Diplomatic missions, including the French Embassy, were targeted in Congo’s capital as violence escalates with a rebel offensive in eastern Goma. The attacks reflect growing instability and tensions between armed groups and the government in the region.

Congo-Rwanda: Several diplomatic missions attacked in Congo’s capital amid rebel offensive in Goma

There are growing international calls for peace talks to end the escalation of violence in the east of the democratic republic of congo. The fate of the economic and trading hub Goma is still unclear.

Congo-Rwanda: Conflict in DRC's east escalates as M23 rebels barge into Goma

At least 17 people were killed and 370 injured in a violent incident in Eastern Congo, authorities report. The attack has raised concerns over rising violence in the region, prompting urgent calls for security measures.

Rwanda-Congo conflict: At least 17 killed and 370 injured in Eastern Congo

As a result of fighting in the city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo at least 17 people were killed and about 370 others were injured. Watch this report for more details!

DR Congo Crisis: Clashes kill 17 in Goma, wounds nearly 370

DR Congo Crisis: At least 17 killed & 370 injured in eastern Congo

Heavy artillery fire and gunshots echoed through the besieged Congolese city of Goma on Monday as DR Congo forces battled militia fighters and Rwandan troops, while Kigali said five civilians were killed across the Rwandan border.
There were conflicting accounts over how much of Goma remained under Congolese control after the M23 armed group and Rwandan soldiers entered the city's centre on Sunday night.
"We are in our beds because we are afraid," Goma resident Lucie told AFP by telephone.
"We can hear the shooting outside our homes, we cannot leave."
The M23 resurfaced in late 2021 after years of dormancy and began seizing large swathes of mineral-rich North Kivu province but fighting with the Congolese army has intensified since early this year.
Internal and cross-border violence has mired eastern DRC for three decades and Goma, the provincial capital and home to more than a million people also hosts nearly as many displaced.
Amid mounting international concern, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot expressed his country's solidarity with the Democratic Republic of Congo "as Goma prepares to fall".
The latest fighting has intensified a humanitarian crisis, displacing more than 400,000 people since the start of the year, and raised fears of sparking a regional war, the UN has warned.
Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coca-cola-recalls-millions-of-drinks-in-europe-including-sprite-fanta-and-more-heres-why-8659390">Coca-Cola recalls 'all' cans, glass bottles in Europe including Sprite, Fanta, and more. Here's why</a>
The DRC government said it "continues to work to avoid carnage and the loss of human life" in Goma, spokesman Patrick Muyaya said on X.
In a statement on Sunday night, the M23 claimed it was a "glorious day marking the liberation for the city of Goma," issuing an ultimatum to Congolese soldiers to hand over their weapons.
<h2>Crisis summit&nbsp;</h2>
 M23 fighters and more than 3,500 Rwandan soldiers entered Goma overnight after weeks of advancing on the city, according to the United Nations and security sources.&nbsp;
Repeated explosions from heavy artillery and intense bursts of gunfire were heard across central Goma throughout Monday, AFP correspondents said.
Kenyan President William Ruto said Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame would attend a crisis summit on Wednesday.&nbsp;
The African Union's Peace and Security Council is due to meet on Tuesday over the escalating crisis.
The DRC and Rwanda have had fraught relations for decades, further strained in the wake of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.
Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/90-million-children-women-at-risk-researcher-sounds-alarm-on-serious-damage-as-us-freezes-foreign-aid-8659245">90 million children, women at risk! Researcher sounds alarm on serious damage as US freezes foreign aid</a>
Kinshasa has accused Kigali of wanting to get hold of the region's mineral wealth, including gold -- an accusation that Rwanda denies.
<h2>Five civilian deaths&nbsp;</h2>
 As the city descended into chaos, a mass jailbreak from a torched prison resulted in "deaths" on Monday, a security source told AFP, without giving further details.
In parts of the city, M23 fighters were reportedly welcomed by celebrating locals, AFP correspondents said.
Some Congolese units had begun to surrender by handing over their weapons to peacekeepers in Goma, according to Uruguay's army which provides soldiers to the UN force in the DRC, known as MONUSCO.
Exchanges of fire took place between Congolese and Rwandan troops on either side of a border crossing near Goma, a diplomatic source told AFP.
Five civilians were killed and 25 seriously wounded on the outskirts of Rwandan border town Gisenyi, Rwanda's army told AFP on Monday.
An AFP journalist in Gisenyi reported "several detonations" on the Rwandan side.
The border between Rwanda and the DRC near Goma was also closed on Monday, a European consulate source told AFP.
Rwandan state media earlier said that buses were ready to evacuate UN staff and their families from Goma over the border.
<h2>'Declaration of war'</h2>
Congolese Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner said the arrival of Rwandan soldiers to reinforce the M23 in Goma on Sunday was "a declaration of war".
Addressing an emergency UN Security Council meeting on Sunday, she urged the United Nations to impose sanctions on Rwanda.
The Security Council called for the withdrawal of aggressive "external forces" but stopped short of explicitly naming them.
Rwanda has rejected calls to withdraw.
The fighting near the border poses "a serious threat" and "necessitates Rwanda's sustained defensive posture", Rwanda's foreign ministry said.
Thirteen foreign peacekeepers have been killed in the escalating clashes.
Both the DRC and Rwanda have withdrawn their diplomats from each other's capitals in a breakdown of relations.
A UN experts' report said Rwanda was using the M23 to secure access to the DRC's mineral wealth, exporting it abroad for its own gain.
Kayikwamba called on the UN Security Council to impose a "total embargo on the export of all minerals labelled as Rwandan, in particular gold".
Rwanda has rejected DRC's accusations.
The mostly Tutsi M23, or March 23 Movement, briefly occupied Goma at the end of 2012 and was defeated by DRC forces and the UN in 2013. &nbsp;
Half a dozen ceasefires and truces have already been declared and broken in the region. The last ceasefire was signed at the end of July.
 Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

