Demokratische Republik Kongo

Ebola is real, Congo president tells sceptical population (16.04.2019)

Mistrust of first responders and widespread misinformation propagated by some community leaders has led many in affected areas of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to refuse vaccinations. Instead, they turn to traditional healers, whose clinics have contributed to the haemorrhagic fever's...

DR Congo troops kill 36 Burundi rebels in east (12.04.2019)

The Congolese army mounted a series of operations between April 6 and 8 in the eastern province of South Kivu aimed at regaining territory against the Burundian rebel groups National Liberation Forces (FNL) and the Burundian Republican Forces (FOREBU).

WHO experts to decide whether Congo Ebola outbreak is international emergency (10.04.2019)

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday said it had reconvened an expert panel to consider whether an outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. … Declaring the outbreak a “public health emergency of international...

UN Congo expert calls for rapid transition to avoid renewed violence (07.04.2019)

Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) new president must swiftly form a government and seize the moment as groups, anxious for political change, lay down their arms, the head of the UN mission in Congo warned on Saturday. … “It’s an extremely important dynamic that ought to be seized upon”, she said...

Congo arrests rebel leader wanted for mass rape (04.04.2019)

A Congolese rebel leader accused of orchestrating mass rapes and other atrocities has been caught, Democratic Republic of Congo's army said on Thursday.

Ebola cases rising in DRC, but UN health agency cites progress in community trust-building (29.03.2019)

A rise in new cases of deadly Ebola virus disease in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been announced, while authorities say that progress is being made in accessing communities that have been wary of outside help, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday.

‘Negative forces’ at work in DR Congo threaten ‘largely peaceful’ relations across Great Lakes region, says outgoing UN envoy (26.03.2019)

The UN’s outgoing Special Envoy for Africa’s Great Lakes region on Tuesday said countries there had made “important steps towards durable peace and stability” in the last 20 years, resulting in a region that is now “largely peaceful”. Said Djinnit, told the Security Council that “this progress...

UN envoy Leila Zerrougui: 'The security situation in the DRC is improving' (25.03.2019)

In an interview with DW the head of the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), Leila Zerrougui, acknowledged that there are still huge challenges ahead in the country, including the professionalization of the army and border control. But she feels confident that the...

U.S. sanctions Congo election officials, says they obstructed vote (22.03.2019)

The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on three senior officials from Democratic Republic of Congo’s electoral commission, accusing them of corruption and obstructing December’s presidential election.

Congo suspends seating of new Senators following disputed election (18.03.2019)

President Felix Tshisekedi's Congo government on Monday blocked newly-elected senators from taking office after a disputed vote that gave allies of his predecessor an overwhelming majority in the upper house of parliament. … Kabila's FCC coalition won 80 out of 100 seats, which are voted on by...

Congo president frees several political prisoners, 700 others (14.03.2019)

Congo’s new president, Felix Tshisekedi, pardoned three prominent political prisoners and 700 regular ones on Wednesday, state TV reported, a good will gesture signalling a break with a predecessor who had scores of his opponents jailed.

‘New waves of violence’ likely, UN warns, unless State acts to prevent intercommunal reprisals (12.03.2019)

New waves of violence” could erupt "at any time" in western Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the UN rights office warned on Tuesday, unless the Government acts to ease “tensions and resentment” between the two communities involved. Several days of planned and orchestrated killings took place...

Ex-Congolese VP seeks damages from war crimes court (11.03.2019)

Former Congolese vice president and militia leader Jean-Pierre Bemba, who was acquitted of war crimes by the International Criminal Court (ICC) last year, is seeking nearly 70 million euros ($75 million dollars) in damages. Bemba’s lawyers on Monday said paperwork had been filed requesting...

Report of the Secretary-General on MONUSCO (07.03.2019)

DR Congo's Felix Tshisekedi and Joseph Kabila agree to form coalition (07.03.2019)

DR Congo's recently elected president, Felix Tshisekedi and his predecessor Joseph Kabila on Wednesday said they had decided to form a coalition government following talks. Despite Tshisekedi's election—the first peaceful transition of power since the Democratic Republic of Congo gained...

Ebola likely to spread in eastern DRC as security worsens (02.03.2019)

The World Health Organization (WHO) says the deadly Ebola virus is likely to spread in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo because of deteriorating security in conflict-ridden North Kivu and Ituri provinces. … International efforts to stop the spread of the deadly Ebola virus in eastern DR...

