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Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Kinshasa

Head of State

President Félix Tshisekedi

Head of Government

Prime Minister Judith Suminwa

Hong Kong announced on May 17 the activation of the “alert response” level under its three-tier plan for an outbreak of Ebola. Photo: ISD

Hong Kong society

Editorial | Despite low risk of Ebola, Hong Kong is vigilant and prepared

City never had Ebola and has no direct flights to affected cities. Still, traveller screenings are stepped up and the quarantine bay readied.

3 hours ago

Africa

Outbreak of rare Ebola strain sparks race to find vaccines and treatments

20 May 2026 - 4:43PM

Singapore

Singapore, Japan, South Korea boost Ebola screening after WHO alert

20 May 2026 - 12:39PM

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hong Kong steps up Ebola precautions, prepares Lantau Island quarantine facility

Centre for Health Protection prepares Penny’s Bay site and response plan, including tracing, as central Africa outbreak declared global emergency.

19 May 2026 - 10:25PM

A quarantine facility has been prepared at Penny’s Bay on Lantau Island as authorities step up efforts to guard against the potential spread of the deadly Ebola virus. Photo: Sam Tsang

Ebola virus

WHO warns of ‘scale and speed’ of deadly Ebola outbreak

Deaths and cases surge in eastern DR Congo as rare Ebola strain spreads.

19 May 2026 - 7:13PM

Africa

US to screen for Ebola at airports as American worker is infected

US implements airport screenings and suspends visa services following a WHO declaration over the deadly Ebola strain.

19 May 2026 - 1:14PM

Disease

Silent spread of rare and deadly Ebola strain exposes surveillance gaps

A four-week detection delay for the Bundibugyo variant has left dozens dead in DR Congo and triggered a global alert.

18 May 2026 - 11:26PM

Health workers in protective suits tend to an Ebola victim in an isolation tent in 2019. Photo: AP

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hong Kong urged to trigger travel alert to DR Congo, Uganda amid Ebola outbreak

Infectious disease expert says more preventive measures necessary, noting frequent exchanges between mainland Chinese and central African cities.

18 May 2026 - 9:47PM

Africa

US citizens in DR Congo potentially exposed to Ebola, report says

CDC escalates its response to the latest deadly outbreak after the WHO declares an international emergency.

18 May 2026 - 5:31PM

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong ramps up health checks for travellers from Africa after Ebola outbreak

Move follows WHO declaring outbreak of deadly disease on continent a ‘public health emergency of international concern’.

17 May 2026 - 10:08PM

The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of two countries affected by the latest Ebola outbreak. Photo: Xinhua

Ebola virus

Ebola outbreak in Congo, Uganda declared an international health emergency

The Bundibugyo strain, which killed more than 80 people, has no specific treatments or vaccines.

17 May 2026 - 8:12PM

A man is brought to a hospital following an Ebola outbreak in Bunia, DR Congo’s Ituri province, on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

Africa

Congo Ebola outbreak: constant burials as death toll reaches 80

Congo has experience in managing Ebola outbreaks but often faces logistical challenges to get expertise and supplies to affected regions.

16 May 2026 - 8:09PM

Africa

Africa calls multi-nation health meeting amid fatal Ebola outbreak

There have been 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths recorded so far in the DRC, around five months after the last outbreak was declared over.

15 May 2026 - 7:02PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Hormuz crisis tarnishing copper production, raising costs, Chinese analysts say

China Minmetals Economic Research Institute says disruption of sulphur shipments through strait is having ripple effects on copper production.

14 May 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

Imported sulphur is unloaded at a port in Nantong, Jiangsu province, in 2018. Photo: Reuters

China-Africa relations

Rare earth strategy provides ‘opportunities for Africa’ as US counters China

US racing to fund infrastructure in Africa to process and mine critical minerals as it lacks the capacity on home soil.

9 May 2026 - 5:59PMvideocam

Workers take a break at the Prospect Lithium mine and processing plant in Goromonzi, Zimbabwe. Photo: Reuters

China-Africa relations

Why African leaders value seamless transcontinental links over US-China rivalry

Economic ambitions are the priority, says official with project that Washington has framed as de-risking mineral supply chains from Beijing.

