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Dr. Jackson and his delegation were welcomed by President Kagame, who was flanked by Minister of Defense Juvenal Marizamunda, the Secretary General of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) Emmanuel Havugiyaremye, and Government Spokesperson Yolande Makolo.

The visit took place amidst growing security concerns in the region, particularly in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the DRC government has accused Rwanda of supporting M23 rebels in their conflict with the Congolese army.

Rwanda has denied these accusations, instead pointing to DRC’s alleged collaboration with the FDLR terrorist group, which Rwanda claims aims to destabilize its security.

Rwanda also argues that the allegations are part of attempts to mislead the international community and distract from the root causes of the region’s instability, including long-standing governance challenges in the DRC.

DRC has called on the United States and other nations to impose sanctions on Rwanda. However, Rwanda has stated that if sanctions were a viable solution to the regional instability, the situation would have improved by now.

While DRC officials continue to engage with the U.S. to push for sanctions in an effort to secure mining agreements, Rwanda remains focused on continuing diplomatic dialogues with various international partners.

Leaders from the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) held a joint summit in Tanzania on February 8, 2025, emphasizing the importance of political dialogue between the conflicting parties for achieving long-term peace and stability in the region.

President Kagame welcoming Dr. Jackson at Urugwiro Village.

Dr. Jackson and his delegation were welcomed by President Kagame, who was flanked by Minister of Defense Juvenal Marizamunda, the Secretary General of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) Emmanuel Havugiyaremye, and Government Spokesperson Yolande Makolo.

Théophile Niyitegeka

Despite making up nearly half of the workforce, women in Rwanda remain underrepresented in decision-making roles, holding only 32% of leadership positions in the private sector.

This program seeks to bridge the gap by equipping women with the skills, guidance, and network needed to thrive in managerial and executive roles.

The program aims to advance women’s leadership in the financial sector.

Belinda Bwiza, Co-founder of WIFR, believes that sector-wide initiatives such as these are essential to advancing women’s representation in leadership roles. She states that diversity in leadership results in inclusive decision-making, which directly correlates to better organizational performance.

Designed as a structured and tailored initiative, the mentorship program connects participants with experienced finance professionals who provide personalized guidance and career insights.

Belinda Bwiza, Co-founder of WIFR, emphasized that sector-wide initiatives, such as the mentorship program, are essential to advancing women’s representation in leadership roles.

Through regular mentorship sessions, participants will receive support tailored to their unique challenges, ensuring they gain essential leadership skills in strategic thinking, communication, and decision-making.

Continuous monitoring and evaluation will also ensure the program remains impactful and aligned with participants’ needs.

Designed as a structured and tailored initiative, the mentorship program connects participants with experienced finance professionals who provide personalized guidance and career insights.

Salma Habib-Nkusi, CEO of Gate Consulting Group, highlighted the vital role of mentorship in accelerating personal and professional success.

'While formal education provides essential knowledge, mentorship offers practical, real-world insights that education alone cannot. It allows women to take a more strategic approach to their growth by learning from the experiences and challenges of those who came before them, lessons that are rarely taught in traditional academic settings,' she remarked.

Salma Habib-Nkusi, CEO of Gate Consulting Group, asserted that mentorship programs play a vital role in accelerating personal and professional success.

WIFR said the decision to partner with Gate Consulting Group was driven by the proven impact of its LiftHerUp program, a mentorship initiative that has empowered women from various institutions in Rwanda and beyond since its launch two years ago. To date, more than 400 women have benefited from this transformative annual program.

Beyond mentorship, the program fosters a culture of collaboration, creating a strong network of women professionals who can share experiences, insights, and opportunities.

According to Salma Habib-Nkusi, CEO of Gate Consulting Group, while formal education provides essential knowledge, mentorship offers practical, real-world insights that education alone cannot.

Participants will gain valuable insights through in-depth mentorship sessions, connect with like-minded professionals, and attend expert-led masterclasses on leadership and other key topics, all designed to empower women to excel both in their careers and personal lives.

The program received overwhelming interest in applications and filled two cohorts for 2025 and 2026. The partners noted that the high demand validates the need for this initiative in the sector.

According to the partners, the initiative is more than just about career growth—it’s about increasing women’s representation in leadership, promoting diversity, and driving economic progress. They believe that with the right mentorship, women in finance can break barriers, seize opportunities, and lead the industry toward a more inclusive future.

Beyond mentorship, WIFR has been instrumental in enhancing women’s professional development. Since its inception in 2023, the foundation has awarded scholarships to approximately 50 staff members in the banking sector, facilitating their pursuit of advanced certifications and courses.

Participants follow the proceedings during the launch of the mentorship program.

Additionally, WIFR, in collaboration with the Central Bank (BNR) and Access to Finance Rwanda (AFR), is undertaking a research project on the state of women in the financial sector.

