The eastern Congo, ravaged by conflict and displacement, is facing a silent threat from a new strain of mpox. With limited access to medical care and widespread unawareness of the disease, the outbreak poses a serious danger to the already vulnerable population.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern, the highest level of alert, due to a severe outbreak in Congo. The outbreak has seen over 27,000 cases and 1,100 deaths since January 2023, and a new, rapidly spreading strain has raised global concerns.
While the World Health Organization (WHO) and Africa CDC consider declaring the escalating mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) an emergency, crucial vaccines might not reach the country for months due to limited supply, funding, and ongoing disease outbreaks. Despite the urgent need, experts fear that declarations alone might not translate into immediate action.
The African Union has declared a public health emergency in response to the escalating mpox outbreak across the continent. The move, which marks the first use of the African CDC’s continental security powers, aims to mobilize resources and prevent further spread of the virus. The declaration follows a surge in cases, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the virus was initially discovered in 1970.
Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a group linked to the Islamic State, has killed at least 12 people in several villages in North Kivu, eastern Congo. The attack, which occurred on Saturday, follows a recent surge in violence by the ADF, who are suspected of several massacres in recent years. The ongoing conflict in eastern Congo has displaced millions and highlighted the challenges in tackling armed groups vying for control of land and resources.
A $25 million shopping mall in Congo’s Lubumbashi, built with funds intended for a national ID system, highlights corruption and misuse of public funds. The project, benefiting a select elite linked to former President Joseph Kabila, has drawn criticism for its exorbitant cost and opaque financing structure, raising concerns among international partners and government watchdogs.
The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo has put a hold on its withdrawal, citing continued violence in the east of the country. The decision comes after the first phase of the withdrawal, completed in June, and is attributed to an escalation of clashes blamed on neighboring Rwanda’s support for the M23 rebel group.
A militia attack on a gold mine in northeastern Congo resulted in the deaths of six Chinese miners and two Congolese soldiers. The attack, claimed by the CODECO militia, highlights the escalating violence in the resource-rich region, where numerous armed groups fight for control of valuable minerals.
Attacks on two camps for displaced people in eastern Congo’s North Kivu province on Friday killed at least 12 people, including children, according to local officials, an aid group and the United Nations. The UN called the attacks a “flagrant violation of human rights and international humanitarian law and may constitute a war crime”. The Congolese army blamed the attacks on an alleged rebel group, known as M23, with links to Rwanda, while M23 denied involvement. UN experts and the US State Department have accused Rwanda of backing the M23, but Rwanda denies the claims.
The Ministry of Forest Economy and the Ministry of Cultural, Tourist, Artistic, and Leisure Industry of Congo are embarking on a multi-city tour in the United States to promote Odzala-Kokoua National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its exceptional biodiversity. The tour, spanning from May 2 to 13, will highlight the park’s significance as a global eco-tourism destination and its role in sustainable tourism and carbon credit initiatives.
