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The assault on the Abu Shouk camp included shelling and the execution of people in their homes, the El Fasher Resistance Committees, an anti-war activist group, said in a statement. Another volunteer group, the Abu Shouk Camp Emergency Room, reported at least 40 dead and 19 injured.

The attack came as the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and allied factions said they had repelled a major, multi-pronged ground assault by the RSF on the city. The army and its allies claimed to have inflicted heavy losses on the RSF, killing more than 200 fighters and destroying or capturing dozens of combat vehicles.

Residents said the fighting began early on Monday with intense RSF shelling on several areas, including the army headquarters and the Abu Shouk camp, before ground assaults began from the city’s east, southeast, and north.

The RSF did not immediately comment on the allegations.

El Fasher, the last major city in the vast Darfur region not under RSF control, has been the epicentre of the conflict since May. The war in Sudan erupted in April 2023 over a power struggle between the SAF and the RSF, devastating the country’s infrastructure, killing tens of thousands, displacing millions, and creating a severe humanitarian crisis.

A girl prepares food at a displacement camp in El Fasher, North Darfur region, Sudan, on July 9, 2025. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said Friday that the number of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in Sudan’s North Darfur region has doubled as a result of the country’s ongoing military conflict. (UNICEF/Handout via Xinhua)

Xinhua

According to the district, this activity has created employment for 9,650 people through 36 licensed companies operating in the sector.

Several rivers host multiple licensed mining sites, including the Sebeya River, which has four sand mining sites, and the Koko River, which has three.

Rutsiro District Executive Secretary, Pierre Claver Bagirishya, told IGIHE that sand mining generated substantial revenue, accounting for about 39% of the district’s total income, which reached 1.15 billion Rwandan Francs in the 2024/25 financial year.

'For the 2024/25 fiscal year, we had projected tax revenues of 1,115 million Frw, but we exceeded that target, reaching 1,150 million Frw, achieving a performance rate of 103%,' he said.

He added that for the 2025/26 fiscal year, the district aims to raise total tax and fee collections to Frw 1,400 million.

Residents say the activity has improved their livelihoods while contributing to the district’s development.

Tumaini Habumugisha, from Gihango Sector, said the income he earned enabled him to buy two pigs and more than ten chickens, ensuring his family never lacks food.

He also noted that on a single mining site along the Koko River, between 300 and 400 people work daily to support their families.

Another resident, Augustin Uwiringiyimana, said income from sand mining allowed him to build a home.

'I did not have a house before, but now I have built one with two bedrooms and a living room thanks to the income from digging and packing sand,' he explained.

The majority of the district’s tax revenue—over Frw 450 million —comes from sand mining, making it the largest contributor, followed by land fees.

Other revenue streams include payments for trading licences, property taxes, rental income taxes, leasing of government property, and fines.

Sand mining from rivers in Rutsiro District generated taxes and fees amounting to 450,979,241 Rwandan Francs during the 2024/25 fiscal year.

Several rivers host multiple licensed mining sites, including the Sebeya River, which has four sand mining sites, and the Koko River, which has three.

IGIHE

Ukraine’s new round of drone attacks hit a helium production plant in Russia’s Orenburg area, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported Tuesday.

The plant, struck in the drone attacks launched by the Main Intelligence Directorate under the Ukrainian Defense Ministry on Monday, is Russia’s sole producer of helium used in rocket manufacturing, space and aviation industries, the report said.

Local residents reportedly witnessed drones flying near the plant, and a series of explosions were reported in the targeted area.

Xinhua

This year’s event will draw 49 teams representing seven refugee sites: Mahama Camp, Nyabiheke Camp in Gatsibo, Mugombwa Camp in Gisagara, Kiziba Camp in Karongi, Nkamira Transit Centre in Rubavu, ETM Gashora in Bugesera, and the Urban City side from Kigali.

The week-long tournament will feature six disciplines: football, taekwondo, basketball, volleyball, sitting volleyball, and karate.

The Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA), in partnership with various organisations, is staging the games to promote talent, unity, and sportsmanship among refugees.

Mahama Camp will be looking to defend its dominance after a stellar performance in last year’s edition, where it clinched the football title with a 1—0 victory over Kigeme and swept both the men’s and women’s basketball trophies.

Football is one of the most popular sports in the tournament.

Last year, Mahama Camp dominated the tournament.

This year’s event will draw 49 teams representing seven refugee sites: Mahama Camp, Nyabiheke Camp in Gatsibo, Mugombwa Camp in Gisagara, Kiziba Camp in Karongi, Nkamira Transit Centre in Rubavu, ETM Gashora in Bugesera, and the Urban City side from Kigali.

