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Xi arrived in the Kazakh capital of Astana on Monday to attend the second China-Central Asia.

Xinhua

Xi arrived in the Kazakh capital of Astana on Monday to attend the second China-Central Asia Summit.

Xinhua

In a public notice dated Monday, June 16, 2025, the central bank confirmed that it is now implementing Regulation n° 89/2024, which amends existing rules governing foreign exchange operations.

The updated regulation, published in the Official Gazette on 30 May 2025, introduces strict pecuniary sanctions for unauthorised pricing, transacting, or auctioning in foreign currencies.

'Any individual or entity that prices goods or services, or transacts in foreign currency without prior authorisation from the National Bank of Rwanda commits an administrative fault,' the notice read.

Under the new regulations, individuals or businesses found pricing goods or services in foreign currency without prior authorisation will face a fine of Frw 5 million for a first offence, which doubles to Frw 10 million for any subsequent violations.

Those caught transacting in foreign currency illegally will be penalised 50 percent of the total amount involved in the first instance, and 100 percent of the amount for repeat offences.

Additionally, anyone who calls for or takes part in unauthorised foreign currency auctions will be fined 50 percent of the total auctioned amount.

BNR Governor Soraya Munyana Hakuziyaremye emphasised that only certain exceptions apply, including transactions involving non-residents carried out by hotels, casinos, tourism operators, duty-free shops, and international schools, as well as payments related to imports or exports.

The regulator also encouraged the public to report suspicious or unlawful foreign exchange activities through official channels, including the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), Rwanda National Police (RNP), or local authorities.

The enforcement marks the start of a more aggressive stance by the central bank to stamp out unofficial foreign currency activity in Rwanda’s economy following concerns over growing informal use of foreign currencies, particularly in the real estate, where rent or services are sometimes quoted in US dollars.

In a public notice dated Monday, June 16, 2025, Governor Soraya Munyana Hakuziyaremye confirmed that the central bank is now implementing Regulation n° 89/2024, which amends existing rules governing foreign exchange operations.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

The announcement was made on June 16 by the Minister of State for Local Government, Marie Solange Kayisire, while addressing the Senate’s Committee on Social Affairs and Human Rights.

The state minister revealed that, of Rwanda’s 60 islands, only 14 are currently inhabited. Following the planned relocations, only three islands, Nkombo, Bugarura, and Birwa, will remain settled.

'These relocations are necessary. The geography of these islands poses serious risks to residents, and delivering services like clean water, electricity, and healthcare is often more expensive than resettlement itself,' Kayisire explained.

The relocation will affect more than 4,600 households, impacting over 25,000 people.

The islands earmarked for resettlement include Mwegerera and Mukira in Musanze District; Munanira and Bigwa in Burera; Sharita and Mazane in Bugesera; Gihaya in Rusizi; and Mushungo, Muzira, Kirehe, Ruzi, and Tereri in Nyamasheke District.

In Musanze’s Mwegerera and Mukira islands, 38 families rely on boats to ferry their children to schools on the mainland, while in Bigwa, 78 families live without stable solar power and basic infrastructure.

Kayisire said the relocation process has already begun in some areas. For instance, 26 families have started moving from Munanira, with costs estimated at Rwf127.6 million. In Sharita, 212 families were previously relocated under government IDP programmes, with 84 families still awaiting relocation. The district requires Rwf2.5 billion to complete the process.

Lawmakers welcomed the plan but called for fair compensation and detailed demographic planning.

'We need to know the numbers of women, children, and elders involved so we can design appropriate support,' said Senator Jean Pierre Dusingizemungu.

Kayisire emphasised that relocated families are being integrated into government social protection programmes like Girinka and income-generating initiatives.

'We are not only offering safer environments but ensuring long-term support and resilience for these communities,' she said.

The government has announced plans to resettle residents from 11 inhabited islands across the country, citing safety risks and the unsustainable cost of delivering essential services.

IGIHE

Addressing members of the press from East and Southern Africa in New Delhi, Singh emphasised India’s consistent policy of neutrality and dialogue in resolving global conflicts, while taking a firm stand against terrorism.

Singh articulated India’s approach to the Rwanda-DRC crisis, stating, 'India’s stated policy for many conflicts around the world, be it Rwanda-DRC, Russia-Ukraine, or Israel-Palestine, is to remain completely non-judgmental about the merits of the case.'

He explained that India refrains from examining evidence or passing judgment, viewing both Rwanda and the DRC as sovereign nations with their own decision-making capacities, histories, and perspectives on the conflict.

'Both sides are not children; they are adults,' Singh remarked, underscoring the importance of respecting their autonomy.

India’s policy, as outlined by Singh, rests on three key pillars: an immediate cessation of hostilities, the initiation of dialogue, and an expression of concern for the situation.

'Our approach is always: stop fighting, start a conversation,' he said, noting that this framework applies universally across conflicts.

