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Makolo was responding to a statement by Ramaphosa on Monday, February 3, 2025, in which he defended his decision to keep South African troops in the DRC, despite the recent deaths of 14 soldiers.

Ramaphosa emphasized South Africa’s commitment to supporting African nations, stating, 'As a country, we have a duty of support towards the nations of Africa whose solidarity and material support helped secure our liberation. South Africa will not let up in its support to the people of the DRC so that they may have the peace and security they rightfully deserve.'

In response, Makolo accused Ramaphosa of misleading South Africans and suggested that his government’s military engagement in the DRC is driven by personal interests in the country’s mineral resources rather than a genuine commitment to peace.

“South Africans deserve to know the truth. You are not supporting the people of DRC to achieve peace. You are sending your troops to fight President Tshisekedi’s war to kill his own people,” Makolo posted on X.

'And this kind of statement only makes the Congolese president more intransigent, while the suffering continues. Please tell your people the truth about the personal interests in mining that you have in the DRC — these are the interests for which, sadly, SANDF soldiers are dying,' she added.

Her remarks come amid reports that South Africa is preparing to send additional troops and equipment to South Kivu, where M23 rebels continue their military campaign, claiming to fight for the rights of persecuted Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese.

This latest exchange adds to growing tensions between Rwanda and South Africa, which escalated after Ramaphosa recently referred to Rwandan troops as rebels.

President Paul Kagame swiftly rejected the claim, asserting that the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) is a legitimate national army, not a rebel group. He also warned that if South Africa was seeking confrontation, Rwanda was prepared to respond accordingly.

Ramaphosa had earlier stated that if M23 forces killed more South African troops, he would consider it an act of war by Rwanda, further straining diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Rwanda’s Gov’t spokesperson, Yolande Makolo has challenged South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to be honest with his citizens about why SANDF soldiers are dying in DRC.

Sam K Nkurunziza

He confirmed that Rwandan President Paul Kagame and DRC’s Félix Tshisekedi are among the heads of state who have confirmed their participation, sharing the update on his X account.

'Through our collective effort, we will ensure security reigns in our continent,' he said.

Kenya’s State House also confirmed that the summit will be held on Friday and Saturday following an agreement between SADC Chairperson, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, and EAC Chairperson, Kenyan President William Ruto.

'President Samia Suluhu Hassan has graciously agreed to host the summit to deliberate on the situation in Eastern DRC,' reads a statement from Kenya’s State House, quoting President Ruto.

The summit will be preceded by a ministerial meeting on Friday, before the Heads of State convene on Saturday.

Ruto said he has engaged several regional leaders, including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, all of whom have confirmed their participation.

The confirmation of the summit follows SADC’s acceptance of an EAC request during a meeting hosted by Mnangagwa in Harare on Friday.

The discussions were prompted by the M23 rebel group’s capture of Goma, the capital of North Kivu Province, which had led Ruto to convene EAC leaders for a virtual session on Thursday.

During the virtual summit, EAC Heads of State proposed a joint session with SADC to address the escalating security crisis in eastern DRC.

In a post-summit statement, the leaders emphasized the importance of diplomacy in resolving the conflict.

'The summit called for a peaceful settlement of the conflicts and strongly urged the government of the DRC to directly engage with all stakeholders, including the M23 and other armed groups that have grievances,' the statement read.

As M23 advanced into Goma, FARDC soldiers and their allied forces, including the FDLR terrorist group, were defeated. Instead of repelling the attackers, they launched artillery shells into Rwanda’s Rubavu District.

Speaking at the summit, President Kagame vowed to take action following the shelling, which resulted in the deaths of 15 Rwandans and left several others injured.

Tensions between Rwanda and the DRC have escalated since the resurgence of the M23 rebel group in 2022.

Kinshasa accuses Kigali of supporting the rebels, a claim Rwanda has repeatedly denied, urging the DRC to resolve its internal issues without blaming neighboring countries.

