Death as DR Congo capital faces heavy rains
The governor of capital Kinshasa has urged residents to take precautions and avoid littering to mitigate the risks.
Death as DR Congo capital faces heavy rains Read More »
DR Congo
Mpox deaths exceed 1,000 as outbreaks widen across Africa
Mpox-related deaths have surpassed 1,000 amid outbreaks affecting 18 of Africa’s 55 nations, according to the head of the Africa CDC, Jean Kaseya. This week alone saw 50 new fatalities, bringing the total to 1,100. Kaseya urged international partners to fulfill their pledges to support Africa’s response, highlighting a nearly $600 million budget for a six-month plan developed by Africa CDC and the WHO. Of this amount, 55% is earmarked for addressing mpox in 14 affected nations and enhancing preparedness in 15 others. Mpox, related to smallpox, typically causes milder symptoms like fever and body aches, but severe cases can result in lesions. Zambia and Zimbabwe recently confirmed new cases, with eastern DRC remaining the epicenter of the outbreak. The mpox virus was first identified in Denmark in 1958, and while it had sporadically spread in central and West Africa for years, a global outbreak began in 2022, prompting rapid vaccine distribution from wealthy countries.
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DR Congo’s ruling party calls for constitutional revision
Concerns rise in DR Congo as ruling party advocates constitutional reform that could lengthen Tshisekedi’s presidency beyond term limits.
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Congo elected to UN human rights council despite opposition
The Democratic Republic of Congo was among 15 countries elected to the Human Rights Council on Wednesday, despite opposition from the country’s critics. Benin, Gambia, Kenya, and Ethiopia were also elected as African representatives. These five nations will serve a three-year term beginning January 1, 2025. During the assembly, there was minimal opposition to Congo’s election, which received 172 out of 190 votes. Human Rights Watch, along with Congolese civil society and opposition parties, cited political repression, arbitrary detentions, and killings as reasons to deny Kinshasa a seat on this prestigious body. Congo’s human rights minister stated that the country intends to use its position to improve its human rights record. The UN Human Rights Council, established in 2006, is responsible for promoting and protecting human rights globally and addressing violations.
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DRC begins mpox vaccinations amid outbreak surge
After a delay due to logistical difficulties, Congolese authorities have started administering vaccinations against mpox in an attempt to curb the outbreak. 265,000 doses were given to the DRC by the EU and the US, have been administered in the city of Goma and north Kivu province, where healthcare resources have been stretched amid the surge in mpox cases. The country, which has recorded some 30,000 cases, accounts for more than 80% of all the cases and 99% of deaths reported on the continent this year. More than 850 deaths from the disease have been reported in the DRC this year. Back in August, the WHO declared that the surge in mpox cases in the DRC, which spread to several countries, constituted a global health emergency. Beyond the African continent, a handful of cases have also been recorded in countries including Sweden and Pakistan. Caused by a virus in the same family as smallpox, mpox was initially passed from animals to humans. It is transmitted from person to person through close contact with someone who is infected. The current outbreak has seen the spread of a new strain of the disease dubbed clade 1b, which is more serious than clade 2, which triggered a public health emergency in 2022.
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DR Congo boat disaster deaths rise to 78, dozens missing
A devastating boat disaster occurred in DR Congo, resulting in the deaths of 78 people
DR Congo boat disaster deaths rise to 78, dozens missing Read More »
Logistic issues delay rollout of Congo’s mpox vaccine campaign
The launch of a mpox vaccination campaign was postponed Wednesday in the Congo because of logistics issues, officials said Wednesday. “There is necessary equipment for the transportation of the vaccine in different parts and the authorities are working hard to make sure that the vaccine arrives on time and the date will be announced,” said Chris Kasita, director of the Department of Infection Prevention (PEV) in the Congo. The Congo has experienced an influx of mpox cases as the number has reached 26,267 with 833 associated deaths since the beginning of 2024, according to statistics by the World Health Organization and Congo Health Ministry. Despite the rising fear of additional infections, a new date for the start of the vaccination campaign has not been announced. The campaign was to begin Wednesday in Kinshasa and the most-affected regions in eastern Congo, including North Kivu, the south and central areas. The Congo has become the epicenter of the disease which is found in 14 countries in Africa including Burundi, Congo-Brazzaville and the Central African Republic, according to the head office of the African Union Centers for Disease Control (Africa CDC). A total of 265,000 vaccines were received by the Congo last month fom the EU and the US, manufactured by the Danish Bavarian Nordic laboratory.
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UN: Congo’s M23 rebels earn $300,000 monthly from mining
A rebel group in Congo generates approximately $300,000 per month from its control of a mining area in the eastern part of the country, according to a U.N. official. The M23 group, which is allegedly linked to Rwanda, seized the Rubaya mining area in April. This location is rich in tantalum, a critical mineral used in smartphone and computer production, contributing over 15% of the global supply. Bintou Keita, head of the U.N. mission in Congo, addressed the Security Council on Monday, stating, “Unless international sanctions are imposed on those profiting from this criminal trade, peace will remain elusive and civilians will continue to suffer.” Earlier this year, Congo’s government raised concerns about “blood minerals” in a letter to Apple, highlighting the challenges in their supply chain. The ongoing conflict in eastern Congo has led to one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with over 120 armed groups vying for control of land and resources. Many have been accused of severe human rights abuses, resulting in the displacement of around 6 million people. M23, or the March 23 Movement, is composed mainly of ethnic Tutsis and broke away from the Congolese army over a decade ago. They previously captured the provincial capital of Goma in 2012 and are currently threatening the city again. Congo has accused Rwanda of involvement in war crimes and of providing military support to M23, a claim Rwanda denies. However, Rwanda admitted in February to deploying troops and missile systems in eastern Congo for security reasons, citing a buildup of Congolese forces near its border. U.N. experts estimate that between 3,000 and 4,000 Rwandan troops are now operating alongside M23 in eastern Congo. Recently, a regional court in East Africa began proceedings on Congo’s case against Rwanda, alleging violations of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
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DR Congo calls for sanctions against Rwanda
The president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) on Wednesday called on the international community to impose targeted sanctions on Rwanda for allegedly supporting M23 rebel group. In his address to the 79th UN General Assembly in New York, Felix Tshisekedi accused Rwanda of “destabilizing” eastern Congo, where M23 rebels are fighting government forces. “The situation in eastern DR Congo is of particular concern. The resurgence of the M23 terrorist group has caused an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, with nearly 7 million people internally displaced,” he said. There was no immediate reaction from Rwanda. DR Congo and Western countries accuse Rwanda of backing the M23, one of the rebel groups fighting in eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo since its resurgence in 2021, a claim Kigali consistently denies. Kigali, in turn, accuses Kinshasa of harboring Rwandan rebels – the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), whose goal is to overthrow the Rwandan government. A recent cease-fire brokered by Angolan President Joao Lourenco has not been fully implemented, with fighting reported between government troops and M23 rebels in North Kivu province. Last month, the Congolese military accused M23 rebels of violating the cease-fire after fighting erupted. DR Congo has been plagued by violence orchestrated by different armed groups for nearly three decades. More than 900,000 people were recently displaced in the three eastern provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri during the first four months of this year, according to the UN.
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Hundreds of seriously ill prisoners released in DR Congo
The government is accelerating its plans to reduce the prison population, as conditions within Makala have been described as “true hell”
Hundreds of seriously ill prisoners released in DR Congo Read More »