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The suspects, aged between 40 and 53, were presented to the media on Wednesday, February 5, after being caught with stolen equipment from power distribution networks.

During separate police operations in Kicukiro, Gasabo, and Rulindo districts, authorities seized 445 electrical fuses and 295 meters of electric cables from the suspects, who were conducting illegal trade.

ACP Boniface Rutikanga, spokesperson for Rwanda National Police, stated that efforts to combat such crimes will not only target the thieves but also those who knowingly buy and resell stolen equipment.

'Tracking down thieves alone is not enough. We must also go after their buyers. All seven suspects failed to explain the source of the materials they were caught with. Investigations confirmed that these items had been stolen from major power networks in different areas,' Rutikanga explained

'Two suspects were apprehended in Zinia, Kicukiro District, four in Gisozi, Gasabo District, and one in Rulindo District. These individuals are responsible for power outages and disruptions that affect public safety. The consequences of their actions are serious, and we will not tolerate them. These arrests were made in just one week, and operations will continue to track down others still engaged in this crime,' he added.

Rutikanga also warned business owners selling electrical materials without proof of origin, stating that they would be treated as accomplices in infrastructure vandalism.

On his part, Geoffrey Zawadi, Head of Partnerships at REG, described the destruction of electricity infrastructure as a criminal act that hinders national progress.

'These criminals are sabotaging efforts to provide electricity to all Rwandans. Allowing such acts to continue is like pouring water into a basket, progress will never be achieved. We must unite and be stronger than those destroying public infrastructure. A handful of people cannot be allowed to repeatedly sabotage national projects, forcing the country to repair the same damages instead of moving forward,' he emphasized.

Meanwhile, Joseph Mutabazi, Head of the Inspection Unit at RICA, urged traders dealing in electrical equipment to comply with regulations, emphasizing that authorities, in collaboration with security agencies, are conducting continuous inspections. He also advised consumers to be vigilant when purchasing electrical materials.

'When buying such equipment, always ask for a receipt and verify the source. Customers have the right to know where the products they purchase come from.'

Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to cracking down on the theft and illegal trade of electrical infrastructure, ensuring that all those involved face legal consequences.

The suspects, aged between 40 and 53, were presented to the media on Wednesday, February 5, after being caught with stolen equipment from power distribution networks.

IGIHE

According to an official statement, the decision follows a ceasefire declaration by the warring parties and aims to facilitate negotiations for a peaceful resolution.

The M23 rebel group announced late Monday that it would implement a unilateral ceasefire starting Tuesday.

However, on Wednesday, fighting resumed after the group came under attack from the Congolese army and its allies, leading to retaliation.

Malawian troops have been part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), whose mandate was extended late last year.

Reports indicate that various stakeholders had urged Chakwera to withdraw from the mission, arguing that continued involvement was not in Malawi’s best interest.

Malawi recently lost three soldiers in the SAMIDRC mission during clashes in which M23 forces defeated the coalition and took control of Goma.

The decision to withdraw also follows growing concerns from South African lawmakers, who questioned their country’s involvement in the DRC conflict after losing 14 soldiers in the battle for Goma.

They have since called for the withdrawal of South African troops and the repatriation of deceased soldiers, though challenges remain as some troops are reportedly surrounded by M23 fighters.

Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera has directed the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) to begin preparations for the withdrawal of Malawian troops from eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

IGIHE

The announcement was made on February 5, 2025, in a statement shared on X by AFC/M23’s political spokesperson, Laurence Kanyuka.

The appointments follow M23’s recent seizure of Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu, on January 27, 2025.

The group’s takeover included key infrastructure such as the North Kivu branch of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s national broadcaster (RTNC), Goma International Airport, and other strategic locations.

Before capturing Goma, M23 had already taken control of several towns, including Minova in Kalehe Territory, the city of Sake, and other areas in North Kivu Province.

Bahati’s appointment comes after the death of Major General Peter Cirimwami, the former Governor of North Kivu.

Cirimwami was shot by M23 forces in Kasengezi while coordinating the Wazalendo militia, the FDLR, and the Congolese army against M23. Reports indicate that he was killed while assessing his troops’ performance on the battlefield.

Following his death, President Félix Tshisekedi appointed Major General Evariste Somo Kakule as his replacement.

Kakule’s appointment was preceded by a presidential decree promoting him from Brigadier General to Major General on January 28, 2025.

Life has returned to normalcy after the recent fall of Goma city to M23.

IGIHE

President Kagame shared details of their conversation on X, stating, 'I had a fruitful conversation with President of the EU Council António Costa, where we discussed the situation in DRC and agreed on the need for effective de-escalation and a resolution to the conflict that prioritizes political dialogue and ensures lasting peace.'

The discussion also underscored the need for all stakeholders involved in resolving the crisis to be responsible and level-headed, given the complexity of the situation.

Kagame further noted that they exchanged views on the ongoing strong cooperation between the European Union and Rwanda across key sectors.

In recent days, President Kagame has engaged in talks with various leaders regarding regional security.

