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In a communiqué issued late on Saturday, the AU called on all parties to exercise restraint and uphold international law to prevent further escalation and preserve regional stability.

'The African Union reaffirms its steadfast commitment to the fundamental principles of international law, including respect for the sovereignty of States, their territorial integrity, and the right of peoples to self-determination,' the statement said.

'Complex internal challenges facing Venezuela can only be sustainably addressed through inclusive political dialogue among Venezuelans themselves.'

The AU emphasised the importance of dialogue, peaceful settlement of disputes, and respect for constitutional and institutional frameworks, underscoring the need for cooperation and peaceful coexistence among nations. It expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people and reiterated its commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region.

The call came after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Speaking from Florida on Saturday, Trump said the United States would 'run' Venezuela temporarily to ensure a 'safe, proper and judicious transition' of power. He also warned of the possibility of further military action, including the potential deployment of ground troops.

The operation, executed without congressional authorisation, has drawn widespread criticism. Legal experts and foreign leaders warned that it could violate international law and destabilise the region.

The US has intensified its military operations in recent months, citing efforts to combat alleged drug smuggling linked to Venezuela, including strikes on speedboats and ports. Over the past few weeks, Trump has made repeated references to military actions in Venezuelan territory, with prior reports indicating strikes in Zulia, an oil-rich state, and the seizure of two sanctioned oil tankers.

The United Nations also voiced deep concern over the escalation on Saturday. UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the developments as 'deeply alarming' and a 'dangerous precedent,' emphasising the need for all actors to fully respect international law, including the UN Charter.

'The Secretary-General calls on all actors in Venezuela to engage in inclusive dialogue, in full respect of human rights and the rule of law,' his spokesperson said.

The UN Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting on Monday to address the situation. Somalia, which holds the rotating presidency of the Council this month, confirmed that the meeting would take place at 10 a.m. EST (5 p.m. Kigali time). The session is expected to discuss the legality and regional implications of the U.S. operation, as well as potential measures to de-escalate tensions.

Nicolas Maduro arrives at DEA’s NYC HQ following his arrest in Venezuela. AU calls for restraint and respect for international law following Maduro’s abduction and attacks on Venezuelan institutions.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

The evening kicked off with Makeda, who took on the challenge of energising a crowd still finding their seats, keeping fans engaged with her lively music mixes.

DJ Lamper followed, commanding the stage with a mix of music and dance, supported by the event hosts, including Rock Try. By the time Kivumbi King hit the stage, the arena was packed. He fired up the crowd with his hits, joined by Kenny K-Shot and Angel Mutoni for dynamic collaborations that had fans on their feet.

After Kivumbi King’s performance, DJ Lamper returned with even more energy, joined briefly by a dance troupe led by Divine Uwa, adding flair to the night’s entertainment.

Then it was Shenseea’s turn. The Jamaican sensation delivered a show-stopping performance, opening with a collaborative number alongside children from the Sherrie Silver Foundation. She later invited fans onto the stage, including Amandah Darling and Mutoni Etania, creating interactive, unforgettable moments. Fellow artists Diez Dolla and Joshua Baraka also joined, receiving rapturous applause.

Headliner Mavado closed the night in grand style. Despite some fans seeing him live for the first time, he captivated everyone with his chart-topping hits and commanding stage presence. After over an hour of non-stop performance, Mavado wrapped up the concert around 1:00 AM, leaving fans exhilarated.

Some arrived there early, as the sun was setting.

Even though some of the fans arrived early, they were not allowed into BK Arena immediately, as final preparations were still underway.

As the hours passed, more and more people made their way to BK Arena.

Some fans decided to take a seat outside BK Arena, waiting patiently before making their way inside.

The evening kicked off with Makeda, who took on the challenge of energising a crowd still finding their seats, keeping fans engaged with her lively music mixes.

Ish Kevin was among the fans attending the concert.

The fans were delighted to witness the artists perform at BK Arena.

Malaika Uwamahoro (left) joined the crowd enjoying the concert.

DJ Lamper proved just how much he has captured the hearts of music fans in Rwanda.

Divine Uwa and her dance crew enjoyed every moment at BK Arena.

Kivumbi King was among the homegrown artists fans were most excited to see perform.

Kivumbi King welcomed Kenny K-Shot to the stage, and the duo thrilled the crowd with one of their hit songs.

