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Currently, Lt Nkurikiyineza is deployed in the Central African Republic (CAR) as one of the security personnel assigned to protect President Faustin-Archange Touadéra.

Rwandan troops, deployed under the United Nations peacekeeping mission in CAR, are tasked with protecting the President and the First Lady, as well as securing key national infrastructure, including M’Poko International Airport.

Lt Nkurikiyineza explains that his decision to join the military was influenced by his older siblings, who encouraged him, along with his deep love for his country and desire to defend it as a soldier.

His dedication led him to be assigned to a UN peacekeeping mission. For over 20 years, Rwandan troops have actively contributed to such missions. Currently, besides CAR, they are also deployed in South Sudan.

'I take great pride in knowing that our country is at the forefront of restoring peace in foreign nations, especially here in the Central African Republic. It is an honor for me and my country to ensure that others do not suffer what we once endured when the world abandoned us,' he said.

In Bangui, at the Palais de la Renaissance, the Presidential Palace, Rwandan soldiers are highly visible. From the entrance to the innermost security perimeters, they work alongside Central African forces to ensure the President’s safety.

Lt Nkurikiyineza is positioned close to President Touadéra, ensuring that no threat comes near him.

'We operate based on the President’s schedule. Nearly 24 hours a day, we are with him—whether at his office, during his visits, or at his residence,' he explained.

This job is demanding, but those who undertake it do so with dedication. Their rigorous training prepares them to handle any challenges that arise.

'I am always positioned directly behind him as his second security officer. There is another Rwandan soldier I work closely with. When I was first assigned this duty, I thought it would be extremely difficult, but thanks to the training we received, we were well-prepared,' he added.

Lt Yvonne Mutesi has had a similar journey. She joined the military in 2016, completed her basic training, and later graduated from the Cadet Officer Course in 2023.

As part of the Rwandan contingent in the UN mission, her primary role is to protect the First Lady of the Central African Republic, Tina Marguerite Touadéra.

She begins her day at 5 a.m., preparing for work. Her daily schedule depends on the First Lady’s agenda, which she must anticipate and be ready for in advance.

Protecting a Head of State is a high-security responsibility that demands constant vigilance, commitment, and absolute readiness to prevent any threats.

'My work schedule is never the same. It depends on the First Lady’s activities, but regardless, I must always be at work before she wakes up or prepares for her day. I ensure everything is in place even before she informs me of her schedule,' Lt Mutesi said.

She has never encountered any challenges in her role due to being a woman. Instead, she believes her military training and confidence in her capabilities enable her to perform at the same level as her male counterparts.

'I have faced no challenges. We adapt to the culture of the people we work with, respecting their traditions while remaining professional. Thanks to the training we receive, there are no obstacles,' she said.

She encourages young women to serve their country, emphasizing that military service is not as difficult as some may think and that it brings immense pride.

'My advice to young women is to step up and serve their country. There is nothing too difficult, and it is a source of great honor,' she added.

Lt Marie Ingabire, also assigned to protect the First Lady, echoed this sentiment, urging more young women to consider military service.

'We are proof that women can do this job. I encourage other young women to join and contribute to our country,' she said.

Rwandan troops have been protecting CAR’s leaders since 2014, having initially been assigned to safeguard former President Catherine Samba-Panza and continuing with President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, who took office in March 2016.

Lt Marie Ingabire stated that the training they received enables them to overcome any challenges.

Lt Nkurikiyineza is deployed in the Central African Republic (CAR) as one of the security personnel assigned to protect President Faustin-Archange Touadéra.

Lt Yvonne encourages young women to serve their country, emphasizing that military service is not as difficult as some may think.

Rwandan soldiers are stationed at the gates of the Palais de la Renaissance.

IGIHE

The agreement was secured during UK Defense Secretary John Healey’s visit to Anduril’s Washington D.C. facility ahead of talks with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon.

Under the deal, Ukraine will receive Altius 600m and Altius 700m drones, classified as “loitering munitions” capable of surveilling designated areas and striking targets. Deliveries of drones, launchers, and spare parts will commence in the coming months, the statement said.

The deal is funded through the UK-administered International Fund for Ukraine (IFU), which is supported by pledges from 10 nations, now totals 1.3 billion pounds, with the UK contributing 500 million pounds.

The agreement comes amid concerns over the U.S. decision to halt intelligence-sharing with Ukraine, potentially hampering Kyiv’s access to critical data.

