- The government spokesman, Minister of Communication and Media, Mende Lambert, was confirmed during a press conference Monday in Kinshasa. Lambert Mende has positively assessed the joint operations in North Kivu by Rwandan and Congolese troops against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of rwamda (FDLR). According to the Minister, the authority of the State is effective in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Lambert Mende said that everything goes normally to the east of the DRC: "There is a recognition among governments of both countries of an effective restoration of State authority in all areas that were formerly occupied by the National Congress for People's Def…

- This product cures for sleeping sickness in 97%. It is a combination of two drugs. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, this product has been administered to a sample of 280 patients during 18 months of treatment and monitoring. The result was positive. That's what it takes to hold a press conference co-hosted this Wednesday at the office of the World Health Organization (WHO) / DRC, the Ministry of Health, the Initiative drugs against neglected diseases (DNDI) and Doctors without Borders (MSF). The occasion was the presentation of the findings of a clinical trial Phase 3 conducted between 2003 and 2008 in sub-Saharan Africa. According to the medical director of PNLTHA, (national pr…

- Bosco Ntaganda, the chief of General Staff of the rebel National Congress for People's Defense (rebellion, CNDP), hopes that its troops are involved alongside the Congolese army and Rwandan tracking down Rwandan Hutu rebels in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). "I support the agreement signed in December between the government of Kinshasa and Rwanda, said Thursday at the press General Ntaganda. The two governments had signed on 5 December a joint military plan for the disarmament of Rwandan Hutu militias of the Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda (FDLR) based in eastern DRC. "It was one of our demands. This agreement was signed, it is time for the C…

The authorities in Angola have said they have closed part of the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo to prevent the spread of the deadly Ebola virus. Angolan officials said all movement of people from northern Luande Norte province to DR Congo would be stopped. - The outbreak in DR Congo was the first in Africa in several months and the fourth in DR Congo since 1976. It is believed to have infected at least 40 people of which more than ten have died. "We are suspending all movement of people and trade with the DRC in the province of Lunda Norte", said Angolan Health Minister Jose Van Dunem. Reuters news agency reported Van Dunem as saying that no cases of Ebola…

The International Criminal Court (ICC) confirmed Monday that the hearings to examine the strength of the charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity against the former Congolese Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba would be held from 12-15 January 2009. - The hearings had already been postponed twice, in November and early December. During the confirmation hearing, the Pre-Trial Chamber decides whether or not to confirm certain charges, paving the way for a trial. Bemba, 46, was arrested in late May in Brussels on a mandate of the ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo. It accuses the former rebel leader and head of the Congolese opposition of rape, torture, looting and killings committed b…

- Rwanda assists multifaceted, including the recruitment of child soldiers, the group of Tutsi rebel Laurent Nkunda in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) next door, says a report by UN experts published Friday . The group of experts mandated by the Security Council has "found evidence that the Rwandan authorities were complicit recruitment of soldiers, including children, and facilitated the provision of military equipment" to the National Congress for the Defense du peuple (CNDP) of ex-General Nkunda, says the report. The Rwandan authorities have also "sent officers and units of the Rwandan Defense Forces in Congolese territory to support the CNDP," he contin…

More than 300,000 jobs would be lost by the end of this month in the mining province of Katanga in the south-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), due to falling metal prices and the financial crisis, a provincial official said Monday. - "We have additional 200,000 unemployed and they will be 300,000 to 350,000 by the end of the year," said Minister of Mines of Katanga province, Barthélemy Mumba Gama. "Because of falling metal prices, companies no longer cover their production costs," he explained. "Their current fall in stock market and the local market, this means the closure of production units, layoffs and shutdown orders to subcontractors," he con…

- A meeting is scheduled Monday in Nairobi, Kenya, between a delegation from the Congolese government and the CNDP of Laurent Nkunda. According to the spokesman of this movement, the CNDP responds to an invitation from the envoy of the United Nations and the African Union, O. OBASSANJO and expects this appointment the opening of direct negotiations they always call with the power of Kinshasa. Thus, for Bertrand Bisimwa, the displacement of Nairobi is not in place, as was underlined Saturday the spokesman for the government in the process Amani. "You know our position on that. The Amani for us is part of history. The program Amani is a government program, and the government has to do w…