World | There were conflicting accounts over how much of Goma remained under Congolese control after the M23 armed group and Rwandan soldiers entered the city's centre on Sunday night.

Heavy artillery fire and gunshots echoed through the besieged Congolese city of Goma on Monday as DR Congo forces battled militia fighters and Rwandan troops, while Kigali said five civilians were killed across the Rwandan border. There were conflicting accounts over how much of Goma remained under Congolese control after the M23 armed group and Rwandan soldiers entered the city's centre on Sunday night. "We are in our beds because we are afraid," Goma resident Lucie told AFP by telephone. "We can hear the shooting outside our homes, we cannot leave." The M23 resurfaced in late 2021 after years of dormancy and began seizing large swathes of mineral-rich North Kivu province but fighting with the Congolese army has intensified since early this year. Internal and cross-border violence has mired eastern DRC for three decades and Goma, the provincial capital and home to more than a million people also hosts nearly as many displaced. Amid mounting international concern, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot expressed his country's solidarity with the Democratic Republic of Congo "as Goma prepares to fall". The latest fighting has intensified a humanitarian crisis, displacing more than 400,000 people since the start of the year, and raised fears of sparking a regional war, the UN has warned. Also Read | Coca-Cola recalls 'all' cans, glass bottles in Europe including Sprite, Fanta, and more. Here's why The DRC government said it "continues to work to avoid carnage and the loss of human life" in Goma, spokesman Patrick Muyaya said on X. In a statement on Sunday night, the M23 claimed it was a "glorious day marking the liberation for the city of Goma," issuing an ultimatum to Congolese soldiers to hand over their weapons. Crisis summit M23 fighters and more than 3,500 Rwandan soldiers entered Goma overnight after weeks of advancing on the city, according to the United Nations and security sources. Repeated explosions from heavy artillery and intense bursts of gunfire were heard across central Goma throughout Monday, AFP correspondents said. Kenyan President William Ruto said Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame would attend a crisis summit on Wednesday. The African Union's Peace and Security Council is due to meet on Tuesday over the escalating crisis. The DRC and Rwanda have had fraught relations for decades, further strained in the wake of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. Also Read | 90 million children, women at risk! Researcher sounds alarm on serious damage as US freezes foreign aid Kinshasa has accused Kigali of wanting to get hold of the region's mineral wealth, including gold -- an accusation that Rwanda denies. Five civilian deaths As the city descended into chaos, a mass jailbreak from a torched prison resulted in "deaths" on Monday, a security source told AFP, without giving further details. In parts of the city, M23 fighters were reportedly welcomed by celebrating locals, AFP correspondents said. Some Congolese units had begun to surrender by handing over their weapons to peacekeepers in Goma, according to Uruguay's army which provides soldiers to the UN force in the DRC, known as MONUSCO. Exchanges of fire took place between Congolese and Rwandan troops on either side of a border crossing near Goma, a diplomatic source told AFP. Five civilians were killed and 25 seriously wounded on the outskirts of Rwandan border town Gisenyi, Rwanda's army told AFP on Monday. An AFP journalist in Gisenyi reported "several detonations" on the Rwandan side. The border between Rwanda and the DRC near Goma was also closed on Monday, a European consulate source told AFP. Rwandan state media earlier said that buses were ready to evacuate UN staff and their families from Goma over the border. 'Declaration of war' Congolese Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner said the arrival of Rwandan soldiers to reinforce the M23 in Goma on Sunday was "a declaration of war". Addressing an emergency UN Security Council meeting on Sunday, she urged the United Nations to impose sanctions on Rwanda. The Security Council called for the withdrawal of aggressive "external forces" but stopped short of explicitly naming them. Rwanda has rejected calls to withdraw. The fighting near the border poses "a serious threat" and "necessitates Rwanda's sustained defensive posture", Rwanda's foreign ministry said. Thirteen foreign peacekeepers have been killed in the escalating clashes. Both the DRC and Rwanda have withdrawn their diplomats from each other's capitals in a breakdown of relations. A UN experts' report said Rwanda was using the M23 to secure access to the DRC's mineral wealth, exporting it abroad for its own gain. Kayikwamba called on the UN Security Council to impose a "total embargo on the export of all minerals labelled as Rwandan, in particular gold". Rwanda has rejected DRC's accusations. The mostly Tutsi M23, or March 23 Movement, briefly occupied Goma at the end of 2012 and was defeated by DRC forces and the UN in 2013. Half a dozen ceasefires and truces have already been declared and broken in the region. The last ceasefire was signed at the end of July. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Clashes erupt in Goma as M23 militia, Rwandan troops seize control

