Peace talks between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to end the conflict in eastern Congo collapsed on December 15th due to disagreements over direct dialogue with the M23 rebel group. The failure of the summit, mediated by Angola under the African Union, highlights the significant challenges to finding a peaceful resolution, leaving thousands displaced and the humanitarian crisis unresolved.
A Chinese mining company, Kimia Mining Investment, has been accused of illegally expanding its operations within Congo’s Okapi Wildlife Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This expansion, spanning eight years, has resulted in significant environmental damage and threatens the reserve’s unique biodiversity, including the endangered okapi. Despite conflicting statements from the company and Congolese authorities, evidence suggests widespread environmental destruction and human rights violations.
In the mining town of Kamituga, Congo, an mpox outbreak is disproportionately affecting sex workers. Stigma, lack of access to healthcare, and limited resources are leaving them vulnerable to infection and economic hardship. This article explores the challenges faced by sex workers, the crucial role they play in the local economy, and the urgent need for government support and awareness campaigns.
An unprecedented mpox outbreak is gripping eastern Congo, particularly in the mining town of Kamituga. The new strain is spreading rapidly among children, pregnant women, and other vulnerable groups, fueled by a lack of funds, vaccines, and information. The situation highlights the urgent need for resources and a better understanding of the disease to combat this growing crisis.
This article recounts a captivating journey to the Republic of Congo, a country often overshadowed by its conflict-ridden neighbor, the DRC. The writer explores the Odzala-Kokoua National Park, a biodiverse haven home to western lowland gorillas, forest elephants, and countless other species. The experience highlights the beauty and fragility of this untouched wilderness and underscores the importance of responsible tourism in preserving its ecological treasures.
The Democratic Republic of Congo received its first shipment of mpox vaccines on Thursday, marking a significant step in combating the ongoing outbreak. This comes after the World Health Organization declared the mpox outbreaks in 12 African countries a global health emergency. The vaccines, donated by the European Union, are expected to help address the inequity in access to vaccines between African nations and wealthier countries.
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.
