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As the war ended, defeated forces of the former Rwandan Armed Forces (Ex-FAR), Interahamwe militia members and others involved in planning and carrying out the genocide, together with civilian refugees, fled to neighbouring countries, particularly then-Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Burundi.

Among those who fled to Burundi were Burundian Hutu refugees who had previously been living in Rwanda. They joined others in the forests and, together with refugees from other countries, formed the armed movement FDD and its political wing, the CNDD, in September 1994.

Although some of those who formed FDD had been involved in the killings of Tutsi in southern Rwanda during the genocide, they initially lacked the military experience needed to challenge the government of Colonel Pierre Buyoya.

Maj (Rtd) Peter Kubwayo, a former FDLR leader, was among those who fled to Burundi after the RPA victory. Originally from Musange Sector in Nyamagabe District, Southern Province, Kubwayo told IGIHE that he and other refugees were taken to an area known as Gihunda when they arrived in Burundi, where they were assigned to train fighters belonging to the newly formed FDD.

Ex-FAR trains FDD fighters

In early 1995, FDD, led by Léonard Nyangoma, entered into a cooperation agreement with Ex-FAR, which was represented by its former Chief of Staff, Gen Augustin Bizimungu.

The agreement, signed in Bukavu, in South Kivu Province, stated that FDD and Ex-FAR shared common interests and should therefore cooperate financially and militarily in their efforts to mobilise and support Hutu refugees.

Kubwayo said the close relationship between Nyangoma and Ex-FAR commanders, including Gen Bizimungu, who had fled to Mugunga, west of Goma, helped facilitate the agreement.

'He requested assistance, and they provided officers to train officers and soldiers. An Ex-FAR team went to Burundi in March 1995, led by Lt Col Edouard Gasarabwe,' Kubwayo said.

Gasarabwe was accompanied by other Ex-FAR officers, including Maj Diogène Nkundimana, Lt Gaspard Muragijimana, Adjudant Chef Jean Ngerageze, Sgt Maj Jean Damascene Uzabakiriho and Cpl Faustin Sebutimbiri.

According to Kubwayo, the Ex-FAR officers trained FDD fighters at a military school in Musigati, in the former Bubanza Province, as well as at Gihunda. They remained there for about five months before returning to Zaire in August 1995.

Kubwayo said the cooperation was also rooted in the anti-Tutsi ideology shared by elements within FDD and Ex-FAR, both of which were predominantly composed of Hutu fighters.

He said the training covered military tactics, discipline and weapons use, but also included ethnic ideology.

'They taught them tactics, discipline and the use of weapons. But among the teachings was the ideology that 'We are Hutu, and we must fight the Tutsi to drive them out of Burundi. Once we take Burundi, we will go and take Rwanda as well,'' Kubwayo said.

Links extend into Congo

Kubwayo said the relationship between Burundian armed groups and former Rwandan military and militia networks continued to evolve after Laurent-Désiré Kabila's AFDL launched an offensive against Ex-FAR and Interahamwe forces in refugee camps in eastern Zaire.

Some Burundian refugees who had fled alongside Rwandans moved with them towards western parts of the country, including areas around Mbuji-Mayi.

After Kabila's relationship with Rwanda deteriorated, he sought alliances with groups opposed to the Rwandan government. This included reaching out to former Ex-FAR and Interahamwe leaders as part of efforts to challenge the Rwandan government.

Kubwayo said Burundian refugees who had been alongside Rwandans were also incorporated into military training programmes in Congo.

'Some Burundians had fled alongside the Rwandans and went with them. They met in places such as N'Sele and underwent training in different centres, while others met in Kananga at EFO. During the military training given to Interahamwe and Ex-FAR at those centres, the Burundians were also there,' he said.

Among those trained was Gen Maj Agricole Ntirampeba, who is now Burundi's ambassador to the DRC. At the time, Ntirampeba trained at EFO Kananga before continuing his studies at Rukango and receiving intelligence training in Mbuji-Mayi.

Kubwayo said the training was provided by Ex-FAR officers and Zimbabwean forces.

