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He delivered the message on February 6, 2026, during the second day of the National Umushyikirano Council underway at the Kigali Convention Centre.

Echoing President Paul Kagame’s statement on February 5, Amb. Nduhungirehe reiterated that the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is an internal Congolese matter and was not caused by Rwanda.

He said DRC President Félix Tshisekedi, who accuses Rwanda of backing the AFC/M23 coalition, abandoned African-led peace initiatives that were intended to restore stability in his country, opting instead to seek mediation beyond the continent.

'He is the one who took the process outside Africa, going to Qatar and Washington to involve those countries in the talks, without even mentioning Paris in France. So claims that Rwanda moved the negotiations outside Africa are simply false,' he said.

Amb. Nduhungirehe noted that despite the signing of a peace agreement in Washington, the coalition of Congolese government forces continued to launch attacks against AFC/M23 positions and civilians, including Banyamulenge communities in Minembwe Commune.

He told participants that Rwanda supports the full implementation of the peace agreements, the dismantling of the FDLR terrorist group, the lifting of Rwanda’s defensive measures, and the restoration of lasting peace across the region.

The minister further assured Rwandans that while fighting persists in the neighbouring country, Rwanda’s borders and population remain well protected through a range of defence systems.

'Rwanda is secure. The country is protected. Rwandans should go about their lives and sleep peacefully. We have put in place defence measures, some of which you have seen intercepting incoming shells, and others. All are designed to protect Rwanda and its people, so that we can continue pursuing our development goals,' he said.

Rwanda introduced enhanced defence measures following mortar attacks launched by the FDLR, in collaboration with the Congolese armed forces (FARDC), which targeted parts of Musanze District, in March, May, and June 2022.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, has reassured Rwandans that the country remains safe, saying Rwanda’s defence measures are fully effective in safeguarding national security.

IGIHE

According to a ministry statement, 143,164 people have been evacuated across several provinces at risk of flooding. The province of Larache, including the city of Ksar El Kebir and surrounding villages, is the worst affected, with 110,941 residents displaced.

The statement added that gradual evacuation operations are continuing based on the severity of potential damage, with logistical support provided to ensure the safe transport of those affected.

Meanwhile, Morocco’s General Directorate of Meteorology warned Thursday that heavy rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds are expected to continue across numerous provinces in the coming days.

Heavy rain and severe flooding have forced more than 143,000 residents to evacuate their homes in northern Morocco in recent days, Morocco’s Interior Ministry said Thursday.

Xinhua

The AG 431 seed was officially launched on February 5, 2026, in the districts of Gatsibo and Nyagatare.

Research conducted by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) shows that the AG 431 maize variety is well adapted to climate variability, performing reliably under different weather conditions.

The seed was selected from four maize varieties that underwent field trials in 2025 and was later approved by the Rwanda Inspectorate, Competition and Consumer Protection Authority (RICA) for commercial use.

Farmers from Gatsibo and Nyagatare were among the first to be introduced to the new variety, which is currently being multiplied on 60 hectares in the Southern Province. Early adopters say the seed produces nearly double the yield compared to traditional maize varieties.

Haruna Muvunyi, a farmer from Kanyangese Cell in Rugarama Sector, Gatsibo District, said he planted the maize seed to test its performance and was impressed by the results.

'Considering that this is a new seed, on five acres of land you would normally not harvest more than 50 kilograms. But with this new variety, the yield is double that,' he said.

Muvunyi encouraged other farmers to adopt the seed due to its high productivity.
Djonga Mnyaradzi, Seed Production Manager at AATF, said the AG 431 maize variety is tolerant to both drought and excessive rainfall. He noted that it performs particularly well during dry seasons and yields even better when soil moisture is adequate.

'When rainfall is sufficient or well distributed, the yields are very high. This gives farmers confidence even in the face of climate change, whether it brings heavy rainfall or prolonged dry spells,' he explained.

The RAB Director for Nyagatare and Gatsibo districts, Kayumba John, said all maize seed grown in the country is locally multiplied and urged farmers to use certified seeds for market-oriented farming.

'The advantage of this new seed is that farmers are involved from the beginning. Whenever a new seed is released, we invite them to see and compare it with what they have been using. This removes doubts about quality,' he said, adding that the new variety contributes to national food self-sufficiency.

