Category: Uncategorized

Lecornu, a 39-year-old former defence minister and close ally of Macron, was France’s fifth prime minister in under two years. His resignation comes just 27 days after his appointment.

He had been appointed in late September following the collapse of François Bayrou’s government, which fell after parliament rejected its austerity budget aimed at cutting €44 billion in public spending.

In a brief statement outside the Hôtel de Matignon, Lecornu criticised political factions for their unwillingness to compromise.

'I was ready for compromise, but all parties wanted the other party to adopt their entire programme,' he said. He added that parties needed to 'cast some egos aside' to make governance work.

The new cabinet, announced on Sunday evening, provoked immediate backlash from both allies and opponents. Critics argued it was either too right-wing or insufficiently reformist, raising doubts about its viability in a fragmented parliament where no party holds a majority.

Several groups have since called for early elections, with far-right National Rally leaders Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella urging Macron to dissolve the National Assembly.

The resignation has sent shockwaves through France’s financial markets. Paris stocks fell sharply, with Societe Generale dropping over 6% and BNP Paribas and Credit Agricole also down, while the CAC 40 index closed 1.5% lower. The euro weakened against both the dollar and sterling, and French government borrowing costs rose to levels last seen during the previous political stalemate.

France’s political turbulence has persisted since snap parliamentary elections in July 2024 produced a hung parliament. Attempts to govern have repeatedly faltered, leaving Macron facing mounting pressure to stabilise the country ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon called for Macron’s impeachment, while the far-right pushed for new elections, signalling that the country’s political crisis shows no immediate signs of easing.

Lecornu’s resignation marks one of the shortest tenures for a French prime minister in recent history and brings to the fore the ongoing fragility of governance in Paris.

Sébastien Lecornu, a 39-year-old former defence minister and close ally of Macron, was France’s fifth prime minister in under two years. His resignation comes just 27 days after his appointment.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

According to the statement, the foreign ministers of the eight countries welcomed “the steps taken by Hamas regarding Trump’s proposal to end the war in Gaza, release all hostages, alive or deceased, and the immediate launch of negotiations on implementation mechanisms,” it said.

They further commended Hamas’s announcement of “its readiness to hand over the administration of Gaza to a transitional Palestinian administrative committee of independent technocrats,” emphasizing the need for the immediate launch of negotiations to agree on mechanisms to implement the proposal and address all of its aspects.

The foreign ministers also welcomed Trump’s call on Israel to “immediately stop the bombing and to begin implementation of the exchange agreement,” expressing appreciation for his commitment to establishing peace in the region.

The ministers affirmed that these developments represent “a real opportunity to achieve a comprehensive and sustainable ceasefire and to address the critical humanitarian conditions facing people in the Gaza Strip.”

The foreign ministers reiterated their joint commitment to supporting efforts to implement the proposal, end the war in Gaza, and reach “a comprehensive agreement” ensuring unrestricted humanitarian aid, no displacement of Palestinians, and the protection of civilians.

They also called for the return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza, unifying Gaza and the West Bank, full Israeli withdrawal, Gaza’s reconstruction, and a just peace based on the two-state solution.

The joint statement came a day after Egypt announced that it would host Israeli and Hamas delegations on Monday to discuss field arrangements and details for the exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners under Trump’s ceasefire proposal.

Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians and injured nearly 170,000 others since Oct. 7, 2023, according to an update by Gaza’s health authorities, in addition to destroying infrastructure and causing famine in the enclave.

Xinhua

At the heart of this transformation is the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), which oversees national economic development and ensures that tourism functions as a strategic pillar rather than a peripheral industry. The “Visit Rwanda” initiative is tasked with promoting the country’s natural and cultural assets while ensuring that tourism benefits local communities and preserves critical wildlife ecosystems.

Tourism contributed a record Frw 1.9 trillion (9.8% of GDP) in 2024, a 17.7% increase over pre-pandemic levels. Central to this success is Rwanda’s high-value, low-volume model, which prioritises conservation and attracts affluent travellers seeking luxury eco-tourism experiences, such as gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.

Tourism contributed a record Frw 1.9 trillion (9.8% of GDP) in 2024, a 17.7% increase over pre-pandemic levels.

By linking tourism revenue to wildlife preservation and community benefit, Rwanda has transformed its natural capital into a premium, sustainable offering that ensures long-term economic resilience.

