Demokratische Republik Kongo

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.

Government must ‘secure’ polls in key DR Congo vote due next month: UN envoy (13.11.2018)

With key national elections due next month in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), armed groups in the east of the country still threaten to derail the vote, the top United Nations official in the country told the Security Council on Tuesday.

Government must ‘secure’ polls in key DR Congo vote due next month: UN envoy (13.11.2018)

With key national elections due next month in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), armed groups in the east of the country still threaten to derail the vote, the top United Nations official in the country told the Security Council on Tuesday.

Problems multiply in Congo’s Kasaï (08.11.2018)

The Kasaï region in the Democratic Republic of Congo is struggling to recover from two years of intense conflict. The influx last month of more than 300,000 people from Angola, most of them long-standing migrant workers, has made a fragile humanitarian situation worse.

EU to renew sanctions on Congolese officials including presidential candidate, diplomats say (31.10.2018)

The European Union is set to renew sanctions in December on senior officials in Democratic Republic of Congo, including presidential candidate Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, four Western diplomats told Reuters. The EU imposed sanctions last year on Shadary, who served as interior minister, and 15 other...

DR Congo opposition parties agree to name unity candidate by mid-November (26.10.2018)

The Democratic Republic of Congo's opposition parties agreed on Thursday to name a single unity candidate by mid-November to run against President Joseph Kabila's choice in December elections.

Electoral process advancing despite threat of armed groups, UN envoy tells Security Council (11.10.2018)

December elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remain on course, but still face “major challenges”, including violence from armed groups in the country’s east, the top United Nations official in the country said on Thursday.

In DR Congo, UN Security Council says December polls are ‘historic opportunity’ for country (06.10.2018)

The United Nations Security Council is on a visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where on Saturday the body’s 15 members pledged to support the process in the run-up to long-delayed elections, set for late December, and called for the polls to be credible and peaceful.

UN Security Council heads to DRC ahead of polls (03.10.2018)

The U.N. Security Council is heading to the Democratic Republic of Congo this week ahead of December elections, amid tensions between Congolese authorities and the UN and concerns over a risk of poll violence.

Report of the Secretary-General on MONUSCO (01.10.2018)

Kabila tells UN to withdraw troops (27.09.2018)

Congolese President Joseph Kabila has called on UN peacekeepers to leave his country, lambasting two decades of inaction. Speaking at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, Kabila vowed to "oppose any interference in the electoral process under way" stating that his government would cover the full...

Peaceful elections pledged for DR Congo (26.09.2018)

Outgoing Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila pledged at the United Nations “peaceful, credible” elections would be held in his country as planned by the end of the year. His announcement calmed tensions that have seen dozens of anti-Kabila demonstrators killed by security forces...

Kabila candidate faces challenges in DRC election (19.09.2018)

Joseph Kabila's preferred successor as president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo will face a credible election challenge in December from two opposition leaders, the final list of candidates published Wednesday showed.

UN accuses DRC police of using force to break up peaceful protests (07.09.2018)

The U.N. human rights office accuses police in the Democratic Republic of Congo of violently breaking up peaceful protests ahead of the country's long-awaited election campaign.

DR Congo court bans Jean-Pierre Bemba from elections (03.09.2018)

The top court in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Monday excluded former vice president and opposition leader Jean-Pierre Bemba from standing for election because of a witness tampering conviction at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Respect for fundamental rights and freedoms key for peaceful polls – UN mission chief (27.08.2018)

Leila Zerrougui, head of the UN Stabilization Mission in the country, known by its French acronym, MONUSCO, briefed ambassadors on the latest developments related to the December vote, which will mark the first peaceful transfer of power in the country. However, key concerns persist, including...

Congo trial over killings of UN experts resumes after long suspension (27.08.2018)

The trial of more than two dozen people, including a former intelligence agency informant, suspected in the killings of two UN sanctions monitors last year in central Congo resumed on Monday after a 10-month suspension, defence lawyers said.

Congo rejects presidential bid of opposition leader Bemba (25.08.2018)

The election commission of Democratic Republic of Congo has excluded opposition leader Jean-Pierre Bemba and three former prime ministers from the list of approved candidates for December’s presidential election, which was published on Friday.

With DRC election in December, MONUSCO, squeezed by political and budgetary pressures, labors on (22.08.2018)

This is a delicate year in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with a general election scheduled for December, two years late, and a lot of unknowns about the resulting aftermath. … It is in this context that the United Nations’ largest peacekeeping in terms of budget and number of...

DRC wins the battle for stability, but not yet the war (15.08.2018)

Successful conflict management is hard to find anywhere these days - and often least so in Central Africa. It is all the more important then to look at recent developments in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and acknowledge that domestic opposition, coupled with regional and international...

UN chief welcomes DR Congo President’s promise to stand down (10.08.2018)

In line with constitutional rules, Mr. Kabila was due to end his mandate as leader of the Central African nation, in 2016. Following delays and subsequent political mediation, his term was extended until December 2017, but protests were sparked when polls were once again delayed by 12 months,...