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RBC Director General, Prof. Claude Mambo Muvunyi, told IGIHE that after observing a resurgence of cases in several countries, an assessment was conducted to evaluate the local situation in Rwanda.

'After seeing an increase in infections in places like the United States, we carried out an evaluation and found that new cases had also emerged here,' he said.

Of approximately 16,000 tests conducted, 0.7% returned positive results. All individuals who tested positive are currently receiving appropriate medical care.

Prof. Muvunyi reported that most of the detected cases involved individuals who travel abroad frequently or had contact with international travellers.

'All confirmed cases are being treated using standard protocols, and they’ve been advised to take precautions to avoid spreading the virus,' he said.

Prof. Muvunyi emphasised that there is no cause for concern at this stage, as the cases are mild and resemble common flu symptoms. None of the patients is in serious condition.

'There’s nothing alarming. The confirmed cases are experiencing mild symptoms, and the overall infection rate is still below 1%,' he said, adding, 'Anyone with flu symptoms should seek medical attention, avoid close contact with others, practice hand hygiene, and wear a mask if symptomatic.'

Global trends and a new variant

Countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States have also seen a spike in Covid-19 cases. A new variant, known as NB.1.8.1, now accounts for around 10% of global infections and has been identified in Northern Ireland and Wales.

Although this variant does not appear to cause more severe symptoms than previous ones, experts caution that it may be more efficient at entering human cells.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Covid-19 has continued to mutate between January and May. The current strain is considered the most rapidly spreading variant so far.

Since January 2025, the Omicron variant has spread widely across the United States, Australia, and Thailand, and remains dominant in China and Hong Kong.

RBC has assured the public that it is maintaining active surveillance and continues working to contain the virus.

Health Ministry urges caution

Earlier, through a social media post X, the Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, urged the public to remain vigilant in the face of rising seasonal illnesses, including Covid-19, as the country transitions from the rainy season to the dry season.

“Maintain good hygiene and protect others if you have symptoms,” he said.

RBC Director General, Prof. Claude Mambo Muvunyi, told IGIHE that after observing a resurgence of cases in several countries, an assessment was conducted to evaluate the local situation in Rwanda.

IGIHE

In a recent interview, Central Bank Governor Soraya Hakuziyaremye outlined Rwanda’s steady progress toward establishing a regulated cryptocurrency market, emphasising a forward-thinking approach that prioritises stablecoins and aligns with the nation’s ambition to become a regional financial hub.

This development marks a huge step since the draft law was announced in March 2025, positioning Rwanda as a potential fintech leader in East Africa.

The governor revealed that the CMA is leading the charge, with public consultations for the virtual assets law nearly complete.

Governor Soraya said the virtual assets law could be ready in the coming weeks, 'because we are at the end of the consultations.'

The law will establish licensing criteria for virtual asset service providers, such as crypto exchanges and wallet providers, and set conditions for hosting cryptocurrency exchanges in Rwanda.

This progress builds on the draft law introduced in March, which aimed to define virtual assets and mitigate risks like money laundering and scams.

A key focus of the upcoming law is the inclusion of stablecoins, digital assets pegged to stable currencies like the US dollar, which the governor highlighted as a practical tool for applications such as remittances and cross-border payments.

This aligns with Rwanda’s broader efforts to reduce the high 3-6% remittance fees that burden African economies, as noted in the interview.

The governor linked this to Rwanda’s ongoing Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) proof-of-concept, planned for 2026, which could integrate with stablecoins to enhance financial inclusion and streamline transactions.

The regulatory framework also prioritises consumer protection, aiming to shield the public from speculative tendencies and scams, a concern echoed in earlier reports.

Carine Twiringiyimana, Manager of Licensing and Approvals at the CMA, noted in March that the law addresses Financial Action Task Force concerns about money laundering risks in virtual assets.

