According to Kanyuka, the attack, considered a violation of the ceasefire by the Kinshasa government, resulted in the deaths of two crucial commanders within the group.
Although M23 did not officially disclose the names of the fallen soldiers, IGIHE has learnt fromcredible sources that one of them is identified as Colonel Castro Elise Mberabagabo, responsible for intelligence and relations between M23 and its supporters.
On the same day, reports circulated about General Sultani Makenga’s advisor, Colonel Erasto Bahati, allegedly injured in a drone attack in Kitchanga.
Confronted with this escalation, M23 expressed its determination to retaliate, interpreting the attack by the DRC government forces as an act of provocation.
The loss of its leaders could have significant implications for the dynamics of this confrontation, especially since the Southern African Development Community (SADC) army recently joined the DRC forces in this conflict.
The Rwandan delegation, including Foreign Minister, Dr. Vincent Biruta and Rwanda’s Ambassador to Switzerland, Marie Chantal Rwakazina, participated in these dialogues. Zelensky outlined his strategy for peace in Ukraine during the initial bilateral meeting with Kagame, emphasizing the importance of rallying African nations’ support for Ukraine.
“I informed President Kagame of the Peace Formula. The voice of African states is important to putting it into action. Rwanda’s representative attended the fourth Peace Formula meeting of advisors. This sends an important signal to other African countries,” noted Zelensky on his X account.
The Peace Formula encompasses critical points, addressing nuclear security, territorial integrity restoration, energy security, and the repatriation of prisoners of war and deportees held on Russian territory.
Zelensky highlighted Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts by establishing an embassy in Rwanda and expressed interest in strengthening ties, particularly through agricultural exports.
He estimates that the conflict in Ukraine, ongoing since the Russian invasion in February 2022, could transition to negotiations once Russia ceases its attacks.
In December 2022, Zelensky expressed the desire to establish relations with at least 30 African countries. The commitment materialized in May 2023, during Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba’s visit to Rwanda, resulting in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on political consultations.
Speaking at the occasion, Minister Kuleba disclosed that discussions with Rwandan counterpart Dr. Vincent Biruta encompassed Zelensky’s Peace Formula and food security. Minister Kuleba reiterated Ukraine’s commitment to strengthen relations with African states based on mutual respect and mutual benefits.
Kuleba’s visit to Rwanda followed his trip to Ethiopia on May 24, where he met with various officials, including Moussa Faki Mahamat, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), and Azali Assoumani, the President of Comoros, who currently serves as the Chairperson of the African Union.
Rio Tinto, a leader in mineral exploration and processing, previously expressed interest in investing up to $7.5 million in Rwanda’s mining industry.
In August 2023, Rio Tinto, alongside UK-based Aterian and Kinunga Mining, entered a joint venture agreement to explore lithium in Rwanda. The agreement allows Rio Tinto to invest $7.5 million in two stages, potentially earning a 75% interest in the license for exploring critical minerals crucial for the global shift to renewable energy.
Identifying 19 pegmatite zones in Southern Province for lithium, caesium, and tantalum over 2,750 hectares, the joint venture project aligns with the growing demand for lithium, projected to reach 1.5 million tonnes in 2026.
Rwanda’s mineral export revenues have seen substantial growth, reaching $851.6 million from January to September 2023, a 45.6% increase compared to the same period in 2022.
With the government targeting $1.5 billion in annual mineral export revenues by 2024, Rwanda’s mineral reserves, valued at over $150 billion, play a pivotal role in the country’s economic aspirations.
The conversation focused on addressing root causes of conflicts, building on discussions from a previous visit by Avril Haines, the Director of National Intelligence, in November 2023.
During Haines’ visit, discussions centered on de-escalating tensions between Rwanda and DR Congo and addressing security concerns in eastern DR Congo, where the government coalition is combating the M23 rebels. DR Congo accuses Rwanda of supporting the rebels, a claim Kigali dismisses, insisting it’s an internal Congolese matter.
Rwanda accuses the Congolese army of collaborating with the FDLR terrorist group, posing a regional security threat. The FDLR, formed by remnants of Interahamwe and the former Rwandan army responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, has been linked to hate speech and violence against Congolese Tutsi communities.
Recent incidents include Congolese warplanes violating Rwanda’s airspace and armed soldiers crossing the border. The Rwandan government urges Kinshasa to cease support for the UN-sanctioned FDLR, as the region grapples with ongoing instability, housing over 130 armed groups in eastern DR Congo for nearly three decades.
The incident took place in the Rubavu Sector, Rubavu District at 7:00 p.m. They were arrested by Rwandan soldiers on patrol.
RDF clarified that the soldiers in custody are Assumani Mupenda, 30, and Cpl Anyasaka Nkoi Lucien, 28. Rwanda’s army explained that the soldier from the FARDC was killed because he attempted to shoot at soldiers on patrol, who returned fire, resulting in his death. On the RDF side, none of its soldiers were killed or injured in the clashes.
The FARDC expressed sadness over the soldier’s death and requested assistance from the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM) from the Great Lakes to evacuate the soldiers and retrieve the deceased soldier’s body.
This is not the first instance of an FARDC soldier illegally entering Rwanda’s territory and attempting to shoot at soldiers. Similar incidents occurred in 2022 and 2023, where the intruders were shot and killed.
Out of the 16 CPA papers registered, UoK produced 11 top performers nationally per paper. UoK also registered pass rates which were above the national pass rates for CPA.
The University of Kigali’s Board of Promoters, management and staff have taken this opportunity to recognize and appreciate the 11 students in CPA who emerged the best nationally and all the UoK CPA students for achieving results above the national pass rates.