IGIHE

Faith Batamuriza, Head of Retirement Benefits Supervision at BNR, told the Dusangire Ijambo talk show on Rwanda Television that while the rate is still low, increased awareness campaigns are helping more Rwandans understand the importance of saving for retirement.

'Pension coverage is at 48%, which is still far from where we want to be. Our campaigns aim to show people that saving now ensures a stable life in old age without financial stress,' she said.

Batamuriza noted that the pension sector is a critical part of Rwanda’s financial system and a driver of economic growth through investment. BNR, she added, monitors pension funds to safeguard members’ savings and ensure investments are made prudently.

Dr. Hitimana Regis, Chief Benefits Officer at the Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB), said pension schemes are designed to provide income security when people’s ability to work declines. Rwanda’s formal pension system has been in place since independence in 1962.

For those in the informal sector, the Ejo Heza long-term savings scheme offers a pathway to retirement savings. To date, 4.2 million people have registered, with 3.6 million actively contributing, and more than Frw 80 billion saved.

Private pension arrangements are also growing, allowing employers to set up retirement benefits for staff or enabling individuals and companies to create pension funds that supplement statutory schemes.

Dr. Hitimana said recent reforms have increased contribution rates and boosted payouts for retirees. He stressed that contributions are mandatory for employers, with heavy penalties for non-compliance.

In addition, Rwanda’s RNIT Iterambere Fund (RIF) has mobilised Frw 59.1 billion to date, including amounts withdrawn by members. In 2024, the number of shareholders saving through the fund surged by 69.97%, rising from 19,495 in 2023 to 33,137.

The National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) says the country’s pension coverage has reached 48%, reflecting steady growth despite remaining below the national target.

IGIHE

In a conversation with Daniel Bernard, co-founder of Ride For Unity, she shared how her personal journey mirrors Rwanda’s own recovery—rooted in unity, visionary leadership, and accountability.

Ride For Unity is a global movement using cycling to build bridges, empower communities, and create lasting social impact.

Mukazayire’s life story is inseparable from Rwanda’s own. Born and raised in the country, she studied economics at the University of Rwanda and went on to earn a master’s degree.

A lifelong athlete, she played basketball in secondary school, at university, and briefly for the national team. Even today, she remains active through CrossFit and weightlifting. 'Sport has always been part of my day-to-day,' she shared.

Her journey, however, is not just one of personal achievement but a reflection of Rwanda’s resilience. 'As a Rwandan, it’s difficult to dissociate one’s journey from the country’s,' she noted. Emerging from the devastation of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Rwanda faced a complex reality: survivors, returning refugees, fractured families, and a destroyed economy.

Mukazayire’s own family history mirrors this complexity, with some members as survivors and others, including her mother, involved in the genocide. 'I had voices telling me you cannot make it,' she admitted. Yet, Rwanda’s visionary leadership provided a platform for her and countless others to rebuild their lives.

'This leadership,' she emphasized, 'instilled hope and equal opportunity. The vision of the leadership that picked up all the pieces set a path for me and so many others to be where we are.' Through unity, forgiveness, and reconciliation, Rwanda created an ecosystem where merit and hard work could thrive.

She acknowledges that her rise would not have been possible without the post-1994 transformation.

'We all, including me, got an opportunity to live again, to see hope, or see a belief that there can be a future because of a leadership that had a vision,' she said.

That vision, she added, was rooted in unity, reconciliation, and rebuilding—a national foundation that created equal opportunities and allowed merit to drive progress.

Mukazayire credits her achievements to both the environment Rwanda has created and personal discipline.

'Confidence is realizing the unique talent in you… Competence means putting in the work… Consistency equals discipline,' she explained. For her, these values are as essential in life as they are in sport.

Nelly Mukazayire has served as Rwanda’s Minister of Sports since December 2024.

Mukazayire believes Rwanda’s success lies in its ability to 'live what you say.' Governance, she noted, is anchored in accountability through systems like the National Dialogue—where citizens and leaders evaluate the nation’s progress—citizen outreach visits where ministers answer directly to the public, and performance contracts that hold leaders to their promises.

'We’ve understood that Rwanda is what we’ve got. There’s no us without Rwanda,' she said.

While Rwanda has made remarkable economic progress—from a GDP collapse in 1994 to over $1,000 per capita —the challenges ahead are significant.

'Without economic transformation, without alleviating poverty, you’ll still be struggling,' she cautioned. The country’s ambitions are bold, targeting $4,000 GDP per capita by 2035 and $12,000 by 2050. Achieving this, she said, will require strategic investment, import substitution, job creation, and harnessing the energy of the nation’s youthful population.

On sport’s role in this vision, Mukazayire considers it as a key driver of transformation. She cited studies showing that every dollar invested in sport can generate $124 through its ripple effect on other sectors.

