January 27, 2025 | M23 Rebels Seized Goma M23 rebels captured Goma, the capital of North Kivu province in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), on January 27, triggering a major security and humanitarian crisis. Thousands of civilians fled the city, crossing into Rwanda through the Rubavu border, where they received support from security agencies, humanitarian organisations, and local communities. On the same day, dozens of Congolese soldiers crossed into Rwanda through the Grande Barrière border post. They were disarmed by Rwandan defence and security forces in line with internationa

January 27, 2025 | M23 Rebels Seized Goma M23 rebels captured Goma, the capital of North Kivu province in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), on January 27, triggering a major security and humanitarian crisis. Thousands of civilians fled the city, crossing into Rwanda through the Rubavu border, where they received support from security agencies, humanitarian organisations, and local communities. On the same day, dozens of Congolese soldiers crossed into Rwanda through the Grande Barrière border post. They were disarmed by Rwandan defence and security forces in line with international obligations. January 29, 2025 | European Mercenaries Exited via Rwanda More than 280 European mercenaries, mostly Romanian nationals, were granted safe passage through Rwanda on January 29 after their defeat by M23 fighters in Goma. The mercenaries, linked to RALF, a private military company based in Romania, had supported the Congolese army (FARDC) since 2022. Following Goma’s fall, they surrendered to United Nations peacekeepers under MONUSCO before transiting through Rwanda to return home. February 24, 2025 | Wounded SADC Soldiers Repatriated Up to 200 troops from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission were repatriated through Rwanda on February 24 after sustaining injuries during fighting in eastern DRC. The casualties followed intense clashes in January that resulted in the capture of strategic locations, including Goma. March 17, 2025 | Rwanda Cut Diplomatic Ties with Belgium Rwanda severed diplomatic relations with Belgium on March 17, ordering all Belgian diplomats to leave the country within 48 hours. Kigali said the decision followed what it described as Belgium’s continued neocolonial posture, accusing Brussels of spreading misinformation and mobilising international pressure against Rwanda in the context of the regional conflict. March 18, 2025 | Presidents Kagame and Tshisekedi Held Talks in Doha Presidents Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Félix Tshisekedi of the DRC met in Doha on March 18 in talks hosted by Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The leaders welcomed progress made through the Luanda and Nairobi peace initiatives and reaffirmed their commitment to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, as agreed at the joint EAC-SADC summit held in Dar es Salaam on February 8. March 28, 2025 | Agreement Signed for SADC Withdrawal An agreement was signed on March 28 between M23 rebels and the SADC mission, paving the way for the withdrawal of Southern African forces from eastern DRC. The SADC force, deployed in December 2023, suffered heavy losses in January 2025, with 18 soldiers killed during fighting around Goma. Dozens were wounded. April 29, 2025 | SADC Troops Began Withdrawal SADC troops officially began withdrawing from eastern DRC on April 29, transiting through Rwanda as part of the agreed exit framework. May 26, 2025 | Former President Joseph Kabila Reappeared in Goma Former DRC President Joseph Kabila arrived in Goma on May 26, a city then under the control of the M23/AFC coalition, according to alliance leader Corneille Nangaa. His return followed a speech in which he criticised President Tshisekedi’s government, accusing it of mismanagement and exclusionary politics. At the same time, the Congolese Senate voted to strip Kabila of his immunity after the military high court accused him of treason and war crimes. Lawmakers alleged he supported the AFC/M23 coalition. June 27, 2025 | Rwanda and DRC Signed Peace Deal in Washington Rwanda and the DRC signed a peace agreement on June 27 in Washington, DC, during a ceremony hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rwanda was represented by Foreign Affairs Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe, while the DRC was represented by Foreign Affairs Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner. The deal aimed to ease tensions and restore stability in the region. July 23, 2025 | Rwanda Appointed New Prime Minister President Paul Kagame appointed Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva as Rwanda’s new Prime Minister on July 23, replacing Dr. Edouard Ngirente, who had served since 2017. Dr. Nsengiyumva previously served as Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda. November 1, 2025 | Samia Suluhu Hassan Won Tanzania Election Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan secured a second term on November 1 after winning 97.66 percent of the vote, according to official results. The election was followed by protests in several regions. The UN Human Rights Office reported that at least 10 people were killed, while opposition parties accused the electoral commission of bias—claims the government denied. December 4, 2025 | Rwanda–DRC Peace Deal Signed Again in Washington On December 4, Rwanda and the DRC formally signed a long-negotiated peace agreement in Washington, DC, in a ceremony attended by several African Heads of State. U.S. President Donald Trump presided over the signing, after earlier holding separate meetings with Presidents Kagame and Tshisekedi at the White House.

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