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On Feb, 13, 2025, the European Parliament called for sanctions against Rwanda and condemned the 'occupation of Goma’ as a breach of DRC’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Rwanda has repeatedly denied the accusations of supporting M23 rebels, and clarified presence of security measure along its borders to prevent attacks on its soil especially from the genocidal FDLR supported by Congolese forces (FARDC) and its coalition. The same parliament has never held Kinshasa accountable for inscription of a genocidal militia in its national army, with the aim of attacking Rwanda.

It is cynical for the European parliament which is aware that M23 rebels are Kinyarwanda speaking Congolese fighting against historical injustice and an existential threat, to call the capture of Goma an occupation, and breach of DRC’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

This assertion feeds into Kinshasa’s narrative of calling M23 rebels foreigners (Rwandans) and terrorists. This is one reason why the war in eastern DRC is not likely to stop unless the west and Kinshasa government recognize that M23 rebels are legitimate Congolese with legitimate concerns that require to be addressed through political means.

The crisis in eastern DRC was created by the same countries blaming Rwanda and M23. In 1884, during the Berlin Conference when Africa was divided among European countries, fictitious borders separated communities which share the same language and culture, and this is how Kinyarwanda speaking Congolese found themselves belonging to Congo.

Since the 1960s, successive regimes discriminated against Kinyarwanda speaking Congolese. The European countries apportion blame for the eastern DRC crisis, yet they bear the greatest responsibility of sowing seeds of genocide against the Tutsi in 1994, and the hate speech and persecution of the Congolese Tutsi going on today in DRC.

The colonial Belgium entrenched divide and rule policy and introduced an instrument called a Vernier Caliper to measure the size of Rwandan noses hence the beginning of ethnic profiling and creating the so called ethnicities of Hutu Tutsi and Twa, that were originally social economic classes.

Mass killing of the Tutsi started in 1959 under the supervision of the Belgians, and the culmination of the ethnic discrimination is what resulted into the genocide against the Tutsi in 1994.

The French played a significant role as accomplices in the genocide against the Tutsi. French soldiers manned roadblocks checking identity cards to identify the Tutsi, who were killed under their watch. The French led Operation Opération Turquoise in 1994, disguised as a humanitarian operation, was meant to protect those who had committed genocide in Rwanda.

They were given a safe passage into Zaire (present day DRC), whose remnants are the current FDLR. The presence of these genocidaires, in DRC, resulted into the current crisis we see today of persecution, and killing of Congolese Tutsi. This is one of the reasons why M23 rebels took up arms to defend their own people.

When M23 rebels seized Goma, nearly 300 European mercenaries were in the city fighting alongside FADRC and their coalition that included MONUSCO, FDLR, SADC, Burundi troops and Wazalendo local militia.

Although the European parliament is aware that in 1989, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution condemning the use of mercenaries, there was no call for sanctions against DRC for violation of international law. M23 and Rwanda are the bad boys for defending themselves.

Much as FARDC are known for human rights violations and war crimes including rape, the European parliament heaps blame on M23, yet those who stand by the truth testify how in all M23 rebels controlled areas, there is peace and internally displaced persons are being resettled back into their homes.

If it was a blame game about human rights violations in DRC, who will hold Belgium accountable for millions of Congolese maimed and killed under the orders of Belgian King Leopold II from 1885 to 1908?

The most absurd narrative fronted by almost all western countries is that the crisis in eastern DRC is about mineral resources. The European Parliament’s call for suspension of EU-Rwanda deal on sustainable value chains for critical raw materials, insinuates that Rwanda is stealing DRC minerals.

This narrative feeds into Kinshasa propaganda. Ironically, the Belgians know well that by 1950s, SOMUKI, a Belgian mining company, and later Geomines were already operating in Rwanda, not buying but freely taking Rwanda’s minerals. If it was about accountability and paying reparations for stealing Rwandan and Congo minerals, Belgium would be declared bankrupt and most western countries would be in the dock.

