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Accompanied by Senator Evode Uwizeyimana and MP Alice Muzana, Kazarwa praised the Rwandan community in Congo for their unity and commitment to upholding Rwandan cultural values.

During the discussions which focused on the diaspora’s role in advancing Rwanda’s progress, she highlighted how significant it is that Rwandans living abroad are playing an active part in national development.

'We thank you for remaining loyal to Rwanda, for defending and promoting it wherever you are. You are the Sixth Province of Rwanda, an extraordinary province, but one rooted in unity and development. Keep striving for excellence,' Kazarwa said.

Members of the community in Congo Brazzaville described the ways they are contributing to national development, including paying health insurance (Mutuelle de Santé) for vulnerable citizens, participating in the BRD-led Cana Challenge initiative, and supporting school feeding programs like Dusangire Lunch.

During the meeting, attendees were also briefed on the functioning of the Rwandan Parliament, including its core responsibilities: lawmaking, government oversight, and citizen representation.

Senator Uwizeyimana and MP Muzana emphasized the importance of citizen involvement in governance and encouraged diaspora members to continue participating meaningfully in Rwanda’s development efforts.

The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Gertrude Kazarwa, has commended the continued contributions of Rwandans living abroad to the development of their country.

The Rwandan community expressed deep appreciation for the visit by their parliamentary representatives and showed a strong willingness to keep contributing to Rwanda’s reconstruction through economic, cultural, and intellectual means.

This meeting took place during the Speaker’s official visit to Brazzaville, where she was attending the 16th Conference of Speakers of Francophone Parliaments.

According to the National Bank of Rwanda, the diaspora’s financial contributions to the country continue to grow. In 2024, Rwandans abroad sent home $502 million, compared to $505 million in 2023. This upward trend has been consistent.

In 2020, $274 million was contributed by Rwandans abroad while in 2022$ 461 million was collected.

The meeting took place during the Speaker’s official visit to Brazzaville.

Senator Evode Uwizeyimana emphasized the importance of citizen involvement in governance.

MP Alice Muzana, Kazarwa praised the Rwandan community in Congo for their unity and commitment to upholding Rwandan cultural values.

IGIHE

He had previously served as the commander of the 34th military region when M23 forces captured the city of Goma in North Kivu Province at the end of January 2025.

At that time, Nzambe, along with several other officers, withdrew from Goma and fled to the city of Bukavu in South Kivu Province, claiming they were 'regrouping' in order to mount a counteroffensive against M23.

Other military officers who faced similar charges of fleeing included Brig. Gen. Danny Tene Yangba, who was an advisor on security to the Governor of North Kivu, and Brig. Gen. Papy Lupembe, the commander of the 11th Brigade.

Senior police commissioners were also implicated, including Ekuka Lipopo Jean-Romuald, former Deputy Governor of North Kivu, and Mukuna Tumba Eddy Léonard. These officials were accused of fleeing to Bukavu using private boats.

Sources revealed that Nzambe died early in the morning of April 16. However, it is not yet confirmed whether he died inside the Ndolo military prison where he was being held, or in a hospital. The cause of death has also not been disclosed.

Details of the legal proceedings against the soldiers and police officers have remained scanty, especially since the Kinshasa Military High Court decided on March 20 to hold the trial behind closed doors, citing national security concerns.

Nzambe and his co-accused first appeared in court on March 13. Their lawyers requested provisional release, arguing that their detention was unlawful.

It is not yet confirmed whether Nzambe (R) died inside the Ndolo military prison where he was being held, or in a hospital.

IGIHE

Speaking on the implementation of the 2013 Peace and Security Cooperation Framework, at the UN Security Council, Kayinamura highlighted the FDLR’s destabilizing role and urged the international community to take decisive action to neutralize the group and address the root causes of conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Kayinamura emphasized that the FDLR, despite over 20 UN Security Council resolutions condemning its activities since 2003, remains a significant security threat.

He accused the group of continuing to recruit, train, and commit atrocities, including sexual violence, ethnic cleansing, and mass killings.

'Now FDR has graduated to being integrated into FARDC [Congolese Army]before your own eyes. This is no longer a secret but a fact based on the reports of the secretary general presented in this council,' he noted, highlighting that the coalition undermines both regional stability and the peace and cooperation framework itself.

The Rwandan envoy was unequivocal in labeling the FDLR an 'existential threat' to Rwanda and the region. He criticized any efforts to entertain or legitimize the group, warning that such actions only exacerbate the conflict.