The UK has emphasized its continued military support for Ukraine. Since July 2024, the UK has provided over 5.26 billion pounds in military and financial aid to Ukraine, including 10,000 drones already deployed. (1 pound = 1.29 U.S. dollar)

Xinhua

Ingabire returned to Rwanda in 2010 from exile in the Netherlands, claiming her intention to run for president. However, upon arriving at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, she immediately inquired about the location of a “memorial for Hutus,” a statement that blatantly trivialized the Genocide against the Tutsi.

Ingabire was actively involved in political movements led by former Rwandan government officials and military officers responsible for orchestrating the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi who had taken refuge to Zaire forests, now the Democratic Republic of Congo.

She led the Rwandan Democratic Rally (RDR) in 1998, which became the political mouthpiece for the remnants of defeated forces, including ex-soldiers and genocidaires. These individuals later joined armed groups such as ALIR, FDLR, and FLN.

After RDR dissolved, it was replaced by FDU-Inkingi, initially led by Charles Ndereyehe, a genocide suspect. When he moved to the Netherlands, Ingabire took over as the party leader.

During Ingabire’s 2010 trial, a witness identified as Lt Col Tharcisse Nditurende testified that she had collaborated with him, encouraging him to distance himself from FDLR to form an armed wing of FDU-Inkingi.

He also revealed that she had sent him money via Western Union, to travel for their meetings in Kinshasa in 2008 and later in Brazzaville to plan terrorist activities against Rwanda.

Ingabire has repeatedly defended these groups, claiming that “FDLR was formed by Rwandan refugees in the DRC after being expelled from Rwanda during the Genocide and that their armed struggle was a means to reclaim power.”

On December 12, 2013, a court convicted Ingabire of conspiracy against the state, genocide trivialization, and spreading false information, sentencing her to 15 years in prison.

However, in 2018, she was granted a presidential pardon. Despite this, she later denied ever requesting clemency, even though official records confirmed she had done so.

Many expected her to have reformed upon her release, but her actions and rhetoric have remained unchanged.

Speaking at a consultative meeting organized by the Rwandan Parliament on March 5, 2025, regarding genocide ideology in the region, its consequences, and strategies to combat it, Dr. Bizimana emphasized that Ingabire, who was once part of FDLR, remains the same.

“When RDR dissolved, it was replaced by FDU-Inkingi, initially led by Ndereyehe before he moved to the Netherlands and was succeeded by Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza. Later, she left FDU-Inkingi to form her own party, Dalfa-Umurinzi. But in reality, there is no distinction between Ingabire of Dalfa and the Ingabire of FDLR and RDR,” he stated.

Ingabire, who aligns with FDLR’s divisive ethnic ideology and genocide denial, was caught red handed on May 11, 2019, during a recruitment meeting for a terror group composed solely of members of one ethnic group.

The meeting, held in Rwanda’s Kirehe District under the pretext of a training session, was exposed by an attendee who reported that Ingabire instructed them to recruit others into her party but warned that she did not want any Tutsi members.

Her primary recruitment target was unemployed young Hutus. Informants revealed that she required detailed personal information for each new recruit.

In November 2019, she rebranded FDU-Inkingi as Dalfa-Umurinzi, but her activities remained unchanged.

On November 4, 2019, an armed attack in Kinigi killed 14 innocent civilians. The assault was carried out by a coalition of terrorist groups under the P5 umbrella, which included FDU-Inkingi. At the time, Ingabire was still its leader.

Despite branding herself as an opposition politician and a human rights advocate, Rwandan Government Spokesperson Yolande Makolo dismissed these claims in March 2024.

She explained that Victoire Ingabire is neither an opposition politician nor a democracy activist but an unrepentant criminal convicted of plotting to overthrow the government through violence and attempting to incite division in Rwanda.

Ingabire was granted a presidential pardon in 2018.

Rwanda’s Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, Dr. Jean-Damascène Bizimana

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Dr. Butera made this statement on March 6, 2025, during a session with the Committee on Governance Affairs and Gender of the Chamber of Deputies.

He highlighted Rwanda’s commitment to advancing its healthcare sector, ensuring that services previously sought abroad are now available locally.

'We are seeing positive outcomes from these services. So far, 44 kidney transplants have been performed in Rwanda since the program began, and all the patients are doing well,' he said.

Patients in need of a kidney transplant must have a donor, who can be a family member, a friend, or any willing individual who meets the medical requirements.

Before this service was introduced in Rwanda, the government had to send over 70 patients abroad for kidney transplants, costing more than Rwf 800 million.

Typically, undergoing a kidney transplant in India costs between $7,400 and $14,000, depending on factors such as the patient’s age, blood type, and the hospital where the procedure is performed.

