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In a report published on March 12, 2025, HRW alleged that since capturing the cities of Goma and Bukavu in January, the M23 and AFC have engaged in a systematic campaign to suppress dissent. According to the organization, journalists and activists critical of the group’s actions have faced intimidation and violence.

'Restoring a measure of normalcy to the captured cities of Goma and Bukavu will mean allowing journalists and civil society activists to do their jobs without threats, violence, or worse,” said Clémentine de Montjoye, senior Great Lakes researcher at Human Rights Watch.

However, in a strongly worded statement, the AFC/M23 denied the accusations, describing HRW’s report as “unfounded” and an attempt to mislead the public.

“We categorically reject the unfounded allegations presented in Human Rights Watch’s (HRW) report dated March 12, 2025. This publication is a blatant attempt to spread false information, mislead the public, and serve the interests of the Kinshasa regime,” AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka stated.

The group challenged HRW to present concrete evidence supporting its claims and accused the organization of bias due to its alleged connections to the DRC government.

“Our organization has never arrested, intimidated, or persecuted any journalist or activist. We challenge HRW to provide concrete evidence supporting its claims. Given its well-documented ties to the Kinshasa regime, HRW’s credibility is highly questionable,” the statement continued.

The M23 asserted that they have consistently upheld press freedom and allow journalists to work without restrictions in the areas under their control.

“The AFC/M23 has always upheld press freedom and remains open to both national and international journalists. Media professionals are free to operate within liberated areas without restrictions, censorship, or imposed narratives. We strongly believe in transparency and the fundamental right of journalists to report independently,” the group stated.

The AFC/M23 also addressed the killing of popular musician Indego. They reiterated their earlier claim, made via social media on February 13, 2025, that Indego’s death resulted from internal conflicts among the Wazalendo militia and the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC).

“We stated that his killing resulted from internal conflicts among different factions of the Wazalendo militia and the FARDC, a fact that some media outlets have deliberately ignored in favor of misleading narratives,” the statement clarified.

The AFC/M23 rebel group has, in recent months, gained large swaths of territory in the eastern region, where it accuses President Félix Tshisekedi’s government of poor governance and the persecution of Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese communities.

AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka has rejected recent allegations by Human Rights Watch (HRW) accusing the group of detaining, threatening, and attacking journalists and civil society activists in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

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Since late 2021, the M23 rebel group resumed armed struggle, claiming to fight for the rights of Tutsis, Banyamulenge, Hema, and other Kinyarwanda-speaking communities who face persecution, killings, and other abuses due to their ethnicity. However, DRC President Félix Tshisekedi has repeatedly sworn not to engage in talks with M23, describing the group as an “empty shell” and alleging that its fighters are soldiers from a foreign country.

But in a shift of stance, signaling a change of heart, the Angolan Presidency announced on Tuesday, March 10, 2025, that President João Lourenço would mediate negotiations between the DRC government and M23 representatives in the coming days.

The announcement followed President Tshisekedi’s visit to Angola, aimed at seeking a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC.

Speaking in an interview with Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA), Mukuralinda emphasized that despite DRC’s initial refusal to negotiate with M23, peace talks remain the only viable path to ending the war in eastern Congo, as regional leaders have consistently highlighted.

Mukuralinda noted that Tshisekedi’s agreement to engage in talks is an acknowledgment that African-led solutions are the best approach to resolving African conflicts, with external assistance serving only as a complement.

'He is now following the path that regional leaders have long advocated, saying, 'We know this issue, and this is how it should be resolved,’' Mukuralinda said.

He added: 'Another important point is that he has accepted dialogue as the only way to resolve this issue, as regional leaders—including the President of Rwanda—have affirmed that this conflict can only be solved through negotiations, not military action.'

Mukuralinda recalled that previous talks failed to yield the desired results due to a lack of commitment from the DRC government.

'It is time to ensure that these talks are not just for show. And once agreements are reached, there must be mechanisms to monitor their implementation. This is not the first, second, or third time such negotiations are taking place,' he said.