Global recognition through sports diplomacy

Beyond traditional marketing, Rwanda has leveraged elite sports partnerships to enhance its international recognition. Collaborations with European football clubs such as Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Bayern Munich, and Atlético de Madrid, along with more recent partnerships with U.S. sports franchises including the LA Clippers and LA Rams, have placed the country firmly on the global stage.

The Los Angeles Rams and NBA’s LA Clippers are the latest partners of the Visit Rwanda brand.

The Arsenal partnership, launched in 2018, alone reaches millions of fans worldwide through stadium branding and broadcast coverage, with a reported annual value exceeding $12 million. PSG’s partnership, renewed through 2028, extends Rwanda’s influence into youth development, education, and cultural exchange, including initiatives like the PSG Academy Rwanda.

Additionally, Bayern Munich and Atlético de Madrid further consolidate visibility across Germany, Spain, and Latin America, while U.S. sports deals connect Rwanda with high-net-worth American audiences.

The Arsenal partnership, launched in 2018, alone reaches millions of fans worldwide through stadium branding and broadcast coverage, with a reported annual value exceeding $12 million.

These partnerships serve dual purposes: generating extensive international media coverage and showcasing Rwanda’s economic strength and stability to the global investment community. By partnering with world-renowned, financially robust institutions, Rwanda reinforces its image as a modern, trustworthy economy and a prime destination for foreign direct investment (FDI).

Tangible economic impact

The branding strategy has produced measurable results. Tourism revenues surpassed $620 million in 2023 and grew to $647 million in 2024, driven by a 27% increase in gorilla tourism revenue and an 11% rise in air travel. The sector directly supported nearly 386,000 jobs, benefiting hospitality, service, and rural communities.

Rwanda’s gorilla trekking luxury lodges.

FDI has similarly surged, with total inflows reaching $716.5 million in 2023, a 44.3% increase from the previous year.

Strategic visibility through sports partnerships has also helped attract investment for major infrastructure projects, including the greenfield Bugesera International Airport, designed to handle 14 million passengers annually by 2028. This airport, alongside roads, hotels, and logistics projects, is set to catalyse further tourism and business development.

Soft power and human capital development

The initiative’s benefits extend beyond financial metrics. Partnerships with PSG and Bayern Munich have facilitated skills transfer, mentorship, and youth development, creating a pipeline of talent that elevates Rwanda’s human capital. The PSG Academy Rwanda, for instance, produced the country’s U13 team that won the PSG Academy World Cup in 2022, showcasing Rwanda’s rising youth potential on an international stage.

Partnerships with PSG and Bayern Munich have facilitated skills transfer, mentorship, and youth development, creating a pipeline of talent that elevates Rwanda’s human capital.

Domestic buy-in is also crucial. By channelling investments into local communities and job creation, Rwanda ensures that high-profile campaigns garner public support and link global visibility to tangible national development.

Resilience amid criticism

The high-profile partnerships have often attracted scrutiny, with critics citing the costs and alleging 'sportswashing' aimed at “polishing” Rwanda’s image abroad. Officials have consistently dismissed these claims, defending the strategy as a long-term investment in national branding, economic growth, and youth development.

Tensions with the Democratic Republic of Congo over alleged funding sources have added a geopolitical dimension. Despite calls for termination from the DRC, Rwanda has maintained its agreements, highlighting the strategic resilience and enduring value of the partnerships.

Looking ahead, Rwanda’s future growth will hinge on diversifying tourism offerings, including luxury resorts, golf courses, and experiential centres, while leveraging sports partnerships to expand the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector. Strategic infrastructure projects like Bugesera Airport will further enable high-yield tourism and business travel, translating global recognition into sustainable economic development.

The “Visit Rwanda” initiative exemplifies how developing economies can leverage strategic global partnerships to amplify their voice, attract investment, and drive comprehensive national growth. By aligning tourism, conservation, youth development, and infrastructure, Rwanda has positioned itself as a model of how destination branding can intersect with economic diplomacy to deliver tangible and intangible returns.

Rwanda’s “Visit Rwanda” initiative has rapidly evolved from a tourism promotion campaign into a cornerstone of the country’s economic diplomacy, leveraging global partnerships to secure recognition, attract investment, and drive sustainable growth.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

The remarks, made during an RTNC program hosted by Minister of Information and Government Spokesperson Patrick Muyaya, urged medical professionals not to treat anyone associated with M23 and, if necessary, to kill them.

Human rights organisations and civil society groups have condemned the statements, warning that such rhetoric risks turning ethnic discrimination in healthcare into a weapon of war. Doctors, they note, are sworn to treat all patients without bias.

