JUSTIN KABUMBA

Title of Author

The Author is a AP reporter working on various topics across various countries.

With roads often blocked by rebels in Congo, boats — the only alternative — have become death traps

The overcrowded boat that capsized in eastern Congo last week killed eight members of Serge Nzonga’s family along with 70 others.

Congo’s presidential election spotlights the deadly crisis in the east that has displaced millions

Congo’s presidential election is a week away, and the major issue is the deadly conflict in the nation’s east that has forced millions of people to flee their homes.

US says Congo and rebel groups agree to a 3-day cease-fire ahead of key election, but cracks emerge

The White House says Congo’s security forces and rebel groups have agreed on a 72-hour cease-fire to de-escalate tensions in the country’s east near the border with Rwanda. It comes days before Congo’s presidential election.

Congo’s president makes campaign stop near conflict zone and blasts Rwanda for backing rebels

A fiery President Felix Tshisekedi of Congo has rallied thousands of supporters at a stadium in a conflict-stricken eastern region, making a final campaign sweep through the country in the lead-up to elections this month.

Rebels in Congo take key outpost in the east as peacekeepers withdraw and fighting intensifies

Armed rebels have seized a town in eastern Congo after violently clashing with the army, which has taken on an expanded role as peacekeeping forces withdraw from the mineral-rich, conflict-stricken region.

Congolese Nobel laureate kicks off presidential campaign with a promise to end violence, corruption

Congolese Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Denis Mukwege has kicked off his campaign for next month’s presidential election. He’s promising to tackle corruption and the violent conflict upending lives in the country’s eastern region.

Rebels claim to capture more ground in Congo’s east, raising further concerns about election safety

A rebel group with alleged links to neighboring Rwanda claims to have seized a key town in Congo’s conflict-hit eastern region amid intense fighting. It raises further security concerns ahead of the country’s Dec. 20 presidential election.

Congolese businessman Katumbi launches his presidential campaign to challenge Tshisekedi

Congolese businessman and opposition leader Moise Katumbi has launched his bid for the presidency, five years after the regime in power at the time blocked him from running.

Congo’s presidential candidates kick off campaigning a month before election

Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and a politician hoping to unseat him next month have launched their campaigns as the incumbent leader contends with ongoing violence in eastern Congo.

A record 6.9 million people have been displaced in Congo’s growing conflict, the U.N. says

The United Nations migration agency says a record 6.9 million people have been displaced by conflict across Congo, making it one of the world’s largest displacement and humanitarian crises.

‘I wanted to scream': Growing conflict in Congo drives sexual assault against displaced women

Hundreds of thousands of women and girls have been displaced over the past year in eastern Congo amid fighting by more than 130 armed groups. That leaves them vulnerable to sexual assault, which is on the rise.

At least 16 people killed when a boat caught fire in western Congo, as attacks rise in the east

Local officials say at least 16 people were killed Monday when a boat caught fire on the Congo River. The boat was carrying fuel and was on its way to the city of Mbandaka from the eastern part of the capital, Kinshasa.

As elections near, Congo says it will ease military rule in the conflict-riddled east

Congo’s president says he will gradually ease the state of military rule in the conflict-riddled east and lift some restrictions imposed more than two years ago.

UN suspends and detains 8 peacekeepers in Congo over allegations of sexual exploitation

A U.N. official says the eight peacekeepers have been suspended and detained in eastern Congo on allegations of sexual exploitation.

Congo orders regional peacekeepers to leave by December

Congo’s government spokesperson has said the East African regional force will have to leave the country by Dec. 8 because of a “lack of satisfactory results on the ground” as agreed on during a regional meeting.

At least 15 people are killed when a bomb brought home by children explodes in eastern Congo

A community leader says at least 15 people are dead after a group of children brought home an explosive device they had found while playing. A member of the Masisi civil society organization said Saturday that the tragedy took place Friday evening.

Congolese military court convicts colonel and 3 soldiers in connection with killings of protesters

A Congolese military court has sentenced a colonel to death after soldiers fired upon a crowd of protesters earlier this year.

Two military officers are arrested in Congo for leading a protest crackdown that killed 43 people

Two high-ranking military officers in northeast Congo have been arrested for their involvement in a crackdown on protests that left 43 people dead and dozens more severely injured.

Clash between armed forces and protesters in Congo kills at least 26, local official says

A local official in northeastern Congo says a clash between armed forces and members of a religious sect protesting Western organizations operating in the country has killed at least 26 people.

Soldier in Congo kills 13 people, including his wife, after son’s burial takes place without him

Officials say a soldier in northeastern Congo opened fire on family members and others who had buried his son before he could arrive home to attend the ceremony. The soldier killed 13 people, including 10 children.

At least 9 people killed by a bomb in northeastern Congo as violence in the region escalates

A local officials says an explosion killed at least nine people in North-Kivu province in northeastern Congo. The bomb exploded in the heart of a village as a civilian attempted to determine what it was.

Congo fashion show hopes to inspire peace, creativity in region affected by conflict

Fashion designers from several parts of Africa have come together for a show in eastern Congo, hoping to inspire peace and creativity in a region long affected by conflict.