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The event brought together representatives from both the public and private sectors, including major banks, insurers, and national agencies such as Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA), BPR Bank, I&M Bank, BK Insurance, REG, and RURA, among others.

Held at Ubumwe Grande Hotel, the forum focused on strengthening cyber resilience across Rwanda’s rapidly digitising economy. Discussions emphasised the importance of preparedness, clean data recovery, and proactive security approaches as cyber threats continue to evolve globally.

Sachin Jadhav, Country Lead for Computech Rwanda, highlighted the urgency of building stronger institutional cyber resilience at a time when digital threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated. He noted that the event was designed to deepen organisations’ understanding of what true resilience entails, beyond basic security measures and into practical preparedness.

'In today’s world of evolving cyber threats, it’s very important to educate our customers on what to do in case a cyber-attack occurs. How do you back up your data? How do you restore it quickly and cleanly?' he said.

Sachin Jadhav, Country Lead for Computech Rwanda, stressed the need for stronger institutional cyber resilience amid rising digital threats.

The company plans to host more engagements in the coming months to help clients navigate the fast-changing technology landscape.

'This is something Computech Rwanda will continue doing, educating customers about the different cybersecurity and resilience solutions available and demonstrating how we can help them understand, implement, and support these solutions,' Jadhav added.

Building on Computech’s emphasis on practical preparedness, Commvault, the event’s lead technology partner, demonstrated its cutting-edge cyber resilience solutions. These included cleanroom environments, immutable backups, rapid recovery tools, and automated threat detection systems, showing why modern organisations need multi-layered recovery strategies to counter sophisticated ransomware attacks.

David Mugo, a Senior Commvault Engineer, delivered a keynote on the theme 'The Evolving Threat Landscape.'

Noel Cynthia Anyango, Marketing Manager for East Africa at Computech, said the forum was part of a broader effort to push organisations to move from reactive to proactive approaches.

'Throughout 2025, we’ve seen organisations across the region struggle with cyber threats. Many are still reactive, waiting for an attack to happen before taking action. Our message is clear: organisations don’t have to wait until a threat is at their door to become immutable and resilient,' she said.

Computech Limited team.

Anyango further reaffirmed Computech’s plan to deepen its engagement with Rwandan institutions.

'Our target is to host quarterly engagements here in Rwanda. For us, it’s not just about doing business, it’s about sharing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and driving real impact.'

The event also highlighted Rwanda’s growing importance as a strategic technology market. Joseph Kinyua, Regional Director at Tech First Gulf, said Rwanda’s digital transformation has made it an attractive destination for technology vendors and distributors.

'People used to think Rwanda was small, but while they were looking the other way, it has grown into a very significant and strategic market,' he noted.

Joseph Kinyua, Regional Director at Tech First Gulf, said Rwanda’s digital transformation makes it an attractive market for tech vendors.

Kinyua also revealed plans for TFG to establish a permanent office in Kigali.

'We’re actively working on opening a TFG office in Rwanda by Q1 2026, with local staff, local billing, and local warehousing. You’ll be seeing a lot more of TFG here in the coming months and years,' he said.

On the customer engagement side, Briceline Uwonkunda, Client-Focused Account Manager at Computech, said many organisations still underestimate the impact of ransomware and data breaches.

'Many people feel that cyber attacks won’t reach us, but the reality is that ransomware and other threats are global; they don’t respect borders,' she said.

The Computech team interacts with a representative from one of their clients.

She added that while Rwanda has not seen widespread public incidents, the risk remains significant.

'You can never say a country or an organisation is 100% safe. The more we digitise, the more attractive we become as a target. That’s why institutions must prepare now, not later.'

Computech is a premier technology partner in Africa that has been operating for nearly four decades. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the company has a significant regional footprint, with offices across five countries, including Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, and Zambia.

Computech is a premier technology partner in Africa.

The company provides comprehensive, end-to-end IT services, including cloud, network infrastructure, enterprise software, and cybersecurity solutions. Computech’s ability to deliver advanced solutions is backed by strategic partnerships with global technology leaders such as Commvault, as well as Oracle, Cisco, Dell, HPE, Microsoft, Huawei, Symantec, Juniper, and NetApp, allowing them to assist major institutions across the public and private sectors in building robust, proactive cyber resilience.

