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In a post on X, which has since been deleted, Minister Bizimana alleged that Qatar was using its influence and financial resources to dissuade the United States from taking action against Rwanda, which he accused of violating a Washington-brokered agreement.

'It is important to stress Qatar’s negative role using its influence and cash to dissuade US from taking action,' Bizimana wrote on Sunday.

The post sparked immediate backlash, prompting Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye to intervene.

In a statement on X, President Ndayishimiye emphasised Burundi’s appreciation for Qatar’s longstanding bilateral relations and mediation role in the DRC.

'It is important to clarify any misunderstanding & wrong statement regarding Qatar’s contribution in development and peacebuilding,' he wrote.

Responding to the clarification, Qatar’s Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al-Khulaifi, acknowledged President Ndayishimiye’s retraction and reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to regional peace and stability.

'Guided by its principled approach, the State of Qatar remains steadfast in its commitment to peacebuilding, mediation, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts, and will continue to engage constructively with all partners in support of stability and lasting peace,' Al-Khulaifi said in a post on X.

In recent days, Burundi and the DRC have heightened their accusations that Rwanda is supporting the AFC/M23 rebel alliance in eastern DRC and have called on the international community to impose sanctions on Kigali. Rwanda has rejected the allegations, insisting that sanctions cannot resolve the problems affecting the Congolese people, for whom the conflict is primarily a local issue.

Analysts note that Minister Bizimana’s deleted remarks targeting Qatar reflect internal political pressures and the stance of the government he represents, even as President Ndayishimiye sought to calm the situation and repair the diplomatic fallout.

Burundi’s Foreign Minister Edouard Bizimana had publicly criticised Qatar’s role in peace efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The Burundi foreign minister’s post sparked immediate backlash, prompting Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye to intervene.

Responding to the clarification, Qatar’s Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al-Khulaifi, acknowledged President Ndayishimiye’s retraction and reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to regional peace and stability.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

The incident occurred late on Saturday evening, just before 8 p.m. local time, when a large wooden canoe carrying 52 passengers overturned on the Yobe River near Garbi town. The boat had departed from Adiyani village in neighbouring Jigawa State and was en route to Garbi when it capsized.

Mohammed Goje, head of the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency, said that 13 passengers have been rescued alive and are receiving medical attention, while 25 bodies have been recovered so far. Rescue operations involving emergency responders, local volunteers and security agencies remain ongoing to find the 14 people still unaccounted for.

Police in Jigawa State confirmed the accident and indicated that the canoe may have capsized due to leakage. A spokesperson noted that safety regulations, including bans on night travel and overloading, were reportedly ignored.

“It was a market day, and the victims were returning home after trading. If the driver survives, he will be prosecuted for negligence,” said Lawan Adam, the state police spokesperson.

Investigators say the boat was carrying more passengers than it should have, and authorities have warned that the operator could face prosecution for negligence if he survives.

Residents said the victims included people from both their village and the destination town, many returning home after a market day. When the boat failed to arrive on time, relatives raised the alarm and discovered that it had overturned partway across the river. Divers and emergency crews recovered some of the bodies.

Boat accidents are unfortunately common in Nigeria’s rural regions, where waterways are often used for transport due to limited road infrastructure, and safety measures are frequently lacking. In a separate tragedy last September, an overloaded boat sank in Niger State, killing at least 60 people after it struck a tree stump.

A tragic boat accident in northern Nigeria’s Yobe State has claimed the lives of at least 25 people and left 14 others missing, officials said Sunday, as emergency teams continue to search the river for survivors.

Rania Umutoni

This capacity forms part of Rwanda’s broad overview of petroleum products storage figures, reflecting the nation’s current capability to store fuel and associated products.

In total, Rwanda maintains storage facilities able to accommodate up to 118 million litres of petroleum products, encompassing both government-owned and privately owned reserves.

Government-owned petrol storage facilities in Gatsata hold a capacity of 7.2 million litres, while privately owned petrol tanks in Kabuye, in the City of Kigali, can accommodate up to 3.1 million litres.

In Rwabuye, Huye District, government-owned petrol storage facilities offer a capacity of 1.9 million litres, whereas those in Bigogwe, Nyabihu District, provide government tanks capable of storing 3 million litres of petrol.

