Category: Uncategorized

These soldiers, numbering in the hundreds, are undergoing training at the Rumangabo military camp in Rutshuru Territory, North Kivu Province. Gen. Maj. Makenga visited them on February 13, 2025.

During his address, Makenga accused Tshisekedi’s government of oppressing its people through corruption, killings, abductions, and ethnic persecution. He declared that ARC/M23 was committed to liberating the Congolese population.

“Discipline is the key to any army. ARC/M23 is here to rescue the country and its people. We want to give you short-term training so that you can transform, join us, and help save our nation and fellow Congolese,” he stated.

Makenga then asked the soldiers if they were ready to fight for the DRC and its people. They responded in unison, “Yes, Commander!” He instructed them to raise their hands as a sign of commitment, and they all complied.

“You will be trained and then integrated into military units so that we can remove this corrupt regime. Tshisekedi’s government must be overthrown for the sake of peace, respect, and a strong national army,” Makenga added.

M23 has continued to call on Tshisekedi’s administration to engage in negotiations for lasting peace in eastern DRC.

However, while attending the Munich Security Conference in Germany on February 14, 2025, Tshisekedi reiterated that his government would not negotiate with M23, branding it a terrorist group.

M23 rebels currently control vast territories in North Kivu, including the city of Goma, as well as areas in South Kivu, such as Kalehe and Kavumu. On February 14, they began advancing into Bukavu.

The leader of the ARC/M23 rebel group, Gen. Maj. Sultani Makenga.

IGIHE

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference in Germany on February 14, 2025, Tshisekedi doubled down on his accusations, claiming Kabila had gone into exile due to his alleged financial support for M23.

“I cannot accept that armed groups join forces with Rwanda in this rebellion against the Republic. The real sponsors are in hiding. The main sponsor is my predecessor, Joseph Kabila. But he won’t admit it; he refuses to take responsibility for his actions,” Tshisekedi stated.

In response, Ferdinand Kambere, the Executive Secretary of Kabila’s PPRD party, dismissed the allegations, arguing that Tshisekedi was merely deflecting from his own failure to resolve the security crisis in eastern DRC.

“Mr. President, by accusing Joseph Kabila, you are losing national support at a time when you should be rallying the country against this aggression,” Kambere said.

He also questioned Tshisekedi’s shifting narrative, noting that he initially blamed Rwanda for the war in eastern DRC but now appears to be turning his focus on Kabila.

“Is this war in eastern DRC no longer Rwanda’s aggression against our country, but now a conflict between Tshisekedi and his predecessor?” Kambere asked.

In August 2024, Tshisekedi had alleged that Kabila was behind the alliance between Corneille Nangaa’s AFC political coalition and M23 fighters. In a recent interview with Top Congo, he claimed Kabila skipped the December 2024 elections because he was preoccupied with AFC activities.

“Let’s not even talk about Joseph Kabila. He refused to participate in the elections and is now preparing to fight the government because AFC is him,” Tshisekedi said.

Last year, Kabila’s residence in Kinshasa was repeatedly targeted by security forces attempting to demolish part of its perimeter wall for road construction. Tshisekedi’s UDPS-affiliated youth group, Force du Progrès, also attacked the residence but was repelled by Kabila’s security detail.

Olive Lembe, Kabila’s wife, accused the government of orchestrating the attacks, claiming it was an attempt to destabilize her family.

Félix Tshisekedi, has once again accused his predecessor, Joseph Kabila, of backing the M23 rebel group.

IGIHE

While in Kirundo Province on February 11, 2025, Ndayishimiye urged Burundians to prepare for war with Rwanda, stating that he would send all Burundians to the border to confront Rwandans, claiming he was ready to win.

He declared, 'Prepare yourselves, do not be afraid. We know them well. In Bugesera, we know each other. Since the era of the monarchy, they have never defeated us. Do you think they can now? Remind them, 'Do you remember where Kirundo stands?’' Ndayishimiye said.

In an interview with Télé Renaissance, Bamvuginyumvira condemned Ndayishimiye’s remarks, emphasizing that disputes between nations should be resolved through diplomatic channels.

The opposition politician, who leads the ‘Urunani CFOR-Arusha’ coalition, warned that Ndayishimiye’s actions could endanger Burundi.

“Our Head of State has taken a dangerous path that is difficult for him to reverse. Instead, he has chosen to put Burundi in jeopardy,” he stated.

Bamvuginyumvira pointed out that when the CNDD-FDD government came to power, Burundians had high hopes that it would implement the Arusha Agreement, particularly the provision aimed at reconciling communities divided along ethnic lines.

However, he argued that the administrations of Pierre Nkurunziza and Ndayishimiye opted to divide Burundians, incite internal conflicts, and suppress opposition, leading many into exile or imprisonment.

