Category: Uncategorized

Israeli media revealed Thursday that the Israeli army killed Yahya Sinwar, the political leader of Hamas, 'by chance' and during 'routine sweeps,' without relying on intelligence information.

Reports indicated that Sinwar, Israel's top target, was killed during a field confrontation, where he was dressed in full military uniform, contradicting previous Israeli claims that he had been hiding among Israeli prisoners in tunnels for months in tunnels in the Gaza Strip.

Earlier Thursday, the army said, in cooperation with the Shin Bet security agency, it carried out dozens of operations in recent months, which restricted Sinwar's movements and eventually led to his death.

It added that a unit from the 828 Brigade spotted and killed three Hamas members during a clash in southern Gaza. After completing DNA tests, it was confirmed that Sinwar was among the dead.

The army said Sinwar was killed Wednesday, but his body was only discovered after the area was searched Thursday.

Although the military did not specify the location of Sinwar's death, Israeli media reports suggested the operation took place in the southern city of Rafah.

'Killed in routine sweeps'

The Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported that a force from the army's Bislach unit was conducting a routine sweep in Rafah, where they suspected that figures were inside a building later found to be booby-trapped.

The report said the unit fired artillery rounds and heavy gunfire at the building, killing three Hamas members without knowing that Sinwar was among them.

After a while, the soldiers began to sweep the building. Two grenades were thrown –one exploded, the other did not, according to the report.

'The troops pulled back and sent a drone, which detected an injured figure, face covered, sitting in a room and attempting to knock the drone out of the air with a stick.'

When soldiers approached the bodies of the Palestinian fighters, they noticed that one of them bore a strong resemblance to Sinwar, according to the newspaper.

The Haaretz newspaper echoed Yedioth Ahronoth's report, stating that Sinwar's death was 'by chance.'

'There was no intelligence indicating Sinwar's presence; what happened was by chance,' it said.

 

Sinwar's belongings

Israel's Channel 12 shared a photo of Sinwar's belongings found after his death, which included prayer beads, two small prayer books, a passport, bullet, small flashlight, mint candy, nail clipper and cash.

There were no Israeli hostages with Sinwar, the channel reported, contradicting claims from Israeli security agencies.

Israeli media aired videos showing Sinwar after his death, dressed in full military uniform.

'Ready for combat'

Israel's official public broadcaster claimed that Sinwar's death followed increased military pressure on Hamas leaders in southern Gaza in recent weeks

The broadcaster alleged that the intensified pressure forced Sinwar to frequently move between locations in southern Gaza, leading him to be ready for a direct confrontation with Israeli forces.

It noted that Sinwar's constant movement explained his readiness for combat, as he was armed and wearing military gear.

Sinwar reportedly engaged Israeli forces from inside a building rigged with explosives, indicating he was ready for a direct confrontation, which contradicted previous intelligence claims that he had surrounded himself with Israeli hostages.

As of 1930 GMT, Hamas had not confirmed or denied the Israeli military's claims regarding Sinwar's death.

Israel's announcement of Sinwar's killing comes more than two months after he was selected as the leader of Hamas' political bureau.

On Aug. 6, Hamas announced that Sinwar was chosen to succeed Ismail Haniyeh as its political chief after Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran on July 31, in an attack attributed to Tel Aviv, though Israel has not officially acknowledged responsibility.

Israel views Sinwar as the mastermind behind the Al-Aqsa Flood operation, carried out by Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, against Israeli settlements and military bases near Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023.

The attack caused significant human and military losses for Tel Aviv and tarnished the international reputation of its security and intelligence agencies.

As a result, Israel declared that eliminating Sinwar was a top priority in its current war on Gaza.

Earlier, Israel's Channel 12 revealed that Shin Bet had formed a special unit to assassinate Sinwar.

Israel has continued a brutal offensive on Gaza following a cross-border attack by the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, last October, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire.

More than 42,400 people have since been killed, mostly women and children, and over 99,100 injured, according to local health authorities.

The Israeli onslaught has displaced almost the entire population of Gaza amid an ongoing blockade that has led to severe shortages of food, clean water and medicine.​​​​​​​

Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.

The post 'By chance, during routine sweep': Israeli media reveals circumstances of Sinwar's killing appeared first on The Custom Reports.

