The signing of a peace agreement between the governments of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda in Washington has elicited mixed reactions, with the former Congolese president, Joseph Kabila, describing it as “nothing more than a trade agreement”.

The deal signed on Friday demanded the “disengagement, disarmament and conditional integration” of armed groups fighting in eastern DR Congo – but offered few other details.

While some, including Kabila, have been critical, others have hailed the agreement as a turning point in a devastating conflict that has dragged on for decades.

Rwanda has denied allegations it backs an armed group, known as M23, which has been fighting in the eastern DR Congo.

The conflict escalated earlier this year when M23 rebels seized control of large parts of eastern DR Congo, including the regional capital, Goma, the city of Bukavu and two airports.

Thousands of people have been killed and hundreds of thousands of civilians forced from their homes following the recent rebel offensive.

After the loss of territory, DR Congo’s government turned to the US for help, reportedly offering access to critical minerals in exchange for security guarantees. Eastern DR Congo is rich in coltan and other resources vital to the global electronics industries.

In a post on X following the signing of the agreement on Friday, Kabila questioned the choice of the deal’s participants, saying the DR Congo was not at war with the states depicted in a photo of the signing, which included President Donald Trump and other US officials, as well as Rwanda’s foreign minister.

It is not entirely clear if his comments were an indirect criticism of the absence of M23 representatives in Washington.

“We must stop distorting the facts to disguise a propaganda agenda,” Kabila said, adding “Congolese people deserve the truth, not a diplomatic show”.

The absence of M23 representatives was also noted in the rebel-held city of Goma in eastern DR Congo.

“How can they say they signed for peace, yet they have not involved M23?” a resident questioned, adding the rebels ought to have been included in the talks for “collective peace” to be found.

Another resident, a commercial motorbike rider told the BBC, “people are tired, they are not interested in talks”, insisting “all they want is peace”.

He argued that previous peace talks and agreements were not endorsed or implemented by the conflicting parties, leaving little hope for a return to normality.

Similarly, Sam Zarifi, executive director at Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), an international NGO that has worked in the DRC for more than a decade, said the Washington-brokered agreement is replete with “major omissions”.

“There can be no durable peace without meaningful justice. But the agreement…sidelines human rights and fails survivors,” Mr Zarifi said.

He added: “The agreement overlooks how hostilities can continue through proxy armed groups that our research has shown are responsible for serious violations.”

Stephanie Marungu, head of a humanitarian organisation in Goma, was more positive.

“The signing of the deal…is a momentous and hopeful development for the eastern region,” she told the BBC, adding it could “lead to increased stability and it’s going to make it easier for us to deliver aid and access those in need”. However, she acknowledges there may be challenges in implementing the deal.

“If the agreement is what will bring peace, we have no problems,” another Goma resident said.

It remains to be seen what the situation on the ground will be going forward, with concerns that the Washington deal may simply enrich a few people with the country’s mineral resources to the detriment of ordinary people.

bbc.com

In a gesture that highlighted the close ties between Eswatini and its students overseas, His Majesty King Mswati III, accompanied by HRH Inkhosikati LaMagongo, gave each emaSwati student at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) a sum of USD 1,000 while the royals were touring the postsecondary educational institution in Kumasi.

On Friday, June 27, 2025, the King’s tour of the institution included the charitable deed, which was evidently joyful to the students who were studying far from home.

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, hosted a lavish supper on Friday night as part of King Mswati III’s engagement in Ghana, which included his visit to KNUST.

The Monarch and his spouse had an emotional meeting with the emaSwati students at the university prior to the great financial donation.

His Majesty was extremely appreciative of the favorable report that KNUST Vice Chancellor Professor (Mrs.) Rita Akosua Dickson had given him regarding the behavior and academic integrity of the ten EmaSwati students who are now enrolled at the university.

Addressing the students directly, King Mswati III lauded their dedication, stating, “We would like to encourage you to work hard and be good ambassadors for other emaSwati students who would like to come and study in this big university, which has a number of faculties.”

He emphasized that Eswatini continues to benefit from their hard work.

The King also disclosed that he had learned about the variety of programs offered at KNUST and the knowledge of its instructors via his conversations with the vice chancellor.

With the ultimate goal of making a substantial contribution to the growth of their country, he urged the students to make the most of their education.

“I hope you benefit a lot so that, by the time you finish your studies, you can come back home and add value to our development and nation building,” he charged them.

Highlighting their crucial role as a link between the two nations and institutions, King Mswati III added, “You will now be that link between us and the university. I would like to wish you the best in your studies and encourage you to continue to be good ambassadors. From your introductions, I could still see that you still show good respect, which is something we pride ourselves on, as emaSwati.”

During his visit to KNUST, the King toured the university’s facilities, including the E-Learning Center and the Opoku Ware II Museum.

On Saturday, June 28, 2025, King Mswati III is expected to return to KNUST to join Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II in celebrating the last day of the university’s ongoing graduation ceremony, which takes place over many days because of the vast student body.

Below are some pictures of the event:

Togo has suspended broadcasts by two French state-owned networks for three months for an alleged lack of impartiality in their reporting, a government agency in the West African nation said Monday.

Radio France Internationale, or RFI, and France 24, are the networks being suspended.

“This measure follows repeated failings, already reported and formally recalled, in matters of impartiality, rigor, and fact-checking,” according to a statement from the High Authority for Audiovisual Communication.

“Several recent broadcasts have relayed inaccurate, biased, and even contrary to established facts, undermining the stability of republican institutions and the country’s image,” it said. “Freedom of the press cannot be synonymous with disinformation or interference.”

The agency didn’t provide any details on what reporting by the French networks led to the decision.

The move to censor foreign media outlets comes as President Faure Gnassingbé faces increasing pressure from critics over recent changes in the constitution that could effectively keep him in power indefinitely. Critics have called the changes a constitutional coup.

Fabrice Petchez, chair of the Togolese Media Observatory told The Associated Press that while he understood the ruling, “we do not support the decision. We hope steps will be taken to quickly restore these media operations in the country.”

“But since early June, tensions have been rising, particularly on social media.” he continued. “I do hope, however, that a dialogue can be opened between the media concerned and the authorities.”

Protests are scheduled for next week following a crackdown on protests earlier this month.

Demonstrations are rare in Togo, because they have been banned in the country since 2022 following a deadly attack at Lome’s main market.

But the latest change in government structure has been widely criticized in a region threatened by rampant coups and other threats to democracy.

apnews.com