DR Congo opposition rallies against reforms
Congo’s opposition leaders have called for nationwide protests against President Felix Tshisekedi’s plans to revise the country’s constitution.
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Congo
Plastic waste blocks Congolese dam, causing power outages
The crisis stems from increased plastic usage and inadequate waste management in the region
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ADF rebels kill 13, kidnap more in eastern DR Congo
Extremist rebels linked to the Islamic State group killed at least 13 people and kidnapped others in eastern Congo.
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Mpox cases plateau in DR Congo’s outbreak origin
The World Health Organization reports that mpox cases in the Congo region, where a new, more infectious variant emerged, are stabilizing.
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DR Congo’s mpox cases may be leveling off
Mpox cases in Congo appear to be declining, but health officials warn that the virus is still spreading in some areas and more vaccines are needed to stop the outbreak.
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DR Congo military helicopter crash kills three expatriates
A military helicopter crashed in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, killing three expatriate crew members.
DR Congo military helicopter crash kills three expatriates Read More »
Tshisekedi seeks to remove DR Congo’s term limits
President Felix Tshisekedi’s decision to review the constitution and potentially remove term limits has raised alarm among political opposition leaders.
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Congo conflict sparks mental health crisis
The years of conflict in eastern Congo have caused a mental health crisis. Aid groups are overwhelmed by the number of people seeking mental health care.
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ICC renews Congo probe into North Kivu crimes
The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor announced on Monday the renewal of an investigation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, focusing on allegations of crimes committed in the conflict-ridden North Kivu province since early 2022. Eastern Congo has long been plagued by over 120 armed groups competing for control of the region’s gold and other resources, leading to mass killings and one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises, with more than 7 million people displaced and many lacking access to aid. The most prominent rebel group, M23, gained attention over a decade ago when it seized Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, near the Rwandan border. The group is named after a March 23, 2009, peace deal that it claims the Congolese government has failed to honor. In August, clashes between M23 and pro-government militias resulted in the deaths of 16 villagers, violating a cease-fire intended to aid the displaced population. The ICC initially opened its investigation in Congo 20 years ago amid ongoing armed conflict. Last year, the Congolese government requested an investigation into alleged crimes by armed groups in North Kivu since January 1, 2022. Prosecutor Karim Khan stated that the recent violence in North Kivu is linked to a long history of hostilities in the region since mid-2002, and therefore, these new allegations will be included in the ongoing investigation. Khan emphasized that the investigation will not focus on specific parties or groups, but will aim to independently and impartially assess the responsibility of all actors involved in crimes within the ICC’s jurisdiction. The ICC has previously convicted three rebels for crimes in the eastern Ituri region, including notorious warlord Bosco Ntaganda, known as “The Terminator,” who was found guilty of murder, rape, and sexual slavery. His 30-year sentence was upheld by appeals judges in 2021.
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14,000 vaccinated against Mumps in Democratic Republic of Congo
More than 14,000 people have been vaccinated against mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as part of a campaign launched in early October, according to the country’s health ministry. Since the campaign began, approximately 14,180 individuals have received the vaccine across three provinces, the ministry announced on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter. The campaign started on October 5 in Goma, the capital of North Kivu Province. The DRC aims to vaccinate a total of 2.5 million people using 3.5 million doses, with Health Minister Roger Kamba noting that about 265,000 doses are currently available. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 16 countries in the African region have been affected by mpox, labeling the DRC as the epicenter of the epidemic. Since the start of the year, the DRC has recorded 31,350 suspected cases, including 992 deaths, and 6,169 confirmed cases, with 25 fatalities. The country is facing a high mortality rate due to late diagnoses and limited access to treatment, with only 41 percent of suspected cases tested in 2024. As of October 6, Africa has reported a total of 36,787 suspected cases, including 998 deaths, complicated by several clades of the virus. In mid-August, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared the ongoing mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security. Shortly after, the WHO declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern, activating its highest alert level for the second time in two years. Mpox, also known as monkeypox, is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which spreads through close contact. Symptoms include fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, muscle aches, skin rash, and back pain.
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