BREAKING: JUDGE YANYI DIED FROM POISONING

An autopsy conducted on the body of Judge Raphael Yanyi, has confirmed that he died from poisoning. The judge was declared dead in the early hours of Wednesday morning 27 May 2020, shortly after being rushed to hospital in the capital Kinahasa.

 He was the Chief Judge presiding over the corruption trial of Vital Kamerhe and his co-accused Samih Jammal.
Both men are accused of embezzling money allocated for President Felix Tshisekedi's 100 EMERGENCY PROGRAMME.

According to family members the Judge had been doing well the whole day before complaining about not feeling well, and was rushed to Centre de Nganda health facility

Judge Raphael's death had sparked protests in the Kinahasa, with both his family and civil society demanding that an autopsy be carried out.


The trial will resume on the 3 of June 2020. Vital Kemehre's wife, Amida Shatur, is expected to testify as a witness, after the state prosecutor made a request for her to appear in court

CONSTRUCTION OF N'DJILI AIRPORT, IS THE MINISTER TELLING THE TRUTH?

On Wednesday 27 May 2020,  the Minister of Transport and Air Communication Didier Mazenga, told the Senate that the delay on the construction work of the new Kinshasa international airport (also known as N'djili Airport) was due to the coronavirus pandemic. The minister, in a written response, also said that 80% on the feasibility, technical and topographic studies was already completed.

He was replying to a question posed by Senator Jose Makila, who was transport minister at the time the construction work for the airport was launched. Makila wanted to find out how far the work had progressed, since government had  disbursed $20 million for the construction when he was minister.

But a statement issued a while back by Wietc, the Chinese company contracted to build the airport, paints a different picture.

While Wietc acknowledged that it had received $20 million from the Central Bank of Congo and had started with preliminary works, the company was forced to stop after running out of funds. It added that neither the Congolese government nor an external source was able to provide further funding.

When construction work was launched in 2018, by former President Joseph Kabila, minister Jose Makila had told the public that the project would cost $354 680 000; the Congolese government was going to disburse 15% of the money while China's Exim bank will finance the remaining 85%.

However when approached, a senior official at Exim Bank denied that the financial institution had agreed to finance the project; and the Congolese government has been unable to provide any statement or proof to dispute the claim

Minister Didier Mazenga will return to the Senate house on Tuesday 2 June 2020, to provide more clarity

UDPS WILL NOT FIND A REPLACEMENT FOR KABUND, YET

The Democratic Union for Social Progress (UDPS) issued a statement on Thursday that it will not nominate any of its member to replace interim leader Jean-Marc Kabund as Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, as they felt that this was inappropriate.

Kabund was removed from Parliament after being voted out during a debate over a motion brought against him.

In a meeting attended by Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi, who is also the traditional leader of the party, UDPS demonstrated its  full support for Kabund; and strongly warned its members serving in Parliament that, should one of them make him/herself available for the position of Deputy Speaker, that person will be considered as having abandoned the party. The individual will also be subjected to legal actions, in accordance with the consititution of the Republic and that of the party.

The party also took aim at it coalition partner the Common Front for Congo (FCC), which occupies majority seats in the National Assembly; saying that it viewed FCC's contribution in the fall of Kabund as a fatal blow to their partnership.

The UDPS leadership has since given Kabund authorisation to use legal means to challenge his removal as the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, which they dubbed as unconstitutional.

TSHISEKEDI DEMANDS MORE ANSWERS FROM GECAMINE MANAGEMENT, AS CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS MOUNTS

President Felix Tshisekedi will officially reply to the management of state owned mining company Gecamine, asking further clarification on the company's assets management and  finances.

Tshisekedi told members of his cabinet that he was not happy with first response he received from the company, especially when considering that the profit loss was enormous.
The President said he has been receiving reports, some supported with documents, of massive corruption taking place at the mining company, including the undervaluing and selling of assets. This prompted him to seek answers from those in charge.

In the next cabinet meeting to be held on Friday  29 2020 , a guideline is expected to be published and provide details on the new direction Gecamine must undertake, this will form part of the President's reply to the  management at the organisation.

Reports of looting at this state mining company, located in the southern city of Lubumbashi, is not new.
The former Chairperson of the board of directors  Albert Yuma, who is currently under house arrest, had been accused of embezzling USD200 million, the money was part of a 200 million euro loan Gecamine had received from Israeli business tycoon Dan Gertler.
Suspicions rose after Gertler requested the loan repayment; authorities were unable to trace the money to Gecamine's account.

In April opposition leader, Jean-Claude Muyambo,  spoke of parallel accounts existing within the state mining company, one which belonged to the board of directors.