Currently, Rwanda has about 30 seed multiplication entities, including private seed companies and farmers’ cooperatives. Agriculture officials note that while all improved seeds used in Rwanda are locally produced, adoption among farmers remains below 60 percent.

The new maize seed variety, AG 431, is recognized for its ability to withstand changing climatic conditions while delivering improved productivity.

IGIHE

Sassou Nguesso made the announcement at the opening of the country’s first major agricultural fair, which will run through Feb. 15 at the Bambou-Mingali site in the district of Ignie, about 60 km north of Brazzaville.

“I will continue to support the agricultural drive that I decided to launch in 2021. Therefore, I declare myself a candidate for the March presidential election,” he said.

In the election, the incumbent president will run as the candidate of the Presidential Majority, a coalition comprising 18 political parties. The parties signed a joint declaration on Feb. 2 endorsing Sassou Nguesso’s candidacy.

President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso on Thursday declared that he would seek re-election in the March 15 presidential election.

Xinhua

Presidents and Vice Presidents of African countries – including Ghana, Egypt, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Nigeria – arrived as usual to hobnob with those who control the vast wealth and power that shapes the world. But this time they seem to have left the begging bowls and timid voices at home. It was as if they had come to stake a claim, to plant a flag. It soon became clear that they had formed alliances with leaders from other continents, in South East Asia, the Indian subContinent, Latin America, and even the Pacific Islands. One phrase explains the jarring break with tradition: Accra Reset.

In a world where globalization is fraying, supply chains are under strain, and traditional development models are faltering, this unusual and dazzling display of Global South power, with Africa at the forefront, presented a vision so glaring that no one who watched it could have missed how brazenly it defied the typical place Davos places African leaders. In the official program and in the round-the-clock coverage on the international networks, Africa was barely a footnote. But in a packed room at the Belvedere Hotel, a centerpiece of the main thoroughfare in Davos, known as the 'Promenade', it was all 'African Power' on stage.

The Accra Reset Initiative cut through the overcrowded Davos mist with a proclamation that Africa will no longer wait for a global system that no longer works as promised. Instead, the crew of continental leaders leading this movement are insisting that Africa must define its own economic sovereignty, harness its resources, and mobilize its domestic capital to drive growth on its own terms.

Flanked by supportive presidential voices from Egypt, DRC, Kenya, and Togo, Ghana’s John Mahama hogged the limelights like a celebrity. Metaphor after metaphor rang through his main speech and closing remarks. From declaring the current 'multilateral governance system' as sagging under 'postcolonial baggage' to warning about 'pressure vents' on the verge of cracking under Africa’s demographic explosion, Mahama spoke bluntly about why there is no more time to waste.

Some of Mahama’s portraits are well-known and widely reproduced. The fact that COVID-19 made it abundantly clear that pity won’t save Africa or that, if push came to shove, Africans would be allowed to die like flies, is hardly revealing. What was revealing is the impatience and candour with which he acknowledged that the lip-service paid after the pandemic to build self-reliance was just that: lip-service.

African Presidents are not known for cutting to the chase and tossing aside the polite diplomatic finesse about 'partnerships' and 'solidarity' and how the world owes Africa fairness etc. in their international outings. This time, they were pulling all the stops.

Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, representing Bola Tinubu, the substantive President, was equally direct and upfront. Clad in resplendent native wear, he itemised, one after the other, steps that Nigeria is taking to break the shackles of what Accra Reset strategists have dubbed the 'Triple Burden'. Like the four horsemen of the apocalypse, except short of one rider, the burdens are, in no specific order, 'marginalisation', 'vulnerability', and 'dependency.' Perhaps, the fact that the Nigerian President chose to skip Davos to focus on a trip to Turkey a few days later says something about the country’s Global South emphasis. If so, Shettima kept that to himself. What he left no one in doubt of was the country’s determination to reposition itself away from the path of supplication.

Another metaphor used at the convening that stuck like a limpet was the description of the continent’s condition as one similar to a 'pandemic of unfulfilled potential.' Both Mahama and Shettima linked the despair of youth unemployment to Africa’s paradox of hunger and destitution amidst natural plenitude. There was the perennial talk of exporting minerals in their raw form in markets designed to ensure that Africa captures just enough of the barest scraps to keep shipping the stuff, but never enough to break the cycle and start internalising serious value.