Analysts suggest Abdallah’s comments are part of a broader pattern of hate speech in the DRC, targeting Tutsi communities and specifically members of AFC/M23, including professionals such as doctors. In North and South Kivu, some Tutsis have reportedly begun avoiding certain hospitals due to rising ethnic hostility.

Human rights groups in Kinshasa and Goma have called on the government to publicly condemn the remarks and hold Abdallah accountable, emphasising that all Congolese, regardless of political or ethnic affiliation, are entitled to equal access to healthcare.

Bruno Lemarquis, Deputy Special Representative to the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), recently condemned the spread of hate speech, noting that it undermines unity and fuels conflict.

'Hate speech continues to permeate daily life, families, and social media, often sparking discrimination and threatening reconciliation efforts,' he said.

The rhetoric has intensified following renewed clashes involving the AFC/M23 rebel movement, which advocates for the rights of Kinyarwanda-speaking Tutsi Congolese. Some senior officials have labelled the communities as foreigners due to their language, fueling rising tensions and reinforcing perceptions of Tutsis as enemies.

Videos circulating in recent years have depicted attacks on Tutsi civilians, highlighting fears about escalating ethnic violence in the region.

RTNC media personality Yves Abdallah Makanga has drawn widespread condemnation after calling on doctors to commit violent acts against leaders of the AFC/M23 alliance and their families.

IGIHE

“Hamas must move quickly, or else all bets will be off,” he said in a Truth Social post. “I will not tolerate delay … Let’s get this done, FAST.”

In a separate post on Saturday, the president said that after negotiations, Israel has agreed to the initial withdrawal line, which has been shown to Hamas.

“When Hamas confirms, the Ceasefire will be IMMEDIATELY effective, the Hostages and Prisoner Exchange will begin, and we will create the conditions for the next phase of withdrawal,” he added.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he hopes to announce the release of all hostages from Gaza “in the coming days” as indirect talks with Hamas continued in Egypt on Monday on a new U.S. plan to end the war.

In a brief statement late Saturday, Netanyahu mentioned he has sent a delegation to Egypt “to finalize technical details,” adding that “our goal is to contain these negotiations to a timeframe of a few days.”

On Friday, Trump said that Hamas must accept the 20-point peace plan on Gaza by 6 p.m. Eastern Time (2200 GMT) on Sunday, otherwise “all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas.” Hamas announced later that it had accepted the proposal in principle and was ready to open mediated talks, a response broadly welcomed by the international community, which urged both sides to seize the chance to end the war and ease civilian suffering.

The 20-point plan outlines a ceasefire-for-hostages deal, a phased Israeli withdrawal, a demilitarized Gaza, and international oversight of Gaza’s reconstruction and governance after the end of the conflict. Hamas will be excluded from the governance structure.

Under the ceasefire terms, Israel will halt military actions and pull back to the agreed lines. Hamas, within 72 hours of Israel publicly accepting the agreement, must release all hostages, alive and deceased. In return, Israel will free 250 life sentence prisoners plus 1,700 Gazans who were detained after Oct. 7, 2023. Disarmed Hamas members who commit to peaceful coexistence will be given amnesty and those who wish to leave Gaza will be provided safe passage to receiving countries.

President Donald Trump says Israel has temporarily stopped the bombing in the Gaza Strip to give hostage release and the 20-point peace deal a chance to be completed.

Xinhua

A group of young Rwandans living in South Africa has visited their homeland for the first time, participating in a 10-day programme designed to educate them about Rwanda’s history and development.

The visit, organised under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation’s 'Come and See, Go and Tell' initiative, aimed to help Rwandans born or raised abroad connect with their roots and share their experiences with others.

During the programme, the youth toured key historical and cultural sites, including the Kigali Genocide Memorial and the Museum of the Struggle to Stop the Genocide. They learned about the events leading to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and the role of the Rwandan Patriotic Front in ending it.

Sixteen-year-old Kazenga Rukundo said the trip gave him a deeper understanding of Rwanda.

'Where we live in South Africa, we don’t know much about our country. I came here to learn so I can return with knowledge of where I come from. I will tell others about how safe Rwanda is and how forgiveness was extended to those involved in the genocide — it’s a lesson other countries could learn from,' he said.

Faith Aisha, another participant, said the visit inspired her to consider working in Rwanda, noting the country’s peaceful environment and opportunities for development.

'I am pleased there is peace, no noise, and the atmosphere is welcoming. It’s a place I would enjoy working in,' she said.

