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☆ Tens of thousands welcome Pope Francis in Democratic Republic of Congo
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Jillian Kumagai | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Pope Francis stands next to Democratic Republic of Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi as he attends the welcoming ceremony at the Palais de la Nation on the first day of his apostolic journey, in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, January 31,...more

"Hands off the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Stop choking Africa: it is not a mine to be stripped or a terrain to be plundered," Francis said. [1/9] Pope Francis sits next to Democratic Republic of Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi as he attends the welcoming ceremony at the Palais de la Nation on the first day of his apostolic journey, in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, January 31, 2023. The pope criticised rich countries for ignoring the tragedies unfolding in Congo and elsewhere in Africa. On Wednesday, Francis will celebrate Mass at a Kinshasa airport that is expected to draw more than a million people.

☆ Part of stage built for pope collapses in Democratic Republic of Congo
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

KINSHASA, Jan 30 (Reuters) - A canopy overhanging a stage built for Pope Francis in a Kinshasa stadium collapsed overnight during a heavy storm, Congo authorities said on Monday, three days before he is due to appear there for a public event. Francis is scheduled to arrive in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday afternoon and address young people and catechists in the Martyrs' Stadium in Kinshasa, the capital, on Thursday morning. The canopy was being fixed on Monday, Kinshasa police chief Sylvano Kasongo told Reuters. Pictures posted on social media showed one side of the canopy resting on the stage while the other side was still aloft. Reporting by Justin Makangara and Stanis Bujakera; Writing by Estelle ShirbonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Pope Francis to visit two fragile African nations
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-29 | by ( Philip Pullella | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/6] Pope Francis attends the Vespers prayer service to celebrate the conversion of St. Paul at St. Paul's Basilica in Rome, Italy. REUTERS/Guglielmo MangiapaneVATICAN CITY, Jan 29 (Reuters) - Pope Francis starts a trip on Tuesday to two fragile African nations often forgotten by the world, where protracted conflicts have left millions of refugees and displaced people grappling with hunger. Both countries are rich in natural resources - DRC in minerals and South Sudan in oil - but beset with poverty and strife. DRC is getting its first visit by a pope since John Paul II travelled there in 1985, when it still was known as Zaire. Trott, a former ambassador in South Sudan, said he hoped the three Churchmen can convince political leaders to "fulfil the promise of the independence movement".

"It's important for us to have clear agreement because this is what we have now to finance our development," he said. President Felix Tshisekedi's government has been revisiting a 2007 deal struck by his predecessor Joseph Kabila under which Sinohydro Corp (SINOH.UL) and China Railway Group Limited agreed to build roads and hospitals in exchange for a 68% stake in the Sicomines venture as well as a 2008 contract with CMOC. "We have already a framework, we have some key elements of change that we want to bring in that agreement," Kazadi said of Sicomines, though he declined to provide further details. "In only five days they have managed to burn and export 27 kilograms," Kazadi said, speaking of the joint venture that is owned 55% by the United Arab Emirates with the remainder owned by Kinshasa. Reporting by Karin Strohecker and Jorgelina do Rosario, editing by Mark HeinrichOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Landslide kills at least 8 people in eastern Congo
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Dec 31 (Reuters) - A landslide crushed at least eight people and seriously injured nine others near an artisanal mine in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Friday, a local official told Reuters on Saturday. Landslides are relatively common in the hilly slopes of eastern Congo where heavy rains can saturate and loosen soil. But they are more likely to occur if soil has been disturbed by mining, tree-felling or construction. In December, intense rains in Congo's capital Kinshasa caused flooding and landslides that killed around 170 people. Reporting by Crispin Kyalangalilwa; Writing by Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Alison WilliamsOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Death toll after Congo capital floods rises to 169, U.N. says
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( Paul Lorgerie | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/4] People look at a damaged road after heavy rains caused floods and landslides, on the outskirts of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. REUTERS/Justin MakangaraKINSHASA, Dec 16 (Reuters) - The death toll after heavy flooding in the Democratic Republic of Congo's capital Kinshasa this week has risen to 169, the United Nations' humanitarian office (OCHA) said on Friday, citing authorities. read moreA joint team from OCHA and Congo's social affairs ministry visited the worst-hit neighborhoods on Thursday to assess the damage. The team estimated that around 38,000 people had been impacted by the floods, OCHA said in a statement Friday. Poorly regulated rapid urbanization has made the city increasingly vulnerable to flash floods after intense rains, which have become more frequent due to climate change.

