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Rwanda has consistently maintained that the FDLR, a terrorist group founded by perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, poses a direct threat to its security, prompting Kigali to maintain defensive measures along its border with the DRC.

Security analysts say the latest announcement by Kinshasa appears intended to create the impression that the FDLR issue has been resolved, despite concerns that the group continues to strengthen both militarily and politically.

On July 28, 2026, DRC's Minister for Regional Integration, Floribert Anzuluni, and government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya announced that the FDLR had agreed to lay down its arms, arguing that Rwanda should now withdraw its defensive measures.

The announcement came after Anzuluni visited several African and European countries, where he reportedly shared a proposal prepared by the FDLR and signed by its president, Victor Byiringiro, on May 30, 2026.

'In line with the Washington Accords and the accompanying CONOPS [Concept of Operations ], the FDLR has signed a protocol for disarmament, demobilisation and cantonment through sensitisation,' Muyaya said.

The FDLR issue has been central to negotiations between Rwanda and the DRC, from the Luanda process to the Washington talks.

Rwanda has maintained that once the group is dismantled, it will remove the defensive measures it has put in place. However, no operation to dismantle the group has begun.

Responding on July 29, Amb. Nduhungirehe said the agreement announced by the DRC bears no relation to either the Washington Peace Agreement signed on June 25 or its implementation framework adopted on December 4, 2025.

'The signing of this so-called 'protocol' between the father [the Congolese government], the son [the FDLR], and the evil spirit [genocide ideology] is in no way consistent with the Washington Agreements, which make no provision for it. … the genocidal FDLR is not a party to those agreements; rather, it is the subject of them.'

He also reminded the DRC that the Washington Peace Agreement required it to dismantle the FDLR within 90 days, arguing that Kinshasa had failed to meet that commitment and that the latest initiative was intended to distract from, and delay, implementation of the agreement.

The minister further accused the DRC of increasing military cooperation with the FDLR since the implementation framework was signed on December 4, 2025, including integrating members of the group into the Congolese army and reinforcing its political structure.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/minister-nduhungirehe-dismisses-drc-claim-linking-latest-deal-with-fdlr-to-washington-accords/

In a six-month study of 47 older adults, researchers found that women who practiced time-restricted eating achieved significantly greater improvements in executive skills—such as planning, organizing, and problem-solving—than those who ate across a traditional 12-hour window, even though both groups lost the exact same amount of weight.

The research was presented at NUTRITION 2026, the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition. Scientists investigated whether reducing the number of hours people spend eating each day could influence brain function among older adults.

The six-month clinical trial involved 47 women between the ages of 50 and 79 who were living with overweight or obesity. All participants were instructed to reduce their daily calorie intake by about 500 calories.

Researchers divided the women into two groups. One group followed a time-restricted eating schedule, consuming food within an eight to nine-hour window each day, while the other group continued eating within a longer period of more than 12 hours.

At the end of the study, both groups experienced similar weight loss, with participants losing an average of about 15 pounds. However, researchers found key differences in cognitive performance between the two groups.

Women who followed the shorter eating window showed greater improvements in executive function, including skills related to planning, organizing, and problem-solving.

Participants following the time-restricted eating schedule also made fewer errors on tests measuring memory and learning, though that specific improvement was not statistically significant. The study found no significant differences between the two groups in reaction time or multitasking abilities.

According to the researchers, the findings indicate that reducing the daily eating window may provide cognitive benefits beyond weight loss alone. The study also suggested that avoiding food for at least four hours before bedtime may be associated with improvements in thinking abilities.

'Losing weight alone will ward off some of the aging-related cognitive decline, and these data suggest that there may be additional benefits if you stop eating 4 hours prior to going to sleep and reduce food intake to 8–9 hours per day,' said lead researcher Sue Shapses, a professor at Rutgers University and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

The researchers noted that more studies are needed to better understand how time-restricted eating influences cognitive function and whether the findings apply to broader populations. Future research will examine the effects of meal timing on brain health, including possible links with the body's internal clock, metabolism, inflammation, and nutrient-sensing pathways.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/eating-within-a-shorter-daily-window-may-improve-brain-function-in-older-women-study-finds/

The Rwanda-based mining company said the initiative will focus on evaluating between 2.5 million and 3 million tonnes of historically mined stockpiled material, with the goal of unlocking additional tungsten resources while advancing more sustainable mineral recovery.

