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The two leaders conducted sincere and in-depth exchanges and reached common understanding on many issues, which has added new substance to the constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability, and provided new strategic guidance for China-U.S. relations.

Putting vision into action

'I am ready to work with you to steer the giant ship of China-U.S. relationship on a steady course toward the future,' Xi said at the welcome ceremony at the White House.

Xi's visit comes less than half a year after Trump's state visit to China in May, when the two presidents agreed to build a constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability.

Later at his White House meeting with Trump, Xi called for translating that vision into action and finding the right way for the two major countries to get along with each other.

The two sides need to work toward a relationship featuring cooperation as the mainstay, moderate competition, manageable differences, and promises of peace, Xi said.

Xi noted that China and the United States should, and fully can, achieve mutual benefit and win-win results through practical cooperation, help each other succeed through healthy competition, properly manage differences by seeking common ground while respecting differences, and build peace by fostering mutual trust, so that a constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability can better benefit the two peoples and people around the world.

Trump, for his part, said he and Xi are good friends who have maintained in-depth and close communication, and expressed confidence that U.S.-China relations would be handled well under the leadership of the two heads of state.

The meticulous arrangements for Xi's state visit, down to the details and with care and consideration, reflected the importance Trump attached to Xi's trip.

After receiving Xi in person at the airport one day earlier, Trump hosted the grand welcome ceremony at the White House.

Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, watched a performance by the United States Marines in the company of the U.S. presidential couple. The ceremony also featured a military review, with U.S. honor guards from different military services performing traditional drills and playing instrumental music. Multiple combat aircraft flew over the White House in honor of the Chinese and U.S. presidents and their wives.

Following the talks, the two presidential couples met again for the state dinner. Inside, red blossoms and red linens decorated the room, a choice a White House release said reflected the color's longstanding cultural significance in China.

'In less than half a year, the Chinese and American presidents have exchanged state visits, making history in our bilateral engagement,' Xi said at the state dinner hosted by Trump.

The strongest signal to the world is that the leaders of the world's two most consequential major countries, though overtly competitive, can meet in harmony and with good spirit, which is the headline achievement, commented U.S. scholar Robert Lawrence Kuhn.

Cooperation goes both ways

From Beijing in May to Washington in September, practical cooperation has remained high on the agenda of China-U.S. interactions.

At the ceremony, Xi called on the two countries to 'cooperate with sincerity.'

Xi said the two sides share 'deeply intertwined' interests and ample room for cooperation, noting that China-U.S. collaboration 'may not solve every problem in the world,' but many would be hard to resolve without it.

During his talks with Trump, Xi said the latest round of trade and economic consultations between the two countries had produced a new joint arrangement, calling it good news for industries and people of both countries, as well as the global economy.

Noting that cooperation is a two-way street, Xi said as long as the two sides uphold the spirit of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit, they can find a way out of problems.

The state dinner offered another glimpse of the breadth of economic ties between the two countries. Executives from major U.S. aviation, technology and financial firms were among the guests, including some who had accompanied Trump to Beijing in May, such as Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

Artificial intelligence (AI) was another area discussed by the two leaders.

While China and the United States compete in AI, they have even more reasons to cooperate, Xi said, urging the two major countries in AI to leverage respective strengths rather than guard against each other.

The two sides should keep AI under human control, uphold a human-centered approach and use AI for good, ensuring that it serves human progress, Xi added.

Trump also stressed the importance of maintaining dialogue on AI, calling it the technology that bears on the future of humanity.

Carrying on friendship

At the state dinner, both presidents looked back on the long history of exchanges between the Chinese and American peoples, underscoring the importance of people-to-people ties.

Xi recalled how the two peoples stood shoulder to shoulder in the fight against Japanese militarist aggression more than 80 years ago, and how Ping-Pong Diplomacy reopened the door to bilateral exchanges more than half a century ago.

He also recounted the story of American Ronald Sakolsky, who supported Chinese desert control worker Yin Yuzhen's tree-planting efforts more than 20 years ago, calling it a shining example of friendly exchanges between the two peoples.

Such exchanges, Xi said, have promoted heart-to-heart communication between our peoples and strengthened public support for China-U.S. friendship and cooperation.