A local governor and a rebel commander said that the M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of the Congo had taken control of Minova, a town in the east that serves as a major supply line for Goma, the province capital, while the army reported combat on all fronts. Since 2022, the Tutsi-led M23 group has been conducting a resurgent insurgency in the east of the Central African nation. Rwanda, a neighbor, is accused by the UN and Congo of providing the organization with its own men and weapons. Rwanda disputes this.

Congo: Rwanda-backed rebels claim to have seized key city of Goma

A mysterious illness referred to as disease X is spreading in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Since October, disease X has affected an estimated 406 individuals and claimed over 143 lives, most of them children.

Congo's Mystery Flu-like Disease Kills Over 143 People

Congolese health officials launched their first mpox vaccination campaign on Saturday, a key step in efforts to contain an outbreak that has spread from its epicentre in the Democratic Republic of Congo to numerous other African nations this year.

Congo Launches Its First Mpox Vaccination Campaign

Several alleged coup plotters, including three Americans, were convicted and sentenced to death by a military court in Kinshasa on Friday, following a failed coup attempt on May 19 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

DR Congo Military Court Sentences Coup Plotters to Death

Three US citizens are among 37 defendants sentenced to death by a military court on Friday for their role in a May failed coup in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Armed men briefly occupied an office of the presidency in the capital Kinshasa on May 19 before their leader, US-based Congolese politician Christian Malanga, was killed by security forces.&nbsp;

His son, Marcel Malanga, was among the Americans on trial, along with Marcel's friend, Tyler Thompson, who played high school football with him in Utah. Both are in their 20s.

The third American, Benjamin Zalman-Polun, was a business associate of Christian Malanga.

All three were found guilty of criminal conspiracy, terrorism, and other charges, and sentenced to death in a ruling read on live TV.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;DR Congo military court sentences 37 to death in coup trial

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/dr-congo-military-court-sentences-37-to-death-in-coup-trial-758566/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Malanga had previously told the court that his father had threatened to kill him unless he participated. He also told the court it was his first time visiting Congo at the invitation of his father, whom he had not seen in years.&nbsp;

The Americans are among some 50 people, including US, British, Canadian, Belgian, and Congolese citizens, standing trial following the failed coup.

A total of 37 defendants were sentenced to death.

The verdict was read out under a tent in the yard of Ndolo military prison on the outskirts of Kinshasa. The defendants were seated in front of the judge, wearing blue and yellow prison-issued tops.

The trial began in July.

In Washington, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said embassy staff had attended the proceedings and would continue to follow developments closely.