He stressed that the primary objective of the DRC-M23 negotiations should be to end the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo.

A joint session of heads of state from the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in February declared dialogue as the only path to silencing the guns in eastern Congo. It remains to be seen if the talks will achieve their objective.

After a meeting between Angolan President João Lourenço and DRC President Félix Tshisekedi on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, Angola confirmed that it will host the talks between the Congolese government and the M23 rebel group.

Rwanda’s Deputy Government Spokesperson, Alain Mukuralinda, has stressed that the upcoming talks between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) government and the M23 rebel group must be meaningful and result-oriented, rather than symbolic gestures.

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Sixteen South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members died in the cross-fire in January, the biggest contingent since the battle of Bangui in 2013.

Answering questions about the situation in the National Assembly on Tuesday, March 12, 2025, Ramaphosa said he’s hopeful a negotiated settlement brokered by African leaders can be reached.

Ramaphosa says with the temporary cessation of hostilities in the eastern DRC, SANDF soldiers in Goma are not in any direct danger.

'They are in quite a precarious situation right now. But as it is, the peace is holding, the troops much as they are just located at the airport, they are not being fired on.'

On a question from the Democratic Alliance’s Chris Hattingh as to when South African troops can be withdrawn, Ramaphosa said this was dependent on the guns being silenced.

'We want a negotiated settlement, and that in itself, will be a precursor to ensuring that we have a cessation of hostilities and in the end our troops do come back home.'

Ramaphosa said the movement of food supplies, water and electricity is, however, currently still subject to consultations with other armies and the M23.

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the situation for South African soldiers stationed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains precarious.

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The exchange event was facilitated using participatory methods to encourage mutual learning and empowerment. It brought together government agencies, national and international NGOs, researchers, private sector enterprises, tree seed cooperatives and farmers.

Organized as a joint output of the “Right Tree, Right Place, Right Purpose (RTRP-Seed)”, 'Quality Tree Seed for Africa (QT-Seed)' and Transforming the Eastern Province through Adaptation (TREPA)' initiatives, the event brought together key stakeholders in tree seed systems and the landscape restoration sector.

Athanase Mukuralinda, the Country Director of CIFOR-ICRAF, emphasized that tree seeds are the foundation for successful forest restoration and sustainable landscapes. However, many people do not understand the importance of using high-quality tree seeds.

'While many recognize the importance of seed quality for crops like maize or potatoes, there’s a common misconception that any tree seed is suitable for planting. However, just as with crops, poor-quality tree seeds can lead to weak, poorly growing trees. Rather, 'high-quality tree seeds are crucial for effective forest restoration and the production of valuable wood, fruit and other products' Mukuralinda explained.

The projects focus on awareness, highlighting the importance of protecting seed sources to ensure seed quality for future harvests, and building capacities for communities and sector stakeholders about which trees to collect seeds from, how and when to harvest tree seeds, as well as how to store them properly to maintain their quality.

“We bring together seed producers, collectors, and tree planters to exchange knowledge and collaborate,” Mukuralinda said.

A national learning exchange event on tree seed systems and enabling policies was recently held in Kigali.

Jens-Peter Barnekow Lillesø, a senior researcher at the University of Copenhagen and a CIFOR-ICRAF fellow, stressed the need to evaluate the genetic quality of tree seeds.

“Currently, tree seeds are only checked for germination, but this does not reveal how well a tree will grow in the future,” Lillesø noted. He highlighted that most tree seeds in Rwanda are collected from farmlands without assessing their genetic quality.

Factors like the number of mother trees, their health, and whether pollinators are present are crucial for producing seeds that grow into robust trees. Different seed sources are suited to specific environments, such as dry lowlands or humid highlands, and using seeds from the wrong region can lead to poor growth and decreased survival.

Lillesø called for documenting seed sources and recognizing the seed custodians who manage them.
“These custodians play a critical role in protecting seed sources and should receive incentives for their work,” he said.