Beyond addressing money laundering risks in virtual assets, the Central Bank Governor also highlighted Rwanda’s proactive vision, framing the virtual assets law as a cornerstone of its goal to become an international financial centre.

'We are working on having a more liberalised central securities depository, so that we attract more investors,' she said, citing Rwanda’s financial initiatives, including green bonds, IPOs, and Global Master Repurchase Agreements.

The latest development marks progress in efforts to regulate the market, following restrictions introduced in 2023 on banks facilitating crypto transactions. It positions Rwanda alongside African peers like Nigeria and South Africa, which are actively exploring central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and establishing regulatory frameworks for cryptocurrencies.

Rwanda is on the cusp of a transformative leap in its financial landscape, with the Central Bank of Rwanda (NBR) and the Capital Market Authority (CMA) nearing the finalisation of the country’s first law on virtual assets, expected by Q1 2025.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

Destexhe’s findings, which draw on firsthand testimonies, indicate that Tshisekedi’s administration has provided the FDLR with arms, equipment, and funding, contributing to its expansion.

According to the former lawmaker, while the FDLR operates highly organised autonomous units that are described as more disciplined than the FARDC, it is also fully integrated into the Congolese military’s chain of command.

Among the accounts shared with Destexhe was that of a young man, forcibly recruited by the FDLR at age 12, who served for six years. He disclosed that starting in 2022, he received a monthly salary of $120 through the FARDC, highlighting the extent of coordination between the two forces.

Similarly, an FARDC captain responsible for securing the Rubaya mine described seamless collaboration, with joint operations, helicopter resupply missions, and shared command structures involving the FDLR, the Wazalendo militia, and the FARDC.

Destexhe noted that, even more concerning, after 30 years of on-the-ground cooperation, many FDLR gunmen have been integrated into the FARDC, including in command positions, because they are often seen as “more capable officers.'

The former senator questioned the international community’s response, noting that despite the FDLR’s designation as a terrorist group, global actors have yet to fully address the consequences of its integration into the FARDC.

Destexhe warned that dismantling the FDLR is an immense challenge, especially since it sustains support networks in Europe through organisations that present themselves as human rights NGOs.

'Eradicating the FDLR’s influence would require a complete restructuring of the FARDC,' he said, calling the task 'near impossible' without comprehensive reforms.

The FDLR has been accused of spreading genocidal ideology and targeting Kinyarwanda-speaking communities in eastern DRC, where hundreds of thousands have been displaced, with many seeking refuge in Rwanda.

The group has been collaborating with other militia groups and the Congolese forces to fight the M23 group, whose members have taken up arms to protest what they describe as poor governance, marginalisation, and decades of persecution.

Rwanda – RDC : Les FDLR sont complètement intégrés dans les FARDC – ENGLISH BELOW

Au cours de mon séjour au Kivu, j’ai recueilli plusieurs témoignages sur les FDLR. Selon mes sources, leur effectif aurait doublé depuis qu’ils sont armés, équipés et financés par Félix Tshisekedi,… pic.twitter.com/5ZeTwPbUGI

— Alain Destexhe (@Destexhe) June 9, 2025

IGIHE

The ceremony took place on Thursday, June 5, 2025.

During the ceremony, President N’Guesso welcomed the new envoy and spoke warmly of the strong bilateral relations and friendship shared between Rwanda and Congo.

He noted that the implementation of cooperation agreements between the two countries is progressing well and praised President Paul Kagame’s role in advancing collaboration and solidarity among African Union member states.

After delivering the message from President Kagame, Ambassador Busabizwa expressed his delight in representing Rwanda in the Congo and pledged to continue strengthening cooperation and cordial relations between the two nations.

Amb. Busabizwa previously served as the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and has also served in various leadership positions, including as Vice Mayor of Kigali City in charge of Economic Affairs.

Parfait Busabizwa presented his credentials to the President of the Republic of Congo, Denis Sassou N’Guesso, on Thursday, June 5, officially accrediting him as Rwanda’s ambassador to the country.