It is cynical and inhuman when western countries idolize DRC minerals over the blood of Rwandan Tutsi killed in 1994, the threat to return and kill other and the lives of Congolese Tutsi being killed now.

Imagine the trauma faced by Pierre, a 10 year old boy who witnessed his father being burnt alive and his flesh eaten in public by the killers! Pierre’s father was a Congolese Tutsi.

Imagine a mother who was stripped naked, raped and hacked to death and her children saw all this. These acts were committed in broad day light and videos were recorded, not AI created images.

The European Parliament pretends as if this is normal and M23 rebels have valid cause. To ignore the cause of M23 rebels is the worst form of human rights violation. There was no European Parliamentary session when these barbaric killings and cannibalism of the Tutsi, happened, there was no condemnation.

A village inhabited by Congolese Tutsi was burned down in South Kivu, under the watch of MONUSCO and Burundian soldiers. There was no condemnation. The condemnation comes Only when M23 captured Goma and Bukavu.

The Berlin Conference in 1884 was not about the wellbeing of the African people. It was about the European greed for Africa’s natural resources. The same mindset prevails today when the European parliament avoids anything that will anger the DRC government.

That’s why they speak the same language and will blame M23 and Rwanda just as Tshsekedi does. The European Parliament did not call for direct talks between Kinshasa and M23 rebels. They do not care about the lives of Congolese Tutsi being killed, neither the security threat against Rwanda paused Congolese authorities and arming FDLR, to return and 'complete the genocide.’

In 1961, Belgium and its allies assassinated Patrice Lumumba a few months after he was elected as the first Prime Minister of independent Congo. Lumumba was seen as a threat to western interests of stealing Congo resources. His body was dissolved in acid and his remains of only a golden tooth were returned to DRC in 2022, after 61 years!

These are the same powers that led to DRC government failure because they need the country to have incompetent leaders like Tshisekedi. Those who committed horrendous human rights violations are the ones now blaming M23 rebels saving a persecuted people for human rights violations.

The European Parliament cover up of DRC government atrocities, the blame against Rwanda with legitimate concerns of what is taking place in DRC, and ignoring the root causes of the M23 rebellion, will not help to end the eastern DRC crisis, but rather will prolong it.

The mix of western countries, UN and European mercenaries and siding with Kinshasa, show a well-coordinated conspiracy against Rwanda and M23 cause. The west has their economic interest to defend, Rwanda and M23, stand to defend their people against an existential threat and they will not relent however much the west threatens. No wonder that the countries with a historical responsibility in creating the mess in DRC are the most vocal blaming Rwanda and M23.

The writer is a media consultant and former Head of Media Development Department at Rwanda Governance Board.

M23 fighters patrolling Goma city in their vehicles.

Gerald Mbanda

In a post shared on X, Nduhungirehe questioned the motives of the American non-governmental organisation, indicating that refugees were returning home following the M23 rebels’ capture of Goma and assurances of security.

“What a ‘scandal’! How can IDPs dare return home in a secured environment? Why don’t they stay in those camps forever to justify the relevance of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and Human Rights Watch (HRW)?” Nduhungirehe wrote on Friday, criticizing the UN mission’s nearly three-decade presence in the country without resolving the conflict.

HRW’s latest geospatial analysis revealed that nearly all displacement camps west of Goma had been dismantled since M23 rebels took control of the provincial capital in January.

According to satellite imagery from 16 February shared by the NGO, only debris remained where thousands of tents once stood.

HRW claimed that the closure of the refugee camps violated international humanitarian law, “which prohibits the forced displacement of civilians except when required for their safety or due to imperative military reasons.”

M23 has repeatedly denied allegations of human rights violations, asserting that their fight is against decades of persecution and marginalisation of Congolese Rwandophones in eastern Congo.

Rwanda has also been vocal about the plight of Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese, many of whom have been displaced due to ethnic discrimination. Over the years, more than 100,000 have sought refuge in Rwanda.