Trump, meanwhile, reviewed the long history of U.S.-China exchanges, pointing to early commercial ties and the exchange of 'goods, knowledge, customs and ideas.'

'As the leaders of our two nations, President Xi and I both understand that we represent different systems, but the ties between our people endure, and we've never gotten along better,' Trump said.

New steps are now being taken to carry that friendship forward.

At the welcome ceremony, Xi announced that two pandas, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, will soon arrive at Zoo Atlanta and meet the American people. He also invited 100,000 young Americans to visit China for exchange and study programs over the next five years.

'The hope of the China-U.S. relationship lies in our people, and its future lies with the young,' Xi said.

In 2023, during his visit to San Francisco, Xi announced a similar initiative inviting 50,000 young Americans to China over five years. That target has already been achieved.

'President Xi announced that he wants to double the number of students over the next five years. That's very positive, very significant, because I believe that those kinds of exchanges and students going back and forth are very, very important,' said Kenneth Quinn, president emeritus of the World Food Prize Foundation.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/xi-trump-summit-provides-new-strategic-guidance-for-china-u-s-ties/

The summit, scheduled for September 30 to October 2 at the Kigali Convention Centre, will bring together policymakers, health leaders, innovators, investors and development partners under the theme, 'Wellness for All: Powered by Intelligent Health Systems.'

The event is co-hosted by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and Smart Africa, in partnership with the Government of Rwanda and implemented by Dala Africa Group.

Among the speakers listed are Africa CDC Director-General Dr Jean Kaseya, Rwanda's Minister of Health Dr Sabin Nsanzimana and Minister of ICT and Innovation Paula Ingabire.

Other speakers include Angola's Minister of Health Dr Sílvia Paula Valentim Lutucuta, Uganda's Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, Zimbabwe's Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Dr Tatenda Annastacia Mavetera, and Nigeria's Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako.

The summit will examine the use of artificial intelligence in areas including early disease detection, patient safety and sovereign AI, alongside digital public infrastructure and health data.

Primary healthcare will also feature prominently, with sessions focusing on digitalisation, community health systems and governance.

Other discussions will cover sexual and reproductive health and rights, including family planning, gender equity and solutions targeting young people.

Delegates will also discuss non-communicable diseases and mental health, with a focus on disease prevention, mental health services and digital therapeutics.

Health innovation financing will be another focus, particularly how African health technology companies can secure funding to move solutions from proof of concept to wider adoption.

A separate consultation on the draft African Continental Health Data Governance Framework will take place on September 30. Organised by Africa CDC and Transform Health, it will bring together governments, regional institutions, civil society, academia, youth and women's groups, innovators and private-sector representatives.

The summit will also feature a CEO and Investors Forum aimed at facilitating partnerships, investment and cross-border collaboration, as well as an Innovation and Wellness Exhibition showcasing health technologies and solutions.

Since its inaugural edition in 2022, the Africa HealthTech Summit has brought together more than 5,000 leaders from over 190 countries, according to organisers.

The fifth edition comes as African countries seek to expand the use of artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure and data to improve healthcare delivery and make health systems more responsive to the needs of their populations.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/health-leaders-to-explore-intelligent-health-systems-at-kigali-summit/

Xi visited the United States from September 23 to 25 at Trump's invitation, with the two leaders holding talks at the White House on September 24. They discussed the future of China-U.S. relations, economic and trade cooperation, AI and major international and regional issues.

During the talks, Xi said China and the United States should strengthen communication, manage differences and expand practical cooperation.

'China and the United States are great countries, and both the Chinese and American peoples are great peoples,' Xi said.

He said the two countries, as influential global powers, have a historic responsibility to contribute to human development and progress.

Xi recalled that during his meeting with Trump in May, the two countries agreed to build a constructive China-U.S. relationship based on strategic stability. He said he was ready to work with Trump to guide the relationship toward a stable future.

He also said that through sincere and continuous dialogue, China and the United States could better understand each other, find common ground, manage disagreements and build mutual trust.

According to Xi, cooperation between the two countries may not solve every global challenge, but many problems would be more difficult to address without it.

On artificial intelligence, Xi said China and the United States have both the ability and responsibility to ensure that AI is developed responsibly. He stressed that the technology should remain under human control and serve the interests of people.

During the visit, the two countries announced eight deliverables and understandings aimed at advancing bilateral relations.