☆ DRC floods kill at least 120 in Kinshasa
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( Amy Cassidy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —More than 120 people have died in the Congolese capital of Kinshasa after torrential rains caused severe flooding in the city, according to a government statement issued Wednesday. Severe damage could be seen in video obtained by news agency Reuters, with roofs and roads collapsed and people walking knee-deep in water. “On the National Road 1, there is a big hole. A car is seen stuck after heavy rains caused floods and landslides, on the outskirts of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo December 13,2022. At least 39 people died in Kinshasa in 2019 when torrential rain flooded low-lying districts and some buildings and roads collapsed.

☆ Congolese government ups toll in massacre to 272 civilians
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( Paul Lorgerie | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Arlette BashiziKINSHASA, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Democratic Republic of Congo's government on Monday said 272 civilians were killed in a massacre in the eastern town of Kishishe last week, raising the death toll from a previous estimate of 50. It also said the rebels were backed by members of the Rwandan army, a frequent accusation by the Congolese government which Rwanda has consistently denied. Congo's army and the M23, a Tutsi-led militia, have been locked in fighting for months in the country's east. The death toll was announced by Congolese industry minister Julien Paluku, speaking at a press briefing with government spokesman Patrick Muyaya. "The United States urges Rwanda to honor commitments made in Luanda, including ending Rwanda's support to M23," Blinken said on Twitter.

☆ African leaders agree on ceasefire in east Congo from Friday
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

KINSHASA, Nov 23 (Reuters) - African leaders have declared a ceasefire in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo starting Friday, which is aimed in particular at stopping attacks by the M23 rebel group, they said in a statement. The declaration was issued by the leaders of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and Angola, and former Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta, after a summit in Luanda on Wednesday aimed at finding solutions to the east Congo crisis. Eastern Congo is facing an insurgency by the M23, a Tutsi-led rebel group which the Congolese government claims is supported by neighbouring Rwanda. In addition to the ceasefire, the statement said the M23 must withdraw from its occupied territories or face intervention by regional forces. "If M23 does not withdraw the East African Community (EAC) heads of states shall authorize use of force to compel the group to comply," it said.

☆ South African retailer Shoprite to close Congo operations
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

KINSHASA, Nov 22 (Reuters) - South African retailer Shoprite (SHPJ.J) has decided to shut its shops in Democratic Republic of Congo, a company statement seen by Reuters on Tuesday showed. The decision follows the closure of operations in Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda and Madagascar as the group aims to focus more on its business in South Africa, Shoprite said. "The decision to close operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo during this period is regrettable but is part of the group's long-term strategy," its statement dated Nov. 21 said. South Africa's biggest retailer by market capitalisation launched in Congo in 2012 during a period of aggressive expansion push into African's frontier retail markets. Shoprite's three shops in Congo were among its 2,800 stores across 15 countries in Africa.

☆ Congo expels Reuters reporter
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

DAKAR, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Democratic Republic of Congo expelled a French journalist working for Reuters after her application for journalistic accreditation was not approved. Sonia Rolley applied in September for accreditation to take up an assignment coordinating Reuters news coverage in Congo. At 5:25 pm on Tuesday, a government official sent a WhatsApp message to another journalist working for Reuters saying, "Are you aware of the expulsion of Sonia by the services? "We are offering Sonia Rolley assistance and urgently seeking information from the Congolese authorities," Reuters said in a statement. "Reuters will continue to report from Congo in an independent and impartial way, as we do around the world."

In the West, only about 10 people have died of monkeypox this year, figures from the U.S. CDC show. No monkeypox vaccines are publicly available in Africa. But those failures are being repeated a year on with monkeypox, the health workers consulted by Reuters said. Congo health minister Jean-Jacques Mbungani told Reuters Congo was in talks with the WHO to buy vaccines, but no formal request had been made. A WHO spokeswoman said that in the absence of available vaccines, countries should instead focus on surveillance and contact tracing.

