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The announcement was made on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, during a meeting between the multilateral development finance institution, the Government of Rwanda, and other development partners.

The meeting, held annually, serves as a platform to review all AfDB-funded projects in Rwanda, evaluating progress, identifying challenges, and discussing ways to improve implementation in future initiatives.

AfDB management revealed that over the past two years, the bank has invested $2.5 billion in 28 projects, mainly in infrastructure sectors such as water and sanitation, transport, and energy.

Aïssa Touré Sarr, AfDB’s Country Manager for Rwanda, said that 85% of these 28 projects have been successfully implemented.

'Of the projects we support, 34% are in water and sanitation, 30% in energy, and 16% in transport,” she stated.

Touré attributed these achievements to strong collaboration and partnership with the Government of Rwanda, which has enabled the bank to make a tangible contribution to the country’s development.

She added that the annual review meetings are a valuable opportunity to assess progress and strengthen implementation.

'These discussions allow us to evaluate the progress made in implementing our projects and to identify challenges so that we can continue contributing effectively to Rwanda’s development,' she said.

Touré further noted that in the past two years, the number of AfDB-supported projects in Rwanda increased from 26 to 28, while total investment rose from $1.5 billion to $2.5 billion.

She explained that one of the priority areas for upcoming investment is agriculture, following the Government of Rwanda’s request to focus on agro-processing and irrigation.

'Following the government’s request for increased investment in agriculture, we have earmarked $300 million to support irrigation and other agricultural development projects,' she said.

Emmanuel Nuwamanya, Director of Planning at the Ministry of Infrastructure, commended AfDB’s continued contribution to Rwanda’s development through its support for various projects.

'We appreciate AfDB’s ongoing partnership with the Government of Rwanda in implementing projects related to water and sanitation, transport, and energy, which are helping to improve the lives of citizens and drive national development,' Nuwamanya said.

AfDB began its operations in Rwanda in 1974. While most of its funding has traditionally been directed towards infrastructure, the bank has now announced its intention to increase investment in agriculture to further stimulate growth in the sector.

The Frw 435 billion financing was announced on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, during a meeting between the multilateral development finance institution, the Government of Rwanda, and other development partners.

Aïssa Touré Sarr, AfDB’s Country Manager for Rwanda, said that over the past two years, the Bank has invested $2.5 billion in 28 projects, primarily in infrastructure sectors such as water and sanitation, transport, and energy.

Head of Development Finance Department at Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Gerald Mugabe, stated that the Government of Rwanda is prepared to continue improving project implementation.

IGIHE

These include Ghada Waly, Director General of UNOV; Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Gerd Müller, Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO); and Dr. Robert Floyd, Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO).

On November 11, 2025, during her meeting with Director General Waly, Amb. Bakuramutsa commended UNOV’s role as a coordination platform for Vienna-based UN entities and emphasized Rwanda’s collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in areas such as anti-corruption and crime prevention.

At the IAEA, discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in nuclear science and technology, underscoring its potential to drive socio-economic development in Rwanda.

Amb. Bakuramutsa emphasized Rwanda’s continued collaboration through the IAEA’s Technical Cooperation Programme and other IAEA flagship initiatives.

Amb. Bakuramutsa also paid a courtesy call to Dr. Driss El Hadani, Deputy Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), where discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in space science to support sustainable development.

On November 12, 2025, at UNIDO, Amb. Bakuramutsa met with Director General Gerd Müller.

The two officials discussed industrial cooperation for sustainable economic development and signed the project 'Strengthening Rwanda’s capacities to respond to industrial and natural hazards,' implemented by UNIDO in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior and the Fire and Rescue Brigade of the Rwanda National Police.

Also present during the ceremony was Ambassador Marek Szczygieł, Permanent Representative of Poland to UNIDO. The project is funded by Poland.

Amb. Bakuramutsa also presented her Letters of Credence to Dr. Robert Floyd, Executive Secretary of the CTBTO. Discussions focused on the role of the CTBTO in fostering global peace and security, and the scientific and research benefits of CTBTO data centers.

