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Authorities have two priorities; to protect the integrity of those attending the meeting, and to ensure that it proceeds in strict secrecy (under penalty of excommunication and imprisonment) until the final decision is made.

By 2025, the Gendarmerie corps guarding Vatican City faces unprecedented technological challenges compared to other conclaves.

Among them are artificial intelligence systems, drones, military satellites, microscopic microphones, a misinformation epidemic, and a world permanently connected and informed through social media.

The conclave is scheduled to take place approximately 20 days after the pope’s death. The Vatican and the Holy See are preparing for the arrival of the cardinals who will vote for the next leader of the Catholic faith.

Emergency and control bodies are also working on it with state-of-the-art technology. So far, they have not shared details about their security arrangements, but they are not inexperienced in the task of safeguarding the integrity of high-profile figures in the face of today’s technological risks.

In fact, the election in 2013 of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the real name of Pope Francis, as supreme pontiff gives some indications of the rigorous security strategies that will be presented in the next conclave.

The Vatican has internet access, but within the areas where the cardinals will reside and vote for the new pope, there will be signal jammers. The technology prevents two devices from communicating with each other through radio frequency interference. The headquarters becomes an electronic bunker.

Thus, if someone were to manage to introduce a microphone, telephone, or computer, they would be unable to transmit information.

However, the possibility of administrative staff or the cardinals themselves introducing technology is remote. Authorities inspect the building for days in search of unauthorized microphones or cameras, check every permitted attendee, and double-check participants.

Privacy film in the windows

Contemporary satellites are capable of taking pictures of people’s faces from space, while AI can interpret lip movements. However, since there’s currently no technology to see through walls with such high resolution, the best strategy against espionage in the conclave is to close doors and windows.

During meetings and in the sleeping quarters, voters are not allowed to look outside. In addition, before the cardinals arrive, Vatican staff place opaque film over windows so that no journalist, satellite, or drone can take pictures of the interior.

Locked-down Vatican

The Vatican covers only 0.44 square kilometer in area. It is the smallest nation in the world. Until 2018, it had 650 cameras monitoring its streets from an underground command center.

In addition, the Vatican City Gendarmerie, which functions as a conventional police force, and the Pontifical Swiss Guard, which acts as an army, are located within the territory.

While in photographs they appear to be wearing antique costumes and carrying halberds, the latter group has highly trained personnel with heavy weapons, such as machine guns, rifles, and explosives.

An estimated 200,000 people are expected to be present in the small city-state once the conclave has determined the name of Pope Francis’ successor.

Cardinals gather in Vatican City in 2013.

IGIHE

The event took place on April 22, 2025, beginning with a historical briefing on the roots of the Genocide against the Tutsi, which claimed over a million lives simply because of their identity.

Following the briefing, the GTBank Rwanda team laid wreaths at the mass graves where more than 250,000 victims are buried, paying tribute to those whose dignity and lives were brutally taken.

Alphonse Munyentwali, Country Director of Aegis Trust Rwanda, highlighted that remembering the Genocide is an ongoing journey. He emphasized that since the majority of today’s Rwandans are youth, it’s essential for them to understand this history thoroughly to ensure such atrocities never happen again.

He also explained that despite Rwanda’s independence, colonial powers continued to influence its governance, which fostered the divisions that eventually led to genocide.

“We suffered greatly, but we are also fortunate because the Genocide against the Tutsi was not stopped by foreigners. Rwandan heroes stopped it. We stopped it ourselves, and we have the strength to prevent it from happening again. That is a great privilege, and it was largely done by the youth. Today, others look up to us,” Munyentwali said.

Sandrine Isheja, an employee at GTBank Rwanda’s Gisozi branch, shared her personal story, recounting how she was a child during the 1994 Genocide but still vividly remembers the difficult path she took to survive. Many of her relatives and fellow refugees now rest at the Kigali Genocide Memorial.

She expressed deep gratitude to the Rwandan Patriotic Army for saving lives, including her own, and for restoring hope in life.

GTBank Rwanda’s Managing Director, Emmanuel Ejizu, spoke about how ethnic divisions introduced by Western colonialists were for their own benefit. He emphasized that unity is now the most powerful tool in countering such divisions and continuing the country’s journey of rebuilding.

'We must not be overwhelmed by sorrow. We need to hold onto hope and strive for a Rwanda that is united,' he said. 'This commitment to unity should not only be during commemoration periods—it must be constant, even for Rwandans in the diaspora. Do not tolerate division or those who spread hate or seek to turn people against each other.'

