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The soldiers had been operating in several areas of South Kivu province, including Luvungi, Sange, Luberizi and Kiliba, where heavy clashes took place between December 2-9, 2025.

The fighting pitted fighters from the M23 rebel group against Congolese government forces, supported by troops from Burundi, alongside Wazalendo militia groups and the FDLR.

At the start of the clashes, Burundi had deployed an estimated 20,000 soldiers in South Kivu. During the fighting, the Burundian contingent suffered heavy losses, including soldiers who were killed, captured or wounded.

Those injured were evacuated to several medical facilities, among them Kamenge Military Hospital, Tanganyika Care Polyclinic and Kira Hospital.

The AFC/M23 rebel coalition has acknowledged capturing a number of Burundian soldiers during the fighting in the Rusizi Valley. It said it would continue to respect the rights of those in its custody and indicated that it would facilitate their return home.

While M23 has not released an exact figure, sources in South Kivu indicate that the number of captured Burundian soldiers is believed to be in the hundreds.

On January 4, 2026, the Burundian human rights organisation FOCODE reported that more than 1,000 Burundian soldiers had gone missing in the Rusizi Valley.

The organisation said it remains unclear whether the missing soldiers are alive, were captured, deserted or were killed during the fighting.

'Following the recent fighting in Congo, soldiers deployed in the Kamanyola Lubarika Luvungi area of the Rusizi Valley confirm that more than 1,000 soldiers are unaccounted for by the army,' the organisation said. 'It is not known whether they were killed in combat, deserted, were captured, or are still wandering in the forests.'

Meanwhile, another reliable source in Burundi claims that the number of Burundian soldiers missing in the Rusizi Valley stands at 1,794, asserting that all of them deserted the army and that their current whereabouts remain unknown.

On January 4, 2026, the Burundian human rights organisation FOCODE reported that more than 1,000 Burundian soldiers had gone missing in the Rusizi Valley.

Some of Burundian soldiers captured by M23 during the recent fighting in South Kivu.

IGIHE

At a press briefing, First President of the Supreme Court Fode Bangoura officially announced Doumbouya’s election to a seven-year presidential term in accordance with the Constitution.

According to data previously released by Guinea’s General Directorate of Elections, about 6.8 million voters were registered for the election. Voter turnout was initially announced at 80.95 percent and later revised by the Supreme Court to 82.86 percent.

The presidential election marks a significant step in Guinea’s efforts to restore constitutional order. In September 2021, then-President Alpha Conde was overthrown in a military coup, after which a transitional government led by Doumbouya assumed power.

In September this year, Guinea adopted a new constitution through a nationwide referendum and announced that the presidential election would be held on Dec. 28. The new constitution lifted restrictions on junta members running for office and extended the presidential term from five to seven years, clearing the way for Doumbouya’s candidacy.

Throughout the election period, the overall situation across the country remained stable, with no major security incidents reported. Guinean political figures, electoral authorities, as well as domestic and international observers said the voting process was largely calm and orderly and that the organization of the election broadly complied with relevant legal procedures.

According to the official website of the Guinean presidency, Doumbouya, 41, was born on Dec. 5, 1984, in Kankan, northeastern Guinea.

Guinea’s Supreme Court on Sunday evening confirmed the final results of the presidential election held on Dec. 28, declaring Mamady Doumbouya the winner with 86.72 percent of the vote and proclaiming him president of the West African country.

Xinhua

Andean pan flute music provided the backdrop to the demonstration. Alberto Calderon, a member of a traditional Andean music group and descendant of Peruvian migrants, led the rhythm and guided the chorus.

He said the melodies, rooted in the Andean highlands and shared across Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, and parts of Argentina and Chile, predate modern national borders and were adapted to address Venezuela’s current situation.

“Venezuela, an immortal nation,” the crowd chanted. “For your resistance, the peoples of the world stand with you.” Araceli Munoz Rojas, one of the participants, said she joined the rally to protest what she described as U.S. military interference in Venezuela, calling it a violation of international law and national sovereignty. Miguel Sanchez, a dual Spanish-Argentine citizen, warned that external intervention could set a precedent across the region.

As the rally concluded, the music and chants gradually faded, leaving participants emphasizing solidarity and the ongoing memory of foreign intervention in Latin America. “Even if time passes, I can’t forget you, it’s impossible,” the crowd sang.

