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The World Health Organization (WHO) congratulated Niger for meeting the criteria to eliminate onchocerciasis, with the country becoming the fifth globally to halt the transmission of the Onchocerca volvulus parasite.

Previous nations that reached this milestone include Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Mexico.

Hakimi expressed appreciation for the 15 years of effort, which provided the scientific evidence needed for elimination.

WHO’s resident representative, Casimir Manengu, praised Niger’s commitment, while WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the significance of this achievement, offering hope to other nations still battling the disease.

Onchocerciasis is transmitted through the bite of an infected blackfly, which breeds in fast-flowing rivers, hence the disease is also known as river blindness. The fly picks up immature worms (microfilariae) when it bites an infected person.

These worms develop into larvae inside the fly, which are then transmitted to others during subsequent bites. Once in the human body, the larvae mature into adult worms, forming under-skin nodules.

The disease causes severe skin issues and vision loss, with over 99% of infected individuals living in Africa and Yemen.

To stop transmission, communities must be treated for 10 to 15 years, the lifespan of the adult worms.

Niger’s success follows its 2013 certification for interrupting dracunculiasis transmission.

Niger has been significantly impacted by this disease, affecting communities primarily along riverbanks of fast-flowing rivers where these flies breed.

Niger has successfully been verified for elimination of onchocerciasis transmission mainly through effective vector control.

IGIHE

The outbreak was confirmed on Thursday after a 32-year-old nurse at Mulago National Referral Hospital succumbed to the Sudan Ebola virus. Uganda’s Ministry of Health declared it the country’s eighth Ebola outbreak.

WHO is working closely with Ugandan authorities to enhance surveillance, case management, community awareness, and risk communication.

Health officials revealed that the deceased initially sought treatment at multiple facilities, including a traditional healer, before his diagnosis. So far, 45 contacts have been identified and isolated, including health workers, family members, and patients.

The Ministry of Health announced an immediate vaccination rollout for all identified contacts and frontline health workers using available Ebola vaccine doses.

Uganda had confirmed another Ebola outbreak in 2022.

Ebola is a highly contagious viral disease with symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and internal bleeding. Its fatality rate varies between 50% and 89%, depending on the virus strain.

WHO is working closely with Ugandan authorities to enhance surveillance, case management, community awareness, and risk communication.

IGIHE

Kagame shared the update via X account on Thursday night, stating: 'Earlier today, I had a productive conversation with President João Lourenço and discussed the need for a long-term and sustainable solution to the ongoing situation in the DRC.'

He further noted that both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to working with other regional stakeholders to find a lasting solution while 'deepening strong bilateral partnership going forward’.

The discussion comes amid escalating violence in eastern DRC, particularly in North Kivu province, where the M23 rebel group has taken control of several areas, including the provincial capital, Goma.

Earlier this week, M23 forces seized Goma, forcing the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) and their allies to either surrender or flee, with some troops seeking refuge in Rwanda.

In response to the crisis, East African Community (EAC) heads of state convened for an emergency summit on January 29, 2025.

Following the summit, regional leaders expressed deep concern over the deteriorating security situation, citing violent protests, attacks on embassies of EAC member states, arson, looting, and other unrest.

The leaders called for an immediate ceasefire to allow humanitarian assistance for affected communities. They also urged all parties to engage in dialogue and pressed the DRC government to hold talks with M23 and other armed groups advocating for their rights.

During the meeting, President Kagame condemned cross-border gunfire from Goma that had killed Rwandan civilians, warning that Rwanda would take necessary action in response.

He also criticized the involvement of foreign nations, particularly South Africa, accusing them of being manipulated by DRC President Félix Tshisekedi. Kagame questioned Tshisekedi’s insistence on war despite its repeated failure to resolve the conflict.

Meanwhile, during their first press conference on January 30, 2025, after taking control of Goma, leaders of the AFC/M23 coalition announced plans to advance toward Kinshasa to overthrow Tshisekedi’s regime.

This development comes despite Tshisekedi’s recent declaration that he would intensify military offensives against M23 and called on all Congolese citizens to support the fight.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Angolan counterpart, João Lourenço have held discussions on a lasting solution to security crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Théophile Niyitegeka

The emergency law grants authorities broad powers, including home arrests, curfews, media restrictions, bans on gatherings, and censorship without prior judicial approval.