Lillesø also pointed out that the national seed center cannot manage all seed sources alone and needs to delegate responsibilities to local communities, while maintaining quality oversight.

These ongoing initiatives aim to bridge the current gaps in the tree seed sector by fostering cooperation between different stakeholders.

By improving tree seed quality and recognizing the contributions of seed custodians, among other measures, Rwanda can strengthen its forest ecosystems and support sustainable agriculture and restoration efforts.

The exchange event was facilitated using participatory methods to encourage mutual learning and empowerment.

It brought together government agencies, national and international NGOs, researchers, private sector enterprises, tree seed cooperatives and farmers.

Jens-Peter Barnekow Lillesø, a senior researcher at the University of Copenhagen and a CIFOR-ICRAF fellow (with microphone), stressed the need to evaluate the genetic quality of tree seeds.

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Duterte was placed on a flight late on Tuesday, his daughter and local outlet The Philippine Star reported. 'They have taken him out on a plane,' Veronica Duterte wrote on Instagram.

In a separate statement to the Philippine Star, Sara Duterte, who is also the country’s vice president, said her father was being taken to The Hague. 'As I write this, he is being forcibly taken to The Hague tonight,' she said, according to the outlet.

Duterte, 79, was taken into custody at the main airport in the capital Manila after returning to the Philippines from Hong Kong on Tuesday, charged with crimes against humanity.

The former leader oversaw a ferocious crackdown on drug pushers in the Southeast Asian country, targeting with relentless and bloody zeal a criminal trade that had sparked widespread anger among his supporters.

The crackdown killed more than 6,000 people based on police data, though independent monitors believe the number of extrajudicial killings could be much higher.

The ICC, which sits in the Dutch city of The Hague, had previously said it was investigating Duterte, but his arrest nonetheless caught the country off guard. It immediately mobilized his significant throng of supporters, some of whom angrily confronted police outside the airbase where he was held for several hours.

Duterte ruled the country of 115 million people for six years, and his unrelenting war on drugs left behind a bloody legacy, but he is celebrated by voters particularly in Davao city, where he served as mayor for about two decades before ascending to the presidency.

A chartered plane carrying former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is seen at the Villamor Airbase on Tuesday night.

His drug crackdown killed thousands; many of the victims were young men from impoverished shanty towns, shot by police and rogue gunmen as part of a campaign to target dealers. It prompted internal inquiries and an ICC investigation that culminated in Tuesday’s arrest.

Duterte has repeatedly denied the extrajudicial killing of alleged drug suspects, although he also openly admitted to ordering police to shoot suspects who resist arrest.

He withdrew the Philippines from the ICC in 2019, but under the ICC’s withdrawal mechanism, the court keeps jurisdiction over crimes committed during the membership period of a state, in this case, between 2016, when his term started, and 2019, when the Philippines’ pullout became official.

At an event early this week in Hong Kong, Duterte lashed out at the ICC amid speculation that his arrest war nearing. 'I have a warrant … from the ICC or something. What did I do wrong? I did everything that I could in my time, so there is a little bit of quiet and peace for the lives of the Filipinos,' he told supporters.

His political ambitions did not conclude with the end of his term in office; Duterte registered in October to run as mayor in Davao. He is supported by a political dynasty that still exerts authority up and down the country.

A supporter of Duterte confronts riot police officers outside the Villamor Airbase.

His daughter Sara is vice president to Duterte’s successor and political rival, Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr., and was herself impeached last month on a range of accusations that include plotting to assassinate the new president.

And his son Sebastian Duterte is the current mayor of Davao; he had planned to run as his father’s vice-mayor in next year’s mid-term elections.

Duterte speaking at a rally on Sunday. Two days later, he was arrested at an airport in Manila.

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Speaking during a candid and revealing interview with new media journalist Mario Nawfal, President Kagame stated that the “good country” doesn’t deserve a leader like Tshisekedi.

'I would tell him I wish he wasn’t president of that good country,' he responded when asked what he would tell the DRC Head of State if they met.

He added, 'Next time I meet him, I will tell him that.'