Source : https://thecustomreports.com/by-chance-during-routine-sweep-israeli-media-reveals-circumstances-of-sinwars-killing/

The singer will perform on Saturday, September 5, a day after the 21st Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming Ceremony in Kinigi, Musanze District. The ceremony is scheduled for September 4 under the theme 'Conservation is Life: Sustaining the Future.'

Rema, whose real name is Divine Ikubor, will be joined by Rwandan and regional performers, with local artiste Kivumbi King already confirmed among the opening acts. More artists are expected to be announced ahead of the concert.

The concert will serve as the entertainment finale to this year's Kwita Izina celebrations, which bring together conservationists, government officials, tourism stakeholders, communities and international visitors to celebrate Rwanda's mountain gorilla conservation efforts.

Rema has established himself as one of Africa's most recognisable Afrobeats artists, gaining international attention with songs including 'Dumebi,' 'Iron Man,' 'Woman,' 'Soundgasm,' 'Charm' and 'Calm Down.'

His global breakthrough was further boosted by the remix of 'Calm Down' featuring American singer Selena Gomez. The song peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of the most successful Afrobeats crossover records internationally.

The Nigerian star has also collected several major honours, including the MTV Video Music Award for Best Afrobeats and the Billboard Music Award for Top Afrobeats Song for 'Calm Down.' In 2023, he was named Global African Artist and Song of the Year at the Trace Awards in Kigali.

His 2024 album HEIS earned him his first Grammy nomination, adding to his growing list of international achievements.

For Rwanda, Rema's appearance adds another high-profile entertainment component to Kwita Izina, an event that has expanded beyond the gorilla naming ceremony to showcase the country's conservation, tourism and cultural ambitions.

Irène Murerwa, Chief Tourism Officer at the Rwanda Development Board, said Kwita Izina is also an opportunity to celebrate Rwanda's culture and people.

'We are excited to welcome Rema to Kigali for what promises to be a great night at BK Arena,' she said, inviting Rwandans, visitors and music fans from across the region to attend the September 5 concert.

The concert is expected to draw music fans from Rwanda and neighbouring countries, while further strengthening Kigali's position as a destination for major international entertainment events.

Kwita Izina was launched as an annual gorilla naming ceremony in 2005 and was inspired by the Rwandan tradition of naming children soon after birth. According to the Rwanda Development Board, 438 mountain gorillas have been named through the ceremony since its inception.

Over the years, the event has grown into a major conservation gathering, bringing together researchers, policymakers, conservationists, tourism operators, business leaders and communities around Rwanda's mountain gorilla habitat.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/rema-to-light-up-kigali-at-kwita-izina-2026-concert/

The camp, which concluded on August 22, is an annual programme launched in 2022 by Uwineza Iman Josiane, popularly known as Miss Jojo. The initiative was inspired by an experience she had at a wedding, where she learned that a 20-year-old bride was marrying a man she barely knew after meeting him fewer than three times.

The camp was held at Nyamata High School, where participants received sessions on self-awareness, personal development, reproductive health and mental health.

The girls were also encouraged to be confident and assertive, including knowing when to say 'no'. This year's programme also included lessons on Rwanda's history, particularly the liberation struggle and efforts to stop the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, culminating in an educational visit to the Campaign Against Genocide Museum in Gishushu.

The closing event was attended by the participants' parents, local government officials, representatives of Imbuto Foundation and the Ministry of Youth, among others.

Miss Jojo thanked parents for trusting the programme and allowing their children to participate, reflecting on the initiative's journey over the past five years. She said the organisers continue to follow up on participants for at least a year after they complete the camp.

'We continue to engage with them even after the camp, providing ways for them to reach us and following up to see whether they are putting the positive plans they made into practice,' she said.

Beyond mentoring the girls, Miss Jojo said the programme also engages parents, creating opportunities for both sides to share information and perspectives that can help them better understand the challenges facing young people.

Yvette Imanishimwe, the Vice Mayor of Bugesera District in charge of Social Affairs and the guest of honour, said initiatives such as Igikari demonstrate the opportunities created by Rwanda's governance to support the development of girls. She commended First Lady Jeannette Kagame for her continued efforts to promote girls' education and well-being.

