Category: Uncategorized

The 217 officers were flagged off by Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen on Saturday to assist the first batch of 400 officers deployed to the Caribbean nation last year.

Upon their arrival at Port-au-Prince on Sunday morning, the officers were received by Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime and other government officials. The officers were accompanied by Deputy National Security Advisor Joseph Boinnet, Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police Service Gilbert Masengeli, and Commandant-General of the Service Unit Ranson Lolmodooni.

The Prime Minister hailed the reinforcement as a crucial step in restoring order to the country, which has been plagued by gang violence for years.

Yesterday, Minister Murkomen noted that the Kenya-led mission has made tremendous progress in reducing gang violence.

“Our commitment to this historic mission is unwavering, and we will continue to mobilize all the necessary international support for it to succeed,” the minister stated.

The MSS mission, authorized by the United Nations Security Council in October 2023, has been tasked with assisting the Haitian government in re-establishing security amidst growing unrest.

Besides Kenya, the mission in Haiti has received commitments from several countries. As of January 2025, some of the contributing nations include Jamaica, Belize, the Bahamas, Guatemala and El Salvador.

Despite international efforts, the mission has faced challenges, including equipment shortages, logistical issues, and funding constraints, which have impacted its effectiveness.

Mission Extended

The UN extended the mission’s mandate until October 2025 in a unanimous decision made in September 2024, amid warnings from experts and the Haitian government about the dire situation.

In a recent investigative report, the UN offices in Haiti documented a massacre in Port-au-Prince by the Wharf Jérémie gang, with at least 207 executions recorded between December 6 and 11, 2024.

With over 5,350 people killed in 2024 alone and 17,000 dead or injured since the gang’s rise in 2022, the UN highlighted the urgent need for international intervention.

Recent reports indicate that more than 700,000 people have been forced to flee their homes due to gang violence and insecurity. The number has been steadily increasing, with a significant rise between 2022 and 2023.

It is estimated that 2.7 million Haitians, including 1.6 million women and children, live in areas under gang control. The residents face daily threats of violence, extortion, and restrictions on their movement.

A second contingent of Kenya police officers arrived in Haiti on Sunday, January 19, 2025, to support the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission aimed at combating the country’s escalating gang violence.

The 217 officers were flagged off by Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen on Saturday to assist the first batch of 400 officers deployed to the Caribbean nation last year.

The officers were received at Port-au-Prince by Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime and other government officials.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

During a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Paul Kagame on January 17, 2025, the government approved the inclusion of 14 advanced medical services, including cancer treatment, in the CBHI package.

Minister of Health Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana outlined on Saturday that services to be covered include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, kidney transplants, interventional cardiology, minimally invasive surgery, and hip and knee replacements.

The addition of new services to the scheme aims to ease the financial burden on patients and families struggling with the high costs of essential treatments. All the new services are expected to be fully integrated into the CBHI, which currently covers 92% of Rwandans, by June.

“By June 2025, all the 14 services will be fully integrated into the scheme,” Dr. Nsanzimana affirmed.

Mutuelle de Santé has been covering 90% of medical expenses, but chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cancer are excluded, leaving patients to bear the full cost, with treatments often running into millions of Rwandan francs.

The government’s decision to include cancer treatment under CBHI is expected to transform access to healthcare for thousands of families across the country. This expansion reflects Rwanda’s continued investment in its health sector, with improved infrastructure and advanced medical equipment enabling high-quality treatments.

In tandem with the expanded CBHI package, the Cabinet also approved a revision of health service tariffs, which were last updated in 2017.

Dr. Nsanzimana explained that outdated tariffs no longer reflected the actual costs of healthcare services. The revised tariffs ensure affordability for advanced treatments while maintaining government subsidies for essential services.

Under the new tariff structure, the cost of a CT brain scan for CBHI beneficiaries has dropped from RWF 45,000 to RWF 16,283, with a co-payment of just RWF 1,628.

Similarly, for a normal delivery at a public health facility, a CBHI beneficiary will now pay RWF 1,126, up slightly from RWF 926, while insurance covers RWF 11,261 of the cost.

The changes also include tailored rates for private insurance holders, East African citizens, and international clients, ensuring a comprehensive and equitable tariff system.

