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The discussion took place on January 5, 2026, as lawmakers reviewed a draft law amending existing road use regulations. A central provision of the draft is the introduction of a points-based penalty system, which will be managed using technology.

Concerns over implementation

MP Mukabalisa Germaine questioned how the system would operate. 'Will penalties be consistent, or could a driver be penalised multiple times?”

While supporting the system, she noted its potential benefits for insurance companies, which often require proof of good driving behaviour, but stressed the need for careful implementation.

MP Nizeyimana Pie proposed a transitional period to help drivers adapt. 'I recommend a three-month training period so drivers understand the system without immediate penalties. This will better equip them to follow the rules,' he said.

MP Nyirabazayire highlighted that while the law links penalties to the vehicle owner, the system must ensure the person who actually committed the offence is the one penalised.

'Points should be deducted from the record of the driver who committed the offence, not someone else. The system must ensure the right person is penalised,' Nyirabazayire added.

MP Mukabunani Christine sought clarification on the criteria for point deductions and the process for license suspension or revocation, while MP Ngiruwosanga suggested linking the points system to existing infrastructure to prevent unfair penalties.

Government clarifies system

The Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Security Committee, Amb. Tumukunde Hope Gasatura, explained that the system is new and that additional details will be provided in a Ministerial decree.

Minister of Infrastructure, Dr. Jimmy Gasore, emphasised that the points system is intended to promote responsible driving rather than serve as punishment. He explained that drivers will start each year with 15 points, which will be deducted automatically based on violations. If a driver’s points fall below one, their license will be temporarily suspended until they regain sufficient points.

The draft law categorises traffic offences by severity, with points deducted accordingly. Drivers who flee the scene of an accident will lose six points, while failing to use a speed governor will result in a five-point deduction.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs carries a four-point penalty, and offences such as speeding, driving without a license, or ignoring traffic signals will lead to a three-point deduction. Lesser violations, including driving an uninsured vehicle or using a mobile phone while driving, will result in a two-point deduction.

Minister of Infrastructure, Dr. Jimmy Gasore, explained that the system for deducting points from drivers is not intended as a punishment, but as a measure to promote responsible behaviour among road users.

The discussion took place on January 5, 2026, as lawmakers reviewed a draft law amending existing road use regulations.

The discussion took place on January 5, 2026, as lawmakers reviewed a draft law amending existing road use regulations.

The Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Security Committee, Amb. Tumukunde Hope Gasatura, explained that the system is new and that additional details will be provided in a Ministerial decree.

MP Ngiruwosanga suggested linking the points system to existing infrastructure to prevent unfair penalties.

MP Nizeyimana Pie proposed a transitional period to help drivers adapt.

MP Mukabunani Christine sought clarification on the nature of the penalties and how they would be enforced.

IGIHE

Voter turnout was approximately 52.43% in the December 28, 2025, elections, which included presidential, legislative, regional, and municipal votes. The final results will be confirmed by the Constitutional Court in mid-January.

Analysts credit Touadéra’s victory to his efforts to restore peace and security in a country long plagued by armed groups and civil conflict. These efforts were bolstered by support from Rwandan and Russian forces, which helped the government regain control over much of the territory.

Following the pacification of key armed factions, Touadéra’s administration negotiated peace agreements aimed at ending hostilities and promoting collaboration on national development projects.

During his campaign, Touadéra highlighted that while his nine years in office had brought significant progress, challenges remained that he aimed to address in a third term. The election outcome suggests that a majority of citizens continue to place their confidence in his leadership.

Touadéra has been in power since March 2016. He was permitted to run for a third term following a constitutional amendment in 2023, which was upheld by the Supreme Court in November 2025.

Faustin-Archange Touadéra, President of the Central African Republic, has been re-elected with 76.15% of the vote, according to a provisional announcement by the National Election Authority on Monday night. His main rival, Anicet-Georges Dologuélé, received 14.66%, based on the preliminary results.

Rania Umutoni

Speaking at an engagement ceremony in Uasin Gishu County on Saturday, January 3, the Head of State said the government is drafting a law that would make drug-related offences a capital crime, punishable by hanging. He emphasised that the legislation is a response to the failure of current penalties, which have not deterred traffickers and have left communities and families vulnerable to the devastating impact of drugs.

'For all these people who are involved in the illicit alcohol trade, we are going to change the law. In the past, we had a law with a clause that if you were caught selling substances, including hard drugs such as heroin, the only penalty was a fine of Ksh1 million (approximately 11 million Rwandan francs). Now we are changing that so that you can be hanged,' Ruto said.

He added that the law will also empower authorities to confiscate assets obtained through illicit drug and alcohol trade, including vehicles and property.

The President called on Members of Parliament to support the new legislation, noting that over five million Kenyans are affected by drug and alcohol abuse, which he described as a national crisis that threatens the country’s social and economic development.

The announcement follows Ruto’s plans to strengthen the government’s law enforcement response. In his New Year’s address at Eldoret State Lodge on December 31, the President outlined plans to establish a robust Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU) within the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). The unit, he said, will be trained to operate at the level of Kenya’s elite Anti-Terrorism Police Unit, with capabilities in intelligence, surveillance, forensics, and financial investigations.

Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen supported the move, noting that countries such as the Philippines, Malaysia, and China impose the death penalty for serious drug offences.

'We cannot achieve first-world status while the most productive generation is being wiped out by drugs and alcohol,' he said, highlighting the ineffectiveness of current fines in curbing trafficking.

Murkomen added that the government’s crackdown will target major drug barons and operators of illicit alcohol, with special attention to young people from well-off families who are increasingly becoming addicted.

Currently, one in every six Kenyans aged 15 to 65 uses at least one substance, with alcohol being the most prevalent, affecting over 3.2 million people.

President William Ruto has proposed introducing the death penalty for individuals involved in the sale and trafficking of hard drugs and illicit alcohol, in a move aimed at tackling Kenya’s escalating substance abuse.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

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