Kinshasa

This article profiles Adelard Mayanga, a former Zaire (now DR Congo) national team footballer who played in the 1974 FIFA World Cup in West Germany. Mayanga, now 77 and living modestly in Belgium, recounts the historic but ultimately tragic experience. Zaire became the first sub-Saharan African team to qualify for a World Cup, but the tournament was marred by a bonus dispute after dictator Mobutu Sese Seko's promised payments were diverted by a politician. The team lost all three group matches (0-2 to Scotland, 0-9 to Yugoslavia, 0-3 to Brazil). After the tournament, the players received no welcome or recognition upon returning to Kinshasa. Mayanga's jersey from the Brazil match was later stolen. The article highlights the forgotten glory and personal hardships of these pioneering players.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 01:14 PM UTC

Olympique Lyonnais (OL) has secured the signing of 17-year-old Congolese midfielder Cluver Sambi Mbungu from SM Caen on a three-year professional contract until 2029. Mbungu, who moved to France at age two, impressed with Caen’s reserve team in National 3 (19 matches, 3 goals). He chose Lyon over PSG, RB Leipzig, and Borussia Dortmund. The move is part of OL’s active summer transfer window, which has already added four other recruits.

6 reports · 3 sources · Updated Jul 9, 04:30 PM UTC

Health officials have declared a new Ebola outbreak in the Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, reporting 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths. Preliminary tests suggest a non-Zaire strain, complicating response efforts as existing vaccines target only the Zaire variant. The Africa CDC is coordinating with Uganda and South Sudan to enhance cross-border surveillance amid concerns over rapid spread due to high population movement and ongoing armed conflict. This marks the DRC’s 17th outbreak since 1976, occurring just five months after the previous epidemic ended, straining local resources and infrastructure.

29 reports · 25 sources · Updated May 16, 03:02 PM UTC

Health authorities have declared an Ebola epidemic in the Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a region heavily impacted by ongoing armed conflicts. The announcement was made by the African Union health agency, specifically the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). Laboratory tests have confirmed four deaths directly linked to the Ebola virus. Additionally, the country has recorded 246 suspected cases, resulting in 65 fatalities in total, though not all suspected cases have been laboratory-confirmed. The confirmation comes after 13 out of 20 samples analyzed in the capital, Kinshasa, tested positive for the virus. This outbreak follows a previous incident in central DRC declared in August 2025, which caused at least 34 deaths before being eradicated in December. Ebola is a highly contagious hemorrhagic fever transmitted through bodily fluids, with symptoms including fever, vomiting, and hemorrhages. The virus has historically caused significant mortality in Africa, with the 2018-2020 outbreak in Congo leaving 2,300 dead. Health workers are currently responding to the crisis in a challenging security environment.

1 reports · 1 sources

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed a new Ebola outbreak in the remote Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The announcement, made on Friday, reports 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths to date, with the majority of fatalities recorded in the Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones. Four deaths have been laboratory-confirmed, while additional suspected cases are pending confirmation in Bunia. This marks the country's 17th Ebola outbreak since 1976, occurring just five months after the previous epidemic was declared over. The situation is compounded by significant logistical challenges due to poor infrastructure in Ituri, which is located over 1,000 kilometers from the capital, Kinshasa. Furthermore, the region faces ongoing security threats from armed groups, including the M23 rebels and the Islamic State-linked Allied Democratic Forces, hindering response efforts. The World Health Organization previously struggled with vaccine delivery during the 2025 outbreak due to access and funding issues. Ebola, a highly contagious and often fatal disease transmitted through bodily fluids, presents severe health risks, requiring immediate isolation and specialized care for infected individuals.

1 reports · 1 sources

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has confirmed a new Ebola outbreak in the remote Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Health authorities report 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths, with four infections confirmed via laboratory tests. The region, located over 1,000 kilometers from the capital Kinshasa, lacks a developed road network, significantly hindering containment efforts and medical access. In response, the Africa CDC is convening an urgent meeting with officials from Congo, Uganda, South Sudan, and global partners to strengthen border controls and implement precautionary measures. The high mobility of travelers due to intensive mining activities in cities like Bunia and Rwampara further exacerbates the risk of spread. Ebola is highly contagious, transmitted through body fluids, with funerals posing a significant infection risk. This outbreak occurs just five months after a previous epidemic in the country ended with 43 deaths, highlighting the persistent public health challenges in the region.