What was different is that, this time, the African leaders connected this directly to Africa’s geopolitical posture and recognised the need to make the ambition of correcting such age-old marginalisation the basis of both their regional and international economic diplomacy.

It was also heart-warming to hear Mahama explain clearly that his government saw Ghana’s ongoing economic turnaround and the drivers of that recovery story – fiscal discipline, accountability in public financial management, bureaucratic efficiency, strategic management of external debt, public sector transformation through technology etc. – as anchors around which to engage other African leaders about substantive regional reforms.

Even though the African Peer Review Mechanism was envisaged to promote something along these lines, it has over the years been denied the high-level political support necessary. Quite possibly because it was crafted as a technocratic process rather than an instrument of Africa’s regional and international political economy. The Accra Reset seems keen to find a path back towards that kind of policy peer pressure.

There are some who will still be cynical. One such person after taking in the overload of novelty still felt uneasy enough to ask whether this wasn’t just another NEPAD in a new suit and tie. Understandable wariness given the history of grand continental initiatives. But there was a hands-on practicality about how issues were being framed and actions suggested that sparked hope that this time could be different.

The senior bankers and financiers representing Africa’s main development finance institutions talked about trillions of dollars locked in institutional inertia – across pension trusts, sovereign wealth funds, and similar capital pools – that could be unlocked and coordinated across the continent to back some of the Accra Reset’s more audacious programs, such as the Sovereign Prosperity Spheres. The clarity of these plans seem refreshing in a way that was quite rare in continental plan-making.

Moreover, the President of DRC himself showed remarkable familiarity with the Sovereign Prosperity Sphere envisaged in his neck of the woods – the Great Lakes Corridors. He was dazzlingly specific about structures, processes, and decision-trees in ways that suggested that the propositions are intimately connected with real, on the ground, efforts rather than the usual pie in the sky blueprints that one often hears at the big conferences in Africa.

The other thing that was intriguing is the sheer number of high-caliber former Heads of State and Government willing to engage practically with the Accra Reset.

Assembling under the banner of the Guardians’ Circle, these world leaders – including Olusegun Obasanjo, Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Helen Clark, Gro Brundtland Harlem, James Patterson, Nkosazana Zuma, and several others – have all found common cause to throw their weight behind the Accra Reset.

They must certainly have sensed an inflection point and convinced themselves that the initiative has the weight to shift the direction of something major in the current global order. And, hopefully, towards real change that benefit real people in Africa and the Global South.

In a world where old guarantees are fading, and a scramble for all appears to define what remains of geopolitics, why shouldn’t an initiative that has come so far so quickly since its origins in a conference hosted by Mahama in August 2025 be given a chance?

The answer of course is in the practical vision the Accra Reset lays out and the steps it takes to execute and vindicate that vision. From what was showcased and explained at Davos, quite a bit of that duty was discharged.

Mahama’s direct order to his finance mandarins to work with others to explore the repatriation of a portion of Africa’s reserves held in Western capitals due to mistrust of continental alternatives was bold and concrete. The announcement by the Accra Reset Presidential Council of the creation of a kind of credentialed Sovereign Negotiators’ Club to bolster Africa’s dealmaking capacity was likewise tangible and forthright.

The panel of eminent global health leaders, such as Peter Piot and Nisia Trindade, set up to advise the Accra Reset leaders on how to push for specific, high-value, changes to the global health institutions was anything if not clear and lucid. As also are the upcoming policy-exchanges with Indonesia, Singapore, and South Korea on critical minerals and artificial intelligence.

No one could have listened to such thoughtful and methodical action-roadmaps and left with the impression that Accra Reset is another talkshop. Action, of course, is not guaranteed to succeed. But God knows Africa has heard enough talk and will take action, especially presidential action, anyday.

Faustine Ngila is a Nairobi based global journalist. He comments on international matters.

Ghana’s president John Mahama when he addressed Africa Reset Initiative conveners in Davos. Photo/ Courtesy

Faustine Ngila

The resources will support targeted initiatives to empower women in rural communities, while addressing gaps in other critical sectors.

The plan was officially launched on February 4, 2026. UN Women has already secured $3.5 million, or about 55% of the required funding.

Jennet Kem, UN Women Country Representative in Rwanda, highlighted the importance of strategic partnerships with various institutions to bridge existing gaps.