When FDD learned that Burundian refugees had received military training in Zaire, it requested that they be transferred to its ranks. Ntirampeba, who was then a Sous-Lieutenant, and other fighters subsequently went to Burundi, where Ntirampeba became one of the movement's commanders.

Kubwayo said the relationship between the Burundian fighters and those who had trained them continued even after the former entered government.

'From that time, they never stopped working with those who had trained them. Then, when they came into government, the cooperation continued. They would communicate by telephone,' he said.

From CNDD-FDD to the M23 conflict

The networks that emerged from these relationships have continued to feature in the region's successive conflicts, according to Kubwayo.

In 2023, Burundi deployed troops to North Kivu Province to support the Congolese army in fighting the M23 rebel movement. The deployment followed an agreement between Burundi and the DRC after the two countries expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the East African Community regional force.

Kubwayo said that, during the deployment, Burundian troops worked alongside FDLR fighters in areas of Masisi Territory, including Bambiro, Rutobogo, Kinigi, Rusayo and Kanyaruchinya, north of Goma.

He said the two sides shared intelligence and equipment as they operated against M23.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/inside-the-decades-old-cndd-fdd-and-fdlr-ties/

Pope made the remarks in an exclusive interview with IGIHE during her visit to Rwanda, which began on August 19 and concluded on August 21, 2026.

The DG said she had been impressed by the clarity of Rwanda's development vision and the alignment among government officials she met during the visit.

'I have to say I have been so impressed by the clarity and commitment to the vision of the president in this country,' Pope said, noting that the ministers she met were aligned around Rwanda's development goals and the role migration can play in achieving them.

She noted that IOM considers Rwanda a critical partner as governments around the world confront increasing displacement caused by conflict, climate change and demographic changes.

'Our number one objective is to make sure that we have the trust and engagement with our member states, and Rwanda is a critical one,' she said.

Pope revealed that IOM's engagement with Rwanda is aimed at helping the country and other governments anticipate migration-related challenges rather than responding only after crises emerge.

More people are being displaced by the effects of climate change than by any other factor, she noted, while conflicts and demographic changes are also reshaping migration patterns globally.

She held meetings with several Rwandan government officials, including Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva and ministers Olivier Nduhungirehe (Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation), Judith Uwizeye (Minister of Public Service and Labour), Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja (Minister of Justice and Attorney General), and Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Albert Murasira (Minister of Emergency Management).

Pope observed that the meetings demonstrated the importance of treating migration as a cross-cutting issue involving sectors including emergency response, foreign affairs, justice, immigration and internal affairs.

'Across the board, we're seeing a recognition that migration has to be brought into this overall conversation,' she noted.

Migration and Rwanda's development agenda

One of the discussions during Pope's visit focused on the connection between migration, investment and skills development.

Pope emphasised that if Rwanda wants to attract greater industrial investment, it needs a trained and skilled workforce capable of meeting the demands of investors.

She noted that labour mobility can contribute to that objective by allowing Rwandans to work abroad, acquire new skills and return home to apply their experience to Rwanda's development.

'Rwanda is a model for open migration policy,' Pope said.

The IOM chief also praised Rwanda for creating an environment in which migrants can integrate into society, describing the government's approach as welcoming.

She noted that migrants in Rwanda can access education and job opportunities and are treated fairly, which she said makes a significant difference in determining how migration can be managed and supported.

Rwanda's approach, she added, is consistent with a broader vision in which migration is incorporated into national development planning rather than being handled by a single institution or ministry.

'If you want migration to work well, having community engagement, recognizing the impact on education or health, recognizing the growth potential, recognizing the skills are needed, all of that has to be part of the approach,' Pope stressed.

She affirmed that Rwanda's approach is well aligned with Vision 2050 and creates opportunities both for Rwandans working abroad and for people who come to Rwanda seeking better opportunities.

IOM faces funding constraints

Pope acknowledged that IOM, like other organisations working in the migration sector, is facing funding constraints.

She explained that the organisation has responded by seeking new partnerships, including with the private sector and development banks.

The private sector often relies on migration to meet its development objectives, while development banks can help finance efforts aimed at building skills and creating jobs, she added.

