Rwanda has agreed to permit troops deployed by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to combat rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to evacuate from the rebel-held city of Goma through its territory en route to Tanzania, according to three diplomatic sources. South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers remain in the DRC weeks after a phased withdrawal decision, with Defence Minister Angie Motshekga confirming that plans are underway to safely repatriate the troops. While there have been concerns about the troops being trapped, SANDF leadership has stated that the soldiers are not trapped in the DRC. The evacuation by land would require traversing either Rwanda or Tanzania, and military equipment may need to be surrendered or could be confiscated. Calls have also been made for Rwanda to withdraw its troops from the DRC. The finalization of evacuation plans for the SANDF remains in progress.

The United States has called on Rwanda to cease its military support for the M23 rebel group and withdraw its troops from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This demand comes amid escalating conflict in the region, which intensified in late January when M23 took control of Goma, a key city in North Kivu province.

Massad Boulos, the White House's senior advisor for Africa, emphasized the urgency of ending the long-standing conflict, which has lasted over three decades. He confirmed that the U.S. is prepared to use all available diplomatic and economic tools to achieve peace. Boulos also noted recent positive developments on the ground, such as the M23's withdrawal from Walikale, allowing the U.S. mining company Alphamin to resume operations after a month-long suspension.

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Faure Gnassingbé, President of Togo and newly appointed African Union (AU) mediator, arrived in Kinshasa for his first official visit amid escalating conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He met with President Félix Tshisekedi to discuss the ongoing security crisis involving Congolese security forces, the M23 rebel group, and alleged Rwandan involvement.

Despite intensified diplomatic efforts by the AU, United Nations, Southern African Development Community (SADC), and other regional actors, violence and humanitarian needs continue to worsen in eastern DRC. The UN Security Council's Resolution 2773, adopted two months ago and demanding Rwanda's withdrawal from Congolese territory, has not led to a cessation of hostilities. M23 and its political affiliate, Alliance Fleuve Congo, are reported to be expanding territorial control with external support, and Goma remains under M23 control.

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Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has officially renewed its partnership with Visit Rwanda, the country's tourism promotion brand, extending the contract until 2028. This decision comes despite criticism and a petition that gathered over 70,000 signatures opposing the renewal due to Rwanda's alleged involvement in the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The partnership, which began in 2019, has faced pressure from supporters and lobbying efforts by Kinshasa, which has urged major European football clubs such as PSG, Arsenal, and Bayern Munich to terminate their sponsorship deals with Rwanda, citing its backing of the M23 rebel group. PSG's renewal of the Visit Rwanda sponsorship defies this Congo-led campaign. Separately, PSG announced that defender Willian Pacho, who is Ecuadorian, will miss the upcoming match against Le Havre due to illness and is resting until Sunday.

The 31st anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide against the Tutsi, known as Kwibuka31, is being commemorated with events in various locations, including Berlin and the United Nations. This observance serves to honor the memory of over one million lives lost during the tragic events of 1994. Various organizations and individuals are participating in the remembrance, emphasizing the message of 'Never Again' to prevent such atrocities in the future. The commemoration highlights the importance of remembering the past to ensure it is not repeated.

Rwanda has agreed to permit troops deployed by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to combat rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to evacuate from the rebel-held city of Goma through its territory en route to Tanzania, according to three diplomatic sources. South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers remain in the DRC weeks after a phased withdrawal decision, with Defence Minister Angie Motshekga confirming that plans are underway to safely repatriate the troops. While there have been concerns about the troops being trapped, SANDF leadership has stated that the soldiers are not trapped in the DRC. The evacuation by land would require traversing either Rwanda or Tanzania, and military equipment may need to be surrendered or could be confiscated. Calls have also been made for Rwanda to withdraw its troops from the DRC. The finalization of evacuation plans for the SANDF remains in progress.

The United States has called on Rwanda to cease its military support for the M23 rebel group and withdraw its troops from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This demand comes amid escalating conflict in the region, which intensified in late January when M23 took control of Goma, a key city in North Kivu province.

Massad Boulos, the White House's senior advisor for Africa, emphasized the urgency of ending the long-standing conflict, which has lasted over three decades. He confirmed that the U.S. is prepared to use all available diplomatic and economic tools to achieve peace. Boulos also noted recent positive developments on the ground, such as the M23's withdrawal from Walikale, allowing the U.S. mining company Alphamin to resume operations after a month-long suspension.

Read more

Faure Gnassingbé, President of Togo and newly appointed African Union (AU) mediator, arrived in Kinshasa for his first official visit amid escalating conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He met with President Félix Tshisekedi to discuss the ongoing security crisis involving Congolese security forces, the M23 rebel group, and alleged Rwandan involvement.

Despite intensified diplomatic efforts by the AU, United Nations, Southern African Development Community (SADC), and other regional actors, violence and humanitarian needs continue to worsen in eastern DRC. The UN Security Council's Resolution 2773, adopted two months ago and demanding Rwanda's withdrawal from Congolese territory, has not led to a cessation of hostilities. M23 and its political affiliate, Alliance Fleuve Congo, are reported to be expanding territorial control with external support, and Goma remains under M23 control.

Read more

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has officially renewed its partnership with Visit Rwanda, the country's tourism promotion brand, extending the contract until 2028. This decision comes despite criticism and a petition that gathered over 70,000 signatures opposing the renewal due to Rwanda's alleged involvement in the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The partnership, which began in 2019, has faced pressure from supporters and lobbying efforts by Kinshasa, which has urged major European football clubs such as PSG, Arsenal, and Bayern Munich to terminate their sponsorship deals with Rwanda, citing its backing of the M23 rebel group. PSG's renewal of the Visit Rwanda sponsorship defies this Congo-led campaign. Separately, PSG announced that defender Willian Pacho, who is Ecuadorian, will miss the upcoming match against Le Havre due to illness and is resting until Sunday.

The 31st anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide against the Tutsi, known as Kwibuka31, is being commemorated with events in various locations, including Berlin and the United Nations. This observance serves to honor the memory of over one million lives lost during the tragic events of 1994. Various organizations and individuals are participating in the remembrance, emphasizing the message of 'Never Again' to prevent such atrocities in the future. The commemoration highlights the importance of remembering the past to ensure it is not repeated.