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The fighting reached a critical point on January 27 when M23 captured Goma, a strategic city in North Kivu, forcing Congolese troops to retreat. While thousands of soldiers sought protection under the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping mission, others crossed into Rwanda.

It was an ironic twist. Just days earlier, these same forces and their coalition had launched attacks into Rwandan territory, resulting in the tragic deaths of 16 innocent civilians.

Yet, when they found themselves on the losing end of the battle, Rwanda responded not with hostility but with dignity and humanitarian aid.

Many of these soldiers surrendered because they felt abandoned. Upon arrival in Rwanda, several soldiers admitted they had been deployed into battle with no clear mission, inadequate equipment, and minimal leadership.

They described being sent to fight M23 as though they were being led to their deaths, prompting them to lay down their weapons and seek refuge.

One soldier, upon reaching Rubavu, told IGIHE that when M23 entered Goma, they were stationed at the city’s airport.

“How could we be sent to the airport when the enemy forces had surrounded the entire city and were firing everywhere? That combat strategy made no sense,” he said.

He explained that when he saw shells heading toward their location, he realized the situation was deteriorating. He sought refuge at a UN peacekeeping mission, MONUSCO camp, but after being turned away, he fled to Rwanda.

While some soldiers fled to Rwanda, others sought shelter under MONUSCO, with over 3,000 FARDC troops currently under its protection. Their future remains uncertain as the situation in eastern DRC continues to evolve.

Now, 131 FARDC soldiers are sheltered in Rugerero Sector, Rubavu District, receiving food, clothing, medical care, and proper living conditions. Among them is a female soldier.

The accommodation offers structure and stability, contrasting with the uncertainty of war.

The soldiers have access to recreational facilities and a dedicated kitchen where they prepare meals from the supplies provided.

Some have even admitted that their current conditions in Rwanda are better than what they experienced in the DRC, highlighting the struggles they faced within their own ranks.

One of the surrendered soldiers, Lt. Kasereke Tshombe, praised the reception they received in Rwanda and made an appeal to his government to facilitate their return home.

“We are grateful to the government of Rwanda for their warm welcome. Our appeal to the Congolese government is to facilitate our safe return home. We also request means to communicate with our families so they know we are safe,” he said.

AFC/M23 coordinator Corneille Nangaa recently emphasized that both those who surrendered and those captured on the battlefield remain their brothers.

“They are Congolese, just like us. They had a mission to accomplish, but they were sent by their president, who later abandoned them. They fought to protect his power. He left them to starve, recruited children into the army, rushed their training, and sent them to the battlefield under the influence of drugs.”

Nangaa added that the captured soldiers have choices regarding their future, especially since many had already lost the will to fight. However, he stressed that they would not be abandoned.

“Some are even willing to join us and be part of our revolution. We are sending them to centers where they will be taught self-reliance, good conduct, and how a revolution works,” he said.

It wasn’t just soldiers who fled the violence. Ordinary Congolese civilians also sought refuge in Rwanda, escaping the chaos of war. They were welcomed, given essential supplies, and, as stability gradually returned to Goma, many have since begun their journey back home.

For the people of Goma, the reality on the ground has changed. Businesses have reopened, hospitals are functional, and schools are running without disruption. Residents report feeling safer than before, relieved from the abuses they previously endured at the hands of undisciplined soldiers.

Rwanda’s decision to shelter former enemy soldiers and displaced civilians, despite previous hostilities, reflects a broader commitment to humanitarian values, choosing to extend a hand where others might have turned them away.

These soldiers are grateful for their living conditions and commend the Rwandan government for welcoming them generously, despite the destruction caused by their comrades.

They have been housed in well-equipped homes with all essential amenities.

Surrendered Congolese sodiers sheltered in Rwanda received various clothing items early this week.

They were provided with gas to use for cooking the food of their choice.

Their accommodations are well-designed to ensure they live in comfort.

