Category: English

Source: APO

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• The Rwandan-controlled M23 armed group summarily executed over 140 civilians in July 2025, largely ethnic Hutu, in at least 14 villages and small farming communities in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
• The mass killings appear to be part of a military campaign against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a mostly Rwandan Hutu armed group formed by participants in Rwanda’s 1994 genocide, and other opposing armed groups.
• The UN Security Council and governments should impose further sanctions on those responsible for grave abuses, and seek prosecution of commanders implicated in war crimes.

The Rwandan-controlled M23 armed group summarily executed over 140 civilians, largely ethnic Hutu, in at least 14 villages and farming areas in July 2025 near Virunga National Park, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Human Rights Watch said today. Credible reports indicate the number of people killed in Rutshuru territory since July may exceed 300, among the worst atrocities by the M23 since its resurgence in late 2021.

Between July 10 and 30, M23 fighters summarily executed local residents and farmers, including women and children, in their villages, fields, and near the Rutshuru River across the Binza administrative subdivision (groupement) in Rutshuru territory, North Kivu province. Witness accounts, the UN, and military sources indicate that the Rwandan military, the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), were also involved in the M23 operations.

“The M23 armed group, which has Rwandan government backing, attacked over a dozen villages and farming areas in July and committed dozens of summary executions of primarily Hutu civilians,” said Clémentine de Montjoye, senior Great Lakes researcher at Human Rights Watch. “Unless those responsible for these war crimes, including at the highest levels, are appropriately investigated and punished, these atrocities will only intensify.”

From mid-July to mid-August, Human Rights Watch interviewed 36 people by telephone, including 25 witnesses, as well as local activists, medical workers, military and United Nations personnel, and other informed sources. Human Rights Watch analyzed relevant videos and photographs, consulted with forensic pathologists, and corroborated accounts using maps and satellite imagery.

Human Rights Watch compiled a list of 141 people who were either killed or are missing and feared dead. On August 6, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights reported that “at least 319 civilians were killed by the M23, backed by members of the Rwanda Defence Force, between 9 and 21 July in four villages in […] Rutshuru.” This figure corroborates information Human Rights Watch received from other sources. Human Rights Watch also received information that the M23 executed another 41 civilians between July 30 and August 8 in the Binza groupement, but this could not be independently confirmed.

Human Rights Watch wrote to Rwandan authorities on August 7 and Bertrand Bisimwa, the M23’s leader, on August 8 to request information about the killings, but received no responses. The Alliance Fleuve Congo (Congo River Alliance, or AFC), the politico-military coalition that includes the M23, on August 7 rejected the UN’s allegations. On August 11, the Rwandan government rejected the UN’s allegations that the Rwandan military was involved in the operations, and claimed that an armed group opposed to the M23 carried out the killings.

Human Rights Watch documented or obtained credible information about killings in July in the localities of Busesa, Kakoro, Kafuru, Kasave, Katanga, Katemba, Katwiguru, Kihito, Kiseguru, Kongo, Lubumbashi, Nyamilima, Nyabanira, and Rubare. These areas were then under M23 control, and several M23 commanders were identified at some locations.

Witnesses to attacks said that M23 fighters told them to immediately bury the bodies in the fields or leave them unburied, preventing families from organizing funerals. M23 fighters also threw bodies, including of women and children, into the Rutshuru River.

The mass killings appear to be part of a military campaign against opposing armed groups, especially the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, or FDLR), a largely Rwandan Hutu armed group created by participants in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.

In the killings reported to Human Rights Watch, most victims were ethnic Hutu and, to a lesser degree, ethnic Nande. The M23’s targeting of Hutu civilians living near FDLR strongholds raises grave concerns of ethnic cleansing in Rutshuru territory, Human Rights Watch said.

Human Rights Watch’s research indicates the M23’s military operations were carried out by the 1st Battalion of the 1st Brigade, commanded by Col. Samuel Mushagara and Brig. Gen. Baudoin Ngaruye, respectively. General Ngaruye is under UN sanctions for his role in M23 war crimes. Residents also described the participation of Rwandan military forces in the M23 operation, identifying Rwandan soldiers by their uniforms and their accents. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and military sources confirmed the Rwandan military’s involvement in the operations.

The Rwandan government, which effectively controls the territory the M23 occupies, should allow UN and independent international forensic experts, including the UN Fact-Finding Mission on Congo, to preserve and analyze evidence of war crimes.

The UN Security Council, the European Union, and governments should condemn these grave abuses, impose further sanctions on those responsible for abuses, and press for the arrest and appropriate prosecution of commanders implicated in war crimes. Donor governments providing military assistance to Rwanda should urgently review their programs to ensure they are not fueling violations.

