Latest Democratic Republic of the Congo government News
Rights group demands probe of ex-governor, 2 army officers in Congo for possible humanitarian crimes
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Amnesty International called for an investigation Wednesday into a former governor and two top army officials in Congo for “possible crimes against humanity” during a deadly crackdown on demonstrators last year protesting the U.N. peacekeeping mission in the country. ...
Extremist rebels linked to IS kill at least 9 and kidnap 3 in eastern Congo
KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Extremist rebels linked to the Islamic State group killed at least 9 people, including an 8-month-old baby and a 14-year-old girl in eastern Congo and kidnapped several others, authorities said on Wednesday. Rebels with the Allied Democratic Forces attacked...
Fighting resumes in eastern Congo despite ceasefire between army and rebels
GOMA, Congo (AP) — Fighting between the Congolese army and the M23 rebel group resumed in eastern Congo in yet another ceasefire violation ahead of potential mediation talks, both groups said. The army said in a statement it inflicted heavy losses on the rebels in the Lubero...
Islamic rebels kill at least 10 people and abduct others in attack in eastern Congo, authorities say
KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — At least 10 people were killed and an unspecified number of others were abducted in eastern Congo by extremist rebels linked to the Islamic State group, a military spokesperson said Monday. The rebels with the Allied Democratic Forces, an IS-affiliate in the...
East African summit urges peace in eastern Congo but its leader skips talks
ARUSHA, Tanzania (AP) — East African heads of state made another push for peace in eastern Congo on Saturday but its prospects remained bleak following a regional summit that was marked by the Congolese president's absence and an early departure of his Rwandan counterpart. A...
An opposition Congo politician is sentenced to 1 year in prison for inciting civil disobedience
KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — A Congolese opposition politician was sentenced to one year in prison for inciting civil disobedience in what his political party described as a “blatant attempt” by the government to silence its critics. Seth Kikuni, the president of the political party...
Congolese police arrest 6 suspects over break-in into mausoleum of late independence hero Lumumba
KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Congolese police have arrested six people over a break-in and vandalism earlier this week at the mausoleum of the country's assassinated independence leader Patrice Lumumba in Congo’s capital, Kinshasa. During the break-in on Monday, a case containing a...
Southern African leaders resolve to keep troops in conflict-torn eastern Congo for another year
HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — Southern African leaders resolved Wednesday to extend for another year the presence of regional troops deployed to fight rebels in conflict-torn eastern Congo, and also pledged to work toward peace in Mozambique, where disputed elections stoked unrest. The...
Congo opposition leaders call for protests against president's plan to change constitution
KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Leaders of the main opposition parties in Congo called on Wednesday for nationwide protests against President Felix Tshisekedi ’s plans to draft a new constitution. Last month, Tshisekedi announced that a national commission will be set up next year to...
The mausoleum holding Congo independence hero Lumumba's gold-capped tooth is vandalized
KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Congo’s government says the mausoleum of assassinated independence leader Patrice Lumumba in the capital, Kinshasa, has been vandalized. It's not immediately clear whether Lumumba’s remains — a single gold-capped tooth — were damaged or stolen. A...