4 May 2026 - 5:11PMvideocam

Climate change

Tropical forest loss still 11 football fields a minute – or Denmark per year

Researchers warn that fires fuelled by climate change are a dangerous new normal and could reverse gains made in tackling deforestation.

29 Apr 2026 - 9:35PMvideocam

United States

Taliban, Congo? Afghans stuck in Qatar who helped US war face more stress

After reports the US could send 1,100 Afghans who assisted the US to the DRC, the Taliban urged them to instead head back to their homeland.

25 Apr 2026 - 11:25PMvideocam

A woman carries a child as they arrive in Qatar with other evacuees from Afghanistan in 2021, following the US withdrawal. Photo: AFP

Africa

Pope Leo denounces ‘colonisation’ of minerals on final leg of Africa tour

The pontiff warns that a global lust for profit ‘kills’ as he meets with a government accused of widespread corruption and authoritarianism.

22 Apr 2026 - 2:49PM

Africa

DR Congo to receive third-country deportees from US under deal

Kinshasa to receive US-funded deportees as the Trump administration expands controversial migration agreements across Africa.

6 Apr 2026 - 11:21AM

China-Africa relations

China gains ground in DR Congo’s mining sector as Australian firm loses permits

Chinese firms emerge as preferred partners as African nations seek bigger returns on critical mineral extraction.

1 Apr 2026 - 2:00PM

Congolese Minister of Mines Louis Watum Kabamba (left) and Chinese Minister of Natural Resources Guan Zhiou have signed a memorandum of understanding on “cooperation in the fields of geology and mineral resources”. Photo: Louis Watum Kabamba

China-EU relations

EU’s flagship Africa project under fire over ties to Chinese state-owned firms

Lawmakers demand to know where over US$2.3 billion in funds is going in venture meant to wean off Beijing’s critical minerals chokehold.

31 Mar 2026 - 11:48PMvideocam

Workers direct lorry traffic in Tenke Fungurume Mine, one of the largest copper and cobalt mines in the world, in southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Photo: AFP

China-Africa relations

China will stockpile critical resources and boost energy supply security

Beijing boosts economic self-reliance and long-term stability as a matter of ‘national security’ while Middle East conflicts continue.

22 Mar 2026 - 6:58PM

China-Africa relations

China’s supply chain meets the wall of African resource nationalism

As resource-rich nations introduce export bans and other limits, analyst says investment may not automatically follow.

16 Mar 2026 - 6:13PMvideocam

Africa

DR Congo says least 200 dead in coltan mine collapse

The collapse took place at the Rubaya mines, where rebels claim ‘bombings’ killed only five people.

5 Mar 2026 - 4:19PM

M-23 soldiers patrol near the open pit coltan mine in Rubaya, the Democratic Republic of Congo. Photo: AFP

China-Africa relations

Why US money may not be enough to break China’s rare earths dominance

Washington aims to spend billions in Africa to build up a strategic reserve of key minerals, but analysts warn it may not be so simple.

28 Feb 2026 - 11:00PMvideocam

US representatives were out in force at the recent African Mining Indaba in Cape Town. Photo: AFP

China-Africa relations

Why Beijing’s US$4.5 billion Niger-Benin oil pipeline is under fire from rebels

Chinese nationals warned to avoid high-risk areas after infrastructure becomes a primary target for rebels seeking to halt military junta.

27 Feb 2026 - 6:30PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

Opinion | China’s zero-tariff offer to Africa is a game changer

In contrast to Western proposals that come with strings attached, China has turned its own market into the main instrument of partnership.

24 Feb 2026 - 5:30AM

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Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Editorial | Despite low risk of Ebola, Hong Kong is vigilant and prepared

City never had Ebola and has no direct flights to affected cities. Still, traveller screenings are stepped up and the quarantine bay readied.

Outbreak of rare Ebola strain sparks race to find vaccines and treatments

Singapore, Japan, South Korea boost Ebola screening after WHO alert

Hong Kong steps up Ebola precautions, prepares Lantau Island quarantine facility

Centre for Health Protection prepares Penny’s Bay site and response plan, including tracing, as central Africa outbreak declared global emergency.