In a recent interview, Nduhungirehe contextualised the long-standing issues facing Congolese of Rwandan descent, tracing them back to colonial-era border divisions.

'Rwanda was a German colony, and in 1910, 1912, and 1911, there was a meeting in Brussels where Belgium, Germany, and the United Kingdom artificially drew the borders between the three countries. Part of the Kingdom of Rwanda was given to Congo along with its people, while another part was given to Uganda. As a result, there are people of Rwandan culture and heritage in both countries—DRC, which was then Congo, and Uganda,' he explained.

'But those in Uganda never faced issues; they were integrated into society and considered Ugandan. However, those in Congo, who have lived there since 1910, were never fully recognised as Congolese; they were always suspected of being Rwandans. This marginalisation persisted even after Congo’s independence. In the 1970s, then-President of Zaire, Mobutu Sese Seko, granted them citizenship, but ten years later, in the 1980s, he revoked it, leaving them in a precarious situation,' Nduhungirehe added.

Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe, has condemned recent criticism from Human Rights Watch regarding the dismantling of refugee camps west of Goma, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

IGIHE

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the explosions in the Tel Aviv area, which caused no injuries. However, Hamas’ Izz el-Din al-Qassam Brigades in Tulkarm, northern West Bank, issued a statement praising the attack. “The revenge of the martyrs will not be forgotten as long as the occupier is present on our lands,” the statement read.

Katz vowed to exact a “heavy price” from those responsible. “We will hunt down the terrorists relentlessly and destroy the terror infrastructure,” he said in a statement released by his ministry.

He said the intensified raids would focus on “the Tulkarm refugee camp and all refugee camps in the West Bank.” Israel’s state-owned Kan TV reported that the Shin Bet domestic security agency was investigating whether those who planted the explosive devices came from Tulkarm after a sticker found on one of the devices suggested the attack was “revenge” for recent Israeli raids that caused widespread destruction in the area.

In the attack, three empty buses exploded within minutes, and explosive devices were found on two other buses, police said.

Public transportation, including buses, trains, and Tel Aviv’s light rail, was temporarily suspended nationwide for security scans.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Thursday ordered the military to escalate raids in refugee camps in the occupied West Bank following a series of bus explosions.

Xinhua

Speaking to French television channel LCI, Haddad revealed that Macron had already spoken with Trump twice this week regarding Ukraine.

“Our approach is to maintain dialogue with the president of the United States to ensure that the voice of the Europeans is heard in this negotiation,” he said.

Macron is expected to emphasize to Trump that “the future of Ukraine cannot be decided without the Ukrainians, and the future and security of Europe cannot be negotiated and decided without the Europeans.”

Haddad stressed that Europe has contributed more to Ukraine than the United States, and therefore, must have a say in the process.

Moreover, Macron will also address tariffs that Trump plans to impose on European products. “A trade war, protectionism is not in anyone’s interest,” the minister warned.

This week, Macron has hosted European and non-European partners twice to coordinate a common stance on Ukraine. Both meetings concluded with a unified position that any peace talks should include both Ukraine and Europe.

IGIHE

President Félix Tshisekedi has been requesting military support from his counterpart, President Mahamat Idriss Déby of Chad, to fight the M23 armed group, which has made significant advances in the east, capturing strategic areas including the cities of Bukavu and Goma.

Takilal Ndolassem, a prominent politician who leads the opposition party Front Populaire pour la Libération (FPL), stated that just because Chad has good relations with the DRC, it does not mean it should send its soldiers to die in a foreign war.

Ndolassem reminded President Mahamat that the DRC has a large population, and it should be training its own soldiers to protect the country instead of asking Chad—a country with fewer than 30 million people—to send troops.

He said, 'It is inappropriate to send Chadians to die in the DRC. It is not possible, Mr. President, because we are a small population on land covering 1,284,000 square kilometres. Yet, in Kinshasa, there are 20 million people, and in all of Congo, 140 million. Why should we send our people to die there?'

The politician explained that the Chadian government has also faced armed groups for many years but has never asked the international community to send troops to help fight them.