They agreed to build a constructive China-U.S. relationship based on respect, fairness and reciprocity, with the goal of achieving greater strategic stability. They also agreed to support each other in hosting major international gatherings, including the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and the G20 Summit.

Xi and Trump discussed international security issues, including Iran, agreeing that Tehran should respect its commitment not to develop nuclear weapons. They also stated that no country or institution should be allowed to impose tolls on international waterways.

On economic relations, both sides supported the implementation of agreements reached by their economic teams, including the establishment of the Board of Trade and other cooperation platforms, as well as an arrangement involving a $30 billion reciprocal tariff reduction.

The two countries also highlighted progress in law enforcement cooperation, particularly in combating drug-related crimes involving New Psychoactive Substances, precursor chemicals and criminal networks.

China and the United States further agreed to establish a China-U.S. AI Dialogue for officials and experts to exchange views on the risks and benefits of artificial intelligence. The next discussion is expected in November, while a communication channel for AI-related incidents will also be created.

As part of efforts to strengthen people-to-people ties, the United States welcomed two giant pandas, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, which will be hosted at Zoo Atlanta under a lease agreement with China.

Beyond the eight understandings, the Chinese and U.S. militaries agreed to work toward a memorandum of understanding on crisis communication and prevention. Xi also announced that China would invite 100,000 young Americans to visit China over the next five years for educational and cultural exchanges.

President Trump welcomed Xi's visit, saying the relationship between the two countries was built on mutual respect and shared interests. He said the two leaders would continue discussions on trade, security, artificial intelligence and technology, with the aim of contributing to peace and prosperity.

The visit marked a renewed effort by Beijing and Washington to deepen dialogue, expand areas of cooperation and manage differences as the two countries continue shaping one of the world's most important bilateral relationships.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/xi-and-trump-chart-new-path-for-china-u-s-ties-with-eight-key-understandings/

The speculation follows reports that the five-year agreement between the singer and the company has expired.

Bruce Melodie spoke about his relationship with 1:55 AM during an interview with Radio Rwanda on September 26, 2026, as he promoted his new song, Irya 4.

'What could separate me from my brothers? My affairs with 1:55 AM have often been handled privately. I am not someone who easily lets go of important people. These are people I have lived and worked with, and our relationship reached a point where it became brotherhood, going beyond business,' he said.

The singer dismissed suggestions that he had completely cut ties with the company, saying they could continue working together on other ventures even if their music partnership ends.

'I don't put too much emphasis on contracts. Coach Gael is my brother, and so is Kenny. Contracts take time to conclude; these are not things that happen overnight. Whether we continue together or not, we will still pursue other businesses because there are many things we can work on,' he said.

His comments suggest that the five-year agreement has expired and has not yet been renewed, although discussions on a possible renewal have been ongoing.

Bruce Melodie also commented on recent reports of a disagreement between producer Loader and singer Prince Kiiiz.

He said such disagreements can sometimes benefit artists, arguing that producers may create better music when they are angry.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/what-could-separate-me-from-my-brothers-bruce-melodie-on-155-am/

The recommendations were made during the International Coffee Conference, which concluded in Kigali on September 25, 2026.

Organised by Sustainable Growers, the conference brought together participants from more than 17 countries, including Rwanda, to discuss the development of the coffee value chain from production to the final cup.

Michel Ruzindana, a Senior Programme Officer at Fairtrade Africa, an umbrella organisation representing Fairtrade-certified producer organisations, said international certification can help coffee cooperatives access better markets and strengthen their businesses.

'For every coffee cooperative we certify, the first thing we help them establish is a minimum price. This helps farmers when market prices fall, allowing them to sell their coffee at a price that still gives them enough return to continue farming. We also provide cooperatives with additional funds on top of the coffee price to support activities that improve their profession,' he said.

Fairtrade Africa, which works with some coffee cooperatives in Rwanda, encouraged more producers to join the organisation, saying new regulations are expected in the coffee sector. Certification can help producers meet the requirements and maintain access to international markets.

Delphine Chassaigne, a coffee buyer at French coffee processing company Destination France, said consistent quality is key to building long-term relationships between cooperatives and buyers.

