Rwandan President, Paul Kagame has expressed uncertainty about the presence of Rwandan troops in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) amidst a spiraling conflict involving the M23 armed group. As fighting escalates, more than 900 fatalities have been reported in Goma fueled by the violent clashes between M23 and Congolese forces.

Kagame, a commander-in-chief of the Rwandan Defence Forces, stated, “I don’t know” when asked about Rwandan troop involvement and further emphasized, “There are many things I don’t know.” However, he acknowledged that the situation in Congo poses concerns for Rwanda, asserting, “If you want to ask me, is there a problem in Congo that concerns Rwanda?… I’d say 100%.”

This statement comes amid accusations from the international community suggesting that Rwanda is providing support to the M23 rebels who claim to have captured Goma just last week. According to UN assessments, as many as 4,000 Rwandan soldiers may be assisting the M23, significantly outnumbering the rebel group itself.

M23 spokesperson Victor Tesongo refuted claims of Rwandan support labeling such assertions as a “manipulation of public opinion” and claiming that Rwanda is focused on combating the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) which he alleges poses a security threat to Rwanda by teaming up with the Congolese government.

DRC Communications Minister, Patrick Muyaya countered Kagame’s denial citing numerous confirmations of Rwanda’s military presence by UN officials and regional leaders. “Kagame is the only voice denying this,” he remarked, reflecting the widespread consensus on the matter.

When confronted with comparisons to Russian President Vladimir Putin who has been accused of backing separatist forces in Ukraine, Kagame stated, “There will be so many stories,” and added, “I may be called anything – what can I do about it?” He reiterated Rwanda’s commitment to protect itself from external threats, stating, “Nobody… is going to do it for us.”

The conflict has resulted in significant violence with reports indicating at least 16 casualties in Rwanda due to shelling from the ongoing fighting in Goma. DRC President Félix Tshisekedi has vowed a “vigorous and coordinated response” against the M23 describing the group as Rwanda’s “puppet” in the conflict.

As the M23 vows to expand its control beyond Goma and into other territories including the South Kivu province and even Kinshasa, tensions remain high in a region already fraught with instability. The potential repercussions of this continuing conflict threaten to further destabilize both nations and the surrounding areas.

The M23 rebel group announced early on Monday January 27 that it had captured the city of Goma, the largest in eastern Congo leading to widespread panic among its 2 million residents and prompted a swift condemnation from the Congolese government which labeled the advance as a “declaration of war.”

The rebels issued a statement urging Goma’s residents to remain calm while calling on Congolese military personnel to assemble at the central stadium. The rebel offensive is the latest escalation in one of Africa’s longest-running conflicts, which threatens to displace even more civilians in a region already plagued by instability.

According to a United Nations report, over one-third of North Kivu province’s population is currently displaced and the capture of Goma is likely to exacerbate this humanitarian crisis. As the situation unfolded, UN peacekeepers began processing members of the Congolese military who had surrendered on the city’s outskirts.

Congolese government spokesman, Patrick Muyaya released a video statement calling for civilian protection while acknowledging the precarious situation. He stated, “We are in a war situation where the news is changing.”

During an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, the special representative for Congo conveyed that with Goma’s airport shut down and roads blocked, “we are trapped.” The UN’s presence in the region has been severely tested with significant casualties among peacekeepers in recent days.

Tensions escalated over the weekend as Congo severed diplomatic relations with Rwanda which it accuses of backing the M23 rebels. Rwanda, however, denies these claims although international experts have corroborated evidence of support. The on-going violence has already led to the deaths of at least 13 peacekeepers prompting urgent calls for a ceasefire from the international community including the United States and France.

In the backdrop, hundreds of Goma residents are fleeing as heavy gunfire echoes across the city. Many are seeking refuge in camps or attempting to cross into Rwanda for safety. Displaced individuals from the Kanyaruchinya camp reported chaotic scenes as they fled from perceived threats of violence.

“I heard that there are bombs in Goma too, so now we don’t know where to go,” lamented Adèle Shimiye, a displaced person anxious about their safety.

The situation remains fluid with fears that if the M23 rebels advance further into Goma, the humanitarian impact on civilians could be catastrophic. U.N. deputy humanitarian chief Joyce Msuya warned that hostilities spilling into the densely populated urban center could lead to devastating consequences for vulnerable populations.

As the Congolese army continues to resist the M23 offensive with support from allied forces including U.N. peacekeepers, the conflict raises grim reminders of previous confrontations, particularly Goma’s turbulent history including the M23’s prior capture in 2012. With tensions at a breaking point, residents like Bahati Jackson choose to remain, saying, “If we’re going to die, it’s better to die here.”

The recent transfer of over 170 death row inmates from Kinshasa to a high-security prison in Angenga has sparked mixed reactions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The announcement made by Justice Minister Constant Mutamba, highlighted that the convicts primarily aged between 18 and 35 have been found guilty of armed robbery and are identified locally as “Kulunas” or “urban bandits.” This operation has raised significant concerns regarding human rights and the judicial process.

While some locals, like Goma resident Fiston Kakule, have expressed support for the government’s decision viewing it as a necessary step to curb urban crime and restore public safety. Human rights activist Espoir Muhinuka emphasized the risks of extrajudicial actions and insisted on the importance of adhering to judicial practices to prevent wrongful convictions and executions. He pointed out that underlying issues such as poverty, unemployment and social exclusion should be addressed in tandem with tackling urban gang violence.

Historically, the DRC has had a complicated relationship with capital punishment. Although the death penalty was abolished in 1981, it was reinstated in 2006. The last known execution occurred in 2003 and since then while there have been significant legal changes and military-related death sentences announced none have reportedly been carried out.

The situation remains tense as the Congolese government navigates the balance between maintaining security and upholding human rights, reflecting broader societal challenges that contribute to crime.