'Our leadership has been clear that this is a sector where you have to invest before you attract,' she said.

Mukazayire also spoke of sport as an engine for national transformation, underpinned by her three guiding principles: confidence, competence, and consistency.

She highlighted Rwanda’s 'invest before you attract' approach, exemplified by facilities like BK Arena builtn in just six months, alongside ongoing efforts in talent development and the growth of a vibrant sports-business ecosystem.

Women empowerment

Mukazayire is particularly proud of the country’s progress in empowering women in sport. Female referees, coaches, and technical staff are now common.

Through the 'Isonga' program, schools must field both boys’ and girls’ teams in multiple disciplines. Yet she stresses that quotas alone, such as the constitutional requirement for at least 30 percent female representation in decision-making positions, are not enough.

'Are we building ourselves to take up those opportunities and being bold enough to know we can do it… Are they confident enough to seize opportunities they have, to build their skills and their abilities and knowledge to take up the 30%? That’s the biggest challenge,' she said.

For Mukazayire, serving as Minister of Sports is about harnessing the unifying power of sport to inspire, transform lives, and position Rwanda as a beacon of possibility for Africa and beyond.

Théophile Niyitegeka

On August 8, 2025, RDB announced the start of the second phase of its collaboration with Bayern Munich. The revised agreement extends the partnership until 2028, shifting its focus from the 'Visit Rwanda' promotional campaign to strengthen youth football scouting and development programs.

The changes prompted speculation in some outlets that Bayern Munich had pulled out of its deal with Rwanda. The German champions, however, issued a statement rejecting that narrative.

'Yesterday, FC Bayern announced that there have been substantive developments in its cooperation with the Rwandan Development Board [RDB]. In some media coverage, the impression may have arisen that FC Bayern had ended its partnership with the RDB. This is not correct,' the club stated.

'Following positive and constructive discussions, we have jointly decided to transition the commercial element of our previous agreement ['Visit Rwanda'] into a new cooperation for youth football, running until 2028. As a result, the entire focus of our partnership — which also includes the Ministry of Sports of Rwanda — is now on expanding the FC Bayern Academy in Kigali,' adds the statement.

Investing in Rwanda’s football future

Rwanda’s football history boasts memorable highlights, including the men’s national team’s debut at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia and the U-17 national team’s qualification for the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico.

That U-17 squad had been specially prepared for the tournament, but since then, no youth or senior team has made a similar breakthrough on the international stage.

Today, Rwanda is committed to nurturing young sporting talent, with the government viewing sport as both a driver of national pride and a growing industry built on skill and performance.

Since the partnership began in August 2023, Bayern Munich has played an active role in this vision. The club established the FC Bayern Academy in Kigali two years ago, now home to 30 fully sponsored young players.

The academy offers a professional environment rarely seen in Rwanda, with access to high-quality training, modern facilities, and expert coaching—including staff from Germany.

Training sessions take place at the Kigali Pelé Stadium, with evening practice made possible by floodlights, ensuring players get the most out of their development programs.

The collaboration is already producing results. Two Rwandan players, Ndayishimiye Barthazar and David Okoce, have been selected to join Bayern Munich’s U-19 team—a sign that the partnership is beginning to open professional pathways for local talent.

With the renewed agreement, both Bayern Munich and Rwanda aim to build a stronger foundation for the future of football in the country, turning potential into lasting success on and off the pitch.

Bayern Munich has reaffirmed Rwanda partnership with new focus on youth football development.

IGIHE

This newly opened property is the latest venture by local investor Pierre Habyarimana, a native of Musanze. The lodge offers six guest rooms, a private apartment ideal for families, and an additional 14 standard rooms. It also boasts a rare feature in the area, a helipad capable of accommodating two small helicopters for guests arriving by air.

Guests at Buhanga Eco Lodge can enjoy a wide range of facilities, including a private restaurant, conference space, swimming pool, tennis, football, volleyball, and basketball courts. The property also offers a jacuzzi, massage services, a fitness room, bicycles for leisure rides, and other amenities designed to make every stay memorable.

'Inspired by the guidance of our President, Paul Kagame, who encourages us to invest in our own country and use locally made products (Made in Rwanda), I started this project to create jobs for many Rwandan families and provide high-quality services to visitors,' Habyarimana told IGIHE.

Set in a serene location surrounded by bamboo, diverse tree species, and blooming flowers, the lodge offers fresh air and a peaceful environment. Habyarimana describes it as an ideal getaway for tourists, Rwandans returning from the diaspora, and domestic travelers alike.

Rates for the Presidential Villa range from $8,250 for six to 11 guests, $6,800 for five to eight guests, and $4,000 for one to four guests. The apartment, suitable for two to four people, is priced at $2,750. The lodge also offers discounted rates for Rwandans from the diaspora.