- The international community commemorates the 1st December the 20th day of global fight against AIDS. On this occasion, NMPFA, National Multisectoral fight against AIDS, announced that 1 million 200 thousand people are infected by this virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and among them only 20 miles have access to antiretroviral treatment. According to the coordinator of NMPFA, Dr. Dédé Wathiba, more or less 300 000 infected people need to be under the anti-retroviral treatment. "But the care of people living with HIV must be holistic as we say. There are also nutritional support, psychological support, economic support, for example, income-generating activities, "he expl…

The Democratic Republic of Congo has announced its refusal to see Indian troops reinforce the peace mission of the United Nations in that country. The country accused India of having committed "abuses." A letter addressed to the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said: "We reject Indian troops." - According to spokesman Lambert Mende, the letter refers to the strengthening of 3,000 peacekeepers to MONUC decided last week by the Security Council of the United Nations because of renewed fighting between the rebels of Laurent Nkunda and the Congolese army since late August in the province of North Kivu. "The Congolese government, like any other government in the world…

- The international community should have a light on the situation of Virunga National Park in DRC, a World Heritage site by Unesco transformed into operational zone of warring armed groups: It is the wish expressed on Thursday by the Chief Director Site of the Virunga park as part of the commemoration at the global level of the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict. For Emmanuel De Merode, two stations in the Virunga National Park, Kabaraza and Mikeno, theaters of recent clashes between the FARDC and CNDP are emptied of all the guards parks since last week. The Virunga National Park, is affected by the intense conflict for over…

The UN's Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, is to attend the summit on the crisis in eastern DRC in Nairobi, Kenya this coming Friday. The presidents of the DRC and Rwanda, two neighbouring countries with strained relations, will also participate in this international summit. - The Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Moses Wetangula, said the summit, called by the international community is look at the urgency of the situation in the province of North Kivu, will be devoted to the fighting in eastern DRC and solutions to try to "solve this crisis. The diplomatic and political advisor of President Joseph Kabila has confirmed his arrival at the summit in Nairobi. The Rwandan presiden…

The heads of state of Congo and Rwandan will soon meet in a summit at the highest level to find a solution to the crisis affecting the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel disclosed on Friday night in Kinshasa. - The European politician who met both leaders separately said, “Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Joseph Kabila of Congo have agreed to this meeting.” At this stage, he said it would be premature for him to determine which of the two capitals would host the meetings. However, AfricaNews checks show that the summit could be held in a neutral city such as Nairobi. Michel said the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, hopes …

- Emmanuel Pweto, journalist Transfer to Africanews and Radio RTGA Kinshasa won the award for journalism development in 2008, this award is an award given by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) on the occasion of International Day for the Fight against Poverty. This day is celebrated each October 17. The first competition held in DR Congo, to propose a report and analysis of the poverty situation in the DRC, cases of gender issues and violence against women and girls, issues related to environment, the health and the promotion of democratic governance. More than 100 candidates participated in the competition in different areas of the press among other newspapers, on-line press,…

The Congolese Prime Minister, Antoine Gizenga has resigned his position on Thursday. His letter of resignation has been submitted to President Joseph Kabila and awaiting response. He made his disclosure on National Broadcasting Television of Congo. - Gizega, 84, said: "We can now affirm that the country begins to take the proper course and experiencing a dynamic recovery and rebuilding. We must stand firm and move forward with determination. However, for every man, even if the spirit can still be healthy and alert, the physical body has its limits which should be taken into account.” “That is why, after almost half a century of struggle for national cause, and more than …

Private companies can now invest in the electricity sector of DRC after a draft code was given prominence by the country's energy minister. The National Electricity Company will no longer be the only company to operate. The draft code is a new legal framework for management and operation of the sector. - The Director of Société National d'Eléctrcité (SNEL), Albert Mbafumoya explained: "We have a society that has a virtual monopoly in electricity. So the idea is to ensure that private operators can enter this market. You can imagine that some corners of the Republic or certain other parties could be exploited by private.” “We have prepared a bill to make the sec…