Angel Mutoni joined Kivumbi King on stage to perform two songs together.

The dancer who shared the stage with Kivumbi King put on a show that thrilled the audience.

DJ Lamper is set to release his first single, 'Iwacu,’ which he also played live at the concert.

DJ Lamper kept the energy high, joined by his dancers who helped keep the crowd fully entertained.

Shenseea took to the stage, joined by the children of the Sherrie Silver Foundation, creating a memorable entrance.

Performing songs like 'Hit and Run,’ 'Lighter,’ and others, Shenseea delighted her fans and kept the energy high.

Shenseea made her way among the audience, dancing and entertaining her fans up close.

Diez Dolla on stage.

Diez Dolla got his moment to perform at the concert.

Joshua Baraka from Uganda also got the opportunity to entertain the crowd.

Shenseea invited Amandah Darling, along with other young women, onto the stage.

Fans erupted in excitement, cheering Amandah Darling on as she danced.

Etania Mutoni stole the show with her dancing among those Shenseea brought on stage, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

The Major from Symphony Band played guitar for Shenseea.

Shenseea and her dancers captivated the audience, bringing BK Arena to life with their performance.

Shenseea received an outpouring of love from fans in Kigali.

Headliner Mavado closed the night in grand style.

For the entire hour on stage, Mavado went all out to thrill and engage his fans.

PHOTOS: Kwizera Moses

IGIHE

The judiciary’s decision was read on national radio and television by the court’s magistrate Tania D’Amelio.

“It is ordered that the citizen Delcy Eloina Rodriguez Gomez, executive vice-president of the republic, assume and exercise in the capacity of acting President, all the powers, duties and faculties inherent to the position of President,” said the supreme court decision.

The order also said that Rodriguez’s role as acting president “should be exercised immediately.”

Meanwhile, the court said it rejects and condemns the extremely serious military aggression carried out by the United States against the people and territory of Venezuela, as well as the kidnapping of Maduro and his wife.

It added that the U.S. action flagrantly violates the Constitution and laws of Venezuela, as well as international law and the Charter of the United Nations, with the aim of seizing Venezuela’s strategic resources.

The court said it stands with the Venezuelan people in defending national independence and sovereignty, and called on all parties to make joint efforts to maintain peace and stability in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured in a large-scale U.S. military operation against Venezuela early Saturday morning and were flown to New York.

Venezuela’s Supreme Court of Justice on late Saturday ordered Vice President Delcy Rodriguez to immediately assume the role of acting president after President Nicolas Maduro’s capture.

Xinhua

The self-sampling initiative is led by the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) and enables women to obtain cervical cancer screening kits from public health facilities or selected private clinics.

Using the kits, women can collect a vaginal sample at home and return it to health facilities for laboratory analysis. The service is provided free of charge under the RBC Cancer Programme, according to Dr. Theoneste Maniragaba, Director of the Cancer Programme at RBC.

The samples are tested for high-risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the primary cause of cervical cancer. Once laboratory results are available, healthcare providers share them with the women. Those who test positive are referred for further assessment, including procedures such as a pap smear or a medical examination, Maniragaba explained.

Several private clinics are participating in the programme, including Legacy, DMC Carrefour, Good Life, Bien Naitre, Bwiza Medical, MBC Hospital, Polyclinic Medico-Social, and Saint Jean Polyclinique, located in Nyarugenge District.

The programme targets all women aged 30 and above, regardless of whether they feel healthy, as cervical cancer often develops without noticeable symptoms in its early stages. Women experiencing unusual bleeding, persistent vaginal discharge, or those who notice a painless lump in the breast are also encouraged to undergo screening.

Launched six months ago, the initiative initially struggled with low awareness and limited participation. However, Maniragaba said engagement has improved in recent weeks following increased involvement by local leaders in community mobilisation efforts.

He noted that self-sampling addresses common barriers to screening, such as discomfort, embarrassment, and difficulties accessing health facilities, while offering accuracy comparable to samples collected by clinicians.

'Early detection is critical in preventing cervical cancer. This programme provides convenient access to screening and empowers women to take control of their health,' Maniragaba told New Times.

Cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in Rwanda. Data from the National Cancer Registry (2022) indicate that the country records between 600 and 800 new cases each year, with nearly 600 deaths annually.