He urged President Mahamat to avoid taking sides and to support peaceful resolutions made by African heads of state, which include calls for dialogue between the DRC government and M23.

Human rights advocate, Dr. Ibrahim Mahamat Ali, reminded that in 1998, Chad sent troops to the DRC to assist Laurent-Désiré Kabila, who was fighting the armed group RCD.

He said, 'We don’t want history to repeat itself. Today, it is necessary for Chad and other countries to avoid sending troops and instead rely on diplomacy to resolve the conflict. It is time for this to stop!'

Dr. Ibrahim emphasised that Chad is not a military reserve ready to go abroad whenever asked, highlighting that the DRC should have built its own military forces long ago.

He said, “The Congolese should have focused on strengthening their army long ago instead of focusing on fashion.”

Citing Chad’s involvement in Mali, focused on counterterrorism efforts, Dr. Ibrahim said the situation in eastern Congo is “very different.”

“Our intervention in Mali was to protect a people from a terrorist threat. It was a righteous cause. The situation in DRC is very different. Let’s not put our soldiers on the line to defend a leader who seeks to stay in power,” he stated.

He stressed that in Congo, M23 rebels enjoy support from the population they seek to protect from persecution and marginalisation targeted at Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese.

“We all witnessed the enthusiasm of the people as the M23 arrived in the region under control,” he remarked.

The DRC’s military is already cooperating with those of Burundi, the FDLR, and the Wazalendo militias in the war.

Other groups present in the DRC include troops from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the United Nations peacekeeping force (MONUSCO). Meanwhile, nearly 300 European mercenaries who had been fighting alongside the Congolese army were recently forced to withdraw after the fall of Goma to the M23 rebels.

President Félix Tshisekedi has been requesting military support from his counterpart, President Mahamat Idriss Déby of Chad, to fight the M23 armed group, which has made significant advances in the east, capturing strategic areas including the cities of Bukavu and Goma.

A section of Chadian politicians and lobbyists has opposed the Democratic Republic of Congo’s request for military support in the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo.

Takilal Ndolassem, a prominent politician who leads the opposition party Front Populaire pour la Libération (FPL), stated that just because Chad has good relations with the DRC, it does not mean it should send its soldiers to die in a foreign war.

Human rights advocate Dr. Ibrahim Mahamat Ali said that Chad and other countries should avoid sending troops and instead rely on diplomacy to resolve the conflict.

IGIHE

Makanika was the group’s leader and was killed in a drone strike launched by a coalition of DRC forces on February 19, 2025. Twirwaneho is a Kinyarwanda word meaning “let us defend ourselves.”

In a statement signed by its Coordinator, Ndakize Kamasa Welcome, on February 20, the group extended condolences to the Banyamulenge community, its supporters, and Twirwaneho members worldwide.

'Our hero passed away on February 19, 2025, falling on the battlefield while fighting against the genocide that has been waged against the Banyamulenge and similar communities for the past seven years. This genocide has been planned and executed by the government of our country, the Democratic Republic of Congo, in collaboration with Wazalendo and its partners, who carried out the drone attack from Kisangani to weaken our self-defence efforts,' the statement read.

Twirwaneho reiterated that the resistance efforts initiated by Col Makanika would continue, emphasizing that nothing would halt their struggle.

The group also called on Banyamulenge people across the world to rise and join their self-defence mission 'until we achieve victory against attempts to exterminate us, seize our ancestral land, and end the injustices and killings we suffer.'

Col Makanika was formerly the Deputy Commander of FARDC (Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo) in Walikale, North Kivu province, where he was in charge of operations and intelligence.

He previously stated that he left the Congolese military after realizing that it was failing to protect his Banyamulenge community, which had long been subjected to violence by armed groups, with some elements within the military allegedly complicit in these atrocities.

For many years, the Banyamulenge in the DRC have been subjected to extreme violence. Observers describe these acts as genocide.