Privately owned petrol storage tanks in Jabana, within the City of Kigali, have a capacity of 10 million litres, complemented by additional government-owned tanks in Rusororo that can hold up to 20 million litres.
Overall, Rwanda’s petrol storage facilities boast a combined capacity of 45.2 million litres.

For diesel, storage facilities in Gatsata accommodate 6.7 million litres, while privately owned tanks in Kabuye hold a capacity of 2.7 million litres.

Government-owned diesel tanks in Rwabuye can store 1.9 million litres, and those in Bigogwe have a capacity of 2 million litres. Privately owned diesel tanks in Jabana can accommodate up to 10 million litres.

Furthermore, the government operates diesel storage tanks in Rusororo with a capacity of 36 million litres. In total, Rwanda’s diesel storage capacity reaches 59.3 million litres.

The country also maintains government-owned kerosene storage tanks in Gatsata with a capacity of 1.5 million litres.

With respect to aviation fuel, Rwanda features government-owned storage tanks in Rusororo capable of holding 10 million litres, along with additional tanks in Kanombe offering a capacity of 2 million litres, resulting in a total aviation fuel storage capacity of 12 million litres.

By location, Gatsata hosts petroleum product storage facilities with a combined capacity of 15.4 million litres; Kabuye has 5.8 million litres; Rwabuye, 3.8 million litres; and Bigogwe, 5 million litres. Jabana provides a storage capacity of 20 million litres, Rusororo 66 million litres, and Kanombe 2 million litres. Collectively, these facilities can store up to 118 million litres of petroleum products.

In March 2025, Minister of Trade and Industry Prudence Sebahizi stated that Rwanda’s petroleum reserve storage capacity exceeded 110 million litres, with plans to expand it to 320 million litres within the next two years.

She noted that in 2017, Rwanda consumed approximately 600,000 litres of petroleum products daily, when existing storage facilities had a capacity of 111 million litres, sufficient for six months.

However, owing to rising vehicle numbers and industrial growth, Rwanda now consumes at least two million litres of petroleum products per day.

Consequently, current reserves suffice for no more than two months.
She cautioned that this could present challenges in the event of disruptions to regional fuel supply routes, prompting government plans to increase the nation’s petroleum storage capacity.

Rwanda primarily imports petroleum products from Arab countries, routed through East Africa. The majority arrives via Tanzania, with a smaller share sourced through Kenya.

The Rwanda Energy Group (REG) has announced that the country possesses aviation fuel storage facilities with a combined capacity of 12 million litres.

IGIHE

The report shows that the formal industrial sector also posted an annual average growth rate of 6.3 per cent, signalling sustained momentum despite month-to-month fluctuations in some activities.

Growth in November was driven largely by the electricity sector, which expanded by 14.1 per cent year-on-year, making it the biggest contributor to overall industrial growth. Electricity alone accounted for 2.8 percentage points of the annual increase, reflecting rising demand from households, businesses and industry.

The manufacturing sector, which carries the largest weight in the index at 68.1 per cent, grew by 4.9 per cent compared to November 2024. Within manufacturing, output gains were supported by a 2.6 per cent increase in chemicals, rubber and plastic products, as well as a 1.8 per cent growth in beverages and tobacco production.

However, the report highlights uneven performance across manufacturing sub-sectors. Textiles, clothing and leather goods contracted by 7.5 per cent, while wood and paper products, including printing, declined by 6.0 per cent, pointing to continued pressure in some traditional industries.

Mining and quarrying recorded a 4.1 per cent year-on-year increase, maintaining positive growth despite volatility in monthly output. Meanwhile, water and waste management activities expanded by 6.6 per cent, reflecting steady growth in urban services and environmental management.

The November figures are published using a new 2024 base year, following a rebasing exercise by NISR aimed at better reflecting Rwanda’s evolving economic structure. The rebasing captures the rapid expansion of manufacturing, utilities and other industrial activities over recent years, and aligns the index with international statistical best practice.

NISR noted that the IIP focuses on formal sector activity and excludes construction due to data limitations, but remains a key short-term indicator for tracking industrial trends and complementing quarterly GDP estimates.