She noted that agreements have been signed with the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR), Equity Bank, and I&M Bank, alongside collaboration with various government agencies.

This strong governmental backing, she explained, provides a foundation for identifying opportunities for further collaboration to continue advancing women’s empowerment.

Consolée Uwimana, Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, reaffirmed the government’s long-standing commitment to partnering with UN Women.

She stressed that, amid global economic pressures, unified efforts among stakeholders are essential to propel initiatives that deliver real benefits for Rwandans, attracting further support along the way.

UN Women focuses globally on advancing women’s rights through leadership development, economic self-reliance, and efforts to eliminate gender-based violence.

In Rwanda, the previous 2020—2025 strategic period delivered significant results where over 85,000 people received training on gender-based violence prevention while more than 35,000 survivors (including 26,570 women and 8,876 men) accessed support services.

Furthermore, UN Women has helped 9,000 women obtain loans, trained over 24,000 individuals in economic empowerment, and supported 3,000 women in establishing their own small and medium-sized enterprises.

Ozonnia Ojielo, UN Resident Coordinator in Rwanda, commended the country’s notable advancements in women’s rights and leadership.

He emphasized that future efforts should prioritize inclusive economic growth with women at the center, aligning with Rwanda’s ambitions to reach middle-income status by 2035 and high-income status by 2050.

While international support from the UN, other organizations, and financial partners remains valuable, Ozonnia said, building a robust domestic economic foundation will be crucial for long-term success.

UN Women first began operations in Rwanda in 1996 as UNIFEM and was rebranded as UN Women Rwanda in 2010.

Its ongoing mission centers on advocating for gender equality, empowering women, and combating violence against them, positioning the agency as a committed partner in Rwanda’s development journey.

The plan was officially launched on February 4, 2026 where it was disclosed that UN Women has already secured $3.5 million, or about 55% of the required funding.

Jennet Kem, UN Women Country Representative in Rwanda, highlighted the importance of strategic partnerships with various institutions to bridge existing gaps.

The plan was officially launched on February 4, 2026.

Consolée Uwimana, Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, reaffirmed the government’s long-standing commitment to partnering with UN Women.

Ozonnia Ojielo, UN Resident Coordinator in Rwanda, commended the country’s notable advancements in women’s rights and leadership.

IGIHE

During the National Dialogue Council (Umushyikirano) on February 5, 2026, Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva highlighted the progress achieved since the program’s implementation.

NST2 is designed to strengthen Rwanda’s economy over five years, with a focus on strategic sectors that contribute to sustainable growth.

According to the Prime Minister, Rwanda’s economy is growing at an encouraging rate where it currently stands at 8.7%. Quarterly growth stood at 6.5% in the first quarter, 7.8% in the second, and 11.8% in the third.

This growth was driven by agriculture, industry, and services, with agriculture expanding by 7% (up from 5% in 2024), industry by 10%, and services by 9% on average.

'These results show that our economy is steadily gaining momentum, giving confidence that we are on track to achieve our goal,' Dr. Nsengiyumva said.

The growth in production across sectors has been complemented by policies to create jobs for Rwandans. As a result, the unemployment rate fell from 16.8% in 2024 to 11.7% by the end of 2025, down from 24.3% in 2022.

NST2 had set a goal of creating 250,000 jobs annually. By the end of 2025, over 800,000 jobs had been generated since 2024, with more than 760,000 or 93% being non-agricultural positions.

Exports also recorded strong growth, rising from $3.5 billion in 2023/2024 to $5.7 billion, marking a significant increase, on track toward a target of $7 billion by 2029.
'This growth in exports is helping narrow the trade deficit and strengthen Rwanda’s capacity for self-reliance,' the Prime Minister noted.

Revenue collection also improved, reaching 3,000.2 billion Rwandan francs, while domestic savings rose from 12% to 15.6% of GDP. The government continued investing in the 'Ejo Heza' saving scheme, with Rwf 52.8 billion mobilized in 2024/2025, alongside reforms to Saving and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs).

Private investment increased from $2.2 billion to $2.7 billion, with a long-term target of $4.6 billion annually.

Dr. Nsengiyumva emphasized that these achievements in just two years demonstrate Rwanda’s potential, while urging continued collaboration to fully realize NST2’s objectives.