These include U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, France’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot and Angolan counterpart, among others.

President Kagame and the Head of EU Council have held talks on DRC crisis.

IGIHE

Tourists are now more willing to pay for leisure and cultural activities related to ice and snow tourism, said Dai Bin, president of the China Tourism Academy, at the latest episode of the China Economic Roundtable, an all-media talk show hosted by Xinhua News Agency.

Dai said that various new business models are arising from the thriving industry. “Once tourists arrive at their destinations, they look for accommodation, dining options and interactions with locals. What attracts them most is often the unique folk customs and cultural heritage of the region.”

Harbin, China’s northernmost provincial capital, exemplifies the country’s thriving ice and snow economy. During the eight-day Spring Festival holiday that concluded on Tuesday, Harbin Ice-Snow World attracted over 610,000 visits. This ice theme park, featuring dazzling ice sculptures, saw more than 100,000 visits on Feb. 1, setting a new record for daily attendance compared to previous years.

In addition to Harbin, various new ice and snow tourism attractions have emerged across Heilongjiang Province. These include the snow-covered forests of Yichun, one of China’s most forested cities, winter birdwatching in Qiqihar, where native red-crowned cranes can be spotted, and aurora viewing in Mohe, near the China-Russia border, according to Qi Bin, deputy director of the Heilongjiang provincial department of culture and tourism.

Peng Fuwei, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission, China’s top economic planner, said that China has established a dual manufacturing-service model to develop its ice and snow economy. According to Peng, the country can now produce 15 kinds of ice and snow sports equipment, ranging from snowboards to snow-making machines.

In ice and snow services, Peng said multiple sectors flourish simultaneously, including competitions and performances, catering and accommodation, winter sports training, and leisure tourism.

Looking ahead, Peng said that the central budget will continue to support the construction of public service facilities for eligible ice and snow sports and tourism. Also, qualifying ice and snow tourism equipment will receive support through ultra-long special treasury bonds for equipment upgrades.

According to China’s national blueprint for the ice and snow economy, the industry is expected to play a greater role in expanding employment and promoting high-quality development by 2030. Ice and snow consumption will be a key growth driver for domestic demand.

By then, several high-quality destinations for ice sports and tourism will be established, and the total scale of the ice and snow economy is projected to reach 1.5 trillion yuan (about 209.2 billion U.S. dollars), the document says.

China is actively tapping into its ice and snow resources to create new growth drivers for the world’s second-largest economy

Xinhua

The growth of ice and snow tourism has transformed how Chinese people perceive and experience winter, according to Dai Bin, president of the China Tourism Academy, who shared his views during the latest episode of the China Economic Roundtable, an all-media talk show hosted by Xinhua News Agency.

In the past, particularly in northeast China, where bitter winter temperatures are the norm, people tended to stay indoors during the cold months. However, a noticeable shift is occurring as more people now embrace outdoor activities during winter.

Many people are flocking to Harbin, the capital of China’s northernmost province of Heilongjiang, which is renowned for its abundant snowfall and stunning ice sculptures, to immerse themselves in the icy atmosphere.

Research by the tourism academy projects that over 500 million people will participate in ice and snow tourism during the peak season in 2024-2025, driving consumption by more than 600 billion yuan (about 83.7 billion U.S. dollars), said Dai.

The passion for ice and snow sports has also ignited, noted Ai Yu, an official with the General Administration of Sport of China. The scope of people participating in winter sports has extended beyond traditional northern regions; additionally, winter sports have now shifted from winter-only activities to year-round offerings that are accessible both indoors and outdoors, Ai highlighted.

Regions with rare snowfall are also capitalizing on the trend, as winter wonderlands created by artificial snow are popping up in southern China to meet growing demand, Dai added.

China aims to boost its ice and snow economy as a new growth sector, targeting an economic scale of 1.2 trillion yuan by 2027 and 1.5 trillion yuan by 2030, according to guidelines issued by the General Office of the State Council in November 2024.

The annual Central Economic Work Conference, held in December last year, also called for active efforts to develop the country’s ice and snow economy.

Xinhua

Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Yusuf Murangwa, presented the revised budget proposal to the Parliament on Wednesday, highlighting adjustments aimed at strengthening resource allocation, supporting emerging national priorities, and improving public service efficiency.

Murangwa noted that Rwanda’s economy remains resilient despite global uncertainties, including climate change, inflation, and geopolitical challenges. Strong economic growth in the first three quarters of 2024 reflects this stability.

'The Government will continue to maintain macroeconomic stability and promote inclusive growth by investing in key areas such as agriculture, climate change, infrastructure, education, healthcare and social protection,' Murangwa stated.

Key changes in the revised budget

Overall, resources will increase by Frw 126.3 billion, from Frw 5,690.1 billion to Frw 5,816.4 billion. While tax revenue forecasts have been adjusted downward by Frw 20 billion, other revenue sources—including increased privatization proceeds and external concessional loans will help offset this decrease.

On the expenditure side, the revision includes adjustments in both recurrent and capital expenditures. The development budget will rise by Frw 80.6 billion, from Frw 2,007.3 billion to Frw 2,087.9 billion.

