Doctor Denis Mukwege was <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/full-list-of-nobel-peace-prize-winners-from-1901-169631">conducting his second operation </a>of the day in his hospital when someone came inside and told him that he had won the Nobel Peace Prize this year.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/denis-mukwege-nadia-murad-win-nobel-peace-prize-for-fighting-against-sexual-violence-as-a-weapon-of-war-169605">Also Read:&nbsp;Denis Mukwege, Nadia Murad win Nobel Peace Prize</a>&nbsp;

"I was in the operating room so when they started to make noise around (it) I wasn't really thinking about what was going on and suddenly some people came in and told me the news," Mukwege told a media agency.

"It was so touching when I was operating and I heard people start to cry and it was so, so, so touching."

Mukwege, 63, belongs to &nbsp;Democratic Republic of Congo's (Dr Congo) and is popularly known as "Dr Miracle" for his surgical skills.

In an interview with the Nobel Foundation, Mukwege said: "I can see in the face of many women how they are happy to be recognised and this is really so touching." 
&nbsp; 
In a statement, the Sweden-based Nobel committee said,"&nbsp;Denis Mukwege is the foremost, most unifying symbol, both nationally and internationally, of the struggle to end sexual violence in war and armed conflicts." "His basic principle is that 'justice is everyone’s business,” it added.

"The importance of Dr Mukwege’s enduring, dedicated and selfless efforts in this field cannot be overstated. He has repeatedly condemned impunity for mass rape and criticised the Congolese government and other countries for not doing enough to stop the use of sexual violence against "women as a strategy and weapon of war".

Meanwhile, the DR Congo government while congratulating Mukwege's work added that "there are often disagreements between us."

"We have had differences with Denis Mukwege every time that he tried to "politicise" his work which however is important from a humanitarian standpoint," government spokesman Lambert Mende told AFP.

"But now, we are satisfied with the Nobel Academy's recognition of the work of a compatriot," the spokesman added.

Mukwege has often criticised the country's outgoing President Joseph Kabila, saying that "We are governed by people who don't love us." The government spokesman while acknowledging Mukwege said the Nobel laurate "wasn't infallible".

"We think that the recognition by the Nobel Academy ... is merited but we will continue to oppose whenever anyone tried to mix humanitarian work with politics," the government spokesman said.

 
&nbsp;

Doctor Denis Mukwege was conducting his second operation of the day in his hospital when someone came inside and told him that he had won the Nobel Peace Prize this year.

Doctor Denis Mukwege was conducting his second operation of the day in his hospital when someone came inside and told him that he had won the Nobel Peace Prize this year. Also Read: Denis Mukwege, Nadia Murad win Nobel Peace Prize "I was in the operating room so when they started to make noise around (it) I wasn't really thinking about what was going on and suddenly some people came in and told me the news," Mukwege told a media agency. "It was so touching when I was operating and I heard people start to cry and it was so, so, so touching." Mukwege, 63, belongs to Democratic Republic of Congo's (Dr Congo) and is popularly known as "Dr Miracle" for his surgical skills. In an interview with the Nobel Foundation, Mukwege said: "I can see in the face of many women how they are happy to be recognised and this is really so touching." In a statement, the Sweden-based Nobel committee said," Denis Mukwege is the foremost, most unifying symbol, both nationally and internationally, of the struggle to end sexual violence in war and armed conflicts." "His basic principle is that 'justice is everyone’s business,” it added. "The importance of Dr Mukwege’s enduring, dedicated and selfless efforts in this field cannot be overstated. He has repeatedly condemned impunity for mass rape and criticised the Congolese government and other countries for not doing enough to stop the use of sexual violence against "women as a strategy and weapon of war". Meanwhile, the DR Congo government while congratulating Mukwege's work added that "there are often disagreements between us." "We have had differences with Denis Mukwege every time that he tried to "politicise" his work which however is important from a humanitarian standpoint," government spokesman Lambert Mende told AFP. "But now, we are satisfied with the Nobel Academy's recognition of the work of a compatriot," the spokesman added. Mukwege has often criticised the country's outgoing President Joseph Kabila, saying that "We are governed by people who don't love us." The government spokesman while acknowledging Mukwege said the Nobel laurate "wasn't infallible". "We think that the recognition by the Nobel Academy ... is merited but we will continue to oppose whenever anyone tried to mix humanitarian work with politics," the government spokesman said.