Tunisia has been under a continuous state of emergency since November 24, 2015, following a deadly bombing that targeted a presidential guard bus, killing 12 security personnel.

Tunisian President Kais Saied delivering remarks at the opening ceremony of the 10th Ministerial Conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum at Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing on May 30, 2024. Photo by Théophile Niyitegeka

IGIHE

The event, which brought together elite police teams from eight countries, ended with a call to make it a regular regional practice to foster unity, teamwork, and enhance law enforcement capacities.

Rwanda’s Inspector General of Police (IGP), CG Felix Namuhoranye, praised the remarkable resilience, skill, and determination demonstrated by all participants throughout the two-day challenge, which was launched on the sidelines of the EAPCCO Annual General Meeting on Wednesday.

He emphasized that the event was more than just a test of physical and tactical abilities, but also a valuable platform for collaboration and strengthening bonds among the regional forces.

“I commend all of you, SWAT participants; you have showcased not only your physical and tactical abilities but also your commitment to the ideals of teamwork, discipline, and professionalism that define the law enforcement community,” IGP Namuhoranye said during the closing remarks.

The IGP particularly highlighted the vital contribution of women in the challenge, noting that their participation was a powerful message for inclusivity within law enforcement.

Ten elite police teams, including a female team from Rwanda, participated in the event, which tested mental sharpness and physical endurance. Seychelles also fielded an inclusive team, further reinforcing the growing parity within the forces.

“The participation of women serves as a powerful message to the growing inclusivity and parity within our forces. Your performance has been exceptional and serves as a motivation to others, who aspire to make their mark in this profession,” IGP Namuhoranye said.

The event, attended by ministers and Chiefs of Police from EAPCCO member states, was a joint training exercise aimed at enhancing security and law enforcement cooperation. IGP Namuhoranye called for regular SWAT challenges to maintain readiness, develop capacities, and build esprit de corps among the officers.

“As the challenge comes to an end, let us remember that our strength lies in our unity. Together, we can overcome the challenges that face us and ensure peace and security for our people. Let us plan and conduct this kind of challenge on a regular basis to uphold readiness, develop capacities and maintain esprit de corps among our officers,” he concluded.

Besides Rwanda and Seychelles, other teams that participated were from Djibouti, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.

The event, which brought together elite police teams from eight countries, ended with a call to make it a regular regional practice to foster unity, teamwork, and enhance law enforcement capacities.

The event brought together elite police teams from eight countries.

The challenge featured 10 teams from Djibouti, Kenya, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda the host.

Rwanda’s Inspector General of Police (IGP), CG Felix Namuhoranye, praised the remarkable resilience, skill, and determination demonstrated by all participants throughout the two-day challenge.

The event was attended by ministers and Chiefs of Police from EAPCCO member states.

Ten elite police teams, including a female team from Rwanda, participated in the event, which tested mental sharpness and physical endurance.

The event was more than just a test of physical and tactical abilities, but also a valuable platform for collaboration and strengthening bonds among the regional forces.

IGIHE

The graduating class comprises 46 officers and 485 other ranks, all of whom underwent rigorous training designed to enhance their tactical and operational capabilities.

The pass-out ceremony was presided over by the RDF Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. MK Mubarakh, who commended the graduates for their resilience and determination throughout the demanding program.

Gen. Mubarakh emphasized the importance of discipline and operational readiness, urging the newly trained personnel to maintain high morale and preparedness at all times.

'You must uphold the morale and skills you showcased during the demonstration whenever you’re called upon to defend our country’s sovereignty. Be prepared to carry out any mission as Special Operations Force personnel,' he stated.

The RDF Chief of Defence Staff also extended gratitude to the instructors for their dedication in moulding the trainees into elite soldiers equipped for specialized missions.

As part of the ceremony, the top three performers were recognized for their exceptional achievements. Captain Sam Muzayirwa emerged as the overall best performer, followed by Lieutenant Moise Butati Gakwandi in second place, while Nahemia Gakunde Kwibuka secured third position.

During the 11-month training, the graduates acquired specialized skills essential for special operations. These included proficiency in heavy and small arms shooting, hand-to-hand combat, reconnaissance, military map reading, river and water crossing, combat engineering, heliborne and mountaineering operations, as well as advanced first aid.