This change affects both foreign and domestically financed capital expenditures allocated under different sectors. Meanwhile, the recurrent budget will increase by Frw 45.7 billion, from Frw 3,682.9 billion to Frw 3,728.5 billion, primarily due to an increase in pension contributions.

The revised budget for the 2024/25 fiscal year is part of the updated medium-term macroeconomic framework.

The Government has pledged continued close monitoring of all components of economic performance that may affect the implementation of the revised budget and necessary actions to ensure its full execution while maintaining macroeconomic stability.

Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Yusuf Murangwa, presented the revised budget proposal to the Parliament on Wednesday.

IGIHE

In a press statement released on Wednesday, the bank expressed its appreciation for Reynolds’ leadership and contributions, which have played a key role in its growth over the years.

Ubalijoro’s appointment was confirmed by a resolution of the Board of Directors of BK Group Plc, the sole shareholder of Bank of Kigali Plc.

A Rwandan national, Ubalijoro brings over 30 years of experience in the beverage industry, having held various commercial and management roles across Africa, Europe, and the Americas.

He spent a significant portion of his career with Heineken International, serving on the boards of several joint ventures in Sierra Leone, Panama, The Bahamas, St. Lucia, Costa Rica, Jamaica, and Suriname.

In August 2020, he joined Molson Coors Beverage Company, a leading North American brewer, as Central Region Vice President based in Dallas, Texas. He was also a Board Director at Revolver Brewery, a Molson Coors subsidiary in Texas.

After retiring from the beverage industry on April 1, 2024, Ubalijoro shifted his focus to non-executive board roles and various sports initiatives in Rwanda and France.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. (1986), and an MBA from the University of Sherbrooke in Canada (1989).

Bank of Kigali Plc has appointed Eugene Ubalijoro as the new Chairperson of its Board of Directors, effective February 5, 2025.

IGIHE

The conflict in Eastern DR Congo remains a global concern, with many overlooking its root causes, which led the M23 rebel group to resume armed conflict in 2021.

In January 2025, the war escalated further when M23 seized Goma, warning that they would continue advancing toward Kinshasa if the DRC government refused peace talks.

Following Goma’s capture, the UN Security Council convened twice. Russia’s UN Ambassador, Vasily Alekseyevich Nebenzya, stressed that the crisis is deeply rooted in colonial history and called for the resumption of the Nairobi and Luanda peace talks to secure lasting stability.

A long-standing issue in the conflict is the marginalization of Kinyarwanda-speaking communities in the DRC.

Their plight has gained more attention due to the continued presence of the FDLR, a group responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Rwanda maintains that regional peace is impossible without eradicating the FDLR, which continues to spread genocidal ideology, particularly among the youth.

Currently, the FDLR is fighting alongside the FARDC, Burundian troops, mercenaries, and local Wazalendo militias, with a shared objective of defeating M23 and topple Rwanda’s leadership.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe has held a phone conversation with Bogdanov Mikhail Leonidovich.

IGIHE

Powerful gangs, armed with weapons largely trafficked from the United States, have united in the Caribbean country’s capital Port-au-Prince under a common alliance and now control most of the city and are expanding to nearby areas.

The international security mission, while approved by the UN Security Council, is not a United Nations operation and currently relies on voluntary contributions. The mission has so far made little progress toward helping Haiti restore order.

There are around nearly 900 police and troops from Kenya, El Salvador, Jamaica, Guatemala and Belize. As at the end of 2024. US$110.3 million had been pledged by several countries, including the USA, Canada, France, Turkey, Spain, Italy, and Algeria.

$85 million had been received by the Trust Fund, including substantial amounts from the United States.
“The US had committed $15 million to the trust fund, $1.7 million of that had already been spent, so $13.3 million is now frozen,” UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters. “We received an official notification from the U.S. asking for an immediate stop work order on their contribution.”

Just hours after taking office on January 20, Trump ordered a 90-day pause so foreign aid contributions could be reviewed to see if they align with his “America First” foreign policy.

Trump has said that he thinks he will wind down the US Agency for International Development, in what would be a dramatic overhaul of how the world’s largest single donor allocates foreign assistance.

Meanwhile, Government Spokesperson, Dr. Isaac Mwaura has dismissed claims that the US funding freeze for the Haiti Multi-National Security Support mission (MSS) will jeopardize the operations as false and lack any factual basis.

The MSS mission is supported by the UN Trust Fund for Haiti, established under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2699 in October 2023.

'While a portion of the undisbursed US contribution amounting to $15 million has been temporarily held due to the US presidential directive, the Fund remains well-resourced to support the mission until the end of September 2025,' Mwaura said in a statement.

According to him, Kenya and its partners remain fully committed to ensuring the mission transitions to a full UN-led operation to guarantee its long-term financial sustainability and security mandate.

US funding to support a peace mission in Haiti has been frozen under President Donald Trump’s 90-day pause on foreign aid.

Sam K Nkurunziza