Bottom Line

Ebola treatment centers in North Kivu are operating above capacity as the province matched Ituri’s daily case count and the national toll reached 6,686 confirmed cases and 3,226 deaths. Fighting shifted toward Kishee, Buhimba and Mahanga along the Masisi-Walikale front, displacing residents and further disrupting schools; separately, at least five people were reported killed at Kaniola in South Kivu. In the mining economy, the government disclosed plans for state-controlled access to a national geological data bank and US imports of Congolese copper reached a monthly record. The government also began preparations for the on-site review required to leave the Financial Action Task Force gray list.

Security and Conflict

Fighting and displacement spread along the Masisi-Walikale front

Fighting shifted toward Kishee in Masisi and the Buhimba-Mahanga axis in Walikale. The battlefield reports rely on local sources and a Wazalendo-aligned armed group; casualty figures and final control of the contested positions were not established. Residents of at least eight villages fled toward Ntoto, while other villages around Kishee and in Fizi emptied. At least seven schools displaced to Masisi-Centre were operating with shortages of classrooms, books and supplies.

At least five people killed at Kaniola; responsibility remains unverified

Eight hours of gunfire at Kaniola were followed by the discovery of at least five bodies and reports of missing residents. South Kivu’s provincial government blamed AFC/M23 but described its toll as provisional and asked MONUSCO, the UN human-rights office and rights groups to verify the account.

Health and Humanitarian

North Kivu matches Ituri’s daily Ebola count as response systems weaken

The September 6 situation report confirmed 82 new cases in one day, split evenly between Ituri and North Kivu at 39 each, with four more in Haut-Uélé. The national total reached 6,686 confirmed cases and 3,226 deaths, up from 6,436 cases and 3,095 deaths in the September 7 edition. North Kivu exceeded 1,000 cumulative cases and its treatment centers were operating at 123.2 percent of their stated 220-bed capacity.

Four screening checkpoints in Ituri were on strike over unpaid wages, the Ervebo vaccine was unavailable in Buta, and only 18 of 30 planned screening points were active in Tshopo. Separately, Lita Health Zone reported 224 confirmed cases, 120 deaths and 100 recoveries since its first two cases were confirmed on May 18.

Mining and Trade

DRC plans state-controlled access to a national geological data bank

The National Geological Survey expects the data bank to be fully operational by the end of 2026. Basic geological information would remain free, while more sensitive datasets would carry fees and access requests would be reviewed against investor needs and state interests. A three-year, $180 million contract with Spain’s Xcalibur, in effect since January, covers airborne and digital mapping across more than 700,000 square kilometers, roughly one-third of the country.

US imports of Congolese copper reach a monthly record

US buyers imported 53,290 metric tons of Congolese copper cathode in July, a monthly record equal to 23.9 percent of total US copper imports. July shipments alone exceeded the less than 32,000 tons imported from the DRC during all of 2024. The report linked the increase to higher Congolese output, discounts to COMEX-approved brands and shipments ahead of possible US tariffs.

Public Finance

DRC prepares for an on-site review aimed at leaving the Financial Action Task Force gray list

The government opened technical workshops for the coming Financial Action Task Force on-site review. Officials said the DRC had substantially completed 23 assigned actions and must now document whether anti-money-laundering and counterterrorist-financing reforms are effective and durable. Removal from enhanced monitoring depends on the assessors’ findings and a later Financial Action Task Force decision.

Non-tax revenue falls $518 million short of five-year targets

The DGRAD collected $7.740 billion from 2021 through 2025 against targets of $8.258 billion, according to CREFDL. Collections still rose 88.3 percent over the period, from $1.084 billion in 2021 to $2.042 billion in 2025. Revenue administered for the national police remained below half of annual assignments, including 31.8 percent in the first half of 2026.

Budget documents imply lower 2027 current revenue than the government’s $18 billion claim

The medium-term framework puts 2027 current revenue at CDF 39.638 trillion, which equals about $16.42 billion at its own exchange-rate assumption of CDF 2,413.70 per dollar. Including grants raises the total to about $17.24 billion, still below the budget minister’s stated $18 billion current-revenue target. The calculation comes from one outlet’s review of government tables before the bill’s September 15 submission deadline.

Public Safety and Justice

Motorcyclist’s death triggers unrest and vehicle burnings in Matadi

Protesters burned more than 20 vehicles and several motorcycles at Matadi’s communal offices after a motorcyclist was found shot dead. One report said a police officer shot him during a dispute over a demanded payment, while another said the circumstances remained unknown.

Police officers detained after assaulting a Kisangani prosecutor

Police officers, including the officer alleged to have given the order, were detained after video showed police assaulting the Makiso prosecutor during a sanitation operation. The Justice Ministry ordered a military-justice investigation, and the Superior Council of the Judiciary called for sanctions.

General Tshiwewe challenges weapons evidence in his military trial

Christian Tshiwewe’s defense said alleged weapons found at his home had not been produced in court and were unsupported by a seizure record or seals. The former army chief and other officers face charges including conspiracy, treason, support for terrorism, spreading false information and desertion abroad. The court had not ruled on the defense challenge.

Public Services

Failed pump leaves about 29,000 Mupompa residents without safe water

Mupompa’s borehole has been out of service for more than three months because of a failed pump alternator. Residents have returned to rivers and traditional wells while the operator repairs the part, increasing reported exposure to waterborne disease.