The security of the center is guaranted day and night.

IGIHE

The 2025 edition of the race is set to take place from February 23 to March 2, bringing together top cyclists from Africa and around the world.

In a press statement issued on Thursday, February 6, Tour du Rwanda and the Rwanda Cycling Federation (FERWACY) reassured teams, riders, and fans that the security situation in Rwanda remains stable.

While recent clashes in Eastern DRC had briefly affected areas near the Rwandan border, organisers stated that all necessary measures have been taken to prevent any disruption to the race.

'Life in Rubavu and all across Rwanda continues as normal. Therefore, the Tour du Rwanda can proceed without any alteration to the schedule, and riders, teams, and supporters can be assured of a safe and enjoyable event,' the statement read.

The Tour du Rwanda, first held in 1988, has grown into one of Africa’s most renowned cycling events.

The Tour du Rwanda, first held in 1988, has grown into one of Africa’s most renowned cycling events. Initially a regional competition, the race became part of the UCI Africa Tour in 2009 and is currently classified as a 2.1 category race, attracting elite professional teams from across the world.

Known for its challenging mountainous routes, the Tour du Rwanda is regarded as one of the most demanding races on the continent. The event not only tests the endurance and skill of cyclists but also showcases Rwanda’s breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture.

Joe Blackmore from Israel – Premier Tech won the 2024 Tour du Rwanda. He had a fantastic race, even celebrating his 21st birthday during the event and taking the race lead that day. He sealed his victory with a solo win in the final stage in Kigali. It was his first UCI race win, making it a very special achievement.

Joe Blackmore from Israel – Premier Tech won the 2024 Tour du Rwanda.

Beyond its sporting significance, the Tour du Rwanda plays a crucial role in promoting tourism and economic development in the country. The event is a major source of national pride, uniting Rwandans who enthusiastically line the race routes to cheer for local and international riders.

The 2025 edition of Tour du Rwanda is set to take place from February 23 to March 2, bringing together top cyclists from Africa and around the world.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

In a statement on X, Bisimwa accused the Kinshasa regime of engaging in a shameful controversy over the matter. He insisted that the fallen soldiers, comprising FARDC troops and allied groups, including Wazalendo, FDLR, FDNB, and mercenaries were killed in battle after rejecting a chance to surrender.

“It is well known and widely acknowledged, through videos that circulated around the world, that the defeated FARDC and their allies refused to comply with the order from our forces to surrender their weapons to MONUSCO and be confined at the Stade de l’Unité,” Bisimwa stated.

According to the M23 leader, the Congolese forces instead chose to fight in the city center, where they were ultimately neutralized. He revealed that their bodies were collected by health authorities, stored at Goma Hospital’s morgue, and later buried.

Bisimwa further claimed that no family in Goma is mourning these deaths, implying that the casualties were exclusively government troops and their foreign allies, rather than civilians.

The Congolese government has not responded directly to Bisimwa’s statement, but officials in Kinshasa have previously accused M23 of committing atrocities in Goma.

Currently, the bustling capital of North Kivu Province, is experiencing an unusual calm after days of intense fighting as the M23 rebel group has solidified its control.

However, the city remains a focal point in the ongoing conflict between the rebels and government forces as international observers continue to monitor the situation amid concerns over the humanitarian impact of the fighting.

Bertrand Bisimwa says that the Congolese forces chose to fight in the city center where they were ultimately neutralized.

IGIHE

Judge Deborah L. Boardman from the United States District Court for the District of Maryland issued a preliminary injunction after a court hearing in Greenbelt, Maryland, in a case filed by civil rights groups seeking to block Trump’s order. The injunction applies nationally.

“The Maryland lawsuit is one of at least six different federal cases brought against Trump’s order by a total of 22 Democratic-led states and more than half a dozen civil rights groups,” according to The Washington Post.

