Latest Democratic Republic of the Congo government News
Congo says several towns recaptured from rebels but fighting intensifies in its east
GOMA, Congo (AP) — Several towns that fell to armed groups in eastern Congo’s North Kivu and South Kivu provinces have been recaptured by government forces, a Congolese army spokesman said, even as the rebels have made advances in other areas amid intensified fighting in the conflict-battered...
Congo bans Al Jazeera over its interview with a key rebel leader and threatens journalists
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Congo on Thursday banned Al Jazeera satellite news network over its interview with the leader of a violent rebel group that has seized territory in the country's east in recent days. Separately, Congo's justice minister threatened journalists and others who...
Rwanda’s Paul Kagame urges Congo to negotiate with M23 rebels after they seize strategic towns
KIGALI, Rwanda (AP) — President Paul Kagame of Rwanda urged Congolese authorities Thursday to negotiate with a violent rebel group that has seized key towns in eastern Congo in recent days, widening its control over the region which borders Rwanda. M23 is the most prominent of the...
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...
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...
