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There is currently hope for peace talks after the Congolese government finally agreed to dialogue with M23 and neighbouring Rwanda through Angola’s mediation.

But peace talks only make sense if the actual causes of the 30-year war are finally uncovered and eliminated. Otherwise the fighting will flare up again immediately.

Misjudgements prevent solutions

It is a misjudgement on the part of many media outlets, politicians and Christian aid organisations that M23 is concerned with securing mineral resources in Eastern Congo or Rwanda is concerned with conquering territory.

This falls far too short and prevents a solution just as much as the German government’s blatantly wrong decision to stop development aid for neighbouring Rwanda.

More than 400 journalists, lawyers, researchers and university professors from all over the world have recently written an open letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. They complain that the misinterpretation of the conflict is exacerbating tensions and fueling hate speech.

They call on the United Nations not to make the same tragic misjudgement as during the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda in 1994, when the UN withdrew its UNAMIR troops despite clear signs of a looming genocide.

As a result, an average of 10,000 defenceless Tutsis were slaughtered every day for 100 days. Now, according to the letter, the one-sided focus on the M23 and Rwanda ignores the atrocities committed in broad daylight against Banyamulenge (Congolese Tutsi).

The Rwandan community in Germany has also written a letter to Development Minister Svenja Schulze (SPD) stating that such punitive measures undermine African-led initiatives and encourage the Congolese government in its pursuit of a military rather than a diplomatic solution.

Where the causes lie

Many causes of conflict go back to the Berlin Conference in 1894/95, when Africa was divided up between the superpowers regardless of ethnic groups, and the Western territory of Rwanda, which was much larger at the time, was carved up between Belgium and Germany.

The Banyamulenge, among others, are still suffering today. They live mainly in the east of today’s Congo, but like the Tutsi in Rwanda (in former times), they are labelled as 'intruders’ and murdered.

'As early as 2021, Genocide Watch raised the alarm that a 'slow genocide’ has been taking place against the Banyamulenge since 2017, unnoticed by the international press.

In 2022, researchers Felix Ndahinda and Aggee Shyaka Mugabe documented in detail in the renowned 'Journal of Genocide Research’ how hate speech against the Banyamulenge, among others, is shared thousands of times on social media.

This extends to the highest government circles. For example, Justin Bitakwira, a Member of Parliament and personal friend of President Felix Tshisekedi, who held various ministerial positions, declared that every Tutsi is a 'born criminal’.

He asked whether the God who created the Tutsis was the same God who created the Congolese. The fighters of the FDLR, who are taking action against the Banyamulenge and Rwanda, also justified their terror with texts from the Old Testament and prophecies that God is fighting for them and that they will liberate Rwanda.

The statutes of the terrorist organization state, 'All members of the FDLR must believe in, respect and fear God.’ Since they were founded in 2000, they have celebrated church services before their massacres and mass rapes.

The UN Special Envoy for Genocide Prevention, Alice Wairimu Nderitu, declared in 2022 that she was 'deeply concerned’ that the current violence was a 'warning signal’ that 'hatred and violence are spilling over into genocide on a grand scale’.

Many investigations have revealed systematic persecution, destruction of homes, cattle theft, torture, rape and murder of Banyamulenge.

The goals of M23 and Rwanda

The M23 sees itself, also in view of the failure of the UN mission MONUSCO, as a protection force for the threatened minority, including Banyamulenge and other Kinyarwanda-speaking groups.

Experts such as Hans Romkema, who has been researching the Great Lakes since 1996, call the argument that it is about mineral resources “not valid”. A few million dollars would not compensate Rwanda for the impending damage to its image.

Instead, the country and the militia wanted to protect themselves from the FDLR militias that had emerged from genocides. The statement by aid organisations that Rwanda is “boycotting peace negotiations” is false.

While the African heads of government, including the Rwandan president, were discussing the security situation in eastern DRC at the African Union summit in Addis Ababa, Congolese President Tshisekedi was calling for sanctions against Rwanda at the Munich Security Conference. Instead of seeking a regional solution, he was spreading hate speech.

Romkema names three basic problems that need to be solved: Firstly, Congo lacks stable governance and an army that serves the country and not one person or party. Secondly, there are no equal rights for Congo’s Tutsi, who are discriminated against as foreign invaders. And lastly, ending the FDLR rebellion.