"We understand that the legal process in the DRC allows for defendants to appeal the court's decision," he told a briefing.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/129-dead-in-dr-congo-in-attempted-prison-break-government-755397">Also read:&nbsp;129 dead in DR Congo in attempted prison break: Government</a>

The 37 defendants include Belgian-Congolese citizen Jean-Jacques Wondo. Wondo's family released video messages addressed to Congo President Félix Tshisekedi ahead of the trial to ask for his release.

"I beg you, intervene, he is innocent," Nathalie Kayembe Wondo, his wife, said in the message.

Relatives of Marcel Malanga and Thompson did not respond to requests for comment.&nbsp;

Marcel Malanga's mother, Brittney Sawyer, has previously said her son is innocent.&nbsp;

Thompson's stepmother, Miranda Thompson, has previously said her stepson travelled to Congo on vacation to explore the world.&nbsp;

Thompson is feeling lonely and isolated in prison, according to the fundraising site that his family set up to support his defence.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience.

Three US citizens are among 37 defendants sentenced to death by a military court on Friday for their role in a May failed coup in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Three US citizens are among 37 defendants sentenced to death by a military court on Friday for their role in a May failed coup in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Armed men briefly occupied an office of the presidency in the capital Kinshasa on May 19 before their leader, US-based Congolese politician Christian Malanga, was killed by security forces. His son, Marcel Malanga, was among the Americans on trial, along with Marcel's friend, Tyler Thompson, who played high school football with him in Utah. Both are in their 20s. The third American, Benjamin Zalman-Polun, was a business associate of Christian Malanga. All three were found guilty of criminal conspiracy, terrorism, and other charges, and sentenced to death in a ruling read on live TV. Watch | DR Congo military court sentences 37 to death in coup trial × Malanga had previously told the court that his father had threatened to kill him unless he participated. He also told the court it was his first time visiting Congo at the invitation of his father, whom he had not seen in years. The Americans are among some 50 people, including US, British, Canadian, Belgian, and Congolese citizens, standing trial following the failed coup. A total of 37 defendants were sentenced to death. The verdict was read out under a tent in the yard of Ndolo military prison on the outskirts of Kinshasa. The defendants were seated in front of the judge, wearing blue and yellow prison-issued tops. The trial began in July. In Washington, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said embassy staff had attended the proceedings and would continue to follow developments closely. "We understand that the legal process in the DRC allows for defendants to appeal the court's decision," he told a briefing. Also read: 129 dead in DR Congo in attempted prison break: Government The 37 defendants include Belgian-Congolese citizen Jean-Jacques Wondo. Wondo's family released video messages addressed to Congo President Félix Tshisekedi ahead of the trial to ask for his release. "I beg you, intervene, he is innocent," Nathalie Kayembe Wondo, his wife, said in the message. Relatives of Marcel Malanga and Thompson did not respond to requests for comment. Marcel Malanga's mother, Brittney Sawyer, has previously said her son is innocent. Thompson's stepmother, Miranda Thompson, has previously said her stepson travelled to Congo on vacation to explore the world. Thompson is feeling lonely and isolated in prison, according to the fundraising site that his family set up to support his defence. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Three Americans among 37 sentenced to death in DR Congo over role in failed coup

As the cases of mpox, also known as monkeypox surge in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), children in the nation account for over 80 per cent of mpox deaths, however the first vaccination shots to be given in the country would not be for these children and most vulnerable patients, BBC reported.&nbsp;

Since 2023, more than 27,000 suspected mpox cases and over 1,300 deaths have been reported. Almost 9,000 Congolese children contracted mpox since the beginning of the year, Africa CDC stated. &nbsp;

Japan's LC16 vaccine would be used to vaccinate children in Congo. The vaccine, made by KM Biologics, was used to immunise more the 50,000 children against smallpox in the 1970s, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mpox-crisis-who-pushes-for-mpox-vaccine-production-surge-as-death-toll-in-drc-nears-550-751115">Also read |&nbsp;Mpox crisis: WHO pushes for scaling up mpox vaccine production as death toll in DRC nears 550</a>

Moreover, a newer vaccine from Danish drugmaker Bavarian Nordic A/S will arrive in Congo next week. However, it is currently absent from the government’s pediatric vaccination plan, as per public health and aid agencies.&nbsp;

<h2>Medical adviser raises concern for children</h2>

Sharmila Shetty, a medical adviser with Medecins Sans Frontieres, said that, unlike the Danish vaccine, Japan's LC16, a 60-year-old device that pricks the skin multiple times, leaving a scar, relies on a bifurcated needle, BBC reported.&nbsp;

“We feel strongly that a solution must be found to vaccinate children with this vaccine,” Shetty said of the Bavarian Nordic shot. “Otherwise, children are just going to continue to needlessly die.”

