DR Congo: Gunmen Storm Ebola Treatment Hospital, Demand Relatives’ Bodies

The DR Congo Ebola outbreak has taken a dangerous turn after armed men stormed a hospital treating infected patients in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, forcing health workers to evacuate patients amid gunfire.

The attack occurred on Sunday at Mongbwalu General Hospital in Ituri province, the epicentre of the latest Ebola outbreak in DR Congo, as young gunmen reportedly demanded the release of the bodies of two deceased relatives for burial.

According to the hospital’s medical director, Richard Lokudu, medical personnel acted swiftly to move patients to safety as panic gripped the facility.

The gunmen allegedly sought to retrieve the bodies despite strict Ebola containment protocols, which prohibit the release of remains due to the high risk of infection transmission.

The latest violence is part of a growing wave of unrest disrupting efforts to contain the deadly Bundibugyo Ebola virus, a rare strain for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment.

The Mongbwalu attack is the third violent incident targeting health facilities in Ituri province within a week, underscoring the growing resistance to public health interventions in the affected communities.

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Days earlier, angry relatives of a deceased footballer attacked Rwampara General Hospital after health officials refused to release the victim’s body for traditional burial rites, citing the danger of infection.

In another troubling development, suspected arsonists set fire to an Ebola treatment tent established by Doctors Without Borders at Mongbwalu General Hospital.

The attack caused confusion and panic within the facility, allowing at least 18 suspected Ebola patients to flee. Health authorities say several of them remain unaccounted for, raising fears of wider community transmission and complicating ongoing efforts to contain the outbreak.

The Congolese government says the DR Congo Ebola outbreak has recorded 904 suspected cases and 119 confirmed deaths, though international health experts warn the true figures could be much higher due to underreporting in conflict-affected areas.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised the outbreak risk level in DR Congo to “very high,” warning that insecurity, public distrust and repeated attacks on health infrastructure are significantly weakening containment efforts.

The virus has now spread beyond Ituri province into parts of North Kivu and South Kivu, while neighbouring Uganda has also reported imported cases linked to cross-border movement from Congo.

Health officials continue to warn that the bodies of Ebola victims remain highly infectious after death, making proper handling and burial procedures essential to breaking transmission chains.

The WHO has stressed the importance of safe and dignified burials, but resistance to these protocols remains a major obstacle in many local communities where traditional burial practices are deeply rooted.

In response to the growing unrest, the Ituri provincial government has banned traditional wakes and prohibited the transportation of Ebola victims in private vehicles as part of emergency containment measures.

Authorities say misinformation, fear and mistrust continue to undermine public compliance with health directives, increasing the risk of a broader humanitarian and health crisis.

Public health experts have warned that unless security is restored and communities cooperate with disease-control efforts, the DR Congo Ebola crisis could spiral into a much larger regional emergency.

DR Congo: Gunmen Storm Ebola Treatment Hospital, Demand Relatives’ Bodies

African Nations Threaten Retaliatory Action Over Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa

Diplomatic pressure on South Africa is intensifying as several African nations threaten retaliatory measures over renewed xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals, particularly Nigerians and other African migrants.

While no country has formally announced a full border closure, regional threats involving possible trade restrictions, tighter immigration controls, and coordinated diplomatic action are gaining momentum, marking what analysts describe as one of the most serious regional tensions in recent years.

The latest unrest, reported between April 27 and 29, 2026, saw protests and violent incidents in cities including Pretoria and Johannesburg, where groups accused foreign nationals of taking jobs and engaging in criminal activity. However, law enforcement data and independent studies have repeatedly shown no nationwide evidence supporting claims that migrants are responsible for significant crime levels or widespread job displacement.

In response to the growing crisis, several African countries have intensified diplomatic engagement with Pretoria. Governments including Nigeria, Ghana, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique have issued travel advisories and increased efforts to protect their citizens living in South Africa.

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The Nigeria government has begun voluntary evacuation arrangements, with officials confirming that over 130 Nigerians have registered for repatriation through its mission in South Africa. Nigerian authorities have also summoned South Africa’s diplomatic representative to formally protest the attacks and demand stronger protection for citizens and businesses.

Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa said the government’s immediate priority is the safety of Nigerians, adding that all diplomatic options remain on the table if the situation does not improve.

Ghana has also taken diplomatic steps, summoning South African officials after reports of harassment of its nationals, including viral footage showing intimidation of migrants in KwaZulu-Natal.

Similarly, Tanzania has reportedly adopted a tougher stance, with authorities warning of possible deportation measures against South African nationals and reviewing bilateral cooperation following continued incidents targeting African migrants.

Botswana is also considering economic countermeasures, including potential disruptions to electricity supply and border movement, in what officials describe as a response to sustained hostility toward its citizens. Leaders there have framed the issue as one of regional respect and historical solidarity.

Mozambique is likewise reviewing possible restrictions at the Ressano Garcia border, a major trade corridor whose disruption could significantly affect regional commerce between both countries.

South African authorities have condemned the violence, describing it as criminal conduct rather than government policy. President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for calm and urged communities to avoid unlawful attacks on foreign nationals.

Despite these assurances, African governments continue to press for stronger enforcement and long-term solutions, citing repeated xenophobic incidents over the past decade that have left many migrants dead or displaced.

As tensions rise, analysts say the crisis is testing regional unity and putting renewed pressure on continental mechanisms designed to ensure the free movement and protection of African citizens.

African Nations Threaten Retaliatory Action Over Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa

Boko Haram Attack in Lake Chad Kills 23 Chadian Soldiers

At least 23 soldiers of the Chadian Armed Forces have been killed and 26 others injured following a deadly Boko Haram attack in Lake Chad, targeting a military base on Barka Tolorom Island in western Chad. The incident occurred late Monday night in one of the most volatile parts of the Lake Chad Basin, a region that borders Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, and Chad, and has remained a long-standing hotspot for insurgent activity.

According to the Chadian military, suspected Boko Haram fighters launched the assault under the cover of darkness, storming the military position and triggering a fierce gun battle with troops stationed at the base. The exchange of fire reportedly lasted several hours before the attackers were eventually repelled. The army confirmed that the insurgents also suffered “significant losses,” although no official figures were released.

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Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno condemned the attack, describing it as a “cowardly assault” on the country’s armed forces. He extended condolences to the families of the slain soldiers and praised the troops for their resistance during the confrontation. “We will continue the fight with renewed determination until these terrorist threats are fully neutralised,” he said, reaffirming the government’s commitment to intensifying counter-terrorism operations in the Lake Chad region.

The Chadian army said additional troops have been deployed to Barka Tolorom Island and surrounding waterways as part of ongoing military clearance operations in Lake Chad aimed at preventing further insurgent incursions. Authorities noted that the area remains strategically difficult due to its swampy terrain and network of islands, which militants often use as hideouts.

The Lake Chad Basin insurgency has remained active for years despite multinational military efforts by the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), which includes forces from Nigeria, Chad, Niger, and Cameroon. Boko Haram and its splinter faction, ISWAP, continue to carry out coordinated attacks, ambushes, and raids on both military formations and civilian communities across the region.

Security analysts say the latest attack underscores the persistent threat of terrorism in Lake Chad, where insurgents exploit difficult terrain and weak border control to sustain operations. The incident also highlights recurring security challenges in the region, which has experienced repeated deadly attacks on military bases in recent years.

Boko Haram Attack in Lake Chad Kills 23 Chadian Soldiers