Most of our media outlets are failing once again and will have to apologise publicly once again, as some did after 1994. Because they have failed to focus attention on the decades of hate propaganda and the signs of a genocide against the Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese.

Added to this is the failure of our government, which is sanctioning Rwanda instead of the real perpetrators of this crisis who are President Tshisekedi and his co-rulers and the FDLR rebels.

M23, A rebel group that wants to protect the Kinyarwanda-speaking minorities in the Congo and demands more say in the east of the Congo. These minorities include the Banyamulenge.

The DRC government is scapegoating these minorities for current developments. The M23 named themselves after 23 March 2009, when the government broke the agreement with the M23’s predecessor organisation, the CNDP.

The Author has been for years, researching about the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda and is a committed supporter of the survivors.

DR. Wolfgang Reinhardt.

Wolfgang Reinhardt

For years, senior education and medical officers employed by the government have simultaneously managed private schools, clinics, pharmacies, and hospitals, often prioritizing their private enterprises over their official duties.

Many have been accused of neglecting government facilities while diverting resources, including medicines and equipment, to their private establishments.

Additionally, some medical officers have been found referring patients to their private facilities for services that should be freely available at government hospitals.

The National Development Plan (NDP) IV, which outlines the Government’s strategic direction for the next five years, highlights this issue of conflict of interest and public service neglect as a key area for reform.

According to the plan, the ban seeks to ensure that civil servants focus on their core responsibilities, thereby improving service delivery in public schools and hospitals.

Senior officials in the education sector, including head teachers and commissioners, have been running private nursery, primary, and secondary schools while simultaneously overseeing government institutions.

Similarly, medical professionals have been accused of setting up private health facilities, often under pseudo names or proxies, to bypass regulations.

These conflicts of interest have led to the deterioration of public services, as officials devote more time and resources to their personal businesses.

The new directive follows President Yoweri Museveni’s call for the Public Service Ministry to review civil service regulations and address the growing issue of moonlighting among public servants.

The Government aims to ensure equitable resource allocation and improve the quality of education and healthcare services.

'Conflict of interest is especially rampant in the health sector. Many senior health workers are rarely available at public hospitals and instead operate their own facilities.

Patients are often referred to these private establishments to purchase medicines, even when the same drugs are available in government stores. This is unfair and undermines public healthcare,' a government source explained.

Meanwhile, there is uncertainty over how the Government will handle civil servants who already own private schools and hospitals.

A senior official suggested that affected individuals might be required to either resign from public service and run their businesses or sell their private facilities to remain in government employment. Cabinet is expected to provide final guidance on this matter.

Challenges in education and health sectors

The Government acknowledges that despite efforts to improve public services, significant challenges remain. According to NDP IV, the cost of education and healthcare continues to rise due to inefficiencies, population growth, and weak policy implementation.

Currently, households contribute nearly 47% of education funding in Uganda. The healthcare sector also struggles with affordability, with out-of-pocket expenses still accounting for 29% of total health expenditure.

The country faces severe shortages in both sectors, with only 8,900 doctors serving a population of over 45 million, far below the World Health Organization’s recommended doctor-to-patient ratio. Similarly, the education sector is short by 78,000 teachers at the primary level and 20,000 at the secondary level.

By ensuring that civil servants dedicate themselves fully to their roles, the government hopes to improve the quality of public education and healthcare services and reduce reliance on costly private alternatives.

The policy does not extend to political leaders, but it marks a significant step towards accountability and efficiency in Uganda’s public sector. The implementation of this directive will be closely monitored, with Cabinet expected to issue further guidelines to ensure a smooth transition.

Nakasero hospital is one of the best privately owned hospitals in Kampala.

IGIHE

'These comments are surprising because Rwandan and Burundian defence and security institutions have actually been meeting to discuss how to secure our common borders in light of developments in Eastern DRC,' Makolo.

The President of Burundi made these remarks during an interview with the BBC, where he accused Rwanda of attempting to destabilize his country by backing RED Tabara—an armed group based in South Kivu, DRC, known for its opposition to the Burundian government.

He alleged that Rwanda plans to use this rebel group in the same way it has been accused of supporting M23 rebels in eastern DRC.

