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The discussions took place at the White House in a high-stakes meeting that brought together Zelensky, Trump, and top European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte was also present.

'If everything works out today, we’ll have a trilat,' Trump said, referring to potential three-way talks between himself, Zelensky, and Putin. 'We’re going to work with Russia, we’re going to work with Ukraine.' Zelensky responded positively, stating, 'We are ready for trilateral. I think this is very good.'

The meeting follows Trump’s summit with Putin in Alaska last Friday.

Trump has urged Zelensky to consider concessions, including abandoning Ukraine’s goal of joining NATO and giving up Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014. European leaders, excluded from the Alaska talks, attended Monday’s session to ensure Ukraine’s security and safeguard the continent from potential aggression.

During the White House meeting, discussions also focused on NATO-style security guarantees for Ukraine, which could provide a durable framework for peace. While Putin opposes Ukraine joining NATO outright, Trump’s team indicated that Russia might accept Western powers committing to defend Ukraine if attacked.

Despite the high tensions surrounding the war, the atmosphere between Trump and Zelensky was calm, a contrast to their February Oval Office meeting, where Trump publicly criticised Zelensky over US military aid.

Trump even complimented Zelensky on his black jacket, joking, 'I love it,' a lighthearted moment that drew attention to the Ukrainian leader’s decision to wear his signature war-leader attire rather than a formal suit. The choice of attire was a change from his previous visit in February, when he was criticised by a reporter for not wearing a formal suit and said he would wear one “after the war is finished.”

Air raid sirens sounded over Kyiv as the European delegation arrived in Washington, underscoring the ongoing threat from Russian strikes that killed at least seven people overnight.

Zelensky described the talks as 'very serious' and emphasised the need for 'reliable and lasting peace for Ukraine and the whole of Europe,' highlighting the importance of Western security guarantees.

Trump said he planned to speak with Putin later on Monday, maintaining that while a ceasefire may not be necessary for negotiations, there remains a 'good chance' of ending the conflict that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.

US President Donald Trump greets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on 18 August in Washington, DC. President Trump is hosting President Zelensky at the White House for a bilateral meeting and later an expanded meeting with European leaders to discuss a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

Four of the victims were struck by lightning, while one died when a house collapsed. The fatalities were reported in Burera, Gicumbi, Ngororero and Rusizi districts.

The rains also damaged 15 houses and caused localised flooding in parts of Kigali and other districts, though officials said river levels remained stable.

MINEMA Permanent Secretary Aristarque Ngoga warned that unusual August rainfall highlights shifting weather patterns linked to climate change. He urged the public to take precautions during storms, including staying indoors, avoiding electrical appliances, and reinforcing rooftops against strong winds.

'Ordinarily, August is not known for heavy rains, but this time we recorded storms that claimed lives and caused damage. It is further evidence that weather patterns are changing,' Ngoga told RBA.

Authorities said emergency teams are working with districts to support affected families and provide assistance to those who lost relatives or property.

Five people have been killed and 25 others injured after heavy rains and thunderstorms swept across parts of Rwanda between August 16 and 17, the Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA) said on Monday.

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The Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) battalion, known as Rwanbatt-2, relieved their colleagues at the Sector North base in a routine troop rotation aimed at maintaining continuity in peacekeeping operations.

Upon their arrival, the RDF said in a statement, Maj Gen Rayamajhi received a detailed briefing from Lt Col Robert Rwagihungu, the Rwanbatt-2 Contingent Commander, on the battalion’s operational readiness and deployment plan.

In his address to the troops, the Sector Commander commended the outgoing contingent for their professionalism and dedication, urging the incoming personnel to uphold the highest standards of discipline and training.

He reminded them that their mission—protecting civilians, supporting humanitarian assistance, and contributing to lasting peace in South Sudan—was both critical and demanding.

With the handover completed, Rwanbatt-2 has now fully assumed its duties in Sector North, reinforcing Rwanda’s longstanding contribution to international peacekeeping.

Rwanda remains one of the world’s top contributors to UN peace operations. According to the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations, as of May 31, 2025, Rwanda was the second-largest troop-contributing country with 5,886 personnel, following Nepal with 6,119. Other leading contributors included Bangladesh (5,686), India (5,393), and Ghana (2,845).

UNMISS Sector North Commander Maj Gen Nakul B. Rayamajhi welcomed a new contingent of Rwandan peacekeepers who took over duties in Malakal, Upper Nile State, on Monday, August 18, 2025.

The Sector Commander commended the outgoing contingent for their professionalism and dedication, urging the incoming personnel to uphold the highest standards of discipline and training.

With the handover completed, Rwanbatt-2 has now fully assumed its duties in Sector North, reinforcing Rwanda’s longstanding contribution to international peacekeeping.

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Robertinho was dismissed by the Blues earlier this year after the club cited health concerns. The Brazilian tactician, however, lodged a complaint demanding his unpaid wages covering January to June 2025, when the season came to a close.