Since colonial times, the Banyamulenge have been denied rights in their own country, including the right to exist. Direct attacks against them date back to 1964 during the Mulele Rebellion. After a period of relative calm, large-scale massacres resumed in 1996, 1997, and 1998.

Since April 2017, the violence has escalated dramatically. Armed Mai-Mai groups, in collaboration with Red Tabara and FNL PALIPEHUTU from Burundi, have launched coordinated attacks from various locations, particularly in South Kivu province, including Lemera, Rurambo, Itombwe, Swima, Uvira, Sange, and Lulenge.

These groups have engaged in widespread killings, house burnings, livestock theft, and forced displacements, in what appears to be a well-organized campaign of violence.

Makanika was the Twirwaneho group’s leader and was killed in a drone strike launched by the coalition of DRC forces on February 19, 2025.

IGIHE

Legend touched down in Kigali this morning, along with his wife, celebrated model Chrissy Teigen and is set to perform at the at BK Arena.

Anticipation is high as fans look forward to experiencing live renditions of iconic songs such as 'All of Me,' 'Ordinary People,' and 'Tonight.' These tracks have left a significant mark on the R&B and jazz music scenes worldwide.

'John Legend blends jazz, soul, and R&B flawlessly. This concert will showcase a unique musical experience for everyone,' said excited fan Valens Nduwayo.

A 12-time Grammy Award winner, John Legend is renowned for his smooth vocals and heartfelt stage presence. His global influence has seen him perform at prestigious venues, and this concert will also feature Rwandan artist Bwiza and popular DJ Toxxyk.

'Having John Legend perform in Kigali is more than entertainment; it’s a chance to highlight our city I believe the lineup will create an unforgettable show.' Said Josephine Mbabazi, another music enthusiast.

John Legend arrived in Kigali this morning, February 21, 2025.

The event, organized by Global Citizen and Kendrick Lamar’s pgLang in partnership with the Rwanda Development Board, aims to create economic opportunities for African youth through live music.

After Kigali, the tour will continue to Lagos, Nigeria, where John Legend will perform with local stars Simi and DJ Consequence on February 25.

'John Legend’s songs resonate deeply. I expect a truly special night filled with energy and emotion as fans from across East Africa unite for this unforgettable concert,' said Mbabazi.

After Kigali, the tour will continue to Lagos, Nigeria, where John Legend will perform with local stars Simi and DJ Consequence on February 25.

A 12-time Grammy Award winner, John Legend is renowned for his smooth vocals and heartfelt stage presence.

Legend touched down in Kigali this morning, along with his wife, celebrated model Chrissy Teigen.

Sam K Nkurunziza

MINALOC highlights that Umuganda, over different periods, has played a significant role in the well-being of citizens, community bonding, and economic development through various activities.

These activities include the construction of medical infrastructure, such as health centers, classrooms, the creation and repair of roads, building and renovation of housing for the underprivileged and the construction of offices for government institutions such as sector and village offices, police stations, among others.

Data released in 2025, indicates that by the end of the previous fiscal year, on June 30, 2024, various Umuganda activities in Rwanda collectively amounted to Frw22,865,855,703.

Key achievements included the establishment of 66.957 hectares of terraced fields, the construction of 32,221 homes for the underprivileged, and the building of 95,570 toilets for low-income households.

Additionally, during that year, roads with a total length of 39.502 kilometers were repaired, and 13,399 bridges were constructed, among other diverse activities.

MINALOC also noted that Umuganda continues to progress, as in 2007, its value was recorded at Frw4,112,943,849, reflecting an increase of more than five times by June 2024.

In this regard, the ministry urges Rwandans to continue participating in Umuganda activities as a way of building their country.

Umuganda has played a significant role in the well-being of citizens, community bonding and economic development through various activities.

IGIHE

This is one of the top teams to take part in the competition, as are comprised of well-known athletes familiar with this race, including Thomas Bonnet, Fabien Doubey, and Lorrenzo Manzin.

