Tag: Congo

M23 Rebels Trigger Humanitarian Crisis Amid Regional Tensions

4Mar

By adminNo Comments

African Union, Congo, News, Rwanda

M23 Rebels Trigger Humanitarian Crisis Amid Regional Tensions

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is grappling with a deepening crisis as the M23 rebel group intensifies its campaign in the country's mineral-rich east, displacing tens of thousands and exacerbating one of the world's most severe humanitarian emergencies. As of today, over 50,000 people have fled their homes due to forced conscriptions and violent clashes, with the rebels' recent territorial gains reigniting fears of a broader regional conflict. M23's Rapid Advance and Forced Conscriptions The M23, a Tutsi-led militia widely believed to be backed by Rwanda, has made significant strides in eastern DRC since late 2024. The group captured Goma, the bustling capital of North Kivu province, in late January, followed by Bukavu, the South Kivu provincial capital, in mid-February. The...

Retreating Congolese Army Leaves Child Soldiers in Bukavu

19Feb

By adminNo Comments

Armed Forces, Congo, News, Rwanda, Violence

Retreating Congolese Army Leaves Child Soldiers in Bukavu

BUKAVU, Democratic Republic of Congo – In the ongoing crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Congolese army's retreat from the city of Bukavu has left a vacuum that not only M23 rebels but also children have filled, taking up arms amid the chaos. This development underscores the desperate security situation in the region as M23 rebels, with alleged support from Rwanda, continue their advance, challenging the sovereignty of Congo's eastern borderlands. A City Under Siege: Reports from the ground indicate the M23 rebels have entered Bukavu, a significant commercial and mining hub, following their capture of Goma, the largest city in the area, earlier this month. The Congolese army, known as FARDC, has reportedly withdrawn from strategic positions to avoid urban c...

Rwanda Accused of Fuelling Congo Conflict

10Feb

By adminNo Comments

Congo, Rwanda

Rwanda Accused of Fuelling Congo Conflict

African Leaders Demand Action The conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has reached a critical juncture, with African leaders convening an unprecedented joint summit of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on February 8, 2025, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The summit aimed to address the escalating violence fuelled by the M23 rebel group, which the DRC and international observers accuse Rwanda of supporting. The meeting underscored the deepening regional divide, with eastern African nations leaning toward dialogue and southern African states condemning Rwanda’s alleged role in the crisis. The leaders called for an immediate ceasefire, the withdrawal of foreign forces from Congolese soil, and direct talks with the rebels—a...

Death Toll Rises to 41 in DRC Attack by Islamist Rebels

11Jun

By adminNo Comments

Congo

Death Toll Rises to 41 in DRC Attack by Islamist Rebels

Masala, Democratic Republic of Congo – The death toll from a brutal attack by militants and Islamist rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has risen to at least 41, the government reported on Monday. Red Cross volunteers and local youths have been tirelessly searching for bodies since the attack occurred on Friday in the eastern North Kivu province. The villages of Masala, Keme, and Mahini were targeted in the violent assault. Armed men wielding guns and machetes unleashed terror on the residents, causing widespread panic and chaos. Maurice Kambale Mulehera, a resident of Masala, recounted the horrors faced by fleeing villagers. "We learned that our fleeing family members were killed along the way. Here we have two bodies, a girl and a boy. Look how they were killed," he s...

6Apr

By Guest ContributorNo Comments

Congo, Infrastructure, News, Safety, Transportation

Seven Die as Train Derails in DR Congo

At least seven people have been confirmed dead when a cargo train derailed in the South-East Democratic Republic of Congo, the second accident in the area in a fortnight. Confirming the incident, a local official from the National Railway Company said that the accident occurred in the village of Buyofwe, Lualaba province on Saturday. The freight train which was made up of eight wagons was leaving Tenke in Lualaba province for Kananga in the Kasai region. See Also: Terrorists Bomb Abuja-Kaduna Rail Track, Attack Train Passengers “Seven people died and 14 were seriously injured” in the latest accident, Lualaba Interior Minister, Deoda Kapenda, told newsmen on Monday. “The toll could rise because a large number of clandestine passengers were trapped under the upturned wagons,”...

Covid-19, Ebola, Measles in Congo… How prepared is Congo?

17Jun

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Congo, Ebola, News

Covid-19, Ebola, Measles in Congo… How prepared is Congo?

Africa against Triple Threat!!! As the world battles the deadly corona virus which has stretched the health facility of even the best health care systems in the world, the Democratic Republic of Congo seems even more embattled. The Central African country faces a fight against triple health threats- COVID-19, Ebola virus and Measles. Each of these diseases prove fatal when prevalent in a society, how much more when a single country has to contain the three simultaneously. Congo has currently recorded 4,974 cases of coronavirus with 112 deaths as at 16 June, 2020. Africa as continent has a total of 257, 843 cases and 6,926 deaths. It comes at a time when the country is equally battling a measles epidemic that has claimed the lives of about 6,000 people according to health reports....

Congo Witnesses New Ebola Outbreak – 17 Infected, 11 dead

15Jun

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Congo, News

Congo Witnesses New Ebola Outbreak – 17 Infected, 11 dead

The Democratic Republic of Congo is facing a new outbreak of Ebola virus in some parts of Equateur. Medical authorities on Monday said up to 17 people have been infected of the virus in the western province while a further 11 have died. Health authorities in Congo had last week reported 12 infections at a time when the country is equally battling a measles epidemic that has claimed the lives of about 6,000 people coupled with over 4,800 coronavirus cases with 112 deaths. The Central African country whose health system does not rank among the best in the African continent faces a tough battle against 3 deadly diseases. The National Institute of Biomedical Research has reported an increased spread of the virus since a cluster of infections were confirmed in the city of Mbandaka o...

Congo Loses Veteran Politician Pierre Lumbi to Covid-19

15Jun

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Congo, Covid-19, News

Congo Loses Veteran Politician Pierre Lumbi to Covid-19

Congo mourns the passing of veteran politician Pierre Lumbi who died as a result of corona virus. Lumbi who died on Sunday 14 June, 2020 was an advisor of former President Joseph Kabila and afterwards a figurehead in the opposition. He comes the highest placed victim of the novel coronavirus in Congo. He was equally a popular member of civil society in the 1990s, Lumbi held several ministerial portfolios before advising Kabila on security. Lumbi was elected as a Senator for South Kivu province in 2016 and worked as campaign manager for Martin Fayulu in his bid to win the 2018 election. Fayulu tweeted, “Very saddened by the death of Senator P. Lumbi.” He died at the Centre Medical in the capital city of Kinshasa, due to complications relating to coronavirus said his family. T...