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Places in News: Rwanda
Context: Rwanda has recently been in the global spotlight following its agreement with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to draft a peace deal aimed at ending violence in eastern DRC, with the US playing a key mediating role.
About Rwanda
- Location: A landlocked country located in East-Central Africa, just south of the Equator.
- Geographical Position: Rwanda lies entirely in the Southern Hemisphere and is part of the African Great Lakes region.
- Capital: Kigali.
- Currency: Rwandan Franc (RWF).
- Neighbouring Countries: Bordered by Uganda to the north, Tanzania to the east, Burundi to the south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west.
- Geography:
- Rwanda is known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills” due to its mountainous terrain.
- The country is dominated by a central plateau and a series of rolling hills, with mountains in the west and savanna to the east.
- Major Physical Features:
- Volcanic Mountains: The Virunga Mountains in the northwest, home to Mount Karisimbi (Rwanda’s highest peak at 4,507 meters).
- Lakes: Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s Great Lakes, lies on the western border with the DRC.
- Rivers: The Nyabarongo River, part of the upper headwaters of the Nile, is a major river.The Kagera River, the most distant headstream of the Nile, flows through Rwanda.
- Seismic Activity: Rwanda lies in a tectonically active region associated with the East African Rift System, leading to occasional earthquakes and volcanic activity.
- Wildlife:
- Famous for its mountain gorillas, especially in Volcanoes National Park.
- Other wildlife includes golden monkeys, elephants, lions, leopards, and a variety of bird species.
- Conservation efforts have made Rwanda a model for gorilla and wildlife protection.
Recent Developments
- Bukavu Seizure: On February 16, 2025, M23 rebels, reportedly backed by Rwanda, reached central Bukavu and took control of the South Kivu province administrative office with little resistance. The situation caused panic, looting, and mass civilian displacement.
- Military Presence:
- Rwanda is said to have deployed around 4,000 troops in support of M23, though it denies direct involvement.
- Congolese forces are supported by troops from Burundi (in Bukavu) and South Africa (in Goma).
- Peace Deal Initiative:
- Under US mediation, Rwanda and DRC have agreed to draft a peace deal by May 2, 2025, aimed at halting military support to non-state armed groups and respecting national sovereignty.
- The agreement was signed in Washington, D.C., in front of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
- Ethnic Context: The conflict has deep roots in ethnic tensions, particularly involving Tutsis and Hutu militias. Rwanda claims it is protecting Tutsis in eastern DRC from hostile armed groups.