They are accompanied by their support team, namely Joris Delbove and Baptiste Vadić, who won the Tour d’Alsace last year in 2024.

In last year’s Tour du Rwanda, Fabien Doubey finished in fifth place, while the entire team ranked third overall.
Latour Pierre, who played for TotalEnergies last year, won the fifth stage from Musanze to the Gorilla naming grounds, where riders competed in Individual Time Trials (ITT).

With the arrival of this team, one of the professional cycling teams (UCI Pro Team), other teams are expected to arrive on Friday, February 21, as the race is scheduled to begin on Sunday, February 23, 2025.

Team TotalEnergies of France on February 20, 2025, arrived in the country.

This is one of the top teams to take part in the competition.

TotalEnergies team ranked third overall i last year’s competition.

IGIHE

Funding to support the supply of seeds and seedlings of native tree species to enable their planting is being provided by a new project, the Right Tree in the Right Place for the Right Purpose (RTRP-Seed) initiative.

RTRP-Seed, launched in the Kigali meeting for Rwanda, runs from January 2024 to December 2029 and focuses on Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda, as well as Rwanda. All these countries have urgent restoration needs and targets.

The project, financially supported by the German International Climate Initiative, known as IKI, is being implemented in Rwanda under the Ministry of Environment, with CIFOR-ICRAF leading the work in collaboration with Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), unique land use GmbH and national institutions.

Lars Graudal, a lead researcher on the RTRP-Seed initiative from CIFOR-ICRAF, explained that while Sub-Saharan Africa has long had policies supporting the planting of native tree species, the practical implementation of these policies has been hindered by a shortage of quality planting material and by a lack of clear guidance on which species should be planted, and where.

'This has significantly slowed down restoration efforts across the region, and there is the need to bridge the gap between policy and practice by improving the production and distribution of native tree seedlings,' he said.

Experts gathered in Kigali to discuss how to restore degraded landscapes nationally and regionally by planting native tree species.

The RTRP-Seed initiative seeks to enhance national enablling conditions for tree seed supply, strengthen local tree nurseries, develop business models, provide guidance on species selection and create long-term solutions for the restoration of degraded lands.

Graudal pointed out that addressing the supply of quality native tree seeds and seedlings is a critical first step in achieving successful landscape restoration. 'Without sufficient high-quality planting materials, restoration efforts can never truly succeed. Our primary goal is to work with partners to ensure the availability of these materials in key areas, and to build local capacity for long-term native tree seed and seedling production,' he said.

The ultimate goal is to create a robust supply chain for native tree species, from sourcing seed to profitable tree businesses, that will help meet national and regional restoration targets.

If handled rightly, the restoration of degraded landscapes using native tree species offers significant economic opportunities for local communities, as Dr. Ivan Gasangwa, the Division Manager of Research at the Rwanda Forestry Authority (RFA), explained.

'The benefits of landscape restoration extend far beyond the environment. By linking restoration efforts to local livelihoods such as through the development of local tree nursery businesses, we can create sustainable, income-generating opportunities for communities. This way, restoration becomes a win-win, both for the environment and for the local economy,' he said.

Participants during a stakeholders meeting

Gasangwa further highlighted that successful landscape restoration requires more than just the availability of tree seeds and seedlings to plant. To be effective, it demands collaboration between the government, the private sector and local communities.

'One of the biggest challenges to landscape restoration in Sub-Saharan Africa has been the lack of coordination between stakeholders. To achieve large-scale restoration, stakeholders need to come together and partner toward common goals,' he said.

The RTRP-Seed project aims to help the region to overcome the barriers that have hindered previous collaboration. It will help to restore ecosystems, rebuild biodiversity and ensure that communities are benefiting from the restoration process.

As Sub-Saharan Africa faces increasing challenges from land degradation and climate change, initiatives like RTRP-Seed are vital for ensuring that restoration efforts are both effective and sustainable.

The RTRP-Seed project aims to help the region to overcome the barriers that have hindered previous collaboration.

Participants pose for a group photo.

Sam K Nkurunziza