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In the video recorded at Munzenze Prison in Goma, DRC Justice Minister Constant Mutamba is seen inciting inmates to target President Kagame and the Congolese Tutsis, whom he frequently refers to as Rwandans, while calling for violent actions against them and those associated with Rwanda.

“All the prisoners manipulated by Kagame and Rwanda, we will track them down and send them to the Angenga military prison. Know that we will catch them all and we are going to arrest Kagame in person. I warn all those who are in contact with a ‘Rwandan’ or Kagame that they will be taken out of this place and transferred to the Angenga military prison. We refuse that the foreign enemy comes to take our land. Our head of state will not let this country be occupied or governed by the Banyarwanda,' he says in the video.

He is also heard promising to free prisoners who help designate 'traitors' and 'foreigners' who will then be “arrested and killed.”

'Many among you are innocent but have been mixed here with those who accept being corrupted and manipulated by Rwanda. Know that the enemy of the Congolese people is Kagame… the Rwandans. Know that if you help us in this task, we will free those innocent among you. Come together and denounce them! And if you denounce them, you will receive a reward, and we will release you from this prison. I will personally release you from here,” he adds.

Reacting to the shocking remarks, the Rwandan government spokesperson described them as “extreme provocation” by the minister, stating that the remarks fuel the ongoing conflict involving M23 rebels, government troops, and allied rebel groups.

'Extreme provocation by the DRC Justice Minister at a prison in Goma, a few kilometers from the border with Rwanda. Should we now expect criminals and prisoners in the deadly mix of FDLR, Wazalendo, European mercenaries, and SAMIM fighting for FARDC?' Makolo wrote on X.

Extreme provocation by the DRC justice minister at a prison in Goma, a few kilometers from the border with Rwanda. Should we now expect criminals & prisoners in the deadly mix of FDLR, Wazalendo, european mercenaries and SAMIM fighting for FARDC? https://t.co/eh1irw6noD

— Yolande Makolo 🇷🇼 (@YolandeMakolo) November 24, 2024

The M23 rebels accuse the DRC government of persecuting Congolese Tutsis, leading to tensions in the eastern part of the DRC, near the Rwanda border.

Rwanda has implemented defense mechanisms to protect itself against the FDLR militia, which consists of remnants of the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. The FDLR has been accused of working with the Congolese government to target Congolese Tutsis in the country, many of whom have sought refuge in Rwanda.

Efforts to address the crisis in the DRC have been made through the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes. However, while the Luanda peace process between the DRC and Rwanda aimed to ease tensions, the Congolese government has faced criticism, particularly from Rwanda, for a lack of commitment to resolutions and agreements to end the conflict.

Rwanda Government Spokesperson Yolande Makolo has condemned the Minister of Justice of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following a viral video of him inciting prisoners against Congolese Tutsis and Rwandan authorities.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

The country has made significant strides in developing its healthcare system, positioning itself as a regional hub for medical services. This progress is evident, as Rwanda no longer sends large numbers of patients abroad for treatment of serious illnesses.

Speaking during a recent media interview, Dr. Athanase Rukundo, Director of Medical and Public Health Services at the Ministry of Health, shared that in the past, many people did not believe that Rwanda could perform complex medical procedures, such as heart or kidney transplants.

“In the past, no one believed that we could perform heart surgery. People thought the heart couldn’t be touched because anyone who attempted surgery on it would die. But now, these procedures are being done in Rwanda. Likewise, no one knew we could treat cancer here—one of the main reasons patients used to be sent abroad. But now, we offer these treatments in-country,' Dr. Rukundo explained.

With the expansion of modern medical services, Rwanda has become a sought-after destination for many foreigners, particularly from neighboring countries, who seek treatment at local medical facilities known for their quick service delivery.

“We see patients from various regions. Some come from neighboring countries or within the same region because they know our service delivery is fast. Although these services are available, accessing them may require additional effort,' he added.

Statistics show that 4,004 foreigners sought medical services in Rwanda during the second quarter of 2024, with 3,907 coming from the East African region.

“Patients who come here for treatment find it easy to receive care, and they often recommend our services to others,' Dr. Rukundo remarked.

He also highlighted the cost advantages, noting that in some countries, parents spend over $5,000 on medical procedures, even with insurance, while in Rwanda, treatment costs are much lower.

Rwanda now boasts advanced medical equipment, including X-rays, Ultrasound, MRI, CT scans, Endoscopic Ultrasound, Multix Impact E, and more—facilities that were previously unavailable.

This progress aligns with the country’s policy to attract high-level institutions offering education in cutting-edge medical technologies. For example, the University of Rwanda has completed a new five-story building in the Kigali Industrial Zone to house the African Center of Excellence in Medical Device Manufacturing (CEBE).