In agriculture, fertilizer use has more than doubled since 2017, reaching 74 kg per hectare, with a target of 94.6 kg per hectare by 2029. Irrigated land expanded from 71,000 hectares in 2023/2024 to over 74,000 hectares, with a long-term goal of 134,000 hectares. Terracing projects now cover 146,000 hectares, aiming for 167,000, and mechanized terraces exceed 1.04 million hectares.

In livestock, annual milk production has grown from over 700 million liters in 2017 to more than 1 billion liters.
Industry development continues to be a priority, focusing on mining, agro-processing, livestock, and construction materials. Yet, challenges remain, including low productivity in agriculture, livestock, and industry, which affects prices. Targeted measures are being implemented to boost output.

Industrial zones in Rwamagana, Musanze, Muhanga, Bugesera, and Kigali have been strengthened to increase production, create jobs, and enhance value chains for international trade.

Mining sector output rose by 12% from 9% in 2023, while industrial production in 2025 averaged an 8% increase. Tourism earnings grew to $647 million from $620 million, with a target of $1.1 billion under NST2.

Investments in tourism infrastructure, including Kigali’s new airport and hosting international events, support this growth. In 2024/2025, this sector contributed $108 million, up from $95 million, with a target of $224 million.

Rwanda also hosted global events, including the Cycling World Championship and archery competitions, boosting its international profile.

The development of urban master plans is progressing, with 25 of 28 completed. Access to electricity reached 82.9% of households and 89% in development zones, up from 86% at NST2’s start.

In the energy sector, the government has begun constructing energy storage facilities while expanding electricity generation through several projects.

These include the Nyabarongo II hydropower plant, expected to provide 58 MW; the peat plant in Gishoma producing 15 MW; a methane gas project with a capacity of 100 MW; and the peat power plant in Gisagara, which has been upgraded to deliver 80 MW, up from the current 25 MW.

Access to clean water now reaches 84% of all villages, up from 80% in 2023/2024.
In recent years, water treatment plants have been established, including the Saki plant with a capacity of 11,000 cubic meters per day and the Ngororero plant producing just over 3,000 cubic meters daily. Efforts have also been intensified to reduce water loss in distribution networks.

Road construction and maintenance have been strengthened to improve connectivity for farmers and livestock producers, helping them bring their products to markets. The country now has around 4,200 kilometers of feeder roads, 600 kilometers of national roads, while new projects are expanding heavily used routes in Kigali and modernizing intersections using advanced technology.

To improve public transport in Kigali, the government has introduced the Ecofleet company to enhance service delivery in the sector.

Rwanda has reduced air pollution by 28%, with a target of 38% by 2029. To achieve this, wetland restoration projects have been launched alongside a large-scale tree-planting program aiming to plant 72 million trees, of which over 26 million have already been planted.

In healthcare, the Prime Minister highlighted significant improvements. Maternal mortality has decreased from 105 per 100,000 in 2023/2024 to 97 per 100,000 in 2025, while under-five mortality dropped from 45 to 39.4 per 1,000 children.

The government has prioritized expanding the healthcare workforce fourfold and accelerating key projects, including Masaka Hospital, the expansion of King Faisal Hospital, and facilities in Ruhengeri, Muhororo, and Kabgayi.

In education, major reforms this year have focused on improving the quality of learning and aligning it with labor market needs.

Rwanda continues to work with the private sector to develop technical, vocational, and skills-based schools to produce a more skilled workforce.

The goal is to increase the proportion of students in technical and vocational programs from 38% to 60% of all secondary school students.

Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva highlighted the progress achieved under NST2 during the National Dialogue Council on February 5, 2026.

IGIHE

Building on Rwanda’s pioneering 2016 launch of the world’s first national drone delivery service, the new deal expands Zipline’s operations to full nationwide coverage, introduces Africa’s first urban drone delivery network, and establishes the continent’s first autonomous delivery testing centre.

Under the expansion, Rwanda will also become the first country in Africa to deploy Zipline’s next-generation urban delivery system, Platform 2 (P2), designed for fast, quiet and highly precise deliveries in dense cities such as Kigali, where nearly 40 per cent of national healthcare demand is concentrated.
The system is already in use in the United States, delivering thousands of items daily to homes, offices and public spaces.