Sonic drilling is a modern exploration technique that uses high-frequency vibrations to advance a drill through the ground while producing continuous, high-quality core samples. Compared with conventional drilling methods, it causes less disturbance to the material being sampled, making it particularly effective for evaluating loose or unconsolidated stockpiles such as those at Nyakabingo.

The campaign will involve up to 106 drill holes reaching depths of between 12 and 20 metres. Around 210 samples will be collected for metallurgical testing and particle size distribution analysis, while approximately 1,600 additional samples will undergo laboratory-grade analysis to support an updated Mineral Resource Statement.

According to the company, the results are expected to substantially increase Nyakabingo's mineral resource estimates, providing greater confidence for future investment decisions and supporting planned expansion of mining and mineral processing operations.

Peter Geleta, Chief Executive Officer of Trinity Metals, said recovering additional value from the mine's historical stockpiles would strengthen both the company's growth prospects and Rwanda's position in the global tungsten market.

'By unlocking additional value from the Nyakabingo mine stockpiles, we will significantly increase our mineral resource base, creating new opportunities to increase production, and entrenching Trinity Metals and Rwanda as a leading global supplier of tungsten,' Geleta said.

He added that the company would publish an updated mineral reserve and resource statement after completing the drilling programme to guide long-term mine planning and optimise mineral recovery.

Trinity Metals estimates that re-evaluating the stockpiled material could add approximately 2.5 million tonnes to Nyakabingo's resource base at an estimated grade of 0.3% tungsten trioxide (WO₃). The findings will also inform the design of a modern processing plant intended to improve recovery from both newly mined ore and legacy stockpiles.

The company said the project forms part of its broader sustainability strategy by recovering valuable minerals from historical stockpiles while reducing the environmental footprint associated with new resource extraction. It noted that only environmentally approved drilling fluids will be used and that all water generated during drilling will be safely managed through the mine's existing water management infrastructure.

Following the Nyakabingo campaign, Trinity Metals plans to undertake similar resource assessments at its Musha and Rutongo mines as part of a group-wide strategy to maximise resource recovery and improve operational efficiency.

Formed in 2022 through the merger of the Nyakabingo Tungsten Mine, Rutongo Tin Mine and Musha Tin and Tantalum Mine, Trinity Metals is Rwanda's largest producer of conflict-free critical minerals, employing more than 6,500 people. The company also owns the prospective Ntunga lithium project on its Musha concession.

The latest drilling initiative builds on Trinity Metals' recent expansion efforts. In June, the company announced that Nyakabingo had grown its exports to supply up to 20 percent of monthly primary tungsten demand in the United States and outlined plans to triple production, pursue a New York Stock Exchange listing and invest $150 million in modern mineral processing facilities in Rwanda.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/trinity-metals-begins-sonic-drilling-to-expand-tungsten-resources-at-nyakabingo/

As Rwanda continues implementing land use master plans across the country, Nyamagabe District recently approved a detailed land use plan for the Kitabi area bordering Nyungwe National Park. The plan reserves a 10-hectare site specifically for hotel development.

The Kitabi Tourism Zone was officially approved and announced during the Cabinet meeting of November 28, 2025, when the Nyamagabe District Master Plan was adopted.

The initiative is regarded as a major step toward promoting nature-based tourism and attracting private investment to Nyamagabe District, home to one of Rwanda's most important tourism destinations.

Despite its proximity to Nyungwe National Park, Nyamagabe has long lacked quality accommodation facilities. Most visitors touring the area have traditionally opted to spend the night in Huye District or other neighboring towns due to the limited hotel infrastructure in Nyamagabe, reducing the district's ability to fully benefit from tourism.

Nyamagabe District Mayor Hildebrand Niyomwungeri said the newly approved master plan officially identifies Kitabi as a hotel development zone and is expected to transform the area by encouraging tourists to stay longer and spend more in the district.

'This will attract investors to build hotels in Kitabi so that visitors entering or leaving Nyungwe National Park can find quality accommodation and places to relax. It will also generate more revenue,' he said.

He added that although no concrete projects have yet been announced, several investors have already expressed interest in the area.

Yves Maniragaba, a tour guide at Nyungwe National Park, said the development is expected to significantly strengthen tourism in Nyamagabe.

'It will increase tourism infrastructure, especially hotels, which will attract more visitors. It will also create jobs, add value to local handicrafts and agricultural products, and encourage healthy competition among hotels that will ultimately improve the quality of services offered to tourists,' he said.

Biodiversity researcher and tourism expert Dr. Ange Imanishimwe, whose work focuses on Nyungwe National Park, told IGIHE that approving the master plan should be accompanied by investments in new tourism attractions within the park itself.