The killings in Rutshuru territory come weeks after a preliminary agreement in a United States-brokered peace deal signed on June 27 between Congo and Rwanda, which requires Congo to implement a plan to “neutralize” the FDLR as Rwanda withdraws from Congolese territory. It also requires the parties to protect civilians, including by facilitating the freedom of movement of the UN peacekeeping mission, known as MONUSCO. The agreement’s Joint Security Coordination Mechanism should ensure that crimes committed in the context of any anti-FDLR operations are credibly investigated, Human Rights Watch said.

“The Rwanda-backed M23’s mass killings throw into sharp focus the gaps that exist between rhetoric on the international stage and the reality for civilians in eastern Congo,” de Montjoye said. “Governments seeking peace agreements remain bound by the laws of war, and those individuals responsible for war crimes still need to be fully investigated and brought to justice.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Human Rights Watch (HRW).

Source: APO

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The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) showcased its Hand-in-Hand Initiative at the start of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), underscoring how stronger Africa–Japan partnerships can drive agrifood systems transformation. The session brought together representatives from government and the private sector, as well as FAO experts, to examine how data-driven, country-led approaches under the Initiative are helping countries accelerate progress in tackling hunger, poverty, and inequalities.

Launched in 2019, the Hand-in-Hand Initiative now supports nearly 80 countries worldwide, with around half being from Africa.

Opening the session, Alue Dohong, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific, reminded participants of the urgency of the challenge: “Ending hunger and ending poverty requires nothing less than a transformation of agrifood systems, and financing and investment plays a key role.”

FAO’s Chief Economist, Maximo Torero, outlined how the Initiative uses advanced geospatial data and territorial approaches to identify areas within a country with the highest potential to reduce hunger and poverty, and then supports that country to design evidence-based, investment-ready plans to unleash the potential of the identified area via private and public financing. He presented successful cases already seen in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, and urged other African countries to join the Initiative.

Country perspectives followed, with Angola’s Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, H.E. Isaac Francisco Maria dos Anjos, presenting Angola’s investment priorities along the Lobito Economic Corridor and highlighting lessons learned in using data, innovation, and partnerships to attract agrifood financing.

“Our message to investors and partners here today is straightforward: Angola is ready. Africa is ready. We have the land, the water, the people, and a clear, data-driven investment plan,” he said.

Evelyn Heyi, Director of Agriculture of Kenya represented Dr. Paul Kipronoh Ronoh, CBS, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Agriculture of Kenya, and outlined Kenya’s efforts to harness technology, innovation, and partnerships to scale up agrifood investments and strengthen food security under the Hand-in-Hand Initiative.

“Through the Hand-in-Hand Initiative, Kenya has been able to build partnerships that strengthen our livestock value chain. By lowering the cost of animal feeds and attracting investment in technology and innovation, we are creating opportunities for farmers while securing food for our country,” she said.

Hand-in-hand with the private sector

The Hand-in-Hand Initiative, launched in 2019, now supports dozens of countries in transforming agrifood systems. It brings together governments, donors, the private sector, producer organizations, and civil society, using data-driven approaches to design evidence-based investment plans. The Initiative focuses particularly on countries where poverty and hunger remain highest, ensuring that no one is left behind. Both public and private investments are vital.

Akiko Shinoda, Executive Officer and Addis Ababa General Manager of Japan’s ITOCHU Corporation which has operated in Africe for over 60 years, underlined the opportunities for Japanese companies to engage in Africa’s growing agribusiness sector.  ITOCHU’s activities include trading in sesame, cocoa and coffee and investing in processing and community development initiatives.

“Africa is a continent of many outstanding quality products, but they are not yet well known in Japan. We believe it is important to promote African products such as coffee and cotton, and to build partnerships that benefit not only the seller and buyer, but also society as a whole,” she said.

Teruo Yoshii of Yanmar, a Japanese company with expertise in agricultural and industrial machinery and systems, highlighted the role of mechanization and innovation in strengthening Africa’s agrifood sector.

“Mechanisation can transform African agriculture. With our machines, we’ve seen that farmers can raise yields from three tonnes to more than four tonnes per hectare, increase their income, and improve their standard of living. Our goal is not only to sell equipment, but to help farmers build a more sustainable future,” he said.  

FAO at TICAD9

In addition to the Hand-in-Hand session, FAO is co-organizing two other events at TICAD9. On 21 August from 17:00, FAO will join the Forestry Agency of Japan, ITTO and partners to showcase innovative solutions for halting deforestation and forest degradation in Africa, highlighting links between sustainable agriculture, biodiversity and climate resilience.