Watch |&nbsp;DR Congo faces 27,000 Mpox cases, more than 1,100 fatalities

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/mpox-outbreak-dr-congo-faces-27000-mpox-cases-more-than-1100-fatalities-751805/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Notably, the delay in vaccine for children highlights the ongoing failure of governments and health agencies to protect the most vulnerable from mpox.&nbsp;

In this hard time, rampant malnutrition, poor sanitation and the absence of prior immunity have made children the hardest-hit group in the crisis, according to BBC.&nbsp;

<h2>Congo requests Japan for vaccine&nbsp;</h2>

Ngashi Ngongo, chief of staff at the Africa CDC, said that Congo has now submitted a formal request to Japan's government for the vaccine.&nbsp;

Responding to this, a spokesperson for Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said talks with Congolese officials are underway, but declined to comment on the timing and volume of the vaccine donation.&nbsp;

The mpox virus has been infecting children and young adults in Africa for decades through contact with squirrels, rodents and other wild animals, carrying pathogens.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

As the cases of mpox, also known as monkeypox surge in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), children in the nation account for over 80 per cent of mpox deaths, however the first vaccination shots to be given in the country would not be for these children and most vulnerable patients, BBC reported.

As the cases of mpox, also known as monkeypox surge in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), children in the nation account for over 80 per cent of mpox deaths, however the first vaccination shots to be given in the country would not be for these children and most vulnerable patients, BBC reported. Since 2023, more than 27,000 suspected mpox cases and over 1,300 deaths have been reported. Almost 9,000 Congolese children contracted mpox since the beginning of the year, Africa CDC stated. Japan's LC16 vaccine would be used to vaccinate children in Congo. The vaccine, made by KM Biologics, was used to immunise more the 50,000 children against smallpox in the 1970s, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Also read | Mpox crisis: WHO pushes for scaling up mpox vaccine production as death toll in DRC nears 550 Moreover, a newer vaccine from Danish drugmaker Bavarian Nordic A/S will arrive in Congo next week. However, it is currently absent from the government’s pediatric vaccination plan, as per public health and aid agencies. Medical adviser raises concern for children Sharmila Shetty, a medical adviser with Medecins Sans Frontieres, said that, unlike the Danish vaccine, Japan's LC16, a 60-year-old device that pricks the skin multiple times, leaving a scar, relies on a bifurcated needle, BBC reported. “We feel strongly that a solution must be found to vaccinate children with this vaccine,” Shetty said of the Bavarian Nordic shot. “Otherwise, children are just going to continue to needlessly die.” Watch | DR Congo faces 27,000 Mpox cases, more than 1,100 fatalities × Notably, the delay in vaccine for children highlights the ongoing failure of governments and health agencies to protect the most vulnerable from mpox. In this hard time, rampant malnutrition, poor sanitation and the absence of prior immunity have made children the hardest-hit group in the crisis, according to BBC. Congo requests Japan for vaccine Ngashi Ngongo, chief of staff at the Africa CDC, said that Congo has now submitted a formal request to Japan's government for the vaccine. Responding to this, a spokesperson for Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said talks with Congolese officials are underway, but declined to comment on the timing and volume of the vaccine donation. The mpox virus has been infecting children and young adults in Africa for decades through contact with squirrels, rodents and other wild animals, carrying pathogens. (With inputs from agencies)

Children in Congo account for 80% of mpox deaths; yet won't get first vaccine shots

The Democratic Republic of Congo released 420 prisoners from its largest and most overcrowded prison, after images of dire conditions posted to social media by a recently freed journalist sparked widespread outcry. However human rights advocates are denouncing the government's knee jerk reaction, as too little too late and a lot of reforms need to be done in the prison system of the country.

Images of emaciated prisoners in the DR Congo goes viral

The UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo has decided to pause its withdrawal with no timeline set for the next phase.