'Igikari Events is an opportunity that we should make the most of to address the challenges facing girls,' she remarked.

Imanishimwe encouraged the participants to take an active role in addressing challenges affecting adolescent girls and to share the lessons they gained from the camp with their peers and communities.

She also urged parents to reflect on their role as role models and ensure they are creating an environment that enables their children to thrive.

The vice mayor called on the girls to uphold good morals and behaviour, avoid drugs and resist social influences that undermine Rwanda's cultural values. She also encouraged them to speak Kinyarwanda properly and to be mindful of their appearance and dress.

Jean Pierre, an official in charge of youth at the Ministry of Youth and Arts, commended the facilitators and pledged the ministry's support in addressing challenges facing adolescent girls, including mental health issues and gender-based violence.

He noted concerns over the rise in teenage pregnancies, saying the rate had increased from 5 percent to 8 percent.

Jean Pierre also thanked First Lady Jeannette Kagame for recently inaugurating the Imbuto Hub in Bugesera District, a facility aimed at nurturing talent and supporting youth-focused initiatives.

He encouraged Igikari to work with youth centres across the country and establish partnerships that could help expand the programme and reach more young people.

Parents who attended the closing event praised Miss Jojo and her team for the initiative and pledged their continued support. Some called for the programme to be expanded to reach boys and more children across different parts of the country, saying it provides young people with guidance and helps keep them engaged during school holidays.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/miss-jojos-igikari-holiday-camp-empowers-over-300-rwandan-girls/

Rwanda was confirmed as the host of the 2027 edition was made during the closing ceremony of the 2026 FEASSA Games in Morogoro, Tanzania, which ran from August 12 to 22.

FEASSA President Justus Mugisha confirmed that Rwanda would host the next edition of the regional schools sports competition.

'Rwanda will host the next FEASSA Games. We look forward to working with our colleagues in Rwanda to ensure the Games are successfully organised,' Mugisha said.

The Rwanda Federation of School Sports and Culture (FRSS) is planning to hold the 2027 Games, which will be the 24th edition, in Musanze, according to information obtained by IGIHE.

Rwanda last hosted the FEASSA Games in 2023 in Huye, attracting students from Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya.

Since joining FEASSA in 2005, Rwanda has hosted the Games on three other occasions: in Kigali in 2008, Huye in 2015 and Musanze in 2018.

The 2026 edition in Morogoro brought together about 6,000 athletes and 2,000 officials and other accompanying members, who competed in 43 sports.

The competition featured teams from Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, Burundi and Uganda.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/rwanda-to-host-feassa-games-2027/

The regional legislation, the EAC Pharmaceuticals Bill, championed at the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) by Rwandan legislator Francine Rutazana, builds on years of technical work under the EAC Medicines Regulatory Harmonization (EAC-MRH) initiative. The proposed Act is designed to elevate non-binding regional guidelines into a legally binding framework governing essential human medicines, vaccines, and medical products across all eight EAC Partner States.

National stakeholder consultations were held across the member states from August 17 to 21, 2026, to refine key provisions ahead of the Bill's remaining legislative stages at EALA and its eventual submission to the EAC Summit of Heads of State for assent.

In each Partner State, stakeholders across the healthcare supply chain, including pharmaceutical manufacturers, public health policymakers, National Medicines Regulatory Authorities (NMRAs), academic institutions, traders, and industry players, met to identify provisions needed in the final text.

The consolidated country recommendations will be submitted to EALA for harmonization before the Bill undergoes formal readings.

The legislative push reinforces long-running EALA efforts to harmonize pharmaceutical regulation, improve market surveillance, and promote locally manufactured medical products within the Community. Rutazana previously introduced private member legislative motions aimed at encouraging regional manufacturing, enforcing Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards, and establishing mutual recognition procedures for medicine registrations.

Speaking following consultations held in Rwanda from August 20 to 21, 2026, Rutazana noted that transitioning existing guidelines into statutory law will streamline operations among regulatory authorities across the region.

She cited National Medicines Regulatory Authorities as a primary example, noting that such institutions currently operate at varying levels of development across the bloc. While countries like Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania have established national food and drug authorities, other Partner States are operating with developing frameworks or legacy systems.