As part of the reforms, the government has committed to reviewing health service tariffs every two years to ensure they remain aligned with economic realities and healthcare advancements.

Minister of Health Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana outlined on Saturday that services to be covered include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, kidney transplants, interventional cardiology, minimally invasive surgery, and hip and knee replacements.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

The Chinese-owned platform, beloved by 170 million Americans, now faces an uncertain future, though President-elect Donald Trump has hinted at a potential 90-day reprieve after his inauguration on Monday.

In a message displayed to users attempting to access the app, TikTok announced: 'A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now. We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned.'

A woman poses with her smartphone displaying the TikTok app, after it stopped working in the United States late on Saturday and disappeared from Apple and Google app stores ahead of a law that takes effect Sunday requiring the shutdown of the app used by 170 million Americans.

The shutdown comes after years of escalating tensions over TikTok’s ownership by China-based ByteDance, with U.S. lawmakers citing national security concerns.

The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, passed last year, required TikTok to be sold to a non-Chinese entity or face a ban. ByteDance, however, refused, arguing that divestment was 'simply not possible: not commercially, not technologically, not legally.'

The app’s disappearance follows a series of court battles. On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the law, rejecting TikTok’s argument that a ban violated free speech rights.

President Joe Biden’s administration left enforcement of the ban to the incoming Trump administration, with White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stating, 'We see no reason for TikTok or other companies to take actions in the next few days before the Trump administration takes office on Monday.'

TikTok CEO Shou Chew expressed hope for a resolution under Trump’s leadership. 'On behalf of everyone at TikTok and all our users across the country, I want to thank President Trump for his commitment to work with us to find a solution that keeps TikTok available in the United States,' he said in a video posted before the app went dark.

Despite Trump’s earlier support for the ban, his newfound appreciation for TikTok’s role in his 2024 presidential campaign has led him to suggest a temporary extension.

'The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because it’s appropriate,' he told NBC. 'If I decide to do that, I’ll probably announce it on Monday.'

The sudden shutdown has left millions of American users and businesses scrambling. TikTok, a hub for small businesses, influencers, and cultural trends, warned that the app could face glitches and cybersecurity risks without regular maintenance.

Meanwhile, alternatives like China-based RedNote are already gaining traction among displaced users. 'This is my new home now,' one user wrote on RedNote, tagging the post with '#TikTokRefugee' and '#Sad.'

Rival platforms like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts are also expected to see an influx of users, while searches for VPNs surged as Americans sought ways to bypass the ban. Marketing firms reliant on TikTok have described the situation as a 'hair on fire' moment, rushing to adjust their strategies.

The ban has further strained U.S.-China relations, with Beijing accusing Washington of unfairly targeting TikTok. A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington stated, 'China will take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.'

Back in the U.S., speculation swirls about TikTok’s future. Potential suitors, including former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok’s U.S. operations. Media reports also suggest that billionaire Elon Musk has been involved in talks about a possible sale, though ByteDance has denied the claims.

As TikTok’s fate hangs in the balance, its CEO plans to attend Trump’s inauguration, reportedly to seek a political resolution. Whether TikTok will return to U.S. devices remains unclear, but for now, an era of short-video dominance in the U.S. has come to an abrupt halt.

TikTok ceased operations in the United States late Saturday, vanishing from Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store just hours before a federal law mandating the app’s shutdown took effect.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

The claims were made by outgoing U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Molly Phee, during an interview with AFP.

Nduhungirehe termed the allegations as “totally false” in a statement shared on X late on Saturday, January 18, 2024.

Nduhungirehe clarified that Rwanda was never involved in any negotiations regarding the Lobito Corridor, nor did it oppose its extension.

“Rwanda was NEVER associated in any way in the negotiations for the Lobito Corridor. Therefore, our country NEVER opposed any extension of this corridor to the eastern DRC and was NEVER invited to the Lobito Summit held in December 2024 in Angola,” he stated.

The Lobito Corridor project, championed by the United States, seeks to connect the Lobito port in Angola to key regions in the DRC and Zambia, enhancing regional trade and economic integration.