'Entertaining or legitimizing the FDLR, even tacitly, prolongs the conflict and destabilizes the region further,' Kayinamura declared, calling for the Security Council to enforce its resolutions without selectivity and hold accountable those who support or collaborate with the FDLR and its splinter groups.

He noted that the 2013 framework, designed to end the cycle of conflict in the DRC, has not achieved its goals due to persistent challenges such as ethnic discrimination, armed group proliferation, and impunity. The FDLR’s activities, he argued, are a primary driver of these issues, perpetuating violence and hindering peace efforts.

Proposing concrete steps, Kayinamura called for the disarmament and neutralization of the FDLR as a top priority. He urged the Security Council to ensure full enforcement of its resolutions and to condemn hate speech and ethnic incitement in the DRC, which he said fuels violence and division.

Additionally, he advocated for stronger support for African-led regional processes, such as those led by the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which he believes offer the best chance for lasting peace.

The envoy also criticized the DRC’s lack of ownership in addressing its internal challenges, accusing Kinshasa of externalizing blame and relying on militias like Wazalendo, which he said violate ceasefires without condemnation.

'Blame games have become their business,' Kayinamura remarked, emphasizing that the DRC must confront its internal contradictions to achieve sustainable peace.

Kayinamura’s address reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to the Peace and Cooperation Framework and its vision of transforming the Great Lakes region into a zone of peace and stability.

He called for genuine accountability, regional alignment, and bold political leadership from the DRC, the region, and the Security Council to eliminate the FDLR and the legacy of genocide once and for all.

'Rwanda looks forward to working with all partners to permanently get rid of armed groups,' he concluded, signaling Kigali’s readiness to collaborate on regional solutions.

The remarks come amid heightened tensions between Rwanda and the DRC, with Kigali repeatedly accusing Kinshasa of supporting the FDLR, a group formed by individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

FDLR is viewed as an existential threat to security and peace in the Great Lakes Region.

Rwanda’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Robert Kayinamura, called for the disarmament and neutralization of the FDLR as a top priority

IGIHE

'Unlike in the past, the army is not evacuating areas that have been cleared and seized,' Katz stated.”Unlike in the past, the (Israeli military) is not evacuating areas that have been cleared and seized,” said Defence Minister Israel Katz.

According to Euro News, this stance risks setting back ongoing ceasefire negotiations with Hamas, which demands a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza for the release of the remaining hostages.

Israel currently controls more than half of the Gaza Strip after resuming military operations last month. It also maintains forces in parts of southern Lebanon and a buffer zone in Syria.

Palestinians, Lebanon, and Syria consider Israel’s military presence an illegal occupation under international law.

Israel argues that holding these zones is essential to prevent future attacks like the one carried out by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which killed around 1,200 people and led to 251 abductions.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to annihilate Hamas and return the remaining 59 hostages who are still in Gaza, 24 of whom are believed to be alive.

Netanyahu also supports a plan, originally proposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump, to resettle much of Gaza’s population in other countries through what he calls 'voluntary emigration.'

However, the proposal has been widely condemned by Palestinians, Arab nations, and human rights experts as a likely breach of international law.

Israel currently controls more than half of the Gaza Strip after resuming military operations last month.

IGIHE

Emma Claudine Ntirenganya, Director General in charge of Communication and Education at the City of Kigali, made the disclosure during an interview on the Ignite Show.

She explained that the relocation was prompted by warnings from Meteo Rwanda, which indicated that rainfall is likely to increase, posing further risk to lives and property.

Over the weekend, Kigali was hit by continuous rain for nearly two days, resulting in significant damage and the loss of two lives. This situation pushed city authorities to take urgent action to move residents away from dangerous areas.

'In Nyarugenge District, 385 people have been relocated, most of them from Kigali Sector, with a few others from Gitega, Nyamirambo, and Mageragere,' Ntirenganya said. 'In Gasabo District, we had the largest number to relocate — residents from 10 different sectors — totaling 505 households. So far, 312 people have already moved, and the relocation continues today. In Kicukiro, 35 people were supposed to be relocated.'

She added that the targeted residents include families living in severely risky conditions — such as homes already damaged by rain, houses located below water-absorbing slopes, people living near cracked buildings, and those whose compounds are structurally unsafe and could collapse with further rainfall.

According to the Ministry in charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA), 191 people died due to disasters across the country in 2024.

The City of Kigali has begun relocating residents from high-risk zones

IGIHE

“President Trump’s unlawful tariffs are wreaking chaos on California families, businesses, and our economy – driving up prices and threatening jobs,” Newsom said in a statement, adding that “We’re standing up for American families who can’t afford to let the chaos continue.”

