A court in Democratic Republic of Congo sentenced a political opposition leader to five years in prison on Wednesday, a human rights advocate said, a judgment that risks imperiling multi-party talks meant to organise a presidential election next year. The court found Franck Diongo, president of the opposition MLP party, guilty of illegally detaining three … Read more
A court in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Wednesday sentenced 15 anti-government protesters to three years in prison on charges of ‘rebellion’. The court in Lubumbashi, located in the DRC’s south-east also acquitted thirty-four others who were arrested during protests against President Joseph Kabila’s continued stay in power, AFP reports. But Désiré Kasakula, … Read more
At least 22 civilians were killed in Democratic Republic of Congo’s North Kivu province over the weekend, an official said, blaming the attacks on an armed group led by Ugandan rebels. The killings happened in Eringeti, a town 55km north of the regional hub Beni, a city plagued by a wave of deadly attacks, according … Read more
The Catholic Church in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has appealed for a resolution to the ongoing political standoff over the future of current President Joseph Kabila. The call by the church comes after 34 people were reportedly killed and 45 others wounded in clashes between police and protesters who took to the streets … Read more
Congo has seen series of violent clashes in recent times Clashes between police and a militia led by a Christian pastor in northwestern Congo’s Mongala province killed 15 militiamen and three policemen, the former deputy commissioner of Mongala said on Wednesday. Police battled the militia loyal to the pastor from the Kimbanguist church, an offshoot … Read more
South Africa says it is concerned about the volatile political situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and has expressed the willingness to assist in any way to restore peace asking the international community to increase its efforts in that direction. A statement issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) on … Read more
At least two civilians were killed overnight in Democratic Republic of the Congo when soldiers opened fire during clashes in the neighbourhood of Kingabwa, two witnesses said. Violence erupted on Tuesday in the two largest cities of the DRC as historical opponent Etienne Tshisekedi called on the people not to “recognize” President Joseph Kabila.* Security … Read more
Gunfire could be heard in several districts of Kinshasa early Tuesday as demonstrators demanded that Kabila steps down after his mandate expired at midnight. A chief diplomat to Congolese president Joseph Kabila had confirmed on Monday that the president will remain in office when his mandate expires to save the country from chaos. He stressed … Read more
Protesters gathered in Democratic Republic of Congo’s capital and at least one other city, defying a ban on demonstrations against the president’s plans to stay in office past the end of his term on Monday. Security forces blocked access to Kinshasa University, facing off against groups waving red cards telling President Joseph Kabila to go, … Read more
Congolese President Joseph Kabila’s final term in office expires on Monday, with no election to choose a successor and amid a surge in popular anger over what opponents say is an attempt to cling to power in defiance of the constitution. The election has been postponed until at least April 2018 on the grounds of … Read more
Talks in Democratic Republic of Congo between the ruling coalition and the opposition have failed to reach a compromise on the political future of President Joseph Kabila, who intends to stay in power when his mandate ends on Monday. Growing tension on the ground in DRC was visible on Saturday. Police set up road checkpoints … Read more
Democratic Republic of Congo’s main opposition bloc said on Saturday it was not planning a march against President Joseph Kabila when his mandate expires on Monday, a decision that could defuse anticipated protests. The opposition accuses Kabila of trying to cling to power, and the decision not to stage a mass protest was announced hours … Read more
Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo have asked telecoms companies to block social media networks from Sunday night, apparently to thwart anticipated protests against plans by President Joseph Kabila to stay in power beyond the end of his mandate. The request was made in a letter by the Regulatory Authority of the Post and … Read more
Since the end of the civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2003, the family of the outgoing President Joseph Kabila is reported to have flourished by owning at least 70 companies. According to a Bloomberg report published on Thursday, December 15, 2016, the scope the Kabila empire has recently become visible after … Read more
The government in DR Congo has told the country’s football association to suspend league competition from Thursday until further notice. The move comes amidst fears that the end of President Joseph Kabila’s mandate next week will spark violence. “This general situation in the country risks spilling into the stadiums,” Barthelemy Okito, secretary-general of the sports … Read more
The government in DR Congo has told the country’s football association to suspend league competition from Thursday until further notice. The move comes amidst fears that the end of President Joseph Kabila’s mandate next week will spark violence. “This general situation in the country risks spilling into the stadiums,” Barthelemy Okito, secretary-general of the sports … Read more
A resolution is being presented to the UN General Assembly asking for a special investigator to look into the 1961 plane crash that killed then UN Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold. The plane went down over what is now Zambia during a diplomatic mission to help broker a ceasefire in the Congolese civil war. Pilot error … Read more
Abuse and poor pay – the reality of African footballers African players abroad are used to the photo call after being signed. A major survey into global football shows that life for the vast majority of African footballers is a far cry from the glitz and glamour of those lucky enough to play in the … Read more
Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila has named a new prime minister. Kabila picked opposition lawmaker Badibanga Ntita Samy to lead the unity government that will run the country until postponed elections are held. The elections, which originally had been slated for this month, are now provisionally scheduled for April 2018. The previous government … Read more
Football fans in the Democratic Republic of Congo are becoming vocal in the their opposition to delayed presidential elections. During matches they remind President Joseph Kabila that his term is coming to an end on 19 December. This is despite a constitutional court ruling that has granted him permission to stay in office until April … Read more