Ejizu concluded by noting that the Genocide against the Tutsi was a deliberately orchestrated campaign, built on years of cultivated hatred. Therefore, if today people come together with good intentions, the meaning behind the phrase 'Never Again’ can be fully realized.

GTBank Rwanda’s Managing Director, Emmanuel Ejizu signing the guest book

Alphonse Munyentwali, Country Director of Aegis Trust Rwanda, highlighted that remembering the Genocide is an ongoing journey.

GTBank Rwanda’s Managing Director, Emmanuel Ejizu, spoke about how ethnic divisions introduced by Western colonialists were for their own benefit.

GTBank Rwanda employees have been urged to embrace vision for united Rwanda

Sandrine Isheja, an employee at GTBank Rwanda’s Gisozi branch, shared her personal story, recounting how she was a child during the 1994 Genocide but still vividly remembers the difficult path she took to survive.

The event took place on April 22, 2025, beginning with a historical briefing on the roots of the Genocide against the Tutsi, which claimed over a million lives simply because of their identity.

GTBank Rwanda team laid wreaths at the mass graves where more than 250,000 victims are buried, paying tribute to those whose dignity and lives were brutally taken.

IGIHE

The RNP Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Boniface Rutikanga, said that as Police officers, donating blood is at the same time in line with the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between RNP and RBC and part of the force’s human security programme to promote the health of people it serves.

He said : “Donating blood by Police officers is part of the existing memorandum between RNP and RBC to contribute to the National blood bank. It is a periodic and voluntary action which also falls within the force’s initiative to support the human security programme in separate aspects of security and development including health because people cannot feel safe when they are not healthy.”

Dr. Andre Munyemana, from the RBC Blood Transfusion Division, in charge of donor selection, expressed gratitude to the Rwanda National Police for the ongoing partnership in the promotion of blood donation campaign.

He emphasized on the importance of the life-saving commitment exhibited by Police officers who donated blood.

“Donating blood is saving life of someone in need of blood. A person in need of blood has no other alternative. If he is not helped on time, he may lose life,” he added.

Dr. Munyemana urged the public to take blood donation as everyone’s responsibility and a reciprocal action because anyone or one of his/her relatives may also need it.

184 Police officers on Tuesday, April 22, donated blood in an exercise held at the Rwanda National Police (RNP) General Headquarters, Kacyiru.

IGIHE

The initiative centres on the nationwide rollout of e-Ubuzima, a digital health platform that enables both doctors and patients to access medical records online. Already in use in 15 districts, e-Ubuzima is set to become the backbone of Rwanda’s health data management.

'We’ve set a target: by December this year, all health facilities in Rwanda should be fully digital and paperless,' said Muhammed Semakula, Head of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Health Financing at the Ministry of Health, in an interview with The New Times.

While the system is ready for full deployment, Semakula acknowledged that logistical hurdles remain.

'You need computers at every health facility. One facility needs a minimum of 25 computers to be fully digitalised,' he said, noting that larger hospitals may require even more due to multiple departments.

In addition to hardware, the ministry is focused on equipping healthcare workers with the skills needed to operate digital tools.

'We’re noticing that many from the older generation have lower computer literacy… This is why consistent training is needed,' Semakula explained.

Each health facility requires approximately two weeks of intensive work to fully transition to the digital system, which also relies heavily on stable internet access.

'We also need to ensure every facility has reliable internet,' he added.

Efforts are also underway to digitise community-level health services by mid-year. By June, the ministry aims to equip community health workers with internet-enabled smartphones to streamline data collection and service delivery.

The digitisation initiative is expected to improve efficiency, data accuracy, and continuity of care across the country’s health sector.

Earlier this month, Rwanda made another major leap in technology by rolling out astate-of-the-art Health Intelligence Center to enhance real-time monitoring of healthcare services, decision-making, and policy development.

The hub was launched on the sidelines of the Global AI Summit on Africa on April 3, 2025, by the Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, and the Minister of State, Dr. Yvan Butera. They were joined by fellow African health ministers and development partners.

The initiative to digitise all health records centres on the nationwide rollout of e-Ubuzima, a digital health platform that enables both doctors and patients to access medical records online.

IGIHE

Catholic Church Cardinals were summoned to the Vatican on April 22, 2025, to organize the burial ceremony for Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21.

Cardinal Kambanda departed Rwanda on the evening of Tuesday April 22, 2025 and arrived on Wednesday morning. More than 135 Cardinals are expected in the Vatican for the preparations.

