Bottom Line

Fighting widened across the Masisi-Walikale axis and the South Kivu high plateaus while the Doha ceasefire-verification mechanism remained without observable results in the field. The government launched a $120 million collective-reparations phase for communities affected by Uganda’s military activities during the Second Congo War (1998–2003). Meanwhile, gaps in the Ebola response include inadequate household decontamination, inaccessible public-health messaging and uncertainty over the protection offered by the deployed vaccine. Political tensions are also building around a September 15 opposition march, the opening of Parliament and the unresolved design of the proposed national dialogue.

Conflict and Peace Process

Ceasefire verification remains absent as fighting widens

Certain media have questioned the early effectiveness of the ceasefire-verification mission announced through the Doha process, noting limited observable results on the ground just over two weeks after its announcement. Fighting resumed across Masisi and Walikale, and the FARDC deployed aircraft against AFC/M23 positions near the boundary between the two territories.

Pro-government forces were also reported to have dislodged AFC/M23 from Rutoboko and Kibahemula in Masisi, although that control claim was not independently corroborated. In South Kivu, fighting spread into the Fizi and Minembwe highlands, where reported humanitarian-response gaps stood at 99 percent and 96 percent respectively.

National dialogue has support but no agreed format

Debate over the structure and participation of a possible national dialogue continued. The Public Expenditure Observatory, known by its French acronym ODEP, backed the initiative while proposing an independent organizing commission, while Jacques Djoli advocated discussions at several levels.

The government’s exclusion of AFC/M23 remains a central fault line. Marie-Ange Mushobekwa, a former human-rights minister under Joseph Kabila, argued that the group should participate, while opposition figures described the proposed process as an exclusionary monologue. No final framework or participant list has been established.

September 15 march creates confrontation risk at Parliament

Martin Fayulu and the C-64 opposition coalition called a nationwide September 15 march against constitutional change. The demonstration coincides with the opening of Parliament’s new session.

UDPS parliamentary group leader Augustin Kabuya consequently asked the National Assembly to delay its opening ceremony until 6 p.m., citing the risk of confrontation with demonstrators.

Health and Humanitarian Affairs

Ebola response gaps widen beyond treatment capacity

The Ebola response is facing operational and public-trust problems beyond the treatment-center pressures reported in recent editions. In North Kivu, seven in ten households containing Ebola patients were reportedly not disinfected. Education authorities have also warned schools about false information concerning the outbreak, while schools in Gety, Ituri, were reported to lack visible prevention arrangements.

In Tshopo, deaf residents said prevention messages were not sufficiently accessible. The human protection provided by the deployed Ervebo vaccine against the Bundibugyo strain also remains unknown; World Health Organization guidance recommends its use against this strain only within research protocols.

Nearly 76,000 displaced people face overlapping threats at Plaine Savo

Nearly 76,000 displaced people at Plaine Savo in Djugu territory face hunger, continuing armed violence and the risk of Ebola. Médecins Sans Frontières treats an average of 60 survivors of sexual violence each month at the site.

More than 500 malnutrition cases and at least 25 deaths in Kiri territory

A health zone in Kiri territory, Maï-Ndombe, has recorded more than 500 cases of malnutrition and at least 25 associated deaths since June. Indigenous communities are among the most affected, and local health authorities say available nutritional and medical supplies are insufficient.

Government says 300 territorial-development health centers are built

The government says 300 health centers have been constructed under the Local Development Program for the 145 Territories, known as PDL-145T. Equipment installation remains underway, meaning construction does not yet establish that every facility is operational.

Governance, Justice and Public Safety

$120 million collective-reparations phase begins

The Fund for Reparations for Victims of Uganda’s Illicit Activities in the DRC, known as FRIVAO, launched a $120 million first phase of collective reparations.

The program stems from the long-running legal case over Uganda’s military intervention in eastern DRC during the Second Congo War and its aftermath. In 2022, the International Court of Justice ordered Uganda to pay the DRC $325 million in reparations for damage resulting from violations of international law during its involvement in the country between 1998 and 2003.

The $120 million collective-reparations phase will be divided equally among Ituri, Tshopo, Haut-Uélé and Bas-Uélé, giving each province $30 million for community projects. Eligible investments include health, education, drinking water, economic recovery, remembrance and community resilience. Individual compensation will follow after FRIVAO completes its audit and validation of victim records.

FRIVAO trial verdict postponed to September 18

The court postponed its verdict in the FRIVAO case until September 18. The proceedings involve former justice minister Constant Mutamba and Chançard Bolukola over the alleged diversion of funds intended for victims of Uganda’s military activities in the DRC.