'When we work with a cooperative over a long period, we are confident that we will continue receiving coffee with consistent quality, similar to what we bought before. That is more important to us than buying coffee just once. For that relationship to last, the cooperative needs to continue supplying us with that quality, and we buy it at a good price so that it can continue working with us,' she said.

Chassaigne added that coffee producers need strong systems to manage their production, enabling them to work effectively with long-term buyers, showcase their coffee and obtain international certification that provides important information about the product.

Mukamusoni Ruth, President of Mayogi Coffee Cooperative, which grows and processes coffee in Gicumbi District and receives training from Sustainable Growers, said access to financing is increasingly important for cooperatives seeking to operate professionally.

'So far, we have not had any problems with the banks we work with, such as failing to repay loans or struggling to make repayments. We repay the loans according to the agreements we have made, and sometimes we even repay them before the agreed deadline,' she said.

Mukamusoni encouraged other farmers to seek financing where their cooperatives have strong management systems. She also called on banks to speed up loan processing, saying delays can affect farmers' ability to invest and expand their businesses.

Dunia Muhindo, who assesses coffee quality in the Democratic Republic of Congo, said consistent quality can help cooperatives gain the confidence of buyers, banks and investors.

'When cooperatives demonstrate that they can consistently produce quality coffee, they gain the confidence of buyers, banks and investors. This opens the door to partnerships and access to larger markets,' she said.

Augustin Nkundimana, founder of Rwanda-based Agric AI, which develops artificial intelligence technology for agriculture, said the company has started helping Rwandan coffee farmers identify diseases and pests affecting their crops through images.

He encouraged farmers to adopt the technology, saying its information is currently between 70% and 90% accurate. This, he said, gives farmers an opportunity to identify problems affecting their coffee plants early and take action to protect their crops.

The conference concluded with a fundraising dinner to support Sustainable Growers' coffee-related initiatives.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/coffee-conference-highlights-ways-to-boost-rwandas-global-market-competitiveness/

'We have total control of the Hormuz Strait. Massive amounts of oil are coming out of the Hormuz Strait. Last night, we had 29 ships come out,' Trump told journalists at the White House.

'They want to make a deal, and I think that's fine. I like making a deal too, but that deal would not be acceptable,' he added.

On Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi told reporters at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York that Iran had conveyed to the United States through Qatar a 'concrete' plan under which the strait can be reopened within seven days if necessary conditions are met.

The seven-day timeline will start as soon as Washington accepts it, he said.

Under the plan, the United States would need to take certain actions that Iran believes may take four or five days, said Araghchi, adding that on day six, the strait would be open. 'And on day seven, the talks with the U.S. will be started for the final deal on mutually agreed subjects,' he said.

He further said the actions the United States should take are not new, as they are already included in the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in June.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/trump-rejects-irans-conditional-proposal-to-reopen-strait-of-hormuz/

The agreement was signed in New York on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) by Rwanda's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe, and his Armenian counterpart, Ararat Mirzoyan.

Following the signing ceremony, the two ministers held bilateral talks focusing on expanding diplomatic engagement, economic ties, and mutual cooperation across shared multilateral platforms.

Rwanda and Armenia share key structural and historical characteristics, including relatively compact geographic sizes, limited natural resource bases, and national histories shaped by severe atrocities, specifically the 1915 Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire and the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

Located in the South Caucasus region at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, Armenia spans 29,743 square kilometres. It shares borders with Türkiye, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Iran. Although geographically situated in Western Asia, Armenia maintains deep political, cultural, and institutional ties with Europe.

Home to a population of approximately 3.1 million people, Armenia has a rich history extending to antiquity. Economically, it is classified as an upper-middle-income nation, with a gross domestic product (GDP) of approximately $31.8 billion.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/rwanda-armenia-sign-visa-exemption-deal/

Ekenge's return became public on September 25 when he signed an FARDC statement announcing the deaths of two senior military justice officials in a plane crash in Kenge, Kwango Province. The statement identified him as the army's spokesperson.

In a post on X, Nduhungirehe described the reinstatement as 'troubling and indecent,' arguing that it was evidence that hate speech against Congolese Tutsis and 'genocidal ideology' in the DRC were not limited to isolated individuals within the military or government.

He said the development instead suggested that such rhetoric was being embraced as state policy.