'We know that Rwanda is trying to attack us through RED Tabara operating from Congo. But if they want to come to Bujumbura that way, we can also get to Kigali through Kirundo,' Ndayishimiye warned.

This is not the first time Ndayishimiye has accused Rwanda of supporting RED Tabara. In December 2023, following an attack by the group in Gatumba zone, Bujumbura, he repeated similar accusations.

These allegations, refuted by Kigali as baseless, saw Burundi closing borders in January 2024.

Despite these tensions, recent months had seen signs of diplomatic progress. Military and intelligence officials from both countries held bilateral meetings aimed at restoring security cooperation and resolving border issues.

The latest such meeting took place on March 10 in Kirundo province, Burundi. Besides, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, stated on March 14 that Rwanda and Burundi were on a good path towards de-escalation and mutual understanding as talks continue between the leadership of both countries.

President Paul Kagame also hinted at improving regional relations during a citizen outreach programme on March 16 at BK Arena, where he revealed that former colonial powers had attempted to unite Burundi and DRC against Rwanda.

However, he noted that such efforts were being unraveled and Rwanda was working to rebuild strong ties.

Speaking at a church event on the same day, President Ndayishimiye accused Rwanda of sowing chaos across the region and described any intentions to attack Burundi as madness.

'The idea that someone dreams of attacking Burundi is madness. I hear people say, 'Rwanda has a strong army.’ Oh! They don’t know the kind of army I have,' he said defiantly.

'Burundi has both visible and invisible forces. We are well protected.' Ndayishimiye also expressed lingering frustration over Rwanda’s refusal to extradite individuals accused of involvement in the 2015 attempted coup against the late President Pierre Nkurunziza.

Rwanda has maintained that these individuals are refugees protected under international law and cannot be handed over.

The current turn of events casts doubt on the recent optimism surrounding Burundi—Rwanda relations.

While both countries had appeared to be on a diplomatic path towards peace and cooperation, President Ndayishimiye’s statements suggest deeper mistrust still lingers—potentially jeopardizing the fragile progress made in recent months.

Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye has claimed that if the armed rebel group RED Tabara were to attack Burundi’s capital, Bujumbura, from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), his country’s army would retaliate by advancing towards Kigali via the Kirundo region.

IGIHE

Han, who served as co-chief executive and oversaw the company’s consumer electronics and mobile devices divisions, died in the hospital after suffering from cardiac arrest.

Joining Samsung in 1988, Han dedicated much of his career to TV-related divisions, helping the company become the global leader in television manufacturing. In 2022, he was appointed co-vice chairman and CEO.

Han was expected to attend a significant Samsung event unveiling new home appliances on Wednesday.

As one of the world’s largest technology companies, Samsung thrives in both components and finished consumer products, with separate CEOs leading major divisions like semiconductors.

All divisions operate under the overarching leadership of third-generation corporate heir and chairman, Lee Jae-yong.

Samsung co-CEO Han Jong-Hee reportedly died of cardiac arrest.

IGIHE

A total of 123 police officers have been injured during protests, Yerlikaya said on the social media platform X.

Yerlikaya emphasized that, according to Article 34 of the Constitution, “everyone has the right to organize unarmed and unaggressive meetings and demonstrations without prior permission,” but noted that this right is “restricted by law for the purposes of national security, public order, crime prevention, protection of public health and morality, or the rights and freedoms of others.”

The recent protests have gone beyond peaceful demonstrations, with certain groups abusing the right and attempting to exploit the situation to disrupt public order and attack law enforcement forces, said the minister.

“We invite our citizens to be careful against such provocations and to act with common sense,” he added.

Tens of thousands of Turks have taken to the streets since March 19 after Imamoglu was detained on charges of graft and aiding a terrorist group.

Imamoglu, from the main opposition Republican People’s Party, is considered President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s main rival in the next presidential elections.

Protesters take part in a demonstration in Ankara, Türkiye, on March 23, 2025. Turkish security forces arrested 1,133 suspects over the past five days since the start of protests against the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, the country’s Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said Monday. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)

Xinhua

He was speaking at the 2nd joint virtual summit of East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State held on March 24, 2025.

The summit, co-chaired by EAC Chairperson President William Ruto of Kenya and SADC Chairperson President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, was focused on addressing the worsening security situation in the region.

The government of the DRC has frequently accused Rwanda of violating its sovereignty, claiming that Rwanda has sent troops onto its territory and is supporting the M23 armed group, which controls large areas.

