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Business Insider
4 days ago
- Politics
- Business Insider
Uganda backs down, resumes border trade with conflict-hit eastern DRC
Uganda has reopened its border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), six months after closing key crossings due to advances by the M23 rebel group. The affected border points, Bunagana and Ishasha, are located in North Kivu province and were shut down following the group's seizure of Goma. Uganda has reopened its borders with the DRC, following a six-month closure due to the M23 rebel group's advances. The closure impacted key border points, notably Bunagana and Ishasha, to curb the rebel group's incursions. The decision coincides with a peace agreement signed in Washington to address conflicts involving the M23 group. Ugandan military assistant Chris Magezi confirmed the reopening on social media, stating that the move was made under direct orders from President Yoweri Museveni. He added that those responsible for the initial closure and for disrupting trade between the two communities will be investigated. The reopening comes shortly after the signing of a peace agreement in Washington, where Rwanda and the DRC committed to supporting future talks between the M23 rebels and the Congolese army. The M23 group, composed largely of ethnic Tutsis, resumed its offensive in late 2021. Fighting has intensified since then, with the group capturing large areas of eastern Congo, including Goma. Thousands of civilians have been forced to flee, including from camps near Kibumba, about 40 kilometers north of Goma. The Congolese government has repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 with weapons and troops. These accusations have been supported by the United States, citing credible intelligence reports. Rwanda has denied involvement with the rebel group. Uganda–Congo Border Closures Uganda has closed its border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) twice due to threats from the M23 rebel group. The first closure occurred in July 2012 after M23 launched an offensive in eastern DRC, prompting Uganda to shut the Bunagana crossing for security reasons. The border later reopened as tensions eased. In January 2024, Uganda again closed the Bunagana and Ishasha crossings after renewed M23 advances near Goma. The six-month closure ended in July 2025, following a lull in fighting and pressure to resume cross-border trade. Uganda reopens additional border points in M23-held areas Additional border points, including Busanza, have also been reopened, according to Ugandan military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Felix Kulayigye. He confirmed that the directive was implemented as instructed by President Museveni to restore the movement of goods and people between the two countries. Uganda had initially closed the posts following the M23's capture of Goma, but also in protest after the rebels reportedly blocked Ugandan cargo trucks from entering eastern Congo.
08-07-2025
- Politics
Rwandan opposition leader Ingabire appears in court on subversion charges
KIGALI, Rwanda -- KIGALI, Rwanda (AP) — Rwandan opposition leader Victoire Ingabire on Tuesday appeared in a courtroom in the capital, Kigali, for the first time since her arrest on subversion charges last month. A long-time critic of President Paul Kagame, Ingabire was previously jailed and has been at times the only government opponent to keep up her activism from inside Rwanda. Most of Kagame's other opponents are in exile. Rwandan prosecutors accuse her of plotting to incite public unrest. The charges could send her back to prison for many years if convicted. Prosecutors say she was in contact with nine other suspects, including a journalist named Theoneste Nsengimana. The others are members of the DALFA-Umurinzi group, a party led by Ingabire that is not recognized by authorities. Ingabire has denied the charges, previously calling offenses against her politically motivated. Her bail hearing on Tuesday was postponed to July 15 after she refused a court-appointed local defense attorney and prefered her choice of a Kenyan team of lawyers. The court ruled that the case will be heard in a week whether or not she assembled a defense team of her choice. Ingabire had previously led the FDU-Inkingi group, a coalition of opposition parties that also was never permitted to register with the government. She spent 16 years in exile in the Netherlands and returned to Rwanda in 2010 to launch her political career. She was imprisoned before she could contest the presidential election. She was later found guilty of conspiracy to undermine the government and denying Rwanda's 1994 genocide, charges she denied. Sentenced to 15 years, she was freed in 2018 after obtaining a presidential pardon. Three decades after the genocide that killed an estimated 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus, Kagame has won international praise for presiding over a peaceful and rapid economic recovery. But he also has faced criticism for what human rights groups say are widespread abuses, a muzzling of independent media and suppression of political opposition. He denies the accusations.
