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The helicopter was carrying two military personnel and a medical escort, in addition to two foreigners, the TV channel said on Facebook, quoting a source from the city of Kufra.

The helicopter had been on a mission to evacuate a soldier injured in a traffic accident in the desert before it crashed at the base, the TV said.

Five people were killed on Monday when a helicopter crashed at Al-Sarra air base in the city of Kufra in southeast Libya.

Xinhua

The bridge, expected to open in early 2026, has been funded by the Canadian government and is designed to alleviate traffic congestion, especially for trucks crossing the Detroit River via the Ambassador Bridge.

In a recent social media post, Trump demanded that the United States be given at least half of the bridge’s ownership, alongside other unspecified conditions.

“I will not allow this bridge to open until the United States is fully compensated for everything we have given them and, importantly, until Canada treats the United States with the fairness and respect we deserve,” Trump stated. He also emphasized that negotiations with Canada would begin immediately.

The Gordie Howe Bridge is expected to significantly reduce crossing times for trucks by up to 20 minutes, potentially saving an estimated $2.3 billion over 30 years, according to a study from the University of Windsor.

However, Trump’s threats to halt the project have raised concerns about the economic impact, with Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin warning that such an action could increase costs for Michigan businesses, disrupt supply chains, and cost jobs.

This move is the latest in a series of escalating tensions between the US and Canada, with Trump previously threatening to impose tariffs on Canadian goods and criticizing Canada’s trade relations with China. The US and Canada are also preparing to renegotiate the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which Trump signed during his first term.

The Gordie Howe Bridge, negotiated by former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, is a critical infrastructure project that aims to improve trade and reduce congestion between the two countries. Despite the political turbulence, it remains a vital part of future cross-border operations.

US President Donald Trump has made a bold threat to block the opening of the new Gordie Howe International Bridge, a $4.6 billion project connecting Detroit, Michigan, with Windsor, Ontario.

Rania Umutoni

The project, part of Japan’s Supplementary Budget for FY2025, is aimed at improving access to health, nutrition, and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services in six border districts: Rubavu, Nyabihu, Karongi, Rusizi, Nyamasheke, and Rutsiro. The initiative forms part of a larger Japanese contribution of approximately $2.5 million released in 2023 and 2025, which has already enabled the rehabilitation of water supply systems in Nyamasheke and Rusizi, benefiting thousands of residents.

The new funding will directly impact nearly 115,000 people, with a focus on restoring damaged infrastructure and ensuring safe, climate-resilient water supply services. Rutsiro District, which experienced significant damage to its water systems, is a key beneficiary.

Kazuya Nakajo, Ambassador of Japan to Rwanda, said the funding aligns with Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation (NST2).

He noted that the $2.5 million support will reach more than 100,000 beneficiaries, addressing stunting and advancing universal health coverage to help end endemic diseases.

Gemma Maniraruta, Director General of Water and Sanitation at the Ministry of Infrastructure, said past Japanese grants achieved about 94 percent of physical progress and that the new funding will sustain and expand these gains.

She emphasised the importance of technical support, noting, 'We are requesting a technical team to maintain the existing projects, and we submitted a proposal in 2024. Considering our shortage of expertise, we hope this request will be considered.'

Lieke van de Wiel, UNICEF Representative in Rwanda, highlighted the strain that climate change and disasters have placed on health and water systems.

'The contribution will strengthen essential health, nutrition, and WASH services, helping to save lives today, prevent disease, and build resilience for the future,' she said, adding that UNICEF will ensure diligent implementation through monitoring and reporting.

Officials from the Rwanda Biomedical Center and the Water and Sanitation Corporation Group welcomed the support, noting that it will improve public health outcomes, reduce stunting linked to poor sanitation, and help transition communities toward climate-resilient water and health systems.

The project, part of Japan’s Supplementary Budget for FY2025, is aimed at improving access to health, nutrition, and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services in six border districts: Rubavu, Nyabihu, Karongi, Rusizi, Nyamasheke, and Rutsiro.

he initiative forms part of a larger Japanese contribution of approximately $2.5 million released in 2023 and 2025, which has already enabled the rehabilitation of water supply systems in Nyamasheke and Rusizi, benefiting thousands of residents.

Lieke van de Wiel, UNICEF Representative in Rwanda, highlighted the strain that climate change and disasters have placed on health and water systems.

Officials from the Rwanda Biomedical Center and the Water and Sanitation Corporation Group welcomed the support, noting that it will improve public health outcomes, reduce stunting linked to poor sanitation, and help transition communities toward climate-resilient water and health systems.