In addition to the credentials presentation, Amb. Bakuramutsa held several side meetings with senior IAEA officials to discuss ongoing technical cooperation and strategic partnerships.

These included exchanges with Dongxin Feng, Director of the FAO-IAEA Joint Center for Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture; Peri Lynne Johnson, IAEA Assistant Director General and Legal Advisor; Hua Liu, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Technical Cooperation Department; and Najat Mokhtar, IAEA Deputy Director General for Nuclear Sciences and Applications.

She also met with Victor C. Diwandja Djemba, Chief, UNIDO Regional Bureau for Africa, and engaged with representatives of the Rwandan community living in Austria.

Ambassador Urujeni Bakuramutsa met with officials including Ghada Waly, Director General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV).

Ambassador Urujeni Bakuramutsa also met with Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Ambassador Urujeni Bakuramutsa presenting credentials to Gerd Müller, Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

Ambassador Urujeni Bakuramutsa with Dr. Robert Floyd, Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO).

Amb. Bakuramutsa also paid a courtesy call to Dr. Driss El Hadani, Deputy Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA).

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Karirima Aimable Ngarambe

While most attention has focused on the railway linking Rwanda and Tanzania, plans also exist for connections with Kenya, Uganda, and South Sudan under the Northern Corridor initiatives.

The project, expected to facilitate trade and travel, is particularly significant for Rwanda, a landlocked country heavily reliant on regional transport routes.

The planned route from Rusumo to Kigali will pass through the Dubai Ports area in Kicukiro and extend 18 kilometres further to the new Kigali International Airport in Bugesera.

Signed in March 2018, the 532-kilometre railway agreement has seen construction advance on the Tanzanian side. However, work on the Rwandan section remains on hold pending finalisation of cross-border agreements.

Emmanuel Nuwamanya, acting Head of Policy and Planning at the Ministry of Infrastructure, told discussions organised by the African Development Bank on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, that Rwanda’s feasibility studies are complete.

'The studies will guide the construction process. Now, it is a matter of seeing neighbouring countries begin their sections,' he said.

Rwanda plans to invest over $1.5 billion in its segment, while Tanzania, which hosts the larger portion, is expected to contribute more than $2.5 billion.

Officials note the railway could reduce transport costs by up to 40%, easing the movement of goods in and out of Rwanda. For traders, the project is especially significant, as 70% of Rwanda’s imports and exports pass through the port of Dar es Salaam.

The project, long anticipated for over 20 years, is expected to strengthen regional trade links and integrate Rwanda more fully into East Africa’s transport network.

Emmanuel Nuwamanya, acting Head of Policy and Planning at the Ministry of Infrastructure, told discussions organised by the African Development Bank on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, that Rwanda’s feasibility studies are complete.

IGIHE

The DRC remains one of the countries most affected by food insecurity, with the situation particularly severe in the east, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, at a daily briefing.

According to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification analysis, the number is projected to rise to nearly 27 million people in the first half of 2026, he said.

Dujarric said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) remains deeply concerned about continued attacks against civilians in Beni and Lubero territories in North Kivu and also in Ituri province, with more than 1,000 people reportedly killed in the two provinces since the beginning of this year.

The impact on health services has been devastating, with at least six facilities attacked since the beginning of 2025 and a total of at least 28 health sites affected by armed attacks since 2024, said the spokesperson.

He said OCHA reiterated its call on all parties to respect international humanitarian law and ensure the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure.

Since January, the security situation in eastern DRC has worsened sharply amid renewed fighting involving the March 23 Movement rebel group, which seized several key towns, including Goma and Bukavu.

Humanitarian agencies say the escalating violence has displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians, deepening an already dire crisis.

Emergency food assistance is provided to displaced people in Goma in the eastern DR Congo. Photo by UN

Xinhua

The markers, damaged last year, are intended to prevent misunderstandings, accidental crossings, and help maintain stability in the area, Pokharel said in a statement.

The Blue Line, established by the UN in 2000 to confirm Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon, was further formalized with marker installations agreed to by Lebanon, Israel, and the UN in 2007.