Kagame also expressed frustration over the unyielding involvement of international actors in the DRC crisis, particularly highlighting South Africa’s role.

Kenyan President William Ruto doubles as the Chairperson of the East African Community.

Théophile Niyitegeka

He made the disclosure during a talkshow aired on different local news outlets where he emphasized that Rwanda has solid explanations backed by evidence to counter accusations made by DRC and the means to present them effectively.

Mukuralinda pointed out that DRC consistently amplifies its claims on various platforms, making it seem as though it has outpaced Rwanda in publicizing its narrative.

However, he assured that Rwanda is well aware of these tactics and is taking appropriate measures to respond.

“Everything the Congolese do, they publicize it widely and announce it everywhere they go. Do you think there is anything they say that Rwanda does not respond to? It is not necessary for Rwanda to respond to every claim all the time,” he said.

He acknowledged that among DRC’s allegations is the call for sanctions against Rwanda.

However, he reassured that Rwanda is never denied a platform to present its case on the international stage.

In many instances, he said, Rwanda has been given opportunities to explain the situation, revealing the falsehoods in DRC’s statements.

Mukuralinda further stated that Rwanda is actively engaging in diplomatic efforts to ensure that the requested sanctions are not imposed.

“Rwanda’s diplomacy will do everything possible, both publicly and behind the scenes, to prevent these sanctions from being enacted. And as long as Rwanda’s calls for a resolution to the issue go unheard, it will take necessary measures to protect its citizens and national sovereignty. Once the issue is resolved, those measures will be lifted,” he added.

He emphasized that Rwanda’s diplomatic efforts should not be complacent about DRC’s statements or its calls for sanctions.

However, he expressed confidence that those responsible for handling the matter are capable of addressing the challenges effectively.

Mukuralinda cited an example of DRC’s attempt to pressure football clubs sponsored by Visit Rwanda to terminate their partnership agreements with Rwanda.

“They wrote to the presidents of these clubs, but no one can simply make a decision without consulting the other party. If we provide explanations, do you think the outcome will be the same? Had we remained silent all this time, the sanctions they are pushing for would have already been imposed,” he said.

Mukuralinda called on all Rwandans to actively contribute to explaining the truth about Rwanda’s position, as the facts are clear and well-supported.

“All Rwandans should step up and explain because the truth is there, and it is well understood,” he urged.

He cited an example of foreigners who exposed the lies of President Tshisekedi, noting that some had witnessed M23 being welcomed by the population in Goma while Tshisekedi claimed they were not present.

Mukuralinda encouraged Rwandans to use such examples to clarify the reality of the situation.

The Deputy Spokesperson of the Rwandan Government, Alain Mukuralinda, has stated that Rwanda’s diplomacy will do everything possible to prevent the sanctions that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is lobbying for.

IGIHE

Meanwhile, Sabail PFK, where Rwandan striker Nshuti Innocent plays, settled for a 1-1 draw against Turan. Nshuti played the entire match as he continues to adapt to his new team. However, Sabail PFK remains in a difficult position, sitting at the bottom of the table with 16 points after 21 games.

In Belgium, Hakim Sahabo played the full match for K. Beerschot V.A in their narrow 1-0 defeat to Genk. Beerschot is facing a tough season, currently sitting in last place with only 13 points from 24 matches.

In the second division, Samuel Gueulette also played the entire match as RAAL La Louvière drew 0-0 with league leaders Zulte Waregem. La Louvière remains in third place with 36 points, trailing the leaders by nine.

Elsewhere in Africa, Rwandan goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari has struggled for game time at Kaizer Chiefs, as he remained on the bench during their 1-0 loss to Orlando Pirates. His team currently sits in third place with 21 points from 15 matches.

In Tunisia, Stade Tunisien, featuring Bonheur Mugisha, played to a goalless draw against Espérance Sportive Metlaoui. Mugisha played the entire game, and his team now stands third with 35 points, just one point behind leaders Espérance Sportive de Tunis.