He noted that tourism development efforts around Nyungwe have so far been concentrated largely in Nyamasheke District, while other districts bordering the park, including Nyamagabe, have received comparatively less attention.

'There is still a need to strengthen tourism development on the eastern side of Nyungwe, particularly in Nyamagabe at the park's entrance. Most visitors to Nyungwe travel from Kigali, but many head straight to Gisakura in Nyamasheke because tourism facilities there are more developed,' he said.

Kitabi is considered one of the areas with strong tourism potential because of its strategic location near Nyungwe National Park, one of Rwanda's premier protected areas. The park is renowned for its rich biodiversity, including numerous bird and wildlife species, as well as attractions such as the Canopy Walkway and an extensive network of hiking trails that draw visitors from around the world.

Nyungwe National Park was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in September 2023. Covering approximately 101,900 hectares, the park is home to 322 bird species, around 200 orchid species, more than 300 butterfly species and a wide variety of other flora and fauna, making it a vital driver of tourism and economic opportunities for surrounding communities.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/kitabi-opens-new-investment-opportunities-with-10-hectare-site-earmarked-for-hotels/

The ruling is expected to open the door for Tshisekedi to run again when his second and constitutionally mandated final term ends in 2028.

The decision was announced on July 28, 2026, by the President of the Constitutional Court, Dieudonné Kamuleta Badibanga, who said the referendum law complies with the country's Constitution.

Tshisekedi has been in office since January 2019. Under the current Constitution, the President is limited to two terms, after which power is expected to be transferred to another Congolese citizen.

The referendum law, which was approved by both chambers of Parliament, establishes the procedures for amending certain provisions of the Constitution.

In its ruling, the Constitutional Court affirmed that the President has the authority to initiate the constitutional amendment process through a special parliamentary procedure, which would then be followed by a national constitutional referendum.

Opposition leaders, including Martin Fayulu, Jean-Marc Kabund, Moïse Katumbi and Delly Sesanga, have strongly opposed the initiative, arguing that it is designed to enable Tshisekedi to secure a third presidential term despite the current constitutional limit.

The opposition had planned nationwide demonstrations to protest the proposed constitutional changes but postponed the protests after the government announced plans to organise an inclusive national dialogue bringing together stakeholders from across the country.

In early May 2026, Tshisekedi said he had never requested a third term. However, he added that he would accept if the Congolese people wanted him to continue leading the country. He also stated that if the conflict in eastern DRC remains unresolved by 2028, the country would not hold presidential elections.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/court-upholds-law-paving-way-for-tshisekedi-to-seek-third-term/

The landmark step follows years of mass screening, free treatment, and aggressive vaccination campaigns that have drastically reduced infections across the country.

Data from RBC shows that nearly 11 million Rwandans have been screened for Hepatitis C over the past eight years, with roughly 63,000 infected individuals receiving curative treatment. Over the same period, 6.5 million people were tested for Hepatitis B, with over 5,000 diagnosed and placed on life-saving antiretroviral therapy.

The announcement was made on Tuesday, July 28, during World Hepatitis Day national commemorations held at Hôpital La Croix du Sud in Kigali.

Dr. Charles Berabose, Director of Sexually Transmitted Infections and Other Blood-Borne Infections at RBC, confirmed that Rwanda has fulfilled the requirements to submit its official validation dossier to the WHO.

'To earn WHO validation, a country must screen at least 80 percent of its target population, treat over 70 percent of confirmed cases, guarantee 100 percent blood safety through mandatory donor screening, and equip health facilities nationwide with reliable testing tools. Rwanda has met all these standards,' Dr. Berabose said.

Rwanda launched its National Hepatitis C Elimination Plan in December 2018, bringing diagnostic testing and direct-acting antiviral treatments down to local health centres nationwide.

As a result, Hepatitis C prevalence in the general population dropped from 4 percent in 2017 to 0.17 percent in 2026. Over the same period, Hepatitis B prevalence declined from 3 percent to 0.26 percent.

To stop mother-to-child transmission, Rwanda has also strengthened its routine childhood immunization drive. Building on earlier adult vaccination campaigns, the government introduced a universal birth-dose Hepatitis B vaccine in January 2026, ensuring newborns receive their first shot within 24 hours of birth.

Rotary partnership

As Rwanda shifts focus toward targeted screening for high-risk groups, civil society organizations are stepping in to support the final phase of the campaign.