CONGO: ARMY CAPTURES A STRATEGIC AND STRONG REBEL BASE

Aftet two days of heavy fighting with the hutu rebel group Nyatura Domi , the Congolese national defense force managed to take control of the hill of Rugarika in the territory of Rutshuru, North Kivu Province. This was confirmed by Kivu Barometer, an organisation monitoring the security situation in eastern Congo

The hills was being used by the rebels as a base to formulate attacks against the Congolese army.

The Nyatura rebels have been instrumental in offering military support to the Rwandan FDLR rebels, whose presence in the two provinces of Kivu has been at the centre of conflict between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The rebel movement, which is led by self-proclaimed Colonel Mathias Kalume Kenge, have also been part of the inter-ethnic clashes in the region, attacking militia groups that are opposed to the presence of Rwandophone speakers.

At the beginning of the year the national army launched an operation for their hunt, and the rebels were able to be dismantled in the Province of South Kivu; with their last stronghold in Bunja, Kalehe, captured on 14 January 2020.

The rebels then moved northwards to the neighbouring Province of North Kivu , where they had set up based in the hills of Rugarika.

After suffering many lose in the last months, some Nyatura militia chose to surrender, with the hope of being integrated into the national defense force. However due to political influence and poor living conditions at the disarmament centres, others have gone back to rejoin the group.

CONGO: MORE THAN 50 PEOPLE MASSACRED BY SUSPECTED ADF REBELS WITHIN 48 HRS

On Monday 25 May 2020 , villages in Congo's northeastern province of Ituri were once again at the brutal merci of gunmen, after suspected members of the Democratic Allied Forces(ADF) went on a shooting rampage, killing 14 people in the territory of Irumu. The following day the attackers would return to massacre 40 more civilians.

 According to a local civil society movement, the number of deaths counted are only of those bodies recovered so far and that the death toll could be much higher. The movement added that some of the areas attacked were difficult to access because of the forest surroundedings

The first attack took place around 05:00am in the village of  Makutano, before the near village of Sambako could fall victim.

For the past years the ADF have brought misery to the population of both North Kivu and Ituri Province, carrying out sprees of massacres against civilians. The Kivu Security Tracker(KST), an organisation monitoring the security situation in the region, had attributed last month massacre of 30 civilians to the rebel movement.

Currently a military operation, by the Congolese army, is underway to neutralise the rebels; although there have been some success in the operation, like the capturing of ADF headquarter in Madina, the vastness of the region and its dense forestry environment has been providing  room for the rebels to escape and regroup

BREAKING: JUDGE PRESIDENT IN THE VITAL KAMERHE TRIAL DEAD!

Judge President Raphael Yanyi, who has been presiding over the trial of Vital Kamerhe , Chief of Staff of President Felix Tshisekedi, was declared dead in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

 According to the police commissioner of Kinahasa Sylvano Kasongo, the judge died at a health facility where he was rushed after suffering a heart attack; and was not assassinated as earlier reports alleged.

Vital Kamerhe is currently being detained at Kinshasa Central Makala prison on charges of embezzlement. His trial has been adjourned for the 03 June 2020


This is a developing story

CONGO TO FINALLY DECENTRALISE TESTING LABORATORY FOR COVID19

Since the first outbreak of the coronavirus in the Democratic Republic of Congo on 21 March 2020, the country has been relying on one laboratory stationed at the National Institute for Biomedical Research (INRB) in Kinshasa, to conduct the tests.
However from next week more laboratories will be installed in other medical centres in the Capital and the Provinces of Haut-Katanga, North and South Kivu, Kongo Central, Ituri and Kwilu. This was confirmed by Prime Minister Sylvester Ilunga Ilunkamba, during a Senate briefing on the current coronavirus situation in the country.
The added laboratries will be equipped with the rapid GeneXpert testing kits, which provides results within 45 minutes.
Currently the INRB has the capacity to only test about 500 samples per day, which could pose further challenges in containing the spread.

The Prime Minister also added that government will set up screening sites across the country , with a mass one already opened at the Martyr stadium, the biggest football stadium in the country.

Regarding some of the progress made in fighting the virus, Ilunkamba also mentioned how his government has managed to reduced the mortality rate from 12% to 4%; he also highlighted that 85% of positive cases are mild and those patients are sent home, some with chloroquine medication, to recover in isolation.
By Tuesday 26 May 2020 , the Democratic Republic of Congo had 2546 coronavirus cases, 2293 in Kinshasa, 176 in Kongo Central, 21 in Haut-Katanga, 35 in North Kivu, 16 in South Kivu , 2 in Ituri and 2 in Kwilu. So far there have been 365 recoveries and 68 deaths.