Kagame’s comments come amid ongoing tensions between Rwanda and the DRC, particularly in eastern Congo, where Rwanda has repeatedly accused Congolese authorities of hosting and collaborating with the FDLR militia group—linked to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi—to destabilize Rwanda.

The Head of State criticized Tshisekedi’s handling of the crisis in eastern Congo, accusing him of mismanaging the country and lacking commitment to resolving the conflict, where M23 rebels continue to battle the Congolese army and its coalition of forces.

He also questioned Tshisekedi’s background and leadership capabilities, referencing his time in Belgium where he worked as a taxi driver and pizza deliveryman.

Kagame cited a revealing account from Francisco Piscopo, the owner of Pizzeria Godo in Brussels, where Tshisekedi was once employed before rising to the presidency.

In a previous interview, Piscopo described how he hired Tshisekedi despite his lack of formal education or qualifications.

According to Piscopo, Tshisekedi displayed poor work ethic and disorganization, which made his eventual rise to the presidency surprising.

'He was always late, disorganized, and with funds disappearing without explanation,' Piscopo revealed.

The businessman also expressed disappointment over how Tshisekedi has mismanaged the DRC, citing media reports of continued dysfunction.

In the interview, President Kagame criticized Tshisekedi’s approach to the conflict in eastern Congo, particularly his refusal to engage in dialogue with the M23 rebels. He also cast doubt on Tshisekedi’s political legitimacy, insisting that he was never fairly elected.

'By the way, I don’t mind how he became president. He was not elected either time. The first time, Joseph [Kabila] handed power over to him—there’s no question about that. The second time, he simply declared himself the winner, and everyone was told to keep quiet. But that’s not my problem,' Kagame remarked.

To resolve the conflict in the east, Kagame outlined three steps that could help bring an end to the prolonged crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). These steps include agreeing to halt hostilities, engaging in dialogue with the M23 rebel group, and recognizing that Rwanda’s security concerns are non-negotiable.

While acknowledging that the crisis may not be fully resolved immediately, Kagame emphasized that these measures could pave the way for lasting peace following the capture of Goma and Bukavu, key cities in the North and South Kivu provinces.

'That will require the leaders of Congo to take the bull by the horns and accept reality, and say, 'I must talk to these Congolese who oppose me, I must listen to them and their grievances. Even if they address six out of ten concerns, that is progress,’' Kagame noted.

Speaking during a candid and revealing interview with new media journalist Mario Nawfal, President Kagame stated that the “good country” doesn’t deserve a leader like Tshisekedi.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

The President shared these insights during a recent interview with American journalist Mario Nawfall.

While acknowledging that the crisis may not be fully resolved immediately, Kagame stressed that certain measures could pave the way for lasting peace.

'Let me start with what it is now. What is needed now is for parties involved and others who want support to stop the fighting and have a ceasefire,' he noted.

The second step, according to Kagame, involves establishing a political process that addresses M23’s concerns through peaceful means.

He emphasized that the Congolese government must recognize the reality of the situation and engage in constructive dialogue.

'That will require the leaders of Congo to take the bull by its horns and accept the reality, and say I must talk to these Congolese opposed to me, I must listen to them and their grievances. Even if they picked up six out of ten, that is progress,' Kagame noted.

The third and most critical issue Kagame highlighted is the need for the Congolese government and other stakeholders to acknowledge Rwanda’s security concerns, given that groups destabilizing Rwanda are operating with support from within the DRC.

Kagame also stressed that foreign nations with interests in eastern DRC should recognize that their objectives can still be achieved through peaceful and cooperative approaches.

His remarks come at a time when the M23 rebel group continues to expand its control over key areas in eastern DRC, including strategic cities like Goma and Bukavu.

The group maintains that its fight is not about seizing power but about securing the rights of Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese citizens who have long faced discrimination.

Although President Tshisekedi previously ruled out negotiations with M23, recent developments suggest a shift in stance. Following his visit to Luanda, Angola’s presidency announced that the country will mediate talks between the Congolese government and M23 representatives.