Rutazana emphasized that these structural discrepancies make joint safety assessments and cross-border market surveillance difficult without a binding regional legal instrument.

The EAC Pharmaceuticals Bill also establishes unified requirements for local and international pharmaceutical manufacturers operating within the Community.

'Pharmaceutical manufacturers need a clear statutory framework to collaborate effectively, as variations in product quality standards impede cross-border trade,' she said.

'Harmonizing quality and safety compliance ensures that if a manufacturing facility operating in one Partner State is inspected and authorized, its products can trade across the bloc without facing redundant, country-by-country inspections.'

Rutazana added that a binding regional framework will expand the market footprint for EAC-produced essential medicines, allowing regional health systems to source quality-assured products locally rather than depending heavily on external imports.

Under EALA's legislative roadmap, the Bill is expected to complete its parliamentary stages by December 2026 before being presented to the EAC Summit of Heads of State in 2027 for final assent into law.

Mwesigye John Patrick, Director of the EAC Regional Centre of Excellence for Vaccines, Immunization and Health Supply Chain Management (EAC RCE-VIHSCM), told IGIHE that the Bill addresses long-standing enforcement gaps in regional health cooperation.

He explained that while the EAC has developed technical guidelines over the past decade, their non-binding nature creates legal uncertainty during supply chain disputes or enforcement actions.

'This law will provide statutory authority to existing regulatory frameworks. While technical guidelines remain operational, the law will take precedence in any legal or cross-border dispute,' Mwesigye said.

'Previously, there was no comprehensive regional law specifically protecting buyers, suppliers, or public health authorities in cases involving substandard or falsified medicines.'

Under the proposed statute, a standardized Mutual Recognition Procedure (MRP) and unified market authorization system will govern all human medicines entering EAC markets, whether produced locally or imported from outside the region.

The framework is structured to streamline trade barriers for compliant local manufacturers while maintaining rigorous oversight.

'Regulators in our respective Partner States will continue performing GMP inspections at manufacturing facilities to ensure strict adherence to safety and quality standards,' Mwesigye said.

'Once authorized, national procurement agencies, such as Rwanda Medical Supply, can integrate these approved products into their supply networks, allowing seamless distribution across borders without unnecessary administrative hurdles.'

The framework will also empower NMRAs to execute joint, region-wide product recalls whenever a safety or quality defect is identified in a pharmaceutical batch.

119 operational pharmaceutical facilities across the EAC

According to data cited by Mwesigye, the EAC currently hosts 119 licensed human pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities.

Kenya accounts for 30 plants, followed by Uganda (38), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (34), Tanzania (15), Rwanda (7), Burundi (2), and Somalia (1). South Sudan currently has no operational pharmaceutical manufacturing plant.

Together, these facilities satisfy approximately 30% of the human pharmaceutical demand within the EAC, though local production capacity varies widely between Partner States, falling below 1% in some countries. An estimated 50 additional pharmaceutical production plants are currently under development across the bloc.

Mwesigye cautioned that the 30% regional production figure does not equate to complete product coverage. A single manufacturing facility may produce only 20 active formulations, whereas national healthcare systems often require up to 4,000 distinct pharmaceutical lines, leaving the bloc reliant on external imports for 70% of its medical needs.

'The progressive establishment of new facilities has been encouraged by the regulatory guidelines developed under the EAC-MRH initiative over the years,' Mwesigye said. 'Enacting a full regional law will provide the long-term regulatory certainty needed to attract large-scale industrial investment.'

The legislative timeline aligns with the African Union's continent-wide mandate under the Partnerships for African Vaccine Manufacturing (PAVM), which targets 60% self-sufficiency in African vaccine production by 2040, up from less than 1%. Harmonized regulatory frameworks and regional procurement preferences are seen as vital foundations for achieving that target.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/rwanda-leads-regional-push-for-unified-medicines-law-by-2027/

The robot, Tiangong Ultra, completed the 100-meter sprint in 9.39 seconds during the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing on Saturday. The time was 0.19 seconds faster than Bolt's human world record of 9.58 seconds, set at the 2009 World Athletics Championships in Berlin.

Tiangong Ultra, developed by the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, initially fell behind during the race before overtaking Lightning, a humanoid robot produced by technology company Honor, in the final stretch. Lightning finished second in 9.47 seconds.