KAMERHE TRIAL: STATE CALLS FOR AMIDA SHATUR AND SORAYA MPIANA TO APPEAR IN COURT

The trial of Vital Kamerhe , the Chief of Staff of  President Felix Tshisekedi, took an interesting turn after the state representative made a last minute request for the accused's wife and step daughter to give testimonies at the hearing

The state wants Amida Shatur, wife of Vital Kamerhe, and her daughter Soraya Mpiana(who is fathered by popular artist JB Mpiana) to explain their role in the embezzlement of funds Kamerhe is being accused of.

According to documents held by the state, Amida and Soraya's names have been mentioned several times in connection to the corruption case. An extraction points to how a property belonging to Kamerhe's co-accused, Samih Jammal, was handed over to Soraya Mpiana at the instruction of Kamerhe; a property registration certificate with Soraya's name has since been made available to prove this.

Lawyers representing Kamerhe have strongly objected to Shatur and Mpiana appearing in court , arguing that it's an attempt to subject their client to humiliation.

Other big names which are on the proposed witness list includes, the Governor of the Central Bank of Congo Deogratias Mutombo, coordinator of the 100 DAYS EMERGENCY PROGRAM Nicolas Kazadi and Minister of Land Affairs Molendo Sakombi

The trial has been adjourned for 3th of June 2020.

Vital Kamerhe is being accused of embezzling funds disbursed for the construction of social houses, he's believe to have illegally authorised the awarding of a USD57 million housing contract to Jammal Samih.
Some of the houses have been built, however the cost of construction is far lower than the amount the state had made available for the project.

GOING! GOING! GONE! KABUND VOTED OUT!!

The deputy speaker of the Congolese Parliament Jean Marc Kabund has been removed from his post. During a parliamentary session 289 members out of the 315 voted for Kabund's removal, after a petition against him had gone through the debating process.

 Earlier in the session members of Kabund's party, the Democratic Union for Social Progress(UDPS), violently interrupted proceedings to prevent voting from going ahead, arguing that internal parliamentary rules were not respected . Kabund is the current interim President of UDPS, standing in for Felix Tshisekedi, who is currently fulfilling his function as the Head of State.
Kabund was not present during the process, of which the speaker of Parliament Jeanine Mabunda expressed regret.
A petition against Jean Marc Kabund was initiated by Jean-Jacque Mamba and it received 62 signature from other parliamentarians, before being submitted to the speaker of parliament.

 Kabund was being accused of sharing false information after he failed to produce evidence of a statement he had made, where he said that a national congress which parliament was planning to organise, will cost tax payers USD7 million

ZAMBIAN ARMY OCCUPYING 7 LOCALITIES IN CONGO

According to civil society members, the Zambian army continues to occupy 7 localities in the Congolese province of Tanganyika. This is preventing some villagers, who had sought refuge in neighbouring territories, from returning home.

Around mid March 2020, gun confrontation broke out between the Congolese and Zambian army in the border territory of Moliro; fighting lasted for almost three days and the Zambian army took control of some of villages in Congo, including that of Kalubamba and Kibanga, which they still occupy today.

The Congolese authorities have since deployed a large military contingent in the region but are giving priority to diplomatic engagement, even seeking the assistant of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC).
The civil society however believe that diplomatic talks are not producing any results and have called on the central government in Kinahasa to give a go ahead for fighting to commence.

Earlier in the month , Zambian foreign minister Joseph Malanji denied any presence of its soldiers on Congolese soil and instead accused Congolese troops of raiding Zambian villages and stealing livestock.

LUBUMBASHI: MINE WORKERS AT FUNGURUME TO BE PAID USD300, AS PART OF CONFINEMENT ALLOWANCE

This amount is just part of the full payment workers are expected to receive; the company will calculate the number of working days the workers had spent since the introduction of the confinement rules and determine the total payment.

On Saturday 23 May 2020 about 30 Congolese miners working for Chinese mining  company Molybdenum, a division of Tenke Fungurume Mining Company based in the southern province of Lualaba, went on strike demanding special benefits for being made to work while the company was under isolation, as a result of to the coronavirus pandemic.

The workers were demanding among other things, a daily cash allowance of USD100 and a compensation amount of USD4000 for each worker.

Both the management and the employees representative then came to an understanding the next day and the first phase of the  agreement was concluded, where it was agreed that each worker will be paid USD300 on 25 May 2020.

Other issues that were also  agreed upon was that, the company will introduce a rotation system for workers, and improve the living conditions on the transit sites, which was to be made available as part of the rotation process.

The company is also expected to return to the normal 6X3 operations schedule.