Minister of ICT and Innovation Paula Ingabire said the partnership reflects Rwanda’s long-term commitment to using technology to improve public services and save lives.

'Rwanda and Zipline have been working together for years to harness technology for the good of our people,' Ingabire said. 'We have seen the extraordinary impact of drone delivery in saving time, saving money and saving lives. With this partnership, we are expanding to urban delivery and reaching even more communities. We thank the U.S. Government for supporting Zipline’s expansion and for joining us in building the foundation for Africa’s future in healthcare and innovation.'

As part of the agreement, Zipline will establish a new long-range distribution hub in Karongi District, complementing its existing centres in Muhanga and Kayonza. The Karongi hub will extend delivery services to districts beyond the Nyungwe Forest, including communities near Rwanda’s western border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Within Rwanda, the facility is expected to serve about 200 health posts and 60 major health facilities, reaching more than 2.9 million people.

With the addition of the new hub and the rollout of urban services, Zipline’s nationwide network in Rwanda will cover more than 11 million people and support approximately 350 local jobs. The Karongi site, built near the Rwanda—DRC border, has also been described as a symbol of cooperation and peace between the two countries.

Zipline Africa CEO Caitlin Burton said Rwanda’s approach to innovation continues to set a global benchmark.

'In 2016, Rwanda made a decision that changed health access forever,' Burton said. 'Rwanda did not ask whether it had been done before. It asked whether it could work and whether it could save lives. Today, Rwanda is doing it again. This is a global first — not because the technology exists, but because the leadership exists.'

She added that Rwanda’s leadership was a key reason the U.S. Government is backing the expansion and why Zipline is investing beyond its contract in research, technology and high-skill jobs in the country.

In another first, the agreement includes the establishment of Zipline’s first overseas research and development hub in Rwanda. The new AI and robotics testing facility will support aircraft performance testing, development of new safety systems and next-generation logistics software, while also contributing to local skills development and innovation.

Pierre Kayitana, Zipline Rwanda’s Country Director, said the expansion creates a single, integrated logistics system serving all Rwandans.

'Rwanda pioneered autonomous logistics for the world,' Kayitana said. 'With the addition of a third hub and upcoming urban services in Kigali, Rwanda is creating a seamless national system that serves all citizens equally.'

Under the financing model, the U.S. Government will provide upfront infrastructure funding to enable the scale-up, while the Government of Rwanda will cover ongoing operations. Officials say the approach ensures the expansion is financially sustainable, nationally owned and fully integrated into Rwanda’s broader strategy for resilient, technology-driven healthcare.

Since its launch, Zipline’s drone delivery network in Rwanda has provided on-demand access to blood, vaccines and essential medicines, significantly reducing waste and improving health outcomes. According to Zipline, the system has contributed to a 51 per cent reduction in maternal deaths and strengthened real-time health data integration with national emergency response systems.

Zipline has been operating in Rwanda for a decade.

Pierre Kayitana, Zipline Rwanda’s Country Director, said the expansion creates a single, integrated logistics system serving all Rwandans.

Zipline Africa CEO Caitlin Burton said Rwanda’s approach to innovation continues to set a global benchmark.

“The signing ceremony for the agreement to expand Zipline Rwanda’s operations was attended by several stakeholders.

IGIHE

Addressing the 20th National Dialogue Council (Umushyikirano) at the Kigali Convention Centre (KCC), Kagame dismissed the claims as baseless and used a sharp hypothetical to make his point clear.

'By the way, if we were really in Congo for minerals we would be 100 times richer than we are now,' he said.

President Kagame also challenged the logic behind the repeated questions about Rwanda’s alleged presence in Congo, often centered on minerals.

He explained his standard response to such inquiries: 'If you ask whether we are in Congo, do you first ask yourself why would Rwanda be in Congo? Then you would get the answer without asking me.'

He made clear that any discussion of Rwanda’s posture toward eastern Congo must start with long-standing security threats.

'We have told you for the last 30 years about the threats coming from Congo to do with our security and those threats have materialized several times. You just don’t want to see or hear it.'

The Head of State was referring to a threat posed by the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a terrorist group formed by remnants of those responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, which continues to spread genocidal ideology.

The group has, at various times, launched attacks on Rwandan territory and has collaborated with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government to shell Rwanda during confrontations with the AFC/M23 rebel coalition. This situation has compelled Rwanda to put in place defensive measures to protect its citizens.

