Latest Democratic Republic of the Congo government News
Congo finally begins mpox vaccinations in a drive to slow outbreaks
GOMA, Congo (AP) — Congolese authorities Saturday began vaccinations against mpox, nearly two months after the disease outbreak that spread from Congo to several African countries and beyond was declared a global emergency by the World Health Organization. The 265,000 doses donated...
At least 78 people died when a boat with 278 on board capsized in eastern Congo, official says
GOMA, Congo (AP) — At least 78 people died when an overcrowded boat capsized on Lake Kivu in eastern Congo on Thursday, a local governor said. A frantic search and rescue operation was underway hours later as many remained unaccounted for from the vessel, believed to have had 278 people on board....
Rebel group in Congo generates $300,000 monthly in seized mining area, UN official says
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — A rebel group in Congo generates around $300,000 a month in revenue through its control of a mining area in the east of the country, a U.N. official said. In April, the M23 — a rebel group with alleged links to Rwanda — seized the Rubaya mining area in...
Aid group says Congo had 25,000 victims of sexual violence last year
KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Doctors Without Borders treated more than 25,000 victims of sexual violence in the Congo last year, by far the highest level it has seen there and most of it in the east where armed groups vie for power, the aid group said Monday. The vast majority of victims...
Rwanda's army and an armed group shelled displaced people camps in Congo, rights group says
KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Rwanda's army and a militia it backs shelled camps for displaced people in eastern Congo, Human Rights Watch said. It also accused Congo of abuses against civilians. A report by the group released Thursday said that since the beginning of the year, Rwanda's...
Protesters in Congo call for the release of political prisoners, including 3 top opposition figures
KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Hundreds protested in front of Congo's top court Wednesday to demand the release of political prisoners, including the country’s three most prominent opposition figures imprisoned on charges the opposition says are politically motivated. Felix Tshisekedi,...
Thousands of ill inmates released from Congo's main prison to ease overcrowding
KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Nearly 1,700 ill inmates were released Monday from Congo’s largest prison, the minister of justice said, as part of an effort to thin out the country's overcrowded prisons. The operation took place at Makala Central Prison in the capital Kinshasa on Monday...
Rwanda begins vaccinations against mpox amid a call for more doses for Africa
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Rwanda has started a vaccination campaign against mpox with 1,000 doses of the vaccine it obtained from Nigeria under an agreement between the two countries, the African health agency said Thursday. The vaccinations started Tuesday targeting seven districts...
The lawyer for 3 Americans facing a death sentence over Congo coup attempt files appeal
KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — The lawyer for three Americans sentenced to death in Congo on charges of participating in a coup attempt filed an appeal Tuesday, he told The Associated Press. A military court in Congo handed down death sentences last Friday to 37 people, including three...
How 3 young Americans ended up in the middle of a coup attempt in Congo and facing the death penalty
KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — A military court in Congo, one of Africa’s largest countries, has convicted three Americans and dozens of others of taking part in a coup attempt and imposed “the harshest penalty, that of death.” The court convicted the 37 defendants, including the...