Rwanda has set an ambitious goal to eliminate cervical cancer by 2027, three years ahead of the World Health Organization’s global '90-70-90' targets. These benchmarks aim for 90 percent of girls to be fully vaccinated against HPV by the age of 15, 70 percent of women to be screened by ages 35 and 45, and 90 percent of women diagnosed with cervical disease to receive appropriate treatment.

As part of this strategy, the government continues to roll out community mobilisation and HPV vaccination campaigns to strengthen prevention, early detection, and treatment services. RBC is spearheading mass screening efforts and has deployed Women Cancer Early Detection (WCED) mentors at health facilities to support and guide healthcare workers involved in the programme.

The self-sampling initiative is led by the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) and enables women to obtain cervical cancer screening kits from public health facilities or selected private clinics.

IGIHE

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said India’s continued buying of discounted Russian oil was unacceptable to the United States. While he described Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as 'a good guy' who understood his concerns, Trump made it clear that Washington is prepared to take stronger economic action if needed.

'They do trade, and we can raise tariffs on them very quickly,' Trump told the press when asked about India’s Russian oil imports, underscoring that trade measures remain a key tool in U.S. foreign policy.

The latest warning comes after the U.S. already doubled tariffs on most Indian imports to 50% last year, largely as punishment for India’s heavy purchases of Russian crude. Despite this steep tariff rate, among the highest applied by Washington against any trading partner, India’s exports to the U.S. actually grew in late 2025, demonstrating resilience amid rising economic tensions.

In response to U.S. pressure, Indian authorities have taken a step toward greater transparency by asking refiners to report weekly data on their crude oil purchases from both Russia and the United States, according to people familiar with the plans. This reflects New Delhi’s effort to balance its energy needs with the pursuit of a potential trade agreement with Washington.

Indian officials expect that imports of Russian crude are already declining and could fall below 1 million barrels per day as the country seeks to find common ground with U.S. negotiators.

Modi and Trump have spoken by phone several times since the tariffs were first imposed, but the discussions have not yet produced a definitive resolution. High-level trade officials from both countries have also met recently to discuss economic ties, yet major differences remain particularly on energy and agricultural policy.

India’s commerce ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Trump’s latest remarks. Still, New Delhi has historically resisted external pressure on its energy strategy, emphasizing its right to pursue policies based on national interests and energy security.

At its core, this dispute highlights a broader geopolitical tension: the United States is pushing allies and major democracies like India to cut ties with Russian energy as part of pressure related to Russia’s war in Ukraine, while India maintains that affordable energy supplies remain critical to its development and stability.

The use of tariffs as leverage shows how trade policy has become interwoven with global diplomatic goals making the U.S.-India relationship both economically vital and strategically complex.

U.S. President Donald Trump has renewed pressure on India, warning that the United States could raise import tariffs even further on Indian goods unless New Delhi significantly reduces its purchases of Russian crude oil.

Rania Umutoni

“If she doesn’t do what’s right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro,” Trump said in a phone interview with The Atlantic. Maduro was taken by U.S. forces away from his country on Saturday and is now in custody in New York to stand trial on alleged drug charges.

Trump made clear that he would not stand what he described as Rodríguez’s defiant rejection of the armed U.S. intervention, according to the magazine.

Trump also stressed that the United States needs Greenland “absolutely,” reaffirming that Venezuela may not be the last country subject to U.S. intervention, according to The Atlantic.

“We do need Greenland, absolutely,” Trump said.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in another media interview Sunday morning that Trump will keep all options open on how to “run” Venezuela, assess if the country’s interim leadership can “make right decisions,” and will not rule out the U.S. military presence in the country in the future.

“We expect to see more compliance and cooperation than we were previously receiving,” Rubio said of Rodríguez on CBS.

“Our objectives when it comes to how Venezuela impacts the national interest of the United States have not changed, and we want those addressed. We want drug trafficking to stop. We want no more gang members to come our way,” Rubio said.

At least 80 Venezuelan people were killed during U.S. airstrikes, a New York Times report said Sunday, citing Venezuelan officials.

Venezuela’s Supreme Court of Justice ordered late Saturday that Rodríguez assume the role of acting president of the country in the absence of Maduro.

The U.S. raid on Venezuela has drawn worldwide condemnation and concern.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday threatened that Venezuelan acting president Delcy Rodríguez could “pay a very big price, probably bigger than” that of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, if she continued to refuse cooperation with the United States.