'We're working hard, very closely with the government here to find new ways to meet the demands, recognizing that, unfortunately, the resources that are needed still are not enough,' Pope said.

From crisis management to opportunity

Pope noted that one of the achievements she is most proud of since taking office in 2023 is IOM's shift in thinking about migration.

Rather than viewing migration primarily as a crisis that needs to be managed, she explained that the organisation is increasingly focused on how migration can produce better outcomes for individuals, communities and economies.

According to Pope, labour mobility is currently one of the fastest-growing areas of IOM's work.

The organisation is working to create opportunities for people to move safely, legally and with dignity so that they can benefit from employment opportunities in other countries. It also aims to reduce the number of people who are scammed, die during migration journeys, or fall victim to smugglers and traffickers.

She stressed that such opportunities require planning and cooperation between governments, businesses and other partners.

'That doesn't happen by accident,' Pope said. 'That happens because of planning, of strategic engagement, of partnerships with private sector, partnerships with the governments themselves, whether they're sending government or host government.'

IOM's post-visit statement similarly highlighted skills development, labour mobility, diaspora engagement and protection as areas where migration can contribute to jobs, economic growth and regional cooperation.

'No country can address migration challenges alone,' Pope said in the statement. 'Continued cooperation between governments, international partners and the private sector is essential to expanding opportunities and ensuring migration works for people and communities.'

Rwanda's role in migration cooperation

Pope's comments come as Rwanda continues to position itself as a partner in international efforts to address migration challenges.

Currently, Rwanda hosts approximately 135,000 to 137,000 registered refugees and asylum seekers, according to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The majority of this population originates from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burundi.

Rwanda has previously worked with international organisations through its Emergency Transit Mechanism (ETM) in Gashora, which temporarily hosts vulnerable asylum seekers and refugees evacuated from Libya while arrangements are made for their future.

The mechanism was established in 2019 in partnership with the UN Refugee Agency.

Rwanda's Government Spokesperson Yolande Makolo recently confirmed that Rwanda and Italy are holding discussions on a potential migration partnership, although she stressed that no agreement had been reached.

One idea under discussion is reportedly to build on the existing Gashora mechanism to provide a safe place for people fleeing conflict or persecution.
Makolo explained that Rwanda's willingness to participate in migration partnerships is informed by the country's own history of displacement and return.

She also added that Rwanda wants to contribute to reducing the dangers faced by Africans undertaking irregular journeys across the Sahara and the Mediterranean.

'We don't want Africans making dangerous journeys across the desert and dying in the Mediterranean,' Makolo said during a recent interview with Royal FM.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/rwanda-is-a-model-for-open-migration-policy-iom-chief-amy-pope-video/

The study, published in the Journal of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Sciences, examined 339 patients who underwent surgery for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma at Hiroshima University Hospital between 2014 and 2022.

All patients received dental examinations before surgery, during which researchers recorded their number of natural teeth and assessed the contact between their back teeth.

Researchers found a substantial difference in survival between patients with different numbers of natural teeth.

Those with 21 or more natural teeth had a median overall survival of 60.7 months, compared with 39.1 months among patients with 20 or fewer teeth.

The association remained statistically significant even after researchers adjusted for important factors that can influence pancreatic cancer outcomes, including tumour stage, lymph node metastasis, surgical margins, chemotherapy and nutritional status.

The researchers found that chewing function itself was not independently associated with survival. This suggests that tooth count may reflect more than a person's ability to chew.

Kenichiro Uemura, an associate professor at Hiroshima University and corresponding author of the study, said tooth loss may reflect the effects of long-term inflammation, frailty, nutritional condition, lifestyle factors and overall systemic vulnerability accumulated over many years.

The researchers therefore suggest that the number of natural teeth could serve as a simple marker of a person's broader health and resilience.

The researchers stress that the study does not prove that having more teeth directly improves survival.

It was conducted at a single medical centre and involved patients of Japanese ethnicity, meaning the findings need to be validated through larger, multicentre and international studies.

The team also plans to investigate the possible biological links between oral bacteria, chronic inflammation and pancreatic cancer progression.