Lehumo Ivan Umutoni encouraged other Rwandans born abroad to visit the country, saying the experience helped him appreciate Rwanda’s culture and history.

'Rwanda is a beautiful and safe country. Everyone who has never visited should take the opportunity to see it,' he said.

The youth will also be assisted in obtaining official Rwandan documents, helping them strengthen their ties with the country.

Maziyateke Sandrine, Director of Rwanda Community Abroad at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, described the programme as an important step in connecting diaspora youth to their homeland.

'This initiative helps children of Rwandans born abroad learn about their country and encourages them to share that knowledge with others. We are hopeful that future visits will see even greater participation,' she said.

The 10-day programme includes visits to multiple sites highlighting Rwanda’s history, culture, and development achievements.

When the youth were received at the Kigali Genocide Memorial.

The youth were briefed on the historical events that led to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

Sixteen-year-old Kazenga Rukundo expressed excitement at visiting Rwanda as his homeland, noting that the trip would help him gain a deeper understanding of the country.

Lehumo Ivan Umutoni said that Rwandans born abroad who have never visited the country are missing out on a lot.

The youth laid wreaths and paid tribute to the victims interred at the memorial.

Following the memorial visit, the youth group leader stressed the importance of preventing a repeat of such atrocities.

The group also visited the Campaign Against Genocide Museum.

Murekatete Husna as she took in the view of Kigali city.

Lehumo Ivan Umutoni emphasised that the level of safety in Rwanda is unmatched elsewhere.

Sixteen-year-old Kazenga Rukundo expressed delight at how safe Rwanda is.

The youth were also promised assistance in obtaining Rwandan identification documents.

Photos: Habyarimana Raoul

IGIHE

In a post on X on Saturday night, October 4, Government Spokesperson Yolande Makolo said the Rwandan delegation in Washington, D.C. was fully prepared to sign the framework, describing it as beneficial to both nations and the wider Great Lakes region.

'The Rwandan delegation in Washington, D.C. this week was ready to sign the Regional Economic Integration Framework (REIF), which benefits both our countries and the region,' Makolo wrote.

'We are puzzled by the DRC’s last-minute decision not to sign the agreement, given the positive atmosphere of the negotiations during which the text of the REIF was finalised, and the diligent mediation work of Senior Advisor Massad Boulos and the State Department.'

Makolo added that while progress had been made under the Peace Agreement signed in June, the DRC had refused to proceed with certain security commitments until specific actions discussed at the Joint Oversight Committee (JOC) meeting earlier in the week were implemented.

That meeting, held on October 1, 2025, in Washington, D.C., brought together representatives from Rwanda, the DRC, the United States, Qatar, Togo (as the African Union facilitator), and the African Union Commission.

According to a joint communiqué issued by the U.S. State Department, the parties discussed concrete steps to neutralise the FDLR militia group and advance the lifting of Rwanda’s defensive measures in line with the peace roadmap. The FDLR was formed by the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, and the Government of Rwanda maintains that the group’s genocidal ideology poses a grave security threat to the Great Lakes region.

The Committee also finalised an Operation Order for the Joint Security Coordination Mechanism and confirmed October 1 as its start date, with both sides reaffirming commitments to refrain from hostile rhetoric.

However, the communiqué also acknowledged rising tensions in Uvira and Walikale, where the AFC/M23 rebel coalition continues to accuse the Kinshasa administration of targeting civilian populations through drone attacks despite a declared ceasefire. The Congolese government has also faced accusations of using foreign mercenaries in its conflict with the M23, in contradiction to ongoing peace efforts. The Committee urged calm and restraint by all actors, warning that renewed hostilities could undermine the fragile progress achieved through recent diplomacy.

Despite the setback on the REIF, Rwanda reaffirmed its commitment to the peace process and the U.S.-mediated approach.

'Rwanda believes in the peace agreement and in the approach of the U.S. mediation, and hopes that the REIF will eventually be signed,' Makolo said. 'The peace process must succeed. It is the best chance for stability and economic development for our region.'

A blueprint for shared prosperity

The Regional Economic Integration Framework (REIF), first announced in August 2025, was designed to strengthen economic cooperation between Rwanda and the DRC while supporting regional peace efforts.

The framework, finalised after the Washington Declaration of Principles and aligned with the June Peace Agreement, outlines joint commitments in key sectors, including mineral governance, energy, infrastructure, tourism, and public health.