Xinhua

The incident took place on January 4, 2026, at around 5:30 p.m. local time, in Jarama Sector near the Akagera wetland, close to the Burundi border.

The victims include farmers returning from their daily activities who had sought shelter from the rain in a building used by port guards along the Akagera River.

The lightning struck the shelter, killing nine people instantly. Six others were injured and experienced trauma.

Eastern Province Governor Prudence Rubingisa told the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency that this marked the first recorded incident of its kind in the area.

'This is the first time such an incident has happened here. We have requested experts to investigate potential causes, as the strike appeared unusually intense,' he said.

Rubingisa confirmed that local authorities swiftly initiated emergency response efforts.

'Of the 15 people affected, nine died at the scene, six were injured and others suffered psychological trauma. Local leaders have already launched support operations,' he added.

The bodies of the deceased were transferred to the mortuary at Kibungo Hospital, with burial arrangements being coordinated between Ngoma District authorities and the victims’ families. The injured are receiving treatment.

Rwanda is among the countries affected by natural disasters. In 2023, disasters claimed at over 130 lives and destroyed more than 1,800 houses.

A 2024 disaster risk assessment report indicated that Rwanda has at least 326 locations that are vulnerable to natural hazards. Of these, 134 areas were identified as being at high risk.

Findings from the 2024 national climate change risk and vulnerability analysis further show that landslides and lightning strikes are among the deadliest natural disasters in the country.

Between 2016 and 2023, landslides killed 449 people, while lightning strikes claimed 379 lives over the same period.

At least 15 people were struck by lightning on Sunday in Ngoma District, Eastern Province, resulting in nine deaths.

Eastern Province Governor Prudence Rubingisa told the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency that this marked the first recorded incident of its kind in the area.

IGIHE

In a post on X, which has since been deleted, Minister Bizimana alleged that Qatar was using its influence and financial resources to dissuade the United States from taking action against Rwanda, which he accused of violating a Washington-brokered agreement.

'It is important to stress Qatar’s negative role using its influence and cash to dissuade US from taking action,' Bizimana wrote on Sunday.

The post sparked immediate backlash, prompting Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye to intervene.

In a statement on X, President Ndayishimiye emphasised Burundi’s appreciation for Qatar’s longstanding bilateral relations and mediation role in the DRC.

'It is important to clarify any misunderstanding & wrong statement regarding Qatar’s contribution in development and peacebuilding,' he wrote.

Responding to the clarification, Qatar’s Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al-Khulaifi, acknowledged President Ndayishimiye’s retraction and reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to regional peace and stability.

'Guided by its principled approach, the State of Qatar remains steadfast in its commitment to peacebuilding, mediation, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts, and will continue to engage constructively with all partners in support of stability and lasting peace,' Al-Khulaifi said in a post on X.

In recent days, Burundi and the DRC have heightened their accusations that Rwanda is supporting the AFC/M23 rebel alliance in eastern DRC and have called on the international community to impose sanctions on Kigali. Rwanda has rejected the allegations, insisting that sanctions cannot resolve the problems affecting the Congolese people, for whom the conflict is primarily a local issue.

Analysts note that Minister Bizimana’s deleted remarks targeting Qatar reflect internal political pressures and the stance of the government he represents, even as President Ndayishimiye sought to calm the situation and repair the diplomatic fallout.

Burundi’s Foreign Minister Edouard Bizimana had publicly criticised Qatar’s role in peace efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The Burundi foreign minister’s post sparked immediate backlash, prompting Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye to intervene.

Responding to the clarification, Qatar’s Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al-Khulaifi, acknowledged President Ndayishimiye’s retraction and reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to regional peace and stability.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

The incident occurred late on Saturday evening, just before 8 p.m. local time, when a large wooden canoe carrying 52 passengers overturned on the Yobe River near Garbi town. The boat had departed from Adiyani village in neighbouring Jigawa State and was en route to Garbi when it capsized.

Mohammed Goje, head of the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency, said that 13 passengers have been rescued alive and are receiving medical attention, while 25 bodies have been recovered so far. Rescue operations involving emergency responders, local volunteers and security agencies remain ongoing to find the 14 people still unaccounted for.