Researchers hope that oral health assessments could eventually become part of personalized risk assessment and care for pancreatic cancer patients.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/more-natural-teeth-linked-to-longer-survival-after-pancreatic-cancer-surgery/

The briefing, held on August 21, 2026, provided an opportunity for the government to engage diplomatic partners, share Rwanda's approach to the issue and highlight ongoing efforts to address the challenges posed by illicit alcoholic beverages.

The Government of Rwanda said it remains committed to safeguarding public health, strengthening societal resilience and working with partners to advance solutions that protect communities.

The briefing comes as Rwanda steps up efforts to tackle illicit alcoholic beverages amid growing concerns about their impact on public health and families.

In just two weeks, authorities in Kigali closed 30 factories found to be producing alcoholic beverages that did not meet required standards. They also shut down 840 bars and 10 liquor stores for failing to comply with regulations.

The crackdown has also exposed alleged failures and misconduct among some officials responsible for regulating and certifying alcoholic beverages. On August 13, the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) presented 18 suspects, all public servants, including the Director General of the Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority, Prof Emile Bienvenu. Ten of those presented were Rwanda FDA employees, while others were officials from the Rwanda Standards Board and local government institutions.

RIB spokesperson Dr Murangira B. Thierry said 104 people had been arrested since July 20 in connection with offences related to the production and distribution of substandard alcoholic beverages. Of these, 97 case files had been prepared and submitted to the prosecution.

According to RIB, preliminary investigations found that some licences for alcoholic beverage factories were allegedly issued without following recommendations from Rwanda FDA's Internal Technical Licensing Committee. Officials from the Rwanda Standards Board are also being investigated over the alleged issuance of quality certification to companies whose products did not meet required standards.

Five local government officials have also been arrested over allegations that they helped factory operators evade enforcement, including by warning them about planned inspections or allowing facilities that had been closed to resume operations.

As part of the wider crackdown, Rwanda has closed more than 150 factories suspected of producing substandard alcoholic beverages and launched operations to seize and destroy the products. Authorities are also pursuing people suspected of being involved in their production and distribution.

In Kigali alone, authorities have seized more than 470,000 litres of ethanol allegedly used to manufacture the drinks and collected nearly four million bottles of substandard alcoholic beverages.

The government's response follows reports from health authorities linking the consumption of illicit alcohol to serious health consequences. More than 500 people have received treatment, over 50 have died and more than 100 others have reportedly suffered vision loss.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/rwanda-briefs-diplomats-on-efforts-to-tackle-illicit-alcohol/

The move marks a fresh escalation in trade tensions between US President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, despite several days of intensive negotiations aimed at reaching a deal before the tariff deadline.

US and Canadian trade officials held negotiations in Washington for several days, with hopes of resolving major disagreements over tariffs and access to each other's markets.

The talks had initially appeared promising. Canadian Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc said the two countries were 'very close' to reaching an agreement.

A proposed deal was expected to reduce tariffs on Canadian-built vehicles from 25% to 15% and cut tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum to 25%.

However, the negotiations broke down after disagreements over changes proposed by the US side late in the discussions.

Canada said it could not accept the changes, while Washington accused Ottawa of seeking concessions beyond what the United States was prepared to offer.

Following the collapse of the talks, Carney announced that Canada would suspend negotiations with Washington and respond to the new US tariffs with measures on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

The newly imposed US tariffs affect about 5% of Canada's exports to the United States.

Although most Canadian exports are not covered by the new measures, the tariffs could increase costs for businesses and put pressure on affected industries and jobs.

The dispute adds pressure to the broader economic relationship between the two countries and could complicate future negotiations over the United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement.

The two governments had also been discussing issues including Canadian restrictions on US alcohol sales and rules governing automotive trade.

With the negotiations suspended and no new talks scheduled, businesses on both sides of the border now face increased uncertainty as the latest tariffs take effect.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/us-imposes-50-tariffs-on-canadian-goods-after-trade-talks-fail/

The process, known as maternal offloading, is the first documented evidence of this response in honeybees.

Researchers say it may help queens reduce their own chemical burden, but could expose developing offspring to harmful levels of pesticides. The findings were published in Current Biology.