Congo Ebola center set on sire after armed attack (27.02.2019)

Armed assailants attacked an Ebola treatment center in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday, setting off a fire and becoming embroiled in an extended gun battle with security forces, health officials said. … Dozens of armed militia also regularly attack civilians and security forces in...

Germany boosts support for tackling DR Congo Ebola outbreak (23.02.2019)

Germany, Japan and Australia have increased their support against an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Congo leaders pledge allegiance to former president (21.02.2019)

The former president of the Democratic Republic of Congo Joseph Kabila has made all the leaders of his political coalition pledge their allegiance to him. … The coalition was created ahead of the election and won most parliamentary seats. … The party leaders have now agreed to turn the coalition...

Police in DR Congo accused of extrajudicial killings (21.02.2019)

Human Rights Watch says police killed at least 27 people, some of whom were mutilated, during 2018 crackdown on gangs.

UN finds at least 15 mass graves in Congo after December violence (29.01.2019)

At least 15 mass graves have been found in northwestern Democratic Republic of Congo in the wake of three days of ethnic bloodshed in December, a spokeswoman for the U.N.'s MONUSCO mission in Congo said Tuesday.

DR Congo rebels surrender (26.01.2019)

Six hundred Congolese rebels whose conflict killed several thousand people in the restive Kasai region, have ended their war and surrendered their weapons in a sign of support for new President Felix Tshisekedi, local authorities said on Saturday.

Opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi sworn in as Congo president (24.01.2019)

Opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi was sworn in on Thursday as Democratic Republic of Congo's president, succeeding Joseph Kabila in the vast central African country's first transfer of power through an election in 59 years of independence.

Kabila, on eve of leaving presidency, urges unity (23.01.2019)

With less than 24 hours left in his rule, Congo's President Joseph Kabila urged the nation to “massively” support incoming leader Felix Tshisekedi after a disputed election that surprised the world by bringing an opposition leader to power.

DR Congo confirms record number of Ebola cases in one day (23.01.2019)

Drugmaker set to ship experimental vaccines by end of next month as DRC struggles to contain the virus.

African leaders back Congo president-elect after contested poll (22.01.2019)

Democratic Republic of Congo’s president elect Felix Tshisekedi received a chorus of congratulations from African leaders on Sunday and Monday in a growing sign that his disputed election win will not be questioned internationally.

Congo court declares Tshisekedi elected president (19.01.2019)

Congo’s Constitutional Court early Sunday declared the election of Felix Tshisekedi as president, rejecting challenges to the vote by runner-up Martin Fayulu, who had alleged fraud. Tshisekedi, son of the late, charismatic opposition leader Etienne, is now set to be inaugurated Tuesday.

Nearly 900 reportedly killed following ‘shocking’ intercommunal attacks in DR Congo (16.01.2019)

The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) said on Wednesday that at least 890 villagers were reportedly killed in the western Democratic Republic of the Congo last month, following brutal inter-communal clashes.

Congo under mounting foreign pressure for vote recount (14.01.2019)

Democratic Republic of Congo faced growing pressure from African neighbours and beyond on Monday for a recount of its contested presidential election in a dispute that threatens more violence in the volatile nation. … monitoring groups noted widespread irregularities including faulty voting...

Felix Tshisekedi: Opposition leader named winner in DRC poll (10.01.2019)

Opposition candidate Felix Tshisekedi has won the Democratic Republic of Congo's tightly contested presidential vote, the electoral commission says. The provisional result puts him ahead of rival opposition candidate Martin Fayulu who has denounced it as a fraud. France has also questioned the...

DR Congo candidate Fayulu denounces 'electoral coup' (10.01.2019)

The runner-up in the Democratic Republic of Congo's long-awaited presidential poll Martin Fayulu on Thursday denounced the results as an "electoral coup".

Restore internet services as 'a matter of urgency', urges UN expert (07.01.2019)

More than a week after voters went to the polls to choose a new President in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), results have yet to be announced and all primary telecommunications remain shut down – prompting a UN expert on Monday to urge the authorities to restore internet services as “a...

Regional observers endorse Congo's election - with caveats (03.01.2019)

Election monitors from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) said on Wednesday that Democratic Republic of Congo’s presidential election “went relatively well” despite chaotic scenes that prevented many from voting.

DRC blocks RFI broadcasts, cancels press accreditation for its correspondent (02.01.2019)

Government spokesman Lambert Mende accused RFI of discussing results and trends ahead of the official release. … RFI has defended itself, saying it respected the broadcast rules concerning Sunday's presidential elections and did not release any results.