President Kagame also recalled being asked by ambassadors accredited to Rwanda, as well as representatives of other governments, including ministers, whose inquiries appeared to downplay the seriousness of the threat posed by the FDLR.

Reports indicate that as of June 2025, the FDLR was estimated to have between 7,000 and 10,000 fighters, most of whom, including senior leaders, were based in the Walikale and Masisi territories of North Kivu Province.

As he addressed participants of the meeting, Kagame argued that the mineral narrative serves to obscure these defensive necessities and shift blame.

He highlighted that acknowledging Rwanda’s presence, even hypothetically, would conveniently let others 'load the problems of Congo on your shoulder,' while ignoring the root causes , persistent threats that have forced Rwanda to take protective measures over decades.

Kagame also recalled a past exchange with a CNN journalist who asked directly about Rwanda’s involvement. His reply at the time was 'I don’t know,' which he described as technically safe.

'Simply, that is really technically an answer that I should not have given, but also technically it is an answer that would not take me to court… How would you prosecute an ignorant man who doesn’t even know what you are talking about?'

He stressed that this back-and-forth has trivialized the real issue, security threats originating from eastern Congo, while accusations of mineral motives serve to shift blame away from the actual sources of the problem.

Kagame concluded by reaffirming Rwanda’s position: 'We are not responsible for Congo.' He insisted that protecting Rwandans remains non-negotiable: 'For protecting our people, that one we shall. There is no question about it.'

President Paul Kagame has rejected persistent allegations that Rwanda is in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to exploit its mineral resources.

The National Dialogue Council brings together Rwandans from across the country for an inclusive exchange with their leaders on the progress of Rwanda’s transformation.

Théophile Niyitegeka

The Head of State made the remarks during the 20th edition of Umushyikirano, Rwanda’s National Dialogue Council.

'The UN is everybody, but at the same time it is nobody. The international community is all of us, but actually it is none of us when it comes to some of these problems,' Kagame said, arguing that the lack of clear accountability often leaves Rwanda unfairly blamed for issues it did not create.

Kagame highlighted the persistent threat posed by the FDLR militia, formed by remnants of the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. He noted that while some claim that the fighters are ageing, the ideology is passed down through generations, creating a continuous security risk.

'I meet ambassadors and ministers who ask how many Interahamwe or FDLR are in Congo. […] If you say they are 90 years old, it means they are there. But when children are trained, taught this ideology, and become fighters, how does being 90 years old make the problem irrelevant?' he said.

'The easiest answer for me sometimes is: why don’t you ask the UN forces you put there?' he added.

He also cited the ongoing hate speech from Congolese leaders that perpetuates genocide ideology.

'Even if you think there are few who give such a speech, there are millions who are listening, and among them, they are recruited into that and they become part of the threat that Rwanda faces,' Kagame said.

The President expressed frustration with global actors who, he said, simultaneously create problems that worsen regional tensions. He suggested that this approach has emboldened some leaders, including DRC President Félix Tshisekedi, to continue aggressive rhetoric and policies against Rwanda.

'You can’t create problems for me, blame me for them, and then start threatening me. It’s a daily thing,' he said.

Addressing accusations about the alleged presence of Rwandan forces in the Congo, Kagame dismissed claims that the country is motivated by minerals, saying its posture along the DRC border is purely defensive.

'If we were in Congo for minerals, we would be a hundred times richer than we are now… the threats coming from Congo to do with our security have materialised several times. You just don’t want to see it, you don’t want to hear it,' he said.

He urged the international community to hold the responsible parties accountable rather than placing the burden on Rwanda.

'Congo must own their responsibilities and must not transfer their responsibilities to others who are not responsible for Congo,' Kagame said, stressing that Rwanda’s defensive measures are aimed at protecting its people, not pursuing aggression.

The President concluded by emphasising that solutions exist if the root causes of regional instability are addressed.

'If you address the root causes and simply put responsibility where it belongs and accountability, I think this problem can be resolved,' he said.

President Paul Kagame has criticised the international community for what he described as inconsistent and ineffective responses to security threats emanating from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), particularly those linked to the FDLR militia.

The Head of State made the remarks during the 20th edition of Umushyikirano, Rwanda’s National Dialogue Council.

Wycliffe Nyamasege