President N’Guesso welcomed the new envoy and expressed his appreciation for the strong relationship and friendship between Rwanda and Congo.

IGIHE

Speaking in an interview with the state broadcaster, Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA), on Sunday, Nduhungirehe described the DRC’s actions as 'unacceptable' and indicative of a government that 'seems not to want genuine peace.'

The minister’s remarks come on the heels of Rwanda’s withdrawal from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) on Saturday, June 7, 2025, during the 26th Ordinary Summit in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.

Rwanda’s exit was prompted by what it called a deliberate violation of its rights under the ECCAS Treaty, particularly the DRC’s move to block Rwanda’s rightful turn to assume the rotating chairmanship of the organisation.

According to a statement from Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the DRC, supported by certain ECCAS member states, instrumentalised the regional bloc to impose its 'diktat,' disregarding the treaty’s provision for chairmanship rotation based on French alphabetical order.

'Rwanda’s right to assume the rotating Chairmanship was deliberately ignored,' the ministry’s statement read.

Nduhungirehe elaborated during the RBA interview, stating that the DRC’s complaint against Rwanda’s alleged aggression was baseless and hypocritical, given the DRC’s own role in regional instability.

He accused the DRC of supporting the FDLR, a genocidal force linked to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, using mercenaries in violation of international law, and orchestrating attacks on Rwandan territory, including a January shelling near Goma that killed 16 people and wounded 160.

The minister highlighted Rwanda’s frustration with ECCAS’s governance failures, noting that the organisation has been dysfunctional for years, with issues of unaccounted finances, lack of audits since 2015, and ineffective leadership.

He cited a previous incident in 2023, when the DRC, as ECCAS chair, prevented Rwanda from speaking at the 22nd Summit in Kinshasa, an exclusion Rwanda protested in a letter to the African Union that went unaddressed.

Despite withdrawing from ECCAS, the minister affirmed that Rwanda remains committed to other regional economic communities, such as the East African Community and COMESA, and to peace processes aimed at resolving the conflict in eastern DRC.

Nduhungirehe emphasised Rwanda’s active participation in negotiations, including a March 18 meeting between Presidents Paul Kagame and Félix Tshisekedi in Doha, mediated by Qatar, and an April 25 declaration of principles signed with DRC’s Foreign Minister Kayikwamba in Washington.

The talks are part of ongoing efforts toward a broader peace agreement to be finalised at the White House in the United States.

'It’s strange and unacceptable that, while we are on the path of peace, the DRC is going around accusing Rwanda and calling for sanctions,' Nduhungirehe said, describing the DRC’s actions as unprincipled and counterproductive to regional stability.

'It’s sad to see a community of 11 member states being manipulated by a single country,' Nduhungirehe added, urging ECCAS members to recognise the organisation’s flawed trajectory.

He warned that the DRC’s behaviour risks derailing delicate peace negotiations, particularly as tensions persist over the M23 rebellion in North and South Kivu provinces.

Rwanda has repeatedly denied Kinshasa’s allegations of supporting M23, instead pointing to the DRC’s collaboration with the FDLR as a primary driver of the conflict and a direct threat to Rwanda’s security.

Speaking during a recent interview, Minister Nduhungirehe described the DRC’s actions as 'unacceptable' and indicative of a government that 'seems not to want genuine peace.'

Wycliffe Nyamasege

Speaking in an interview with the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA) on Sunday, June 8, Nduhungirehe described ECCAS as one of the least effective regional economic communities in the African Union, citing its dysfunctional leadership and failure to conduct audits of member states’ funds for a decade.

The minister’s remarks follow Rwanda’s abrupt exit from ECCAS on Saturday, during the 26th Ordinary Summit in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.

Rwanda’s withdrawal was triggered by what it called a deliberate violation of its treaty-given right to assume the rotating chairmanship, a move orchestrated by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and supported by certain ECCAS members.