The event brought together representatives from both the public and private sectors, including major banks, insurers, and national agencies such as Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA), BPR Bank, I&M Bank, BK Insurance, REG, and RURA, among others.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

Speaking at a press briefing, Peng Qingen, a spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, reaffirmed China’s stance on Taiwan, stating that the country has a 'firm will, strong determination and a strong ability' to defend its sovereignty. He emphasized, 'We will crush all foreign interference.'

This warning comes after Japan’s announcement that it intends to deploy missile defense systems on Yonaguni Island, located just 110 kilometers from Taiwan’s eastern coast.

Beijing sees Taiwan as part of its territory and has repeatedly expressed its intention to reunite the island with the mainland, using force if necessary. Taiwan, however, operates as a self-governed democracy and rejects China’s claims, insisting that its future should be decided by its people.

Beijing’s statement reflects its growing frustration over Japan’s increasing involvement in Taiwan’s defense.

Japan’s plans to enhance its military presence near Taiwan have raised concerns in China. The missile deployment, which aims to bolster Japan’s defense capabilities in the East China Sea, is seen by Beijing as a direct challenge to its claims over Taiwan. Chinese officials have described Japan’s actions as 'extremely dangerous,' warning that they could escalate tensions and provoke military conflict.

Taiwan’s government has repeatedly asserted that it will not allow any foreign nation to determine its future. In the wake of Japan’s missile defense plans, Taiwan’s foreign ministry reaffirmed its stance, insisting that the island’s future is a matter for its people alone to decide. Despite Beijing’s warnings, Taiwan remains committed to defending its democratic governance and autonomy.

The situation has sparked diplomatic tensions not only between China and Japan but also in the broader East Asia region. The potential for military escalation, particularly in the Taiwan Strait, has drawn international attention.

While the United States has expressed support for Taiwan’s defense and has a security alliance with Japan, the situation remains precarious. The increasing militarization of the region raises concerns about the possibility of conflict and the impact it could have on global security.

As the situation develops, the international community remains on alert, closely monitoring the growing tensions between China, Japan, and Taiwan.

China has issued a stern warning against foreign intervention over Taiwan.

Rania Umutoni

He made this statement on November 25, 2025, at the opening of Africa Energy Expo, which is taking place in Kigali.

The energy sector in Rwanda has visibly progressed. In 2000, only 2% of the population had access to electricity. By 2010, this had increased to 10%, and today, 85% of the population have access to electricity.

Rwanda is a member of the “Eastern Africa Power Pool” (EAPP), which consists of 13 countries from East Africa, working together in the energy sector.

The countries in the Eastern Africa Power Pool plan to connect their grids so they can share electricity as needed, and Rwanda has made significant progress in this initiative.

Currently, Rwanda is connected to Uganda, Tanzania, the DRC, and Burundi at three points. These connections include the Rusizi II hydroelectric plant, which provides 36 megawatts of electricity to Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Burundi, with each country receiving 12 megawatts.

Rwanda is also connected to Burundi through the Rusumo Hydro Plant, which has a capacity of 80 megawatts, serving Rwanda, Tanzania, and Burundi. Each country receives 26.6 megawatts, powering over 1 million citizens, including 520,000 Burundians, 467,000 Rwandans, and 159,000 Tanzanians.

Minister Dr. Gasore also mentioned that work is ongoing on the power line connecting Rwanda and Burundi through Huye District.

'We are also building a third line connecting us with Burundi. […] The project is nearing completion, connecting Rwanda and Burundi through the South. The line is complete. This way, if there are issues elsewhere, we will have this third option. […] This shows the willingness of the countries to connect their grids to ensure we have a unified power supply,' he said.

The new power line connecting Rwanda and Burundi will span 143 kilometers, starting from Kigoma in Rwanda, passing through Huye, and reaching Ngozi in the northern part of Burundi, ultimately reaching Gitega, the political capital of Burundi.

On Rwanda’s side, the line will be 62 kilometers long, while on Burundi’s side, it will be 81 kilometers long. The project, which started in 2022, is expected to be completed in 2024, with an estimated cost of $24.4 million.

This line is designed to transmit 220-kilovolt electricity, but initially, it will operate at 110 kilovolt.

In the next five years, Rwanda plans to invest over $1 billion in projects aimed at generating 1000 megawatts of electricity for various national activities.

Dr. Gasore mentioned projects such as the Nyabarongo II plant, which will provide 43.5 megawatts, scheduled for completion by the end of 2027 at a cost of over $214 million.

