The Latest Breaking News from the Democratic Republic of Congo

DRC rebel leader Lumbala to be tried in French court for war crimes

The former head of a rebel group in the Democratic Republic of Congo is set to be tried in France on charges of complicity in crimes against humanity.

Radio France Internationale · Nov 9, 2023

Conflict uproots record 6.9 million people in Congo

Conflict and escalating violence have uprooted a record 6.9 million people in the Democratic Republic of Congo, mostly in the east of the country, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has said.

Radio France Internationale · Oct 31, 2023

'We don't have the budget to feed all the inmates': A rise in deaths in DR Congo prisons

Overcrowding, lack of food, disease ... In September alone, 14 inmates died in the main prison in Goma, the capital of North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Images of inmates crammed into tents and photos of bodies being removed leaked onto social networks in mid-October. Our Observers told…

France 24 · Oct 29, 2023

Long road for DRC as it renegotiates minerals deal with China

A massive "resource for infrastructure" deal between China and the Democratic Republic of Congo has been criticised by Kinshasa as too favourable to Beijing. President Felix Tshisekedi was there in May to rebalance the contract. Three months later, Congolese civil society groups are upset over what they call a lack…

Radio France Internationale · Aug 12, 2023

Kinshasa residents terrified by rising number of public transportation kidnappings

Twenty-seven people in the Democratic Republic of Congo were sentenced to life in prison for kidnapping passengers who had the misfortune of getting into their fake taxis. But despite this mass sentencing, which took place between July 5 and 7, people in Kinshasa are still terrified by the rising number…

France 24 · Jul 19, 2023

DRC has one of the fastest growing populations in the world – why this isn't good news

The demographic profile of a country matters because it sets its development pace – it creates opportunities and presents risks. For many developing countries, the challenge is to manage a demographic profile that puts pressure on particular cohorts of people. One country that needs to manage this challenge is the…

The Conversation · Jul 11, 2023

Seeking the perfect body: When low-cost plastic surgery in Mexico turns deadly

In this edition, where the desire for perfect beauty runs the risk of death or injury. We report from the Mexican state of Sinaloa where many women who can't afford plastic surgery, head to clandestine clinics offering low-cost cosmetic procedures. Also the Kinshasa shelter in the Democratic Republic of Congo…

France 24 · Jul 7, 2023

Military interventions have failed to end DRC's conflict – what's gone wrong

For 30 years, the Democratic Republic of Congo has suffered from communal violence, armed conflict and insecurity. Diverse actors have tried to stop it but conflict has intensified, particularly in the eastern provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri and Tanganyika. Regular armed forces and non-state armed groups have been…

The Conversation · Jun 26, 2023

UN peacekeeping mission in DRC is to withdraw 'as quickly as possible'

The top United Nations official Jean-Pierre Lacroix ended his visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Wednesday saying that the peacekeepers should withdraw from the conflict-torn country "as quickly as possible".

Radio France Internationale · Jun 9, 2023

Exclusive-Congo to hike stake in copper, cobalt venture with China

The Democratic Republic of Congo aims to boost its stake in a cobalt and copper joint venture with Chinese firms to 70% from 32%, on concerns the deal gives away too much of Congo's resources with little benefit to the country.

Reuters · May 24, 2023