“Donald Trump does not have the authority to impose these destructive and chaotic tariffs. America stands to lose too much,” said the governor in a post on X platform.

“We’re taking him to court,” said the governor.

“California is the largest manufacturing state in our union, one of the largest trading partners around the globe. No state will be impacted more than the state of California as it relates to the unilateral authority that’s been asserted by the Trump administration to impose the largest tax increases in modern American history,” he noted.

Newsom pointed out that “In America, forty percent of goods movements in this country come through two ports of entry in California. About 50 percent of that from China itself.”

In the lawsuit, expected to be filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, California officials will argue that the law, known as the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which Trump cited to impose the tariffs, does not grant him the ability to unilaterally adopt those tariffs.

California, also the most populated U.S. state, is the first state in the nation to sue Trump administration on tariffs.

The Golden State is the largest importer among all U.S. states, with more than 675 billion U.S. dollars in two-way trade supporting millions of jobs throughout the state. Mexico, Canada and China are California’s top three export destinations, buying nearly 67 billion dollars in California exports, which was over one-third of the state’s 183 billion dollars in exported goods in 2024, according to the data released by the governor’s office.

California, also the most populated U.S. state, is the first state in the nation to sue Trump administration on tariffs.

Xinhua

This year’s event featured 108 senior military officers from 19 African nations, including one from Jordan, who showcased their unique traditions through cuisine, attire, music, and dance.

As he presided over the event on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff, Brig Gen Andrew Nyamvumba, RDFCSC Commandant highlighted that culture celebrates unity in diversity.

“Each culture showcased not only the unique identities of our respective nations but also the shared values that bind us together as members of the armed forces and of the global village. In our line of duty, understanding and respecting cultural differences is paramount.

“It enhances our operational effectiveness and strengthens the bonds between us. Culture shapes our behaviours, informs our values, and fosters discipline within our ranks,” said the Commandant.

Lt Col Robert Oumo Odeke from Uganda, representing allied students emphasised that their gathering is a testament to richness of their different cultures.

“Here, we are not just students or officers; but also cultural ambassadors. We represent nations with distinct identities, yet we come together to share, to learn, and to celebrate.

“This diversity should not in any way be taken as a barrier, but rather as a bridge. It is through events like this that we strengthen our bonds and deepen our understanding of one another,' he noted.

The event provided a platform for students to exchange knowledge about their traditions, beliefs, values, and cultural diversity.

Participating countries this year included Rwanda, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Jordan, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

Cultural Day remains a cornerstone of RDFCSC’s mission, showcasing the value of cultural understanding in tackling shared challenges and strengthening military cooperation across Africa.

The 12th annual Cultural Day took place on Friday at The Rwanda Defence Force Command and Staff College in Nyakinama.

This year’s event featured 108 senior military officers from 19 African nations, including one from Jordan, who showcased their unique traditions through cuisine, attire, music, and dance.

Brig Gen Andrew Nyamvumba, RDFCSC Commandant highlighted that culture celebrates unity in diversity.

IGIHE

He emphasised the need for China and Africa to work more closely to defend multilateralism and fairness in global trade, stating that the world is entering a dangerous period of uncertainty and geopolitical tension.

Xue made the remarks on April 15, 2025, in Beijing during a high-level seminar hosted by the China Foreign Affairs University (CFAU), under the theme 'Building a China-Africa Community with a Shared Future.'

The event brought together African and Chinese diplomats, scholars, policymakers, and young leaders to explore deeper cooperation between the two regions in diplomacy, education, security, infrastructure, and cultural exchange.

Reaffirming China’s opposition to economic coercion, Xue warned that 'hegemony, decoupling supply chains, building trade barriers, and using tariffs as weapons' are destabilising global trade.

His comments come in the wake of renewed trade tensions between China and the United States, including a controversial move by President Donald Trump to impose a whopping 145% tariff on Chinese imports, prompting China to retaliate with tariffs of up to 125%. Many economists and diplomats have warned that the tit-for-tat exchange marks a major escalation in the ongoing trade war, raising fears of deeper disruption to global supply chains and financial markets.

'Global instability and uncertainty are on the rise. The world is, again, at a critical juncture,' Xue said.

'We need to jointly shoulder historical responsibilities and advocate for an equal and orderly multipolar world, as well as universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation. China is ready to work with Africa to remember history, forge ahead together, and jointly uphold the basic rules of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.'