Dr Mukwege was informed about Nobel Peace Prize while conducting operation

Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo blocked the internet in Kinshasa and set up roadblocks throughout the city ahead of planned protests Sunday demanding that President Joseph Kabila leave power.

Catholic church leaders have called for a mass peaceful demonstration against Kabila&#39;s 17-year rule, three weeks after a similar protest on New Year&#39;s Eve that ended in deadly violence.

The authorities have banned all demonstrations, and at around midnight (2300 GMT Saturday), the internet, email and social media messaging networks were cut in the capital, AFP correspondents said.

Security forces have installed roadblocks on major routes into Kinshasa, while armed officers are conducting ID checks.

The church has also called for rallies in several other cities including Lubumbashi and Goma, but the government has banned all demonstrations since September 2016, when anti-Kabila protests turned violent.

The head of the Muslim community in DR Congo has backed the church, urging the authorities to allow the march to take place despite no official permission being granted.

&quot;I ask the authorities to avoid repressing the march,&quot; Cheikh Ali Mwinyi M&#39;Kuu, legal representative of the Muslim community, told AFP on Saturday.

&quot;If they decide to repress, there will be no peace. But if they let the march take place, they will respect the constitution and peace will prevail.&quot;

The previous anti-Kabila march, on December 31, descended into a bloody crackdown after police and security forces opened fire on demonstrators.

Protest organisers said 12 people were killed, while the United Nations reported at least five dead. The authorities said no deaths that day were linked to the demonstration.

The country&#39;s powerful Catholic Church, one of the few institutions to nationally enjoy broad credibility, condemned what it called &quot;barbarism&quot; and the UN and France sounded their concern over the death toll.

&#39;Terrified for my children&#39;&nbsp;

The church has been joined by a group of eight intellectuals in calling for the march to be peaceful.

The so-called &quot;secular committee of coordination&quot; has called on people to march after mass &quot;with our peace branches, our bibles, our rosaries, our crucifixes, to save the Congo&quot;.

Arrest warrants have been issued against at least five members of the committee, a magistrate told AFP, prompting them to go into hiding.

&quot;We&#39;re scared. I&#39;m just like everyone else, I&#39;m scared. I&#39;m terrified for my children, who have been alone since December 28,&quot; said Kandolo, a member of the group in Kinshasa.

The committee has called for the release of political prisoners, to allow the return of exiled political opponents and, above all, a guarantee that Kabila will stand down and not seek a third term.

Kabila, 46, has been in power since 2001, at the helm of a regime widely criticised for corruption, repression and incompetence.

His constitutional term in office expired in December 2016, but he stayed on -- a move that stoked a bloody spiral of violence.

Under an agreement brokered by the Catholic Church, he was allowed to stay in office provided new elections were held in 2017.

Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo blocked the internet in Kinshasa and set up roadblocks throughout the city ahead of planned protests Sunday demanding that President Joseph Kabila leave power

Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo blocked the internet in Kinshasa and set up roadblocks throughout the city ahead of planned protests Sunday demanding that President Joseph Kabila leave power. Catholic church leaders have called for a mass peaceful demonstration against Kabila's 17-year rule, three weeks after a similar protest on New Year's Eve that ended in deadly violence. The authorities have banned all demonstrations, and at around midnight (2300 GMT Saturday), the internet, email and social media messaging networks were cut in the capital, AFP correspondents said. Security forces have installed roadblocks on major routes into Kinshasa, while armed officers are conducting ID checks. The church has also called for rallies in several other cities including Lubumbashi and Goma, but the government has banned all demonstrations since September 2016, when anti-Kabila protests turned violent. The head of the Muslim community in DR Congo has backed the church, urging the authorities to allow the march to take place despite no official permission being granted. "I ask the authorities to avoid repressing the march," Cheikh Ali Mwinyi M'Kuu, legal representative of the Muslim community, told AFP on Saturday. "If they decide to repress, there will be no peace. But if they let the march take place, they will respect the constitution and peace will prevail." The previous anti-Kabila march, on December 31, descended into a bloody crackdown after police and security forces opened fire on demonstrators. Protest organisers said 12 people were killed, while the United Nations reported at least five dead. The authorities said no deaths that day were linked to the demonstration. The country's powerful Catholic Church, one of the few institutions to nationally enjoy broad credibility, condemned what it called "barbarism" and the UN and France sounded their concern over the death toll. 'Terrified for my children' The church has been joined by a group of eight intellectuals in calling for the march to be peaceful. The so-called "secular committee of coordination" has called on people to march after mass "with our peace branches, our bibles, our rosaries, our crucifixes, to save the Congo". Arrest warrants have been issued against at least five members of the committee, a magistrate told AFP, prompting them to go into hiding. "We're scared. I'm just like everyone else, I'm scared. I'm terrified for my children, who have been alone since December 28," said Kandolo, a member of the group in Kinshasa. The committee has called for the release of political prisoners, to allow the return of exiled political opponents and, above all, a guarantee that Kabila will stand down and not seek a third term. Kabila, 46, has been in power since 2001, at the helm of a regime widely criticised for corruption, repression and incompetence. His constitutional term in office expired in December 2016, but he stayed on -- a move that stoked a bloody spiral of violence. Under an agreement brokered by the Catholic Church, he was allowed to stay in office provided new elections were held in 2017.

DR Congo blocks internet ahead of banned protests

The official explanation for a two-year wave of massacres in a restive corner of DR Congo centres on a shadowy rebel group accused of having ties to the global jihadist underground.

But some basic details about the alleged killers of more than 700 victims -- the latest over the Christmas weekend -- haven&#39;t quite convinced observers and experts.&nbsp;

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<h5>Some people have alleged that government agents have a role in the killings</h5>
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The truth, they say, is more complicated and may lead all the way to the halls of power in the vast, mineral-rich and chronically unstable central African nation.&nbsp;

UN experts, referring to the claimed jihadist links in past reports, have simply stated: &quot;There is no proof of this allegation.&quot;

But that has not stopped the Democratic Republic of Congo&#39;s leadership and the UN peacekeeping mission MONUSCO from blaming the bloodbath around the town of Beni, in the country&#39;s strife-torn northeast, on the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).

Secrecy shrouds the group, which is dominated by hardline Ugandan Muslims who were initially focused on overthrowing Uganda&#39;s President Yoweri Museveni.&nbsp;

The group went on to absorb other rebel factions into its ranks and started carrying out attacks in 1995. Gradually pushed westwards by the Ugandan army, the ADF relocated most of its activities to DR Congo.

When the Beni massacres started in October 2014, with most of the victims hacked to death, the ADF was quickly branded the culprit by both Congolese authorities and MONUSCO. &nbsp;

More than two years on, the government and the UN have been unable to protect civilians from the attacks, and the ADF remains the only official explanation -- with Kinshasa insisting on a jihadist link to the killings.

&nbsp;Army troops involved?&nbsp;

Many ADF recruits -- who were drawn this year from Tanzania, Burundi, Kenya and as far as Somalia -- were not hardcore ideologues but young Muslims lured by the promise of going to study in Saudi Arabia, an intelligence agent and civil society source told AFP.

Meanwhile, the ADF has not claimed any of the Beni massacres, and no experts working on DR Congo have found a link between the group and the global jihadist underground.

&quot;It&#39;s paradoxical,&quot; a civil society source in Beni told AFP, pointing to groups like Islamic State&#39;s claims of violence committed in its name.&nbsp;

Pinning the blame on jihadists &quot;seems too simplistic&quot;, he said on condition of anonymity fearing for his safety, like most Congolese who spoke to AFP.&nbsp;

Others have gone further, alleging that government agents have a role in the killing.

A group run by US researcher Jason Stearns published a report in March claiming several distinct groups &quot;appear to be involved in the massacres&quot;, including soldiers from the regular army.