IGIHE

The group is expected to arrive in Kigali on February 11, 2026. Ishuri-Umuco school was founded eight years ago in Liège, at the end of 2019, by members of the Rwandan diaspora affiliated with DRB-Rugari Liège. The school was established to provide Rwandan children abroad with a space to build unity and preserve Rwandan culture.

In an interview with IGIHE, Eric Twagirimana, the founder and director of Ishuri-Umuco, said the school is excited to launch its programs this year, including the trip to Rwanda.

'We are thrilled to return to Rwanda, where we will help the children refine what they have learned, speaking Kinyarwanda fluently, exploring the country, and learning about its history,' he said.

'When the children arrive in Rwanda, they visit key historical sites and engage with local people, which greatly enriches their knowledge,' Twagirimana added.

Esperance Nyiramana, a mother of two students, expressed her gratitude during a recent gathering. 'On behalf of all the parents, we sincerely thank Eric Twagirimana and his team, the teachers, and everyone who made it possible for our children to connect with their language and heritage,' she said.

She continued, 'At home, it is wonderful to hear our children speaking Kinyarwanda correctly, singing in the language, and exploring Rwanda as they did last time. We are truly grateful.'

During the first visit, 35 students traveled to Rwanda. This year, the group has doubled to 70 students, who will fly with RwandAir.

Twagirimana also thanked the Rwandan government institutions that support these educational trips, including the Institute of National Culture, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement, Rwanda’s museums, and other partners.

'The warm welcome during the previous visit helped the children learn more about their country’s history and strengthened their sense of unity. We are returning this year, and the students are very excited,' he said.

Other activities at Ishuri-Umuco include annual gatherings that bring together students, parents, and friends to celebrate the end of the school year, promoting unity among children, parents, and teachers.

Uwayo Thierry trains children together with Muhorakeye Jeanine

Diane Mbarushimana, a parent with a child at Ishuri-Umuco, pictured with her daughter Malaika, excited to return to Rwanda

Parents of Ishuri-Umuco students are thrilled that their children will be visiting Rwanda.

Karurenzi teaches young children Kinyarwanda through interactive lessons using body parts.

Eric Twagirimana, founder of Ishuri-Umuco, announced that 70 children will be traveling to Rwanda.

Teacher Christophe Icyitegetse instructs older students, aged 12 and above.

Karurenzi Donatille, one of the teachers teaching Rwandan culture at Ishuri-Umuco

A Belgian parent passionate about learning Kinyarwanda

[email protected]

Karirima Aimable Ngarambe

The disclosure was made during the launch of TI Rwanda’s annual CPI in Kigali on February 10, 2026.

The report assesses 182 countries and territories based on expert perceptions and data from multiple international sources, scoring them on a scale of 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). Rwanda’s 2025 score rose to 58, up from 57 in 2024, when it ranked 43rd.

In Africa, Rwanda tied for third place with Botswana at 58, behind Cape Verde (62) and Seychelles (68), the regional leader. Rwanda maintained its top spot in East Africa, well ahead of Tanzania (40, ranked 84th globally), Kenya (30, 130th), and Uganda (25, 148th).

Several neighboring countries fared worse: the Democratic Republic of Congo scored 20 (163rd) and Burundi 17 (167th). At the global bottom were nations like Venezuela, South Sudan, and Somalia, all below 10.

Denmark topped the 2025 index with 89, followed by Finland (88) and Singapore (84).

While Rwanda’s performance stands out regionally and contributes to a broader positive trend, Sub-Saharan Africa continues to struggle, posting a regional average of just 32, far below Europe’s 64.

Rwanda’s gains reflect progress in areas such as the rule of law, governance, and environmental safeguards, as measured by sources including the World Bank and World Economic Forum.

Over the past five years, the country has shown steady improvement; from 52nd place and a score of 53 in 2020, it rose gradually, despite a temporary setback during the COVID-19 period, when the score dipped to 51 and the ranking fell to 54th, before reaching its current standing.

Appolinaire Mupiganyi, Executive Director of TI Rwanda, attributed the results to the country’s strong institutional framework and sustained political commitment to combating corruption.

He emphasized that robust institutions and determined leadership are vital for success and stressed the need for further action in specific areas, particularly addressing sexual corruption.

Appolinaire Mupiganyi, Executive Director of TI Rwanda, attributed the results to the country’s strong institutional framework and sustained political commitment to combating corruption.

TI Rwanda’s annual CPI was unveiled of in Kigali on February 10, 2026.

IGIHE

She was addressing participants of the Heroes’ Day celebration organized by the High Commission and the Rwandan Community in India (RCA), Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka on February 8, 2026.