He further stressed that Ndayishimiye’s remarks would not resolve tensions between Rwanda and Burundi but would only worsen them. “Such statements are not a solution but rather an added complication,” he remarked.

Speaking from exile, Bamvuginyumvira linked the tensions between Rwanda and Burundi to the ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), particularly in North and South Kivu.

Since 2023, Burundian forces have been fighting alongside the DRC army against the M23 rebel group, but they have continued to lose ground. Bamvuginyumvira called for Burundian troops to withdraw from the DRC.

“Instead of wasting time in Congo and suffering losses, they should return home, reconcile, and change the government. Once they achieve that, they can engage in dialogue, reopen borders, and restore peace for the citizens. Pushing people into war is not the solution,' he said.

Regarding the war in the DRC, he maintained that it is primarily an internal Congolese conflict. “You all know how this war started. It is a conflict among Congolese themselves,” he asserted.

Bamvuginyumvira proposed that after Burundi’s withdrawal from the DRC and a change in leadership that upholds the Arusha agreement, there should be regional negotiations among the Great Lakes countries.

“Return to your country, change the government, and let these nations engage in dialogue. Rwanda should talk with Burundi, Burundi should talk with Rwanda, Rwanda should negotiate with Congo, and Congo should talk with its own citizens,' he said.

We, as Burundians in exile, should also be part of this dialogue because we want to return home. We need to discuss governance under the Arusha Agreement, unify Burundians, pool our intelligence, and build our country. Let’s move Burundi from sorrow and instability to real development,' he added.

Relations between Rwanda and Burundi deteriorated in December 2023, leading Burundi to close its borders in January 2024. The borders remain closed to this day.

Ndayishimiye’s remarks would not resolve tensions between Rwanda and Burundi .

Former VP Frédéric Bamvuginyumvira, has criticized Évariste Ndayishimiye for his recent call to arms against Rwanda.

IGIHE

“They discussed the need for a political solution to the security crisis in eastern DRC involving all relevant parties. President Kagame reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to supporting a peaceful resolution that addresses Rwanda’s longstanding security concerns in a sustainable manner,” read a statement from the President’s Office.

The conflict between the M23 rebel group and the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) continues to escalate, with M23 recently seizing control of Goma and several other areas in North Kivu.

The DRC government has long accused Rwanda of backing M23 and providing it with military support in its fight against the Congolese army and its allied militias.

Kinshasa has also claimed that Rwanda has troops on its territory and has consistently lobbied the international community to impose sanctions on Rwanda, though these efforts have largely been unsuccessful.

Rwanda has repeatedly denied any involvement with M23, instead raising concerns over the Congolese government’s alliance with the FDLR, a group comprised of remnants of perpetuators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi along with Burundian troops, European mercenaries, and SADC forces in what it sees as a direct threat to its security.

As various stakeholders explore possible solutions to the conflict, M23 recently declared its intention to continue its military advance toward Kinshasa, aiming to overthrow the current government.

However, the group has stated that it would be open to halting hostilities if Kinshasa agrees to dialogue, a proposition that President Tshisekedi has consistently rejected. On February 14, 2025, M23 announced the capture of Kavumu, a town in South Kivu, further expanding its territorial control in eastern DRC.

Meanwhile, leaders of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC) have urged the Congolese government to engage in talks with M23 as a pathway to lasting peace.

President Paul Kagame on February 14, 2025 met with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.

The two leaders discussed the need for a political solution to the security crisis in eastern DRC.

IGIHE

Sibi was expelled after the WFP office in Burundi issued a directive instructing its staff to stockpile food, water, and cash sufficient for two weeks in case of a deterioration in security in Bujumbura.

French international radio journalist Esdras Ndikumana (RFI) reported that both officials left Burundi on February 14, 2025, traveling to Rwanda by air.

The directive, which later circulated on social media, caused controversy, with the Burundian government interpreting it as an attempt to spread panic among citizens and diplomats.

Concerns over security in Burundi have been growing amid the ongoing military gains of the armed M23 group, which has been defeating Burundian and Congolese troops in battles underway in South Kivu, eastern DRC.
South Kivu borders Burundi’s Cibitoke province in the northwest.

Sibi Lawson-Marriott, the country director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

President Ndayishimiye exchanges pleasantries with Sibi Lawson-Marriott, the country director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

IGIHE

These soldiers were captured at different times after retreating from combat against the M23 rebel group in South Kivu.

The military prosecution had charged them with offenses including desertion, murder, attempted murder, and sexual violence.

However, 72 soldiers were acquitted after the court found no evidence linking them to any of the alleged crimes.
Additionally, 90 other soldiers are currently on trial at the Military Court of Uvira in South Kivu, also facing charges related to desertion.