Earlier on Saturday, the United States launched a large-scale strike on Venezuela, during which Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were “captured and flown out of Venezuela,” according to a post by U.S. President Donald Trump on his Truth Social account.

The U.S. military action against the South American nation has drawn widespread international condemnation, with multiple countries calling for a coordinated global response.

People in support of Venezuela protest outside the U.S. Embassy in Madrid, Spain, on Jan. 4, 2026.

Xinhua

Valais Canton police said the 40 victims, aged between 14 and 39, included 21 Swiss nationals, seven French nationals, five Italian nationals, one Belgian national, one Portuguese national, one Romanian national, one Turkish national, one dual Swiss-French national, one victim holding French, Israeli and British nationalities, and one dual Italian-United Arab Emirates national. Many of them were minors.

According to the police, a criminal investigation has been opened against the two managers of the “Le Constellation” bar on suspicion of negligent homicide, negligent bodily injury and negligent arson.

President of the Swiss Confederation Guy Parmelin told Swiss media on Sunday that Switzerland will hold a national day of mourning on Friday.

Switzerland plans to will hold a national day of mourning on Friday in honor of lives lost in the incident.

Xinhua

'Congratulations to my brother, President Mamadi Doumbouya, on his election as President of the Republic of Guinea. We look forward to deepening our strong bilateral relations and working closely together to advance our shared priorities and the prosperity of our nations,' President Kagame said in a post on X.

Doumbouya’s win was confirmed by Guinea’s Supreme Court on Sunday, formalising his transition from junta leader to democratically elected president. The court validated the provisional results announced earlier, crediting Doumbouya, 41, with 86.72% of the vote.

The runner-up, Abdoulaye Yero Baldé, received 6.59% of the votes. The court noted that Baldé, who had initially challenged the election results with the Supreme Court, had since voluntarily withdrawn his complaint.

The election marks Guinea’s first presidential vote since Doumbouya led a coup in September 2021, which ousted Alpha Condé. The vote was held under a new constitution that removed the ban on military leaders running for office and extended the presidential term from five to seven years.

Rwanda and Guinea enjoy cordial relations, reinforced through exchanges of visits and cooperation across multiple sectors. President Kagame last visited Conakry in November 2024, joining President Doumbouya for the launch of the Simandou Iron Ore Project, considered the largest ongoing mining project in the world.

The Simandou deposit is estimated to contain approximately 3 to 4 billion tonnes of high-grade recoverable iron ore and is expected to reach full production capacity by 2030, with an annual output of around 120 million tonnes.

Bilateral cooperation has also been strengthened through agreements signed on October 9, 2024, in Kigali during a session of the Joint Cooperation Commission. According to announcements from both countries’ foreign ministries, the 12 agreements cover areas such as public administration modernisation, export promotion, tourism development, special economic zones, migration data management, defence and security, justice, economy, and trade.

'The partnership between our two countries is based on complementary and a win-win approach,' said Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe. He noted that Rwanda can benefit from Guinea’s expertise in mining, while Guinea can learn from Rwanda’s experience in public service innovation and digitisation.

Although relatively new, the bilateral relationship has strengthened since Rwanda opened its embassy in Conakry in January 2024. President Doumbouya has expressed interest in adopting Rwanda’s development model, and the two leaders have met frequently to explore cooperation opportunities.

In addition to the agreements, both countries have established a follow-up mechanism to ensure proper implementation of recommendations from the first session of the Joint Cooperation Commission.

President Paul Kagame on Monday congratulated Guinea’s Mamadi Doumbouya on his confirmed election victory, expressing optimism for strengthened bilateral relations between the two countries.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

Speaking at a press conference in Florida on Saturday, Trump said Washington would govern Venezuela until a 'safe, proper and judicious transition' to new leadership could be achieved. He said the US wanted to avoid a scenario in which Maduro’s removal resulted in another government that perpetuated the country’s long-running political and economic crisis.

'We’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,' Trump said. 'We can’t take a chance that somebody else takes over Venezuela that doesn’t have the good of the Venezuelan people in mind.'

Trump’s remarks came hours after he announced on Truth Social that US forces had carried out strikes on Venezuela and captured Maduro and Flores. In a subsequent phone interview with Fox News, he confirmed that the pair were being transferred to New York, where Maduro has been indicted and could appear in court as early as Monday.

The operation, which US officials said had been planned for months and executed without congressional authorisation, marks a dramatic escalation in Washington’s campaign against Maduro.

