The Catholic Church, through the National Episcopal Conference of the Congo (CENCO), remains adamant on the issue of constitutional reform. It considers that, to date, there is neither a necessity, nor an opportunity, nor an urgency justifying an amendment to the Republic’s Constitution.

This position was reaffirmed on Saturday in Kinshasa by the Secretary-General of CENCO, Bishop Donatien Nshole, during a press conference on the country’s current political and institutional situation.

The prelate recalled that CENCO had undertaken a series of consultations with the country’s various political forces, notably the components of the presidential majority as well as the opposition parties, in order to gather their views on the debate surrounding a possible constitutional revision. Following these discussions, the Congolese episcopate states that it has found no sufficiently convincing argument to justify amending the Constitution.

Bishop Donatien Nshole also called on President Félix Tshisekedi to remain faithful to the oath he swore before the nation and before God at his inauguration. In his view, honoring this commitment is a moral and institutional imperative for the country’s stability. Any initiative aimed at undermining the current constitutional order would engage the personal and historical responsibility of the Head of State, he warned.

CENCO has also called on the international community to remain vigilant regarding developments in the political situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and to ensure that constitutional principles are upheld.

Finally, the Catholic bishops are calling on religious leaders to step up efforts to raise awareness amongst the faithful regarding the importance of preserving the constitutional order. They also announced that more detailed guidance will be issued in the coming days regarding the steps to be taken to support this civic mobilization

Written by Noé KALEMEKO

Caption: Priest Donatien Nshole. Photo by Cenco

The 1,000-case mark for confirmed cases of Ebola virus disease has been surpassed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This has happened in less than two months since the outbreak was declared by the Congolese Government.

The latest epidemiological situation report records 1,003 confirmed cases, including 254 deaths and 365 patients who are either in isolation or hospitalized.

The government cites a case fatality rate of 25.3 per cent, whilst the contact tracing rate stands at 58 per cent since the start of the Ebola outbreak, which has been declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization (WHO).

With 916 confirmed cases – representing over 91 per cent of the national total – Ituri remains the worst-affected province. Twenty-two out of thirty-six health zones there are affected. The province has recorded 205 deaths, corresponding to a case fatality rate of 22.4 per cent. Despite the seriousness of the situation, recoveries are being recorded: six further patients have recently been declared recovered.

North Kivu has 84 confirmed cases and 48 deaths, with a particularly high case fatality rate of 57.1 per cent. Eleven out of thirty-four health zones are affected. Local and national authorities are stepping up surveillance and care in an attempt to contain the spread.

In South Kivu, the situation remains more contained, with only 3 confirmed cases and 1 death in Miti-Murhesa. No new cases have been reported since 26 May, but surveillance remains active. Two patients there have been declared recovered.

In total, the DRC has recorded 1,003 confirmed cases and 254 deaths, representing an overall case fatality rate of 25.3 per cent. Currently, 365 patients are hospitalized or in isolation, whilst 100 people have been discharged from treatment centers after recovery. Contact tracing stands at 58 per cent in the affected provinces.

The Congolese Minister of Health, Roger Kamba, has announced that healthcare will be provided free of charge to residents of Ituri, in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The measure will, in particular, enable the faster identification and treatment of Ebola patients, with Ituri being the epicenter of the outbreak.

The aim is also to identify Ebola patients and their contacts more effectively, which will help to further curb the chain of transmission. Furthermore, the measure will relieve pressure on healthcare facilities that are keeping potential Ebola patients in their wards without referring them quickly enough to specialist centers.

Written by Akilimali Chomachoma, from Bunia

Caption: A nurse visiting her patients suffering from Ebola in the Rwampara Ebola center. Photo by Akilimali Chomachoma

The authorities at Garamba National Park, located in Haut-Uélé province in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, announced on Sunday 21 June 2026 a remarkable increase in the population of Kordofan giraffes, one of Africa’s most endangered subspecies. The Kordofan giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis antiquorum) found in Garamba National Park are classified as ‘Critically Endangered’ on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

To mark World Giraffe Day, the park reported that numbers have risen from 22 individuals in 2012 to 105 in 2026. According to the park’s managers, this increase represents one of the most significant conservation successes recorded in Central Africa in recent years.