The exemplary performance by UoK students in the just released results is a testimony to the quality tuition that is provided at the University. The success is attributed to the adequate, competent and high-quality teaching staff with international experience who deliver professional courses.
The University also provides study notes and past examination question banks to all students registered for professional courses. Additionally, UoK offers discount on tuition fees to all internal undergraduate and graduate students pursuing professional programmes.
As a result of the standards implemented, UoK has consistently delivered pass rates which are above the national pass rates in exams over the last 10 examination sittings. This high pass rates are a major contributor to the increase in the enrollment of students pursuing professional programmes.
The continuous choice of UoK every examination sitting by both private and Government sponsored staff is an evidence of the vital role UoK plays in enhancement of professional capacity-building in Rwanda and the entire East African Region.
The University in partnership with the Government of Rwanda has also been offering Certified Public Accounting (CPA) and Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) training to all Government Accountants and Internal Auditors. From August 2016 to date, the programme has attracted over 3,000 Government Staff. Apart from the certification, it is proven that all the staff who have gone through the tuition process have had a significant increase in productivity and the country has benefited tremendously.
UoK is committed to enhancing training, professionalism and capacity-building across all Public Financial Management (PFM) disciplines. The University is fostering valuable partnerships with relevant stakeholders to continuously ensure that this huge deficit is filled.
The university encourages all and sundry to register for professional education at University of Kigali. Registration for the May ICPAR exams is in progress. Classes will start on 9th February, 2024.
Interested individuals can call: +250 781 833 731 for professional programmes admissions
Registration for undergraduate and graduate programmes is also ongoing. Individuals are urged to apply online via: mis.uok.ac.rw/apply or Call: +250 788 303 386/ +250 789 009 221/ /+ 250 788 669 642.
The announcement was made by Lieutenant General Fall Sikabwe, coordinator of military operations of DRC’s military in North Kivu, during the first joint meeting between the DRC military and SADC.
According to the DRC authorities, this SADC military force would carry out offensive operations, essentially targeting the rebels of the March 23 Movement (M23) who occupy several areas in the territory of Masisi and that of Rutshuru, located in the province of North Kivu.
“The SADC comes with an offensive mission. With the mandate of the heads of state member of the SADC, we will initiate large-scale operations against the enemies of the Republic”, said Fall Sikabwe, stressing that he is to put an end to hostility which has persisted for months.
Composed mainly of military elements from South Africa, Tanzania and Malawi, this SADC military force replaces the regional force of the East African Community (EAC). DRC authorities deemed the EAC regional force ineffective and refused to renew its mandate.
For the moment, only South Africa and Malawi have already deployed part of its soldiers in Goma. Tanzania hopes to transfer its elements which are already on Congolese soil within the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC, whose mandate should expire by the end of 2024.
Since late Monday, violent fighting broke out between the M23 rebels and the Congolese military in the territory of Masisi. Detonations of heavy and light weapons are heard in these areas, forcing a large number of residents to leave for the town of Sake, the city’s last bulwark.
Goma, a tourist town known for economic activities in the region, was occupied by the M23 for 10 days in December 2012.
Responding to Tanzania’s request, Kenyan authorities granted Air Tanzania the Fifth Freedom Traffic Right for all-cargo services. This allows Air Tanzania to efficiently handle cargo operations, enhancing its international flights and promoting trade partnerships between Kenya and Tanzania.
The diplomatic maneuver, however, prompted a reversal of Tanzania’s earlier decision to withdraw Kenya Airways’ third and fourth freedom traffic rights for passenger services between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam. These rights enable airlines to transport passengers and freight between their own country and a foreign country (Third Freedom) and between two foreign countries (Fourth Freedom).
The reinstatement of Kenya Airways’ passenger operations ensures continued connectivity on the vital Dar es Salaam route, benefiting both passengers and businesses. Hamza S. Johari, Director General of the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority, emphasized the positive spirit of cooperation between the two countries, expressing confidence that the decision will strengthen aviation and trade relations.
The dynamic nature of air services agreements and the importance of open communication between nations is underscored by this swift resolution. With the ban lifted and both airlines now benefiting from the new agreement, the skies between Tanzania and Kenya are clear for continued growth and cooperation in the aviation sector.
At a press conference, the commission announced that Assoumani secured a total of 33,209 votes, which constitutes 62.97 percent of the total votes and Salim Issa Abdallah from the Juwa party was the runner-up, garnering 20.26 percent of the votes.
Despite the election turnout being a mere 16.3 percent, the commission commended the voters in a press release, stating that they fulfilled their duty in a calm and serene atmosphere. It also expressed appreciation for the mobilization of all those involved in the electoral process.
The Comoros kicked off its first round of the presidential election on Sunday to select the national leader from among six candidates, including Assoumani, for the next five years. Registered voters from the total population of roughly 900,000 cast their ballots at 868 polling stations across the country.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Beninese Minister of Health Benjamin Hounkpatin said the doses of vaccine were acquired by the government with the support of its partners in the health sector, including the World Health Organization, the United Nations Children’s Fund, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which is an important step toward widespread vaccination against one of the most deadly diseases for African children.
“The introduction of the malaria vaccine into the Expanded Program on Immunization is a major step forward in the fight against this disease in Benin,” he said, adding that the administration of the malaria vaccine in highly endemic areas will make it possible to control the disease and save tens of thousands of lives every year.
“The combination of vaccination with other measures to combat malaria, such as the use of insecticide-impregnated bed nets, indoor residual spraying, intermittent preventive treatment for pregnant women, and the use of antimalarial drugs, will help to significantly reduce malaria-related deaths,” he said.
Malaria remains endemic in Benin and is the leading cause of death among children under 5, accounting for 40 percent of outpatient consultations and 25 percent of all hospital admissions in the country.