It said members of the Congolese army, former rebels from the RCD-K/ML group -- who held the area during the 1998-2003 Second Congo War -- and local militias were all involved in the mass killings.

The government rejected the claims and said the ADF was &quot;definitely&quot; responsible for the massacres. Stearns was expelled from DR Congo after the report&#39;s release.

&nbsp;&#39;Why these horrible killings?&#39;&nbsp;

Three AFP journalists were strongly advised by a senior local security official to not delve too deeply into the area&#39;s security matters.

In an interview with AFP, Beni&#39;s Mayor Bwanakawa Nyonyi said he believes the massacres are carried out by a nebulous group, with politically-motivated &quot;Congolese hands&quot; behind them. He refused to say more about the suspects or their motives. &nbsp;&nbsp;

&quot;Why these horrible killings?&quot; asked the mayor.

In explaining the violence, some have cited struggles for control of trafficking in various industries like timber, agricultural produce or minerals in a region with extremely rich potential.

A group of UN experts has repeatedly questioned whether the Congolese military was involved in the trafficking in various industries or in some massacres. The group has also incriminated local militias in some killings that were allegedly linked to land disputes.&nbsp;

(AFP)

Observers say the answer may lead all the way to the halls of power in the vast, mineral-rich & chronically unstable central African nation

The official explanation for a two-year wave of massacres in a restive corner of DR Congo centres on a shadowy rebel group accused of having ties to the global jihadist underground. But some basic details about the alleged killers of more than 700 victims -- the latest over the Christmas weekend -- haven't quite convinced observers and experts. Some people have alleged that government agents have a role in the killings × The truth, they say, is more complicated and may lead all the way to the halls of power in the vast, mineral-rich and chronically unstable central African nation. UN experts, referring to the claimed jihadist links in past reports, have simply stated: "There is no proof of this allegation." But that has not stopped the Democratic Republic of Congo's leadership and the UN peacekeeping mission MONUSCO from blaming the bloodbath around the town of Beni, in the country's strife-torn northeast, on the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). Secrecy shrouds the group, which is dominated by hardline Ugandan Muslims who were initially focused on overthrowing Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni. The group went on to absorb other rebel factions into its ranks and started carrying out attacks in 1995. Gradually pushed westwards by the Ugandan army, the ADF relocated most of its activities to DR Congo. When the Beni massacres started in October 2014, with most of the victims hacked to death, the ADF was quickly branded the culprit by both Congolese authorities and MONUSCO. More than two years on, the government and the UN have been unable to protect civilians from the attacks, and the ADF remains the only official explanation -- with Kinshasa insisting on a jihadist link to the killings. Army troops involved? Many ADF recruits -- who were drawn this year from Tanzania, Burundi, Kenya and as far as Somalia -- were not hardcore ideologues but young Muslims lured by the promise of going to study in Saudi Arabia, an intelligence agent and civil society source told AFP. Meanwhile, the ADF has not claimed any of the Beni massacres, and no experts working on DR Congo have found a link between the group and the global jihadist underground. "It's paradoxical," a civil society source in Beni told AFP, pointing to groups like Islamic State's claims of violence committed in its name. Pinning the blame on jihadists "seems too simplistic", he said on condition of anonymity fearing for his safety, like most Congolese who spoke to AFP. Others have gone further, alleging that government agents have a role in the killing. A group run by US researcher Jason Stearns published a report in March claiming several distinct groups "appear to be involved in the massacres", including soldiers from the regular army. It said members of the Congolese army, former rebels from the RCD-K/ML group -- who held the area during the 1998-2003 Second Congo War -- and local militias were all involved in the mass killings. The government rejected the claims and said the ADF was "definitely" responsible for the massacres. Stearns was expelled from DR Congo after the report's release. 'Why these horrible killings?' Three AFP journalists were strongly advised by a senior local security official to not delve too deeply into the area's security matters. In an interview with AFP, Beni's Mayor Bwanakawa Nyonyi said he believes the massacres are carried out by a nebulous group, with politically-motivated "Congolese hands" behind them. He refused to say more about the suspects or their motives. "Why these horrible killings?" asked the mayor. In explaining the violence, some have cited struggles for control of trafficking in various industries like timber, agricultural produce or minerals in a region with extremely rich potential. A group of UN experts has repeatedly questioned whether the Congolese military was involved in the trafficking in various industries or in some massacres. The group has also incriminated local militias in some killings that were allegedly linked to land disputes. (AFP)

Who's behind the massacres in Congo's Beni region?