Congo blames Rwanda for escalation in violence & clashes, UN pauses peacekeeping withdrawal

More than 60 children at an orphanage in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, were fed palm weevil larvae roasted in spices to beat malnutrition. DCR has around 2.8 million children who are suffering from malnutrition.

Africa: Children fed Palm Weevil larvae in Congo to beat malnutrition as 2.8 mn kids malnourished

In a refugee camp in eastern democratic republic of Congo, where children have known little but conflict, a modest arena for cultivating peace of mind has emerged — simple chessboards placed on the ground.

Chess offers children sanctuary from violence in Congo

The armed forces of the democratic republic of Congo say they foiled a coup attempt early Sunday and arrested the perpetrators, including several foreigners. It followed attacks on the presidential palace and the residence of a close ally of Congo's president that left three people dead in the capital. Many in Kinshasa had questions about the attackers' motives and how they were able to access key government sites.

DR Congo army foils coup attempt by Americans & rebels

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) army says it has quashed an attempted coup against President Felix Tshikedi in the capital Kinshasa, involving Congolese and foreign fighters. Watch in for more details!

DR Congo army thwarts coup attempt

At least nine people, including seven children, were killed on Friday in a strike on a displacement camp in the eastern&nbsp;Congolese city of Goma, a local official and a military spokesman said.

It was not immediately clear what kind of explosive device was used or who was responsible for the attack.

A two-year offensive by the Rwanda-backed rebel group M23 has moved closer to Goma in recent months, prompting thousands to seek refuge in the city from surrounding areas.

President Felix Tshisekedi, who has been abroad for several weeks, decided to return to&nbsp;Congo&nbsp;over the weekend following the attack, the presidency said.

Dedesi Mitima, the head of the Lac Vert district where the incident occurred, told Reuters he had seen the bodies of seven children and two men at the camp.

Several other people were wounded and the death toll could rise further, Mitima added.

A civil society leader in Goma, Marrion Ngavho, said three bombs fell on the camp.

"We have already registered 13 dead, including women and children. There are also around 30 people wounded," he said.

Lieutenant-Colonel Guillaume Njike Kaiko, a spokesman for the Democratic Republic of&nbsp;Congo's (DRC) army in the region, said the strike had come in retaliation for earlier DRC attacks on Rwandan army positions which he said had destroyed arms and ammunition. He gave no details about the attack on the camp.

Congo's government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya, in a message on X, also blamed the Tutsi-led M23 for Friday's attack.

Opposition leaders condemned the attack on X, calling on the international community to back&nbsp;Congo&nbsp;and act against Rwanda's military involvement in the country.

The&nbsp;Congolese government, U.N. officials and Western powers have repeatedly accused Rwanda of providing support for the M23. Rwanda denies this.

An M23 leader, Bertrand Bisimwa, also writing on X, accused the&nbsp;Congolese authorities of deliberately attacking the camp in an attempt to "manipulate" the international community.

The&nbsp;Congo&nbsp;branch of medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said it had to stop a distribution round and halt medical consultations on Friday morning because of rising insecurity.

MSF&nbsp;Congo&nbsp;"condemns the increasingly regular use of heavy artillery in the immediate proximity of displacement camps around Goma," it posted on X.

The United Nations' peacekeeping mission in&nbsp;Congo, MONUSCO, also condemned the bombing in a statement and called on&nbsp;Congolese authorities to prosecute perpetrators.

In February, a strike blasted a crater into the ground in the same Lac Vert neighbourhood. Nobody was hurt in that attack, but it underscored the seriousness of the threat to Goma, a strategic urban hub in the conflict-ridden eastern DRC.

<h2 data-label="Package" data-qa-component="item-headline" data-rc-highlight="headline" dir="auto" title="Rwanda denies its troops attacked displaced persons camp in DR Congo">Rwanda denies its troops attacked displaced persons camp in DR&nbsp;Congo</h2>

Rwanda on Saturday denied U.S. accusations that its forces attacked a displaced persons' camp in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and instead blamed militias it said were supported by the Congolese military for the assault.

The U.S. strongly condemned Friday's attack which killed at least nine people, the U.S. State Department said in a statement.

The attack was mounted from positions held by the Rwandan Defense Forces (RDF) and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group, the U.S. statement said. The U.S. is "gravely concerned about the recent RDF and M23 expansion" in eastern Congo, it said.

Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo denied the RDF was behind the attack and instead blamed it on militias supported by the Congolese military.