Tenke Fungurume Mining is one of the biggest copper and cobalt mining company in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the company has however come under fire for the mistreatment and exploitation of Congolese workers by its predominantly Chinese management structure

OVERHEAD BRIDGE ON THE GOMBE SECTION ALMOST COMPLETE

CONGO BOUGHT WRONG TRAINS FROM CHINA, NOW CIVIL SOCIETY WANTS AN INVESTIGATION

A civil society movement fighting against corruption has called for a judicial investigation and prosecution after documents revealed that state owned company SCTP (Societe Congolaise des Transport et des Ports), purchased 10 passenger trains which were not suitable for Congo's railway lines. The trains were imported from China between 2013 and 2019, and was meant to provide long distance transport between the capital Kinshasa and the port city of Matadi. However they have since been parked at the central railway station in Kinahasa.

According to the civil society organisation Ligue pour lutte contre la corruption, a sum of USD 1931 17971 was disbursed by state financial entity, Redevance logistique et terrestre, to order  20 passenger railways. Ten of them were those delivered from China, while the rest never made it on Congolese shores.
Now the justice system is being called upon to go through the files of SCTP and state owned railway company, Societe nationale des Chemins de fer du Congo , which was supposed to purchase the other 10 trains.

Last year March, President Felix Tshisekedi ordered the suspension of the Director General of SCTP , Daniel Mukoko Samba, after employees at the organisation went on strike over their two months salary arrears.

In recent months, some senior officials for the company have also been summoned at the Attorney General's office, including the director of finance Jean Dibula, after allegations of massive looting surfaced on public domain. However no one is yet to be prosecuted

DRCONGO: OUTRAGE AS KILLING OF PROTESTORS CONTINUES UNDER FELIX TSHISEKEDI RULE

The killing of 22 year old Freddy Kambale has sparked outrage across the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Kambale was shot dead, apparently by the police, during a protest march against the deteriorating security situation in the town of Beni. Two police officers suspected of pulling the trigger have since been taken in for questioning, says local authorities.

The incident has once again cast a spotlight on the lack of change anticipated after the election of President Felix Tshisekedi, in December 2018.
The country was hoping to move away from the 18 years of oppressive rule under Joseph Kabila when Tshisekedi took office; however critics of government continue to endure brutality at the hands of the authorities.
Condemning the latest incident, local human right organisation (Association Congolaise pour l'Acces a la Justice) issued a reminder that just six months ago Kambale's colleague, Obadi Mohindo, was killed under similar circumstances and his family is yet to receive justice.
The USA embassy in Kinahasa have also condemned the murder of Kambale, and called on the Congolese authorities to institute an investigation so that the perpetrators are held accountable.
Opposition party leader, Martin Fayulu, also expressed sadness for the killing and was quoted as saying , the bloody regime of Kabila continues under the proxy leadership of  Felix Tshisekedi.
Both Kambale and Mohindo were members of the LUCHA movement, an organisation fighting for change in the DRC

LUBUMBASHI: MORE CRIMINALS LINKED TO THE KILOBELOBE RAMPAGE ARRESTED

At least 19 criminals were presented to the public by the Governor of Haut-Katanga Province Jacques Kyabula Katwe, after being arrested during a search operation by security forces. Some of the criminals are believed to have been part of the violent attack that rocked the suburb of Kilobelobe between the 03th and 04th of May 2020.

What was described as a night of terror, armed criminals broke in 36 houses and began looting valuables belonging to the occupants; in the process six people were killed, a child kidnapped and one woman raped.
Residents told reporters that the ordeal took four hours before the police could finally respond.

On Tuesday 19 May 2020, thirty people were already arrested in connection with the crime; some of whom were identified as members of the police and military forces.

The persistent criminal activities in Lubumbashi and the province of Haut-Katanga as a whole has been going on for severals years now, claiming innocent lives almost every month. Once regarded as the safest region in war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo, the population here are now at the mercy of criminals.
The government has tried to solve the problem by relocating a large number of military personnel (who have been blamed for the escalating crime rate) to various military barracks across the country; however there are still many  ghosts and unregistered security forces roaming around the area with weapons and other military equipments.

KINSHASA: FOOD PRICES IN SOME MARKETS DROP SIGNIFICANTLY, THANKS TO GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION.

The Congolese government in partnership with NGO CODIDIS, have launched an initiative that will see essential agricultural goods being sold at affordable rates, at selected markets across the capital Kinshasa

Already the impact of this initiative could be observed on Thursday 21 May 2020, after a large number of consumers flocked the popular market of Somba Zigida to take advantage of the new and low prices set by the government.
A 25 kg bag of semolina which was selling for 35000fc for example, could now be purchased at 28000fc. A bag of cassava went down from 80000fc to 46000fc. The price of tomato also saw a decrease with one batch costing 30000fc, down from the previous price of 48000fc. At the time these produce were being sold, the Congolese currency was trading at 1850fc to the USD.