He also highlighted the upcoming Rusizi III hydroelectric project, which will provide electricity to over 300,000 people in Rwanda, DRC, and Burundi, with an estimated cost of $800 million.

Additionally, investments in methane gas energy projects are expected to generate 136 megawatts of electricity from methane gas over the next five years.

For solar power, Dr. Gasore also mentioned projects that will generate electricity from the Nyabarongo II hydroelectric plant, providing 43.5 megawatts, with water from the plant being used to create a reservoir that will supply the districts of Gakenke, Kamonyi, Muhanga, Nyabihu, and Ngororero.

This reservoir will also have solar panels to generate electricity, as part of a large-scale solar energy project in Rwanda, aiming for a total of 200 megawatts from solar energy.

Dr. Gasore further explained, 'Floating solar panels on water is a new idea for Rwanda, but it’s being done in many places around the world. Rwanda has limited land due to the need for settlement and agriculture, and solar energy requires large areas. By using floating panels, we can generate power without taking up land used for other purposes, such as farming or construction. This provides a new opportunity to increase our solar energy capacity.'

Currently, Rwanda produces 406 megawatts of electricity, with 109.66 megawatts coming from hydroelectric plants, 85.79 megawatts from methane gas, which accounts for 18% of total energy production.

Electricity generated from peat is 85 megawatts, also 18%, while solar power accounts for 12 megawatts, or 3%.

Rwanda also receives 39 megawatts (8%) from joint projects with other countries, while it imports 106.1 megawatts (23%) of electricity, mainly from Uganda. However, the country is committed to various projects that will help provide electricity to 100% of its population.

The Minister of Infrastructure, Dr. Jimmy Gasore officiated the opening of Africa Energy Expo, which is taking place in Kigali.

The Minister of Infrastructure, Dr. Jimmy Gasore, announced that Rwanda continues to collaborate with neighboring countries in sharing electricity infrastructure.

IGIHE

The journey to help these Burundians return home began on the morning of November 25, 2025, in Kirehe and Kigali.

The first group set foot on their homeland at 1:25 PM, after crossing the Nemba border. The returnees included 58 women, 51 children, and 107 individuals from Mahama Camp, along with eight others from Kigali.

They were part of 58 families who had fled Burundi and found refuge in Rwanda.

Gonzague Karagire, Refugee Program Manager at the Ministry of Emergency Management, stated that the decision to repatriate the refugees was made based on their own requests.

“The decision to return was made voluntarily by the refugees themselves. The government of Rwanda, which hosted them, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees [UNHCR] coordinated efforts to prepare for their return. All necessary support was provided to them upon arrival in their home country,” Karagire explained.

Some of the returnees, including those who had children born in exile, spoke to IGIHE about their experiences. While life in exile had been difficult, they expressed gratitude for the support they received in Rwanda.

Eric Ndayishimiye, who fled Burundi in 2015 with his family, said he had continued his education at Mahama and was grateful for the opportunities Rwanda provided.

“Rwanda supported us well, providing food and clothing on time without any issues. I had started my first grade and resumed studies upon arrival in the camp, and I was in my fourth year of secondary school, but I also learned motorbike driving and vehicle mechanics,” Ndayishimiye said.

He also shared that while he was young when he fled, he felt a deep longing to return home after hearing that peace had been restored in Burundi.

Aziza Bamuhorubusa, who had been at Mahama Camp since 2015, also expressed her appreciation for Rwanda’s help over the past 10 years.

She said, “I arrived with two children, and now I have five. Over the years, we’ve been following news from home and hearing that peace had returned. After ten years of being in Rwanda, we never faced serious problems apart from the usual difficulties of life in exile. But now, it’s time to return to my country, as there’s value in being in your homeland. Rwanda has taken great care of me and my children.”

François Ndabacekure, who arrived in Rwanda in 2002 and moved to Mahama Camp in 2015, mentioned that after hearing the news of peace in Burundi, he and his family decided to return.

“I came to Rwanda in 2002 looking for work, but in 2015, we were relocated to Mahama Camp. Many of the early returnees told us about the peace back home, so we decided to go back. I hope to settle where I was born, but if life proves difficult there, I will seek other opportunities.”

According to the Ministry of Emergency Management, since January 27, 2020, a total of 30,907 Burundian refugees have returned to their home country.