Beyond Buhanga Eco Lodge, Musanze District hosts more than 50 hotels, including several five-star establishments catering to high-end international travelers.

According to Northern Province Governor Maurice Mugabowagahunde, these hotels play a major role in the district’s and the province’s economic growth.

'We have hotels ranging from five-star to one-star, so every visitor can find a suitable option and be well accommodated,' he said.

The governor also noted that the hospitality sector creates numerous jobs, from tour guides and hotel staff to food service providers, drivers, and other service workers, benefitting local communities. Many hotel projects also use locally sourced materials, particularly volcanic stone, which is abundant in the region.

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Karirima Aimable Ngarambe

In a statement issued on Monday, August 11, 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation accused the OHCHR of making 'sensational' claims without evidence, calling into question the agency’s credibility and methodology.

'OHCHR alleges, without any evidence, corroboration, or reported motives, that the Rwanda Defence Force 'aided’ in the killing of 319 civilians on farms in eastern DRC. The gratuitous inclusion of the RDF in these allegations is unacceptable and brings into question the credibility of OHCHR and its methodology,' the statement read in part.

Kigali criticised the agency for failing to help de-escalate a conflict that has persisted for more than three decades, warning that such allegations risk undermining ongoing peace processes in the DRC.

The UN, in its reports, has accused the RDF of supporting the AFC/M23 rebel offensive in eastern DRC, claims the government has dismissed as false. Rwanda insists that its defensive measures along the border with the DRC are aimed at neutralising security threats posed by the FDLR rebel group, formed by perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

In the recent report, the UN report also accused the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23) rebel group of killing between 169 and 319 civilians in several localities within Rutshuru Territory between July 9 and 21, 2025. The group has denied the allegations, calling them unsubstantiated and politically motivated.

In a statement released on Thursday night, AFC/M23 questioned the credibility of the report, noting that many of the cited areas fall within Virunga National Park — a protected zone where farming is prohibited. The group argued that alleged massacres could not have occurred in 'nonexistent farmlands,' further casting doubt on the claims.

AFC/M23 also challenged the OHCHR’s reliance on reports from armed groups and local organisations with no presence in the affected areas, including Wazalendo, FDLR, and the Rutshuru Territory Youth Council. The rebels called for an independent investigation and invited UN offices to participate.

The group further accused the UN of selectively ignoring documented atrocities committed by Congolese government forces and their allies, including massacres of Banyamulenge and Hema communities, drone strikes on civilian areas, and repression of dissent.

'AFC/M23 strongly condemns this biased report, which propagates misinformation and undermines peace efforts. We hereby demand the immediate retraction of Report BCNUDH/OD/138/2025 and a public apology, as well as an independent investigation into the origins of these false allegations and internal accountability at the UNJHRO,' said rebel spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka.

The group has urged the UN to address bias and apply equal scrutiny to all parties involved in rights violations.

AFC/M23 currently controls large swathes of territory in eastern DRC and is engaged in Qatar-led talks with the Kinshasa government aimed at ending the protracted conflict, which the rebels attribute to the marginalisation and persecution of Kinyarwanda-speaking communities.

In a statement issued on Monday, August 11, 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation headed by Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe accused the OHCHR of making 'sensational' claims without evidence, calling into question the agency’s credibility and methodology.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

Youssouf made the call in a statement issued Saturday in observance of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, which falls on Aug. 9 each year. The day aims to raise awareness about the rights of indigenous populations worldwide and to acknowledge their contributions to pressing global issues.

Highlighting the essential significance of recognizing the rich heritage, knowledge systems, and resilience of indigenous communities across Africa and beyond, he underscored the vital role they play in preserving cultural diversity, protecting the environment, and fostering sustainable development in alignment with the AU’s 50-year continental development blueprint, Agenda 2063.

The chairperson called on AU members, partners, and all stakeholders to work together through inclusive policy-making, equitable resource-sharing, and respect for traditional knowledge systems.

He also stressed the crucial importance of ensuring that “indigenous voices are heard, their rights upheld, and their contributions fully valued in building a more inclusive, just, and sustainable Africa for all.”

Youssouf emphasized the 55-member continental organization’s resolve to promote and safeguard the rights of indigenous peoples, as enshrined in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and other continental instruments.

He urged African countries to enhance measures aimed at protecting the rights of indigenous peoples and to reaffirm their commitment to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which serves as a global normative framework that complements AU instruments.

According to the UN, there are approximately 476 million indigenous people worldwide, residing in 90 countries and speaking a significant majority of the world’s estimated 7,000 languages, while also representing around 5,000 distinct cultures. Despite their rich cultural diversity, indigenous peoples face common challenges in safeguarding their rights as distinct communities.

Xinhua