Minister Nduhungirehe delivered the remarks during the Second Ministerial Conference on Peacekeeping in Francophone Environments held in Rabat on May 20, 2026, where Rwanda participated alongside member states and partners of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.

During his address, Minister Nduhungirehe emphasized that modern peacekeeping missions are increasingly operating in highly complex security environments marked by asymmetric conflicts, the proliferation of armed groups, the use of mercenaries, and the spread of disinformation and hate speech amplified by digital technologies.

He warned that hate speech and manipulation of information often precede mass atrocities and genocides, stressing that misinformation not only threatens civilian protection but also undermines the credibility and effectiveness of peacekeeping missions.

The minister said peacekeeping should not be viewed as an end in itself, but rather as part of a broader political strategy aimed at addressing the root causes of conflicts.

He advocated for a more comprehensive approach to conflict management built around three complementary pillars: conflict prevention, peacekeeping, and peacebuilding.

Minister Nduhungirehe also called for stronger African-led conflict prevention mechanisms, particularly early warning systems and the African Union Panel of the Wise, to help anticipate crises before they escalate into large-scale conflicts.

Reaffirming Rwanda’s commitment to international peacekeeping efforts, he noted that Rwanda remains the leading Francophone contributor of troops to United Nations peacekeeping missions.

The minister further highlighted the growing importance of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, in improving the effectiveness, transparency, and coordination of peace operations, while stressing the need to respect international humanitarian law and accountability principles.

He also praised the role of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie in strengthening the linguistic capacities of peacekeeping contingents and improving interoperability in Francophone peacekeeping environments.

The conference brought together ministers, diplomats, defense officials, and international partners to discuss evolving peacekeeping challenges and ways to improve coordination and operational effectiveness in Francophone environments.