In a letter dated August 12, 2025, FIFA informed both parties that Rayon Sports has 45 days to settle the dues. Should the club fail to comply, it faces stiff sanctions, including a transfer ban preventing it from registering new players, both locally and internationally, for three consecutive windows.

The 63-year-old coach, who was earning $5,000 per month and went six months without pay, has since landed a new role with Saudi Arabian side Jeddah SC ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Robertinho was dismissed by the Blues earlier this year after the club cited health concerns. The Brazilian tactician, however, lodged a complaint demanding his unpaid wages covering January to June 2025, when the season came to a close.

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Amb. Kacyira died of natural causes on June 12, 2025, leaving a profound void among colleagues, friends, and the international community.

According to The New Times, the final vigil is scheduled for Monday at her home in Kabeza, Kigali City.

After Kacyira’s demise, the President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, extended sympathies to her family and to the people of Rwanda.

The Chief of Staff in the Office of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Souef Mohamed El-Amine, also expressed sorrow over her passing, describing her as a leader dedicated to building connections between people from Kigali to the United Nations.

Dr. Kacyira’s career spanned senior roles both in Rwanda and abroad. She served as a Member of Parliament from 2003 to 2006 before becoming Mayor of Kigali from 2006 to 2011. She was then appointed Governor of the Eastern Province, serving briefly in that capacity.

During her tenure as Mayor of Kigali, she was recognised in 2008 by UN-Habitat for transforming the city into a model of cleanliness, tranquillity, and sustainable development.

Her efforts also included promoting affordable housing and creating accessible job opportunities for residents.

From 2011 to 2018, Dr. Kacyira was the Deputy Executive Director of UN-Habitat. She also held the role of Project Director in Rwanda’s Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources and worked with international organisations such as Oxfam and Care International.

In 2020, she was appointed Rwanda’s Ambassador to Ghana, with concurrent accreditation to Benin, Togo, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, and Liberia. In 2023, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres appointed her Head of the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), a position she held until her passing.

Dr. Kacyira held a master’s degree in Veterinary Science in Animal Production and Economics from James Cook University in Australia, and a bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Medicine from Makerere University in Uganda.

Ambassador Aissa Kirabo Kacyira passed away on 12 August after a prolonged illness.

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The initiative reflects Uganda’s broader strategy to enhance local mineral processing, add value to natural resources, and increase national revenue.

The Bank of Uganda reports that the country earned $3.4 billion from gold exports last year. This figure includes both domestically mined gold and gold imported from other countries.

President Yoweri Museveni has repeatedly emphasized that exporting unprocessed minerals undermines Uganda’s economic potential, while nations that refine their minerals locally generate substantially higher profits.

On August 16, 2025, President Museveni officially inaugurated the Wagagai gold processing plant, located in the Busia District. The facility spans nine square kilometers and is equipped to refine gold to a purity level of 99.9 percent.

During the inauguration ceremony, President Museveni ruled out the possibility of exporting unprocessed gold in the future , to ensure that Uganda captures the full value of its resources.

The Wagagai plant is expected to significantly contribute to Uganda’s economic development by creating jobs, increasing revenue, and fostering a sustainable gold industry that retains more of the country’s wealth within its borders.

President Yoweri Museveni officially inaugurated the plant on August 16.

The facility will refine gold to a high purity of 99.9%.

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The signing, held in Doha on Sunday, August 17, 2025, was attended by Ambassador Igor Marara.

“This partnership strengthens healthcare cooperation between Rwanda and Qatar,” the Rwandan Embassy in Qatar said in a post on X.

In a related deal, Philex Pharmaceuticals also signed a joint venture and technology transfer agreement with Rwanda’s Labophar Ltd. The agreement will enable Labophar to locally manufacture Philex’s solid dosage forms, boosting Rwanda’s capacity to produce high-quality medicines domestically.

The deal was signed by Labophar CEO Pascal Gatete and Philex CEO Waseem Hamad.

Founded in 1983, Labophar produces a range of pharmaceutical products, including oral solutions, suspensions, and topical products. The company is currently expanding to manufacture intravenous (IV) fluids, syrups, and other products, and the partnership with Philex is expected to accelerate these efforts.

Philex Pharmaceuticals, based in Oman’s Salalah Free Zone, serves markets across the Middle East, North Africa, and East Africa. The company specialises in research, development, and production of high-quality pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical products, with a focus on generics.

The agreements mark a significant step in Rwanda’s drive to improve access to affordable medicines and strengthen local pharmaceutical manufacturing.

The signing, held in Doha on Sunday, August 17, 2025, was attended by Ambassador Igor Marara.

In a related deal, Philex Pharmaceuticals also signed a joint venture and technology transfer agreement with Rwanda’s Labophar Ltd.

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In 2024/2025, Kigali had set a goal of collecting Frw 60 billion, which was achieved. Building on that success, the city has now raised its target for the coming year.