Worker bees normally protect the colony by filtering contaminants from food before they reach the queen and developing larvae.

However, the study found that this protection can become less effective as pesticide exposure continues.

Researchers created small experimental colonies containing one queen and 60 worker bees.

The bees were given food contaminated with methyl parathion, a pesticide carrying a low-level radioactive marker that allowed scientists to track its movement.

On the first day, workers filtered out 95% of the pesticide and deposited it in the honeycomb.

By the 10th day, their filtering rate had dropped to 86%, suggesting that the colony's protective system can eventually become overwhelmed.

As pesticide contamination accumulated in the queens, some of it was transferred to their eggs.

Researchers say this could become a serious concern if pesticide levels in eggs become high enough to interfere with normal development.

Sascha Nicklisch, the study's senior author, warned that there could be a tipping point where heavily contaminated eggs fail to develop properly, potentially contributing to a gradual decline in colony health.

The researchers used biological accelerator mass spectrometry to track extremely small amounts of the pesticide.

They noted that the pesticide concentrations used in the experiment were not lethal and were environmentally relevant.

Honeybee queens can lay between 1,500 and 2,000 eggs per day, making their health essential to colony survival.

Honeybees also pollinate about one-third of the world's food crops, meaning threats to their colonies could have wider implications for agriculture and food security.

Researchers say further studies are needed to determine how long queens can transfer pesticides to their eggs, the long-term effects on colonies and whether the process occurs with other pesticides.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/study-finds-honeybee-queens-offload-pesticides-into-their-eggs/

China's State Administration for Market Regulation said Friday that Tesla would recall about 2.98 million vehicles, including 973,156 Model 3 cars manufactured between March 4, 2019, and April 29, 2026, and 1.96 million China-made Model Y vehicles produced between November 16, 2020, and April 30, 2026. The recall also covers more than 35,000 imported Model 3s, around 8,000 Model X vehicles and roughly 2,000 Model S cars.

The vehicles are equipped with electronic door latches and mechanical emergency releases that can be difficult to identify in an emergency. Tesla will install warning labels free of charge to help occupants locate the manual releases.

The recall is part of a broader Chinese effort involving 11 automakers to address concerns surrounding emergency door mechanisms. Nine manufacturers, including Tesla, will add warning labels, while all 11 companies will issue software updates as part of the recall campaigns. Xiaomi, Xpeng, and Geely brands Zeekr and Lynk & Co. are among the other automakers affected.

Electronic door latches have become increasingly common as automakers seek to offer more seamless entry systems, including smartphone and NFC-based access. However, such systems can become unusable when a vehicle loses power after a crash. Manual releases are generally installed as a backup, but some are concealed behind panels or placed in locations that may not be obvious to passengers.

China announced in February, following a two-year review, that it would ban hidden electronically actuated exterior door handles from 2027.

Tesla has faced similar scrutiny in the United States. The country's top auto safety regulator opened an investigation into Tesla's door-latching systems late last year after concerns were raised about the accessibility of emergency releases. U.S. lawmakers have also proposed legislation requiring manual releases to be intuitive and readily accessible.

Tesla, which helped popularise flush exterior door handles and electronic latches, has said it is working to redesign its door handles in future vehicles. The company's latest recall in China adds to growing regulatory pressure on automakers to ensure passengers can quickly escape vehicles when electronic systems fail.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/china-orders-tesla-to-recall-nearly-3-million-vehicles/

The conference, titled 'Belgium's Colonial Injustice and the 101-Year Path to Reparations,' was held on August 21 and organized by the Baku Initiative Group (BIG).

The discussions took place on August 21 during a conference titled 'Belgium's Colonial Injustice and the 101-Year Path to Reparations,' organized by the Baku Initiative Group (BIG).

The meeting brought together representatives of Rwanda, Burundi, the DRC, Morocco and South Africa, alongside UN Human Rights Council experts, diplomats, parliamentarians, human rights advocates, historians and international law experts.

Rwanda was represented by Lt Gen (Rtd) Charles Kayonga, the country's ambassador to Türkiye, who also represents Rwanda in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Lebanon.