This initiative aims to inform policy-making and enhance accountability, further solidifying Rwanda’s position as a leader in gender equality.

Women in the financial sector take a group photo after the launch of the mentorship program.

Some of the beneficiaries of the mentorship program pose for a photo with Salma Habib-Nkusi, CEO of Gate Consulting Group.

IGIHE

According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Rwandan Embassy in the Hague, Netherlands, will now handle consular services for Rwandans residing in Belgium.

Despite the diplomatic breakdown, the ministry clarified that Belgian citizens residing in or travelling to Rwanda would not be affected.

“The free movement of travellers and professionals remains unchanged. Belgian travellers can still obtain a visa upon arrival, free of charge, for a stay of up to 30 days, in accordance with the current visa policy,” the statement read.

Rwanda cut ties with Belgium on March 17. The decision marked a significant escalation in tensions between the two nations.

Rwanda’s Foreign Ministry attributed the move to Belgium’s “pitiful attempts to sustain its neocolonial delusions” and accused the European nation of undermining Rwanda’s interests, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The Rwandan government stated that Belgium had taken a biased stance in regional matters and was actively working against Rwanda through what it described as “lies and manipulation.”

The statement further accused Belgium of using its influence to foster negative perceptions of Rwanda in international forums, including lobbying for sanctions over allegations that Rwanda supports M23 rebels in eastern Congo—claims that Rwanda has repeatedly denied. Kigali argues that its primary concern is the Congolese government’s collaboration with the FDLR militia, an armed group composed of remnants responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, which continues to pose a security threat to Rwanda.

Additionally, Rwanda cited Belgium’s historical role in fostering ethnic divisions that contributed to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The ministry accused Belgium of allowing its territory to serve as a base for groups engaged in genocide denial and the propagation of genocidal ideology.

Consequently, all Belgian diplomats in Kigali were given 48 hours to leave the country even as Belgium vowed to retaliate with similar measures.

The Government of Rwanda has officially closed its embassy in Belgium following the severance of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

Ambassador Aurore Mimosa presented her Letters of Credence to His Royal Highness the Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg on Thursday, 20 March 2025, formalising her role as Rwanda’s first resident ambassador in the country.

The establishment of the embassy signifies Rwanda’s commitment to deepening its longstanding ties with Luxembourg.

Previously, Rwanda was represented in the country through an honorary consulate in Luxembourg City, while its embassy in Brussels, Belgium, held concurrent accreditation.

The opening of a dedicated diplomatic mission now provides a direct platform for fostering stronger bilateral trade relations and development cooperation.

With this move, Rwanda aims to enhance economic collaboration and diplomatic engagement with Luxembourg. The new embassy is expected to serve as a key hub for strengthening partnerships across various sectors.

“The opening of the Republic of Rwanda’s first embassy in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg marks a significant step in Rwanda’s longstanding relationship with Luxembourg,” the embassy said in a statement, adding, “The embassy will focus on promoting bilateral trade relations and development.”

Amb. Mimosa, who previously served as Rwanda’s Minister of Sports, will be a key pillar in strengthening ties between the two nations.

Ambassador Aurore Mimosa presented her Letters of Credence to His Royal Highness the Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg on Thursday, 20 March 2025, formalising her role as Rwanda’s first resident ambassador in the country.

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Mbonera stated that as Rwanda continues to advance its technological infrastructure, discussions are underway on how AI can be leveraged to enhance justice delivery, with promising potential benefits.

'We have identified key judicial services that could be facilitated using AI. There are certain cases with minimal complexities that, when fed into a system, could be processed based on critical inputs, allowing for faster resolution,' he explained.

'In the Prosecution Service, AI could be used to compile case files, and we have already given this significant thought. We are also exploring the technological requirements necessary to improve efficiency and service delivery,' he further elaborated.

According to Mbonera, a feasibility study is currently being conducted to assess how AI can be implemented effectively.

'We are examining which tasks within our justice system could benefit from AI and to what extent it should be applied. We will also engage stakeholders, beneficiaries, and experts to determine the best approach. This initiative will help us modernize the justice sector,' he added.

The President of the Bar Association, Moise Nkundabarashi, acknowledged the potential benefits of AI in the justice system but emphasized the need for caution.

'AI can be useful, but it must be applied with great care because justice requires human judgment and critical analysis,' he said.

He stressed the importance of conducting thorough studies to ensure that AI integration does not compromise the fairness of judicial processes.

'AI should be introduced to address specific challenges rather than create new ones. Proper oversight is essential, and I appreciate that the justice sector is already making significant progress in adopting technology,' he added.

Judiciary Spokesperson Harrison Mutabazi highlighted that AI could play a crucial role in various legal functions, including research and documentation.