On the final day, FAO is collaborating on an event looking at the role of nuclear science and technology in enhancing health and food security in Africa. Dongxin Feng, Director of the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, will present the Centre’s work on the Atoms4Food initiative.

TICAD9 is co-hosted by Japan, the United Nations, UNDP, the World Bank, and the African Union Commission and provides a platform to deepen partnerships between Africa and Japan. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.

Source: APO

SADC Member States have strengthened their capacity to implement the International Plant Protection Convention’s (IPPC) Generic ePhyto National System (GeNS) following a hands‑on training under the European Union (EU)-funded Support Towards the Operationalisation of the SADC Regional Agricultural Policy (STOSAR II) Project.

The week‑long workshop held in Johannesburg, equipped plant health officials with the skills, tools and national plans needed to roll out the ePhyto system – a digital platform for issuing and receiving electronic phytosanitary certificates. This training marks a major milestone in the region’s journey towards harmonised, paperless trade in plants and plant products.

In her remarks, the STOSAR Project Coordinator Elma Zanamwe, commended the commitment of the participating countries, saying, “The move towards digital transformation of plant health certification through ePhyto, will not only foster regional collaboration but is a reflection of the technical readiness and a shared commitment to secure, efficient, and eco-friendly trade facilitation. The EU-funded STOSAR II Project is proud to support SADC countries in taking this important step.”

The IPPC’s ePhyto Solution, including its GeNS platform, allows countries to electronically produce, send and receive phytosanitary certificates-essential for demonstrating that internationally traded plants and plant products are free from pests and diseases. Traditionally, countries relied on paper-based phytosanitary certificates, a process that could be slow, prone to errors, and vulnerable to document fraud. The lack of digital systems often led to delays at borders, higher administrative costs, and reduced competitiveness for exporters.

The adoption of ePhyto streamlines these processes, reduces trade barriers, and improves market access by aligning national procedures with international standards.

“This training is a step towards modernising our plant health systems and enabling smooth trade within and beyond the region,” said Esaiah Tjelele, SADC Secretariat Plant Health Officer. “By building the technical capacity of Member States to implement ePhyto, we are contributing to a harmonised and efficient trading environment.”

Over the course of the training, participants engaged in practical exercises, including:

• Setting up the ePhyto GeNS system for their respective national plant protection organizations.
• Simulating real transactions to understand the full certification process.
• Drafting country specific national action plans to ensure readiness for full implementation.

These training outcomes are expected to reduce delays and costs in plant product trade; minimise the risk of pest introduction through strengthened phytosanitary controls; facilitate compliance with international trade standards, opening doors to new markets.

The training also provided a platform for knowledge sharing among Member States, fostering a community of practice that will help sustain and expand the use of ePhyto in the region.

With national capacities strengthened and practical tools in place, SADC countries are now better positioned to advance plant health, promote safe and efficient trade, and move closer to a harmonised regional trading system. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.

Source: APO – Report:

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The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) has officially embarked on the development of its new five-year strategic plan, designed to align closely with the Government of Liberia’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.

Acting Finance and Development Planning Minister, Hon. Anthony G. Myers, who also serves as Deputy Minister for Fiscal Affairs, said the plan will serve as a roadmap to strengthen the Ministry’s role as the steward of Liberia’s national development strategy.

“This new plan will build on the lessons of the 2019–2023 strategic framework, looking at what worked, what fell short, and what needs to be scaled up or reformed,” Minister Myers explained. “The overall goal of the MFDP for the next five years is to strengthen the capacity of our workforce so that we can effectively deliver on our core mandate.”

He emphasized that a refreshed approach is necessary due to the many changes in the Ministry’s functions and mandate since its merger with the Ministry of Planning & Economic Affairs in 2013.

 “A lot has changed administratively, legally, and regulatorily.

We now need a strategic perspective that allows us to better coordinate, facilitate, and implement the ARREST Agenda over the next five years,” he noted.

Earlier at the launch, Deputy Finance Minister for Administration, Hon. Bill McGill Jones, outlined the planning process and urged full participation from departmental heads and unit leaders.

“Sit with the core planning team and consultants, share your priorities, and ensure your voice is part of this process,” he said. “As a team, our focus must remain on improving the lives of all Liberians, addressing challenges such as poverty, unemployment, weak infrastructure, and limited access to quality education and healthcare.”

The new strategic plan will not only align with national priorities under the ARREST Agenda but also reinforce the MFDP’s central role in shaping inclusive growth and sustainable development across Liberia.

The launch brought together Deputy Ministers, Assistant Ministers, Directors, and Assistant Directors from across the Ministry, symbolizing a unified step toward a stronger and more responsive MFDP.

– on behalf of Ministry of Finance & Development Planning: Republic of Liberia.