Xue’s message aligns with China’s broader diplomatic agenda of building a 'Community with a Shared Future for Mankind'—a concept rooted in mutual benefit, non-interference, and collective progress, especially among developing nations. The seminar provided a platform to align that vision with Africa’s aspirations for inclusive growth and modernisation.

The event was hosted by the China Foreign Affairs University, a premier institution directly under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. Known for training the country’s top diplomats, CFAU plays a key role in shaping international dialogue and global policy through research and education.

It is part of China’s 'Double First-Class' university initiative and houses the Research Centre on Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind, which is dedicated to advancing China’s global diplomatic narrative.

Speaking during the seminar, Paul Kamweru Ndungu, Director General of the Foreign Service Academy of Kenya, underscored the importance of preparing African diplomats for emerging global challenges.

'Diplomats must be prepared and equipped with sound knowledge, strategies, and the right skills to handle the complex and shifting diplomatic environment, so they can remain relevant and effective in addressing 21st-century problems,' he said.

'We are at the doorstep of a new future, and as we go into that future, we must be ready to confront every obstacle… every challenge—and we must remain strong and united for the good of the China-Africa community with a shared future, and for the good of all of us,' he added.

CFAU President Professor Wang Fan expressed optimism about the future of China-Africa cooperation, describing it as essential for building a better world.

'To combat global challenges and jointly build a better world has received more and more recognition and support, especially from African countries and with more companies joining us. We will surely go further on this new journey. Building a community with a shared future is our shared dream, and modernisation is the path to turn that dream into reality.'

China’s Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Affairs, Xue Bing, condemned global trade protectionism.

A wide view of the seminar hall at China Foreign Affairs University, where the high-level China-Africa dialogue took place on April 15, 2025.

African and Chinese scholars engage in a panel discussion on diplomacy, development, and cooperation during the ‘Building China-Africa Community with a Shared Future’ seminar in Beijing.

Participants from across Africa and China listen attentively as experts explore strategies for strengthening China-Africa ties amidst global uncertainties.

Paul Kamweru Ndungu, Director General of Kenya’s Foreign Service Academy, calls for African diplomats to be equipped with the skills needed to address 21st-century challenges.

The opening session of the China-Africa seminar at CFAU draws senior diplomats, academics, and youth leaders to exchange ideas on building enduring partnerships.

Christian Mugisha

This marks a notable increase from 87% in 2017, reflecting continued national efforts to improve living conditions across the country.

The report defines improved water sources as those that include piped water into homes or neighbouring dwellings, public standpipes, protected wells and springs, boreholes, rainwater, bottled water, and tanker truck deliveries.

Among the various sources, access to piped water into the home or bottled water rose from 9% in 2017 to 16% in 2024. Similarly, piped connections to neighbouring homes or public standpipes increased from 35% to 39%.

However, reliance on “other improved sources,” such as protected wells and springs, saw a decline—from 43% in 2017 to 35% in 2024—indicating a shift toward more reliable infrastructure.

The survey also reveals that 68% of households use a basic drinking water service, defined as water from an improved source that can be collected within 30 minutes. Meanwhile, 21% fall under the “limited service” category, spending over 30 minutes to access water.

The EICV7 report goes beyond water access, offering a comprehensive look at living conditions across the country.

Among other findings, the survey highlighted a sharp rise in access to electricity, climbing from 34% in 2017 to 72% in 2024. This includes 50% of households connected to the national grid and 22% relying on solar power. Rural electrification saw dramatic gains, with access increasing from 24% to 65% over the same period.

In terms of clean energy for cooking, only 5% of households nationwide use clean fuels, a modest increase from 1% in 2017. Urban areas saw higher adoption at 17%, while rural areas lag behind at just 1%.

The majority of households continue to rely on traditional fuels such as firewood (63%), straw or sticks (12%), and charcoal (19%).

The report also highlighted significant progress in poverty reduction. The national poverty rate dropped to 27.4% in 2024, down from 39.8% in 2017. Extreme poverty has also been halved, from a predicted 11.3% to 5.4%.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Yusuf Murangwa described the release of the report as timely, noting that it will support evidence-based policymaking to achieve the goals of the Second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2).

'These results will define where and how the government and partners should invest to get maximum results for NST2 objectives by 2029,' he stated.

Rwanda has made remarkable strides in expanding access to safe drinking water, with 90% of households now benefiting from improved water sources, according to findings from the Seventh Integrated Household Living Conditions Survey (EICV7), released by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.

Wycliffe Nyamasege