Both countries had agreed to combat the illicit mineral trade, formalise artisanal and small-scale mining, and promote transparency in the critical minerals sector, including tin, tantalum, tungsten, niobium, and gold. The framework also envisions cooperation in energy generation through projects such as Ruzizi III and methane gas extraction from Lake Kivu, as well as infrastructure development linked to the Lobito Corridor.

Further provisions include collaboration on cross-border conservation, tourism, and public health, alongside expanded cooperation in sectors such as agribusiness, education, and ICT.

Officials had described the REIF as a 'living platform' for sustained economic collaboration, expected to complement security stabilisation under the Washington peace roadmap.

Hopes for renewed momentum

The DRC’s hesitation to sign the REIF comes at a delicate time for regional diplomacy, as both nations work to implement the June 2025 Peace Agreement under U.S. mediation. The agreement’s success is seen as crucial to stabilising eastern Congo and creating conditions for long-term economic recovery.

Rwanda has expressed optimism that the framework will eventually move forward. 'The peace process must succeed,' Makolo reiterated, framing economic integration as inseparable from the region’s broader security and development goals.

The next Joint Oversight Committee meeting is expected to take place later this month following sessions of the Joint Security Coordination Mechanism, with hopes that discussions will restore momentum toward implementing both the peace and economic integration agreements.

Government Spokesperson Yolande Makolo said the Rwandan delegation in Washington, D.C. was fully prepared to sign the framework, describing it as beneficial to both nations and the wider Great Lakes region.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

The ceremony, held in Gisenyi on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, North Kivu, brought together senior commanders of the Congolese Revolutionary Army (ARC) under the leadership of Major General Sultani Makenga.

The new recruits showcased their combat readiness through synchronised parades, tactical manoeuvres, martial arts, and live-fire demonstrations.

Makenga, who presided over the event, hailed the recruits as 'revolutionaries of change,' commending their discipline, endurance, and loyalty to the movement’s mission. He urged them to uphold professionalism and integrity, warning that 'corruption, tribalism, drug abuse and sexual violence will never be tolerated within the ARC.'

Addressing the recruits in Swahili, Makenga called on them to view their mission as a national duty to restore dignity and unity to a nation he described as 'broken by years of poor governance and discrimination.'

'From today, you have become a true army — an army of liberation and deliverance, fighting to bring meaningful change to our country,' he declared.

'We have risen to provide genuine leadership to our nation, one that values discipline, patriotism, and service to the people.'

Makenga emphasised that the new force must distinguish itself from other armed factions by maintaining strong ties with civilians and avoiding abuses against local communities.

'You will be respected as guardians of change only through your actions,' he said. 'The people must see you as liberators, not as bandits. If you act otherwise, you will face consequences.'

He further urged the soldiers to remain united and steadfast, pledging continued training and logistical support for those deployed to various battlefronts.

'Our country must be freed through collective effort,' he added. 'Let us rebuild a professional and people-centred army — one that earns the respect of the nation.'

The graduation comes just weeks after a separate batch of over 7,000 fighters completed training under the same command.

According to AFC/M23 officials, the expansion signals a new phase in the movement’s reorganisation, positioning it as a structured and disciplined force with ambitions to 'defend the Congolese people and build a new, united, and respected Congo.'

The AFC/M23 rebel coalition controls large swathes of territory in the eastern DRC, including the cities of Goma and Bukavu, which were seized earlier this year after a protracted conflict. The group accuses President Felix Tshisekedi’s administration of marginalising Kinyarwanda-speaking communities and poor governance.

IGIHE

For some spectators like Gentille Abimpaye, who found the official name of the event a bit long, simply calling it 'UCI' was enough while they enjoyed the thrilling competition that turned Kigali’s clean streets into a celebration.

On September 27, fans witnessed the women’s under-19 and elite women’s races. That day, late-term pregnant Abimpaye, had gone to watch the finish line at the Kigali Convention Centre in Kimihurura.

By early afternoon, labor pains started. An ambulance quickly rushed her to Kacyiru Hospital, where she received immediate medical care.

'I didn’t have health insurance, I didn’t have anything with me, but they welcomed me and didn’t turn me away. They helped me so much. I am truly grateful! They assisted me through labor, and I gave birth to a baby girl at around 11 p.m. I had no clothes for the baby, but they provided them instantly. I had no food or porridge, but they took care of me and did everything possible,' Abimpaye said.

The championship — the first of its kind ever held in Rwanda and Africa — thrilled many Rwandans who followed it closely. For Abimpaye, the experience was extraordinary because she witnessed the athletes sprinting to the finish line at KCC just hours before giving birth.