During the Sunday night interview, Nduhungirehe elaborated on the deeper issues plaguing ECCAS, emphasising its governance and financial mismanagement.

'ECCAS has been a dysfunctional regional economic community, one of the least effective of all regional economic communities of the African Union,' he stated.

'We have issues of integration, of infrastructure, and of governance. We have a president of the commission who doesn’t act together with other commissioners. We have issues of audits since 2015 and 2020; we have never had any audit of the use of our money—the money of member states.'

The issues, combined with broader governance failures, such as the organisation’s inability to adhere to its own treaty and the exclusion of Rwanda from key discussions, fueled Kigali’s decision to leave the 11-member bloc, established in 1983 to promote economic integration in Central Africa.

Nduhungirehe also pointed to a pattern of marginalisation within ECCAS, citing a 2023 incident when the DRC, as chair, prevented Rwanda from speaking at the 22nd Summit in Kinshasa.

Rwanda’s formal protest to the African Union went unanswered, further highlighting ECCAS’s governance shortcomings.

'There has been a general issue of effectiveness and governance in ECCAS,' Nduhungirehe said, noting that the DRC’s recent move to block Rwanda’s chairmanship was 'the straw that broke the camel’s back.'

The withdrawal marks a major shift in Central Africa’s diplomatic landscape, particularly amid ongoing tensions between Rwanda and the DRC over security issues in eastern Congo.

While Rwanda has exited ECCAS, Nduhungirehe emphasised that the country will continue to engage with other regional bodies, such as the East African Community (EAC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).

He also reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to ongoing peace processes, including negotiations mediated by the AU and talks in Doha and Washington, despite what he described as the DRC’s unprincipled actions.

'It’s sad and unfortunate to see a community of 11 member states being manipulated by a single country,' Nduhungirehe said, lamenting ECCAS’s failure to uphold its founding principles of regional integration and cooperation.

He expressed hope that other member states, including Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and São Tomé and Príncipe, would recognise the organisation’s flawed trajectory.

Speaking in an interview with the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA) on Sunday, June 8, Nduhungirehe described ECCAS as one of the least effective regional economic communities in the African Union, citing its dysfunctional leadership and failure to conduct audits of member states’ funds for a decade.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

Lame, 25, who holds Italian citizenship and is best known for his signature silent TikTok videos, was stopped at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas on June 6.

ICE confirmed to AFP that the influencer, born Seringe Khabane Lame, had entered the United States on April 30 and had remained beyond the legal duration of his visa.

The world’s most-followed TikToker, with more than 162 million followers, was released the same day and granted “voluntary departure” from the United States.

He has since left the country, though he has not publicly addressed the incident as of Saturday afternoon.

Lame’s brief detention comes amid a broader crackdown on immigration violations under President Donald Trump, who returned to office in January and has since pursued an aggressive immigration enforcement agenda. Some of those measures have faced legal challenges in US courts.

Born in Senegal in 2000 and raised in Italy, Lame skyrocketed to fame during the COVID-19 pandemic after losing his factory job. His wordless, universally relatable skits, often mocking overly complex online 'life hacks' with deadpan expressions and a signature hand gesture, made him a viral star and cultural phenomenon.

Despite his silent persona, Lame’s influence has been anything but quiet. In recent years, he has served as a juror on Italia’s Got Talent, made cameo appearances in Hollywood films like Bad Boys: Ride or Die, and even voiced a character in the Italian dub of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

In 2024, he debuted his unscripted comedy series Khaby Is Coming to America on Tubi — an ironic title given recent events.

In 2025, Lame was named a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, further cementing his status as a global figure whose humour transcends borders. His partnerships with major brands such as Hugo Boss, Fortnite, and Walmart have helped him amass a net worth estimated between $16 million and $20 million.