Hamilton Spectator
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Rwandan opposition leader Ingabire appears in court on subversion charges
KIGALI, Rwanda (AP) — Rwandan opposition leader Victoire Ingabire on Tuesday appeared in a courtroom in the capital, Kigali, for the first time since her arrest on subversion charges last month. A long-time critic of President Paul Kagame, Ingabire was previously jailed and has been at times the only government opponent to keep up her activism from inside Rwanda. Most of Kagame's other opponents are in exile. Rwandan prosecutors accuse her of plotting to incite public unrest. The charges could send her back to prison for many years if convicted. Prosecutors say she was in contact with nine other suspects, including a journalist named Theoneste Nsengimana. The others are members of the DALFA-Umurinzi group, a party led by Ingabire that is not recognized by authorities. Ingabire has denied the charges, previously calling offenses against her politically motivated. Her bail hearing on Tuesday was postponed to July 15 after she refused a court-appointed local defense attorney and prefered her choice of a Kenyan team of lawyers. The court ruled that the case will be heard in a week whether or not she assembled a defense team of her choice. Ingabire had previously led the FDU-Inkingi group, a coalition of opposition parties that also was never permitted to register with the government. She spent 16 years in exile in the Netherlands and returned to Rwanda in 2010 to launch her political career. She was imprisoned before she could contest the presidential election. She was later found guilty of conspiracy to undermine the government and denying Rwanda's 1994 genocide, charges she denied. Sentenced to 15 years, she was freed in 2018 after obtaining a presidential pardon. Three decades after the genocide that killed an estimated 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus, Kagame has won international praise for presiding over a peaceful and rapid economic recovery. But he also has faced criticism for what human rights groups say are widespread abuses, a muzzling of independent media and suppression of political opposition. He denies the accusations. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
San Francisco Chronicle
08-07-2025
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Rwandan opposition leader Ingabire appears in court on subversion charges
KIGALI, Rwanda (AP) — Rwandan opposition leader Victoire Ingabire on Tuesday appeared in a courtroom in the capital, Kigali, for the first time since her arrest on subversion charges last month. A long-time critic of President Paul Kagame, Ingabire was previously jailed and has been at times the only government opponent to keep up her activism from inside Rwanda, while most of Kagame's opponents are in exile. Rwandan prosecutors accuse her of plotting to incite public unrest. The charges could send her back to prison for many years if convicted. Prosecutors say she was in contact with nine other suspects, including a journalist named Theoneste Nsengimana. The others are members of the DALFA-Umurinzi group, a party led by Ingabire that is not recognized by authorities. Ingabire has denied the charges, previously calling offenses against her politically motivated. Her bail hearing on Tuesday was postponed to July 15 after she refused a court-appointed local defense attorney and prefered her choice of a Kenyan team of lawyers. The court ruled that the case will be heard in a week whether or not she assembled a defense team of her choice. Ingabire had previously led the FDU-Inkingi group, a coalition of opposition parties that also was never permitted to register with the government. She spent 16 years in exile in the Netherlands and returned to Rwanda in 2010 to launch her political career. She was imprisoned before she could contest the presidential election. She was later found guilty of conspiracy to undermine the government and denying Rwanda's 1994 genocide, charges she denied. Sentenced to 15 years, she was freed in 2018 after obtaining a presidential pardon. Three decades after the genocide that killed an estimated 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus, Kagame has won international praise for presiding over a peaceful and rapid economic recovery. But he also has faced criticism for what human rights groups say are widespread abuses, a muzzling of independent media and suppression of political opposition. He denies the accusations.
Winnipeg Free Press
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Rwandan opposition leader Ingabire appears in court on subversion charges
KIGALI, Rwanda (AP) — Rwandan opposition leader Victoire Ingabire on Tuesday appeared in a courtroom in the capital, Kigali, for the first time since her arrest on subversion charges last month. A long-time critic of President Paul Kagame, Ingabire was previously jailed and has been at times the only government opponent to keep up her activism from inside Rwanda, while most of Kagame's opponents are in exile. Rwandan prosecutors accuse her of plotting to incite public unrest. The charges could send her back to prison for many years if convicted. Prosecutors say she was in contact with nine other suspects, including a journalist named Theoneste Nsengimana. The others are members of the DALFA-Umurinzi group, a party led by Ingabire that is not recognized by authorities. Ingabire has denied the charges, previously calling offenses against her politically motivated. Her bail hearing on Tuesday was postponed to July 15 after she refused a court-appointed local defense attorney and prefered her choice of a Kenyan team of lawyers. The court ruled that the case will be heard in a week whether or not she assembled a defense team of her choice. Ingabire had previously led the FDU-Inkingi group, a coalition of opposition parties that also was never permitted to register with the government. She spent 16 years in exile in the Netherlands and returned to Rwanda in 2010 to launch her political career. She was imprisoned before she could contest the presidential election. She was later found guilty of conspiracy to undermine the government and denying Rwanda's 1994 genocide, charges she denied. Sentenced to 15 years, she was freed in 2018 after obtaining a presidential pardon. Three decades after the genocide that killed an estimated 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus, Kagame has won international praise for presiding over a peaceful and rapid economic recovery. But he also has faced criticism for what human rights groups say are widespread abuses, a muzzling of independent media and suppression of political opposition. He denies the accusations.