Rotary Club Rwanda has partnered with RBC to back screening efforts among vulnerable cohorts, including healthcare workers, prison inmates, refugees, and people living with HIV. The organization will also donate testing kits and support public education campaigns.

Dr. Alexis Muderevu, Rotary Action Group National Commission Chair for Rwanda Hepatitis B and C Zero campaign, commended the country's progress, noting that Rwanda is well ahead of international benchmarks.

'Rotary International is supporting African countries in the fight against viral hepatitis. Rwanda is already far ahead of many others because of its commitment. Rather than watching from the sidelines, we want to join Rwanda in this final stretch so that together we can eliminate hepatitis completely,' Dr. Muderevu said.

The partnership kicked off with screening for medical personnel at Hôpital La Croix du Sud to ensure health workers know their status before leading community outreach programs.

Marc Kwizera, a healthcare worker at the hospital, stressed the importance of medical staff setting an example.

'It is crucial that health workers are screened first. Knowing our status gives us peace of mind and allows us to safely care for our patients while encouraging the public to get tested,' he said.

Rwanda remains well on track to achieve the WHO target of eliminating viral hepatitis as a major public health threat ahead of the global 2030 deadline.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/rwanda-eyes-who-certification-after-meeting-hepatitis-elimination-targets/

'U.S. and Saudi fighter aircraft struck multiple terrorist logistics and weapons sites across eastern Iraq in a strong response to over 30 IRGC-directed aerial drone attacks in the last 72 hours,' the command said on X, referring to the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC).

'The unwarranted attacks against U.S. forces were not successful,' it said.

Noting that Iran-aligned militias in Iraq had conducted more than 600 attempted attacks on U.S. citizens and facilities from February through April, the command warned that the IRGC and its 'proxies' must cease such attacks or face further U.S. military response.

Shortly after the release of the statement, an explosion struck the headquarters of Iraq's paramilitary Popular Mobilization Forces, according to media reports.

Tuesday's strikes came amid heightened tensions following months of U.S.-Iran hostilities, during which alleged Iraqi attacks on U.S. forces in the country and elsewhere in the region have been reported.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/u-s-saudi-forces-strike-iran-linked-militants-in-iraq/

According to UNESCO, the newly inscribed properties comprise 19 cultural sites, five natural sites and one mixed site, bringing the total number of World Heritage properties to 1,273.

Three properties were inscribed under an emergency procedure: the Boma-Badingilo Migratory Landscape in South Sudan, the Mount Amel Castles in Lebanon and Sebastia in Palestine. All three were also among the six sites added to the List of World Heritage in Danger this year.

'The use of this mechanism for three sites in a single session underscores the growing number of heritage properties under threat in regions affected by conflict and instability, and reflects the Committee's determination to extend international protection and recognition before it is too late,' UNESCO said.

The session also marked the first World Heritage inscriptions for Comoros, Sao Tome and Principe, and South Sudan. As a result, the number of States Parties to the World Heritage Convention without a World Heritage property has fallen to 23 out of the Convention's 196 States Parties.

One of the highlights of the session was the inscription of the Beaches of the D-Day Landings, Normandy, 1944, in France as a site of memory. Since 2023, the World Heritage List has included this category to recognize places associated with events that countries and their communities wish to commemorate. The serial property, comprising six component parts stretching about 80 km along the Normandy coast, was inscribed in recognition of its association with the Allied landings on June 6, 1944 — the opening phase of Operation Overlord, which marked the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi occupation during World War II.

The Committee also inscribed several notable cultural properties, including China's Jingdezhen Handicraft Porcelain Industry Sites. Located in east China's Jiangxi Province, the property comprises five component areas that together illustrate the development of Jingdezhen's handcrafted porcelain industry from the 10th to the 19th century. The inscription fills a long-standing gap on the World Heritage List for porcelain heritage and brings the total number of World Heritage properties in China to 61.

The World Heritage Committee is one of the two governing bodies of the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. It is responsible for implementing the Convention, examining nominations for inscription on the World Heritage List, and monitoring the conservation status of inscribed properties.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/25-new-properties-added-to-unesco-world-heritage-list/

The exhibition will immerse visitors in the world of Rwanda by highlighting its cultural heritage, traditions, breathtaking landscapes, and the many facets of its identity. Through his paintings, Ngaboyisonga offers an artistic perspective on the country's history and the values that have shaped generations of Rwandans.

In an interview with IGIHE, the artist explained that this exhibition, his first solo exhibition, marks an important milestone in his artistic journey.