Workers at Mark Cables factory in Nyanza District. According to the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), the country’s industrial sector grew by 10.3% in November 2025 compared to the same month last year, with annual growth reaching 6.3%.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

The report describes the crisis as endemic, systemic and worsening, noting that while armed conflict remains a major driver, cases have been documented in communities across all provinces and have risen sharply since 2022.

Data compiled by child protection and gender-based violence service providers show that the scale of abuse continues to grow. In 2024, nearly 45,000 cases of sexual violence against children were recorded, representing almost 40 per cent of all reported sexual violence cases nationwide, three times higher than in 2022. UNICEF warns that the true toll is likely far higher due to widespread under-reporting caused by fear, stigma, insecurity and limited access to services.

'Case workers describe mothers walking for hours to reach clinics with daughters who can no longer walk after being assaulted. Families say that fear of stigma and retaliation often keeps them from reporting the abuse,' said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. 'Stories like these are repeated across provinces, exposing an entrenched crisis driven by insecurity, inequality and weak support systems.'

The report highlights distinct regional patterns. The highest number of cases has been recorded in conflict-affected eastern provinces, particularly North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri, where displacement and weakened protection systems expose children to extreme risk. However, significant numbers have also been documented in Kinshasa and the Kasai region, where poverty, food insecurity and school dropout increase girls’ vulnerability to exploitation and early marriage.

Adolescent girls account for the largest and growing share of survivors nationwide, UNICEF said. Boys are also victims of sexual violence but remain significantly under-represented in reported cases. Children with disabilities face heightened risks, as physical, social and communication barriers increase their vulnerability and limit access to care and justice.

Separate UN-verified data cited in the report show that cases of sexual violence against children were already high in 2022 and 2023, before rising by nearly 30 per cent in 2024. Preliminary figures from early 2025 suggest the situation remains acute, with cases reported in the first six months potentially accounting for more than 80 per cent of the total recorded last year.

Survivors often suffer severe physical injuries, unwanted pregnancies, increased risks of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, and long-lasting psychological harm, including anxiety, depression and social rejection. Yet access to life-saving support remains limited.

The global UN organisation, dedicated to providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide, said it is working with the Congolese government and partners to provide survivor-centred services, including clinical care, psychosocial support, safe spaces and case management. Between 2022 and 2024, the number of child survivors assisted by UNICEF increased by 143 per cent, reaching more than 24,200 children in the most affected provinces in 2024.

However, insecurity and global funding cuts have forced many UNICEF-supported safe spaces, mobile clinics and community-based protection programmes to scale back or close. By mid-2025, only 23 per cent of gender-based violence interventions were funded, down from 48 per cent in 2022, placing hundreds of thousands of children, about 300,000 of them in conflict-affected eastern regions, at risk of losing access to critical support.

UNICEF has called on the government, parties to the conflict, civil society and international partners to prevent and end all forms of sexual violence against children, strengthen accountability through investigations and prosecutions, and increase sustained investment in protection and prevention services.

'Addressing this crisis of sexual violence requires an immediate response and adherence to international law in conflict settings,' Russell said. 'Perpetrators must be held accountable, and women and children must have access to protection and support.'

Sexual violence against children is becoming increasingly entrenched and widespread across the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with more than 35,000 cases of child rape and sexual assault recorded nationwide in the first nine months of 2025, according to a new UNICEF report released on December 30.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

“The European Union calls for de-escalation and a resolution in full respect of international law and the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations,” he wrote on X.

He said the bloc would continue to support a peaceful, democratic and inclusive solution in Venezuela, and backed efforts by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, working with member states, to ensure the safety of European citizens in the country.

Earlier on Saturday, Kallas said the EU was closely monitoring developments and called for restraint, stressing that the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter must be respected.

Kallas said she had spoken with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the EU ambassador in Caracas, adding that the safety of EU citizens in Venezuela was the bloc’s top priority.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States has struck Venezuela and captured its President Nicolas Maduro, who was flown out of the country along with his wife.

Venezuela on Saturday denounced a “military aggression” by the United States, after large explosions were heard and aircraft were seen over the capital Caracas earlier in the day.