Participants examined the historical, political, economic and social consequences of Belgian colonial rule and discussed whether its legacy continues to shape the region. They also considered the restoration of historical justice, reparations and the return of cultural heritage taken from Central Africa during the colonial period.

A colonial legacy across the Great Lakes

Rwanda, Burundi and the DRC came under Belgian colonial rule in the aftermath of the First World War. Belgian administration of Ruanda-Urundi, which comprised present-day Rwanda and Burundi, began in 1916 after Germany lost control of the territory.

The Belgian colonial period formally ended as the countries gained independence between 1960 and 1962, but participants at the Baku conference argued that its effects have continued to be reflected in political, economic and social structures.

In Rwanda, the country had first been placed under German rule in the late 19th century, following the European partition of Africa associated with the Berlin Conference of 1884–1885.

Belgian rule later introduced policies that placed particular emphasis on economic production for colonial interests, including export-oriented agriculture and compulsory labour.

The colonial administration also played a significant role in reshaping Rwanda's social and political structures. One of the most contested aspects of this period was the way Belgian authorities classified Rwandans along ethnic lines and institutionalized those classifications through identity documents.

Those policies contributed to the entrenchment of divisions that later continued under successive post-independence governments.

The colonial legacy remains a subject of debate in Rwanda, particularly because of the way policies introduced during the Belgian period were later maintained and adapted by governments after independence.

Rwanda became independent on July 1, 1962, while Belgian influence remained present during the early years of the new state.

The political divisions that had been reinforced during the colonial period continued into the First and Second Republics and formed part of the broader historical context preceding the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Calls for historical justice

At the Baku conference, BIG Executive Director Abbas Abbasov said addressing colonial crimes should go beyond financial compensation.

He called for recognition of historical responsibility, official apologies, reparations and legal safeguards, noting that the DRC, Rwanda and Burundi have long awaited concrete action.

Abbasov said reparations should be pursued transparently and in accordance with international law.
Rwanda's Ambassador Charles Kayonga said colonialism had left a lasting legacy that continues to affect former colonies.

He underscored the need to address that legacy in discussions on responsibility and reparations.

Participants also discussed the appropriation and restitution of cultural heritage from the colonial period, noting that Belgium's Royal Museum for Central Africa holds around 85,000 objects from Central Africa.

The conference further highlighted the five forms of reparation set out in UN General Assembly Resolution 60/147: restitution, compensation, rehabilitation, satisfaction and guarantees of non-repetition.

The discussions come as debates continue across Africa over the historical consequences of slavery and colonialism, with countries and organizations increasingly examining how historical injustices can be addressed through recognition, restitution and reparations.

Participants at the Baku conference called for greater international recognition of colonial-era injustices, stronger legal mechanisms and more systematic discussions on reparations.

They stressed that restoring historical justice is important not only for addressing the past, but also for building a fairer international system for future generations.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/rwanda-burundi-and-drc-discuss-belgiums-colonial-legacy-and-reparations/

Now, that familiar machine is changing. The emergence of electric motorcycles such as Spiro's electric bikes is quietly challenging one of the oldest assumptions in African transport: that moving around the city must depend on petrol. The significance is not simply that the bikes are electric.

It is what happens to the economics of the motorcycle when petrol disappears from the equation.
A conventional motorcycle requires a rider to repeatedly spend money on fuel. An electric motorcycle replaces that recurring fuel expense with electricity and, in Spiro's model, battery swapping. Instead of waiting for a battery to recharge, riders can exchange it for a charged one and return to the road.

For a motorcycle taxi rider whose income depends on how many trips can be completed in a day, that is not a technological curiosity.

It is a business proposition. And this is where Africa's electric-mobility story becomes particularly interesting.

The continent does not need to copy the electric-vehicle transition taking place in Europe, China or North America. Its transport realities are different.

Africa has enormous motorcycle fleets, rapidly growing cities, relatively low car ownership and millions of people whose livelihoods depend directly or indirectly on two-wheel transport.

That makes the electric motorcycle one of the most logical entry points into mass electrification.
Spiro's experience illustrates the potential. The company says it has deployed more than 95,000 electric motorcycles across African markets and built more than 2,500 battery-swapping stations. It is effectively testing whether electric mobility can become part of everyday African commerce rather than remaining a premium product for wealthier consumers.