According to park officials, this recovery is the result of a combined effort involving eco-ranges, researchers, local communities, technical and financial partners, and the authorities responsible for managing this protected area.

“A story of hope for the giraffes of Kordofan. From 22 giraffes in 2012, the population now stands at 105 individuals. This recovery has been made possible thanks to the security situation in Garamba, the eco-ranges, researchers, local communities, partners and donors,” states the press release from Garamba National Park.

The report on the site’s conservation status also reveals that no cases of giraffe poaching have been documented in the park since 2017. This is attributed to strengthened surveillance measures, an improved security situation and conservation efforts carried out in collaboration with local communities.

Park managers also emphasize that protecting biodiversity involves improving the living conditions of communities living around the protected area. According to a recent report by African Parks, thousands of households are benefiting from support programs in the areas of education, health and economic activities, thereby helping to reduce pressure on the park’s natural resources.

This approach is supported by a study published in 2025 on the Garamba landscape, which concludes that improving the livelihoods of local communities is essential for strengthening community-led conservation and reducing pressure on ecosystems.

Long threatened by poaching and security instability, the Garamba Kordofan giraffes now represent a symbol of hope for wildlife conservation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Environmental campaigners and scientists believe that involving local communities in management is one of the best solutions for the restoration and protection of these endemic species.

Written by Victoire Katembo Mbuto

In Butembo, North Kivu, men armed with bladed weapons abducted two people during the night of Monday 15 to Tuesday 16 June from the Mutiri Adventist Hospital in the Wanamahika health area of the Katwa health zone; one of them had tested positive for the Ebola virus.

Among those abducted were Ms Zawadi Manacée and her daughter Christelle Kavugho, who tested positive, according to a statement from the North Kivu Provincial Ebola Response Coordination Unit, which described the men as being “very angry”.

The response coordination team is therefore calling on anyone who may have information about the two abducted individuals to contact the health or security services, with a view to locating Christelle Kavugho – not only to ensure she receives treatment, but above all to break the chain of transmission.

“A month after the outbreak was declared, the disease is spreading faster than the response,” says Kate White, MSF’s emergency medical coordinator in the DRC, in a statement.

At the epicenter of the outbreak, a tense atmosphere prevails. In some areas, it is often a game of cat and mouse. Even before making the headlines over Ebola, the region was already known as one of the El Dorados of Congolese artisanal gold mining. Chinese, Indians, Arabs, Europeans and people of other nationalities were all trading in gold there.

Part of the population finds it hard to believe in the virus’s animal origin, suspecting instead that it was fabricated from scratch to scare off financial partners and exterminate the Congolese population. This false and harmful perception exacerbates the threat posed by the virus’s spread.

“We’ve had several disasters here, including the displacement of people, but no one came to help us. Yet now that Ebola – their creation – has arrived, they’re equipping hospitals and building an Ebola Treatment Centre. Don’t you see that this is suspicious?” Viviane, a resident of Mungwalu, told me.

The latest images on social media show people fighting to recover the body of someone who had tested positive and died. Young people are wary of the police.

This highlights the difficulty people face in accessing accurate information, particularly those living in rural areas. Local organizations complain of a lack of resources for their operations, despite being on another significant front in raising awareness. They are the ones who know the language and the context and are credible because they have spent all their time alongside their communities.

However, poor fundraising means that these organizations do not receive the grants needed to tackle rumors and misinformation about this disease.

Written by Akilimali Chomachoma, in Mungwalu

Caption: People working at night in the neighborhood of Bunia, Ituri. Photo by Akilimali Chomachoma

Caption: A team of SOFEPADI educating people in the village of Katona, Djugu territory. Photo by Akilimali Chomachoma

The 1-1 draw secured by the DRC Leopards against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal sparked a wave of jubilation in Goma on the evening of Tuesday 17 June. In several neighborhoods across the city, hundreds of residents took to the streets to celebrate this result, which many regard as a remarkable achievement for a Congolese team returning to the World Cup 52 years after its last appearance.