Meanwhile, according to UNIFIL sources, Lebanese army intelligence, and local witnesses, the Israeli army has begun building a concrete wall at Jal al-Deir, behind a newly established military post in Mount al-Bat, about one kilometer inside Lebanese territory.

A Lebanese intelligence source said Israeli forces, backed by tanks, have completed roughly 35 meters of a six-meter-high wall.

However, the Israeli military told the Jewish News Syndicate that the barrier lies fully within Israeli territory, rejecting “unverified reports” of extensions beyond the Blue Line into southern Lebanon.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Wednesday that Beirut has yet to receive an official Israeli response to proposals for negotiations to reclaim occupied territory. “Talks have only addressed the principle of negotiation, not the details,” he said.

A ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, brokered by the United States and France, has been in effect since Nov. 27, 2024, largely ending the clashes triggered by the war in Gaza.

Despite the agreement, Israel continues occasional strikes in Lebanon, citing threats from Hezbollah, and maintains forces at five key points along the border after a Feb. 18 deadline for full withdrawal passed.

The markers, damaged last year, are intended to prevent misunderstandings, accidental crossings, and help maintain stability in the area.

Xinhua

The House voted 222-209 to pass the deal, two days after the Senate voted 60-40 to approve the spending package. The legislation now goes to President Donald Trump, who is expected to sign it soon.

The package would fund most federal agencies at current levels through Jan. 30, while providing full fiscal year funding for the Agriculture Department, the Veterans Affairs Department and military construction projects and the operations of Congress as well as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, whose funding was put in jeopardy amid the prolonged government shutdown.

The latest measure rescinds layoffs implemented by federal agencies since the government shutdown began on Oct. 1 and prohibits any further reductions in force before the expiration of the continuing resolution on Jan. 30.

The bill also provides back pay to all federal employees who did not receive pay during the shutdown. Although providing back pay after a shutdown is standard practice, Trump has warned that furloughed federal employees may not receive such payments.

As part of Democrats’ agreement to end the shutdown, Senate Majority Leader John Thune promised Senate Democrats a vote “no later than the second week in December” to enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies.

Some Democrats voiced objection, arguing that the agreement merely promises a vote and does not ensure the continuation of the subsidy, which is set to expire at the end of the year. Protecting health care benefits remains the Democrats’ central demand in the record-long shutdown standoff.

Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent who caucuses with Democrats, called the deal a “disaster,” saying that Democrats gained almost nothing from it except a symbolic vote on health insurance subsidies. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker wrote on X that this was not a deal but an “empty promise.”

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York is among those who voted against the package. However, some Democrats are still furious with him and believe that he should be removed from the leadership position.

U.S. media have widely described the eight Democrats as “caving in,” but the lawmakers said that their compromise with the Republicans was primarily driven by the fact that the government shutdown had already caused too much pain for the American people.

This package covers only three of the 12 annual appropriations bills Congress must pass each year, leaving nine bills to be finalized.

During the period when the temporary funding measure is in effect, both parties will continue negotiating the remaining appropriations, meaning the U.S. government could face another potential shutdown in just over two months.

The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday night passed a Senate-approved spending package, ending the congressional deadlock that led to the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

Xinhua

António Guterres was speaking at UN Headquarters in New York following the ninth conference between the global body and the African Union (AU).

The high-level talks focused on progress in implementing cooperation frameworks but also on joint action and challenges in the areas of peace, security, development, human rights and climate action.

'Cooperation between our organizations has never been stronger — or more necessary,' the Secretary-General said at a press briefing alongside the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.

'Our world is in turmoil, rocked by deadly conflicts, widening inequalities, climate chaos and runaway technologies. The impacts are felt deeply on the African continent.'

Youssouf said the partners have aligned their respective development agendas.

They also are working closely on flagship peace programmes, including the AU’s efforts to 'Silence the Guns’ by 2030, and are now 'very much involved' in advancing climate justice and energy transition.

He also highlighted commitment to work with all parties and stakeholders at the UN on Security Council reform.