Speaking at the launch, the minister of economy Acacia Bandubola, who just recently recovered from the corronavirus, told the media that the initiative was part of President Felix Tshisekedi's emergency program to prevent food shortage in the capital. She also added that the initiative will be a weekly event, taking place at the market of Somba Zigida, Matete, UPN and Kingasani.

The Congolese economy is currently under pressure due to the effect of the corronavirus, with the local currency losing so much of its value and prices of some essential goods ( which are mostly imported) going up.

KINSHASA: CENTRAL GOVERNMENT HAS SO FAR RETURNED USD36M TO PROVINCES

A report from the General Directorate of Policy and Budget Programmes has revealed that  the central government in Kinshasa only managed to return USD 361, 431 million of revenue collection to provinces across the country; dating from January to April 2020; that is about 54% of the USD 665 million that was  initially forecast for the same period.

The money was channeled through the payments of expenditure costs incurred by the provinces.

According to the report, the Province of Kinshasa received the largest relief with a sum of USD103m; followed by Haut-Katanga,which had secured USD 28m.

The budget allocation to provinces for the year 2020 has been provisioned at an estimated sum of USD2 billion.

Congo's Constitution and law on decentralisation, requires the central government to return to provinces 40% of revenue it collects from the extraction of resources and other economic activities from each province ; however  due to poor governance and high level of corruption this obligation has not always been met.

Some provinces such as that of ex-Katanga, which contributes the biggest portion to the country's GDP, have strongly spoken against government failure to implement this law, with some  leaders even going as far as calling for a complete independent.

TANGANYIKA: TWO ZAMBIAN AGENTS ARRESTED IN THE TERRITORY OF MUSOSA

According to the administrator of the town, which is situated about 200km from the territory of Moba , the Zambian men were between the age of 33 and 69. They were arrested by members of Congo's national intelligence agency, known by its french term Agence  Nationale de Renseigment.
The men are said to have failed to produce any legal document justifying their presence on Congolese soil; after a search was carried out on them it was then discovered that they were criminal investigation police of the Republic of Zambia. Authorities said they will be taken to the provincial capital in Kalemie for further interrogation.
Security agents in Tanganyika are on high alert after the incursion of the Zambian army in parts of Muliro, which according to civil society they still occupy today. They Zambian forces are also said to be deployed in large number along the border with the Congolese  town of Moba. In return the Congolese government have also increased the number of troops on their side.

KINSHASA: KABUND REJECT PETITION AGAINST HIM AND ACCUSES THE SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT OF VIOLATING PROCEDURES

Responding to a petition tabled against him , the deputy speaker of Congo's National Assembly Jean-Marc Kabund, highlighted various irregularities and violations in terms of the procedures required to be followed.
Kabund pointed to Article 31 (paragraph 4) of the Internal National Assembly Procedures, which requires a petition brought against a member of the National Assembly be debated and voted on within 72hrs of being tabled.
 According to a memo of the parliamentary session, the petition to have Kabund  removed from his post as the deputy speaker of parliament  was tabled on 15 May 2020; however it was yet to be debated and voted on.
An official correspondent was submitted to Kabund on 18 May 2020 by the speaker of parliament, Jeanine Mabunda, informing him of the petition; it was from there that Kabund raised the issue of irregularities.

In his reply Kabund also questioned the legality of the letter sent to him by Mabunda, pointing to the incoherence in terms of the dates. He further disregarded the credibility of parliamentarian Jean-Jacque Mamba , who brought the petition forward; Mamba has been accused of forging the signatures of some members in order to secure the 62 signatures on the petition form.

KINSHASA: WHY CONGOLESE CURRENCY CONTINUES TO LOSE VALUE

 In less than a month the Congolese currency has lost more than 11 % of its value when traded with the United States dollar, a worrying factor currently causing panic among the nation's consumers.

Near the end of April 2020 one could trade a USD for about 1700 Congolese franc(fc), as oppose to the latest exchange rate where the same USD will get you about 1900fc.

The rapid depreciation of the franc is being pushed by the shortage of the American dollar, the country's main trading currency. Economic operators are finding it difficult to get hold of the Greenbacks since export earnings have been disrupted by restrictions imposed by several countries, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Congo's economy is heavily dependant on minerals and metals exports, which contributes significantly to the country's foreign currency earnings. However since the outbreak of the coronavirus demand for Congo's precious commodities (especially from China) has dropped, so to has the price of such commodities.
The shortage of the foreign currency has also seen an increase in the price of consumer goods  such as food and pharmaceutical products , most of which are imported.

In the beginning of May 2020 the Central Bank of Congo tried to alleviate the problem by injecting some money from the national reserve, however this has been insufficient.
The World Bank also disbursed a sum of $363 million , under the Rapid Credit Facility law, to help the country deal with the negative economic impact stemming from the virus.