The comprehensive training program is designed to enhance the RDF’s capacity to safeguard Rwanda’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty, ensuring that the country’s special operations forces remain highly capable and mission-ready.

The graduating class comprises 46 officers and 485 other ranks, all of whom underwent rigorous training designed to enhance their tactical and operational capabilities.

The pass-out ceremony was presided over by the RDF Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. MK Mubarakh, who commended the graduates for their resilience and determination throughout the demanding program.

During the 11-month training, the graduates acquired specialized skills essential for special operations.

The comprehensive training program is designed to enhance the RDF’s capacity to safeguard Rwanda’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

Speaking at a press conference in Goma on Thursday, January 30, 2025, Corneille Nangaa, the political head of the AFC/M23 rebel group, dismissed calls to abandon their struggle, insisting they would not back down until their demands were addressed.

“We are in Goma and we will not leave… for as long as the questions for which we took up arms have not been answered,” he told journalists at Serena Hotel Goma.

“We are Congolese. We will continue the march of liberation to Kinshasa. When they ask us to retreat, where do they want us to go? We are not going anywhere,” he added.

M23 captured Goma, the capital and largest city of North Kivu Province in eastern Congo, early this week after days of intense battles with the Congolese army, allied forces, and militia groups. The rebels seized the city following the rapid capture of strategic towns, including Masisi and Sake, in recent weeks.

The group is fighting against the systematic persecution of Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese in the region, a situation that has persisted for decades.

Accusing the Congolese administration of poor governance, Nangaa stated that the rebel alliance, AFC, had established a team tasked with reviving the troubled region’s socioeconomic life, as well as overseeing humanitarian, financial, and infrastructure development.

Nangaa pledged that the group would restore water and electricity in Goma within 48 hours. Residents have been struggling with shortages of these essential services since the city’s capture. The government cut off services as the rebels advanced earlier this week.

He urged residents who had fled their homes to return and resume their daily lives.

The press conference was attended by other leaders, including M23 President Bertrand Bisimwa.

Addressing journalists, Bisimwa dismissed claims that the rebels are being facilitated by the government of Rwanda, calling the allegations baseless propaganda by DRC leaders who are unwilling to take responsibility for the country’s problems.

He maintained that Rwanda, like other progressive countries, was justified in calling out the wrongdoings being perpetrated on the citizens by the Congolese administration in the neighbouring country.

Corneille Nangaa, the political head of the AFC/M23 rebel group, dismissed calls to abandon their struggle, insisting they would not back down until their demands were addressed.

The press conference was attended by other leaders, including M23 President Bertrand Bisimwa (second from left).

M23 President Bertrand Bisimwa dismissed claims that the rebels are being facilitated by the government of Rwanda, calling the allegations baseless propaganda by DRC leaders who are unwilling to take responsibility for the country’s problems.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

Speaking at their first press conference since seizing Goma, the group blamed the Congolese government for the outage, which has disrupted daily life for much of the week.

Goma is the capital and largest city of North Kivu Province in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a population of approximately 2 million people.

At the same time, the coordinator of AFC/M23, Corneille Nangaa, stated that residents near the DRC border will no longer face security threats, as those responsible have been expelled.

He also emphasized that Congolese refugees across the region, including those accommodated in Rwanda, have to return home, with measures being put in place to facilitate their repatriation.

More to follow…

IGIHE

Days after the city’s capture early this week, signs of normalcy are beginning to emerge, albeit cautiously, as the M23 continues to consolidate its control over the city.

A visit by IGIHE to Goma on Wednesday, January 28, revealed a stark contrast to the chaos of previous days. The streets, once emptied by fear and gunfire, are now seeing more activity, with residents tentatively returning to their daily routines.

Although business owners are eager to resume their work, many shops remain shuttered, a reminder of the economic uncertainty that still lingers.

For Mamouda, a local trader, the past week has been one of fear and disruption in Goma, the capital and largest city of North Kivu Province.

'On Sunday, it was impossible to step outside. The sound of gunfire was everywhere, even in my neighbourhood. It wasn’t until Tuesday that people started to flee, and only then did things begin to calm down,' the trader shared.