1 reports · 1 sources

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has officially declared a new Ebola epidemic in the Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This announcement was made on Friday in Addis Ababa, highlighting the outbreak in a region already destabilized by armed conflicts. Laboratory tests in Kinshasa confirmed the virus in 13 out of 20 samples, with four deaths reported among these confirmed cases. Additionally, health authorities have recorded 246 suspected cases, resulting in 65 deaths, while further suspected cases in Bunia, the provincial capital, await confirmation. In response, the African Union’s health agency is closely monitoring the situation and convening an urgent high-level coordination meeting with the DRC, Uganda, South Sudan, and international partners. The goal is to strengthen cross-border surveillance, enhance preparedness, and coordinate efforts to combat the spread of the hemorrhagic fever. Ebola, which has caused approximately 15,000 deaths in Africa over the past five decades, remains a significant public health threat. The deadliest previous outbreak in the DRC occurred between 2018 and 2020, claiming nearly 2,300 lives.

1 reports · 1 sources

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has confirmed a new Ebola outbreak in the remote Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The agency reported 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths, primarily concentrated in the Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones, with four laboratory-confirmed fatalities. In response, the Africa CDC is convening an urgent meeting with neighboring countries, including Uganda and South Sudan, to strengthen cross-border surveillance and preparedness. This marks the 17th Ebola outbreak in Congo since 1976, occurring just five months after the previous epidemic was declared over. The situation is exacerbated by significant logistical challenges due to poor infrastructure in Ituri, which is located over 620 miles from the capital, Kinshasa. Furthermore, ongoing violence from armed groups, such as the M23 rebels and the ISIS-linked Allied Democratic Forces, complicates healthcare access and response efforts. The Ebola virus, transmitted through bodily fluids, remains a severe and often fatal disease, raising concerns for the Central African nation already struggling with regional instability and limited resources for vaccine delivery.

1 reports · 1 sources

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has confirmed a new Ebola outbreak in the remote Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Health authorities report 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths in the region, with four fatalities officially confirmed as Ebola infections through laboratory testing. The outbreak poses significant containment challenges due to Ituri's geographical isolation; located over 1,000 kilometers from the capital Kinshasa, the province lacks a developed road network and adequate healthcare infrastructure. Ebola is a highly contagious viral hemorrhagic fever transmitted through direct contact with body fluids such as blood, vomit, or semen. This recent emergence comes just five months after officials declared the end of a previous outbreak in the country that resulted in 43 deaths. The lack of accessible transportation routes hinders the rapid deployment of medical teams and resources necessary to curb the spread of the virus. International and local health agencies are likely mobilizing to address this public health crisis in a region historically vulnerable to infectious disease outbreaks due to logistical and security constraints.

1 reports · 1 sources

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has reported a new outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The outbreak is centered in Ituri province, a northeastern region bordering Uganda and South Sudan. Laboratory tests in Kinshasa have confirmed 13 cases, while authorities are monitoring 246 suspected cases and 65 reported deaths, including four recent fatalities. Initial findings suggest the strain may differ from the common Zaire Ebola virus, with further sequencing results expected within 24 hours. Due to the outbreak's location in an urban area with high population mobility, health officials express significant concern regarding potential cross-border spread. Consequently, an urgent coordination meeting has been convened involving health authorities from Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan, alongside international health organizations. Ebola, transmitted through physical contact and body fluids, carries a mortality rate of up to 90 percent if untreated. This marks the 17th outbreak in the DRC since 1976, following a previous incident in Kasaï province that ended in late 2025.

1 reports · 1 sources

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has declared a new Ebola epidemic in the Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). As of May 15, 2026, four deaths have been laboratory-confirmed, while authorities have recorded 246 suspected cases resulting in 65 fatalities. This marks the 17th Ebola outbreak in the DRC since the virus was first identified in the region in 1976. The Africa CDC is closely monitoring the situation and has organized an urgent high-level coordination meeting with the DRC, Uganda, South Sudan, and international partners to strengthen cross-border surveillance and combat the spread. Although vaccines and treatments exist, Ebola remains a highly fatal hemorrhagic fever. The current outbreak follows a previous epidemic in central DRC that was declared eradicated in December 2025 after causing at least 34 deaths. Human transmission occurs through bodily fluids, with symptoms including fever, vomiting, and bleeding appearing after an incubation period of two to twenty-one days.