Rwanda has denied these accusations, explaining that in response to security threats originating from the DRC, such as the FDLR, it has strengthened its border security measures.

These security measures have helped prevent some of the shelling in the Rubavu District since the morning of January 27, 2025, when M23 fighters clashed with the DRC armed forces and its coalition in Goma City.

Kagame emphasized that Rwanda’s security concerns must be considered within a broader context.

'Rwanda remains concerned about our security, and this must be addressed within the framework of dealing with problems of other countries, including DRC as well,' he stated.

The summit, which was characterized by a collaborative and positive atmosphere, resulted in the appointment of five eminent persons to a newly established Panel of Facilitators tasked with finding a lasting political solution to the crisis.

Kagame reiterated the importance of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations, stating, 'When we talk about sovereignty and territorial integrity, it should mean every country. Every country deserves respect for its territorial integrity or its sovereignty.'

Kagame’s message also underscored the significance of addressing the underlying political issues that contribute to the instability in the region.

'If you want the war to end, you end the injustice, you end political problems for not only your people, but for others, including neighbors, that are affected,' he asserted.

The meeting of the Heads of State of EAC and SADC, which followed a previous one on February 8, 2025, made decisions including calls for an end to fighting and hostilities between the conflicting parties in Eastern DRC.

This was followed by a meeting of the military chiefs of the member states leading to a report outlining how the fighting and hostilities would cease, allowing humanitarian efforts to continue without obstruction. The report was discussed and approved by the council of ministers.

Kagame also expressed cautious optimism, acknowledging the progress made in the discussions and highlighting the collective responsibility to resolve the crisis.

'I think we are making progress. We are counting on everyone to help make positive contributions towards ending all of this,' he stated.

President Kagame emphasized that Rwanda’s security concerns must be considered within a broader context.

IGIHE

Goldberg first received a connection request on Signal from a user named “Michael Waltz,” which seemed to be the U.S. National Security Advisor, though he wasn’t sure at the time.

Two days later, he was added to a group chat called “Houthi PC Small Group,” where messages from “Waltz” revealed details about the operation, including targets, weapons, and attack sequencing.

Initially doubtful about the chat’s authenticity, Goldberg became convinced as the conversation contained accurate and detailed information.

After the airstrikes occurred as planned, he reached out to U.S. officials for confirmation. National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes confirmed the incident and stated they were investigating how Goldberg was added.

The incident raised serious concerns about security and operational discretion. Senate Armed Services Committee member Jack Reed and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the breach, calling it dangerous and a sign of incompetence.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed the claims, calling Goldberg “deceitful” and denying the leak of war plans. The White House, however, expressed confidence in the national security team.

The error made U.S. journalist accidentally aware of Yemen attack two hours before.

IGIHE

John Tanui, Kenya’s principal secretary in the Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy, highlighted the anticipated surge in e-waste due to the increasing sale of electronic products like refrigerators, TVs, and mobile phones.

He emphasized the region’s rising awareness of the health risks linked to improper e-waste disposal.

Ally Simba, EACO’s executive secretary, noted that e-waste is the fastest-growing waste stream in Africa.

Despite this, the region lacks sufficient recycling infrastructure and repair services. However, progress has been made as Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania have implemented e-waste regulations, and Uganda and Burundi have adopted national policies.

Attendees stressed the need for East African countries to align their policies with international standards to tackle the transboundary nature of e-waste.

They also called for the establishment of collection centers, recycling plants, and safe disposal mechanisms.

The conference highlighted the anticipated surge in e-waste due to the increasing sale of electronic products like refrigerators, TVs, and mobile phones.

IGIHE

The finalists were shortlisted from a pool of more than 500 applicants and will be competing for a share of 50 million Rwanda Francs in grants, along with mentorship and business development opportunities.

Launched in 2023 as part of Heifer International’s AYuTe Africa NextGen initiative, the challenge identifies and supports young Rwandan agritech entrepreneurs developing scalable solutions to benefit smallholder farmers.

This year’s competition seeks to empower the next generation of agritech leaders by equipping them with financial support and expert guidance.

The Bootcamp serves as a critical stage in the competition, allowing the ten finalists to refine their ideas and engage with industry experts.