Police in Jigawa State confirmed the accident and indicated that the canoe may have capsized due to leakage. A spokesperson noted that safety regulations, including bans on night travel and overloading, were reportedly ignored.

“It was a market day, and the victims were returning home after trading. If the driver survives, he will be prosecuted for negligence,” said Lawan Adam, the state police spokesperson.

Investigators say the boat was carrying more passengers than it should have, and authorities have warned that the operator could face prosecution for negligence if he survives.

Residents said the victims included people from both their village and the destination town, many returning home after a market day. When the boat failed to arrive on time, relatives raised the alarm and discovered that it had overturned partway across the river. Divers and emergency crews recovered some of the bodies.

Boat accidents are unfortunately common in Nigeria’s rural regions, where waterways are often used for transport due to limited road infrastructure, and safety measures are frequently lacking. In a separate tragedy last September, an overloaded boat sank in Niger State, killing at least 60 people after it struck a tree stump.

A tragic boat accident in northern Nigeria’s Yobe State has claimed the lives of at least 25 people and left 14 others missing, officials said Sunday, as emergency teams continue to search the river for survivors.

Rania Umutoni

This capacity forms part of Rwanda’s broad overview of petroleum products storage figures, reflecting the nation’s current capability to store fuel and associated products.

In total, Rwanda maintains storage facilities able to accommodate up to 118 million litres of petroleum products, encompassing both government-owned and privately owned reserves.

Government-owned petrol storage facilities in Gatsata hold a capacity of 7.2 million litres, while privately owned petrol tanks in Kabuye, in the City of Kigali, can accommodate up to 3.1 million litres.

In Rwabuye, Huye District, government-owned petrol storage facilities offer a capacity of 1.9 million litres, whereas those in Bigogwe, Nyabihu District, provide government tanks capable of storing 3 million litres of petrol.

Privately owned petrol storage tanks in Jabana, within the City of Kigali, have a capacity of 10 million litres, complemented by additional government-owned tanks in Rusororo that can hold up to 20 million litres.
Overall, Rwanda’s petrol storage facilities boast a combined capacity of 45.2 million litres.

For diesel, storage facilities in Gatsata accommodate 6.7 million litres, while privately owned tanks in Kabuye hold a capacity of 2.7 million litres.

Government-owned diesel tanks in Rwabuye can store 1.9 million litres, and those in Bigogwe have a capacity of 2 million litres. Privately owned diesel tanks in Jabana can accommodate up to 10 million litres.

Furthermore, the government operates diesel storage tanks in Rusororo with a capacity of 36 million litres. In total, Rwanda’s diesel storage capacity reaches 59.3 million litres.

The country also maintains government-owned kerosene storage tanks in Gatsata with a capacity of 1.5 million litres.

With respect to aviation fuel, Rwanda features government-owned storage tanks in Rusororo capable of holding 10 million litres, along with additional tanks in Kanombe offering a capacity of 2 million litres, resulting in a total aviation fuel storage capacity of 12 million litres.

By location, Gatsata hosts petroleum product storage facilities with a combined capacity of 15.4 million litres; Kabuye has 5.8 million litres; Rwabuye, 3.8 million litres; and Bigogwe, 5 million litres. Jabana provides a storage capacity of 20 million litres, Rusororo 66 million litres, and Kanombe 2 million litres. Collectively, these facilities can store up to 118 million litres of petroleum products.

In March 2025, Minister of Trade and Industry Prudence Sebahizi stated that Rwanda’s petroleum reserve storage capacity exceeded 110 million litres, with plans to expand it to 320 million litres within the next two years.

She noted that in 2017, Rwanda consumed approximately 600,000 litres of petroleum products daily, when existing storage facilities had a capacity of 111 million litres, sufficient for six months.

However, owing to rising vehicle numbers and industrial growth, Rwanda now consumes at least two million litres of petroleum products per day.

Consequently, current reserves suffice for no more than two months.
She cautioned that this could present challenges in the event of disruptions to regional fuel supply routes, prompting government plans to increase the nation’s petroleum storage capacity.

Rwanda primarily imports petroleum products from Arab countries, routed through East Africa. The majority arrives via Tanzania, with a smaller share sourced through Kenya.

The Rwanda Energy Group (REG) has announced that the country possesses aviation fuel storage facilities with a combined capacity of 12 million litres.

IGIHE