Medical experts point out that patients who undergo transplants abroad often face challenges, including difficulties in post-surgery follow-up care once they return home.

In May 2023, King Faisal Hospital in Kigali launched kidney transplant services, a highly specialized procedure that was previously only available abroad at a high cost.

Although official statistics on kidney disease prevalence in Rwanda are not available, studies indicate that up to 10% of the population may suffer from chronic kidney disease, while around 40% may have mild kidney issues that can be treated and fully cured.

Dr. Butera also reported significant progress in heart surgery, with more than 500 procedures successfully conducted since the program’s launch.

'We have performed heart surgeries on 356 children and 186 adults here in Rwanda since we started this initiative,' he stated.

King Faisal Hospital also offers advanced procedures to correct congenital heart defects in children using catheterization technology, which eliminates the need for open-heart surgery.

Dr. Butera emphasized that the number of patients sent abroad for treatment has significantly decreased, thanks to the availability of specialized services within Rwanda.

To further enhance healthcare accessibility, the government has implemented cost reductions on various medical services. For instance, the cost of a full-body scan has been reduced by 65%.

These specialized medical services are now available at King Faisal Hospital, one of the region’s leading healthcare institutions providing world-class medical care.

King Faisal Hospital in Kigali launched kidney transplant services in May 2023.

The Minister of State in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Yvan Butera, has announced that 44 Rwandans have successfully undergone kidney transplants within the country.

IGIHE

Lavrov called the move a “direct, official and undisguised involvement of NATO countries in a war against the Russian Federation” and warned that the presence of such forces in Ukraine would be unacceptable to Moscow.

The remarks came after French President Emmanuel Macron announced Wednesday that he would consider sending European troops to Ukraine to enforce a peace deal, although he said the troops would not engage in frontline combat.

“This is a threat to Russia,” said Lavrov, adding that Moscow sees “no room for compromise” on the issue of deploying European forces to Ukraine.

“This discussion is being conducted with an openly hostile objective,” he said.

The foreign minister added that suspending U.S. military aid to Ukraine could help end the conflict quickly.

While President Vladimir Putin continues to dismiss NATO’s concerns, Ukraine and its allies argue that Russia’s actions amount to an imperial land grab.

Xinhua

With more than 100 federal lawsuits filed since the inauguration, Trump and his administration have effectively been sued three times for every business day he has occupied the Oval Office.

Approximately 30 of the 100 lawsuits relate to Trump’s immigration policies, while more than 20 of the cases directly challenge the actions of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.

Ten of the cases challenge Trump policies relating to transgender people, and more than 20 cases oppose the president’s unilateral changes to federal funding, government hiring and the structure of agencies like the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

With Trump signing more than 75 executive orders since taking office, the unprecedented flood of litigation has yielded mixed results in blocking the president’s unilateral efforts to reshape the federal government.

His attempts to freeze funding or rewrite longstanding laws have generally been blocked, but some federal judges have implicitly given him the green light to carry out part of his plan to reshape the federal workforce.

U.S. District Judge John Coughenour, who was nominated to the bench by Ronald Reagan, handed the Trump administration one of its first legal defeats by blocking Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship and offered one of the fiercest criticisms of his presidency’s early actions.

President Donald Trump greets Supreme Court Justices Elena Kagan, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett, as he arrives to address a joint session of the United States Congress in Washington, Mar. 4, 2025.

“It has become ever more apparent that to our president, the rule of law is but an impediment to his policy goals. There are moments in the world’s history when people look back and ask, where were the lawyers, where were the judges? In these moments, the rule of law becomes especially vulnerable. I refuse to let that beacon go dark today,” Judge Coughenour said.

But other judges have stopped short of fully blocking policies they believe might be unlawful, demonstrating how a slower-moving judiciary can be outpaced by a rapidly moving administration.

In a case challenging the Trump administration’s effort to fire thousands of probationary employees, U.S. District Judge William Alsup rebuked the administration’s actions but did not step in to stop the indiscriminate firing of employees, despite acknowledging its ongoing harm.

The number of lawsuits appear to have tested the limits of the court’s ability to hear emergency applications, particularly in the District Court in D.C., where 51 of the cases have been brought.

During one contentious hearing, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes threatened to sanction a lawyer who pushed the court to accept an emergency appeal while court staff had been working around the clock on really monumental time sensitive issues.

“Why on earth could you not have figured that out with the defendants before coming and burdening me and burdening the defendants and burning my staff on this issue?” Reyes told Seth Waxman, a former U.S. Solicitor General under President Bill Clinton who is now representing eight former inspectors general fired by Trump.