Kinshasa begins venue checks and considers a fire-safety ordinance

Kinshasa authorities have begun inspecting public venues following a deadly fire over the weekend. The city created a mixed commission and began identifying and inspecting establishments open to the public. Event-space operators must present licenses, technical files and safety documentation between September 10 and 15; establishments that fail to comply may be closed.

Separately, provincial deputy Jared Phanzu submitted a proposed ordinance covering fire prevention and safety in public venues. The proposal has not yet been adopted.

Police arrested and motorcycle payments paused after Matadi unrest

Following the fatal shooting of a motorcyclist and the subsequent unrest in Matadi, Kongo Central Governor Grâce Bilolo confirmed the arrest of the police officers involved, announced a public mobile-court hearing and suspended 1,000-franc token payments by motorcyclists through the end of September. A commission will also examine the damaged vehicles and the destination of the suspended payments.

Education and Public Administration

Nearly 500,000 children remain outside the school system

The government estimates that 491,578 children remain outside the school system and 1,131 schools are closed because of armed conflict and other disruptions. The national estimate establishes a broader scale than the localized school closures reported in recent editions.

Training begins for national census mapping

Training has begun in Kinshasa for mapping personnel supporting the second population and housing census. The DRC has not conducted a national population census since 1984, leaving the country without an updated official population count for more than four decades. The mapping operation is expected to employ more than 11,000 field workers and will use 130,735 census areas drawn from satellite imagery and building footprints.

Government estimates 23 million people cannot read or write

The government says 23 million Congolese lack basic reading and writing skills. The figure was released during International Literacy Day activities.

Education minister outlines approach to artificial intelligence

Education Minister Raïssa Malu advocated gradual, inclusive and locally adapted use of artificial intelligence in schools. Her remarks establish a policy direction but were not presented as binding regulations or an implemented national program.

Economy, Mining and Trade

Government prepares DRC-UK economic forum

The government authorized the pre-launch of a DRC-United Kingdom economic forum scheduled for November 2–4 in London. The forum is intended to bring together officials and businesses from both countries, with investment opportunities being promoted in sectors including agriculture, mining, energy and the environment. Congolese companies have been asked to prepare investment-ready projects with the aim of securing agreements with prospective British investors.

More than $440 million proposed for basic services

Current budget arbitration provides for more than $440 million in planned spending on water, electricity and basic infrastructure. The proposed funding is aimed particularly at improving access to essential services in rural areas and strengthening agencies responsible for rural roads and water infrastructure.

Makoko copper resource reaches 42 million tonnes

The Makoko district in Lualaba province, immediately west of Ivanhoe Mines’ Kamoa-Kakula copper complex, now has a declared mineral resource of 42 million tonnes grading 2.66 percent copper. Makoko is part of the Western Forelands exploration area, where Ivanhoe has made a series of major copper discoveries extending westward from Kamoa-Kakula. The company plans to begin a scoping study for potential mine development in early 2027.

Artisanal operations account for more than 90 percent of coltan production

Artisanal mining accounted for 92.5 percent of the DRC’s coltan output during the first half of 2026, producing 803.73 tonnes out of a national total of 868.94 tonnes. Artisanal production rose sharply in the second quarter, driven largely by Haut-Lomami, which emerged as the country’s leading artisanal coltan-producing province.

Mining fund projects $105.86 million in revenue

The Mining Fund for Future Generations, known as FOMIN, projects revenue of $105.86 million in 2026, about 11 percent above its 2025 revised-budget figure. The fund receives a share of the DRC’s mining royalties and is intended to preserve and invest mineral revenues for the post-mining economy and future generations.

A recent public-finance study found that FOMIN collected about $857 million between 2020 and the first half of 2025 and spent $441 million on 11 government-directed projects and programs, while raising concerns over the traceability of those expenditures.

Aimé Boji questions the EU-Rwanda minerals agreement

National Assembly President Aimé Boji expressed reservations about the European Union’s critical-minerals agreement with Rwanda during meetings in Brussels. He linked his concerns to regional security and allegations that minerals taken from eastern DRC enter international supply chains through Rwanda. His intervention establishes Kinshasa’s position but does not change the agreement’s legal status.

Conservation

Revised Forest Code enters consultative review

The National Forest Advisory Council opened an extraordinary session to review and validate a proposed revision of the Forest Code. The draft is intended to align the law with the national forest policy adopted in July; it remains under consultation and has not yet become law.