MONUSCO has trained FARDC officers and troops in military strategies and war tactics but many of them keep fleeing.

IGIHE

Speaking in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on February 14, 2025, during the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU), President Kagame stressed the need for African nations to take decisive action.

As the AU’s champion for advocating self-sufficiency in healthcare, President Kagame led a high-level meeting focused on mobilizing resources to strengthen Africa’s health systems.

The meeting was organized by the AU Commission, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), and AUDA-NEPAD, with discussions centered on healthcare innovation, private sector engagement, and philanthropic initiatives.

Kagame acknowledged that while Africa faces numerous challenges, it also has significant opportunities to address them. He highlighted the changing nature of global healthcare funding and urged African nations to invest more of their own resources in the sector while ensuring accountability in expenditure.

'We should not be intimidated by these challenges. The responsibility of building our continent, including strengthening our healthcare systems, lies with us. No one else will do it for us. This calls for us to take ownership of our problems and find ways to solve them,' Kagame stated.

Africa is rich in natural resources and has the potential for self-sufficiency in many areas, yet it struggles to fully harness these resources. For instance, the continent requires $1 billion worth of vaccines annually but currently produces only 0.2% of that amount.

President Kagame sharing a light moment with other leaders.

This has been a long-standing concern for President Kagame, who has consistently advocated for change.
In June 2024, during the launch of the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA) in Paris, he reiterated the need for Africa to take control of its vaccine production.

He noted that while the COVID-19 pandemic had ended, efforts to establish local vaccine manufacturing should not slow down.

'The COVID-19 pandemic claimed millions of lives and further exposed global inequalities, including in healthcare. No country was spared from the virus’s impact, yet access to vaccines and medical supplies was deeply unequal and challenging,' he said.

The Head of State emphasized that this inequality was a wake-up call for Africa to establish its own vaccine production capabilities as a long-term solution.

The 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) is underway in Addis.

IGIHE

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, which began on February 14, 2025, Tshisekedi claimed that Rwanda had deployed troops to eastern DRC to exploit the country’s mineral resources.

He criticized the international community for not taking their demands for sanctions against Rwanda seriously, stating that global 'hypocrisy' allows some nations to act with impunity.

Minister Marizamunda reminded Tshisekedi that the conflict in eastern DRC has affected the entire region, including Rwanda, emphasizing that Rwanda has no interest in an unstable neighbor.

'The situation in eastern DRC concerns all of us as a region. Rwanda has suffered significant consequences from this crisis. However, Rwanda has nothing to gain from an unstable DRC. On the contrary, our vision for development is rooted in regional security and economic cooperation,' he stated.

He explained that in 2021, when DRC’s security situation was stable, Rwanda exported goods worth $683 million to the country. By 2022, DRC accounted for over 33% of Rwanda’s total exports.

'Why would Rwanda, a country committed to sustainable social and economic development, seek to disrupt this cooperation? Rwanda’s economic interests lie in peace, not conflict,' Marizamunda emphasized.

The Defence Minister firmly rejected DRC’s strategy of apportioning blame, reiterating that Rwanda had not and would never attack the DRC.

'We do not subscribe to the blame game. Rwanda has its own priorities, and we have never attacked the DRC nor will we ever do so,' he affirmed.

However, he clarified that Rwanda has taken defensive measures along its borders to prevent any threats originating from the DRC from destabilizing its security.

Minister Marizamunda clarified that Rwanda has taken defensive measures along its borders .

President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

IGIHE

The WILSa 2025 is a conference that brings together young women and girls to celebrate all women who have made outstanding contributions in their respective fields.

At the announcement of Boukuru’s appointment as Brand Ambassador for WILSa 2025, Iris Irumva, the CEO of Lead Access, a leadership firm that empowers leaders at all levels, revealed that they started working with Boukuru in December 2024 to prepare a special partnership aimed at amplifying the voices of women everywhere.

'Since December 2023, we’ve been hard at work with our very own Boukuru, crafting an extraordinary collaboration that amplifies the voices of women everywhere,' she said.

'This partnership is more than a project. It’s a call to action, a celebration of talent, and the spark for a year-long journey of empowerment and mentorship.,' she added.

Irumva further explained that in 2025, they will go beyond merely celebrating women’s and girls’ achievements to spreading a message that would energize and empower women across all sectors, reinforcing women’s leadership at every level.

'This year, we wanted to create something that doesn’t just celebrate women’s leadership but amplifies it in a way that reaches beyond words. That’s why we’ve collaborated with Boukuru, whose song 'We Are Here- Turi Hano' is more than music. It’s a statement,' she emphasized.