President Donald Trump listens as Elon Musk speaks in the Oval Office at the White House.

Lawsuits challenging the Trump administration have reached the Supreme Court twice, and the Department of Justice has begun their appeals to the Circuit Court in approximately a dozen cases.

While no judge has found that the president has openly defied a court order, the Trump administration has found itself in hot water for failing to comply with multiple court orders, including orders to stop unilaterally freezing funding to states and holding back more than $1.9 billion in foreign aid.

Over 100 lawsuits have been opened against the administration of President Donald Trump since inauguration.

IGIHE

With the fall of Goma and Bukavu, along with increasing territorial losses, Kinshasa is seeking to leverage its vast mineral wealth to secure military and diplomatic backing from global powers.

In a bid to pressure Rwanda, which Tshisekedi accuses of backing the M23 rebels, Congolese envoys were recently dispatched to Washington to negotiate deals granting U.S. companies privileged access to the DRC’s rich mineral reserves.

High-level delegations, including officials from Gécamines and other state mining enterprises, have engaged with American authorities, with Jacques Tshisekedi, the president’s brother, personally involved in security discussions.

Kinshasa’s strategy, drawing parallels with Ukraine’s reliance on Western support, is aimed at ensuring that Washington prioritizes DRC’s security interests. However, the reception has been lukewarm, with skepticism in some U.S. circles about Kinshasa’s reliability and governance.

Amid uncertainty over U.S. commitment, Tshisekedi has also turned to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for emergency military assistance. Recent discussions between Kinshasa and Emirati officials included offers of mining concessions in Lualaba province, which is rich in cobalt and copper, in exchange for military equipment. Reports indicate that the DRC sought an upfront payment of at least $250 million as part of the deal.

Similarly, Kinshasa explored potential support from Russia, despite Tshisekedi’s historically pro-Western stance.

A presidential envoy traveled to Moscow, but with Russia preoccupied with its war in Ukraine, there was little interest in direct intervention. The DRC also attempted to gain military backing from Mali’s ruling junta and Chad, though the latter ultimately rejected the deployment of troops.

On the African front, Burundi remains the only country with a significant troop presence in eastern DRC, with around 10,000 soldiers engaged in operations against M23. However, Kinshasa is increasingly wary of Burundi’s long-term commitment, especially following recent security talks between Rwandan and Burundian officials in Kigali.

Fears are mounting that President Évariste Ndayishimiye might shift his stance, possibly striking a non-aggression pact with Rwanda, which could alter the balance of power in the region.

The high-stakes gamble

Tshisekedi’s push to exchange mining assets for military and diplomatic support shows just how desperate the Kinshasa regime and the dire state of the conflict.

The DRC is home to some of the world’s most valuable minerals, including cobalt, copper, diamonds, and gold. These resources are crucial to global supply chains, making them a powerful bargaining chip. However, past experiences have shown that mining deals often fail to translate into lasting security gains, with local populations seeing little benefit from their country’s immense wealth.

Rwanda has repeatedly denied accusations of supporting M23, while the rebel group maintains that its fight is rooted in political grievances, particularly the treatment of Kinyarwanda-speaking communities in eastern Congo. M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka has insisted that the group’s objectives are not tied to mineral resources but rather to securing rights for marginalized populations.

As the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) intensifies, President Félix Tshisekedi is making a last-ditch effort to shore up international support against the M23 rebel group.

IGIHE

The IGAD envoys from Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda, who are based in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, said escalating tensions and armed clashes in Nasir County, which have left over 20 people dead and displaced many others, could undermine a permanent peace deal.

'We call upon all the parties and their affiliate groups to immediately cease hostilities and exercise maximum restraint,' the diplomats said in a joint statement issued in Juba.

Clashes erupted in mid-February between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces and the armed civilian groups in Nasir County.

Tensions escalated further after the government announced plans to deploy new forces to Nasir County to rotate troops stationed in the area for several years, raising concerns among local communities that the incoming forces could target civilians or initiate a disarmament campaign.

More than 20 people have been reported killed and several others injured on the outskirts of the now-deserted town of Nasir, located near the border between South Sudan and Ethiopia.

According to the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism, a multinational body that monitors compliance with the South Sudan peace agreement signed in 2018, the security situation in Upper Nile State has significantly deteriorated in the past weeks.

The IGAD diplomats said the security situation in Nasir threatens to undermine the hard-won gains achieved in implementing the revitalized peace agreement and exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation in the region.