From Majengo to Trois-Lampes, via Mutinga, Entrée Président and the city centre, scenes of jubilation continued late into the night. Young people, adults and the elderly sang, danced and waved Congolese flags as the impromptu processions passed by.

The match had, however, got off to a poor start for the Leopards. Portugal opened the scoring in the 6th minute through João Neves. Although dominated early on, the Congolese nevertheless found the resources to level the score before half-time thanks to Yoane Wissa.

After the half-time break, the Leopards took control of the match, dictating the pace and launching wave after wave of attacks against a less enterprising Portuguese side. More aggressive in one-on-one challenges and better organized as a team, the Congolese dominated the second half, creating several dangerous chances before holding on to their lead until the final whistle.

As soon as the final whistle blew, several main roads in Goma were flooded with jubilant supporters. In some neighborhoods, members of the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), which currently controls the city, also joined the crowds in the festive atmosphere.

“We didn’t think we’d be able to compete with a team like Portugal after such a long absence from the World Cup. This result makes us very proud,” said Des Anges Kahambu, a mother we met in Trois-Lampes, in the Mabanga-Nord neighborhood.

At the Mutinga terminus, the atmosphere remained festive for much of the evening. Many young people dressed in the national colors were dancing to the sound of car horns and the chants of supporters.

“A draw against Portugal feels like a victory to us. It gives us a lot of hope for the rest of the tournament,” said Essaie Sibanza, a resident of the Murara neighborhood.

According to a psychologist from Goma who asked to remain anonymous, these moments of collective celebration play an important role in the population’s well-being.

“In a context marked by crises and tensions, football offers a space for social cohesion and psychological relief. People need these moments of joy. However, young people must avoid risky behavior, particularly speeding on public roads,” he emphasized.

Since Tuesday morning, a palpable sense of excitement had been evident in several parts of the city. At Birere Central Market, traders reported an increase in sales of shirts, flags and other merchandise bearing the Leopards’ colors. For many residents, this result is already one of the most memorable moments of this World Cup.

Written by Victoire Katembo Mbuto

Caption: Supporters of Goma in the streets after the winning of Congo national team. Photo by Victoire Mbuto

In addition to health-related challenges, medical teams must also contend with resistance from sections of the population who continue to question the very existence of the outbreak.

This attitude complicates awareness-raising efforts and often delays the treatment of people showing suspicious symptoms, thereby increasing the risk of the disease spreading within communities.

Misinformation has serious consequences, explains Dr Yannick Jobalo, who also practices in Bunia: delays in treatment and refusals of care hinder the eradication of the virus. “When there are confirmed cases somewhere, the surveillance team has to go there to identify contacts so they can be monitored and, if they show signs of the disease, automatically treated. However, if, unfortunately, they encounter skeptical people, the teams are sometimes turned away and tracking the virus becomes complicated,” he explains, before calling on the entire population to follow all the advice provided by health facilities in order to break the chain of transmission of the virus.

Another form of misinformation involves the promotion of traditional remedies or generic medicines falsely claimed to be a cure for Ebola.

In Bunia, for example, videos are circulating on social media promoting so-called local remedies purported to prevent or cure Ebola, including mixtures of ash, salt and lemon. This is dangerous misinformation that encourages self-medication and risks driving patients or suspected cases away from response teams, at a time when the epidemic continues to claim lives.

The problem is that local organizations lack the resources to carry out awareness-raising activities on the ground.

"Beyond the threats of physical violence against our staff, there are also significant financial constraints. Resources for responding to the crisis are, for the most part, being channeled into managing and controlling the epidemic, but the local organizations carrying out awareness-raising campaigns lack the necessary resources," says a representative of a local organization based in Bunia.

Written by Akilimali Chomachoma, in Bunia

Caption: Two SOFEPADI outreach workers raising awareness about Ebola in the village of Katsu, Djugu territory, on June 8, 2026.

