Browsing: DRC

• WHO has warned that the conflict could wipe out any gains made in recent months in the fight against mpox.
• Across Africa, the DRC has evolved as the epicenter of the ongoing mpox outbreak recording 516 cases in the last week, along with 38 deaths.
• The humanitarian situation in the DRC is affecting not only mpox (response efforts) but also a number of other outbreaks, says Africa CDC.

As the M23 rebels advance on their onslaught across different areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the World Health Organization has warned that the conflict could wipe out any gains made in recent months in the fight against mpox.

Across Africa, the DRC has evolved as the epicenter of the ongoing mpox outbreak recording 516 cases in the last week, along with 38 deaths.

Last week, Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya told an online media briefing that “The humanitarian situation …

• M23 rebels reportedly at Kavumu, about 40km north of mineral-rich Bukavu area.
• UN experts claim the M23 rebels – one of over 100 militias seeking control in DRC’s east – is receiving support from about 4,000 soldiers from Rwanda.
• According to Kinshasa, Rwandan soldiers are pillaging valuable resources from the mineral-rich eastern zone of DRC.

As M23 rebels continue pushing deeper into the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after capturing the mineral-rich city of Goma, the city of Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, is on the verge of falling under their control.

Media reports show that M23 rebels are threatening to march to DRC capital Kinshasa as they push the government of Felix Tshisekedi on the negotiating table to meet their demands. “We will continue the march of liberation all the way to Kinshasa,” announced rebel leader Corneille Nangaa on Thursday, four days after the group confirmed the …

• Rwanda is fighting accusations of backing M23 rebel attacks in Goma, the most strategic city within the mineral-rich eastern DRC. 
• Already, the UN and other humanitarian agencies have pulled out non-essential personnel out of Goma.
• Early this week protestors in Kinshasa attacked US, Rwanda, Kenya, Belgian and French embassies, demanding decisive counter against M23 rebels.

The war in Goma has sucked in Rwanda with authorities in Kigali increasingly fighting an avalanche of accusations that the country’s military is invading the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in concert with the M23 rebels. According to reports from both local and international media, “The Rwandan army is lining up at the [DRC] border, ready to invade,” an anonymous source privy to official on the ground told media.

“Large numbers of troops from Rwanda have been pouring across the border into the Democratic Republic of the Congo to help rebels seize the regional capital …

• In Eastern DRC, dead bodies lie in the streets, hospitals are overwhelmed and there has been an uptick in reports of sexual violence, rape and looting.
• In Kinshasa, protesters have stormed and torched the embassies of USA, France, Belgium, Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya demanding push back against the advance of M23 rebels.
• UN says 300,000 people uprooted from camps around Goma in a matter of days.

Latest reports from Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) from UN teams on the ground indicate a fast-deteriorating situation on Tuesday amid an ongoing assault by M23 rebels on the provincial capital. Dead bodies lie in the streets, hospitals are overwhelmed and there has been an uptick in reports of sexual violence, rape and looting.

“Roads are blocked, ports are closed and those crossing Lake Kivu risk their lives in makeshift boats,” said Shelley Thakral, spokesperson for the UN World Food …

• M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, have seized Goma in eastern DRC, prompting accusations of a “declaration of war” from the Congolese government.
• The conflict has escalated tensions between DRC and Rwanda, with international calls for de-escalation and emergency summit planned in Nairobi to address the crisis.
• Thousands have been displaced, and the humanitarian toll continues to worsen in a region already plagued by decades of instability.

Gunfire echoed across Goma, the largest city in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as M23 rebels claimed to have seized the city on Sunday. The announcement by the Rwanda-backed rebel group came despite the United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) calls for an immediate halt to hostilities.

Goma, home to nearly two million residents, was thrust into chaos as reports emerged of exchanges of fire between DRC and Rwandan troops along the shared border on Monday.