Social media sensation and global comedy icon Khaby Lame was briefly detained by US immigration authorities on Friday after allegedly overstaying his visa, according to an official statement from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Wycliffe Nyamasege

Korir crossed the finish line at Amahoro Stadium in a time of 2 hours, 18 minutes, and 26 seconds, narrowly ahead of compatriot Kipkirui Langat (2:19:00). Ethiopia’s Tadese Memo Temechachu rounded out the podium with a time of 2:21:01.

Rwanda’s Alexis Nizeyimana, representing Nyaruguru Athletics Club, finished fifth (2:23:01), the only Rwandan in the top eight of the men’s full marathon, which was otherwise dominated by Kenyan runners.

In the women’s full marathon, Teresia Omosa stormed to victory in 2:37:12, narrowly edging out Ethiopia’s Kebene Chala (2:37:29). Kenya’s Ivyne Langat followed in third at 2:38:14.

Meanwhile, the half marathon saw Rwanda shine on home soil. Florence Niyonkuru thrilled local fans by winning the women’s half marathon in 1:13:57, leading a commanding Rwandan performance that placed seven local runners in the top eight. Adeline Musabyeyezu secured silver (1:14:18), and Kenya’s Vivian Jepkoech took bronze (1:15:10).

In the men’s half marathon, Kenya’s Derrick Njoroge took gold with 1:05:23, followed by Uganda’s Gilbert Kamutwire (1:07:02) and Rwanda’s Theophile Bigirimana (1:07:34). Rwandan runners Emmanuel Nkurunziza, Jean Claude Nsabimana, and Slyvain Nizeyimana also cracked the top eight.

All races—full marathon (42.195 km), half marathon (21.097 km), and the 10km 'Run for Peace'—began and ended at Amahoro Stadium, drawing elite athletes and recreational runners alike from across the region.

This year’s edition of the marathon was held under the theme 'Bring the world to Kigali and take Kigali to the world.'

The top winners in the full marathon walked away with $20,000 (about Frw 28 million), while second and third place finishers earned $15,000 (Frw 21 million) and $7,500 (Frw 10 million), respectively.

Kenyan athletes dominated in the lead at the 20th edition of the Kigali International Peace Marathon, with Laban Korir defending his men’s full marathon title and Teresia Kwamboka Omosa clinching gold in the women’s race on Sunday, June 8.

Korir crossed the finish line at Amahoro Stadium in a time of 2 hours, 18 minutes, and 26 seconds, narrowly ahead of compatriot Kipkirui Langat (2:19:00).

Kenya’s Teresia Kwamboka Omosa clinching gold in the women’s race.

Florence Niyonkuru thrilled local fans by winning the women’s half marathon in 1:13:57, leading a commanding Rwandan performance that placed seven local runners in the top eight.

This year’s edition of the marathon was held under the theme 'Bring the world to Kigali and take Kigali to the world.'

Wycliffe Nyamasege

In a post shared on X, Nduhungirehe described as 'unbelievable and unacceptable' the DRC’s ongoing efforts to rally accusations and sanctions against Rwanda in various regional and international fora, even as both countries are engaged in US-facilitated peace negotiations.

'It’s unbelievable and unacceptable to note that… Rwanda and DRC are actively engaged, over the past month, into promising US-facilitated negotiations for a historic peace agreement, [yet] the DRC, nonetheless, is still whining around in all regional and international organisations accusing Rwanda for its own turpitudes,' he wrote.

The minister’s remarks came moments after Rwanda announced its exit from ECCAS, citing a pattern of exclusion and deliberate obstruction led by the DRC, particularly during the 26th Ordinary Summit held on June 7 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.

According to Nduhungirehe, despite recent progress in diplomatic engagement—including a March 18 meeting between Presidents Paul Kagame and Félix Tshisekedi in Doha, and the signing of a Declaration of Principles between both countries in Washington on April 25—the DRC continues to undermine trust-building efforts by pursuing parallel campaigns against Rwanda.