For more than two decades, the illegal exploitation of natural resources has remained one of the main drivers of armed conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Among the most sought-after minerals is coltan, which is essential for the manufacture of mobile phones, computers, electronic equipment and cutting-edge technology.

In an interview with RFI, Alex Kopp, a researcher at the NGO Global Witness, argues that international mechanisms for controlling the mineral trade remain largely inadequate to prevent coltan extracted in conflict zones from continuing to fund armed groups, notably the M23.

A supply chain under pressure

For Global Witness, the problem lies not only in the extraction of the mineral, but in the entire international supply chain.

Companies involved in the trading, refining and processing of minerals are, in theory, subject to due diligence obligations requiring them to verify the origin of their supplies and to avoid any purchases that might finance an armed conflict. “Companies along the supply chain can and must improve their due diligence,” says Alex Kopp.

In his view, whenever there is a serious risk regarding the origin of a mineral, buyers should suspend their purchases until all necessary guarantees are in place. However, despite the existence of international certification and traceability mechanisms, criticism persists.

Global Witness believes that certain economic actors continue to rely on monitoring systems that are inadequate or incapable of effectively detecting smuggling routes. “This conflict has been going on for more than twenty-five years, yet multinationals continue to source their supplies from the same commercial networks,” laments the researcher.

For the organization, this situation reflects both the limitations of current mechanisms and the lack of political will on the part of certain economic actors to break definitively with risky supply chains.

Rwanda in Global Witness’s sights

Beyond private companies, the Global Witness report also highlights Rwanda’s role in regional coltan networks.

The organization maintains that significant quantities of minerals extracted from areas under the control of armed groups in the DRC continue to be exported via Rwanda before entering international markets.

Considering this situation, Global Witness is calling on the international community to take stronger action against those involved in these supply chains.

Among the proposals put forward are:

• Strengthening targeted sanctions against M23 leaders.

• Freezing the assets of individuals or companies involved in networks financing the conflict.

• Travel restrictions targeting certain political and military leaders.

• Making certain forms of international assistance conditional on compliance with regional security commitments.

The organization believes that these measures could help to reduce the financial resources available to armed groups operating in eastern DRC.

Cutting off financial flows without neglecting diplomacy

Global Witness believes that drying up the revenue from the illicit coltan trade would be a significant lever for weakening the operational capabilities of armed groups. However, Alex Kopp stresses that a purely security- or economic-based approach will not be enough to resolve the crisis in the long term. “Cutting off this financial link would certainly have a major impact, but the definitive solution will not be found in fighting on the ground,” he believes.

The NGO considers that reducing revenue from conflict minerals must be accompanied by strengthened diplomatic efforts, regional dialogue mechanisms and greater commitment from the international community to peace processes.

A global issue

Beyond the Great Lakes region alone, the coltan issue raises a broader question: that of the responsibility of global supply chains in conflicts linked to natural resources.

As global demand for critical minerals continues to rise driven by the digital and energy transitions, pressure is mounting on companies to ensure credible traceability of their supplies.

For advocates of responsible mining governance, the challenge is now twofold: to prevent strategic minerals from financing armed conflicts and to ensure that their extraction genuinely contributes to the development of communities living in producing regions.

Written by Azarias Mokonzi

Ituri remains the epicenter of the Ebola outbreak, accounting for 93.8% of confirmed cases (646 out of 689). The worst-affected areas are Bunia, Rwampara and Mongbwalu.

17 new cases have been recorded in the past 24 hours in this province. Several areas are difficult to access, and treatment centers are not available everywhere. The borders with Uganda remain closed, as does Bunia airport, which is closed except to flights carrying medical staff and supplies.

Between displacement caused by insecurity and the constant flow of trade between Mongbwalu, Nizi, Bunia, Komanda, Mahagi and other economic hubs, epidemiological surveillance is becoming particularly complex.

Faced with the rapid spread of the Ebola epidemic in Ituri, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is sounding the alarm over the saturation of treatment centers and is calling for an accelerated decentralization of the response to rural areas where new outbreaks continue to emerge.