She highlighted that the song symbolizes the need for the voices of women and girls to be heard at the workplace, in decision-making organiations, and in all important spaces. 'It’s a call to all of us to support and invest in the leadership of women and girls,' she added.

Shortly after, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed with Boukuru as the official Brand Ambassador for WILSa 2025.

Boukuru expressed her excitement about the collaboration with WILSa, saying that the song “Turi Hano” was meant to highlight the importance of women in everyday life.

'When I worked on 'Turi Hano,’ Irumva approached me, asking if we could create a powerful song that speaks to the value of women in leadership or wherever they may be. Wherever a woman is, she deserves respect. Whether at home, at work or anywhere else. So, I thought about creating a song that would convey this message,' she said.

She went on to share that the song signifies that even if women are not seen in certain places, they are present in other ways. She also pointed out that this song is not just for WILSa’s awards or conferences but is an anthem for every woman.

Boukuru mentioned that she chose to record the song in Kinyarwanda as it was specifically created for the Rwandan audience.

The WILSa 2025 awards ceremony will be preceded by the various Pre-Summit Workshops happening on 6th & 7th March, focusing on women in Agriculture, Technology, Entrepreneurship and the Arts.

On March 20, 2025, a large-scale conference will bring together women and girls from various sectors, followed by a day of intergenerational discussions and debates. The awards ceremony to honor the most outstanding women will take place on March 21, 2025.

The awards will recognize individuals in 15 categories, with three finalist nominees competing to win their category title, driven by public votes and jury’s input. Nominations for these awards opened on February 10, 2025, and will close on February 17. To nominate someone, visit the link http://wilsafrica.com/, select the category and fill out the details.

Irumva, who played a key role in Boukuru’s appointment as Brand Ambassador for WILSa 2025, revealed that this year, they plan to collaborate with more women and girls than ever before.

In 2024, the summit brought together 200 experienced women from various sectors, but this year, they aim to reach 1,000 women in Kigali and beyond.

She also disclosed that following the summit, a year-long mentorship program will be launched to empower women and girls to excel in every aspect of life. This program is scheduled to conclude in March 2026, paving the way for the next edition of WILSa.

The award categories will include; Entrepreneurship, Sports, Education, Arts & Culture, Advocate for Gender Equality, Science Innovation, Technology, Finance, Social Impact, Health & Wellness, Queen of Green (Environmentalist), Agriculture, Hospitality, Media & Communication and Lifetime Achievements.

Boukuru composed a song for WILSA titled ‘Turi Hano’, which highlights the strength of women and emphasizes the need for them to be given more opportunities and to have their voices heard.

Iris Irumva, the CEO of Lead Access, and Boukuru were delighted as they signed the agreement.

Boukuru stated that women deserve to be valued because they play a vital role in society.

Iris Irumva in a press interview.

Boukuru was all smiles as she signed the partnership agreement with WILSA.

The CEO of Lead Access, Iris Irumva, stated that they began collaborating with Boukuru in December 2024 to prepare for an exceptional partnership.

Iris Irumva signing the partnership agreement with Boukuru.

Erica Kabanda, who hosted the discussion, introduced Boukuru as the ‘Brand Ambassador’ of the Women in Leadership Summit and Awards.

The Inzora Service and Protocol team, founded by Tumukunde Nadine, known as Djadja [in the middle], welcomed the attendees at the event where Boukuru was introduced as the Brand Ambassador for the WILS Awards 2025.

Following the announcement of the schedule for the Women in Leadership Summit and Awards and the signing of the partnership agreement with Boukuru, the attendees were excited to take a group photo.

IGIHE

It has also been confirmed that Tshisekedi will not attend the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU), scheduled for February 15-16, 2025.

Tshisekedi is currently in Munich, Germany, attending “a high-level political and security conference involving nearly 70 countries,” as explained by his spokesperson, Tina Salama.

According to Jeune Afrique, Tshisekedi’s plane is expected to depart from Germany at 8:00 PM and arrive in Kinshasa overnight between February 14 and 15, 2025.

Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka will represent Tshisekedi at the AU summit and has already arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where the AU headquarters is located.

Tshisekedi’s early departure from Germany follows M23 rebels seizing key areas from the Congolese army, including the town of Kalehe, Kavumu, and its airport.

According to Congolese media, Prime Minister Suminwa has been tasked with urging AU member states to condemn Rwanda, which the Congolese government accuses of supporting M23, allegations that Rwanda has repeatedly denied and referred to as baseless.

The AU summit will also include key agenda items such as confirming Angola’s President João Lourenço as the new Chairperson of the AU and electing a new Chairperson of the AU Commission.

DRC President Félix Tshisekedi is set to make an early exit from Germany due to the M23 insurgency.

IGIHE