European Council President Antonio Costa said on Saturday the European Union (EU) was following the situation in Venezuela “with great concern” and urged de-escalation.

Xinhua

The event, organised by the Rwanda Community Abroad (RCA) with the support of the Rwanda Embassy, was attended by Ambassador Major General Joseph Nzabamwita and his spouse. It drew mainly Rwandan students from various universities, alongside embassy staff and their family members.

In his opening remarks, RCA Russia leader Alex Rukeratabaro thanked the Ambassador for attending the celebrations and for his continued support of community activities that promote unity and Rwandan culture in the Russian Federation. He also welcomed new members to the community and encouraged them to actively take part in RCA programmes and initiatives.

Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Nzabamwita shared key highlights from President Paul Kagame’s end-of-year message, reflecting on Rwanda’s milestones in 2025, the country’s continued progress, and the critical role of young people in sustaining these gains. He emphasised the importance of innovation and youth participation in addressing national challenges and shaping Rwanda’s future.

The Ambassador recalled several achievements that enhanced Rwanda’s international standing during the year, including the inaugural International Security Conference on Africa (ISCA), now led by former Ambassador of Rwanda to Russia Lt Gen Frank Mushyo Kamanzi, as well as the annual Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa (NEISA).

He also commended the RCA football team for reaching the quarter-finals of the UN Games of Friendship tournament held last September, where Rwanda received a trophy for having the best fans. Ambassador Nzabamwita encouraged new students to volunteer in various community activities, including sports teams, traditional dance troupes, music and cultural preservation initiatives, as well as event organisation and protocol, as a way of positively representing Rwanda abroad.

The celebrations continued in a lively and festive atmosphere, with guests sharing meals, drinks and dances. The evening featured performances by the cultural dance troupe Imena mu Nganzo, a live music band and other entertainment, marking a warm and reflective start to the new year for the Rwandan community in Russia.

The event brought together Rwandans living in the Russian capital and neighbouring regions.

The event, organised by the Rwanda Community Abroad (RCA) with the support of the Rwanda Embassy, was attended by Ambassador Major General Joseph Nzabamwita and his spouse.

Ambassador Nzabamwita shared key highlights from President Paul Kagame’s end-of-year message, reflecting on Rwanda’s milestones in 2025, the country’s continued progress, and the critical role of young people in sustaining these gains.

The evening featured performances by the cultural dance troupe Imena mu Nganzo.

IGIHE

Their two-year term officially started on January 1, but Friday was the first working day of the council for 2026 after the Christmas and New Year break.

A flag installation ceremony was held to mark the start of their responsibilities.

Kazakh UN ambassador Kairat Umarov, who co-hosted the ceremony, congratulated the five new council members and wished them “perseverance, unity of purpose, and success” in their term.

“We hope that you will make meaningful contributions over the next two years to address critical global challenges and reinforce the council’s mandate to promote peace and security,” he said.

The installation of flags serves as a visible reminder that service on the Security Council is both a privilege and a responsibility. It marks the beginning of the demanding mandate carried out on behalf of the entire UN membership, said Umarov.

Somali UN ambassador Abukar Dahir Osman, as president of the Security Council for the month of January and co-host of the ceremony, welcomed the five new members and wished them a successful and impactful term.

“Over the coming two years, your voices and your efforts will be essential in guiding our collective pursuit of peace and security,” he said.

The Security Council has a unique mandate to respond to threats to peace and to foster cooperation, and to support the most vulnerable by working together, upholding the principles of multilateralism, and demonstrating respect for the UN Charter, said Osman.

The five countries replaced Algeria, Guyana, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone and Slovenia.

The 15-member Security Council has five permanent members, including Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States, and 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the UN General Assembly. Five non-permanent members are replaced each year.

Somali UN ambassador Abukar Dahir Osman speaks at a flag installation ceremony for the five new elected members of the Security Council in his capacity as president of the Security Council for the month of January and co-host, at the UN headquarters in New York, January 2, 2026.

Kazakh UN ambassador Kairat Umarov speaks at a flag installation ceremony for the five new elected members of the Security Council in his capacity as co-host, at the UN headquarters in New York, January 2, 2026.