Phee had in the interview indicated that Washington proposed “positive incentives” to both Rwanda and the DRC to reach an agreement, including a potential extension of the corridor to eastern DRC. However, she claimed that Rwanda distanced itself from the initiative, citing President Paul Kagame’s absence from the Luanda Summit in December 2024 as “evidence”.

Phee also noted that the extension of the Lobito Corridor project heavily relied on Kinshasa’s commitment to combat (FDLR), a terrorist group comprising remnants of persons responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. According to Phee, the Congolese government failed to act decisively, forcing the United States to reset its approach.

This “information” provided by the outgoing US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa is totally false. Rwanda was NEVER associated in any way in the negotiations for the Lobito Corridor. Therefore, our country NEVER opposed any extention of this corridor to the eastern DRC and… https://t.co/xiXn6GoCSl

— Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe (@onduhungirehe) January 18, 2025

The security situation in eastern DRC remains volatile due to the ongoing conflict between government and allied forces and the M23 militia group, which accuses the Congolese government of marginalizing and persecuting Congolese Tutsis.

M23 first emerged in 2012, launching an armed struggle to demand that the DRC government honour agreements made with the former National Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP). The agreements aimed to restore the rights of Congolese Tutsis and end the violence they had endured.

Between 2012 and 2013, M23 captured significant areas in North Kivu province, including the city of Goma. However, these territorial gains were reversed following a decision by regional heads of state, who assured M23 that the DRC government would address the grievances of the Congolese in the east.

Despite these promises, the DRC government failed to fulfil its commitments. After eight years of waiting, former M23 fighters came under attack by DRC forces in November 2021, reigniting the conflict.

M23 maintains that it does not kill civilians or commit any form of abuse. Instead, the group claims to ensure civilian safety—a sharp contrast, it says, to the DRC government’s forces, who are accused of harming the very civilians they are meant to protect. M23 continues to urge the government to respect the terms of the agreements.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

“Due to the complete interruption of electricity supply, a water crisis occurred as the Nile stations and wells went out of service,” the Khartoum State government said in a statement, attributing the power outage and water shortage to the RSF drone attack on the Merowe Dam, a hydroelectric dam on the Nile River.

“We are making intensive efforts to implement some urgent solutions to address the drinking water crisis,” it added.

The Merowe Dam, located about 350 km north of Khartoum, is one of the largest hydropower projects in Africa.

Governor of Khartoum State, Ahmed Osman Hamza, inspected a number of wells in the western districts of Al-Thawra neighborhood, checking the operation of wells with generators, the state’s media office said Saturday.

It noted that the governor has instructed authorities to supply citizens with water from Al-Manara water station’s reserve.

Meanwhile, Khartoum State Water Corporation said its engineers were working on implementing emergency measures to operate the water wells and restore water flow into the national network.

It revealed that 15 wells have been activated in several neighborhoods, which has significantly contributed to providing water supply to some areas.

Omdurman, Sudan’s second most populous city, has seen a surge in population after it became one of the safest areas in the state, prompting thousands of displaced people to move to the city. Amid the severe water shortage, residents have to stand in long queues to obtain water from old wells or water trucks.

Sudan has been gripped by a devastating conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF since mid-April 2023, which claimed at least 29,683 lives and displaced nearly 15 million people, either inside or outside Sudan, according to the latest estimates by international organizations.

A Sudanese resident carries plastic water containers in Omdurman city, north of the Sudanese capital Khartoum, Jan. 18, 2025. For over a week, the Sudanese capital Khartoum has been witnessing power and water outages, exacerbating the suffering of the citizens who wait for long hours at wells operated by generators to obtain drinking water.

Xinhua

A modular operating theatre is a specially designed surgical room that is built using pre-fabricated, modular components.

This allows for flexibility in its design, enabling it to be customized and adapted to meet specific needs or requirements.

It can be expanded or modified easily, depending on future needs, and is equipped with advanced medical technology for performing surgeries.

The event was graced by the CEO of King Faisal Hospital Rwanda, alongside the CEO of Alvo Medical, the esteemed manufacturer of advanced Operating Room (OR) solutions.