Nduhungirehe also questioned the manner in which Ekenge's return was announced, saying it was made public almost quietly through a statement signed by Ekenge concerning the Kenge plane crash.

The minister recalled remarks Ekenge made on state broadcaster RTNC on December 27, 2025, in which the military spokesman warned Congolese men to be careful when marrying Tutsi women. Ekenge had claimed that Tutsi women could bring male relatives into their marital homes to father their children, which he linked to the preservation of the Tutsi 'race.'

The remarks prompted criticism and led to Ekenge's suspension from his position as FARDC spokesperson on December 29, 2025. FARDC leadership subsequently distanced itself from the comments, saying they did not represent the position of the military or government.

During his absence, Lieutenant Colonel Mak Hazukay Mongba served as acting FARDC spokesperson.

Ekenge's signature on the September 25 statement is the first publicly documented indication of his return to the role. Congolese media reports have noted that no separate official act lifting his suspension had been made public at the time of his return.

In his post, Nduhungirehe also referred to Ekenge's 2025 remarks as echoing the 'Ten Commandments of the Hutu,' published in 1990 by Hassan Ngeze, who was later convicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/nduhungirehe-questions-ekenges-reinstatement-as-fardc-spokesperson/

The award was presented during a gala on September 24, alongside the fourth annual TICON Africa Conference.

Sparc Systems emerged as the winner following a vetting and adjudication process by an independent panel of judges, standing out among companies competing for the continental award.

The company's Managing Director was also nominated as a finalist for the TICON ICT Professional of the Year award.

The Technology Information Confederation Africa (TICON Africa), a Pan-African body promoting ICT development, collaboration and professional standards, presents the awards to individuals and organisations contributing to Africa's digital growth through innovation and leadership.

'This win is all about our clients and partners. Your trust is what drives us every day. We're beyond proud to show what passionate, home-grown African tech leadership can do,' said Alice Satela, Senior Brand Awareness and Digital Marketing Executive at Sparc Systems.

The award comes after a year in which Sparc Systems' leadership also received recognition at regional industry forums and corporate awards in Southern Africa.

Sparc Systems operates in Malawi, Zambia, Rwanda, Tanzania and Mozambique, providing IT infrastructure, cloud solutions, cybersecurity, software development, data centre management and technical training.

The company serves more than 150 enterprise, financial and public-sector clients across Africa.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/sparc-systems-named-ict-company-of-the-year-at-ticon-africa-awards/

Held at M Hotel, the pan-African gala recognised individuals for their leadership, influence and contribution to the continent's socio-economic development.

The awards were organised by the International Business Council Africa, The Business Executive Media Group, and the African Chamber for Trade under the theme, 'Recognizing the People Determining Africa's Socio-Economic Direction.'

The event featured high-level networking, business engagements and cultural activities, with participants from different African countries coming together to share experiences and explore opportunities for collaboration.

Among the notable honourees was Dr. Stanley Kamau, Founder and Executive Director of Ahadi Kenya Trust, who received a Community Service Honour.

The award recognised his work supporting vulnerable families, addressing the impact of jiggers and promoting initiatives aimed at restoring dignity among marginalised communities in Kenya and elsewhere in East Africa.

Upon receiving his award, Kamau reflected on the wider purpose of leadership, saying:

'If the work touches even one life, opens one door or inspires someone else to make a difference, then that is recognition enough.'

Another honouree was Mrs. Zainab Ansell, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Zara Tanzania Adventures. She received a Certificate of Honour recognising her leadership and contribution to sustainable tourism and local economic empowerment.

The AFRIMIPA awards bring together influential figures from different sectors, including business, public service, law, healthcare, education and community development.

The programme also placed emphasis on mentorship, community empowerment and cross-border collaboration, with participants highlighting the importance of experienced leaders in creating opportunities and inspiring younger generations.

 The awards are intended to recognise individuals based on their influence and position of authority, while encouraging them to use their platforms to contribute to Africa's development.

The ceremony brought together honourees and guests from countries including Ghana, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania and Rwanda, creating opportunities for networking and exchange among professionals from different parts of the continent.

The third edition concluded with participants celebrating the achievements of the honourees and strengthening connections built around leadership, business and Africa's socio-economic development.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/kigali-hosts-3rd-edition-of-100-africa-most-influential-persons-awards/