WHO warns of ‘scale and speed’ of deadly Ebola outbreak

Deaths and cases surge in eastern DR Congo as rare Ebola strain spreads.

US to screen for Ebola at airports as American worker is infected

US implements airport screenings and suspends visa services following a WHO declaration over the deadly Ebola strain.

Silent spread of rare and deadly Ebola strain exposes surveillance gaps

A four-week detection delay for the Bundibugyo variant has left dozens dead in DR Congo and triggered a global alert.

Hong Kong urged to trigger travel alert to DR Congo, Uganda amid Ebola outbreak

Infectious disease expert says more preventive measures necessary, noting frequent exchanges between mainland Chinese and central African cities.

US citizens in DR Congo potentially exposed to Ebola, report says

CDC escalates its response to the latest deadly outbreak after the WHO declares an international emergency.

Hong Kong ramps up health checks for travellers from Africa after Ebola outbreak

Move follows WHO declaring outbreak of deadly disease on continent a ‘public health emergency of international concern’.

Ebola outbreak in Congo, Uganda declared an international health emergency

The Bundibugyo strain, which killed more than 80 people, has no specific treatments or vaccines.

Congo Ebola outbreak: constant burials as death toll reaches 80

Congo has experience in managing Ebola outbreaks but often faces logistical challenges to get expertise and supplies to affected regions.

Africa calls multi-nation health meeting amid fatal Ebola outbreak

There have been 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths recorded so far in the DRC, around five months after the last outbreak was declared over.

Hormuz crisis tarnishing copper production, raising costs, Chinese analysts say

China Minmetals Economic Research Institute says disruption of sulphur shipments through strait is having ripple effects on copper production.

Rare earth strategy provides ‘opportunities for Africa’ as US counters China

US racing to fund infrastructure in Africa to process and mine critical minerals as it lacks the capacity on home soil.

Why African leaders value seamless transcontinental links over US-China rivalry

Economic ambitions are the priority, says official with project that Washington has framed as de-risking mineral supply chains from Beijing.

Tropical forest loss still 11 football fields a minute – or Denmark per year

Researchers warn that fires fuelled by climate change are a dangerous new normal and could reverse gains made in tackling deforestation.

Taliban, Congo? Afghans stuck in Qatar who helped US war face more stress

After reports the US could send 1,100 Afghans who assisted the US to the DRC, the Taliban urged them to instead head back to their homeland.

Pope Leo denounces ‘colonisation’ of minerals on final leg of Africa tour

The pontiff warns that a global lust for profit ‘kills’ as he meets with a government accused of widespread corruption and authoritarianism.

DR Congo to receive third-country deportees from US under deal

Kinshasa to receive US-funded deportees as the Trump administration expands controversial migration agreements across Africa.

China gains ground in DR Congo’s mining sector as Australian firm loses permits

Chinese firms emerge as preferred partners as African nations seek bigger returns on critical mineral extraction.

EU’s flagship Africa project under fire over ties to Chinese state-owned firms

Lawmakers demand to know where over US$2.3 billion in funds is going in venture meant to wean off Beijing’s critical minerals chokehold.

China will stockpile critical resources and boost energy supply security

Beijing boosts economic self-reliance and long-term stability as a matter of ‘national security’ while Middle East conflicts continue.

China’s supply chain meets the wall of African resource nationalism

As resource-rich nations introduce export bans and other limits, analyst says investment may not automatically follow.

DR Congo says least 200 dead in coltan mine collapse

The collapse took place at the Rubaya mines, where rebels claim ‘bombings’ killed only five people.

Why US money may not be enough to break China’s rare earths dominance

Washington aims to spend billions in Africa to build up a strategic reserve of key minerals, but analysts warn it may not be so simple.

Why Beijing’s US$4.5 billion Niger-Benin oil pipeline is under fire from rebels

Chinese nationals warned to avoid high-risk areas after infrastructure becomes a primary target for rebels seeking to halt military junta.

Opinion | China’s zero-tariff offer to Africa is a game changer

In contrast to Western proposals that come with strings attached, China has turned its own market into the main instrument of partnership.

Editorial | Despite low risk of Ebola, Hong Kong is vigilant and prepared