'We see potential in AI assisting with tasks such as court transcription, legal research, and drafting judgments. In fact, some organizations have already approached us with proposals on AI-driven justice solutions, and we are actively considering them. As technology evolves, our courts must also adapt,' Mutabazi explained.

He reaffirmed that wherever AI proves to be effective and beneficial, it will be implemented. Mutabazi also emphasized that Rwanda’s Judiciary has embraced digital transformation to enhance service delivery and will continue to leverage technology to improve justice administration.

Judiciary Spokesperson Harrison Mutabazi highlighted that AI could play a crucial role in various legal functions, including research and documentation.

The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Justice, Théophile Mbonera, has announced that Rwanda is studying how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be integrated into the justice system.

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Reports indicate that Qatar has shown a strong commitment to resolving this war, which is why it has decided to listen to all parties involved. By inviting M23, Qatar seeks to understand the group’s grievances, which have often been overlooked at the international level.

One of the major criticisms of previous peace efforts in eastern DRC has been the exclusion of M23 from negotiations, despite its direct involvement in the conflict.

Qatar extended this invitation shortly after, on March 18, the Emir of Qatar hosted a meeting between Rwandan President Paul Kagame and DRC President Félix Tshisekedi. The discussions focused on easing tensions between the two countries.

Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs later announced that Presidents Kagame, Tshisekedi, and Sheikh Tamim reaffirmed their commitment to cease hostilities in eastern DRC, following the resolutions made by African leaders.

The leaders also agreed to “continue the Doha-initiated talks to establish a solid foundation for lasting peace, in alignment with the ongoing Luanda and Nairobi discussions.”

However, following these talks, the leader of AFC/M23 stated that their fighters would not recognize any resolutions from Kagame and Tshisekedi’s discussions unless their demands were directly addressed.

Meanwhile, AFC/M23 recently declined to attend peace talks in Luanda, Angola, citing sanctions imposed by the European Union on some of its leaders.

These sanctions were initiated by Belgium’s government at the request of President Tshisekedi. According to AFC/M23, these measures would only escalate the war in eastern DRC.

Speaking to Reuters on March 20, AFC/M23 leader Corneille Nangaa, accused the Congolese government of disregarding their demands, stating, “We have nothing left to lose. We will fight until our cause is understood.”

Qatar has earned a strong reputation as a mediator in global conflicts, with extensive experience in facilitating peace negotiations worldwide.

The AFC/M23 coalition is set to send a delegation to Doha, Qatar, following an invitation from the Qatari government.

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George Glezmann, 66, was released after weeks of negotiations led by Qatari and US mediators. The source said a breakthrough was made by Qatar during a recent meeting with the Taliban.

US hostage envoy Adam Boehler had also been in close contact with his Qatari counterparts to secure Glezmann’s release, the source said. Boehler was expected to accompany Glezmann on the journey back to the US from Kabul.

Photographs of Boehler and former US Ambassador to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad meeting with Taliban officials were released by a spokesperson for Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday, March 20, 2025.

Khalilzad confirmed Glezmann’s release on X, saying: 'Today is a good day. We succeeded in obtaining the release of an American citizen, Georg(e) Glezmann, after two years in detention in Kabul.'

'The Taliban government agreed to free him as a goodwill gesture to (the US president) and the American people. George is on his way home to his family,' he added.

Glezmann was detained by the Taliban in December 2022, some 16 months after the group retook control of Afghanistan, and was declared wrongfully detained by the US in September 2023.

US hostage envoy Adam Boehler (fourth from left) and former US Ambassador to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad (third from left) meeting with Taliban officials.

He had traveled to Afghanistan for a five-day trip 'to explore the cultural landscape and rich history of the country,' according to US Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, who campaigned for Glezmann’s release.

The two lawmakers said last July that Glezmann was held in 'a nine-foot by nine-foot cell with other detainees and has been held in solitary confinement and underground for months at a time.'

In the period up to July 2024, Glezmann had not been granted any consular visits by US officials and had 'only seven phone calls totaling 54 minutes with his family,' the senators said.

They added that Glezmann received 'limited in-person visits with representatives of Qatar.'

The US does not have a diplomatic presence in Afghanistan, having closed its embassy there after the Taliban takeover in August 2022. Instead, Qatar represents the US in Afghanistan, acting as its 'protective power.'

Glezmann is the third US citizen to be freed from Afghanistan this year, after Ryan Corbett and William McKenty were released in a prisoner exchange in January.

The deal to release Corbett and McKenty was struck in the last hours of former President Joe Biden’s time in office after the Taliban agreed to swap them for Khan Mohammed, a Taliban member who was serving a life sentence for narco-terrorism in a US prison.

George Glezmann (center) flanked by Boehler (left) and Khalilzad (right) in Kabul, Afghanistan, before departing to Doha, Qatar.