But some of the country's economists have blamed the persistent  problem on Congo's history of poor governance and corruption. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been unable to establish and implement effective framework to ensure that all export earnings makes it way to the national treasury, and that money is directed towards the development of the country. According to a senior World Bank official, 85% of Congo's natural resources revenue does not make it to the state coffers.
The government had tried to establish some form of control by inacting a mining law which required mining companies to deposit 40% of their export earnings to the central bank account; the money will still belong to the companies, but will be invested in the local economy. However many companies have since ignored this rule , without suffering any penalties.

KINSHASA: PARLIAMENT MOVES CLOSER TO REMOVE KABUND

 Speaker of Parliament Ms Jeanine Mabunda, submitted to her deputy Jean-Marc  Kabund, a letter notifying him of the petition tabled in Parliament demanding his removal from office.
 The petition was signed by 62 members of parliament; 40 of whom belong to the Common Front for Congo(FCC), which holds majority seats in the house of representatives.
 After the petition has been examined and it's clear that it conforms to article 31 of the National Assembly rule, it will then be sent back to the house for a debate and vote.
The petition against Jean-Marc Kabund was initiated by member of parliament Jean Jacques Mamba who accused Kabund of making false statements  after the deputy speaker failed to provide evidence for his comment that parliament was planning to hold a National Congress at a cost of $USD7 million, with each member pocketing between USD10 000 and USD15 000.

Mamba told journalists that he had on numerous occasions sent  written requests to Kabund asking him to clarify and back his statement, but Kabund never onced replied.

Members of Kabund's party, the Democratic Union for Social Progress ( UDPS); which is also the party of President Felix Tshisekedi, have threatened chaos if the deputy speaker of parliament is removed from office. Some members have even called for the termination of FCC-CACH alliance; a coalition pact largely between UDPS and FCC, which determined the composition of government.

AT LEAST 76 PEOPLE HAVE DIED AFTER BOAT CAPSIZE IN TANGANYIKA

About 76 people lost their lives after a boat capsized along the Lualaba river in the territory of Kabalo, Tanganyika Province.
The boat was on a long destination from the southern village of Bukama in the province of Haut-Lomami, heading to the northern Tanganyika town of Kongolo. It departed on 14 May 2020 and the accident occured on Sunday 17 May 2020.
Information coming from a civil society  movement confirmed that the boat was overloaded, carrying above the limit numbers of passengers, who also had lots of merchandise with them. The death toll is expected to rise as search for  missing bodies continues.
Just the previous day another tragic accident took place far north. A weekend leisure experience turned deadly for family members and their friends, after a boat in which they were on capsised in lake Kivu, near the city of Bukavu. According to authorities one woman died while 7 people went missing; 12 other individuals managed to rescue themselves.
Boat accidents are a common occurrence in the Democratic Republic of Congo, mainly due to overloading and poor regulations.

KINSHASA UNDER TRANSFORMATION

CREDIBLE SOURCE CONFIRM RWANDAN ARMY ENTERED CONGO IN APRIL 2020

Kivu Security Tracker, a well known and established research group working in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, has confirmed previous reports of  Rwandan army entering Congolese territory in April 2020.
Based on their investigation, Rwandan soldiers launched attacks against the FDLR hutu rebels in various villages located in the territory of Rutshuru.
The Rwandan army managed to dislodge the rebels and burned 105 houses, says the research group report.

In what is believed to be a retaliation, days later the FDLR managed to  ambush a military convoy , killing 4 Rwandans and 9 Congolese soldiers.

In the following weeks another ambush took place in the region, in Virunga National Park, which saw 17 people loosing their lives, including 12 rangers. Officials at the park placed the responsibility of the attack on FDLR rebels, a statement later supported by the Congolese defense force.
The Democratic forces for the liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) is a rebel movement that fled Rwanda and has been operating in Congo's Kivu region since the end of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide . Their existence has been at the centre of strained relations between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Rwandan army has on countless occasions invaded Congo in persuit for the rebels, whom they claim are a threat to Rwandan security;  however Congo has often regarded such action as an opportunity by Rwanda to loot its mineral resources.

 During a press conference on April 27 2020, Rwandan President Paul Kagame vehemently denied the presence of any Rwandan soldier in Congo and instead pointed to information that his intelligent officials had told him of Burundian troops roaming on Congolese soil.

CONGO PREPARES FOR MILITARY CONFRONTATION WITH ZAMBIA AS HIGH RANKING ARMY OFFICIALS ARRIVE IN LUBUMBASHI

Defense minister Aime Ngoy Mukena, accompanied by senior officials in the army, have arrived in the city of Lubumbashi to prepare for a possible military confrontation with Zambia. Meanwhile Congolese troops that have carried out successful military operations against Islamist rebels  in the country's east, have now been deployed in the area of tension between Zambia.