The performance came after an even faster preparation run by Lightning, which Chinese state media reported completed the distance in 9.32 seconds. The robot reached a peak speed of 14.5 meters per second during the run.

The robots' performances were a dramatic improvement from last year's competition. Tiangong Ultra completed the 100-meter race in 21.50 seconds during the inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, meaning its latest official time represents a major gain in speed.

The race also demonstrated some of the challenges still facing humanoid robots. After crossing the finish line, Tiangong Ultra became unstable and veered to one side, forcing nearby spectators to move away. Lightning also fell after completing the race and had to be removed from the track on a stretcher.

The sprint was among 51 events being contested at this year's World Humanoid Robot Games at Beijing's National Speed Skating Oval. The competition features events including football, dance, long jump, weightlifting and industrial tasks.

More than 2,000 robots are taking part, with 2,056 robots from 666 teams representing 16 countries and six continents participating in this year's games. The number of participating teams has risen sharply from 280 in the first edition.

Robots are also making an impact in other athletic events. One humanoid robot cleared 2.88 meters in the standing high jump, exceeding Cuban athlete Javier Sotomayor's 2.45-meter human world record set in 1993.

Lightning also won the humanoid robot half marathon, finishing in 50 minutes and 26 seconds. The robot stands 1.69 meters tall, and researchers extended its leg length from 95 centimeters to 1.05 meters before the race in an effort to improve its performance.

The rapid progress comes as China continues to expand its position as a major producer of humanoid robots. The technology has also become a point of tension between Beijing and Washington. The Trump administration in July banned imports of humanoid robots into the United States, citing national security concerns.

China has rejected the U.S. restrictions. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said Beijing opposed what she described as Washington's excessive use of national security arguments against Chinese companies, warning that protectionism could ultimately harm U.S. businesses and consumers.

The World Humanoid Robot Games will continue through Wednesday, as researchers and companies use the competition to showcase increasingly capable machines, and test how closely robots can replicate, and potentially surpass, human athletic performance.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/chinese-humanoid-robot-beats-bolts-100m-world-record/

The mission is part of the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus (EJVM+), whose operationalisation was highlighted in a joint statement issued August 21 following five days of talks in Switzerland between representatives of the DRC government and AFC/M23.

The parties said an EJVM+ reconnaissance mission had been conducted on August 20 with logistical support from the UN peacekeeping mission MONUSCO, ahead of the first ceasefire verification mission scheduled for Monday, August 24 in Minembwe.

The announcement comes against a backdrop of continued violence in the highlands of South Kivu, where localised ceasefire arrangements have repeatedly come under strain.

The Minembwe mission is therefore likely to be closely watched as a test of whether the monitoring mechanism agreed to under the Doha peace process can establish facts on the ground, investigate allegations and help prevent further escalation.

Monitoring mechanism faces first major test

The DRC government and AFC/M23 agreed in Doha last year to establish a joint ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism. The mechanism was designed to investigate violations and help the parties address incidents before they trigger renewed hostilities.

The latest joint statement says the parties have now made progress in putting the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus into operation, including establishing its secretariat and conducting the reconnaissance mission in Minembwe.

They also agreed on the need for a standardised method for reporting allegations of ceasefire violations.

That provision could prove particularly important in Minembwe, where the opposing sides have repeatedly issued competing accounts of attacks and casualties.

Fresh allegations of drone strikes

On August 22, AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka accused forces aligned with the Kinshasa government of carrying out drone strikes against populated areas of Mukoko and Nyamabuguma in the Minembwe axis.

Kanyuka said the strikes occurred shortly after midnight, caused civilian deaths and damage to civilian infrastructure.

In a separate statement issued August 21, Kanyuka accused a coalition including the FARDC, FDLR, Wazalendo militias, foreign mercenaries and Burundi's military of continuing attacks against civilians. He cited repeated drone and other bombardments along the Minembwe axis.

Doha process sets broader roadmap

The Minembwe mission comes as the DRC government and AFC/M23 seek to advance negotiations under the Doha Framework for a Comprehensive Peace Agreement, signed in Doha on November 15, 2025.

