Six deaths were recorded in 24 hours amid 35 cholera cases in the Kasongo health zone, with local facilities lacking essential supplies.
The Kasongo health zone in Maniema province is experiencing a severe cholera outbreak, reporting six fatalities within a single day. A total of 36 cases have been noted, with the zone's chief medical officer, Dr. Mubwana Zamuda Byza, highlighting the critical shortage of protective and treatment kits in local health centers.
The lack of necessary supplies means many patients are being managed within their communities, increasing the risk of further transmission. Dr. Zamuda expressed grave concern over this situation, emphasizing that community-based management of cases exacerbates the spread of the disease. Several riverside health areas are reportedly affected.
Dr. Zamuda is urgently appealing to the government and health partners for swift intervention to bolster response efforts. The call emphasizes the need for increased hygiene promotion among the population to curb the escalating cholera crisis in the region.
Why it mattersSix people have died from cholera in the Kasongo health zone due to a lack of essential medical supplies and increased community transmission.
Read in ASJ →The 7th African Comic Art and Music Festival in Kinshasa will feature the work of Alfred Liyolo and focus on the theme "Life, Nothing But Life."
The 7th edition of the African Comic Art and Music Festival (SABDAM) will take place from September 11 to 13, 2026, at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kinshasa. This year's event will include an immersion into the artistic universe of the late Congolese sculptor Alfred Liyolo, recognized as a pioneer of bronze art in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Organizer Barly Baruti Kandolo stated that the choice of the Academy of Fine Arts aims to bridge academic, artistic, and cultural dimensions.
The chosen theme, "Bomoyi, kaka se bomoyi," translates to "Life, Nothing But Life." Baruti explained that a mural at the venue, depicting mine workers and the country's underground riches, visually represents this theme. He described the mural's imagery of workers producing honey that flows from Congo to a hive and a queen, symbolizing both the nation's suffering and its wealth. The festival also intends to amplify the voices of those who struggle to be heard.
Several international delegations are expected to attend the 7th edition, with participants arriving from Belgium, Mexico, Colombia, Asia, and Canada. Baruti emphasized the social dimension of the salon, stating, "We want the cries of the voiceless to be heard." The festival seeks to connect higher education with artistic and cultural spheres, creating an intersectional space for expression and dialogue.
Why it mattersThe festival aims to give a platform to underrepresented voices and highlight the nation's economic realities through art.
Read in ASJ →Nearly half of girls in Kasaï-Oriental are married before turning 18, a situation that compromises their future and health.
Nearly 48% of girls in Kasaï-Oriental are married before the age of 18, according to the provincial Minister of Health, Daniel Kazadi. This figure, revealed during the launch of the Bomoyi ya Maman na Muana project, highlights the scale of a phenomenon that severely jeopardizes the future of adolescent girls.
Minister Kazadi stated that early marriage often leads to early pregnancy, carrying significant risks of complications and maternal deaths. He emphasized that one in two girls faces the interruption of their childhood, compromised schooling, and an affected future.
Early marriages are identified as a public health issue, but also one of education, rights protection, and development. The minister stressed that combating maternal mortality necessitates action against early marriages and pregnancies, which are considered a public health and development challenge.
Why it mattersAdolescent girls in Kasaï-Oriental are affected by early marriages, which interrupt their education and lead to high-risk pregnancies.
Read in ASJ →Civil society groups warn of increased home invasions and targeted attacks on business operators in Kabondo commune.
The New Dynamic of Civil Society of Tshopo has raised alarm over deteriorating security in Kisangani's Kabondo commune. According to vice-president Gentil Sefu, the insecurity involves armed bandits breaking into homes, committing violent acts, and targeting business people. Sefu attributes the rise in crime to instability in neighboring provinces and calls for intensified official protection for residents and their property.
Bandits are reportedly entering homes, committing rape, and looting, with killings occurring when victims resist. Sefu highlighted the lack of police substations in several neighborhoods, including Kabondo Trans, Mangobo, and Matete, which allows assailants to operate with impunity. A young entrepreneur was recently killed in Kabondo Trans, a zone identified as particularly affected.
The civil society group is urging authorities to bolster security measures to protect citizens and their livelihoods. The current situation in Kabondo commune, characterized by violent incursions and targeted attacks, poses a significant threat to the safety and economic activities of its residents.
Why it mattersBusiness operators in Kisangani's Kabondo commune are directly affected by armed banditry, facing risks of robbery, violence, and death.
Read in ASJ →A wedding reception in Kinshasa ended in tragedy with at least 22 deaths and multiple injuries after a fire swept through a party hall.
At least 22 people died and several others were injured in a fire that broke out during a wedding ceremony in Kinshasa on the night of September 4-5, 2026. The event took place in a reception hall near the National Museum of the DRC, in the Lingwala commune. The hall was completely gutted, with significant material damage.
According to Norbert Mutshiga Zihindula, the mayor of Lingwala, the provisional death toll reported on Saturday morning was 22, with numerous injured individuals receiving emergency care. Witnesses and the mayor indicated that the evacuation was hampered by the hall's layout, specifically a single, narrow exit. Smoke and flames also obstructed escape routes, leading to people being trampled in the panic.
An investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances and origin of the fire. The Vice Prime Minister of the Interior, Jacquemain Shabani, and the Vice Governor of Kinshasa, Eddy Iyeli Molangi, both visited the scene on Saturday morning to assess the situation.
Why it mattersThe fire at the wedding hall in Kinshasa directly affected attendees and their families, causing loss of life and injuries due to the blaze and subsequent panic.
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