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The sharpest increases were observed in transport costs, which surged by 18.5% year-on-year, and in restaurant and hotel prices, which rose by 9.5%. Food and non-alcoholic beverages also saw a significant annual price hike of 7.2%, while education costs went up by 8.4%.

The overall CPI for Rwanda, which includes both urban and rural areas, registered an annual increase of 5.7% but declined by 1.6% on a monthly basis. Rural inflation remained lower than urban inflation, rising by 4.5% year-on-year but dropping by 2.9% from December 2024.

The core inflation rate, which excludes fresh food and energy, increased by 6.2% compared to January 2024, reflecting the persistence of underlying price pressures.

Rwanda’s inflation trends have fluctuated in recent months, with rising costs in key sectors such as transport, hospitality, and essential goods affecting household budgets. The annual average inflation rate between January 2024 and January 2025 stood at 5%.

The NISR compiles the CPI based on data from 12 urban centres across the country, tracking price movements in a basket of 1,622 products.

“Weights used for the index are from the Household Living Conditions Survey (EICV4) results conducted in 2013-2014 with a sample of 14,419 households,” the report reads.

The index serves as a key indicator for policymakers and the central bank in managing inflationary pressures and economic stability.

The sharpest increases were observed in transport costs, which surged by 18.5% year-on-year, and in restaurant and hotel prices, which rose by 9.5%.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

In a statement, Most Rev. Laurent Mbanda, the Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Rwanda and current Chairman of Rwanda Inter-Religious Council, extended sympathies to the victims of the hostilities, including those in border communities in Rwanda.

The council acknowledged the suffering of families who have lost loved ones, as well as those injured, displaced, and affected by the destruction of property due to the persistent unrest.

'Our hearts sincerely go out to all the families that have lost their loved ones, the injured, the displaced, and those who have lost their properties due to the ongoing conflicts. May God bring comfort and healing to all the affected families and communities,' the statement read.

The escalating conflict recently led to the capture of Goma City and several strategic towns in eastern Congo by the M23 rebel group, which has accused the Congolese government of persecuting and marginalizing Congolese Rwandophones in the region. The persecution stems from the artificial borders drawn by colonial powers in the early 20th century.

RIC emphasized that, with political will from all conflicting parties, the suffering could have been avoided. The council commended ongoing regional efforts aimed at achieving peaceful resolutions and alleviating the humanitarian crisis, stressing the need for open and honest dialogue.

'We are convinced that honest dialogue can lead to lasting and sustainable peace in the region. We therefore wish to encourage the conflicting parties to engage in candid conversations that deal with the actual historical root causes of the problems,' the statement added.

Beyond diplomatic efforts, RIC called upon religious communities to pray for peace and stability in the region and urged people of goodwill to extend relief to those affected by the conflict.

Regional efforts have intensified in recent weeks to address the conflict.

Over the weekend, Heads of State from the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) held a joint summit in Tanzania, directing the merger of the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes and the resumption of direct negotiations and dialogue between Kinshasa, M23, and other non-state actors within the merged process.

The regional leaders emphasized that both processes were crucial, resolving to strengthen them individually to “enhance complementarity.”

The Nairobi Process, spearheaded by the EAC, aims to mediate a resolution between the Government of the DRC and various armed groups operating in the country’s eastern regions.

The Luanda Peace Process, on the other hand, is mediated by Angola under the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) and the African Union (AU). It primarily seeks to de-escalate tensions between the DRC and Rwanda, with Kinshasa accusing Rwanda of backing the M23 rebel group. Rwanda has repeatedly denied this the claims, insisting the M23 rebels are Congolese nationals fighting for their rights.

Most Rev. Laurent Mbanda, the Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Rwanda and current Chairman of Rwanda Inter-Religious Council, has expressed deep concern over the decades-long conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and called for dialogue to address its historical root causes.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

On February 6, 2025, the U.S. hosted its annual prayer breakfast, known as the USA National Prayer Breakfast, bringing together leaders and dignitaries to pray for the nation and the world. Among the attendees was former U.S. President Donald Trump.