However, there are still 52,862 Burundian refugees in Rwanda, with 42,421 of them living in Mahama Camp and others residing in different locations outside the camp.

A total of 115 Burundian refugees, primarily those who had been residing in Mahama Refugee Camp in Kirehe District since 2015, have returned to their homeland, crossing through Nemba border in Bugesera District.

IGIHE

He made the remarks after a videoconference of about 30 countries in the “Coalition of the Willing,” joined by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Macron said the coming days would be used to define the contributions of the parties ready to provide guarantees once a ceasefire is reached.

France and other European Union members are also working on a plan to provide financial support for Ukraine, Macron said.

Earlier on Tuesday, Macron told the RTL broadcast that France could consider sending troops to Ukraine as part of “reassurance forces” alongside British and Turkish units after a ceasefire. However, he stressed that “the first security guarantee” for Ukraine remains the Ukrainian army.

French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday that France and Britain will launch a workshop to coordinate security guarantees for Ukraine with the involvement of the United States.

Xinhua

The meeting, attended by Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, and Turkish National Intelligence Organization Director Ibrahim Kalin, focused on ensuring the success of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, it reported.

The officials agreed to enhance coordination with Israel’s Civil-Military Coordination Center, which oversees the ceasefire, and talked about ways to prevent violations and strengthen the ceasefire, it reported.

The tripartite meeting followed Rashad’s Sunday talks with a Hamas delegation in Cairo, which reaffirmed its commitment to the ceasefire agreement’s first phase but called for a mediators-supervised mechanism to monitor and halt Israeli “breaches.”

The ceasefire reached between Israel and Hamas, brokered by the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye, and took effect on Oct. 10, has sharply reduced Israeli attacks but not halted them entirely.

At least 345 Palestinians have been killed and 889 others injured by Israeli attacks since Oct. 11, Gaza’s health authorities said Tuesday, bringing the overall death toll from Israeli attacks since October 2023 to 69,775, with 170,965 others injured.

Senior officials from Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye met on Tuesday to discuss ways to consolidate the Gaza ceasefire and resolve obstacles to its implementation, Egypt’s Al Qahera News Channel reported.

Xinhua

Annalena Baerbock, president of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), said in a statement that she has signed a joint letter with President of the UN Security Council for the month of November, Michael Imran Kanu, permanent representative of Sierra Leone to the United Nations, formally initiating the selection and appointment process for the next UN secretary-general.

With the issuance of the joint letter, the president of the UNGA and the president of the Security Council invite UN member states to nominate candidates for the position of the UN secretary-general, who will take over the role from Jan. 1, 2027. The letter includes a call to member states to strongly consider nominating women as candidates.

As president of the UNGA, Baerbock said she will “ensure that the process reflects the principles of the United Nations Charter and the very best of our shared commitments and values.”

“The selection of the next Secretary-General comes at a pivotal moment for the United Nations. We are confronted with escalating conflicts, a rapidly advancing climate crisis, expanding humanitarian needs, enduring obstacles to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals, and an increasing pushback against human rights,” Baerbock said.

The multilateral system, with the United Nations at its center, is under mounting financial and political pressure, while “the world needs the United Nations more than ever,” she said.

“The world is looking to the next Secretary-General to provide strong, dedicated and effective leadership in delivering on the three pillars of the United Nations, peace and security, human rights and development, and in making the United Nations fit for the future,” said the UNGA president.

Antonio Guterres, the current and ninth secretary-general of the United Nations, took office in January 2017.

Xinhua

Valerie Nyirahabineza, Chairperson of the National Commission for Demobilization and Reintegration (RDRC), confirmed to IGIHE that among those repatriated were five children.

“Today, we received 22 individuals from forests, including 15 former soldiers and seven civilians connected to armed groups,” she said.

Nyirahabineza further explained that upon arrival in Rwanda, these former fighters are taken to Mutobo, where they undergo training to prepare them for reintegration into civilian life.

“When they return voluntarily, they undergo training for three to four months before being discharged and reintegrated into society. We assess them together with various partners, ensuring that their behavior has changed before they are reintegrated with their families.”

She added that the training program is designed to help former fighters shed the harmful ideologies they were taught in the forests of the DRC, particularly the genocidal ideologies.

In addition to the training, the returnees are provided with various forms of assistance, including medical care, especially for those suffering from trauma-related issues, as many of them face such challenges upon their return.