1 reports · 1 sources

The African Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has officially confirmed a new outbreak of the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The outbreak is currently affecting Ituri province, located in the northeastern part of the country along the border with Uganda. This region presents significant challenges for humanitarian response efforts due to ongoing instability and violence. Ituri is known as a stronghold for the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a jihadist militia group responsible for repeated massacres and security disruptions. Consequently, the area is considered a no-go zone for many international aid organizations, complicating containment and treatment efforts. In response to the militant threat, Ugandan armed forces are conducting joint operations with the Congolese army to combat the ADF militias. This latest health crisis adds to the recurring burden of Ebola outbreaks in the DRC, highlighting the complex intersection of public health emergencies and armed conflict. The situation underscores the difficulties in managing infectious disease outbreaks in regions where security concerns severely limit access for medical teams and relief supplies.

1 reports · 1 sources

Africa's top health agency, CDC Africa, has officially declared a new Ebola outbreak in the Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The announcement confirms approximately 246 reported cases and 65 deaths, primarily concentrated in the Mongwalu and Rwampara areas. Preliminary laboratory tests conducted by the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale in Kinshasa detected the virus in 13 out of 20 analyzed samples. In response to the escalating crisis, CDC Africa is convening urgent meetings with the DRC government, Uganda, South Sudan, and other international partners to coordinate cross-border surveillance and response efforts. Additional suspected cases have emerged in Bunia, the provincial capital, awaiting laboratory confirmation. Ebola, a deadly viral disease transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids, causes severe bleeding and organ failure with no known cure. This incident marks the country's 17th outbreak, following a previous epidemic last year that claimed 15 lives. The DRC previously experienced its deadliest outbreak between 2018 and 2020, resulting in nearly 2,300 fatalities. Health officials continue to monitor the situation closely as the virus spreads through affected communities.

1 reports · 1 sources

This report details the precarious situation of fifteen migrants who were deported from the United States to Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, under the Trump administration. Upon arrival, these individuals were shackled and transferred to a hotel in the Congolese capital, marking the end of their journey through the U.S. immigration enforcement system. Now stranded in Central Africa, far from their original homes in Latin America, they face a perilous and uncertain future. The article highlights the dangerous dilemma confronting these deportees: they must choose between attempting the arduous and risky journey back to Latin America or remaining in Africa, a continent where they have no established ties, legal status, or support networks. This narrative underscores the severe human consequences of specific U.S. deportation policies, illustrating how administrative decisions can leave vulnerable individuals in limbo, exposed to potential safety risks and lacking basic resources. The story serves as a critical examination of the aftermath of forced removals, focusing on the immediate humanitarian challenges faced by those displaced to regions unrelated to their origins.

1 reports · 1 sources

In Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, enthusiastic supporters of the national football team, the Leopards, gathered in fan zones to watch a crucial qualifying play-off match for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The event marked a historic moment as the team neared qualification for the first time in fifty-two years. However, the celebration was interrupted when the electricity grid failed during overtime, causing giant screens to go dark. This incident highlights the severe infrastructure challenges in the region, where power outages are a daily occurrence. According to World Bank data, only 45% of Kinshasa’s 19 million residents have access to electricity, with national rates dropping to 22.1%. Despite these hardships, fans remain resilient, often relying on personal generators or flashlights to follow the game. The article illustrates the deep cultural connection to football in the DRC, serving as a unifying force amidst systemic infrastructural deficits. Correspondents from Le Monde report on this juxtaposition of sporting joy and logistical deprivation, showcasing how communities organize themselves to maintain their passion for the sport despite limited resources.

1 reports · 1 sources

The Trump administration’s pursuit of critical minerals in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has led to implicit support for President Felix Tshisekedi, despite his efforts to secure a controversial third term. Although Washington claims indifference to foreign governance, recent actions suggest alignment with Tshisekedi’s political agenda. Notably, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned former President Joseph Kabila, echoing Tshisekedi’s accusations against his rival, a move interpreted as strategic backing rather than purely justice-driven. Additionally, rumors of U.S.-financed paramilitary forces guarding mines, though denied by the embassy, have fueled local perceptions of American complicity in resource extraction deals. Congolese citizens increasingly view these developments as a transactional exchange where national wealth is traded for U.S. political support and acceptance of deportees. This perceived endorsement emboldens Tshisekedi’s repression and constitutional manipulations, risking long-term U.S. influence in the region. The article argues that prioritizing mineral access over democratic principles undermines American credibility and may lead to significant diplomatic backlash when political dynamics eventually shift in the DRC.