Singh emphasised that any Indian press statement on global conflicts would consistently advocate for these principles, reflecting India’s commitment to fostering peace through diplomacy.

While advocating for neutrality in the Rwanda-DRC conflict, Singh was unequivocal in condemning terrorism.

'We have strong opinions on terrorism,' he declared. 'We reject distinctions like 'militant’ versus 'terrorist’ or 'good terrorist’ versus 'bad terrorist.’ The only good terrorist is a dead terrorist.'

He stressed that India draws a firm line against actions that target innocent civilians for political objectives.

'Nothing justifies picking up a gun and terrorising innocent civilians,' Singh asserted, adding that open warfare, if necessary, should be conducted transparently rather than through acts of terror.

DRC has accused Rwanda of supporting M23 rebel group, which is fighting for the rights of Rwandophone communities.

Rwanda vehemently denies these allegations and instead accuses the DRC of collaborating with the FDLR terrorist group, formed by individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Singh’s remarks also come amid ongoing negotiations facilitated by Qatar and the United States.

The peace deal between the two countries was expected to be signed on June 15, but the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe, confirmed that the final agreement is yet to be finalised.

Mayank Singh, Joint Secretary for East and Southern Africa at India’s Ministry of External Affairs, has outlined India’s stance on tensions between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

IGIHE

Rwanda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office, Ambassador Urujeni Bakuramutsa, made the call while delivering a statement during the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the situation in eastern DRC at the 59th Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Ambassador Bakuramutsa expressed deep concern over what she described as an alarming increase in hostile actions against Rwanda originating from the DRC since late 2021.

Top among the concerns is the alliance between the Congolese Army and the FDLR, a UN-sanctioned armed group composed of elements responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

The envoy maintained that the FDLR continues to operate in the Great Lakes region, spreading genocidal ideology.

“The reinforced collaboration between the Congolese Army and the FDLR poses a direct threat to regional stability and cannot be ignored,” Ambassador Bakuramutsa stated, noting that the eastern DRC is home to around 200 armed groups contributing to persistent insecurity.

Rwanda also cited multiple acts of aggression from Congolese forces, including cross-border shelling, airspace violations by DRC military jets, and the disappearance of Rwandan nationals within Congolese territory.

The Rwandan envoy also pointed to what she termed an 'organised campaign of hate speech and incitement' targeting Congolese citizens of Rwandan descent.

Rwanda expressed concerns over the public call for regime change in Rwanda by President Félix Tshisekedi of the DRC and President Evariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi, which Kigali described as an unprecedented and dangerous escalation.

Ambassador Bakuramutsa also noted that the M23, which the DRC accuses Rwanda of backing, is a movement composed of Congolese citizens from marginalised, Kinyarwanda-speaking communities, whose grievances stem from systemic discrimination and human rights violations, not from foreign sponsorship.

'Their grievances are rooted in structural exclusion, hate speech, and persecution—governance failures that must be addressed by the DRC government,' she said.

Reaffirming Kigali’s commitment to peace, the Rwandan envoy highlighted Rwanda’s active role in the African-led peace framework and parallel initiatives in Doha and Washington. She also endorsed the inclusion of humanitarian corridors within the regional peace process spearheaded by the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Rwanda appealed to the international community to support these African-led efforts politically and humanitarianly, stressing that local solutions are essential to resolving regional instability.

'Rwanda stands ready to engage in constructive dialogue, provided that the work of the fact-finding mission remains impartial and free from politicisation,' said Bakuramutsa.

'Only by addressing the structural drivers of conflict in eastern DRC can the Council begin to restore trust and relevance in a region too often failed by the international community.'

The statement comes amid efforts by Qatar and the United States to resolve the conflict, with a peace deal expected to be signed on June 15 between the DRC and Rwanda now delayed.

Rwanda participated in the 59th Session of the Human Rights Council and delivered a statement during the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the situation in Eastern DRC.

Key highlights:
1️⃣ Instability stems from the DRC government’s failure to address internal governance and… pic.twitter.com/KXscdLxo3h

— Rwanda in Geneva (@RwandaInGeneva) June 17, 2025

Wycliffe Nyamasege

She made the disclosure on June 17, 2025, during a meeting with members of the Senate’s Committee on Social Affairs and Human Rights, which followed a report detailing a visit to several of Rwanda’s islands.

Muganza emphasized that research, conducted in collaboration with various stakeholders, has highlighted the islands’ unique biodiversity.

This makes them ideal candidates for development into a National Island Park. She noted, “It is evident that the islands, which host unique ecosystems, could be consolidated into a significant area, or a National Island Park, in the near future, potentially by 2028.”

However, Kangeli also pointed out several challenges to developing the islands in a way that benefits both local communities and the country. These challenges include insufficient infrastructure, issues with land registration on some islands, and underdeveloped transport systems.