"The RDF, a professional army, would never attack an IDP (displaced persons). Look to the lawless FDLR and Wazalendo supported by the FARDC (Congolese military) for this kind of atrocity," she said in a post on X.

At least nine people, including seven children, were killed on Friday in a strike on a displacement camp in the eastern Congolese city of Goma, a local official and a military spokesman said.

At least nine people, including seven children, were killed on Friday in a strike on a displacement camp in the eastern Congolese city of Goma, a local official and a military spokesman said. It was not immediately clear what kind of explosive device was used or who was responsible for the attack. A two-year offensive by the Rwanda-backed rebel group M23 has moved closer to Goma in recent months, prompting thousands to seek refuge in the city from surrounding areas. President Felix Tshisekedi, who has been abroad for several weeks, decided to return to Congo over the weekend following the attack, the presidency said. Dedesi Mitima, the head of the Lac Vert district where the incident occurred, told Reuters he had seen the bodies of seven children and two men at the camp. Several other people were wounded and the death toll could rise further, Mitima added. A civil society leader in Goma, Marrion Ngavho, said three bombs fell on the camp. "We have already registered 13 dead, including women and children. There are also around 30 people wounded," he said. Lieutenant-Colonel Guillaume Njike Kaiko, a spokesman for the Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) army in the region, said the strike had come in retaliation for earlier DRC attacks on Rwandan army positions which he said had destroyed arms and ammunition. He gave no details about the attack on the camp. Congo's government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya, in a message on X, also blamed the Tutsi-led M23 for Friday's attack. Opposition leaders condemned the attack on X, calling on the international community to back Congo and act against Rwanda's military involvement in the country. The Congolese government, U.N. officials and Western powers have repeatedly accused Rwanda of providing support for the M23. Rwanda denies this. An M23 leader, Bertrand Bisimwa, also writing on X, accused the Congolese authorities of deliberately attacking the camp in an attempt to "manipulate" the international community. The Congo branch of medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said it had to stop a distribution round and halt medical consultations on Friday morning because of rising insecurity. MSF Congo "condemns the increasingly regular use of heavy artillery in the immediate proximity of displacement camps around Goma," it posted on X. The United Nations' peacekeeping mission in Congo, MONUSCO, also condemned the bombing in a statement and called on Congolese authorities to prosecute perpetrators. In February, a strike blasted a crater into the ground in the same Lac Vert neighbourhood. Nobody was hurt in that attack, but it underscored the seriousness of the threat to Goma, a strategic urban hub in the conflict-ridden eastern DRC. Rwanda denies its troops attacked displaced persons camp in DR Congo Rwanda on Saturday denied U.S. accusations that its forces attacked a displaced persons' camp in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and instead blamed militias it said were supported by the Congolese military for the assault. The U.S. strongly condemned Friday's attack which killed at least nine people, the U.S. State Department said in a statement. The attack was mounted from positions held by the Rwandan Defense Forces (RDF) and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group, the U.S. statement said. The U.S. is "gravely concerned about the recent RDF and M23 expansion" in eastern Congo, it said. Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo denied the RDF was behind the attack and instead blamed it on militias supported by the Congolese military. "The RDF, a professional army, would never attack an IDP (displaced persons). Look to the lawless FDLR and Wazalendo supported by the FARDC (Congolese military) for this kind of atrocity," she said in a post on X.

At least nine killed in strike on displacement camp in eastern Congo

UK's policing minister is in a soup in a rare appearance on a Television program. The minister Chris Phillip was confused between Rwanda and the Republic of Congo. Responding to an audience question Philip asked whether Rwanda is a different country than Congo. This comes amid the UK's heightened uncertainty over the Rwanda Bill.

Tory MP Chris Philip: 'Rwanda is a different country to Congo isn't it?'

Suspected Islamist rebels killed at least 10 civilians in an attack on Friday near the city of Beni in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, local authorities and a U.N. source said.

The assailants fired guns at people working in fields in Mulekera commune outside Beni, Mulekera Mayor Ngongo Mayanga said on Saturday.

Seven bodies have been collected so far, including those of three women, with further five victims reported elsewhere, he said.

"Certainly there are other bodies that we will find as the search continues," he said by phone, blaming the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group.

A source in the U.N. peacekeeping mission in eastern Congo said 10 people were killed.