During their August 17-21 meetings in Switzerland, the parties agreed to establish a mechanism to review progress and address challenges in implementing their obligations under the framework.

They also developed a roadmap setting out steps and timelines for negotiating the remaining protocols.

The parties stressed that the sequence in which the protocols are negotiated would not necessarily determine the sequence of their implementation, and reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing a comprehensive settlement.

'The Parties agreed that the order of negotiation of the protocols does not dictate the order of implementation of the protocols,' the joint statement reads.

Qatar, the United States, Togo, the African Union Commission and Switzerland participated in or supported the meetings.

A credibility test on the ground

For the Doha process, the Minembwe mission carries significance beyond a single verification exercise.

The August 24 mission is expected to provide an early test of whether the EJVM+ can move from an agreement on paper to an operational mechanism capable of monitoring events in one of South Kivu's most sensitive conflict zones.

Its findings could also shape confidence in the wider Doha process, particularly as mediators push to advance negotiations aimed at achieving a comprehensive peace agreement.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/litmus-test-in-south-kivu-minembwe-mission-to-test-ceasefire-commitments/

Rezaei, the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, made the remarks in an interview with state-run IRIB TV.

He said Iran would first negotiate with such countries and ask them to stay out of the conflict, but warned that if they refuse, Tehran will strike their interests, and that if surrounding countries choose to join the U.S. siege, Iran 'will not let even a single drop of oil be exported from the Strait of Hormuz.'

He noted that Iran has learned how to bypass U.S. sanctions and continue oil sales over the years.

Rezaei also repeated that the Hormuz Strait will remain closed unless the United States fulfills its commitments under the Iran-U.S. peace memorandum of understanding signed in June, adding that Washington must act first this time.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the United States would launch 'the most crushing economic operation ever' against Iran, describing it as an 'economic warfare and isolation on an unprecedented scale.'

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/iran-says-any-country-joining-u-s-economic-war-to-be-considered-enemy/

The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has announced that more than 30 experts from different countries have begun studying how two proposed parks could be established: a national park covering islands on Lake Kivu and another encompassing the Rugezi Wetland and Lakes Burera and Ruhondo.

The development comes more than a year after RDB Deputy Chief Executive Officer Juliana Kangeli Muganza told senators that Rwanda planned to establish an island national park by 2028.

If the plans are implemented, Rwanda would have six national parks, adding the two proposed parks to Volcanoes National Park, Akagera National Park and Nyungwe National Park, as well as other protected and tourism areas.

The new parks could also contribute to Rwanda's ambition of increasing tourism revenues to $1.1 billion by 2029, up from $645 million generated in 2024.

Lake Kivu's islands

Lake Kivu has 113 islands, including 42 in Rutsiro District. Some of the islands have historical and cultural features that could attract tourists, while others are inhabited or used for activities such as agriculture.

Dr Deo Ruhagaze, Deputy Director of the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association (RWCA), said the organisation welcomed the government's plan to establish island parks and decided to support the feasibility study.

'These will be two separate parks: the Rugezi Wetland and the islands in Lakes Burera and Ruhondo, and the islands in Lake Kivu. Today, we have a team of more than 30 experts studying how the project could be implemented,' he said.

The team includes experts in business, biodiversity, community livelihoods and economics. They are working alongside representatives from the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), Rwanda Forestry Authority (RFA), Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC), RDB and Rwanda Water Resources Board (RWB).

Experts back the island park

Dr Ange Imanishimwe, founder of BIOCOOR, an organisation that has contributed to biodiversity conservation in Rwanda for 14 years, said some Lake Kivu islands have faced increasing human pressure because they lack a clear management framework.

He said designating them as a national park would establish clearer rules for their conservation and sustainable use.

'If the islands in Lake Kivu were brought together under a national park, they would be better protected because there would be clear regulations and a framework for how they could be sustainably used,' Imanishimwe said.

He added that the absence of a clear tourism framework means the country is not benefiting fully from visitors to the islands.

A national park designation, he said, would also help protect vegetation and trees on the islands, which could contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Prof Elias Bizuru, a lecturer at the University of Rwanda and biodiversity expert, said research conducted on the Lake Kivu islands had identified species that are not found elsewhere.