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.

Trump did not spell out what US governance of Venezuela would entail but said American oil companies were ready to invest billions of dollars to repair the country’s dilapidated oil infrastructure.

'We’re going to have our very large United States oil companies go in, fix the badly broken infrastructure and start making money for the country,' he said, adding that Venezuela’s oil wealth would ensure the operation would not cost US taxpayers.

Trump also warned that further military action was possible, saying the US was prepared to launch a 'second and much larger attack' if necessary, and did not rule out deploying ground troops. 'We’re not afraid of boots on the ground,' he said.

US Attorney General Pam Bondi said Maduro would 'face the full wrath' of the US justice system. Charges unsealed on Saturday include narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy and weapons offences. Federal prosecutors allege Maduro used state institutions to facilitate large-scale drug trafficking to the United States, claims he has long denied.

The announcement drew swift criticism from legal experts and foreign leaders, who warned the operation could violate international law and destabilise the region. With Washington yet to clarify how it plans to govern Venezuela or for how long, uncertainty looms over the country’s political future.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was captured following what President Trump termed as 'large-scale strike' by American forces on Saturday.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

Rodriguez made the statement during a live speech on a state-run television station Saturday afternoon, adding that Venezuela will never become a colony of any country.

Accompanied by the ministers of the interior, foreign affairs and other officials, the vice president demanded that the United States release Maduro and his wife, and urged the Venezuelan people to remain calm, face the challenges together and defend national sovereignty.

Noting that the attack on Venezuela may happen in any other country in the region in the future, Rodriguez said Venezuela is ready to defend its natural resources and will never become a colony of any country or a slave of any empire.

The United States launched a large-scale military operation against Venezuela in the early hours of Saturday, seizing Maduro and his wife.

U.S. President Donald Trump claimed at a press conference Saturday morning that Rodriguez had been sworn in as president of Venezuela, and that Secretary of State Marco Rubio “just had a conversation” with her.

“She’s essentially willing to do what we think is necessary to make Venezuela great again,” Trump claimed while speaking to reporters.

The international community is deeply shocked by the U.S. raid on Maduro, strongly condemning the blatant use of force against a sovereign state and action against its president.

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said on Saturday that Nicolas Maduro is “the only president” of the South American nation.

Xinhua

In a communiqué issued late on Saturday, the AU called on all parties to exercise restraint and uphold international law to prevent further escalation and preserve regional stability.

'The African Union reaffirms its steadfast commitment to the fundamental principles of international law, including respect for the sovereignty of States, their territorial integrity, and the right of peoples to self-determination,' the statement said.

'Complex internal challenges facing Venezuela can only be sustainably addressed through inclusive political dialogue among Venezuelans themselves.'

The AU emphasised the importance of dialogue, peaceful settlement of disputes, and respect for constitutional and institutional frameworks, underscoring the need for cooperation and peaceful coexistence among nations. It expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people and reiterated its commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region.

The call came after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Speaking from Florida on Saturday, Trump said the United States would 'run' Venezuela temporarily to ensure a 'safe, proper and judicious transition' of power. He also warned of the possibility of further military action, including the potential deployment of ground troops.

The operation, executed without congressional authorisation, has drawn widespread criticism. Legal experts and foreign leaders warned that it could violate international law and destabilise the region.

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 United Nations also voiced deep concern over the escalation on Saturday. UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the developments as 'deeply alarming' and a 'dangerous precedent,' emphasising the need for all actors to fully respect international law, including the UN Charter.

'The Secretary-General calls on all actors in Venezuela to engage in inclusive dialogue, in full respect of human rights and the rule of law,' his spokesperson said.

The UN Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting on Monday to address the situation. Somalia, which holds the rotating presidency of the Council this month, confirmed that the meeting would take place at 10 a.m. EST (5 p.m. Kigali time). The session is expected to discuss the legality and regional implications of the U.S. operation, as well as potential measures to de-escalate tensions.

Nicolas Maduro arrives at DEA’s NYC HQ following his arrest in Venezuela. AU calls for restraint and respect for international law following Maduro’s abduction and attacks on Venezuelan institutions.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

The evening kicked off with Makeda, who took on the challenge of energising a crowd still finding their seats, keeping fans engaged with her lively music mixes.

DJ Lamper followed, commanding the stage with a mix of music and dance, supported by the event hosts, including Rock Try. By the time Kivumbi King hit the stage, the arena was packed. He fired up the crowd with his hits, joined by Kenny K-Shot and Angel Mutoni for dynamic collaborations that had fans on their feet.