The ADF originates from neighbouring Uganda. Now based in eastern Congo, it has pledged allegiance to Islamic State and mounts frequent attacks, further destabilising a region where many militant groups are active.

A witness to the latest attack said he was working in a field when he heard the sound of bullets shortly after parting from his daughter-in-law.

"My daughter-in-law went in the opposite direction, but unfortunately that's when she was killed," he said, describing how he fled into the forest and spent the night there out of fear of the attackers.

Decades of conflict between the army and numerous rebel groups have destabilised eastern Congo and fuelled a long-running humanitarian crisis.

Attacks have intensified over the past year and the number of people displaced by the violence stood at 7.1 million at the end of March, according to the U.N. humanitarian agency OCHA.

Suspected Islamist rebels killed at least 10 civilians in an attack on Friday near the city of Beni in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, local authorities and a U.

Suspected Islamist rebels killed at least 10 civilians in an attack on Friday near the city of Beni in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, local authorities and a U.N. source said. The assailants fired guns at people working in fields in Mulekera commune outside Beni, Mulekera Mayor Ngongo Mayanga said on Saturday. Seven bodies have been collected so far, including those of three women, with further five victims reported elsewhere, he said. "Certainly there are other bodies that we will find as the search continues," he said by phone, blaming the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group. A source in the U.N. peacekeeping mission in eastern Congo said 10 people were killed. The ADF originates from neighbouring Uganda. Now based in eastern Congo, it has pledged allegiance to Islamic State and mounts frequent attacks, further destabilising a region where many militant groups are active. A witness to the latest attack said he was working in a field when he heard the sound of bullets shortly after parting from his daughter-in-law. "My daughter-in-law went in the opposite direction, but unfortunately that's when she was killed," he said, describing how he fled into the forest and spent the night there out of fear of the attackers. Decades of conflict between the army and numerous rebel groups have destabilised eastern Congo and fuelled a long-running humanitarian crisis. Attacks have intensified over the past year and the number of people displaced by the violence stood at 7.1 million at the end of March, according to the U.N. humanitarian agency OCHA.

Suspected Islamist rebels kill at least 10 in eastern Congo

Rebels from the ethnic Tutsi-led m23 movement are blocking the two main roads into Goma from the north and the west and preventing produce from getting through. Goma's population has swelled in recent days with people running from the advancing fighters. Re-elected president Felix Tshisekedi is now dealing with a multi-pronged crisis....one from the capital and the other from the countryside, will he be able to stem the rebellion? Only time will tell.

DR Congo violence: Panic in Goma as M23 rebels advance

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday kickstarted his second large-scale outreach programme ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ from ethnic strife-torn Manipur's Thoubal district today.

Congress launches Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from Manipur

The Congo River has risen to its highest level in more than 60 years, causing flooding throughout the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Congo Republic that has killed more than 300 people over the past months.

At least 300 dead as Congo River basin submerged by generational floods

Israel in talks with Congo and other countries on Gaza ‘voluntary migration’ plan. Senior official says Jerusalem working on postwar resettlement of Palestinians from strip; Some ministers tout saudi Arabia as destination for Gazans seeking construction work.

No resettlement talks with Congo for Gazans, hundreds of thousands forced to fled Gaza | WION

Felix Tshisekedi declared winner of another disputed election. As Tshisekedi supporters celebrate the election results, demonstrators take to streets to protest against election results. Watch to get more insights!

Congo President Felix Tshisekedi re-elected for a second term

Congo President Tshisekedi re-elected, supporters celebrate victory in capital

In the democratic Republic of Congo, the recently-held presidential election continues to be mired in controversy. In the latest, an opposition leader has accused the congolese police of using live bullets to break up a protest in capital Kinshasa.

Dr Congo: Opposition supporters clash with police at banned protest

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was holding presidential and legislative elections on December 20 after a chaotic campaign marred by opposition allegations of fraud, electoral violence, and logistical setbacks that could prevent many from voting. DRC marks Christmas amid all the chaos followed by the elections. Watch the video to know more!

Congo marks Christmas amid unrest following elections

As Democratic Republic of Congo gears up for elections on Dec 20, the opposition and independent observers warn that issues including illegible voter cards, blocked campaign planes, and electoral list delays threaten the legitimacy of the results.

Congo heads for polls amid rampant inflation

congo

Congo, News on Congo, stories on Congo, articles on Congo, Congo stories at Wion, Congo news, Congo latest news