In Kenya, AFC Leopards secured a 1-0 victory over Nairobi City Stars, but Rwandan forward Arthur Gitego was not part of the squad. His team now ranks fourth in the league with 28 points from 18 matches.

As the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers approach, Rwandan players performing well in their respective leagues will have a strong chance of being called up for the national team, Amavubi, ahead of crucial matches against Nigeria and Lesotho in March 2025.

Rwandan striker Innocent Nshuti plays helped his team secure a 1-1 draw against Turan.

Stade Tunisien, featuring Bonheur Mugisha, played out a goalless draw against Espérance Sportive Metlaoui.

Rwandan defender Ange Mutsinzi features for Zira FK.

Hakim Sahabo played the full match for K. Beerschot V.A in their narrow 1-0 defeat to Genk.

Samuel Gueulette played the entire match as RAAL La Louvière drew 0-0 with league leaders Zulte Waregem in the Belgian Second Division.

Ange Mutsinzi celebrates with a teammate after his team secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over Qarabag FK over the weekend.

AFC Leopards secured a 1-0 victory over Nairobi City Stars without Rwandan forward Arthur Gitego.

IGIHE

Discussions within the administration about placing USAID under the direct control of the State Department have heightened concerns that America’s premier humanitarian agency could be dismantled or significantly downsized.

In the wake of the funding freeze, USAID has been thrown into turmoil. Hundreds of employees and contractors have been either laid off or furloughed, with nearly 60 senior career officials reportedly sidelined. Overseas operations have ground to a halt, while thousands of additional positions remain at risk.

Signs of the agency’s diminishing presence were stark on Friday, as prominent markers at USAID’s Washington headquarters were removed, fueling speculation that a complete shutdown could be imminent.

Democratic lawmakers have been quick to push back against any potential restructuring, emphasizing that USAID operates as an independent entity by law. Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Brian Schatz, along with Representatives Gregory Meeks and Lois Frankel, issued a statement warning that 'any proposal to modify [USAID’s] structure would require an Act of Congress.'

Senator Chris Murphy echoed this sentiment, stating that 'a president cannot eliminate an appropriated federal agency by executive order.'

Despite the agency’s growing instability, President Trump has yet to appoint a leader to oversee USAID. Media reports indicate that Pete Marocco, a Trump administration official with a history at USAID, is leading efforts to shrink the agency’s workforce and influence.

Marocco, who previously faced resistance within USAID due to attempts to consolidate control and cut funding, is now reportedly overseeing widespread personnel changes.

Critics argue that Trump’s aggressive stance on foreign aid is not only disrupting humanitarian efforts but also strengthening geopolitical rivals like China, which has expanded its international aid initiatives.

Senator Chris Van Hollen remarked that 'Trump’s USAID purge and foreign aid pause is already hurting efforts to deliver aid and growing China’s world standing at our expense.'

Adding to the controversy, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk weighed in on the agency’s fate on Sunday after a clash between USAID security officials and Trump’s newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Musk, appointed to lead DOGE, labelled USAID a 'criminal organization' after its officials reportedly denied his team access to classified materials.

'Time for it to die,' Musk posted on X, intensifying fears that the administration is intent on dismantling USAID altogether.

Further fueling speculation, USAID’s website temporarily went offline over the weekend, while a stripped-down page appeared under the State Department’s domain. This apparent move toward consolidation led Senator Chris Coons to accuse Trump of 'trying to gut the agency altogether.'

The U.S. remains the world’s largest provider of foreign assistance, distributing $72 billion to nearly 180 countries last year—more than half of which flowed through USAID.

USAID supports a wide range of programs across Africa, focusing on health, education, economic growth, governance, climate resilience, and humanitarian assistance.

The agency, founded on November 3, 1961, has been actively involved in Rwanda since 1964, focusing on enhancing the nation’s economic capacity, social climate, and environmental well-being.

In partnership with the Rwandan government, USAID implements programs aimed at improving health systems, boosting agricultural productivity, expanding livelihoods and increasing incomes, among other initiatives.