Pope Francis will be laid to rest on Saturday, April 26, 2025. Heads of state and government leaders from around the world, including Keir Starmer, Donald Trump, Prince William, and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, have confirmed their attendance at the funeral.

Unlike his predecessors, Pope Francis will be buried in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, rather than the traditional Saint Peter’s Basilica.

Cardinal Kambanda departed Rwanda on the evening of April 22, 2025.

IGIHE

The company, headquartered in Kigali, announced the vehicle on Tuesday, highlighting its purpose-built design for African conditions and a significant 10-year or 1-million-kilometre battery warranty.

According to IZI Electric, the Impala E30 is the first commercial vehicle on the continent to feature CATL’s BC5 battery system, a key factor in the extended warranty offering.

CEO Alex Wilson stated that the warranty addresses long-standing concerns about battery longevity in electric vehicles, potentially boosting confidence for operators and financial institutions considering the transition to electric fleets.

The Impala E30 is slated to join IZI’s leasing fleet in June, with initial deployments focusing on intercity routes exceeding 400 kilometers daily. The company reports having already secured over 50 pre-orders from transport operators across East Africa, indicating early market interest.

IZI Electric stresses the potential for significant cost savings with the Impala E30 compared to traditional diesel buses. They estimate that over a 10-year period, fuel costs for the electric bus could be up to 87% lower than for a comparable diesel vehicle, translating to savings of over $200,000 per vehicle.

The company also highlighted that the Impala E30 was designed specifically for the diverse terrains and climates of Africa, featuring marine-grade anti-corrosion materials, reinforced waterproofing, optimized suspension for varied road quality, and an advanced thermal battery management system.

Furthermore, each Impala E30 will be equipped with IZI Connect, a fleet management platform offering real-time vehicle monitoring, predictive maintenance alerts, driver behavior insights, and smart route optimization.

IZI Electric is strategically positioning the Impala E30 as a direct replacement for the widely used “Coaster” minibus, which serves as a backbone of public transport across the continent. The company estimates that replacing even half of Africa’s existing diesel coaster fleet with the Impala E30 could lead to substantial fuel cost savings and a significant reduction in carbon emissions.

“If we replaced just half of Africa’s existing diesel coaster fleet with the Impala E30, the continent would save over $1 billion in fuel costs every year and reduce carbon emissions by more than 2.7 million tonnes a year” Wilson noted. “The economic and environmental impact would be extraordinary.”

The company also pointed to the increasing availability of renewable energy resources in several African countries, such as Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda, as a factor that further strengthens the economic and environmental case for electric vehicle adoption in the region.

Founded in 2023, IZI Electric aims to accelerate the adoption of affordable and sustainable electric vehicle solutions in Africa’s transportation sector.

According to IZI Electric, the Impala E30 is the first commercial vehicle on the continent to feature CATL’s BC5 battery system, a key factor in the extended warranty offering.

IZI Electric is strategically positioning the Impala E30 as a direct replacement for the widely used “Coaster” minibus, which serves as a backbone of public transport across the continent.

Founded in 2023, IZI Electric aims to accelerate the adoption of affordable and sustainable electric vehicle solutions in Africa’s transportation sector.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

Maj Gen Nzabamwita was appointed to the post on December 20, 2024, replacing Lt Gen Mushyo Kamanzi, who had served as Rwanda’s Ambassador to Russia since 2019.

Prior to this appointment, Maj Gen Nzabamwita served as a President’s Senior Security Advisor. He is expected to play a key role in strengthening bilateral ties between Rwanda and Russia.

Rwanda and Russia established diplomatic relations on October 17, 1963, when Russia was still part of the Soviet Union, just over a year after Rwanda gained independence.

The partnership between Rwanda and Russia is rooted in cooperation in political, military, education, human resource development, training, and cultural ties.

Russia offers scholarships to Rwandan students in various fields and provides training for some officers in the Rwanda National Police.

Over the past 50 years, more than 800 Rwandan students have graduated from Russian universities in fields such as technology, law, international affairs, medicine, and political science.

Major General Joseph Nzabamwita,on April 22, 2025, presented copies of his letters of credence to Mikhail Bogdanov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, to represent Rwanda in the country.

IGIHE

Speaking to reporters at a White House news event, Trump said the tariffs, which have soared as high as 145%, would “come down substantially,” though he stopped short of promising a full rollback.

'It won’t be zero,' he clarified, 'but it won’t be anywhere near that high.'

