and inquiries.
Dr. Kalinda expressed his appreciation for the confidence placed in him once again by President Paul Kagame and emphasized the importance of collaboration across different levels of governance.
“In this new term, I am honored that the President of the Republic has entrusted me with this role again. My main focus will be fostering cooperation and coordination among institutions. We must listen to the concerns and aspirations of the people, as the Senate is here to help address key national issues,” he stated.
When discussing citizen engagement, Dr. Kalinda underscored the importance of using multiple approaches to gather public feedback. This includes direct community outreach and leveraging technology.
“There are multiple ways for the Senate to reach citizens. We can meet them in person, hear their concerns, and engage in discussions on how to resolve them. We also have technological means and can hold consultative meetings to seek further ideas from others,” he noted.
Additionally, he emphasized the Senate’s responsibility to conduct research on emerging issues to provide informed recommendations.
He called on his fellow Senators to place citizens at the forefront of their work and to foster a spirit of collaboration.
“What I ask from my fellow Senators as we begin this new term is to work together with mutual respect and understanding, always prioritizing the citizens’ interests above our own.”
The Rwandan Senate consists of 26 Senators, with women holding a majority for the first time at 53.9%. In contrast, the previous Senate had 35% female representation.
The Senate’s primary responsibilities include overseeing the constitutional principles, reviewing and passing laws, scrutinizing government activities, monitoring political organizations, and contributing to the national budget review.
Dr. Kalinda will lead the Senate alongside Vice Presidents Ambassador Solina Nyirahabimana, responsible for legislation and government oversight, and Alvera Mukabaramba, who was re-elected as Vice President in charge of finance and administration.
Of the newly sworn-in Senators, 20 have taken office, while six others are continuing their terms until next year.
These include Prof. Jean Pierre Dusingizemungu, Evode Uwizeyimana, Dr. André Twahirwa, and Epiphanie Kanziza, appointed by President Kagame in 2020, as well as Senators Alexis Mugisha and Clotilde Mukakarangwa, elected by the Forum of Political Organizations in 2020.