Militias killed at least 34 civilians over the weekend in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the army and local activists said.

The attacks have increased amid protests over President Joseph Kabila&#39;s refusal to step down at the end of his term on Tuesday.&nbsp;

On Sunday, at least 13 Hutu civilians were killed by ethnic Nande militia in the&nbsp;eastern town of Nyanzale, in what appears to be a revenge attack for the deaths of Nande civilians last week, local activist Innocent Gasigwa said.&nbsp;

&quot;This must be the response for last time,&quot; Gasigwa added.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Nyatura, an ethnic Hutu militia, had attacked a nearby village on Thursday killing at least 17 civilians.&nbsp;

On Saturday, 21 civilians and four militiamen were killed in attacks near Beni, local&nbsp;army spokesman Captain Mak Hazukay told Reuters.

Since October 2014, hundreds have been killed in attacks in Beni, 300 km north of Nyanzale.&nbsp;

The government blames the Allied Democratic Force (ADF), a Ugandan Islamist group, for the attacks but analysts say Congolese soldiers are also involved.&nbsp;

Around 40 people died during protests over Kabila&#39;s refusal to step down last week. The government said he will stay in power until an election is organised in 2018.

Local mediators from the Catholic church hope talks between the coalition and the main opposition bloc may produce a deal by Friday so Kabila steps down after elections in late 2017.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from Reuters)

The attacks have increased amid protests over President Joseph Kabila's refusal to step down at the end of his term on Tuesday

Militias killed at least 34 civilians over the weekend in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the army and local activists said. The attacks have increased amid protests over President Joseph Kabila's refusal to step down at the end of his term on Tuesday. On Sunday, at least 13 Hutu civilians were killed by ethnic Nande militia in the eastern town of Nyanzale, in what appears to be a revenge attack for the deaths of Nande civilians last week, local activist Innocent Gasigwa said. "This must be the response for last time," Gasigwa added. Nyatura, an ethnic Hutu militia, had attacked a nearby village on Thursday killing at least 17 civilians. On Saturday, 21 civilians and four militiamen were killed in attacks near Beni, local army spokesman Captain Mak Hazukay told Reuters. Since October 2014, hundreds have been killed in attacks in Beni, 300 km north of Nyanzale. The government blames the Allied Democratic Force (ADF), a Ugandan Islamist group, for the attacks but analysts say Congolese soldiers are also involved. Around 40 people died during protests over Kabila's refusal to step down last week. The government said he will stay in power until an election is organised in 2018. Local mediators from the Catholic church hope talks between the coalition and the main opposition bloc may produce a deal by Friday so Kabila steps down after elections in late 2017. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

At least 34 civilians killed by militias in Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo plans to quell the anti-Kabila protests and punish those involved.&nbsp; 
 
Attorney general Flory Kabange Numbi told reporters, &quot;The Congolese national police are actively seeking out the ... authors of these grave acts of murder and plunder.&quot; 
 
He also said migration officials will prevent the perpetrators from escaping the country.&nbsp; 
 
For months, the opposition has been organising protests against President Joseph Kabila, who they fear might hold on to power even after his term is over. Scores of people were killed in the riots, Reuters reported.&nbsp; 
 
According to the Human Rights Watch, the riots left at least 37 protesters and six policemen dead. The police however said 32 people had died inlcuding four policemen.&nbsp; 
 
Etienne Tshisekedi, who organised the protests told a Belgian television channel that around 100 were killed.&nbsp; 
 
The protests are still taking place in Kinshasa, and on Wednesday 50 troops were deployed to stop the protests.&nbsp; 
 