'Lake Kivu has 28 fish species and also contains endemic species. Turning it into a national park would bring tourism benefits, biodiversity conservation benefits, benefits for communities and benefits for the country,' he told IGIHE.

Tourism operators also expect the designation to increase visitor numbers.

Niyomugabo Moise, head of a cooperative of 40 members offering tours on Lake Kivu, said they can receive about 1,000 tourists a month during peak periods, around 70% of them from outside Africa. During slower periods, the cooperative receives about 300 visitors a month.

He said tourists are interested in exploring Lake Kivu, its biodiversity and its islands.

'If the Lake Kivu islands become a national park, it would help us grow because, as we have seen elsewhere, parks work with communities. Designating the islands as a park would increase the number of visitors because they would receive greater promotion,' Niyomugabo said.

Do the proposed areas meet the requirements?

Establishing a new national park in Rwanda involves six stages.

The process begins with identifying an area that could qualify as a national park and formally notifying landowners of the proposal. This is followed by environmental and social impact assessments, consideration of any objections or appeals, establishment of the park's boundaries, and finally the formal designation and establishment of the park in accordance with Article 10 of Law Nº 14/2023 governing national parks and natural areas.

Frank Dushimimana, an RDB official in charge of wildlife conservation and protected areas, said the study of the proposed Lake Kivu island park began about four months ago.

'The study has started, and in the coming days they will also reach out to communities so that the study is guided by what is appropriate for residents,' he said.

The involvement of communities is expected to be an important part of determining how the proposed parks would be managed and how surrounding populations could benefit from conservation and tourism activities.

The uniqueness of Rugezi, Ruhondo and Burera

The second proposed national park would bring together Rugezi Wetland and Lakes Burera and Ruhondo.

Rugezi is a large high-altitude wetland covering about 6,735 hectares in Burera and Gicumbi districts in northern Rwanda. It lies at an elevation of about 2,100 metres above sea level and is an important source of water flowing towards the Nile River.

The wetland is a major source of water for the Northern Province and also supplies water used by the Ntaruka hydropower plant.

Dr Ruhagaze said the proposed park would have a particular conservation value because Rugezi is home to about half of Rwanda's population of grey crowned cranes.

The cranes lay their eggs in protected areas of the wetland where there is limited human disturbance. Their population in Rugezi has increased significantly over the past decade, from 71 birds in 2015 to 378.

'If Rugezi, Burera and Ruhondo become a national park, it would contribute to conserving the biodiversity found in the wetland and particularly on the islands of Lakes Burera and Ruhondo, including the grey crowned cranes and the many reptiles found there,' Ruhagaze said.

Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo, often described as twin lakes, are already among Rwanda's major natural attractions. Lake Burera alone has nine islands.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/what-to-know-about-rwandas-two-proposed-national-parks/

Pezeshkian made the remarks at the 31st General Assembly of the Islamic Association of the Iranian Medical Society in the capital Tehran, where he stressed that the war with the United States must end at some point, according to a statement published on his office's website.

'It is better that we end the war today when we are in a position of power and dignity, and the entire world acknowledges our victory and emphasizes that the United States, in violation of all (international) regulations, has attacked our schools, hospitals, and infrastructure, and is hated in the world,' he said.

Pezeshkian described the peace memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Iran and the United States in June as 'honorable and valuable,' stressing that not a single provision of the MoU suggests surrender and that all obligations fall on the other party.

He noted that what was accomplished during the negotiations with the United States was a 'great achievement,' which was approved with 'unity and solidarity' in Iran's Supreme National Security Council, and all members of the council defended it decisively.

The president, however, emphasized that Iran will not surrender if attacked again, saying, 'We will under no circumstance bow to bullying, and there is no doubt about it.'

'We will stand against them until our last breath and will give them a crushing response,' he said, adding that Iran's military commanders and armed forces are 'wholeheartedly and selflessly' in full readiness to defend the country.

On June 18, Iran and the United States signed the MoU on ending their war in the region on all fronts. Under the MoU, the two countries were scheduled to hold negotiations within a period of 60 days, which ended on Monday, to reach a final agreement. However, the fate of the talks remains unclear following an escalation between the two countries last month.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/iranian-president-says-better-to-end-war-now-as-iran-in-position-of-strength/