Xinhua

'I was held for six months. Every day was a nightmare,' Mwiza, now living with disabilities caused by the abuse, testified during a protest by Congolese refugees in Rwanda, organised to condemn a recent anti-Tutsi slur by Major General Sylvain Ekenge, the suspended FARDC spokesperson.

“I was raped by over 100 soldiers. Everyone, including elders, their children, and even their guards, assaulted me, all to 'experience what a Tutsi woman is like.’ I contracted HIV and sustained disabilities. I am now on medication.”

Ekenge’s remarks, widely condemned as incitement against Tutsis, included warnings against marrying Tutsi women, reflecting entrenched anti-Tutsi sentiment within the DRC military. Refugees in Rwanda expressed outrage at the comments, staging demonstrations demanding accountability and protection for Congolese Tutsis.

Mwiza’s ordeal began six months before fleeing to Rwanda, when FDLR soldiers abducted her and her niece from Shangi and took them to Kirolirwe in Masisi territory. While Mwiza survived, her niece was killed.

'They did whatever they wanted, denying me water, denying me care. Sometimes they told me to call Kagame [President Paul Kagame] to rescue me, but all I could do was pray. Everyone struck me, even children, because they were ordered to.'

Her escape came through the unexpected aid of a local soldier who recognised her plight. 'He said my blood would not be accounted for. He helped me leave Kirolirwe secretly and guided me to Bishoga,' Mwiza recounted. From there, she moved cautiously to Nyamitabo, where M23 forces were stationed. She finally reached the Nkamira temporary camp in Rwanda, traumatised but alive.

In Rwanda, she joined the Mvura Nkuvure rehabilitation programme, which has helped her begin to rebuild her life despite deep psychological and physical scars. Her husband and father were killed, but her children have since been reunited with her.

'I survived because of God and those who helped me. But no one should endure what I went through,' she said.

Mwiza’s story is part of a decades-long pattern of violence targeting Kinyarwanda-speaking Tutsis in the DRC. After the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, the DRC harboured elements of the Interahamwe and forces loyal to former President Juvenal Habyarimana, cultivating anti-Tutsi ideology. Some of these individuals formed armed groups that evolved into the FDLR.

The FDLR continues to terrorise Congolese citizens, often with tacit DRC government support. Incidents include home burnings, kidnappings, killings, and sexual violence.

In October 2023 alone, nearly 300 homes in Nturo village were destroyed, with residents accused of supporting M23. Social media footage has repeatedly shown Congolese civilians attacking Tutsi neighbours, in some cases committing acts of extreme cruelty, including cannibalism.

Rwanda now hosts over 120,000 Congolese refugees, many fleeing decades of violence and displacement. Mwiza urges the international community to intervene to end decades of hatred and persecution of Congolese Tutsis.

The FDLR continues to terrorise Congolese citizens, often with DRC army support.

Congolese refugees in Rwandan camps recently protested against the DRC government’s ongoing targeting of Tutsis.

IGIHE

'The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolás Maduro,' Trump wrote on his Truth Social account, adding that further details would be shared later.

Earlier on Saturday, Maduro declared a state of emergency, accusing the United States of 'very serious military aggression' after explosions and aircraft-like sounds were reported across Caracas. Footage published by Venezuelan television station NTN24 showed plumes of smoke rising from the city, with eyewitnesses describing chaotic scenes. 'My heart was pumping and legs were shaking,' one resident told the BBC.

The US has intensified its military operations in recent months, citing efforts to combat alleged drug smuggling linked to Venezuela, including strikes on speedboats and ports. Over the past few weeks, Trump has made repeated references to military actions in Venezuelan territory, with prior reports indicating strikes in Zulia, an oil-rich state, and the seizure of two sanctioned oil tankers.

The Venezuelan government has condemned the US actions, calling them 'extremely serious military aggression' and urging grassroots organisations and militias to mobilise in response. Maduro has consistently accused the Trump administration of attempting to force regime change in Caracas.

US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been captured following a 'large-scale strike' by American forces. According to Trump, Maduro and his wife were 'captured and flown out of the country' in an operation conducted alongside US law enforcement.

Wycliffe Nyamasege