'These reforms are indeed of paramount importance and would ultimately consolidate the multilateral system,' he said.

The two organizations also face financial strains and 'need to adapt our actions and programmes to the new realities.' They also must continue to support peace operations, the fight against terrorism, conflict prevention and resolution, and focus most of their efforts on humanitarian affairs.

The Secretary-General outlined three areas where decisive action is needed, starting with simply prioritizing Africa.

He noted that the Pact for the Future, adopted last year by Member States, also called for Africa to have permanent seats on the Security Council, 'correcting once and for all an intolerable injustice faced by the African continent.'

His second point concerned financing for development and innovation. Although Africa has vast resources, 'its progress is held back by an outdated and unfair global financial system,' he said.

'The time has come to reform this financial architecture — so it reflects the world of today and better serves the needs of developing countries, particularly in Africa.'

He recalled that 'African leadership helped secure the Sevilla Commitment,' an agreement reached by Member States this year, which includes steps to advance issues such as easing debt burdens and lowering borrowing costs.

The Secretary-General will urge the G20 group of industrialized nations 'to lead on these long-overdue reforms' when he attends their summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, later this month.

Finally, turning to investing in peace, the UN chief reaffirmed his full support for the Silencing the Guns initiative.

'And its time is now,' he added. 'Today, Africa is home to too many conflicts and too much suffering.'

On Sudan, he expressed grave concern over recent reports of mass atrocities and gross human rights violations in El Fasher and worsening violence in the Kordofans.

He also voiced alarm over rising insecurity in the Sahel, and highlighted other situations across the continent, including in Mali, South Sudan, Somalia, Libya and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

'The world must not turn its back on Africa, home to nearly one-fifth of humanity,' the UN chief underlined, warning that 'the stakes are too high. And the potential is too great.'

Secretary-General António Guterres (right) meets with Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission. UN Photo

IGIHE

Okowa will serve the remainder of Yusuf’s term, which runs until Feb. 5, 2027.

She is a Kenyan lawyer and professor of public international law at Queen Mary University of London and has served as a member of the UN International Law Commission since 2023.

Under the ICJ’s Statute, judges are elected by secret ballot in both the Security Council and the General Assembly.

To be elected, a candidate must obtain an absolute majority in both chambers, which vote concurrently but separately.

There were four candidates for the post. Okowa won after three rounds of voting in the Security Council and four rounds of voting in the General Assembly.

The Hague-based ICJ has 15 judges elected to nine-year terms of office. Judges are eligible for re-election. Should a judge die or resign during his or her term of office, a special election will be held to choose a judge to fill the unexpired part of the term.

The 15 judges must come from 15 different countries. The court as a whole must represent the main forms of civilization and the principal legal systems of the world.

A conference officer (woman in red) hands out ballots during a Security Council meeting to elect a judge for the International Court of Justice at the UN headquarters in New York, Nov. 12, 2025. Kenyan jurist Phoebe Okowa was elected a judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Wednesday to fill the seat vacated by Somalia’s Abdulqawi Yusuf, who resigned effective Sept. 30.

Kenyan jurist Phoebe Okowa was elected a judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Wednesday to fill the seat vacated by Somalia’s Abdulqawi Yusuf, who resigned effective Sept. 30.

Xinhua

He was speaking in Conakry, Guinea, on Wednesday, at the opening of the Transform Africa Summit (TAS) 2025, organised by the Smart Africa Alliance under the theme 'AI for Africa: Innovate Locally, Impact Globally.'

The Transform Africa Summit (TAS), held annually, brings together Heads of State, policymakers, and innovators to accelerate Africa’s ongoing digital revolution.

In his remarks, President Kagame said that Africa’s success in the age of artificial intelligence will depend not only on how fast countries deploy new technologies, but also on how well they apply them to solve real, local problems.

'Artificial intelligence, the theme of this year’s conversation, is a case in point. For Africa, success will not only depend on how quickly we deploy this new tool, but also on which problems we choose to apply it to,' he said.

