Published : 30 Jun 2026, 05:24 AM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:19 AM
The Democratic Republic of Congo has banned public gatherings in four provinces, including the capital Kinshasa, as the country battles a deadly Ebola outbreak.
The ban comes ahead of a planned protest in Kinshasa against constitutional reform, with opposition figures calling it "politically motivated."
● The order, issued on Jun 27 by the interior minister, covers Kinshasa, Tshopo, Haut-Uele and Bas-Uele provinces, none of which has recorded cases so far.
● It cited proximity to affected provinces as a key transmission risk, and required authorities in the four provinces to monitor anyone presenting symptoms and submit daily surveillance reports.
● The outbreak, declared on May 15, has infected 1,274 people and killed 360 across three eastern provinces, Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu, according to government data released on Monday.
● The ban comes days before a planned protest in Kinshasa on July 8, with opposition figures calling on supporters to rally against proposed constitutional changes they say could allow President Felix Tshisekedi to seek a third term.
● Prince Epenge, a spokesperson for the opposition Lamuka coalition, denounced the ban as "politically motivated" and told Reuters the Jul 8 protest would go ahead regardless.
● A previous rally on Jun 12 was broken up by police using tear gas and live ammunition, killing one protester and injuring 38, according to the UN Human Rights Office.