Sources have indicated that the troops have landed in the village of Kalubamba in Moliro, which according to the village Chief is partly occupied by  Zambian forces. 

In March 2020 shots were exchanged between the naval forces of both countries in Moliro, with each side suffering one fatality. The Zambian government has since denied the presence of its troops on Congolese soil and instead accuses soldiers from Congo of conducting raids in Zambian villages and stealing food.

CONGO BEGINS THE CONSTRUCTION OF OIL PIPELINES LINKING EAST AND WEST OF THE COUNTRY

The project which will be carried out for the period of two years , will be financed at a tune of about USD400 million. Both the national hydrocarbon company (SONAHYDROC) and private investors have contributed to the fund, said the minister of Hydrocarbon Rubins Mikindo Muhima. 

The pipelines will link key and major cities such as Mwanda and Matadi; Kasumbalesa, Lubumbashi and Likasi. 

The government embarked on this project to also end accidents involving tank trucks on the country's roads , which has resulted in tragic lost of lives. In October 2018, about 50 people were killed after an oil tanker collided with a bus in the province of Kongo-Central. Also, in one of the deadliest accident, 230 lost their lives when a tanker overturned in the village of Sange, South Kivu Province, in 2010.

ZAMBIA ACCUSES CONGOLESE SOLDIERS OF INVADING VILLAGES AND STEALING FOOD

 Zambia's foreign minister Joseph Malanji has denied reports that its troops have illegally occupied parts of Congolese territory, and instead accused the Congolese army of carrying out raids on its soil and stealing food from villagers.
He then indicated that the large deployment of Zambian troops along the border with the Congolese territory of Pweto in Haut-Katanga Province, was to tighten security and that there is no intention of starting war with its northern neighbour.
Few days ago the Congolese minister of Interior Gilbert Kankonde , during a cabinet meeting, said that they had received reports of Zambian army planning to occupy parts of Congolese territory;  prompting authorities to increase the number of soldiers around the town of Pweto.
Diplomatic talks have been held between the two countries but have so far failed to come up with an amicable solution; the Congolese government is now seeking the intervention of the Southern African Development Community to facilitate further talks.  Congolese government  spokesperson, Jolino Makelele, expressed his government's desire for talks , saying that it will triumph over war.

CONGELESE WOMAN LIVING IN THE UK DIES FROM COVID19 AFTER BEING SPAT AT

The Congolese community in  London are mourning the death of one of their own after Belly Mujinga, an employee at London's Victoria railway station, died from the corronavirus.
The manner in which the 47 year old mother came to contact the virus has been the main cause of anger surrounding her death. Mujinga was spat at by an unknown passenger while on duty at the station's ticket sale desk. According to colleagues, the man had told Mujinga that he was infected with coronavirus before spitting and coughing on her face.
Few days after the incident Mujinga fell ill and was later admitted to hospital where she tested positive for the virus. Her condition continued to worsen and she was put on a ventilator, before succumbing to death on 5 April 2020.
The British police have since launch an investigation and search warrant for the passenger.
Mujinga's employer , Govia Thameslink Railway, have come under strong critisism after it emerged that they were aware of the employee's previous medical record. Apparently Mujinga was suffering from respiratory problems, a high risk factor for people who contact the virus; yet she was made to work in a position that forced her to interact with members of the public, thus making her even more vulnerable.
Colleagues  also told news agencies that Mujinga had pleaded with the employee to provide her with PPEs due to her condition and exposure, however her request was never granted.
When confronted about this , the employer defended the protocols it had in place , arguing that at the time of the incident the official government rules was that PPEs for workers was not required. But they have promised to conduct an investigation.

PRESIDENT FELIX TSHISEKEDI APPOINTS ACTING CHIEF OF STAFF

Desire Cashmir Kolongele Eberande has been appointed Chief of Staff for President Felix Tshisekedi, in an acting capacity. Kolengele has been serving as a deputy  under the same portfolio and will now replace Vital Kamerhe, who remains in prison on charges of embezzlement.
Before being appointed at the post of deputy in January 2019, Kolengele Eberande was a Professor at the University of Kinshasa, specialising in the field of law.

