Eight UN peacekeepers detained in Congo over sexual abuse claims – sources
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo Reuters Eight UN peacekeepers in Democratic Republic of Congo have been detained over allegations of sexual abuse, sources told Reuters on Thursday, as the UN said it would investigate unspecified serious misconduct. The UN peace-keeping mission in eastern Congo, known as MONUSCO, said in a statement that it had suspended […]
Congolese Tutsis describe violent campaign to stop them voting
Nyangezi, Democratic Republic of Congo Reuters A group of Congolese Tutsis were guarded by armed police as they registered to vote in the eastern town of Nyangezi in February, with one of the group describing a campaign of threats and violence aimed at excluding them from the upcoming election. One newly registered voter at the […]
Congolese flee on foot towards Goma as rebels advance
Sake, Democratic Republic of Congo Reuters Safari Hangi walked for hours with a baby strapped to his back and six young children in tow trying to find safety as apparent gains by rebel forces in eastern Congo sparked a fresh exodus of people towards the provincial capital Goma. Displaced people fleeing Gome. PICTURE: Screenshot from […]
Some Anglican bishops reject leader Welby over gay marriage
London, UKAP Several Anglican bishops from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Pacific said Monday that they no longer recognize Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby as their leader, deepening a rift within the global Anglican Communion over gay marriage. Some bishops who belong to the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches said they no longer consider Welby […]
Congo’s Catholic church says ‘enlist and vote’ as election season looms
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo Reuters Half-way through his homily, Father Victor Ntambwe brandished his voter card in front of the congregation in Saint Charles Lwanga church in Democratic Republic of Congo’s capital. With presidential elections just months away, he had an earthly message to deliver alongside the psalms and the sermon. He told the […]
Pope’s Congo visit seeks to heal “still bleeding” wounds, envoy says
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo Reuters Pope Francis’s visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo will remind the world not to ignore decades-long conflicts that have beset the mineral-rich nation and wrecked the lives of millions, the Vatican’s envoy to Kinshasa said. Francis is expected to visit Congo from 31st January to 3rd February, the […]
“Huge setbacks”: In the year to end child labour, COVID wreaks havoc
EMELINE WUILBERCQ, of Thomson Reuters Foundation, reports on how the coronavirus pandemic impacted the fight against child labour…
Suicide bomber kills at least five at east Congo restaurant
Beni, Democratic Republic of the CongoReuters A suicide bomber struck a restaurant in the city of Beni in east Congo on Saturday, killing at least five people as well as himself, officials said. The attack marks the latest violence in a region where Congolese and Ugandan forces have launched a campaign against suspected Islamists. “The […]
Conflict and COVID-19 drive hunger to record levels in Congo
Geneva, SwitzerlandReuters A record 27.3 million people in Democratic Republic of Congo, or about one-third of its population, are suffering from acute hunger, largely because of conflict and the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the United Nations said on Tuesday. The figure makes Congo home to the most people needing urgent food assistance in […]
Wow!: Congolese abuse survivors rebuild lives, brick by brick
MALAICKA ADIHE, writing for Thomson Reuters Foundation, reports from Goma…