'Rwanda is engaged in all current peace processes (AU/EAC-SADC, Washington and Doha) in good faith and with a sense of responsibility,' he stated, but warned that Kigali 'will never accept the manipulation, by a reckless and hopeless DRC, of regional economic communities such as ECCAS.'

He further argued that ECCAS has no legitimate mandate to mediate the crisis in eastern DRC, a role already entrusted to the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), under the African Union’s designated mediator, President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo.

The ECCAS dispute centres on what Rwanda has described as a violation of its rights under the organisation’s founding treaty.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Kigali denounced the bloc’s failure to grant it the rotating chairmanship, as provided for under Article 6 of the ECCAS Treaty.

Instead, the position was retained by the DRC with the support of certain member states, an act Rwanda views as a politically motivated breach of protocol.

This latest fallout adds to already strained ties between Rwanda and the DRC, whose relationship has been marred by mistrust. While Kinshasa accuses Kigali of supporting the M23 rebel movement operating in eastern Congo, Rwanda has repeatedly rejected the claims and has instead called out the DRC for its continued collaboration with the FDLR, a militia group linked to the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

With Rwanda now formally out of ECCAS, attention shifts back to ongoing diplomatic efforts in Washington, Doha, and under AU-mandated mediation. However, Minister Nduhungirehe’s remarks suggest that Kigali is growing increasingly impatient with what it sees as duplicity from its counterpart in Kinshasa.

Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe, has hit out at the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for what he calls the 'manipulation' of regional bodies to serve narrow political ends, following Rwanda’s decision to withdraw from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).

Wycliffe Nyamasege

In a human rights report released on May 30, the rebel group revealed that the militias’ tactics endangered civilians and violated international humanitarian law, a reality it says was completely omitted from Amnesty International’s recent report that accuses AFC/M23 of widespread human rights abuses.

The rebel alliance denounced Amnesty’s findings as politically motivated and misleading, arguing that they distort the realities on the ground and fuel misinformation about the group’s role in eastern DRC.

Amnesty International’s report alleges that M23 forces were responsible for killing, torturing, and forcibly disappearing detainees, as well as subjecting prisoners to inhumane conditions in detention sites. M23 rejected the allegations, stating that its own report is based on field investigations, eyewitness accounts, and verifiable documentation.

According to the group, its operations in Goma and Bukavu aimed to neutralise infiltrators while minimising disruption to civilians. The report claims that rebel-led efforts led to reduced violence, disarmament of hostile groups, and the establishment of humanitarian corridors—positive developments AFC/M23 says are routinely ignored by international watchdogs.

The group also addressed claims surrounding the January 27 tragedy at Munzenze Prison, where 165 women reportedly died after a fire and mass escape. AFC/M23 maintains that it had not yet entered Goma at the time and accused Amnesty International of failing to verify the sequence of events before assigning blame.

'These incidents at Munzenze Prison happened before AFC/M23 got there,' Delion Kimbulungu, the Secretary of AFC/M23 clarified.

Furthermore, the rebels challenged widely circulated figures that 3,000 people died during the seizure of Goma. The rebel group said 874 bodies were found between February 2 and 13, and attributed the deaths to crossfire in combat zones, not systematic executions.

'These numbers were fabricated for political purposes,' Kimbulungu said.

AFC/M23 also criticised Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Denis Mukwege for his comments on France24, accusing the group of mass atrocities. The rebel alliance described his remarks as biased and aligned with the Kinshasa government’s narrative.

Some regional security analysts have continued to echo concerns about the imbalance in international reporting, accusing groups such as Amnesty International of a clear failure to investigate all parties equally.

The AFC/M23 rebel alliance has accused the FDLR and Wazalendo militias of turning civilian neighbourhoods, including schools and homes, into active conflict zones by concealing weapons and fighters among the local population during recent battles in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Wycliffe Nyamasege