Latest Democratic Republic of the Congo News
Congo replaces top military chief and other senior officers as fighting in the east rages on
GOMA, Congo (AP) — Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi has replaced the armed forces chief and several other top officers in a major reshuffle while the military battles rebels in the country's eastern region, state media announced late Thursday. The Chief of General Staff of the...
At least 25 are killed and dozens are missing after an overcrowded boat capsizes in Congo
KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — An overcrowded boat capsized on a river in central Congo on Tuesday, killing at least 25 people, including children, and leaving dozens missing, officials and local residents said. The vessel was believed to have more than 100 passengers on board after...
Rwanda and Congo cancel peace talks to end a conflict in eastern Congo
GOMA, Congo (AP) — Planned face-to-face peace talks between Congo and Rwanda have been unexpectedly canceled, the Congolese president said. Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame were set to meet Sunday in Angola, which has been mediating the...
Fighting in eastern Congo between army and rebels intensifies ahead of peace talks Sunday
GOMA, Congo (AP) — Fighting between the Congolese army and the M23 rebel group intensified in eastern Congo in recent days ahead of much anticipated peace talks on Sunday, the army said. Congo's army accused the M23 of killing 12 civilians earlier this week in villages of the...
Authorities say the mystery disease in Congo might be malaria but more testing is needed
KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — The mystery flu-like illness that has killed dozens of people in southwest Congo in recent weeks might be malaria, according to results from laboratory samples of infected people, authorities said Wednesday. “Of the 12 samples taken, nine were positive for...
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. ...
Soros' Open Society Foundations say they remain focused on human rights
NEW YORK (AP) — Despite years of internal turmoil and changes, Open Society Foundations wants those in the human rights sector to know their movements will still receive support from the organization, its president Binaifer Nowrojee said Tuesday. The foundations, founded by...
Chinese gold mining threatens a protected UN heritage site in Congo
OKAPI WILDLIFE RESERVE, Congo (AP) — Scattered along the banks of the Ituri River, buildings cram together, cranes transport dirt and debris scatters the soil. The patches of trees are a scant reminder that a forest once grew there. Nestled in eastern Congo's Ituri province, the...
Takeaways from AP's report on Chinese gold mining threatening endangered protected site in Congo
OKAPI WILDLIFE RESERVE, Congo (AP) — For eight years, a Chinese mining company has been vastly expanding inside an endangered World Heritage Site, accused by locals and conservationists of decimating the environment. The Okapi Wildlife Reserve became a protected site in 1996, due...
A mystery illness has killed dozens of people in Congo. UN experts are now investigating
KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — The World Health Organization said Friday it was deploying experts to investigate a mystery flu-like illness that has killed dozens of people in southwest Congo in recent weeks. "All efforts are underway to identify the cause of the illness, understand its...