Senator Jean Pierre Dusingizemungu expressed his belief that the islands should be developed as tourism destinations, which could contribute significantly to Rwanda’s revenue.

“I think these islands should be developed as special tourism sites. Some islands have historical significance for Rwanda. We should focus on creating high-quality tourism across all islands, except for Nkombo, which should remain mostly residential,” he said.

He also suggested that the islands could serve as hubs for research into medicinal plants, as well as opportunities for beekeeping and cattle farming. “I believe there is tremendous potential for these islands to contribute significantly to the economy, even more so than the gorillas, as I have personally seen,” he added.

Rwanda currently boasts several national parks, including Volcanoes National Park, Akagera National Park, and Nyungwe National Park, all of which attract a steady stream of tourists.

Tourism is a crucial sector for Rwanda, and the country is positioning itself as a leading eco-tourism and cultural destination in Africa.

The Chairperson of the Committee, Umuhire Adrie, emphasized the need to prepare the islands properly while ensuring that local communities benefit from the development.

Senator Niyomugabo Cyprien further noted that if the islands are developed appropriately, they could generate significant revenue for the country. He also called for the promotion of cultural tourism in the region.

In 2024, Rwanda’s tourism sector generated $647 million (approximately Frw 932 billion), marking a 4.3% increase from the previous year. This growth was largely driven by a 27% increase in gorilla-related tourism and an 11% rise in air travel.

Rwanda mulls establishing National Island Park by 2028.

IGIHE

“Putin and Erdogan condemned Israel’s use of force against Iran, which violated the UN Charter and other norms of international law,” the statement said.

The statement said both sides expressed the most serious concern over the ongoing escalation of the Iran-Israel conflict, which has already caused a significant loss of life and poses long-term consequences for the entire region.

The two leaders called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urged both sides to settle their differences, including those related to Iran’s nuclear program, through political and diplomatic means.

Putin expressed gratitude to Erdogan for providing organizational support for the direct talks between Moscow and Kiev, noting that Russia has strictly adhered to the agreements reached during the Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul on June 2, including the return of bodies of dead service personnel and the exchange of prisoners of war.

Putin and Erdogan have discussed Middle East situation and Ukraine over phone.

Xinhua

Announced on Monday during the Cannes Lions advertising conference, the new feature will display ads from businesses in the app’s Stories-like 'status' section, which is used by about 1.5 billion people daily.

This is the first time WhatsApp, which built its reputation on simplicity and privacy, will allow advertisements within the platform.

Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, says the ads will be targeted using limited information such as users’ location, language, and interactions within the app. However, personal messages, calls, and contacts will remain off-limits for ad targeting, and WhatsApp promises that end-to-end encryption will stay intact.

'We work hard to protect the privacy of people’s communications,' said Will Cathcart, head of WhatsApp. 'Some people only use WhatsApp for private chats and calls, and nothing is changing about that.'

The move follows years of internal debate. WhatsApp’s original founders, Jan Koum and Brian Acton, were firmly opposed to monetising the platform through ads, but both left the company years ago.

Meta had considered similar advertising plans before shelving them in 2020, only to revive the idea amid rising pressure to diversify revenue sources.

Meta’s advertising business remains robust, generating nearly all of its $164 billion in revenue last year, but WhatsApp has been one of its last major platforms to remain untouched by ads.

Analysts suggest this new strategy could unlock a significant, yet largely untapped, revenue stream from the world’s most popular messaging app.

In addition to the in-app ads, WhatsApp also plans to promote content creators and businesses through its 'channels' feature, and will introduce paid subscriptions for exclusive updates.

Despite Meta’s reassurances, the change is likely to spark concerns among users and privacy advocates. However, the company insists that participation in cross-platform data sharing for ad targeting is optional, and users can manage their preferences through Meta’s Accounts Center.

WhatsApp has ended its long-standing ad-free policy, unveiling a new plan to introduce in-app advertising through its 'Updates' tab, marking a major shift in the messaging app’s business model.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

The law outlines circumstances under which civilians, accused of crimes such as possessing military equipment or collaborating with military personnel in serious offenses like treason or murder, can be tried in military tribunals.

A previous law permitting such trials was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in January.

Under the new law, qualified advocates at the High Court level will be appointed as judges to the General Court Martial. This development marks an important update to Uganda’s legal framework, expanding the role of military courts in the justice system.

“The law will deal decisively with armed violent criminals, deter the formation of militant political groups that seek to subvert democratic processes, and ensure national security is bound on a firm foundational base. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!,” army spokesperson Col Chris Magezi wrote on X after the bill was passed by MPs.

While the law has sparked significant debate, it represents a notable shift in how Uganda will handle certain types of criminal cases involving civilians and military matters.

Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has officially signed the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Amendment Bill 2025 into law, granting military courts the authority to try civilians in certain cases.

IGIHE