Additionally, IRCAD Africa is training surgeons in advanced surgical techniques, allowing them to perform complex procedures with the same level of expertise as in leading global centers, such as Texas, USA.

Rwanda has made significant strides in developing its healthcare system, positioning itself as a regional hub for medical services. This progress is evident, as Rwanda no longer sends large numbers of patients abroad for treatment of serious illnesses.

IGIHE

Ntibitura previously served as the Director General in charge of Internal Security within the National Intelligence and Security Service.

This leadership change follows the resignation of several officials in Karongi District, including the former District Mayor, Mukase Valentine; the Vice Mayor in charge of Economic Affairs, Théophile Niragire; as well as the Chairperson of the District Advisory Council, Donatha Dusingize. They all stepped down, citing personal reasons.

At the time, the Minister of Local Government, Patrice Mugenzi, told RBA that the officials had submitted resignation letters stating that their decisions were personal.

He said, 'Based on the letters I reviewed, they resigned voluntarily and indicated that they were unable to fulfill their assigned responsibilities. Therefore, they decided to step aside to allow others to provide better services to the citizens.'

Regarding reports that other staff members from Karongi District had also submitted resignations, Minister Mugenzi clarified that he had not yet received any such letters.

'However, not all staff members in Karongi District have performed well. If the district leadership admits that they have failed to deliver quality services, it implies that some employees have also been unable to execute their duties effectively. Therefore, an ongoing assessment will continue to evaluate how these staff members serve the public,' he added.

IGIHE

Speaking at a church service on Sunday, November 24, 2024, Gachagua claimed he had warned President Ruto against engaging with the Adani Group over its controversial reputation.

The former deputy president’s remarks came in response to the president’s recent decision to cancel deals proposed by the Adani Group to manage the country’s energy and aviation infrastructure. The cancellations followed the indictment of Adani Group’s chair in the United States on bribery charges.

“The matter with Adani is what led to my fallout with the president,” Gachagua said.

“In the Cabinet, I was the only person who could tell him the truth. All the others were cowards. I told him the issue with Adani is shady, and the people don’t want it. He hated me for it and accused me of opposing government projects.”

Gachagua further alleged that President Ruto’s decision to cancel the Adani deals was not motivated by genuine concern but rather by the indictment of the Indian firm’s founder.

“Even after the president cancelled the deals, there was no need to clap for him because it did not come from his heart. He only acted after that suspect was indicted in the United States,” he added.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced last Wednesday that Gautam Adani and seven associates, including his nephew Sagar Adani, were accused of offering over $250 million in bribes to Indian officials to secure lucrative energy contracts. The contracts were partly funded by international investors, including some from the U.S.

The following day, during his State of the Nation Address in Parliament, President Ruto defended his decision, citing credible evidence provided by relevant agencies. He announced the cancellation of deals worth $2.6 billion, which included leasing Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for 30 years and upgrading electricity transmission infrastructure for a similar period.

“In the face of credible evidence of corruption, I will not hesitate to act,” Ruto stated.

The proposal to lease Kenya’s airports had faced significant resistance from activists and airport workers, who accused the government of “auctioning” national assets.

While the aviation deal was under review, the government had already signed a $736 million agreement with the Adani Group to operate electricity transmission lines and substations.

President Ruto and his cabinet had previously defended the deals, arguing that public-private partnerships would help modernize state facilities.

Gachagua was hounded out of office in October over allegations of gross misconduct and undermining both the President and the government.

Impeached Kenyan Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has revealed that disputes over controversial government deals involving Indian billionaire Gautam Adani played a central role in his fallout with President William Ruto.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

Among these experts is Prof. Agatha Rockson, a legal scholar and professor from Ghana who also works in the United Kingdom.

Speaking to IGIHE, Prof. Rockson shared that she first visited ILPD in February 2024 while accompanying her law students from Ghana, who were studying Rwanda’s justice system. This visit introduced her to ILPD’s operations, which she greatly admired.

Prof. Rockson, who teaches law to undergraduate and postgraduate students in universities in both the UK and Ghana, stated that she came to ILPD to teach Common Law.

She remarked, 'ILPD feels like an African institution. It hosts students from many countries, and teaching here is a blessing. The students themselves share diverse knowledge and experiences from their home countries, enriching the learning process.'

She added that teaching students with backgrounds in Civil Law enhances her own knowledge through discussions comparing the two legal systems, which she finds enriching. She also noted that ILPD leaves a positive and unforgettable impression, one she is eager to share with other legal scholars across Africa.

Prof. Agatha Rockson is a legal expert and professor from Ghana who also works in the United Kingdom.