The event, held in a hybrid format to accommodate academic schedules, brought together members of the Rwandan diaspora, primarily students, in New Delhi’s Chancery conference room for in-person attendance, while others from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and remote Indian states joined virtually via Webex, with technical assistance from Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

In her remarks, the High Commissioner provided a detailed overview of Rwanda’s history of heroism and the significance of Heroes’ Day, established to honor those who sacrificed for the nation’s survival and progress.

She urged the young Rwandan community to safeguard the values embodied by these heroes and the substantial achievements realized under the current government.

High Commissioner Mukangira highlighted various government programs designed to promote unity, cohesion, and national development, praising Rwanda’s home-grown solutions as powerful affirmations of the people’s ownership over their country’s destiny.

She stressed the need to confront detractors who flood social media with false narratives aimed at tarnishing Rwanda’s reputation. Armed with facts, she affirmed that the community could effectively counter these baseless accusations rooted in invented claims.

The High Commissioner also recounted the long history of colonial injustices inflicted on Rwandans, followed by the divisive ethnic and identity politics institutionalized by post-independence republics, until the country’s liberation in 1994 by the Rwandese Patriotic Front.

During interactive discussions, she encouraged active participation in Rwanda’s ongoing progress, specifically calling for financial contributions to the national program to eradicate cervical cancer.

Young Rwandan students from India and Sri Lanka, along with in-person attendees, shared insights, emphasizing the importance of emulating the courage of heroes who fought for Rwanda’s survival and inclusive future.

They advised peers to uphold Rwandan values, maintain discipline, avoid drug use, and prioritize education and constructive endeavors.

The celebration concluded on a joyful note with a get-together featuring drinks, meals, and cultural songs honoring Rwandan heroes.

Young Rwandan students from India and Sri Lanka, along with in-person attendees, shared insights, emphasizing the importance of emulating the courage of heroes who fought for Rwanda’s survival and inclusive future.

The event was held in a hybrid format to accommodate academic schedules.

The event organized by Rwandan Community in India (RCA), Bangladesh and Sri Lanka took place on February 8, 2026.

IGIHE

The returnees, including 110 children, 13 men, and 38 women, crossed the La Corniche border, which connects Rwanda to the DRC, on Tuesday, February 8, 2026.

The repatriation follows the agreements reached during a tripartite meeting held on July 24, 2025, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, between Rwanda, the DRC, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Before their departure from DRC, these returnees had lived in the temporary Goma refugee camp, having fled various regions in eastern DRC.

As he welcomed returnees, Rubavu District’s Mayor, Prosper Mulindwa, emphasized that no Rwandan should still be considered a refugee. He explained that Rwanda had abolished refugee status and highlighted how the returnees had been misinformed during their captivity in the forest.

'We welcome refugees from other countries, support them, and help them return home, so they too can live in peace,' Mulindwa said. 'We have been through the refugee experience, but now we live in freedom in our own country.'

Ancille Nyiransabimana, a 64-year-old returnee, recounted leaving Rwanda in 1994 and expressed her joy at returning to her home in the former Mutura Commune. She affirmed her determination to work hard and rebuild her life in her homeland.

The returnees were then taken to the Kijote center in Nyabihu District, where they will undergo brief training before reintegration into the society.

After obtaining their identification documents, they will receive initial support to help them adjust to their new life.

Returnees aged above 18 will receive USD 188, while those under 18 will get USD 113, in addition to essential food supplies valued at Rwf 45,000.

Rwanda has welcomed over 160 returnees from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Rubavu District’s Mayor, Prosper Mulindwa, emphasized that no Rwandan should still be considered a refugee.

IGIHE

Ahead of the deployment, the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) in charge of Operations, CP Vincent Sano, on Tuesday, February 10, briefed the officers during a pre-deployment session held at RNP General Headquarters in Kacyiru.

The contingent, operating under the Rwanda Formed Police Unit (RWAFPU3-8), is female-dominated and is commanded by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dativa Iribagiza. The unit will replace RWAFPU3-7, which has been serving in South Sudan’s capital, Juba.

Once deployed, the officers will be responsible for protecting civilians displaced by conflict, safeguarding United Nations personnel, conducting patrols, and supporting capacity development within the local police.

During the briefing, DIGP Sano emphasised professionalism, discipline, and commitment, reminding the officers that they would be representing Rwanda on the international stage.

'You were selected to represent our country and the Rwanda National Police in particular. The training you received has prepared you to carry out your duties effectively,' he said. 'Maintain professionalism and good conduct to uphold the trust placed in you.'

He further urged the officers to remain vigilant and focused to ensure the successful execution of their mission. DIGP Sano also highlighted the importance of cooperation and cultural sensitivity in a multinational working environment, encouraging the contingent to uphold Rwandan values while respecting the cultures of others.