DRC electoral fraud fears rise as internet shutdown continues (01.01.2019)

Fears of electoral fraud are rising in the Democratic Republic of the Congo after officials said a total block on internet connections and SMS services imposed after the chaotic presidential poll on Sunday could last for several days.

DR Congo presidential election postponed for a week (20.12.2018)

The Democratic Republic of Congo's long-delayed presidential election has been postponed for another week. The vote, scheduled for Sunday, is now due to take place on 30 December, the Electoral Commission said on Thursday. A delay in deploying voting materials to polling sites after a fire last...

DRC elections: ‘historic opportunity’ for ‘peaceful transfer of power’ says Security Council (19.12.2018)

As the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) prepare to vote in next week’s long-awaited presidential election, UN Security Council members on Tuesday expressed their conviction that the 23 December vote should be viewed as an “historic opportunity” for the country.

New UN rights report paints bleak picture in eastern DR Congo (19.12.2018)

Between January 2017 and October 2018, the deteriorating security situation in the province of North Kivu, which borders Uganda and Rwanda, coincided with an alarming number of human rights violations and abuses, said the report, jointly prepared by the UN human rights office (OHCHR), and the...

More than 100 killed in Congo clashes (19.12.2018)

More than 100 people have died in clashes between rival ethnic groups in northwestern Democratic Republic of Congo this week, local activists said on Wednesday. The fighting in Mai-Ndombe province is some of the worst to hit the normally peaceful area in years and comes days before Sunday's...

Congo fire destroys thousands of voting machines for presidential election (13.12.2018)

A fire overnight at a warehouse in Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, destroyed thousands of voting machines and ballot boxes that were due to be used in the Dec. 23 presidential election, a presidential adviser said on Thursday.

Congo faces pivotal poll after 2 years of delays (12.12.2018)

The December 23 elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo are the country's most important in more than a decade. After delaying a new poll for two years, longtime President Joseph Kabila is stepping aside. Two main candidates are vying to replace him, one is his handpicked successor, the other...

Congo police fire live rounds to disperse opposition candidate supporters (12.12.2018)

Police in Democratic Republic of Congo fired teargas and live bullets for a second day on Wednesday to disperse supporters of opposition presidential candidate Martin Fayulu, killing at least one person, local activists said.

EU renews Congo sanctions ahead of presidential election (10.12.2018)

The European Union renewed sanctions on Monday against the ruling coalition’s candidate for presidential elections in Democratic Republic of Congo, Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, and 13 other senior officials. The decision is likely to worsen relations between the EU and President Joseph Kabila’s...

Congo's outgoing president Kabila doesn't rule out running again in 2023 (09.12.2018)

The president of Democratic Republic of Congo, Joseph Kabila, plans to stay in politics when he steps down after elections on Dec. 23 and does not rule out running again for president in 2023, he told Reuters in an interview on Sunday. The long-delayed elections will mark Congo’s first democratic...

Congo arrests army colonel in connection with killing of U.N. monitors: lawyer (07.12.2018)

A Congolese army colonel has been arrested in connection with the killing of two U.N. sanctions monitors, a prosecutor said on Friday - the first member of the security services detained over the case.

Aid groups accuse UN of manipulating data ahead of Congo polls (05.12.2018)

Aid agencies working in the Democratic Republic of Congo have accused the United Nations of manipulating data ahead of elections to give an overly positive impression of the situation in a country beset by conflict and disease. They say new figures from the U.N. humanitarian agency that show a...

'Possible terrorist threat' closes US embassy in DR Congo for fourth day (29.11.2018)

The US embassy in Kinshasa will on Thursday be closed to the public for a fourth day following "credible and precise information" about a possible terrorist threat, a month ahead of the Democratic Republic of Congo's presidential election.

DRC's Tshisekedi returns to kick off presidential bid (27.11.2018)

Congolese opposition scion Felix Tshisekedi returned home to Kinshasa on Tuesday greeted by tens of thousands of supporters as he kicked off his campaign to replace longtime president and foe Joseph Kabila in December elections.

Seven UN soldiers killed in DR Congo (19.11.2018)

Seven U.N. military personnel were killed during joint operations with the Congolese military in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Six of the dead were Malawian, and one Tanzanian. Ten more peacekeepers were wounded, and another is missing, according to a statement from the U.N....

Two Congo opposition leaders pull support for joint election candidate (13.11.2018)

Two Congolese opposition leaders on Monday pulled out of a wider deal to support a single candidate in next month’s presidential election, seemingly ending hopes of a united front against the handpicked successor to Joseph Kabila.