“Besides the training, they receive extensive support, including medical care, housing, food, clothing, and other basic supplies. Women, children, the elderly, and those with disabilities are given additional assistance based on their specific needs,” she noted.

Nyirahabineza also took the opportunity to encourage those who have already returned to Rwanda to urge their comrades still in the forests to lay down their arms and come home, as the country is ready to welcome them.

From January to October 2025, MONUSCO repatriated 54 Rwandan fighters, mostly from the FDLR, along with 44 of their family members.

According to figures from the National Commission for Demobilization and Reintegration, since 2001, Rwanda has successfully reintegrated 12,602 former fighters from armed groups operating in eastern DRC, with a total of 75 repatriation cycles carried out to date.

The former combatants were repatriated through ‘La Corniche’ main border in Rubavu District.

IGIHE

“Many of the controversial provisions were either softened or at least reshaped” to get closer to a Ukrainian position or reduce demands on Ukraine, Oleksandr Bevz, a Ukrainian official who participated in the Geneva talks, was quoted by The Washington Post as saying.

He added that the Thursday deadline, set by U.S. President Donald Trump for an agreement on the 28-point plan, now appears more flexible than it did before.

“It’s not a code red — it’s more important to finalize the text,” said Bevz.

Ukrainian First Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya told the Financial Times that the new draft bore little resemblance to the leaked 28-point version.

“Very few things are left from the original version,” he said.

The new draft leaves the most contentious issues for Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to decide, according to multiple media reports.

The earlier 28-point version would have required Ukraine to cede territory in eastern Ukraine, reduce its military and forswear NATO membership. The plan thus crossed several long-standing Ukrainian red lines, drawing criticism from Ukraine and across Europe, according to reports.

Representatives from the United States, Ukraine and European countries met in Geneva on Sunday as the White House pushed for agreement on the 28-point plan.

Following a meeting between the Ukrainian delegation and national security advisers from Britain, France and Germany, the Ukrainian side held bilateral talks with the U.S. representatives.

It’s reported that Sunday’s Geneva meeting was attended on the U.S. side by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, with Zelensky’s office chief Andriy Yermak leading the Ukrainian delegation.

According to a joint statement issued by the White House on Sunday night, the talks between U.S. representatives and Ukrainian officials in Geneva made “meaningful progress toward aligning positions.”

The Kremlin said it has not received official details from Geneva and does not plan talks with U.S. officials this week, according to a Newsweek report.

Trump has set Thursday as the deadline for reaching an understanding with Kiev on the framework, while suggesting that talks could continue beyond that date if progress is being made.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) and Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office, meet the press at the United States Mission to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva, Switzerland, Nov. 23, 2025.

Xinhua

RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo announced the pause in a televised address, saying his fighters would halt operations to allow aid deliveries and protect civilians. He said the group agreed to the truce to offer “hope” to a population “exhausted by this war.”

Dagalo pledged to set up a field mechanism monitored by the Quad — Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the United States — along with the African Union and other international bodies, to ensure aid reaches civilians. He also vowed to hold RSF members accountable for abuses and safeguard offices of humanitarian organizations.

The RSF has been accused by rights groups and diplomats of widespread atrocities, including the killing of more than 2,000 civilians in El Fasher, a key Darfur city the group seized from the army in October.

The announcement came after army chief Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan rejected a Quad proposal that called for a three-month humanitarian truce followed by a nine-month political process aimed at a permanent settlement.

In a statement late Sunday, Al-Burhan said the roadmap would “eliminate the existence of the armed forces” and dissolve security agencies while leaving the RSF “in its positions.”

Al-Burhan, who also heads Sudan’s ruling Transitional Sovereignty Council, accused the UAE of bias and of seeking to weaken the army. On Monday, the UAE’s foreign ministry accused Al-Burhan of “consistently obstructive behavior.” The UAE has long denied accusations from the Sudanese army that it arms and funds the RSF.

Al-Burhan also criticized Massad Boulos, a senior adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump, saying Boulos risked becoming an obstacle to peace. Boulos has accused the army of blocking aid and using chemical weapons, allegations the military denies.

Fighting between the army and the RSF erupted in April 2023 and has killed thousands and displaced millions, fueling one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Monday declared a unilateral three-month humanitarian truce, a day after the Sudanese Armed Forces rejected an internationally backed ceasefire plan.

Xinhua