Also in attendance were the Deputy CEO (DCEO) and the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of KFH, along with theatre users, including surgeons, anesthetists, and nursing staff, who will directly benefit from this cutting-edge facility.

The newly inaugurated modular theatre is equipped with the latest technology designed to support complex cardiac procedures, significantly enhancing patient safety and improving surgical outcomes.

In his address, the CEO of KFH reaffirmed the hospital’s commitment to advancing surgical care through innovative OR solutions.

He proudly announced that all 18 theatres planned in the hospital’s expansion project will be built to an even higher standard than the newly inaugurated one.

He emphasized that KFH will no longer construct theatres below this level of excellence.

The CEO of Alvo Medical expressed pride in partnering with KFH to deliver this modern, high-performance surgical environment.

He highlighted Alvo Medical’s commitment to providing innovative and sustainable medical infrastructure capable of serving hospitals for up to 20 years.

King Faisal Hospital has made significant strides in advancing healthcare. In May 2024, the hospital announced that over 300 patients, including children aged between 100 and 150, had undergone heart surgery in the past three years using cardiac catheterization procedure.

In January 2024, it was also reported that in the previous year, more than 175 patients had undergone surgery for heart related diseases, while 18 patients received kidney transplant services in Rwanda.

Besides, the foundation stone for the expansion of King Faisal Hospital, a project that will increase its capacity threefold was laid on July 22, 2024.

The expansion is expected to add nearly 88,000 square meters to the hospital, with a focus on treating rare diseases that are not commonly treated in Rwanda, such as heart surgeries, cancer treatments, and others.

A modular operating theatre is a specially designed surgical room that is built using pre-fabricated, modular components.

King Faisal Hospital Rwanda (KFH) has achieved a remarkable milestone with the official inauguration of its state-of-the-art Modular Operating Theatre.

The state-of-the-art Modular Operating Theatre dedicated exclusively to cardiac surgeries was officially opened on Friday, January 17, 2025.

IGIHE

Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya, addressing an online briefing on Thursday about the multi-country mpox outbreak and other health crises, stressed the urgent need for concerted efforts to combat mounting public health emergencies.

“We see that the number of disease outbreaks in 2024 was more than in 2023… In 2024, we had 213 events, while in 2023, we had 166. We hope that this year will be different from the last year,” Kaseya said.

The Africa CDC chief identified cholera, measles, dengue, mpox, and diphtheria as the top five high-burden diseases in Africa for 2024.

Cholera was “the first killer in Africa,” as the African continent reported some 204,115 cholera cases and 3,747 deaths last year. Measles followed closely, with 234,320 cases and 3,220 deaths in 2024.

Mpox ranked third in fatalities among the five high-burden diseases, with 21 African countries reporting 77,888 cases and 1,321 deaths since the start of 2024, according to data from the African Union’s specialized healthcare agency.

Kaseya highlighted the pressing need for Africa to address public health emergencies more effectively, citing the compounded effects of climate change, urbanization, and other contributing factors.

The Africa CDC chief also called for significant investment in laboratory infrastructure, critical public health facilities, and local vaccine and medical equipment production. He emphasized the need to boost the continent’s public health workforce, improve genomic sequencing for priority diseases, and bolster national public health institutes to enhance their role in managing health emergencies.

“We are following what is happening in Africa in terms of diseases, and we know exactly what is happening, when, and where so that we can respond by supporting our members,” Kaseya said.

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has raised alarm over a sharp rise in public health emergencies across the continent.

Xinhua

Ugandan Minister of Health Jane Ruth Aceng told reporters that the World Health Organization (WHO) had alerted Uganda about the suspected outbreak in Tanzania’s Kagera region, which shares a border with Uganda.

Aceng said health authorities have identified Uganda’s border districts of Kyotera, Isingiro, Rakai, Kalangala, and Ntungamo as being at immediate high risk of disease importation.

According to the ministry, no confirmed or suspected cases of MVD — characterized by symptoms such as headache, high fever, back pain, diarrhea, vomiting with blood, body weakness, and external bleeding — have been reported in Uganda.

“We are aware that in addition to cross-border movements through the designated points of entry, there is rapid movement in the non-designated points of entry,” Aceng said. “We have heightened points of entry surveillance, active case search, and public health communication in the high-risk border districts.”