A major benefit of ILPD is the opportunity it provides students to network with peers from other countries, fostering confidence and creating lasting connections.

This teaching approach, which involves bringing in international experts, is widely appreciated by ILPD students. They see it as an honor and a chance to broaden their horizons.

Dorothy Batamuliza, one of ILPD’s students, told IGIHE that learning from experienced international professors in Common Law gives them confidence to compete on a global stage.

'These opportunities allow us to study law in a comprehensive manner, interacting with top legal professionals, and essentially pave the way for us to work abroad confidently,' she said.

Her sentiments were echoed by Ange Umutoniwase, who noted that beyond teaching, these professors help students establish connections with legal practitioners from distant countries, acting as excellent ambassadors who can provide assistance abroad.

ILPD is an Institution attended by students from various countries around the world.

'These professors teaching Common Law often come from the U.S. or Europe. When we meet someone teaching in London, for instance, they guide us on how to navigate such environments if we ever work there, ensuring we can operate without major challenges,' Umutoniwase explained.

Dr. Yves Sezirahiga, Deputy Director in charge of Academics and Research at ILPD, emphasized the institution’s commitment to continuing the recruitment of expert law professors.

'This is part of ILPD’s mission to build a robust and high-quality legal education system, ultimately contributing to a resilient justice system in Rwanda and Africa as a whole,' he said.

The Deputy Director in charge of Academics and Research at ILPD, Dr. Yves Sezirahiga, stated that the institution will continue to bring in expert law professors.

ILPD aims to build a resilient justice system in Rwanda and Africa.

IGIHE

His remarks come amid reports of judges facing undue pressure from individuals dissatisfied with legal outcomes who bypass the proper appeals process and instead petition the President.

“If you lose a case, for God’s sake, appeal. Don’t write to the President accusing the judge of all sorts of things,' Mao stated. These comments were made during the release of the annual Justice Law and Order Sector report in Kampala, where Mao emphasized the importance of upholding judicial independence.

Mao criticized the growing trend of people threatening judges with petitions to the President. He cited the case of a judge currently under suspension due to claims of bias.

The situation arose after a Cabinet minister bypassed the legal system and lodged a complaint with the President over a case involving the Muslim Supreme Council.

Mao argued that such actions undermine the integrity of the judiciary and the legal framework, urging the President to redirect these complaints to the courts, where proper channels like the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court exist to address grievances.

The Minister also encouraged judges to stand firm against intimidation, acknowledging that errors are an inherent part of judicial work, as judgments are formed from interpretations of facts and law.

Uganda’s Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Norbert Mao has warned President Yoweri Museveni to against interfering with the independence of the Judiciary.

He further urged judges to make decisions promptly, as delays could erode public trust and lead to accusations of bias. “Make a quick decision,” he advised, underscoring the importance of timely justice,' he advised.

The issue has been further complicated by recent controversies involving Justice Faridah Bukirwa. Appointed in an acting capacity by President Museveni, Justice Bukirwa faced backlash after her decision to allow three Muslims to convene a General Assembly for the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC).

UMSC leaders alleged her orders contravened their constitution, sparking high-profile petitions against her, including one from First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga.

However, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) dismissed Kadaga’s petition, stating it lacked merit. After thorough investigations, the JSC concluded the complaint against Justice Bukirwa, which accused her of bias and abuse of authority, was unfounded.

Mao’s remarks underscore the pressing need for judicial independence in Uganda. By addressing these issues head-on, he aims to reinforce public trust in the legal system and ensure that judges can carry out their duties free from external interference.

Uganda’s President Yoweri K Museveni

Sam K Nkurunziza

The agreement, reached under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, unlocked international carbon markets, a milestone that had eluded previous COPs for over a decade.

“We have ended a decade-long wait and unlocked a critical tool for keeping 1.5 degrees in reach,” said COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev. “Climate change is a transnational challenge, and Article 6 will enable transnational solutions.”

With the agreement, carbon markets are poised to drive substantial investment in developing countries, ensuring transparency and environmental integrity. The newly adopted rules will facilitate real, additional, and measurable emission reductions while respecting human rights and promoting sustainable development.

COP29 also achieved a breakthrough agreement to triple public climate finance for developing countries, raising the annual target from USD 100 billion to USD 300 billion by 2035.

Additionally, resolutions were adopted to ensure collaborative efforts among all stakeholders to scale up climate finance for developing nations from public and private sources, targeting USD 1.3 trillion annually by 2035.

Known formally as the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG), it was agreed after two weeks of intensive negotiations and several years of preparatory work, in a process that requires all nations to unanimously agree on every word of the agreement.