If the Trump administration follows through on its drastic changes on USAID, the global humanitarian aid landscape could shift dramatically, leaving a void that competing powers may seek to fill.

The U.S. remains the world’s largest provider of foreign assistance, distributing $72 billion to nearly 180 countries last year—more than half of which flowed through USAID.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

In a security alert issued on February 3, the embassy announced a reduction in its staff and advised Americans to make immediate travel arrangements while commercial options remain available.

“Ensure that your and your family’s travel documents are in order, and pack essential items in bags that you can easily carry. We understand that border crossings remain open for transit, and many flights are departing from N’Djili Airport in Kinshasa,” the embassy advised.

At the same time, the embassy, which was among several foreign missions attacked in recent protests in Kinshasa, informed the public and U.S. nationals that it would be unable to conduct visa interviews or offer routine services.

“Due to the security situation in Kinshasa, the U.S. Embassy will not be conducting any visa interviews and will not be able to offer routine services for U.S. citizens,” the embassy added.

The advisory comes just a week after the M23 rebel group seized control of Goma, the largest city in eastern DRC. The group has vowed to continue its offensive all the way to the capital, Kinshasa, unless its grievances are addressed.

Speaking during a press conference in Goma on Thursday, Corneille Nangaa, who heads an alliance of rebel groups that includes the M23, said the group would not abandon its course due to “poor governance”.

“We will continue the march of liberation all the way to Kinshasa,” Nangaa stated.

M23 is fighting against the systematic persecution of Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese in the region, a situation that has persisted for decades.

Accusing the Congolese administration of poor governance, Nangaa stated that the rebel alliance, AFC, had established a team tasked with reviving the troubled region’s socioeconomic life, as well as overseeing humanitarian, financial, and infrastructure development.

Several other organizations, including the United Nations, have evacuated their staff and families from Goma, citing the deteriorating situation. Due to closed airspace and waterways, the staff were evacuated through Rwanda.

The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), has urged all American citizens to leave the country immediately due to the deteriorating security situation.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

The arrest was reportedly ordered by the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, following intelligence reports that the officer had been leaking classified military information.

The detained officer, whose identity has not been disclosed is based in the Communication and Information Technology Department at the Ministry of Defence.

According to journalist Andrew Mwenda, the officer was apprehended after allegedly receiving a payment of $300,000 (approximately UGX 1.1 billion) from an undisclosed SADC country. The money was purportedly meant to facilitate access to and monitoring of UPDF communications, a serious breach of national security.

After being suspected of compromising national security by granting foreign entities access to sensitive military information, reports indicate that upon arrest, the officer quickly refunded the full amount to the UPDF.

While security officials remain tight-lipped about the specifics of the case, sources within the military suggest that investigations are ongoing to determine the extent of the security breach. The officer is expected to face charges related to espionage, abuse of office, and endangering national security.

This incident comes at a time when Uganda is strengthening its defense and intelligence structures amid growing regional security concerns. Analysts suggest that such a breach, if confirmed, could strain diplomatic relations between Uganda and the implicated SADC country.

Military sources indicate that additional arrests may be made as the investigation deepens, with authorities working to establish whether the accused officer acted alone or was part of a wider espionage network.

The UPDF is yet to issue an official statement, but insiders confirm that the matter is being treated with the highest level of urgency to safeguard national security.

Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba has ordered the arrest of a top Military Official following intelligence reports that the officer had been leaking classified military information.

IGIHE

The announcement, made on Sunday, February 2, comes at a time when the AI landscape is heating up with competition, notably from the Chinese AI model DeepSeek, which has recently made waves in Silicon Valley.

Deep research is an agentic capability within ChatGPT designed to undertake multi-step research on the internet for complex tasks. With this tool, users can pose a query, and ChatGPT will independently find, analyze, and synthesize hundreds of online sources to produce a comprehensive report that matches the quality of work by a professional research analyst.

This new feature promises to accomplish in “tens of minutes what would take a human many hours.”