Emphasising teamwork, he called on the officers to work cohesively, strictly follow instructions from their commanders, and seek guidance whenever necessary as they carry out their peacekeeping responsibilities under UNMISS.

Rwanda has been contributing police officers to peacekeeping operations in South Sudan since 2015. The country currently has two police contingents deployed in Malakal and in the capital, Juba.

A total of 160 Rwanda National Police (RNP) officers are set to take up peacekeeping duties in South Sudan.

Ahead of the deployment, the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) in charge of Operations, CP Vincent Sano, on Tuesday, February 10, briefed the officers during a pre-deployment session held at RNP General Headquarters in Kacyiru.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

The figure, based on the urban Consumer Price Index (CPI) used as the benchmark for monetary policy, accelerated on a month-on-month basis, increasing by 1.3 percent compared to December 2025, pointing to renewed price momentum at the start of the year.

The latest CPI release indicates that inflationary pressures have broadened across several key sectors. Health services recorded the sharpest increase, surging by 71.1 percent year-on-year, while restaurants and hotels rose by 19.2 percent, reflecting higher service-sector costs in urban areas. Prices for alcoholic beverages and tobacco also increased significantly, up 15.6 percent.

Food-related inflation remained relatively contained but showed signs of upward pressure. Food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 5.3 percent year-on-year, with notable monthly rises in meat, vegetables, and dairy products. Bread and cereals prices, however, declined slightly on a monthly basis, helping to moderate overall food inflation.

Energy and housing-related costs continued to influence inflation dynamics. The energy index rose by 17.8 percent year-on-year, while housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels increased by 10.5 percent, reflecting higher utility and fuel prices. Imported goods inflation reached 9.6 percent, exceeding the 8.7 percent increase in locally produced goods, highlighting the role of external price pressures.

Transport inflation stood at 8.6 percent, while clothing and footwear rose by 5.5 percent.

Core inflation, which excludes fresh food and energy and is closely monitored as an indicator of underlying price trends, remained elevated at 8.9 percent year-on-year, with a monthly increase of 0.8 percent, suggesting that inflation is increasingly broad-based.

At the national level, combining both urban and rural indices, overall inflation stood at 7.5 percent, reflecting lower rural inflation of 6.5 percent. On a monthly basis, rural prices increased marginally by 0.1 percent, compared to the sharper rise observed in urban areas.

The annual average inflation rate between January 2025 and January 2026 was 7.2 percent, slightly below the headline January figure, while average core inflation stood at 7.4 percent.

NISR compiles the CPI using price data collected from more than 40,000 observations nationwide each month, covering 1,622 goods and services across urban and rural markets. The Urban CPI remains the principal reference for assessing inflation trends and guiding monetary policy decisions.

Rwanda’s inflation rose to 8.9 percent in January 2026, driven by higher prices in health services, housing-related costs, hospitality, energy and selected food items.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

The Prosecutor-General’s Office of the Conakry Court of Appeal on Tuesday announced a decision by the penitentiary administration to transfer the detained Commander Toumba Diakite from the central prison in Guinea’s capital to another in Coyah, northeast of Conakry.

According to an official statement, an unannounced inspection and search operation was carried out on Monday at the Conakry central prison, during which authorities discovered and seized several prohibited items, including mobile phones, psychotropic substances and bladed weapons, in the possession of some inmates.

During the operation, Diakite displayed aggressive behavior by refusing to submit to the search and making threats against security officers, the statement said, adding that his conduct also created tensions among other detainees.

The penitentiary administration made the legal and appropriate decision to transfer him on Tuesday to the Coyah prison, in a bid to preserve public order and ensure the safety of both other inmates and prison staff, the statement said.

Earlier in the day, gunfire was first heard around the Conakry central prison at about 0930 GMT in the Coronthie neighborhood of Kaloum, the administrative and economic hub of the Guinean capital, which hosts the presidential palace and government offices, according to local media.

Witnesses reported that elements of the special forces exchanged fire with other armed soldiers in the Coronthie area, where the central prison is located.

Following the gunfire incident, security forces restored calm in Kaloum, central Conakry, and road traffic resumed, although flows toward the downtown area remained lighter than usual, a Xinhua reporter at the scene said.

Diakite, whose full name is Aboubacar Sidiki Diakite, was sentenced to 10 years in prison in July 2024 in connection with the trial over the Sept. 28, 2009 stadium massacre in Conakry. Local media reported that more than 150 people were killed during the rally at the stadium.

Gunfire was first heard around the Conakry central prison at about 0930 GMT in the Coronthie neighborhood of Kaloum, the administrative and economic hub of the Guinean capital, which hosts the presidential palace and government offices, according to local media.

Xinhua