The President&#39;s office issued a statement calling for calm and asked the citizens to go about their daily activities, now that security is ensured, Reuters reported.&nbsp; 
 
UN asks Congo to show restraint 
 
The UN Security Council warned the Congolese government not to aggravate the situation and show restraint.&nbsp; 
 
The US Special Envoy for Africa&#39;s Great Lakes region said targeted sanctions will imposed on people who are involved in the violence.&nbsp; 
 
Moise Katumbi, exiled leader said, &quot;Without sanctions, they will continue killing people like mosquitoes.&quot; 
 
(WION with inputs from Reuters) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
&nbsp;

For months protests have been organised against President Joseph Kabila, who they fear might hold on to power even after his term is over

The Democratic Republic of Congo plans to quell the anti-Kabila protests and punish those involved. Attorney general Flory Kabange Numbi told reporters, "The Congolese national police are actively seeking out the ... authors of these grave acts of murder and plunder." He also said migration officials will prevent the perpetrators from escaping the country. For months, the opposition has been organising protests against President Joseph Kabila, who they fear might hold on to power even after his term is over. Scores of people were killed in the riots, Reuters reported. According to the Human Rights Watch, the riots left at least 37 protesters and six policemen dead. The police however said 32 people had died inlcuding four policemen. Etienne Tshisekedi, who organised the protests told a Belgian television channel that around 100 were killed. The protests are still taking place in Kinshasa, and on Wednesday 50 troops were deployed to stop the protests. The President's office issued a statement calling for calm and asked the citizens to go about their daily activities, now that security is ensured, Reuters reported. UN asks Congo to show restraint The UN Security Council warned the Congolese government not to aggravate the situation and show restraint. The US Special Envoy for Africa's Great Lakes region said targeted sanctions will imposed on people who are involved in the violence. Moise Katumbi, exiled leader said, "Without sanctions, they will continue killing people like mosquitoes." (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Congo threatens to punish those behind anti-Kabila riots

Police had to resort to firing tear gas shells to quell protesters&nbsp;in the streets of the opposition stronghold of Lubumbashi on Friday as agitatotrs&nbsp;demanded Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila&#39;s resignation.&nbsp; 
 
The demonstrations were led by exiled leader Etienne Tshisekedi of Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), the country&#39;s main opposition party, UN-backed Radio Okapi reported.&nbsp; 
 
It&#39;s pertinent to mention that elections were scheduled for November in Congo but the electoral commission said the vote registry will not be complete till July 2017. 
 
The President&#39;s opponents have accused him of stalling the vote, but his supporters deny the charges.&nbsp; 
 
Kabila is being pressured by Western powers to not remain in power beyond when his mandate runs out on December 19, international news agency Reuters has observed.&nbsp; 
 
The constitution limits him to two elected terms, but the country&#39;s highest court ruled he can remain in power until the election takes place even if that falls beyond the end of his mandate in December. 
 
Analysts fear that if that happens it may push Congo to another civil war. The last civil war took place between 1996-2003, which killed millions of people.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from Reuters) 
 
 
 
 
 
&nbsp;

The demonstrations were led by exiled leader Etienne Tshisekedi of Union for Democracy and Social Progress

Police had to resort to firing tear gas shells to quell protesters in the streets of the opposition stronghold of Lubumbashi on Friday as agitatotrs demanded Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila's resignation. The demonstrations were led by exiled leader Etienne Tshisekedi of Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), the country's main opposition party, UN-backed Radio Okapi reported. It's pertinent to mention that elections were scheduled for November in Congo but the electoral commission said the vote registry will not be complete till July 2017. The President's opponents have accused him of stalling the vote, but his supporters deny the charges. Kabila is being pressured by Western powers to not remain in power beyond when his mandate runs out on December 19, international news agency Reuters has observed. The constitution limits him to two elected terms, but the country's highest court ruled he can remain in power until the election takes place even if that falls beyond the end of his mandate in December. Analysts fear that if that happens it may push Congo to another civil war. The last civil war took place between 1996-2003, which killed millions of people. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Anti-Kabila protests erupt in Congo opposition stronghold