“We need to decentralize. Outbreaks must be contained where they occur. We must not wait for patients to arrive in Bunia. Today, there are cases in Nizi, Aru, the Mahagi health zone and elsewhere. All these areas must be rapidly reinforced,” insisted Frédéric Manatou, the MSF representative.

“The good news is that many community members are much more aware of the situation and no longer deny the existence of the disease,” said a doctor at Salama Hospital in the town of Bunia.

Faced with the rise in new cases, several organizations are speeding up the construction of new Ebola treatment centers, whilst others are expanding their facilities to accommodate more patients. This is the case at the Rwampara Ebola center, which is expanding its capacity, and at the ISTM Nyakunde site, which has a new treatment center with a capacity of 40 beds.

Written by Akilimali Chomachoma in Bunia

Caption: A member of staff at the ISTM Nyakunde Ebola treatment center. Photo: Akilimali Chomachoma

In the village of Kakanda, located in the Lubudi territory, Bayeke chiefdom, in Lualaba Province in the south-east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, several women spend their days in the Kaka quarry searching for minerals to provide for their families. Working in difficult conditions, amid dust, fatigue and constant risks, they explain that they have no other way to survive.

At the artisanal mining site, some women say that economic hardship forces many households to rely directly on mining. Even in homes where husbands are present, financial difficulties remain significant.

“That’s just how it is; I may have a husband, but he never brings home any money, and others have no husband at all—they’re forced to come and work in the quarry,” says a woman we met at the quarry.

According to several female workers, attempts to engage in other income-generating activities, particularly small-scale trading, have not yielded the hoped-for results. Due to a lack of profit, many return to the quarries where they can earn a daily wage.

“We try other things but it doesn’t work; we do a bit of trading but there’s no profit. As we’re already used to working in the quarries, we get a bit of money straight after work. It’s all we have to survive on. Some of our husbands don’t have jobs either; they come to the quarries too. We’ve got no choice,” explains Marie Katend, another worker.

Despite the risks associated with this work, particularly accidents and gruelling working conditions, these women continue in the hope of ensuring their families’ survival. For many households, the Kaka quarry has become the sole source of income in the face of unemployment and a lack of sustainable economic opportunities.

Written by Noé KALEMEKO

Whilst the province of Ituri is stepping up its awareness-raising efforts to stem the Ebola virus disease outbreak, the situation is taking an alarming turn in the neighboring province of North Kivu. Amidst public mistrust, a lack of official communication and the passivity of the authorities, the health response appears to be completely paralyzed, exposing civilians to an imminent humanitarian crisis.

A failure of communication and engagement:

In North Kivu, the gap between health teams and the population is widening by the day. Community engagement is now deemed insignificant given the gravity of the threat. Local observers point to virtually non-existent response communication and openly accuse the provincial authorities of culpable inaction.

Although new cases continue to be reported in the province, no restrictive measures have yet been imposed to curb the spread of the virus.

On the ground, basic preventive measures are being completely ignored. In markets and schools, preventive measures are being openly flouted. Protective kits and hand-washing stations have all but disappeared. The public transport sector is also ignoring the crisis. Motorcycles and cars continue to carry overloaded passengers, in defiance of the limits set by health protocols.

“The provincial authorities’ failure to take this disease seriously is exposing our people to an imminent danger that many seem to be unaware of. We feel as though the disease has been declared 3,000 kilometers away from here,” laments a local civil society activist bitterly.

Community resistance and violence:

This breakdown of trust in the authorities is fueling increasingly violent resistance in certain areas. Last Friday, the town of Kyondo was the scene of serious tensions. Residents physically attacked health response teams as they were carrying out the safe burial of a person suspected of having died from Ebola.

In the absence of clear and appropriate responses to this health crisis, mistrust is taking root. Unless urgent action is taken to improve communication and enforce strict measures, North Kivu faces the inevitable prospect of a major health disaster.

Written by Azarias Mokonzi