Trump signed the order hours after taking office on January 20. It directed federal agencies to halt recognition of citizenship for children born after February 19, if neither parent is a U.S. citizen nor a permanent resident.

Over 20 states and civil rights groups immediately filed lawsuits challenging the order, calling it blatantly “unconstitutional.”

On January 23, Senior U.S. District Judge John Coughenour, a federal judge in Seattle, Washington state, temporarily blocked Trump’s executive order for at least 14 days, as lawsuits in Washington state and elsewhere over Trump’s action proceeded.

The 14th Amendment states that “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.”

Trump’s executive order argued that the 14th Amendment “has always” excluded from birthright citizenship persons who were born in the United States but not “subject to the jurisdiction thereof.”

President Donald Trump signed an order ending birthright citizenship hours after taking office on January 20. The order directed federal agencies to stop recognizing citizenship for children born after February 19 if neither parent is a U.S. citizen nor a permanent resident.

Xinhua

In a post on X, Joe Wilson, who has represented South Carolina’s 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2001, urged the Congolese leader to use the upcoming joint summit of heads of state from the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, as a platform for cooperation rather than escalating tensions with Rwanda.

He emphasized that the crisis in “Goma is in the hands of Tshisekedi.”

“Félix Tshisekedi must get serious about the peace process in the Eastern DRC now. The EAC summit in Dar es Salaam is an opportunity for the DRC to work together with Paul Kagame for peace, not point fingers and deepen tensions,” he wrote.

.@FelixUdps must get serious about the peace process in the Eastern DRC now. The @jumuiya summit in Dar es Salaam is an opportunity for DRC to work together with @PaulKagame for peace, not point fingers and deepen tensions. The crisis in Goma is in the hands of Tshisekedi.

— Joe Wilson (@RepJoeWilson) February 4, 2025

Tshisekedi skipped an extraordinary summit convened by the EAC on January 29 to address the deteriorating security situation in eastern DRC. His absence raised concerns about Kinshasa’s willingness to embrace dialogue, even as pressure mounts for a political resolution to the conflict.

He has previously resisted direct negotiations with M23, labeling them a terrorist group. His government has also failed to honour previous agreements with the rebels, who claim to be fighting against the marginalization and persecution of Congolese Rwandophones. Instead, Kinshasa has accused Rwanda of aiding the group’s activities—allegations Rwanda has denied.

The EAC summit, chaired by Kenya’s President William Ruto and attended by President Paul Kagame and other regional leaders, urged Tshisekedi’s administration to engage directly with M23 rebels and other armed groups in a bid to resolve the escalating crisis in the country’s east.

SADC, which is contributing troops to the region, held a separate meeting last Friday and made a similar appeal to the Congolese government.

On Monday, President Ruto said both President Kagame and President Tshisekedi had confirmed their participation in the upcoming summit, which aims to “coordinate responses” to the crisis.

'Through our collective effort, we will ensure security reigns on our continent,' he said.

The meeting will be preceded by a ministerial session on Friday, before the Heads of State convene on Saturday.

'President Samia Suluhu Hassan has graciously agreed to host the summit to deliberate on the situation in Eastern DRC,' Kenya’s State House said in a statement.

DRC President Félix Tshisekedi skipped an extraordinary summit convened by the EAC on January 29 to address the deteriorating security situation in eastern DRC. His absence raised concerns about Kinshasa’s willingness to embrace dialogue, even as pressure mounts for a political resolution to the conflict.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

The news comes after some players received criticism for celebrations many feel crossed the line by mocking opponents. Iliman Ndiaye received a yellow card after he scored Everton’s winner against Brighton and then celebrated by flapping his arms like a seagull.

But when Myles Lewis-Skelly mimicked Erling Haaland in his goal celebration at the Emirates, he received no punishment. Arsenal went on to beat Manchester City 5-1 on Sunday.

Former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott praised Lewis-Skelly for his strength of character, saying: 'He was not afraid of Haaland at all.'

However, Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher both said they thought the 18-year-old’s actions were disrespectful. The celebration came after Haaland mocked the Lewis-Skelly at the end of an ill-tempered 2-2 draw at the Etihad in September, taunting him by asking: 'Who are you?'

In the past, Jamie Vardy has mimicked an eagle when scoring against Crystal Palace and was criticized by some for his interactions with the Tottenham supporters at the end of last month, when Leicester beat Tottenham 2-1. He received no caution for either action.

Similarly, Neal Maupay was thought to be mocking James Maddison when he copied the midfielder’s darts celebration after scoring for Brentford against Spurs a year ago.

Maddison then criticized Maupay in his post-match interview and the forward hit back on social media.
This season, Phil Foden and Joshua Zirkzee have pretended to fire guns towards the crowd after scoring goals but received no punishment.

In the NFL, players who imitate the shooting of weapons when celebrating face heavy post-match fines.
The Premier League’s chief football officer, Tony Scholes, said: 'There’s a balance. I think we all like to see celebrations. Some of the celebrations have been very funny, entertaining, but there’s a line.

'Once it crosses over into mockery or criticism then we would need to deal with it.'

The Premier League may consider imposing punishments on individual players over goal celebrations.

IGIHE

The suspects, aged between 40 and 53, were presented to the media on Wednesday, February 5, after being caught with stolen equipment from power distribution networks.

During separate police operations in Kicukiro, Gasabo, and Rulindo districts, authorities seized 445 electrical fuses and 295 meters of electric cables from the suspects, who were conducting illegal trade.

ACP Boniface Rutikanga, spokesperson for Rwanda National Police, stated that efforts to combat such crimes will not only target the thieves but also those who knowingly buy and resell stolen equipment.

'Tracking down thieves alone is not enough. We must also go after their buyers. All seven suspects failed to explain the source of the materials they were caught with. Investigations confirmed that these items had been stolen from major power networks in different areas,' Rutikanga explained

'Two suspects were apprehended in Zinia, Kicukiro District, four in Gisozi, Gasabo District, and one in Rulindo District. These individuals are responsible for power outages and disruptions that affect public safety. The consequences of their actions are serious, and we will not tolerate them. These arrests were made in just one week, and operations will continue to track down others still engaged in this crime,' he added.

Rutikanga also warned business owners selling electrical materials without proof of origin, stating that they would be treated as accomplices in infrastructure vandalism.

On his part, Geoffrey Zawadi, Head of Partnerships at REG, described the destruction of electricity infrastructure as a criminal act that hinders national progress.

'These criminals are sabotaging efforts to provide electricity to all Rwandans. Allowing such acts to continue is like pouring water into a basket, progress will never be achieved. We must unite and be stronger than those destroying public infrastructure. A handful of people cannot be allowed to repeatedly sabotage national projects, forcing the country to repair the same damages instead of moving forward,' he emphasized.

Meanwhile, Joseph Mutabazi, Head of the Inspection Unit at RICA, urged traders dealing in electrical equipment to comply with regulations, emphasizing that authorities, in collaboration with security agencies, are conducting continuous inspections. He also advised consumers to be vigilant when purchasing electrical materials.

'When buying such equipment, always ask for a receipt and verify the source. Customers have the right to know where the products they purchase come from.'

Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to cracking down on the theft and illegal trade of electrical infrastructure, ensuring that all those involved face legal consequences.

The suspects, aged between 40 and 53, were presented to the media on Wednesday, February 5, after being caught with stolen equipment from power distribution networks.

IGIHE

They highlighted Rwanda’s commitment to providing opportunities that improve the lives of refugees while fostering a sense of inclusion.

During a plenary session held on February 5, 2025, the Rwandan Senate reviewed a report presented by the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Security on the implementation of the 1951 Geneva Convention on Refugees.