In a statement on social media …

• Rights group has called on DRC President Felix Tshisekedi to immediately halt plans for mass executions of over 170 death row prisoners transferred to Angenga prison.
• Amnesty has condemned the move, citing concerns over fairness, human rights, and appalling prison conditions.
• Since the DRC’s resumption of executions in March 2024 after a 20-year moratorium, there has been a sharp increase in death sentences.

The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is facing mounting pressure from Amnesty International following the transfer of over 170 death row inmates to Angenga prison.

Amnesty’s Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Sarah Jackson, described the development as “absolutely appalling,” warning that these prisoners may face imminent execution amid opaque legal processes and alarming prison conditions.

“President Felix Tshisekedi must immediately, publicly, and unambiguously halt any plans to execute people in Angenga prison or elsewhere,” Jackson urged. Amnesty has also called on …

• Statistics show that the spread of mpox continues to worsen in Africa with over 2,500 new cases recorded in the last week alone.
• Epicentres the DRC and Burundi account for 86.7% of all new confirmed cases reported during the past week.
• To counter the disease spread, partners are supplying vaccines to nine hard-hit countries.

Mpox outbreak is reportedly worsening in Africa as the number of cases crossed 50,000 mark, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has warned.

The threat was announced at a media brief on Thursday by Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya, who highlighted that 19 African countries have reported 50,840 mpox cases, with 10,741 confirmed and 1,083 deaths since the start of this year.

“During last week alone, the continent reported 2,532 new cases, including 345 confirmed cases and 32 new deaths,” he reported.

According to the CDC Director-General, data from …

• The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has the world’s largest Coltan deposits of key minerals which Apple uses to make electronic devices.
• The government of the DRC is accusing Apple of using “illegally exploited” minerals extracted from its rich minerals controlled by rebels.

What if I told you that, your valued, expensive and widely cherished smartphone from Apple (iPhone) might cost more than its sold in child labour’s lives.

Coltan, key mineral in making mobile phones and laptops is largely found in DR Congo and tech giants – including Apple could be directly or indirectly involved in aiding child labour deep in Congo mines.

Media reports show that people across the developed world are boycotting the newly released iPhone 16. Protesters from London to Tokyo are demanding accountability over exploitation in mining that is used to extract the key element used in making the very phones sold across the globe.…

• With its multiple technologies, Bboxx is trailblazing in the green energy space, scaling its operations across Africa and projecting to offset over 20 million tonnes of CO2.
• Bboxx has been awarded Gold Standard certification for carbon credit programs based on solar home systems, clean cooking alternatives, and solar-powered water pumps.
• Implementing carbon programs allows Bboxx to accelerate market growth potential by reaching over 4 million customers in five African countries.

Rwanda-based Bboxx plans to offset over 20 million tonnes of carbon and generate $100 million worth of carbon credits through clean energy projects in Africa.

In this initiative, Bboxx projects to positively impact the lives of over four million customers across Rwanda, Kenya, Nigeria, Togo, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

These revelations follow Bboxx’s recognition with the Gold Standard certification for its continued rollout of clean energy projects in five African countries. This certification marks a vital moment …

• DRC announces receipt of the first shipment of 99,100 doses of JYNNEOS mpox vaccine.
• Africa CDC reports that another 100,900 mpox vaccine doses will arrive in DRC this Saturday.
• The country says the vaccination will prioritise health workers and vulnerable groups at higher risk of contracting mpox.

For millions of people in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the arrival of 99,100 doses of mpox vaccines presents hope and a lifeline as the disease threatens to damage the country’s socio-economic fabric. On Thursday, authorities in DRC announced the receipt of the first shipment of the JYNNEOS mpox vaccine.

This vital supply, facilitated by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and UNICEF, marks the beginning of a nationwide vaccination campaign aimed at curbing the rapidly escalating mpox epidemic.

The first batch of vaccines was officially received by DRC’s Minister of Health, Samuel Roger Kamba, alongside high-ranking …