He added that Rwanda has already laid the groundwork for a national AI policy aimed at guiding innovation in key sectors such as healthcare, education, and agriculture, with projections showing that AI could contribute up to 5 percent of Rwanda’s GDP in the near future.

Closing Africa’s digital gap

President Kagame noted that despite Africa’s youthful and tech-savvy population, many countries still face challenges in digital infrastructure, skills development, and regulatory frameworks.

'The investment deficit in digital infrastructure, skills, and regulatory framework is what slows us down. Closing these structural gaps requires close collaboration between the public and private sector,' he said.

He commended Smart Africa for spearheading initiatives such as the Africa Artificial Intelligence Council and the AI Fund, describing them as 'important foundations to advance our continent’s priorities.'

President Kagame also urged African nations not to be swayed by fears surrounding AI’s impact on jobs and privacy, noting that while some of these concerns are valid, they should not overshadow the transformative opportunities AI brings.

'Right now, there is a lot of uncertainty surrounding artificial intelligence, especially regarding the future of work, privacy, and safety. Some of it is completely unjustified, and some of it is just fear of the unknown,' he said.

'Regardless of the sentiment, this new reality is here to stay with us, and we must learn how to adapt and live with it.'

Technology won’t replace anyone

In a reassuring message, President Kagame emphasised that technological progress has historically uplifted, rather than replaced, humanity.

'This is not the first nor the last wave of technological progress that Africa and the world will witness,' he said.

'Science and technology are powerful engines of creativity and performance that are not here to replace anyone. Almost always, humanity has been better for it. Let’s make the most of these times.'

President Kagame arrived in Conakry on Tuesday, where he joined President Mamady Doumbouya for the launch of the Simandou Iron Ore Project, one of the largest ongoing mining initiatives in the world.

The Simandou deposit is regarded as the world’s largest known untapped iron ore reserve, estimated to contain between 3 and 4 billion tonnes of high-grade recoverable iron ore.

The project, expected to reach full production by 2030, will produce around 120 million tonnes of iron ore annually, positioning Guinea as a key player in the global mineral economy.

President Paul Kagame says science and technology are not here to replace people but to expand human creativity and strengthen performance, urging Africa to embrace the new wave of innovation with confidence and purpose.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

The Congolese army had previously stated that it was on a mission to eliminate the FDLR. However, skepticism surrounding this statement arises from the group’s longstanding ties with the Congolese army, which has collaborated with the militia for years.

The FDLR emerged in 2000, originating from the ALiR group. Its founders were former members of the Interahamwe, the militia responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, along with defeated soldiers (Ex-FAR) and some Rwandan refugees.

On June 27, 2025, Rwanda and the DRC, with the support of the United States, signed a peace agreement that included clauses for dismantling the FDLR. According to the Concept of Operations (CONOPS), before launching the operation, an awareness campaign would first urge the group’s fighters to surrender their weapons and prepare for repatriation.

On October 10, 2025, the DRC army called on FDLR fighters to surrender their arms to the DRC government or to the United Nations peacekeeping forces (MONUSCO). Following this, a group of DRC soldiers, led by Brigadier General Patrick Sasa Nzita, head of the country’s military intelligence, was sent to Walikale to lead a 'campaign' urging the FDLR fighters to disarm.

However, the soldiers reported that “no FDLR fighters were seen.” When asked why the campaign was conducted in areas where the fighters were not present, they explained that these areas were the closest to the militia’s main strongholds.

The wife of President Tshisekedi visited wounded FDLR soldiers at the Kokolo and Tshatshi military hospitals on January 25, 2025.

Where is the FDLR located?

FDLR fighters were initially based in various areas of North Kivu, such as Rutshuru and Masisi, but attacks by the AFC/M23 group forced them to retreat to remote areas controlled by the DRC army and local militias, including Wazalendo.

AFC/M23 has indicated that some FDLR fighters have sought refuge in South Kivu, where they are collaborating with Burundian forces and other groups to launch attacks on the Banyamulenge people in the Fizi, Uvira, and Mwenga territories.

According to Rwanda’s Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), senior leaders of the FDLR are located in the Walikale territory, areas controlled by the DRC government, such as Buhaya.