The report detailed how Rwanda assists refugees in various sectors, including education, healthcare, employment, environment, and sanitation. Senator Hadidja Murangwa Ndangiza, the committee chairperson, emphasized that Rwanda offers a welcoming environment and equal opportunities for all.

She noted that 848 schools across the country enroll refugee children, and six vocational training institutions provide them with technical skills. Additionally, some universities, including Kepler, offer scholarships to high-achieving refugee students, ensuring they have access to quality education.

Beyond education, the government has allocated 136.8 hectares of land for agricultural activities benefiting both refugees and local communities. Initiatives like the “Jya Mbere” project have also helped refugees improve their lives by providing business support and investment opportunities.

In healthcare, many refugees now benefit from Rwanda’s community-based health insurance scheme (Mutuelle de Santé) and other services aimed at improving their well-being.

Despite these achievements, some challenges persist. High unemployment rates among refugees, outdated infrastructure, and difficulties accessing financial loans due to a lack of collateral remain significant obstacles.

Senator Murangwa urged refugees to take ownership of their challenges and seek solutions within their communities. 'They should understand that they must be part of the solutions to their problems, just like Rwandans, and embrace Rwanda’s culture of self-reliance,' she said.

She reiterated Rwanda’s boundless commitment to integrating refugees into national development programs, working with various institutions to address existing challenges.

'Although there are still obstacles in fully implementing Rwanda’s commitments, the country remains determined to enhance refugee inclusion in national development,' she added.

High unemployment rates among refugees and outdated infrastructure still remains a challenge.

Similarly, Senator Cyprien Niyomugabo commended the country’s efforts in ensuring that refugees do not only receive support but also learn values that encourage self-reliance. “All the good initiatives supporting refugees do not happen by chance; they stem from Rwanda’s core values, including patriotism,' he reaffirmed.

He also praised the education system for integrating refugee children with Rwandan students, fostering a culture of hospitality and respect for human rights and dignity.

In the same spirit, Senator Evode Uwizeyimana acknowledged Rwanda’s exceptional approach to refugee support but expressed concern that some refugees remain focused on seeking relocation abroad rather than working toward self-sufficiency.

'Some refugees dream of being relocated to places like Arizona or Canada, which affects their mindset and ability to work towards self-sufficiency,' he noted.

Senator Prof. Penina Uwimbabazi emphasized that Rwanda’s treatment of refugees reflects its commitment to valuing all people, ensuring they feel included and supported.

Currently, Rwanda hosts over 134,000 refugees, with 61% (82,262) from the Democratic Republic of Congo and 38% (51,134) from Burundi. These refugees are accommodated in various camps, including Mahama, Kigeme, Nyabiheke, and Mugombwa.

Some refugees have the opportunity to venture into farming programs.

Many refugees are engaged in business projects.

IGIHE

Rwanda was represented by two teams in this prestigious event, which brought together over 103 police teams from various countries worldwide. The competition aimed to showcase expertise in counterterrorism tactics.

Participants competed in five different categories, including an endurance course that tested physical strength, teamwork, wall climbing, navigating obstacles, and more.

On the final day, teams competed in the Obstacle Course challenge. After five days of intense competition, Rwanda National Police SWAT Team 1 secured 10th place with 407 points, completing the course in 13 minutes and 27 seconds.

The team was 73 points behind China Police Team B, which won the gold medal with a time of 11 minutes and 12 seconds. Kazakhstan’s SUNKAR team finished second with 470 points, earning a silver medal, while China Police Team A took third place with 457 points, securing the bronze medal.

Meanwhile, Rwanda National Police SWAT Team 2 also put in a strong performance, finishing 18th with 357 points, completing the course in 15 minutes and 36 seconds.

Notably, Rwanda National Police SWAT Team 1 was the best-performing African team in the competition.
Rwanda has now participated in the UAE SWAT Challenge four times in the six editions held so far.

Rwanda National Police SWAT Team 1 was the best-performing African team in the competition.

IGIHE