The implications go beyond the rider. Every electric motorcycle creates demand for a wider ecosystem: batteries, swapping stations, electricity, software, maintenance, financing and technical skills.
That ecosystem could eventually become an industrial opportunity.

This is perhaps the most important part of the story. Africa has historically been a major consumer of imported transport technology. The electric-mobility transition gives the continent an opportunity to do something different.

Instead of simply importing electric motorcycles, Africa could increasingly assemble them, maintain them, develop the software that manages their fleets, build charging and swapping networks, and eventually manufacture more of the components.

The motorcycle could therefore become the starting point for something much larger.

But there is a warning. Electric motorcycles will not automatically transform African transport. The transition requires affordable financing, reliable electricity, sufficient battery infrastructure and policies that make it possible for businesses to invest for the long term.

Governments also need to think beyond incentives for buying electric vehicles.

They should be asking a more ambitious question: what African industry do we want the electric-mobility transition to create?

Rwanda has an opportunity to be part of that answer. Its experience with electric motorcycles provides a practical laboratory for understanding what happens when technology meets one of Africa's most important transport sectors.

Spiro's electric bikes are therefore worth watching for a reason that goes beyond their batteries.
They represent a test of whether Africa can turn a daily necessity – the motorcycle – into a platform for a new industrial economy.

The real revolution may not be the moment Africa buys its millionth electric motorcycle.
It may be the moment the continent stops seeing electric mobility simply as a cleaner way to move and starts seeing it as a way to build, employ, innovate and compete.

That is when the electric motorcycle stops being just a vehicle. It becomes infrastructure for Africa's future.

The writer, Innocent Ninsiima Ihinda, is a Government Relations Strategist.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/the-motorcycle-that-could-change-how-africa-moves/

In minutes, they took four masterworks by 15th-century painter Antonello da Messina, the city's native artist. The loot included three panels from the 1473 San Gregorio Polyptych and a double-sided devotional panel featuring the Virgin Mary and Christ, which was cut out of an armored glass display case.

The stolen pieces carry an estimated valuation of $80 million to $92 million (about Rwf 136 billion) on the open art market. Yet, this heist leaves behind an intriguing economic contradiction: the stolen works are almost impossible to convert into cash.

Antonello da Messina (c. 1430–1479) is a central figure of the Early Italian Renaissance. He bridged the gap between Northern and Southern European traditions by introducing Flemish oil-painting techniques, known for luminous light and fine detail, to the structured geometry of Italian painting. Fewer than 40 confirmed works by Antonello survive globally.

Earlier this year, the Italian government bought his devotional painting Ecce Homo at a Sotheby's sale for $14.9 million. The four pieces stolen in Messina represented the last remaining Antonello masterpieces in his hometown, having survived the catastrophic 1908 earthquake that destroyed the original monastery where the San Gregorio altarpiece was housed.

For the perpetrators, the stolen masterpieces present a severe operational challenge because famous art cannot be sold through legitimate market channels. Once an artwork of this caliber is entered into global police networks and INTERPOL's Stolen Works of Art Database, legitimate auction houses, private dealers, and galleries cannot touch it.

Art crime specialists note that on the illicit market, stolen masterworks rarely function as liquid assets. Instead, they typically move through three main channels: as non-monetary collateral for transactions between criminal syndicates (such as securing loans for arms or narcotics trades), held hostage for 'artnapping' ransoms or legal plea bargains, or, in rare instances, kept concealed in private spaces for corrupt collectors.

During the getaway, two additional altarpiece panels that had been taken were abandoned outside the museum building and subsequently recovered by police. This sudden abandonment suggests the thieves faced physical weight or time constraints during their escape.

The remaining missing pieces represent a significant cultural loss for Messina, stripping the city of the last surviving works by its most influential artist. The Carabinieri's specialized art protection unit continues its investigation, seeking to recover the missing panels before they disappear into illegal underworld networks.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/messina-heist-why-stolen-masterpieces-cant-simply-be-sold/