The tool is powered by an advanced version of the upcoming OpenAI o3 model, optimized for web browsing and data analysis. It uses reasoning to navigate, interpret, and analyze vast amounts of text, images, and PDFs online, adjusting its approach based on the information it encounters.

This feature targets professionals in fields like finance, science, policy, and engineering, who require thorough and reliable research. It’s also beneficial for consumers looking for detailed, personalized recommendations for significant purchases. Each output from deep research includes clear citations and a summary of its methodology, ensuring transparency and verifiability.

To use deep research, users simply select the option in the ChatGPT interface, input their query, and can even attach files to provide additional context. The tool could take from 5 to 30 minutes to deliver its findings, during which users can continue with other tasks, receiving a notification when the research is complete. The result is presented as a detailed report within the chat, with plans to soon include embedded images and data visualizations for enhanced clarity.

The model behind deep research has set new benchmarks in public evaluations like Humanity’s Last Exam, achieving a score of 26.6% accuracy across a broad spectrum of subjects. This performance indicates significant advancements in the AI’s ability to handle real-world, domain-specific inquiries with depth and detail beyond superficial summaries.

The introduction of deep research coincides with heightened competition from DeepSeek, which has caused a stir in the tech world due to its performance and cost-effectiveness.

DeepSeek, released on January 20th, has quickly climbed to the top of Apple Store’s download charts, capturing the attention of AI experts and the entire tech industry. The model’s ascent has been nothing short of a phenomenon, astonishing investors and leading to a notable downturn in some tech stocks.

U.S. President Donald Trump has labelled DeepSeek’s rise as a “wake-up call” for American companies, urging them to focus on “competing to win” in the global AI landscape.

DeepSeek’s unique selling point is its development at a fraction of the cost compared to leading models like those from OpenAI, achieved by utilizing fewer advanced chips.

This efficiency has directly challenged the established market dynamics, causing chip-making giant Nvidia to lose nearly $600 billion in market value in just one day – marking the largest single-day drop in U.S. stock market history.

Meanwhile, OpenAI says the deep research tool is available to Pro users, with plans to roll it out to Plus, Team, and eventually Enterprise subscribers, marking a significant step towards the company’s broader goal of advancing towards artificial general intelligence (AGI).

Deep research is an agentic capability within ChatGPT designed to undertake multi-step research on the internet for complex tasks.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

“South Africa is confiscating land and treating certain classes of people VERY BADLY,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“The United States won’t stand for it, we will act. Also, I will be cutting off all future funding to South Africa until a full investigation of this situation has been completed!”

He later told journalists that South Africa’s leadership was involved in serious wrongdoing, stating that an investigation was underway. He suggested that beyond land confiscation, the situation could be even more severe.

In response, South Africa’s foreign ministry stated that it expects Trump’s advisers to use the investigation period to better understand the country’s policies within its constitutional democracy.

South Africa currently holds the G20 presidency, with the U.S. set to take over next.

Last month, President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed confidence in the country’s relationship with Trump, noting that he had spoken to him after his election victory and looked forward to working with his administration.

During his first term, Trump claimed that white farmers in South Africa were being killed on a large scale and that land was being seized through violent takeovers.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he would halt aid to South Africa unless the country investigates alleged mistreatment of ‘certain classes of people’.

IGIHE

The temporary measures introduced early Monday morning are “to ensure the safety of civil aircraft operations,” Artem Korenyako, a representative of the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency, said in a Telegram post.

Korenyako emphasized that “aircraft crews, air traffic controllers, and airport services are taking all necessary measures to ensure flight safety, which remains the top priority.”

The announcement follows heightened security concerns after reports of a drone attack in the Astrakhan region. Astrakhan governor Igor Babushkin said that Ukraine launched a drone attack overnight, attempting to attack facilities in the region.

“Electronic warfare and air defense systems operated as intended … There were no casualties,” Babushkin said on his Telegram channel.

The temporary measures introduced early Monday morning are meant to ensure the safety of civil aircraft operations.

Xinhua