Participants are eager to leverage the platform to expand their businesses and increase their impact on Rwanda’s agricultural sector.

'I’m here at Bootcamp because I want to see how we can scale our idea to have a bigger impact across the country. We aim to grow our business from a small to a major player in the sector,' said Kayitare Gisa Patrick of Eco Green House.

Another finalist, Sabina Mari Rose from Green Energy Technology, expressed enthusiasm about the mentorship opportunities: 'During this Bootcamp, I hope to learn from the mentors and coaches, refine my idea, and network with fellow entrepreneurs.'

Beyond the financial grants, AYuTe Africa Challenge Rwanda provides participants with business development training, networking opportunities, and a pathway to compete at the regional level. This holistic support framework ensures that young innovators can transform their ideas into sustainable ventures.

Verena Ruzibuka, Country Director of Heifer Rwanda, emphasized the challenge’s importance in agricultural transformation.

'At Heifer Rwanda, we believe that young innovators can play a key role in transforming the agriculture sector in Rwanda.. This Bootcamp is not just a competition; it is about equipping the next generation with the skills, knowledge, and support to drive meaningful change,' she said.

We are excited to see the innovative ideas that will emerge and how they will contribute to a more resilient and prosperous agricultural future for Rwanda,' she added.

The AYuTe Africa Challenge aligns with national efforts to encourage youth participation in agriculture. While the sector employs over 60% of Rwanda’s workforce, young people’s engagement remains limited. By providing a platform for agritech and social enterprise development, the competition inspires more young Rwandans to explore agriculture as a viable career path.

With the competition heating up, all eyes are on the top ten agripreneurs as they refine their innovations and prepare to compete for the top prizes. The winners will not only receive financial backing but also critical support to scale their businesses, ultimately benefiting smallholder farmers and strengthening Rwanda’s agricultural sector.

The finalists were shortlisted from a pool of more than 500 applicants and will be competing for a share of 50 million Rwanda Francs in grants, along with mentorship and business development opportunities.

The Bootcamp serves as a critical stage in the competition, allowing the ten finalists to refine their ideas and engage with industry experts.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

In a virtual summit chaired by Kenyan President William Ruto and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Monday night, regional heads of state appointed three former African presidents—Kgalema Motlanthe of South Africa, Catherine Samba-Panza of the Central African Republic, and Sahle-Work Zewde of Ethiopia—to an expanded team that will lead peace talks between the AFC-M23 rebel group and the Congolese government. The panel already included Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria.

The summit cited the need to ensure gender balance, regional, and linguistic inclusivity in the team, leading to the appointment of the three additional former presidents. Former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, who was part of the initial team, has been dropped.

The Heads of State and Government from 14 EAC and SADC member countries participated in the Monday night meeting, focusing on the deteriorating security situation in eastern DRC and the implementation of a comprehensive peace roadmap.

The Joint Summit, attended by President Paul Kagame, mandated the EAC and SADC Secretariats to formally notify the panel members and convey the outcomes of the summit to the African Union (AU) and United Nations (UN) Security Council.

Furthermore, the co-chairs, Kenyatta and Obasanjo, were directed to convene a briefing session with the facilitators within seven days, to be conducted jointly by the EAC, SADC, and the African Union.

The Monday summit also adopted a comprehensive report from the Joint EAC-SADC Meeting of Ministers, which outlines immediate, medium-, and long-term measures to achieve lasting peace and security in the region. The Heads of State emphasized the urgent implementation of these measures to address the ongoing conflict.

The new appointments follow a joint summit held on February 8, where the EAC and SADC proposed merging the Nairobi Process, an EAC-led mediation effort led by Kenyatta, with the Luanda Process, a separate peace initiative facilitated by Angolan President João Lourenço under the African Union.

The expanded team marks a renewed regional commitment to resolving the protracted conflict in eastern DRC. The newly appointed facilitators are expected to play a pivotal role in mediation efforts and ensuring the successful execution of the peace roadmap after months of fighting between the Congolese army and rebels who accuse the government of poor governance and the persecution of Congolese Rwandophones in the east.

Former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Former President of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo.

Former President of Central African Republic Catherine Samba-Panza.

Sahle-Work Zewde is a former President of Ethiopia.

Kgalema Motlanthe is a former Head of State of South Africa.

Wycliffe Nyamasege