Since labor began while she was cheering for the cyclists and delivered on the same day, she decided to name her daughter Ange UCI Noella, a name she says will forever remind her of the historic competition in Kigali.

'I named her 'UCI’ because I was cheering for the last cyclist coming in; I raised my hands like everyone else, but when I tried to lower and lift them again, I felt labor starting. I was rushed to the hospital and gave birth before midnight, still on the same day. This will always remind me that my daughter was born during the World Road Cycling Championships,' she explained.

Her husband, Ildephonse Ntarwimo, praised Kacyiru Hospital’s management for helping his wife despite her lacking the usual documentation required for maternity admission.

'We owe everything to the good leadership of His Excellency the President of the Republic. Without it, such quality healthcare services would not be possible,' he said.

Reflecting on the experience, Abimpaye admitted she made a mistake by not carrying essential items in case labor started unexpectedly, even though she knew her due date was near. She advised expectant mothers to always be prepared.

Abimpaye and her husband hailed excellent services recieved at Kacyiru Hospital.

Abimpaye named her baby girl Ange UCI Noella, inspired by the historic UCI Road World Championships in Kigali.

IGIHE

When the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) saw that every peaceful attempt to protect vulnerable Tutsi and secure the right of return had failed, its leaders resolved on a final, irreversible step: to launch an armed struggle for freedom and a new vision for the nation.

That struggle began on October 1, 1990, when troops of the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA), the military wing of the RPF, crossed the border from Uganda into Rwanda.

As the war began, President Juvénal Habyarimana, the then Rwandan head of state, moved quickly to seek external military help. He first turned to Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire, current DRC, but most significantly to French President François Mitterrand, who responded immediately and sent a special detachment of elite French troops.

According to John Burton Kegel in his book 'The Liberation Struggle: War and Militarism in African History’, on October 3, 1990 at about 5:00 p.m., France decided to dispatch 300 elite forces.

Two military aircrafts were prepared in France to fly the soldiers first to Bangui, Central African Republic, where France maintained a staging post, before heading for Kigali.

These same elite forces had previously become famous in French military history for the 1978 Kolwezi mission in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The first plane left France at 3:00 a.m. on October 4, followed by a second at 5:45 a.m heading for Bangui staging post.

By 3:00 p.m. on October 4, two C-160 Transall aircrafts took off from Bangui bound for Kigali.

How French troops arrived with fear and uncertainty

Though elite and well-trained, the French soldiers themselves were uneasy about what awaited them in Rwanda.

According to Kegel, the French soldiers were unsure whether Kigali airport would be clear for landing, that the troops had all donned their parachutes in case an airborne assault proved necessary.

By the time the aircraft approached Rwanda, the pilots had been able to establish communications with the control tower of Kigali airport and were assured by French military personnel who were already stationed in the country as advisers to the FAR, known as the Mission d’assistance militaire (MAM), that a parachute assault would not be necessary.

The aircraft landed safely at 6:45 p.m., and the troops disembarked.

How the arrival fed Habyarimana’s narrative

The French soldiers were told they had been deployed because RPA units were only about 60 kilometers from Kigali. Yet, that evening, Habyarimana’s government claimed Kigali itself had come under RPA attack — a claim Kegel and other historians say was false and part of a political tactic.

French historian Bernard Lugan explains that FAR troops in Kigali, gripped by panic, began firing wildly, thinking an assault was imminent. The chaotic shooting created the impression of a battle, which Habyarimana used to justify mass arrests of Tutsi in Kigali, accusing them of being rebel collaborators.

A hidden internal crisis and attempted coup

Another layer emerged that night. Belgian ambassador Johan Swinnen later recalled that amid the gunfire, some FAR soldiers attempted to overthrow Habyarimana himself.

According to Swinnen, there had long been discontent in segments of the army, and the initial hours of confusion during the RPA attack gave dissidents an opportunity to move against the president. The U.S. Embassy had even been warned of possible unrest inside FAR ranks.

The attempted coup failed, but the night of October 4, 1990, became a turning point: it showed how fragile the then Rwandan army’s cohesion was.

The RPA, still consolidating after its surprise entry, faced not only the FAR counterattacks but now a foreign professional force backing the Rwandan government. Yet despite these pressures and the early setbacks after Maj Gen Fred Rwigyema’s death, the RPA adapted and the liberation struggle continued.

France sent special forces to reinforce Habyarimana on October 4.

Two military aircrafts were prepared in France to fly the soldiers first to Bangui, Central African Republic, where France maintained a staging post, before heading for Kigali.

IGIHE