1 reports · 1 sources

Thomas Nicolon, a former FRANCE 24 correspondent based in Kinshasa, recently appeared on the program Perspective to discuss his new photography book, titled 'Kongo.' The publication features stunning images captured across the six countries that constitute the Congo Basin, highlighting the vast expanse of the world's second-largest tropical rainforest, which covers nearly 4 million square kilometers. Nicolon shared insights into his deep personal connection with the rainforest, describing how he feels like a child whenever he is immersed in the forest environment. He expressed gratitude for having built a professional career that aligns with his childhood dreams of exploring and documenting nature. The interview provides a glimpse into the artistic and emotional journey behind the creation of the book, emphasizing the beauty and significance of the Central African rainforest ecosystem. Through his lens, Nicolon aims to take viewers on a visual journey through this critical environmental region, showcasing its natural splendor and the profound impact it has had on his life and work as a photographer and filmmaker.

1 reports · 1 sources

Located on the forested outskirts of Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the world's only sanctuary dedicated to orphaned bonobos continues its critical conservation work. This unique primate nursery serves as a refuge for baby bonobos rescued from poachers or recovered from local households where they were being raised for bushmeat. The facility offers a safe haven away from the persistent threats of illegal hunting and trafficking that endanger these rare primates. By providing care and rehabilitation, the sanctuary plays a vital role in protecting the species, which is endemic to the region and faces significant survival challenges due to human activity. The report highlights the stark contrast between the violent origins of these orphans—often separated from their mothers through poaching—and the protective environment of the sanctuary. This initiative underscores ongoing efforts to preserve biodiversity in Central Africa amidst complex socio-economic pressures. The story, reported by Laurent Berstecher for France 24, sheds light on the hidden but essential work being done to save one of humanity's closest relatives from extinction, emphasizing the urgent need for continued support and awareness regarding wildlife conservation in the DRC.

1 reports · 1 sources

The Lola ya Bonobo sanctuary, located on the outskirts of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, serves as the world's only refuge for orphaned bonobos rescued from poachers and the illegal bushmeat trade. Foster mothers like Micheline Nzonzi provide essential care to these infants, who share nearly 99 percent of their DNA with humans. Despite legal protections, bonobos remain targeted for meat due to cultural beliefs and high market prices, contributing to a drastic population decline from an estimated 100,000 in the 1980s to roughly 20,000 today. To combat this, Congolese authorities have proposed issuing 'bonobo credits' to reward communities for forest preservation, though the program has not yet launched. Educators at the sanctuary work to change local perceptions, emphasizing that bonobos cannot be kept as pets or eaten. While some bonobos are eventually reintroduced to the wild after years of preparation, most remain in the sanctuary's care. The article highlights the critical role of human affection in saving these endangered primates and the ongoing challenges posed by habitat loss and commercial hunting in the Congo Basin.

1 reports · 1 sources

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has urged authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to immediately release journalist Stéphane Shisso, who has been detained since January 2026, and to ensure the safety of his colleague Guelord Shamba, who remains in hiding. Shisso, a camera operator for Nyota TV, was arrested by presidential guard soldiers after reporting on environmental erosion caused by mining activities in Kolwezi. He was transferred from Lubumbasi to Kinshasa and is currently held in Ndolo military prison without formal charges or court appearance, violating constitutional rights. Shamba fled into hiding due to fears of arrest or retaliation following the broadcast of their investigative report, which criticized local authorities' inaction. The report highlights the broader context of human rights abuses and forced evictions linked to cobalt mining in the region. Despite CPJ's appeals and media reports confirming Shisso's detention, the DRC government has not commented. The case underscores the risks faced by journalists investigating corporate and governmental misconduct in the resource-rich nation.

1 reports · 1 sources

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has urged authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to release journalist Stéphane Shisso, who has been detained since January, and ensure the safety of his colleague Guelord Shamba, who is currently in hiding. Shisso, a camera operator for Nyota TV, was arrested by presidential guard soldiers on January 6, 2026, after reporting on environmental erosion caused by cobalt mining in Kolwezi. He was transferred from Lubumbashi to Kinshasa and remains held without charge or court appearance, violating constitutional rights. Shamba fled into hiding due to fears of arrest or attack following the controversial report, which criticized local authorities' inaction. The report highlights the intersection of press freedom violations and human rights abuses linked to the global cobalt supply chain. Despite CPJ's appeals and media reports confirming Shisso's location in Ndolo military prison, government officials have not commented. The case underscores the risks faced by journalists investigating corporate and governmental misconduct in resource-rich regions of the DRC.

1 reports · 1 sources