That agreement was also facilitated by Qatar, which hosted several rounds of US negotiations with the Taliban and also provided logistical support to the operations to get the pair out of Kabul, according to multiple people familiar with the details of the swap.

US officials had wanted Glezmann and another American held in Afghanistan, Mahmoud Habibi, to be part of the deal, and expressed disappointment at the time that the two weren’t handed over in January. However, they said they couldn’t turn down the offer for at least Corbett and McKenty.

The Taliban has never acknowledged holding Habibi but the US still considers him a hostage.

Glezmann’s wife Aleksandra Glezmann said last July that her husband’s health was failing. In a letter to Biden, she wrote that he had a benign tumor on one side of his face, was losing vision in one eye and had developed sores and ulcers on his body.

George Glezmann, shown here in an undated file photo, was held in Afghanistan for more than two years.

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The runaway Asian Group C leaders failed to sparkle on a chilly night in Saitama until Crystal Palace forward Kamada pounced for the opener in the 66th minute.

The Blue Samari defeated Bahrain at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan, to book the team’s spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the first country outside of the three host nations, the U.S., Mexico and Canada, to qualify for the event.

The win moved Japan to 6-1-0 in Group C of the third round of AFC qualification. The top two teams in each of the three groups automatically qualify for the World Cup with three games remain in the third qualifying round. Japan has not lost in over a year.

This makes it eight straight World Cup appearances for the team. They have made the Round of 16 four times in their previous seven appearances. The only AFC country with more appearances in the World Cup than Japan is South Korea.

However, next summer will be Japan’s first time playing in a World Cup in North America. Japan didn’t qualify for the 1970 and 1986 World Cups in Mexico or the 1994 World Cup in the U.S.

Liverpool’s Wataru Endo featured for his country as Japan became the first team to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

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Scheduled for July 29-30, 2025, at the Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City, and hosted by GAF Africa and Eki Co-Net, the two-day conference will highlight Africa’s growing role in sustainable opportunities, finance, and technology.

Industry leaders, global investors, and policymakers will gather to explore partnerships and new opportunities that could redefine Africa’s place in the global economy.

Kagame’s keynote speech is expected to address and share insights on Africa’s economic transformation and innovation landscape. He will also be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his leadership in driving economic growth and technological advancement across the continent.

Godwin Aigboviose Omage, founder of GAF Africa, emphasized Rwanda’s crucial role in this global conversation. 'We are intensifying mobilization efforts, particularly in Kigali, to ensure Africa’s voice resonates on the international stage,' he said.

Strategic engagements, including partnerships with Norrsken, Rwanda’s leading innovation hub, underscore Africa’s commitment to building strong global partnerships and attracting investments.

Dubai, a city renowned for hosting influential global summits, provides the perfect setting for discussions that could shape Africa’s economic future. The S.O.F.T. Conference aims to connect African enterprises with international investors, fostering collaborations that could drive significant growth and development.

'This is more than just a conference, it’s a movement. With world-class speakers, policymakers, and groundbreaking entrepreneurs, we expect transformative discussions that will shape Africa’s economic trajectory,' organizers stated.

Rwanda’s active participation in the event reaffirms its status as a leader in innovation and economic development. President Kagame’s presence underscores the nation’s forward-thinking policies and commitment to positioning Africa as a key player in global finance and technology.

As anticipation builds for this landmark event in 2025, the S.O.F.T. Conference stands as a crucial platform where Africa’s future in innovation and investment will take center stage.

Godwin Aigboviose Omage, founder of GAF Africa, emphasized Rwanda’s crucial role in this global conversation.

Strategic engagements, including partnerships with Norrsken, Rwanda’s leading innovation hub, underscore Africa’s commitment to building strong global partnerships and attracting investments.

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The Rwandan Presidency confirmed that the message was delivered by Hichilema’s Special Envoy, Ambassador Lazarous Kapambwe, on Friday afternoon.

However, the Presidency did not disclose any further details regarding the content of the message.

The relationship between Rwanda and Zambia has been longstanding, marked by collaboration aimed at promoting the well-being of both countries’ citizens.

During President Kagame’s visit to Zambia in April 2022, both nations signed several bilateral agreements covering areas such as taxation, immigration, health, investment promotion, agriculture, fisheries, and livestock.

As part of that visit, the Zambian government granted Rwanda 10,000 hectares of land for agricultural projects, reinforcing their commitment to advancing agricultural development.

In June 2023, President Hichilema visited Rwanda at the invitation of President Kagame, accompanied by officials from various sectors, to discuss ways to further strengthen their partnership.

The two presidents also met in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in February 2024, during the African Union summit, where they held talks to deepen bilateral ties.

The Rwandan Presidency confirmed that the message to President Kagame was delivered by Hichilema’s Special Envoy, Ambassador Lazarous Kapambwe, on Friday afternoon.

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