“This new finance goal is an insurance policy for humanity, amid worsening climate impacts hitting every country,” said Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change. “But like any insurance policy — it only works if premiums are paid in full, and on time. Promises must be kept, to protect billions of lives.”

“It will keep the clean energy boom growing, helping all countries to share in its huge benefits: more jobs, stronger growth, cheaper and cleaner energy for all.”

The International Energy Agency expects global clean energy investment to exceed USD 2 trillion for the first time in 2024.

UN said the new finance goal at COP29 builds on significant strides forward in global climate action at COP27, which established a historic Loss and Damage Fund, and COP28, which delivered a global agreement to transition away from all fossil fuels in energy systems swiftly and fairly, triple renewable energy, and boost climate resilience.

Stiell also acknowledged that the agreement reached in Baku did not meet all Parties’ expectations, and substantially more work is still needed next year on several crucial issues.

'No country got everything they wanted, and we leave Baku with a mountain of work to do,' said Stiell. 'The many other issues we need to progress may not be headlines, but they are lifelines for billions of people. So, this is no time for victory laps; we need to set our sights and redouble our efforts on the road to Belem.'

The COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev bangs a gavel to signify the adoption of a rule during the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, November 23, 2024.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

The center is designed to provide young people with access to training sessions, spaces to showcase their projects, technology services, reproductive health education, and recreational facilities.

Its sports courts also offer opportunities for leisure and physical activity, which were previously less accessible in the area.

Local youths have welcomed the initiative, expressing optimism about the benefits it will bring to their community. Grace Uwimana pointed out that the center’s computers will help them work on projects more efficiently.

'This center will help us develop our projects because it has many computers. Anyone in need of technology or sports can now come here,' she proudly said.

Thomas Nshimiyimana shared that the sports facilities will save them from traveling long distances to Rwamagana town, where they previously had to go to engage in sports activities.

The Governor also called on parents to encourage their children to actively participate in the programs available at the center.

Wilson Karasira, President of the Rwanda Red Cross, explained that the center was built to tackle challenges facing the youth, such as drug abuse and teenage pregnancies, by offering them productive activities and a safe space to gather.

He noted that the center will provide young people with opportunities to engage in meaningful activities rather than staying idle at home.

Eastern Province Governor, Pudence Rubingisa, commended the project and emphasized the importance of making such facilities accessible within communities. 'We wanted this center to be close to where people live, especially the youth, to address issues before they escalate,' he said.

The Governor also called on parents to encourage their children to actively participate in the programs available at the center.

The new facility is expected to bring lasting benefits to the youth by improving their access to essential services and creating a platform for personal and community growth.

The center is designed to provide young people with access to training sessions and spaces to showcase their projects

According to Rwanda Red Cross, the center was built to tackle challenges facing the youth.

Eastern Province Governor, Pudence Rubingisa officially inaugurated the Youth Centre.

IGIHE

“Humanitarian workers are being killed at an unprecedented rate, their courage and humanity being met with bullets and bombs,” said Tom Fletcher, under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator. “This violence is unconscionable and devastating to aid operations. States and parties to conflict must protect humanitarians, uphold international law, prosecute those responsible, and call time on this era of impunity.”

OCHA said record fatalities also were recorded in 2023, with 280 aid workers killed across 33 countries.

Stephane Dujarric, chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, lamented last year’s record was topped, “and it isn’t even December.”

The humanitarian office said that the more than 320 humanitarian personnel killed since Oct. 7, 2023, in Gaza, is driving up the number of global fatalities. Many were killed in the line of duty while providing humanitarian assistance, and most were staff members of the UN relief agency for Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA.

OCHA said that most of the humanitarians killed around the world this year were local staff members working with non-governmental organizations, UN agencies and the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement.

High levels of violence, kidnappings, injuries, harassment, and arbitrary detention of aid workers have been reported in Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Sudan, Ukraine and Yemen, among other countries.

The office said that violence against aid workers is part of a broader trend of increasing civilian casualties in conflict zones. Last year, more than 33,000 civilian deaths were recorded in 14 armed conflicts, a staggering 72 percent increase from 2022.

Despite the dangers, OCHA said relief organizations continue to deliver vital assistance, reaching nearly 144 million people in need last year. The organizations supported more than 116 million people worldwide.

The office reminded that the UN Security Council adopted in May Resolution 2730 in response to the growing violence and threats against humanitarian workers. The resolution mandates the UN secretary-general to recommend measures to prevent and respond to such incidents, enhance accountability, and improve protection for humanitarian personnel and assets.

People wait to buy bread at a bakery in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on Nov. 18, 2024. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said many UN-supported bakeries have been operating at diminished capacity due to critical shortages of flour. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

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