First Lady Jeannette Kagame was also present at the event and was invited to offer prayers for the U.S. and global peace.

Following the event, the U.S.-based legal and political advisory firm Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C. alleged that President Kagame had initially been invited but that his invitation was later revoked due to “his actions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).”

However, the Rwandan Embassy in the U.S. strongly dismissed these claims, calling them entirely false.

'This is a flat-out lie. President Kagame was the main speaker last year. Speakers rotate annually and this year had a different speaker. Rwanda’s First Lady was invited to offer a prayer for the event. Claiming that the President was “uninvited” is just petty nonsense.'

On February 1, 2024, President Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame attended the same event, where the President addressed an audience of over 3,500 attendees.

On February 1, 2024, President Kagame addressed an audience of over 3,500 attendees during National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C.

IGIHE

His remarks follow a Heads of State summit in Tanzania that brought together leaders from the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to address the escalating conflict in eastern DRC.

The summit called for direct negotiations between all parties, including the M23 rebel group, an immediate ceasefire, and the withdrawal of uninvited foreign forces.

“The outcomes from the joint summit are in essence confidence-building measures towards a sustainable peace. These confidence-building measures will finally lead to the drawdown of the SAMIDRC troops,” Ramaphosa stated.

Ramaphosa underscored the urgency of the crisis, particularly after the deaths of 14 South African soldiers among 18 SAMIDRC troops killed in recent clashes.

He emphasized that a ceasefire would allow humanitarian aid to reach affected civilians and help stabilize the region.

The summit directed that the EAC/SADC Chiefs of Defence Forces meet within five days to develop a securitisation plan for Goma and the surrounding area, the reopening of Goma airport, the evacuation of civilians and the repatriation of the deceased.

Despite international calls for dialogue, Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi has remained reluctant to engage with the M23 rebel group, which now controls large swathes of North Kivu.

The summit was convened following the capture of Goma after intense fighting, with M23 also taking control of Sake and appointing provincial leaders in North Kivu.

M23 maintains that it took up arms to defend the rights of persecuted Congolese Tutsi and Rwandaophone communities, citing the DRC government’s failure to address their grievances.

With the situation rapidly evolving, the implementation of the summit’s resolutions will be crucial in determining the path toward lasting peace in the region.

Ramaphosa has explained what’s needed for SAMIDRC troop drawdown in DRC.

IGIHE

He was speaking on RBA’s Inkuru mu Makuru program where he analyzed the resolutions from the February 8, 2025, summit in Tanzania, that brought together leaders from the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to address the conflict in eastern DRC.

One of the key resolutions from the summit was to restart direct negotiations between the Congolese government and various armed groups, particularly M23.

Despite this resolution, President Tshisekedi has repeatedly stated that he will not negotiate with M23, which he labels a terrorist organization.

When asked whether Tshisekedi might reconsider, Senator Uwizeyimana asserted that refusing to negotiate would lead to the collapse of his forces, warning that 'they will be marched all the way to Kinshasa.'

'There are two options: either you negotiate and find a solution, or you face the consequences of firepower. And right now, on the battlefield, the advantage is not on his side,' he added.

Uwizeyimana emphasized that the next step is to determine whether the agreements will be implemented, especially since both EAC and SADC have acknowledged that negotiations are the best way forward.

However, he raised concerns about Burundi deploying more troops to eastern DRC, suggesting that this could hinder efforts to enforce the peace resolutions.

Rwandan EAC Parliament member, Ambassador Fatuma Ndangiza, also participated in the discussion and described the summit’s resolutions as a positive step toward resolving insecurity in eastern DRC.

She warned that if Tshisekedi remains defiant, his country could face fragmentation, or his government could be overthrown by Congolese citizens fighting for their rights.

'There are many historical examples. Take South Sudan, for instance. It fought a 50-year war to gain independence from Sudan, which had denied them citizenship and imposed discriminatory policies based on race and religion. Despite Sudan’s military power, South Sudan eventually won its sovereignty,' she explained.