The remarks marked a notable shift in tone for a president who, just weeks ago, doubled down on escalating tariffs as part of what he called 'Liberation Day' economic measures aimed at curbing Chinese dominance in key sectors.

Trump’s softer rhetoric followed earlier comments by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who said the current tariff levels are 'effectively embargoing' trade between the world’s two largest economies.

At a private investment conference hosted by JPMorgan Chase, Bessent reportedly told attendees the trade war is 'unsustainable' and hinted at a near-term de-escalation.

Markets responded swiftly to the changing narrative. All three major U.S. indexes closed near their daily highs following Bessent’s remarks, while Asian markets surged overnight. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 2.5%, Japan’s Nikkei 225 climbed 2%, and South Korea’s Kospi gained 1.5%.

Despite the economic optimism, Trump’s comments come amid a deeply entrenched and high-stakes trade war that has seen China retaliate with its own sweeping tariffs, most recently raising duties on U.S. goods from 84% to 125% in response to Trump’s hike earlier this month.

Beijing also returned two Boeing jets to the U.S., restricted the number of Hollywood films allowed in Chinese theatres, and added more American firms to its export control and “unreliable entity” lists.

China’s Ministry of Finance blasted the U.S. actions in a scathing statement, calling the tariff hikes 'unilateral bullying' and warning that further escalation would 'become a joke in the history of world economy.'

Still, both sides appear to be leaving space for dialogue. Trump reiterated his hope for a deal, describing his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping as 'very good' and suggesting diplomacy may yet prevail.

'We’re going to be very nice. They’re going to be very nice, and we’ll see what happens,' Trump said. 'But ultimately, they have to make a deal, because otherwise they’re not going to be able to deal in the United States.'

However, diplomatic momentum has been hampered by internal tensions. A Chinese government source is said to have told the media last week that while Beijing is open to talks, they must be conducted with 'respect' and greater 'consistency and reciprocity' from Washington.

Trump’s unilateral style, including his decision to serve as his own negotiator, reportedly complicates efforts to establish a stable channel of communication.

President Donald Trump signalled a potential softening in the ongoing trade standoff with China on Tuesday, hinting that the punishing tariffs levied on Chinese imports may soon be rolled back.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

The Lendu-led militia, which has been blamed for ongoing massacres and ethnic violence in Ituri Province, expressed regret over its recent attack on Ugandan troops in the Fataki area of Djugu territory in March.

The ambush left one senior Ugandan officer, Col. David Byaruhanga, dead and triggered a fierce response from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), who reported killing more than 240 CODECO fighters in the aftermath.

'We were misled by malicious actors into opposing the presence of the UPDF in Fataki,' said Dunji Kulukpa Etienne, Vice President of the Lendu community in eastern DRC, who led the CODECO delegation.

'We regret what happened and reaffirm that the Lendu, Bahema, and Balega communities have no quarrel with Uganda or its army.'

The delegation, which included both political and military leaders of CODECO, met with Gen Muhoozi after being received in Uganda by Land Forces Commander Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga and Maj Gen Felix Busizoori of the 4th Infantry Division.

The meeting comes amid increasing concerns over the high number of armed groups in one of Africa’s most volatile zones. Uganda, whose troops have operated in eastern DRC since 2021 under Operation Shujaa, has shifted from focusing solely on the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) to targeting other militias, including CODECO, following a surge in attacks on civilians.

'Uganda has always stood for peace and stability in eastern Congo,' Gen Muhoozi said during the meeting. 'We call on all armed groups to end the violence and work with us to protect civilians.'

As a sign of goodwill, the UPDF offered free medical treatment to wounded CODECO fighters in Ugandan military facilities—an offer the rebel leaders reportedly welcomed.

CODECO, short for Cooperative for the Development of Congo, has been one of the most active and brutal armed groups in Ituri, accused of targeting the Hema ethnic community and undermining local peace efforts. Its apology to Uganda signals a potential shift in tone, but observers remain cautious, noting the group’s history of splintering and inconsistent leadership.

Whether the meeting results in lasting cooperation or merely a temporary pause in hostilities remains unclear. However, the exchange in Entebbe represents a rare diplomatic opening in a region desperate for stability.

Leaders of the CODECO rebel group on Tuesday apologised to Uganda’s military following a deadly confrontation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, in a rare face-to-face meeting with Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba in Entebbe.

The Lendu-led militia, which has been blamed for ongoing massacres and ethnic violence in Ituri Province, expressed regret over its recent attack on Ugandan troops in the Fataki area of Djugu territory in March.

Wycliffe Nyamasege