The WHO has classified the regional risk as high, citing Kagera’s strategic role as a transit hub with extensive cross-border movement involving Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

“We advise the population to remain calm, especially the population in the high-risk districts,” said Aceng. “They should remain vigilant and report any individual with the signs and symptoms consistent with Marburg and suspicious deaths to the nearest health facility. The ministry will monitor the situation and provide timely updates.”

MVD is a highly virulent disease causing hemorrhagic fever, with a fatality rate of up to 88 percent, according to the WHO. The virus, which is zoonotic, is transmitted to humans through direct contact with body fluids of infected individuals or contaminated materials such as blood, tissues, or surfaces.

Uganda heightens border surveillance over suspected Marburg outbreak in neighboring Tanzania.

Xinhua

The procedure, known as Intra-Uterine Fetal Transfusion (IUFT), was carried out to treat fetal anemia caused by insufficient blood, particularly low red blood cells.

If left untreated, this condition could lead to fetal death or premature delivery in the early stages of pregnancy.

Dr. Nshimiyumuremyi Emmanuel, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at CHUK, explained that the problem arose from a blood type mismatch between the mother and the fetus.

The mother had blood type O-, while the fetus had Rh-positive blood. This mismatch caused the mother’s immune system to produce antibodies that attacked the fetus’s blood, leading to anemia.

The pregnant woman, who was seven months along, initially sought care at a health center but was referred to a district hospital. Upon further examination, it was discovered that the fetus had low blood levels, necessitating intervention at CHUK.

Upon arrival at CHUK, an ultrasound confirmed that the fetus was indeed anemic. Further tests revealed the mother’s blood type and the cause of the immune reaction.

Normally, women with Rh-negative blood receive medication after childbirth to prevent future immune responses. However, in this case, the woman had not received the medication, possibly due to an oversight during her previous delivery.

Given the urgency of the situation and the rarity of the procedure in Rwanda, the medical team decided to proceed with the transfusion, using blood that matched the mother’s type. This prevented her immune system from attacking the fetus’s blood.

“The procedure was successful, and the fetus is doing well,” said Dr. Nshimiyumuremyi. “We will continue monitoring the baby and provide further transfusions until birth to ensure a safe delivery.”

He also stressed the importance of early screening for pregnant women, including checking for blood type compatibility with the fetus, and taking immediate action if issues arise.

“Blood transfusions in the womb are rare in Rwanda and the region. This breakthrough demonstrates our medical progress and underscores the importance of early diagnosis and intervention in saving lives,” he noted.

During the procedure, specialized needles were used to inject blood directly into the fetal bloodstream, a delicate and precise task.

Dr. Nshimiyumuremyi assured that the blood transfused was of the universal O- type, ensuring no adverse effects for the fetus.

He urged expectant mothers to undergo early prenatal check-ups, including blood type tests, to ensure compatibility with their babies and called on healthcare workers to quickly refer mothers with Rh-negative blood to higher-level facilities for further care.

Doctors at the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK) have successfully performed an intrauterine fetal blood transfusion, a first for Rwanda.

IGIHE

During this meeting, they explored potential areas for further strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation between Rwanda and Azerbaijan in multiple sectors.

So far, the two countries have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on political consultations and a visa waiver agreement for service and diplomatic passports.

As Ambassador Lt Gen (Rtd) Charles Kayonga presented his credentials to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in October 2024, both countries expressed their desire to collaborate in advancing various sectors.

At that time, Amb. Kayonga highlighted potential areas of collaboration, including trade, investment, science, education, and humanitarian efforts.

In a recent interview with an Azerbaijani newspaper, Amb. Kayonga shared that the two countries could engage in mutually beneficial trade.

On November 13, 2024, President Paul Kagame met with President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, where they discussed the partnership between the two countries in advancing key sectors.

The two heads of state focused on strengthening cooperation in areas such as investment, trade, and knowledge exchange to ensure the successful implementation of their objectives.

The relationship between Azerbaijan and Rwanda began in 2017. Azerbaijan has an ambassador to Rwanda, based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, while Ambassador Kayonga is based in Ankara, Turkey.

IGIHE