BREAKING : VITAL KAMERHE TO REMAIN IN PRISON

The court has rejected a third request from lawyers representing Vital Kamerhe,the Chief of Staff for President Felix Tshisekedi, to be granted provisional released. This is a development story

KINSHASA: LEAKED DOCUMENT NAMING 66 PEOPLE IN CHARGE OF PRESIDENT TSHISEKEDI'S 100 DAYS EMERGENCY PROGRAM

According to a document from the office of the Chief of Staff , 66 people where part of a committee overseeing various development project being carried out as part of President Felix Tshisekedi's 100 DAYS EMERGENCY PROGRAM.
The document corroborate the statement given by the Chief of Staff Vital Kamerhe during his trial hearing on 11 May 2020, that 9 individuals were part of the supervisory team and that Nicolas Kazadi (President Felix Tshisekedi's Ambassador At-Large) was the coordinator. Kazadi is since wanted by the justice system for answers.
An investigation into the management of President Felix Tshisekedi's 100 DAYS PROGRAM was launched earlier this year after it failed to materialised

KAMERHE TRIAL: THE LIES, THE DENIALS AND THE ARROGANCE

Exhausted and scruffy, Vital Kamerhe could still manage to put up a brave face in front of the Judge and the camera. The Chief of Staff of President Felix Tshisekedi was making his first appearance in court, on charges of embezzlement and money laundering . At the heart of the case is the USD47 million disbursed for the construction of social housing, which cannot be traced.

What turned out to be a brief session, Kamerhe was asked to respond to few questions in connection to allegations levelled against him, on the looting of funds made available for the 100 DAYS EMERGENCY PROGRAM.

In his replies, Kamerhe was evasive, dismissive and  somehow arrogant.

When asked about his role in the management of the President's 100 DAYS EMERGENCY PROGRAM, Kamerhe responded by saying that he acted as the Chief of Staff and that there were 9 (including him)  supervisors overseeing the PROGRAM. He then mentioned Nicolas Kazadi, President Felix Tshisekedi's Ambassador-At-Large, as the person who coordinated all the works. Kamerhe will further go and  beg the question of why he was being singled out.

With reference to his co-accused Jeannot Ndole Muhima, who was also present in court, the state prosecutor asked Vital Kamerhe to respond to claims made by the accused , Kamerhe replied by saying that he has heard of Mr Muhima but it was his first time seeing him.
In his testimony, Muhima told the court that it was Kamerhe who instructed him to go to Tanzania and custom clear  construction materials for social housing , which was to be built as part of the President's 100 DAYS EMERGENCY PROGRAM. Muhima, who is the head of import and export in the Presidency, further revealed that he was unable to get everything cleared and released because the $ 1, 154 000 given to him was insufficient.
However Kamehre also denied ever making any financial transaction for Muhima.

In court there was also another co-accused Jammal Samih, the Lebanese businessman whose company was awarded the contract of social housing construction. Asked about his relation with Vital Kamerhe , Jammal denied ever knowing in person or meeting the Chief of Staff. His response seems to be backed by Kamerhe, who claimed to have met many people and asked in what capicity he would have met Mr Jammal; this was after a similar question was put to him on whether he and Jammal have previously encountered.
 But their confession was discredited seconds later after social media flooded pictures of Vital Kamerhe and Jammal Samih posing together.
About a month ago, a story carried by online publication POLITO.CD, gave details of how Kamerhe and Jammal were introduced to each other by Kamerhe's nephew Daniel Massaro (who happens to be on the run after a warrant was issued for him). It's alleged that it was through this introduction that Jammal's company Husmal Sarl was able to secure the contract of the construction of social housing. 
The trial was postponed to the 25 May 2020 as Kamerhe lawyers asked for more time to examine the docket.

KINSHASA OVERHEAD BRIDGES ALMOST COMPLETE AFTER MONTHS OF DELAYS (SEE PICTURES)

CALLS FOR CONGOLESE GOVERNMENT NOT TO RENEW PASSPORT CONTRACT WITH SEMLEX

The contract signed between the Congolese government and Belgium based company Semlex Group, for the manufacturing of Congolese passports, will expire in less than a month. Civil society groups are now calling for the 5 year contract not to be renewed.
 The terms and conditions of the contract have been widely criticised, with the argument that the government (more especially the Congolese people) were robbed of a better deal.
Grievances have mainly been around the exorbitant pricing of the passports, with a single passport being charged at a price of USD185. Worse off, applicants end up paying USD260 after additional service charges are added. 
It also emerged that as far as the contract is concern, the government only retains USD65 from the USD185.
An investigation conducted by news agency Reuters in 2017, further revealed how a company belonging to a friend of former President Joseph Kabila benefits from the deal, by receiving USD60 from each passport printed.
Other concerns raised against the contract signed between the government and  Semlex is the fact that procurement procedures were never followed, such as Article 130 of the Public Procurement Act which requires that tender proposals be advertised and made public. The law also makes it a requirement that contracts be given a code number to verify their authencity, something that was not the case in this process.
After coming to power, President Felix Tshisekedi promised to reduced the cost of obtaining a passport at USD50; during his visit to Europe he even met with the CEO of Semlex Group Albet Karaziwan and discussions were held to work towards fulfilling this promise. However after more than a year in office since Tshisekedi came to power nothing has changed.