Ndangiza also drew parallels with Rwanda’s history, recalling how the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) waged a liberation war after the Habyarimana regime refused to recognize the rights of Rwandan refugees.

'When people fight for their rights, it may take time, but they ultimately prevail,' she said.
She urged Tshisekedi to embrace dialogue with M23, arguing that military force alone cannot resolve the conflict.

'You can suppress them today, but because they are fighting for a cause, their children and grandchildren will continue the struggle. Tshisekedi’s best option is to seek peace and resolve the issue through negotiations,' she concluded.

Ndangiza noted that agreeing to talks with M23 and implementing the agreement could lead to lasting peace.

Senator Uwizeyimana asserted that refusing to negotiate would lead to the collapse of Tshisekedi’s forces.

Rwandan EAC Parliament member, Ambassador Fatuma Ndangiza, also participated in the discussion and described the summit’s resolutions as a positive step toward resolving insecurity in eastern DRC.

IGIHE

The decision follows high-level consultations between Egypt and other Arab nations, including Palestine, which requested the summit.

Egypt has also coordinated with Bahrain, the current chair of the Arab League (AL) summit, and the AL secretariat, according to the ministry’s statement.

The announcement comes amid controversy over recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested relocating Palestinians from Gaza to neighboring countries, including Egypt and Jordan. The proposal has been widely rejected by regional and international actors.

During a joint press conference in Washington with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump stated that the U.S. planned to take control of Gaza and redevelop it after relocating its Palestinian residents.

Both Egypt and Jordan have previously dismissed similar proposals, firmly opposing any forced displacement of Palestinians.

Trump recently stated that the U.S. planned to take control of Gaza and redevelop it after relocating its Palestinian residents.

IGIHE

Owinow, a retired major-general, replaces Charles Tai Gituai, who served since 2020. His appointment comes at a crucial time, with key provisions of the revitalized peace agreement still pending ahead of South Sudan’s elections in December 2026.

With over four decades in military and diplomatic roles, Owinow previously served as Kenya’s High Commissioner to Uganda (2020-2022) and as Deputy Force Commander for the African Union Mission in Somalia (2019-2020).

RJMEC has urged swift financial and political action to implement critical reforms, including unifying forces, to meet the extended election deadline.

In its latest report, the body emphasized the need for stronger political will to secure lasting peace.

Kenya’s George Aggrey Owinow has been appointed as the new chair of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), the body overseeing South Sudan’s peace process.

IGIHE

Trump’s order specifically criticizes the Expropriation Act 13 of 2024, which allows the South African government to take private land without compensation in certain cases.

The order states, 'It is in shocking disregard of its citizens’ rights that the Republic of South Africa recently enacted a law that enables the government to seize land owned by ethnic minority Afrikaners without compensation.'

The U.S. government announced that it will stop providing aid to South Africa and will offer refugee status to White Afrikaners who want to leave the country due to alleged racial discrimination.

'The United States will promote the resettlement of Afrikaner refugees escaping government-sponsored race-based discrimination,' the order emphasized.

Beyond the land law, Trump’s administration also accuses South Africa of taking positions that go against U.S. interests, such as supporting Palestine in the International Court of Justice and strengthening its relationship with Iran.

The order states that South Africa’s actions 'undermine U.S. foreign policy and pose national security threats to 'our' nation and allies.

Trump’s order specifically criticizes the Expropriation Act 13 of 2024.

The South African government responded on Saturday, strongly rejecting the claims. Chrispin Phiri, a spokesperson for the International Relations Department, called the executive order misleading and lacking factual accuracy.

'It is disappointing to see such misinformation being spread about our country,' he posted on X. The ruling African National Congress (ANC), which leads South Africa’s government, also reacted to Trump’s offer of refugee status for Afrikaners.

The party’s secretary general posted an image online showing a Black man standing at an open door, appearing to gesture Afrikaners to leave the country.

The South African government insists that land reform is necessary to address historic inequalities. It argues that White South Africans, not just Afrikaners, still own about 70% of the country’s land.