After Kivumbi King’s performance, DJ Lamper returned with even more energy, joined briefly by a dance troupe led by Divine Uwa, adding flair to the night’s entertainment.

Then it was Shenseea’s turn. The Jamaican sensation delivered a show-stopping performance, opening with a collaborative number alongside children from the Sherrie Silver Foundation. She later invited fans onto the stage, including Amandah Darling and Mutoni Etania, creating interactive, unforgettable moments. Fellow artists Diez Dolla and Joshua Baraka also joined, receiving rapturous applause.

Headliner Mavado closed the night in grand style. Despite some fans seeing him live for the first time, he captivated everyone with his chart-topping hits and commanding stage presence. After over an hour of non-stop performance, Mavado wrapped up the concert around 1:00 AM, leaving fans exhilarated.

Some arrived there early, as the sun was setting.

Even though some of the fans arrived early, they were not allowed into BK Arena immediately, as final preparations were still underway.

As the hours passed, more and more people made their way to BK Arena.

Some fans decided to take a seat outside BK Arena, waiting patiently before making their way inside.

The evening kicked off with Makeda, who took on the challenge of energising a crowd still finding their seats, keeping fans engaged with her lively music mixes.

Ish Kevin was among the fans attending the concert.

The fans were delighted to witness the artists perform at BK Arena.

Malaika Uwamahoro (left) joined the crowd enjoying the concert.

DJ Lamper proved just how much he has captured the hearts of music fans in Rwanda.

Divine Uwa and her dance crew enjoyed every moment at BK Arena.

Kivumbi King was among the homegrown artists fans were most excited to see perform.

Kivumbi King welcomed Kenny K-Shot to the stage, and the duo thrilled the crowd with one of their hit songs.

Angel Mutoni joined Kivumbi King on stage to perform two songs together.

The dancer who shared the stage with Kivumbi King put on a show that thrilled the audience.

DJ Lamper is set to release his first single, 'Iwacu,’ which he also played live at the concert.

DJ Lamper kept the energy high, joined by his dancers who helped keep the crowd fully entertained.

Shenseea took to the stage, joined by the children of the Sherrie Silver Foundation, creating a memorable entrance.

Performing songs like 'Hit and Run,’ 'Lighter,’ and others, Shenseea delighted her fans and kept the energy high.

Shenseea made her way among the audience, dancing and entertaining her fans up close.

Diez Dolla on stage.

Diez Dolla got his moment to perform at the concert.

Joshua Baraka from Uganda also got the opportunity to entertain the crowd.

Shenseea invited Amandah Darling, along with other young women, onto the stage.

Fans erupted in excitement, cheering Amandah Darling on as she danced.

Etania Mutoni stole the show with her dancing among those Shenseea brought on stage, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

The Major from Symphony Band played guitar for Shenseea.

Shenseea and her dancers captivated the audience, bringing BK Arena to life with their performance.

Shenseea received an outpouring of love from fans in Kigali.

Headliner Mavado closed the night in grand style.

For the entire hour on stage, Mavado went all out to thrill and engage his fans.

PHOTOS: Kwizera Moses

IGIHE

The judiciary’s decision was read on national radio and television by the court’s magistrate Tania D’Amelio.

“It is ordered that the citizen Delcy Eloina Rodriguez Gomez, executive vice-president of the republic, assume and exercise in the capacity of acting President, all the powers, duties and faculties inherent to the position of President,” said the supreme court decision.

The order also said that Rodriguez’s role as acting president “should be exercised immediately.”

Meanwhile, the court said it rejects and condemns the extremely serious military aggression carried out by the United States against the people and territory of Venezuela, as well as the kidnapping of Maduro and his wife.

It added that the U.S. action flagrantly violates the Constitution and laws of Venezuela, as well as international law and the Charter of the United Nations, with the aim of seizing Venezuela’s strategic resources.

The court said it stands with the Venezuelan people in defending national independence and sovereignty, and called on all parties to make joint efforts to maintain peace and stability in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured in a large-scale U.S. military operation against Venezuela early Saturday morning and were flown to New York.

Venezuela’s Supreme Court of Justice on late Saturday ordered Vice President Delcy Rodriguez to immediately assume the role of acting president after President Nicolas Maduro’s capture.

Xinhua