Latest Democratic Republic of the Congo News
Red Cross envoy: Congo conflict has worsened with sharp increases in sexual violence and wounded
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The decades-old conflict in Congo’s mineral-rich east has “drastically deteriorated” since early 2022, and gotten even worse since last October, with sharp increases in sexual violence, the number of wounded, and child recruitment, the top Red Cross official in the...
AP PHOTOS: In the spirit of perseverance, artists flock to Congo's biggest dance festival
GOMA, Congo (AP) — For Virginie Magumba, a 22-year-old professional dancer from Goma, in eastern Congo, dancing is more than just a career. “Dancing helps me liberate myself, manage my emotions, and not feel all alone,” she said. “All that I have become I owe to dancing.” ...
As the number of displaced people surges, an 'Inflatable Refugee' in Barcelona sparks questions
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Hugging his knees and clad in a bright orange life vest, the giant “Inflatable Refugee” looks vulnerable as he sits alone in a sea of empty red velvet chairs. Belgian visual artists Schellekens & Peleman, who created the figure in 2015 following the refugee crisis...
Sudan tops UN envoy's concerns about children caught in conflicts, with Congo and Haiti next
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United Nations envoy charged with reporting on violations against children in conflicts around the world said Thursday that first and foremost she is worried about what’s happening to youngsters in war-torn Sudan, followed by Congo and Haiti. Virginia...
Aspects of US restrictions on asylum-seekers may violate international protections, UNHCR chief says
GENEVA (AP) — The head of the U.N. refugee agency said Thursday he understands that the Biden administration enacted new restrictions on asylum-seekers entering the United States, but cautioned that some aspects of the executive order may violate refugee protection required under international...
More than 80 passengers killed in the latest boat accident in Congo
KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — A boat carrying more than 270 passengers has capsized on a river near Congo's capital of Kinshasa, leaving more than 80 dead, President Félix Tshisekedi said Wednesday. It was the latest deadly boat accident in the central African country where overloading...
UN says violence against children in conflict reached extreme levels in 2023, including in Gaza
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Violence against children caught in multiplying and escalating conflicts reached “extreme levels” in 2023, with an unprecedented number of killings and injuries in crises, from Israel and the Palestinian territories to Sudan, Myanmar and Ukraine, according to a new U.N....
3 Americans implicated in a coup attempt in Congo go on trial before a military court
KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Three Americans accused of being involved in last month's coup attempt in Congo appeared in a military court in the country's capital, Kinshasa, on Friday, along with dozens of other defendants who were lined up on plastic chairs before the judge on the first day of the...
Fire at a displacement camp in Congo leaves dozens of families without shelter, UN says
GOMA, Congo (AP) — A fire at a displacement camp in eastern Congo destroyed around 50 makeshift tents, leaving dozens of families without shelter, according to the United Nations, which said the fire is believed to have started during cooking at a camp. The Muganga displaced people...
Asylum-seekers looking for shelter set up encampment in Seattle suburb
BELLINGHAM, Wash. (AP) — Asylum-seekers who have been looking for shelter in Washington state, mainly from Angola, Congo and Venezuela, have set up an encampment in a Seattle suburb. The asylum-seekers moved to the site next to an empty motel south of Seattle in Kent, on Saturday,...