The Director General in charge of Communication and Education at the City of Kigali, Emma Claudine Ntirenganya explained that strategies to meet this target include raising awareness among business owners about the importance of timely tax payment and guiding them through the process.

'We continue to remind taxpayers about deadlines and show them the systems they can use to pay, since many get caught up in their work and end up missing the due dates,' she said.

According to Ntirenganya, higher tax revenues directly strengthen the city’s ability to finance infrastructure projects such as roads, health centers, and other public services.

Officials from the City’s Department of Economic Development acknowledged that some business operators still do not fully recognize the value of paying taxes, a gap that slows down economic growth. New measures are being introduced to improve compliance.

The City of Kigali’s total budget for 2025/2026 is projected at Frw 250 billion. If the Frw 80 billion revenue target is achieved, the city will cover nearly one-third of its budget through its own resources.

The City of Kigali has set a target of collecting Frw 80 billion in the 2025/2026 fiscal year from taxes and levies paid by residents and businesses, representing a 20% increase compared to the previous year’s budget.

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The move follows the signing of the Doha Principles on July 19, 2025, in which both sides, under Qatari mediation, committed to key measures including a permanent ceasefire and the release of prisoners. The provisions were expected to take effect by July 29, with direct talks in Doha scheduled to resume by August 8.

However, neither deadline was met, leading to a delay in the formal signing of the peace accord, initially anticipated by August 18.

A Qatari official involved in the mediation told the media on Sunday that a draft peace agreement had been prepared and shared with both parties as part of the ongoing Doha process, with the Qatari capital set to host an important round of negotiations soon.

The official acknowledged ongoing obstacles but expressed optimism that they could be resolved through continued dialogue. He noted that despite missing the signing deadline, both the DRC government and M23 had reaffirmed their willingness to continue negotiations.

“We recognise the challenges on the ground and hope they can be overcome promptly through dialogue and genuine commitment,” the official added.

Qatar said it is currently overseeing discussions to review compliance with the Doha Principles and is working closely with international observers, including the United States and the African Union.

A July 19, 2025 photo taken in Doha shows peace mediator Sumbu Sita Mambu, the DRC’s high representative, looking on as Qatar’s chief negotiator Mohammed al-Khulaifi (C) shakes hands with M23 executive secretary Benjamin Mbonimpa.

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On August 15, 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources convened agricultural exporters to align with government institutions and private players, including banks, on how to tackle bottlenecks and accelerate this push.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, the drive will be implemented under the Fifth Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation (PSTA5), which requires an estimated Frw 144 billion, or 2.3% of its total budget.

Agribusiness hubs lead the way

Minister of Agriculture Dr Cyubahiro Mark Bagabe highlighted the Gabiro Agribusiness Hub, a modern 5,600-hectare irrigation zone drawing water from the Akagera River into a 120,000 m³ reservoir. The government has already invested over $118 million (Frw 170 billion) in the site, where investors lease land at $375 per hectare per year.

The water used in the Gabiro agribusiness hub is drawn from the Akagera River.

Seven investors are currently operational, with pledged investments surpassing Frw 53 billion. The hub’s first phase created 6,000 jobs, while the second phase will expand it to 15,600 hectares across Nyagatare and Gatsibo, complete with advanced irrigation and improved road infrastructure.

Scaling smallholder farming

Another key initiative is the Food Basket Sites (FoBaSi) programme, designed to consolidate fragmented small plots into productive zones of about five hectares each. Over 495,000 hectares have already been identified out of a targeted 600,000 hectares.

Farmers in these sites will receive early access to fertilisers, quality seeds, and the support of permanent agronomists. The scheme begins in Season A of 2026 (September—December 2025) and is expected to drive significant yield increases, covering nearly half of Rwanda’s cultivated land.

The government projects significant growth in export earnings from high-value crops over the next five years. Chilli exports are expected to increase eightfold, moving from $6 million to $48 million by 2028/29, largely driven by expanding markets in Asia, particularly China and India.

Rwanda aims to boost agricultural production by 50% by 2028/2029.

Coffee earnings are forecast to rise from $78.7 million to $115.5 million, an increase of 46.8%, supported by the replacement of ageing trees and expansion of plantations. Tea is also set to record substantial gains, with export revenues projected to grow from $107.7 million to $164.4 million, representing a 52.6% increase.

PSTA5 to transform the sector

PSTA5, a five-year programme, will channel $5.4 billion into modernising agriculture, promoting climate-smart technologies, reducing post-harvest losses, and strengthening value chains. The initiative is expected to create 644,000 jobs, up from 400,000 currently sustained in the sector.

'We are focusing on transforming agriculture into a business rather than subsistence farming,' Dr Bagabe said, noting that farmers’ performance will determine whether they retain or lose access to consolidated farming sites.

Minister Dr Bagabe highlighted the strategies set to boost agricultural production.

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