- Rape of minors in DRC a former French of MONUC sentenced to 9 years imprisonment A former official french of the United Nations, accused two dozen rapes of minors when he was stationed in Africa, was convicted Thursday by the Assize Court of Paris, and sentenced to nine years' imprisonment. Didier Bourguet, 44 years, saw his sentence with an obligation to care for eight years after liberation, the president of the court stating that in case of non-compliance with this "socio-judicial monitoring," it would conduct three years prison. Mr. Bourguet has already made nearly four years of detention, isolation, and this conviction makes it theoretically released in mid-2009,…

The mythic Stade des Martyrs in the DR Congo capital, Kinshasa is changing its look as the old natural grass is being replaced by new synthetic grass. - The renovation started last week and is expected to be complete by September 3rd, as the country's national selection needs to inaugurate it by playing Egypt on September 7th.Dutch construction company De Jong 't Veld secured that contract. Despite the enthusiasm among football lovers, many still doubts about the maintenance of the new grass. Football Association officials are rather confidence and reassure that staff have been trained for that and that equipment is coming.

The fight against malaria in the Democratic Republic of the Congo like in many other sub Saharan countries is more and more focusing on prevention, especially with the use of impregnated bed nets. - The residents of the capital Kinshasa know that malaria remains the first cause of morbidity and that it could be prevented by getting rid of of stagnant water and wild bush. Despite the efforts made by the inhabitants, public services still need to play their part by keeping the city clean.

Fine Arts Academy students in the DR Congo capital Kinshasa have found another easy way to finance their studies and other daily expenses by selling their works. - “Some students had scholarship last year but this year the government seems to have forgotten us”, says George Herardy, a third year students. He sells sculptures but also paintings. Herardy's dream is to become famous. The first step is to own his own workshop.

- 350 million barrels in 30 years, 11 days production of Saudi Arabia. This lean production class DRC among producers minors, although it has huge reserves. More than 4 billion barrels and millions of cubic metres of gas, for example, his only basin of the West, said Monday in Kinshasa, a representative of the oil company Perenco, at the national congress on petroleum and gas. More than 300 participants taking part in the congress including national experts, African, french, American and Brazilian. It aims to validate the preliminary draft Code of hydrocarbons and prepare for the holding of the 4th congress of African countries producers of oil in 2010 in Kinshasa. The DRC has enormous…

- Concentrated tomato, onion, milk powder, soap are cut into small volumes on the markets in Kinshasa: the face of rising prices, sellers Congolese have invented the "miniaturization". "I n'écoule more my boxes of tomatoes, nor my vegetables. This is expensive now and people can not afford to buy them. So I cut into small pieces to sell," said Wivine, a saleswoman at Livulu market, a district east of the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On his table, cans of tomato concentrate cut into two or packed in bags and soap cut into cubes, are spread. On a shelf, onions and cucumbers, also cut. "A quarter of this onion costs 20 Congolese…

- A dozen local and international NGOs have called Monday for more transparency to the authorities of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) with the issuance of mining contracts "cancelled" or "negotiated", said a statement received by AFP. These NGOs, including Global Witness and British Raid, asking the government to "publish all contracts renegotiated" and "confirm the contracts are cancelled as a result of the review process and explain how and when the cancellation takes effect ". They also urged to "explain the evolution of negotiations and how the concerns of public interest are taken into account. Deploring the under-repre…

- The Ugandan army said Monday it was monitoring closely the situation at the border west of the country adjacent to the border with Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), following information on possible new fighting in this vast country Central Africa. The master Tabaro Kiconco, spokesman of the 2nd Army Division, told Xinhua by telephone that the army reinforced its monitoring network and mobilizing the population along the border to prevent the entry of any armed group in Uganda. According to groups of Human Rights operating in eastern DRC, tens of people fleeing because of the deteriorating security situation in the region. Reports received in Kampala mention the fact that…

- More than 156 titles forest pass revisitation the Ministry of Environment. The Interministerial Commission for conversion of such securities forest has 45 days to rule on the completion of the process of legal review of titles forest. The results of this work should be seen and accepted by all stakeholders as a means to strengthen control forest and the traceability of forest products in greater transparency. This process also determines the accountability of the forest administration and operators of the forest sector on the conduct and discipline should be observed now when considering the forest as a public good. According to the Congolese government, the process of converting forme…