The negotiations, set to take place in Luanda in the coming days, aim to establish a pathway toward lasting peace in the region.

President Paul Kagame has identified three crucial steps that could help bring an end to the prolonged conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

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Musa Ismaila, the health commissioner in Kebbi, told the media in the state capital, Birnin Kebbi, that the outbreak, declared in late January, became more fatal last week with a sudden rise in suspected cases.

“A total of 248 suspected cases have been recorded. We are facing the unfortunate situation of an outbreak with a higher-than-usual number of cases, characterized by symptoms such as fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, stomach ache, vomiting, diarrhea and sensitivity to light,” Ismaila said.

Drugs and other medical supplies have been distributed to the affected local government areas, and the state government is working to contain the situation.

CSM outbreaks are mostly caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A. In Nigeria, these outbreaks typically occur during the dry season due to low humidity and dusty conditions and usually subside with the onset of the rainy season.

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When the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) halted the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Rwanda’s national treasury was empty, having been looted by the previous government.

At that time, 90% of Rwanda’s development relied on foreign aid. However, the government set a clear goal to break free from this dependency.

In an interview with American journalist Mario Nawfall, Kagame revealed that some international organizations wanted refugee camps in both eastern Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) and Rwanda to remain, ensuring continued financial flows for their operations.

However, Rwanda prioritized repatriating refugees, resettling displaced citizens, and securing national stability to focus on development.

Initially, much of Rwanda’s reconstruction was funded by aid, but Kagame insisted that donor support should be aligned with the country’s priorities.

He explained that Rwanda made it clear that aid should be used effectively, rather than being dictated solely by donor interests.

When asked whether aid comes with hidden costs, Kagame acknowledged that it can function like a liability, depending on how it is managed.

'That has been our position from the beginning. We have told people that we appreciate aid, we needed it and still need it to an extent, but we need it so that we build capacities not to need it in the near future,' he stated.

Kagame explained that this perspective has not always been well received by other African leaders.

'These discussions have dominated for many years, and many conversations we have had between those who need support. The question for us has always been, we need it. We can put a debt to it, we can show where we need it but we also work out how to get out of it,' he stated.

Kagame highlighted that Rwanda’s stance on aid has attracted a lot of problems, with some branding its leadership as arrogant,insensitive or dictatorial simply for advocating self-determination.

He further explained that accepting aid indefinitely allows donors to control a nation’s policies.

'We tried to differentiate it. It is not that we don’t want aid for the sake of not wanting it. We are saying aid creates dependency. By the way, dependency is on the better side even. The other one is whoever gives you aid controls your life,' he said.

'In fact, that is why they want you to stay with aid so that they continue controlling your life and even threaten, use it as a tool to direct you where they want you to go. You keep threatening, if you don’t do this, we will switch off. It is absolutely weaponized. Quote me on that,' added Kagame.

Kagame recalled a 1998 meeting with European ministers who wanted to dictate where Rwanda should allocate aid funds.

As Vice President at the time, he insisted that donors agree on priorities with Rwanda rather than unilaterally deciding how funds would be spent.

The UK and three allied nations accepted this approach, allowing for a more transparent aid process with mutual accountability.

Kagame also recounted Rwanda’s decision to restrict second-hand clothing imports to promote local textile industries.

While serving as Chair of the East African Community (EAC), he urged regional leaders to support local garment production instead of relying on imported used clothes.

Leaders agreed to impose higher tariffs on second-hand clothing to reduce imports and build our textile industry.

However, the U.S. opposed the move, pressuring EAC countries to maintain CAGUWA imports.

Under pressure, most member states abandoned the plan, but Rwanda stood firm, leading to its removal from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

Despite such challenges, Rwanda’s economy has consistently grown at an annual rate of over 8%. The country’s per capita income has risen from $111 in 1994 to $1,040 in 2023, reflecting its commitment to self-sufficiency and sustainable development.

President Paul Kagame has emphasized that international aid should help countries build self-sufficiency rather than foster dependency.

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