These leaders include FDLR President Lt Gen Gaston Iyamuremye and the group’s military commander, Pacifique Ntawunguka, also known as ‘Gen Omega.’

The DRC army has suggested that FDLR fighters are now located in areas controlled by AFC/M23, attempting to evade responsibility for dismantling the group, although it has not officially acknowledged this.

FDLR’s resistance to disarmament

In an interview with Radio France Internationale (RFI), Lt Col Octavien Mutimura, the spokesperson for FDLR-FOCA, reiterated the group’s stance that its fighters remain in the forests of the DRC to protect “abandoned Rwandan refugees.”

Lt Col Mutimura stated that the FDLR has no intention of laying down arms, asserting that its fighters are not afraid of potential attacks in the future.
He said, “We are here to defend ourselves and protect the abandoned Rwandan refugees. Asking us to lay down our arms without honoring our request is just a dream.”

Although the FDLR claims to be protecting Rwandan refugees, Rwanda continues to receive many individuals who were held captive by the group, with support from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

The Rwandan government reports that over 5,000 Rwandans have returned since January 2025, with 222 returning in the most recent repatriation on November 6, 2025.

The FDLR targets those it knows are planning to return to Rwanda, either killing them or subjecting them to severe punishments, including torture.

Ntawiha Feza, a returnee, shared her experience with IGIHE, saying, “I feel relieved because I have made it back home. I have three children. My husband was killed. We were about to return when they killed him, and I came back alone. I am hopeful we will live well now that we’re home.”

The wife of President Tshisekedi visited wounded FDLR soldiers at the Kokolo and Tshatshi military hospitals on January 25, 2025.

Fighters

As AFC/M23 resumed fighting in November 2021, the DRC government repeatedly claimed that the FDLR was a small group of aging fighters, incapable of threatening Rwanda’s security.

In September 2022, President Félix Tshisekedi stated that his country had disarmed hundreds of FDLR fighters more than twice, claiming this demonstrated political will. He further asserted that the FDLR was no longer a security threat.

However, the DRC army’s collaboration with this terrorist group has been confirmed by UN experts, who have documented the ongoing ties in reports approved by the UN Security Council.

Various reports estimate the number of FDLR fighters to be between 1,500 and 3,000. Lt Col Mutimura disputed these figures, stating that the number of fighters is much higher.

In June 2025, Rwanda’s military spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Ronald Rwivanga, stated that the FDLR’s fighters were estimated to number between 7,000 and 10,000. He also noted that when they expect an attack, they blend in with civilians to shield themselves.

Repeated shielding patterns

Under international pressure, in September 2024, the DRC army initiated operations aimed at dismantling FDLR strongholds in areas near the city of Sake, including Shove, Kimoka, Lupango, and Mubambiro.

Before these operations began, Gen Maj Peter Cirimwami, the then Governor of North Kivu, notified senior FDLR leaders, prompting them to relocate their positions.

On September 23 and 24, elite forces led by Lt Col Donatien Bawili carried out attacks in these areas. On September 25 and 26, the 11th Brigade, led by Gen Papi Lupende, also launched an assault in Rusayo. It was later revealed that the forces fighting the DRC army were members of the APCLS group, led by Janvier Karairi, not the FDLR.

While UN experts suggest that these attacks were not specifically targeting the FDLR, Lt Col Mutimura reported that the group lost “many fighters and significant equipment” during the September 2024 operations.

Lt Col Mutimura’s statement attempts to clarify that the FDLR is not collaborating with the DRC army, but strong evidence points to a partnership, particularly in the context of their shared fight against the AFC/M23.

On January 25, 2025, the wife of President Tshisekedi visited wounded soldiers being treated at the Kokolo and Tshatshi military hospitals. Among the injured, one soldier was found with a tattoo representing the elite FDLR unit, known as CRAP.

Various reports estimate the number of FDLR fighters to be between 1,500 and 3,000. Lt Col Mutimura disputed these figures, stating that the number of fighters is much higher.

IGIHE