'It is a great honor and a great joy for me to present this collection of paintings at the Museum für Kunst in Rockenhausen. Every artwork on display is inspired by the history, traditions, landscapes, and cultural heritage of Rwanda, the 'Land of a Thousand Hills,'' he said.

According to the artist, the collection tells stories of identity, dignity, resilience, and community.

'The symbols, colors, and cultural elements featured in my works reflect the deep respect I have for the values that have shaped generations of Rwandans and continue to inspire my artistic journey,' he added.

Ngaboyisonga also expressed his hope that the exhibition will give visitors not only the opportunity to discover his artistic universe, but also to gain a deeper appreciation of Rwanda's rich cultural heritage and the universal values that bring people together.

The artist further emphasized that art is a powerful means of preserving memory, transmitting history, sharing knowledge, and fostering dialogue among people from different cultural backgrounds.

The official opening ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, August 2, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Museum für Kunst. The event will feature traditional music and dance performances by Josée Uwamahirwe and Evelyne Uwase, accompanied by their group, offering visitors an immersive experience of Rwandan culture by combining visual arts with music.

The exhibition will remain open to the public until August 30, 2026, daily from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The event is organized by Luise Busch in collaboration with Kahnweiler Arbeitskreis – Kultur Extra, with the support of the Mayor of Rockenhausen, Michael Vettermann.

Ngaboyisonga and the organizers have warmly invited art enthusiasts, admirers of Rwandan culture, members of the Rwandan diaspora in Germany and across Europe, as well as the general public, to visit the exhibition.

'Through this exhibition, I wish to introduce the true Rwanda to the German people, a country with a remarkable history, a rich culture, magnificent landscapes, and values that define us as Rwandans.

'The exhibition is also intended to serve as a bridge between cultures, reminding us that art remains a universal language capable of bringing people together, fostering dialogue, and strengthening friendship between nations,' the artist concluded.

[email protected]

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/art-exhibition-dedicated-to-rwanda-to-open-in-germany/

The demonstrations were organized by civil society organizations operating in the two cities, which are under the control of AFC/M23. Organizers described the sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council on AFC/M23 Coordinator Corneille Nangaa, the coalition's intelligence chief, Col. Nzenze Imani, and MRDP Twirwaneho commander Brig. Gen. Charles Sematama as biased.

The civil society groups also accused President Tshisekedi of seeking to remain in power beyond the constitutional two-term limit by changing the Constitution. They argued that his administration has failed to govern effectively and called for him to step down in favor of new leadership.

Ahead of the demonstrations, on July 27, representatives of the civil society organizations formally notified the mayors of Goma and Bukavu, requesting authorization to hold the protests and ensure the safety of participants. Local authorities reportedly assured them that security would be provided.

Following days of mobilization, large crowds gathered in both cities, with demonstrators expressing support for AFC/M23 and seeking to show that areas under the coalition's control have remained peaceful since early last year. Protesters contrasted the security situation in those areas with territories controlled by the Kinshasa government.

Many demonstrators carried placards denouncing President Tshisekedi's administration, the long-running attacks by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in Beni, North Kivu Province, and military operations by the Congolese government in Minembwe Commune in South Kivu Province.

Some banners read, 'We reject the UN sanctions imposed on AFC/M23 members without any valid justification.' Others claimed that since AFC/M23 took control of Goma and Bukavu, the cities have become more secure and united, with improved access to clean water, electricity and continued development.

In Goma, protesters displayed banners stating: 'We, the people of North Kivu Province, reject the constitutional amendment project and the Kinshasa government's actions aimed at destabilizing areas where AFC/M23 has restored security.'

Speaking during the protest in Bukavu, one civil society representative said the demonstrators opposed constitutional changes and wanted peace through dialogue.

'We are demonstrating because we reject any amendment to the Constitution and we want peace. We want negotiations to begin as soon as possible so that lasting peace can be achieved,' she said.

She also criticized the UN sanctions, saying: 'How can you sanction a citizen in a sovereign country? It is unacceptable for this to happen to a Congolese citizen who is fighting for his rights, seeking peace and advocating peaceful coexistence.'

North Kivu Deputy Governor Manzi Willy expressed support for the demonstrations, arguing that what he described as one-sided sanctions would not contribute to peace in the DRC.

'A conflict involves two parties, yet only one continues to face punitive measures while the other is spared comparable scrutiny,' Manzi said.

'Such an approach is unlikely to advance peace; it risks deepening divisions and undermining confidence in the negotiation process.'        

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/thousands-stage-protests-in-goma-bukavu-against-tshisekedi-and-sanctions-on-afc-m23/