{Deal aimed at stemming violence that followed President Joseph Kabila's refusal to relinquish the presidency.} Bishops leading negotiations with political leaders in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have said they are positive every stakeholder will have ratified a crucial political agreement on 28 January. Pressure has been mounting for all opposition parties and […]

{US political transition may disrupt engagement on DRC as potential for violence remains high.} A United States atrocity prevention advocate has warned that Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Joseph Kabila could "capitalise" on a change in foreign policy under US President Donald Trump. Trump will take office next month on 20 January, 2017, a […]

{With less than a week to go before President Joseph Kabila's second term ends, the Catholic Church is hoping to broker an agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)'s political actors in a bid to avoid bloodshed.} President Kabila has been in power since 2001 and served two full terms, as permitted by the […]

{Mining magnate Gertler is a close friend of Congolese president Joseph Kabila.} The United Kingdom Serious Fraud Office is investigating Israeli billionaire Dan Gertler over mining deals in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The DRC is home to some of the world's largest deposits of copper and cobalt, and its mineral potential is estimated […]

{IBTimes UK can reveal exclusive firsthand accounts of a campaign of fear and intimidation against the opposition.} As the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) teeters on the brink of a major crisis, IBTimes UK has received firsthand accounts from prominent members of the political opposition, whose homes have been attacked as the government steadily escalates […]

{Burundi's 18-month social and political crisis has directly impacted funding for centres for rape victims.} A Burundian charity has raised the alarm bells over a critical lack of funding for specialist centres for rape victims as it emerged that at least 3,000 children have been raped in the conflict-ridden country since 2014. In the aftermath […]

{UNHCR tells IBTimes UK it does not expect refugees to return home in next 12 months.} Exactly 18 months after the first Burundian refugees started pouring into neighbouring Rwanda escaping right abuses and violence, the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) is having to transition plastic tents to semi-permanent shelters in Mahama, the biggest refugee camp […]

{Capital Kigali launches a new modern market to accommodate 3,200 – mostly female –street vendors.} A new market to help vendors get off the streets launched this weekend in the Rwandan capital. Kigali, has set the tone to promote security, welfare of the people and fast-track national development, according to the Rwandan government. In response […]

{IBTimes UK speaks to opposition and peace activists about possible outcome of talks.} After stalling on negotiations for months, peace talks on the Burundi crisis are expected to resume on Tuesday 12 July in Arusha, Tanzania. In April, the UK government called on the Burundian government to protect prisoners' human rights and stop abuses, after […]