Access to basic services such as water and electricity remains a challenge after being cut off by the Congolese government. Mamouda has been helping neighbours by offering power from his generator to charge phones—a crucial lifeline during a time of limited communication.

At the border, which had been a flashpoint of conflict, signs of a fragile peace are visible. M23 fighters have assumed control, and while their presence is evident, they appear to be engaging with the community more peacefully than the military forces they replaced.

Lt. Col. Willy Ngoma, a military spokesperson for M23, was seen walking through Goma’s streets with his entourage, a moment of apparent normalcy as residents waved and clapped in support.

'The M23 are better than the FARDC,' said Jean Claude Etienne, a resident of Quartier Les Volcans. 'I can walk freely, carry my phone, and go about my business without fear. This wasn’t possible before.'

Such sentiments are echoed by many who speak of the abusive behaviour they experienced under the government forces, with some alleging that FARDC soldiers would confiscate phones and other belongings.

In contrast, M23 fighters, according to locals, are seen as more disciplined and friendly. The group has been fighting against the systematic persecution of Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese in the larger eastern region of the DRC.

“They’ve treated us with respect,” noted Darius, another resident. “We are hopeful that life will improve now.”

Despite the changing dynamics, the conflict is far from over. The M23’s grip on Goma remains firm, and while local businesses like Hotel Serena continue to operate, the future remains uncertain for many. For now, Goma’s residents are cautiously optimistic, hoping that they will be able to rebuild their lives amid ongoing instability in the wider eastern Congo region.

Upon entering Goma, you are met with the hustle and bustle of people, though not as crowded as on usual days.

Residents move about freely, with no fear or hesitation.

M23 fighters can be seen patrolling the city in their vehicles.

M23 fighters express pride in what they have accomplished in just a few days, restoring peace to Goma.

The M23 spokesperson engages with residents of Goma.

M23 military wing spokesperson Lt. Col. Willy Ngoma in the streets of Goma.

Lt. Col. Willy Ngoma engages with residents he meets on the street.

IGIHE

The SADC secretariat said in a statement on Wednesday that the extraordinary meeting, to be chaired by SADC Chairperson and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, will be preceded by meetings of the SADC Standing Committee of Senior Officials and the SADC Council of Ministers.

The regional economic community comprises 16 member states, including the DRC. The other members are Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia.

The extraordinary summit comes at a time when SADC soldiers on a mission in the DRC have sustained several casualties, including 13 from South Africa alone in the past week, as they helped the Congolese army combat the M23’s advance toward the city of Goma, which eventually fell to the rebels on Monday.

SAMIDRC, comprising South African, Tanzanian, and Malawian troops, was deployed in the country in December 2023 with a robust mandate to defeat M23 and other rebel groups.

In November 2024, SADC extended the mandate of its mission in the DRC by one year amid continued fighting between the Congolese army and the M23 group which is fighting against a systematic persecution of the Tutsi minority community.

The meeting also comes a day after leaders from the East African Community (EAC) convened a similar summit on Wednesday night. They urged the government of the DRC to engage directly with M23 rebels and other armed groups in an effort to resolve the escalating crisis in the country’s east.

In a post-summit statement, the leaders emphasized that a peaceful settlement is the only viable solution to the ongoing crisis.

“The summit called for a peaceful settlement of the conflicts and strongly urged the government of the DRC to directly engage with all stakeholders, including the M23 and other armed groups that have grievances,” the statement read.

Notably absent from the summit was DRC President Félix Tshisekedi, who has previously resisted direct negotiations with M23, labeling them a terrorist group. His absence has raised concerns about Kinshasa’s willingness to embrace dialogue, even as pressure mounts for a political resolution to the conflict.

Beyond the push for dialogue, the summit also demanded an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access to affected populations.

Acknowledging SADC’s role, the EAC summit proposed a joint EAC-SADC meeting to coordinate responses.

“The summit decided on a joint EAC-SADC summit to deliberate on the way forward and mandated the chairperson to consult with the chairperson of SADC on the urgent convening of the same in the next few days,” the leaders resolved.

The SADC secretariat said in a statement on Wednesday that the extraordinary meeting, to be chaired by SADC Chairperson and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, will be preceded by meetings of the SADC Standing Committee of Senior Officials and the SADC Council of Ministers.

Wycliffe Nyamasege