'We emphasize the paramount importance of upholding the permanent ceasefire and adhering to the provisions of the peace agreement,' the envoys said while encouraging continued dialogue and consultations within the framework of the revitalized peace agreement.

Despite the 2018 peace deal that ended large-scale fighting, tensions between Kiir and Machar’s factions remain high.

IGIHE

The directive follows a series of battlefield losses for the Congolese army and its allied forces in the conflict-ridden region.

According to diplomatic sources, Ndayishimiye convened a high-level meeting in Bujumbura on February 27, where he discussed the security crisis in eastern DRC and reiterated his commitment to combating M23.

While publicly advocating for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict, his continued deployment of troops suggests a contradictory approach—one that fuels the very war he claims to be mediating.

Since August 2023, Burundi has maintained a substantial military presence in eastern DRC under a controversial agreement with Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi. The deal, which reportedly grants Ndayishimiye a monthly payment of $5,000 per soldier, has raised concerns over the financial incentives driving Burundi’s involvement in the war.

Despite these payments, Burundian soldiers themselves reportedly receive only a fraction of the amount—$70 for junior ranks and $100 for officers—raising further questions about the true beneficiaries of the arrangement.

On February 23, Burundi reinforced its brigade in the Ruzizi Plain, deploying additional artillery units along the Vugizo border. IGIHE understands that the Burundian army has stationed surveillance drones and heavy artillery, including 120mm and 122mm guns, to fortify its positions ahead of anticipated clashes with M23.

The Burundian presence in DRC has, however, been met with resistance. Reports indicate that hundreds of Burundian soldiers have been killed in North Kivu over the past year, while others have refused to continue fighting.

In January, 48 soldiers from the 20th Battalion declined deployment, an act of defiance that led to their detention under accusations of mutiny.

The worsening security situation has also triggered discord among Burundi’s top military and government officials. Critics argue that Ndayishimiye’s troop deployments prioritize personal financial gain over national security, while soldiers on the ground reportedly feel abandoned in an increasingly dire conflict.

Commanders stationed in Uvira have allegedly issued strict orders warning that any soldier attempting to flee across the Rusizi River back to Burundi would be treated as an enemy combatant and shot on sight.

Despite mounting casualties and internal discontent, Ndayishimiye remains adamant. His latest order aims to push Burundian forces deeper into South Kivu, with a primary focus on retaking key rebel-held areas, including Bukavu and Kavumu airport. However, reports from within Burundian military ranks suggest that soldiers are growing increasingly reluctant to engage M23, fearing heavy losses in what has become a grueling and costly conflict.

As regional leaders continue to push for a diplomatic resolution, Burundi’s deepening involvement complicates ongoing peace efforts.

During the February 8 summit of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), calls for an immediate ceasefire and renewed dialogue were reiterated. However, with Burundian forces pressing ahead on the battlefield, the prospects for peace remain uncertain.

Since August 2023, Burundi has maintained a substantial military presence in eastern DRC under a controversial agreement with Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi.

IGIHE

The country has however since passed a new constitution and electoral code. Nguema told the Gabonese people early this week that he had decided to run in the 12 April election “after careful reflection and in response to your many appeals”.

Addressing supporters during a heavy downpour in the capital, Libreville, he declared his readiness to change the fortunes of the oil-rich country.

“I am a builder and I need your courage, your strength, to build this country,” the coup leader, who had just turned 50, said. The announcement followed months of speculation about his intentions to officially occupy the country’s top seat.

Earlier, Nguema told the military in a meeting that he was aware of their desire to see him run in the election and urged them to vote. He told the defense forces he had heard their calls. “I listened to you and, believe me, I understood you. I will get back to you within the next few days.'

There has been speculation that Nguema had left the army, as a requirement to run for the presidency but that has since been denied by his spokesman.

A Facebook page associated with Nguema clarified on Monday that he was required to abandon his military uniform temporarily while running for election.

The page, Infos CTRI Officiel, said that he would have to permanently leave the military if he won the election. “If he’s not elected, he will return to the barracks,” it said. The Nguema-led junta is credited for ending 55 years of the Bongo dynasty.

Ali Bongo had ruled for 14 years before he was toppled. He took office after the death of his father, Omar Bongo, who had been president for 41 years.

Last month, the president of neighboring Equatorial Guinea, Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, encouraged the Gabonese people to support Nguema for a better future for their country.

Some opposition and civil society groups in Gabon have however been urging the military leader to honor his word and leave power to civilians after the transition.

Despite Gabon’s oil wealth and vast forests, one third of its 2.4 million people live below the poverty line, according to the UN.

Gen Brice Oligui Nguema took power following a coup in 2023.

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