☆ Overcrowded stadium crush kills 11 people in Congolese capital
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

KINSHASA, Oct 30 (Reuters) - Eleven people were killed on Saturday, including two police officers, in a crush at an overcrowded stadium concert in Kinshasa headlined by Congolese singer Fally Ipupa, the interior minister said. Police have recorded "11 deaths including 10 as a result of suffocation and the crush, and 7 hospitalisations," said Minister Daniel Aselo Okito in a statement. The eventual number of attendees inside the stadium vastly exceeded the number state and private security personnel present could control. In 2020, French police evacuated the Gare de Lyon railway station in Paris after people started fires nearby in unrest ahead of a planned Ipupa concert. Reporting by Paul Lorgerie, Justin Makangara and Stanis Bujakera Writing by Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Nick MacfieOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Mexico to discuss lithium, auto industry with U.S. climate envoy Kerry
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry attends a meeting ahead of COP27 climate summit in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo October 3, 2022. REUTERS/Justin MakangaraMEXICO CITY, Oct 24 (Reuters) - Mexico will speak with U.S. climate envoy John Kerry about lithium, batteries and the automotive industry when Kerry visits the northwestern state of Sonora on Friday, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Monday. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterThe Sonora Plan also aims to develop the electric car industry in the agricultural state. While Mexico nationalized lithium reserves earlier this year, experts say it could take years for the newly created state firm to start production. Lithium batteries are not currently produced by any Latin American country at a commercial scale.

☆ NBA Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo undergoing treatment for brain tumor
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-15 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

Basketball Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo is undergoing treatment in Atlanta for a brain tumor, the NBA announced Saturday. He also appeared with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at an event in the Congo, Mutombo’s native country, in August. “Dikembe and his family ask for privacy during this time so they can focus on his care. They are grateful for your prayers and good wishes.”The family did not release any other details, including what prompted the tumor being discovered. The 56-year-old Mutombo spent 18 seasons in the NBA, playing for Denver, Atlanta, Houston, Philadelphia, New York and the then-New Jersey Nets.

The United Nations warned at the beginning of September that two districts were projected to face famine between October and December, with more than half a million children in Somalia at risk of dying from malnutrition. A previous screening in June and July found 28.6% of children in the camps were suffering from acute malnutrition, including 10.2% with severe cases. The last four rainy seasons in the Horn of Africa region have failed, making this the worst drought in 40 years. An IPC Famine Review Committee of four to six independent experts is responsible for approving any famine declaration. In Somalia's last famine in 2011, half of the more than 250,000 victims were later determined to have died before the famine was officially declared.

☆ Global climate change protests demand compensation ahead of COP27
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-23 | by ( Kate Abnett | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

They are timed to coincide with global leaders meeting in New York City at the U.N. General Assembly this week. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid Read More'DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES'Irreparable damage caused by climate change has heightened developing countries' demands for "Loss & Damage" compensation at COP27 in Egypt in November. "The Least Developed Countries are bearing the brunt of the devastating consequences of climate change," Senegal's environment minister Abdou Karim Sall told a meeting in Dakar last week. The United States and 27-country European Union have historically resisted steps that could require rich nations to pay compensation for causing climate change. Malpass later clarified he was not a climate change denier, after facing a flurry of calls to resign.

☆ Lava vulcanului Nyiragongo se îndreaptă spre un oraș cu două milioane de locuitori
▼ + stars: | 2021-05-23 | by ( ) www.jurnal.md time to read: +2 min

Sursa foto: mediafax.roLava vulcanului Nyiragongo se îndreaptă spre un oraș cu două milioane de locuitoriDupă erupția puternică și bruscă a vulcanului Nyiragongo situat în apropiere Guvernul din Republica Democrată Congo a dispus, sâmbătă seara, 22 mai, evacuarea orașului Goma, situat în estul țării. Erupția a provocat panică în orașul cu aproximativ 2 milioane de locuitori. Mii de oameni au fugit panicați, mulți pe jos, cu saltele și alte bunuri. Vulcanul, situat la 10 km de Goma, a izbucnit ultima dată în 2002, ucigând 250 de persoane și făcând 120.000 de persoane fără adăpost. Cea mai devastatoare erupție a vulcanului a avut loc în 1977, când au murit peste 600 de oameni.

Persons: Goma, Patrick Muyay Organizations: BBC Locations: Republica Democrată Congo, Goma, Rwanda, Kinshasa

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