Kinshasa, DR Congo | AFP | In Democratic Republic of Congo, they call him “Doctor Miracle” for his surgical skill and dedication in helping women overcome the injuries and trauma of sexual abuse and rape. Denis Mukwege is a crusading gynaecologist who has spent more than two decades treating appalling …
Read More »Nobel Peace Prize to honour champions of struggle against sexual violence
Oslo, Norway | AFP | Champions of the fight against sexual violence, Congolese doctor Denis Mukwege and Yazidi activist Nadia Murad, a former captive of jihadists, will on Monday receive the Nobel Peace Prize, which this year highlights rape as a weapon of war. Murad, 25, and Mukwege, 63, will …
Read More »DR Congo election candidate campaigns in region hit by unrest, Ebola
Beni, DR Congo | AFP | A key opposition candidate in DR Congo presidential elections launched his campaign Wednesday in a city caught between an Ebola epidemic and militant attacks in one of the country’s most dangerous regions. Martin Fayulu, vying to replace President Joseph Kabila in the pivotal December …
Read More »Uganda and DRC agree on how to prevent ebola spread
Uganda vaccinates health workers against Ebola, fearing DRC spread Goma, DR Congo | AFP | Uganda has vaccinated thousands of health workers against Ebola to counter the spread of the deadly virus from its neighbour Democratic Republic of Congo, the health ministers of both countries said Wednesday. A growing outbreak …
Read More »Army clashes kill 18 in east DR Congo as election tensions rise
Bukavu, DR Congo | AFP | Clashes between the army and rebels loyal to a renegade former general in eastern DR Congo have killed 18 people, military sources said Monday, in the latest violence before crucial elections to replace President Joseph Kabila this month. Fighting killed 14 rebels and …
Read More »Six killed as rebels hit army posts near Lake Edward
Goma, DR Congo | AFP | At least three soldiers and three civilians have been killed in a rebel attack on the shores of Lake Edward in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s restive east, civilian and military sources said Friday. “We have three dead (soldiers) and four wounded,” an …
Read More »‘Possible terrorist threat’ closes US embassy in DR Congo for fourth day
Kinshasa, DR Congo | AFP | The US embassy in Kinshasa will on Thursday be closed to the public for a fourth day following “credible and precise information” about a possible terrorist threat, a month ahead of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s presidential election. In a statement on its website, …
Read More »In eastern DR Congo, 19 die of Ebola in five days
Kinshasa, DR Congo | AFP | The deadly Ebola outbreak which has ravaged eastern DR Congo for nearly four months has claimed another 19 lives in just five days, the health ministry has said. The outbreak, which began on August 1, has now killed 241 people, the ministry said in …
Read More »DR Congo ex-militia chief goes on trial for mass rape
Goma, DR Congo | AFP | A former milita leader accused of mass rape and crimes against humanity in the Democratic Republic of Congo went on trial Tuesday at a military court in the eastern city of Goma. Ntabo Ntaberi Sheka and his militiamen are accused of raping more than …
Read More »Thousands rally as Tshisekedi returns to launch DR Congo presidential bid
Kinshasa, DR Congo | AFP | Tens of thousands of supporters turned out to welcome Congolese opposition scion Felix Tshisekedi as he returned to Kinshasa Tuesday to kick off his campaign to replace President Joseph Kabila in next month’s election. “We will go with the people and we will win,” …
Read More »