In Tunisia, Ayachi Zammel, a former lawmaker and leader of a liberal party faces a 12-year prison sentence ahead of the upcoming presidential elections on October 6. This ruling marks the third prison sentence Zammel has received in the past two weeks causing significant concern about the integrity of the electoral process.

Zammel’s recent legal troubles involve accusations related to voter endorsements. On September 18, he was sentenced to 20 months for allegedly falsifying signatures to support his candidacy. Following that, a Jendouba court handed him a six-month sentence for using a fraudulent certificate. Despite these legal challenges, Massoudi maintains that Zammel is still a candidate for the presidency.

His arrest on September 2 occurred just before Tunisia’s electoral authority confirmed Zammel’s place on the final list of candidates. The political landscape surrounding the election is fraught with tension as many anticipate that the process could be rigged to favor the incumbent president, Kais Saied, who is seeking a second term. Saied took office after the 2019 elections but has since consolidated power through significant political maneuvers including shutting down parliament and ruling by decree.

Concerns have been raised by opposition and civil society groups about the fairness of the electoral process especially since around 14 candidates were rejected leaving only Zammel and Zouhair Maghzaoui from the left-wing nationalist People’s Movement as challengers to Saied. The situation for Zammel is further complicated by the arrest of his party’s treasurer on similar charges indicating a troubling pattern of political repression in Tunisia in the lead-up to the elections.

Algerians are participating in a presidential election in which incumbent Abdelmadjid Tebboune is expected to secure a second term. Polling stations opened at 8:00 am local time on Saturday, with over 24 million registered voters. More than 800,000 expatriate Algerians, primarily in France, began voting on September 2.

Tebboune, 78, is facing two challengers: Abdelaali Hassani Cherif, 57, and Youcef Aouchiche, 41. Although 15 candidates sought to enter the race, only Hassani Cherif and Aouchiche gathered sufficient signatures to qualify. Neither poses a significant challenge to the military establishment, which has maintained considerable influence since the 1960s.

Campaign rallies for this election, rescheduled from December to an earlier date, have struggled to generate excitement, partly due to the summer heat. Political commentator Mohamed Hennad has suggested that the election’s outcome seems predetermined given the restrictive campaigning conditions.

A major challenge for Tebboune is boosting voter turnout, which was under 40% during his first election in 2019 and dropped to about 30% in the 2021 legislative elections. “The president is keen to have a significant turnout,” said Hasni Abidi, an analyst at the Geneva-based CERMAM study center.

These low turnout figures have coincided with the Hirak pro-democracy protests that led to the ousting of Tebboune’s predecessor, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, which were subsequently suppressed through intensified policing and mass arrests.

With over half of Algeria’s 45 million population being young, all candidates are trying to engage this demographic by promising to improve living standards and reduce reliance on hydrocarbons. Tebboune has highlighted his economic achievements during his first term, citing job creation and wage increases in Africa’s largest natural gas exporter.

If re-elected, Tebboune is expected to continue focusing on enhancing energy exports while implementing limited pro-business reforms and maintaining generous subsidies, all while exercising tight control over dissent.

His challengers have pledged to promote greater freedoms. Aouchiche has committed to releasing political prisoners through an amnesty and revising restrictive laws related to media and terrorism, while Hassani Cherif advocates for the restoration of civil liberties curtailed in recent years.

Preliminary results may be announced as early as Saturday night, with the electoral authority, expected to release official results by Sunday.

Officials in Rubavu district have confirmed death of one person and several dozens others injured in a crush at an election rally for Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame.

The official campaigns for July General elections started on Saturday Jun 22. The flag bearer for the Rwandan Patriotic Front who is also the incumbent president, Paul Kagame held two rallies in the northern part of the country during the weekend.

On Sunday June 23 in Rubavu district, 37 people were injured. Four of those were hospitalised with severe injuries. This was confirmed by the Ministry of Local Government.

Kagame who is running for a fourth term has been Rwanda’s de facto leader since 1994. After capturing power, his then rebel group, Rwanda Patriotic Front fronted Pasteur Bizimungu as their president and Kagame as his deputy until the year 2000. Bizimungu resigned his ‘ceremonial’ position and eventually ‘the power wielding’ Kagame was elected president by parliament. They took the reigns after seizing power at the end of a genocide which claimed lives of over 800000 people in one hundred days.

The 66-year-old president has been criticised by civil rights groups for cracking whips on the opposition but he has not minced his words while defending Rwanda’s record on human rights, saying his country respects political freedoms.

In the last presidential elections which were held in 2017, the incumbent won with nearly 99% of the votes cast defeating the same people he has in the race for the July 15 polls.

Sunday’s occurrences compelled the Ministry of Local Government to remind all those participating in the campaign activities to follow guidelines handed down to ensure safety of those taking part in the process.

Rwandan Patriotic Front expressed their grief and extended condolences to the family of the deceased and pledged to closely watch over those injured in the stampede.

Paul Kagame will face off with two other candidates in the race to become Rwanda’s president.The two are Frank Habineza of Democratic Green Party and the independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana.

Diane Rwigara, a beknown critic of the reigning president was denied chance to contest in the forthcoming presidential elections on what observers and analysts called “politically cooked up charges” but the electoral commission came out to say that Rwigara failed to avail correct documentation as proof that she did not have any criminal record. The electoral body further said that she had failed to show that she had enough support throughout the country to stand for the country’s biggest seat.

However, Rwigara who was also denied chance to participate in the 2017 polls, did not agree with the reasons that were being fronted against her intentions to serve the country alledging that she had been cheated out of her right to campaign.

On July 15,Rwandans will be going to polls to choose their next president and legislators. Observers say that Mr.Kagame is in a pole position to scoop victory in next month’s polls.