Officials say the law is not meant to target any race but will be used only when land is needed for public projects, such as schools, and that owners will receive 'fair and equitable compensation.'

Emma Powell, a spokesperson for the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), criticized the government’s approach. She told the media, 'For decades, the DA has opposed the ANC’s race-based policies. These policies have only benefited the political elite while most South Africans remain in poverty.'

Powell added that her party plans to take legal action to protect property rights and will send representatives to Washington, D.C., to discuss the issue with U.S. officials. 'It is time for the ANC to rethink both its domestic and foreign policies, which are hurting our country,' she said.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (L), Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the BRICS summit on Oct. 23, 2024.

The executive order has been welcomed by some Afrikaner groups. AfriForum, a civil rights organization representing many Afrikaners, said it was grateful for Trump’s intervention.

'This is a direct response to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s irresponsible actions,' the group said in a statement. However, AfriForum insisted that Afrikaners still have a future in South Africa and called for solutions to protect their rights.

Not everyone in South Africa is concerned about Trump’s move. Julius Malema, firebrand leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), dismissed the order and called for even stronger ties with countries like Russia and China.

'Given the U.S. aggression against South Africa, we should strengthen our alliances with BRICS nations to avoid unnecessary confrontations with maniacs like Donald Trump,' Malema wrote on X.

Malema has been a controversial figure, having faced hate speech charges for singing an anti-apartheid struggle song with lyrics calling for violence against White farmers.

The dispute between Trump and South Africa adds another layer of tension between the two nations, raising questions about the future of their diplomatic and economic relationship.

Farmers inspect show sheep in Philippolis, South Africa.

IGIHE

Speaking in an interview with Kenya’s NTV on Saturday, February 8, 2025, Makolo addressed the ongoing insecurity in eastern DRC and the repeated accusations that Rwanda is backing M23.

She reiterated that Rwanda’s focus is on strengthening its own security and not interfering in the internal affairs of its neighbor.

She maintained that the conflict in eastern DRC is a Congolese issue that must be resolved internally. She also pointed out that Rwanda is directly affected by the instability across the border, making security a top priority.

During the interview, NTV journalist Michelle Ngele Odhiambo questioned Makolo about M23’s growing military strength, noting that the rebel group has continued to gain ground, including the strategic city of Goma.

She referenced analysts who argue that the scale of M23’s operations suggests external support and further mentioned President Paul Kagame’s recent visit to Turkey, where Rwanda reportedly acquired new military equipment.

There have been claims that some of these weapons found their way into M23’s hands, a suggestion she put forward to Makolo for clarification.

In response, Makolo firmly stated that Rwanda, like any sovereign nation, has the right to develop its military to safeguard national security. She dismissed the notion that Rwanda’s defense investments were meant for anything other than protecting its own borders and people.

'Every country, including Kenya and the DRC, buys weapons from different suppliers. It is every nation’s right to protect its security and build its military. This is not a matter for debate,' she said.

She went on to explain that the weapons in M23’s possession were largely obtained from the Congolese army itself. According to Makolo, each time M23 defeats the Congolese forces in battle, they leave behind significant amounts of military equipment, which the rebel group then uses.

'The primary supplier of weapons to M23 is the Congolese military itself. Every time they engage in battle with M23 and lose, they leave behind large quantities of weapons and equipment. That is how M23 has been able to amass weapons,' she explained.

Makolo reiterated that Rwanda’s primary concern is its own national security, not M23’s activities.
'We are not preoccupied with M23. They are fighting their own battle for their survival and their right to live on their land in peace, without discrimination or ethnically motivated killings,' she said.

'Our concern is the safety of Rwandans and ensuring that our borders remain secure from the Congolese army, the FDLR, or the over 200 armed groups operating in eastern DRC.'

Her remarks come as M23 continues to advance, raising concerns about their next possible target, including Bukavu in South Kivu.

In response to the growing crisis, leaders from the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) recently met in Tanzania.

The summit called for an immediate ceasefire and urged a peaceful resolution through dialogue between the DRC government and all stakeholders, including M23.

IGIHE