Bottom Line

Ebola has reached Sud-Ubangi despite a reported decline in national transmission. Authorities have restricted September 15 opposition demonstrations in several cities, while Tshisekedi has created the organizing committee for his proposed national dialogue. Fighting continues around Masisi and Walikale, nearly 42,000 displaced people have been counted in Fizi, and the government has adopted a CDF 57.5 trillion draft budget for 2027.

Health and Humanitarian

Ebola spreads to Sud-Ubangi as cases decline nationally

The government says the outbreak passed its peak in the third week of August and that ten of the 61 health zones covered by the response have gone at least 21 days without a new case. Transmission has nevertheless reached new communities.

Sud-Ubangi became the seventh affected province after a confirmed patient died in the Gbulu health zone. The patient traveled through several provinces before the infection was identified, and at least 38 contacts were placed under observation.

In Bunia, four students at two schools tested positive, including one who died. Classes remain open, with health teams monitoring contacts and reinforcing hygiene measures. Separately, three cases were confirmed at the Plaine Savo displacement camp in Djugu, which houses more than 70,000 people.

Uganda has imposed a supervised 21-day quarantine on students entering from the DRC before they may attend school.

Politics

September 15 opposition demonstrations face bans and arrests

The Coalition Article 64, or C64, is maintaining demonstrations against proposed constitutional changes despite restrictions in several cities. Lubumbashi authorities prohibited the march under an existing ban on public demonstrations, while Kananga suspended political gatherings and Kalemie’s mayor refused to authorize the march.

Four C64 members have been detained in Kindu since September 11 after campaigning for the demonstration. The National Human Rights Commission has called on authorities to prevent violence rather than repress demonstrators.

The National Assembly will open its September session at 1 p.m. on September 15 after rejecting a request to change the timing.

Tshisekedi creates a national-dialogue organizing committee

President Félix Tshisekedi has signed an ordinance creating an organizing committee for the national dialogue.

Under the process announced by Tshisekedi on August 28, consultations are to begin in the provinces. The committee will report to the president before a second ordinance formally convenes the dialogue, whose proceedings are intended to last no more than three months. Disagreements over participation remain unresolved.

Eastern DRC Conflict and Security

FARDC claims gains as fighting continues around Masisi and Walikale

FARDC and AFC/M23 forces continued fighting near Bitoy and Mahanga in Masisi and at several locations in Walikale. The government said FARDC had retaken Rutoboko and regained Pinga. Separate battlefield reporting said AFC/M23 recaptured Minjenje.

The continued fighting is supported by several accounts, but the competing territorial-control claims have not been independently verified.

Explosive device kills at least seven people in Rutshuru

An explosive device killed at least seven people and injured more than ten others in Rutshuru territory. One account said five of those killed were children.

Reports differed over whether the incident occurred at Gikoro, Jomba or Nyarubara and placed the death toll at seven or eight. Responsibility was not established.

Nearly 42,000 displaced people counted in Fizi

Local authorities have counted nearly 42,000 displaced people in Fizi territory following fighting in the Uvira and Fizi highlands. More than 8,000 were described as being in acute need in Fizi’s Tanganyika sector.

MONUSCO repatriates 120 FDLR members and dependents

MONUSCO repatriated 120 FDLR members and dependents to Rwanda on September 8 in coordination with the Congolese and Rwandan governments. They were transferred to Rwanda’s Mutobo demobilization center before planned reintegration into their communities.

The operation bears on the Washington peace agreement, under which the DRC committed to neutralizing the FDLR while Rwanda linked the withdrawal of its forces from Congolese territory to action against the group.

Government reports renewed Mai-Mai attacks in Grand Katanga

The government has reported renewed Mai-Mai attacks in Mitwaba territory in Haut-Katanga and Malemba-Nkulu territory in Haut-Lomami.

The government reported renewed attacks by Mai-Mai Bakata Katanga fighters in Mitwaba territory in Haut-Katanga and Malemba-Nkulu territory in Haut-Lomami. The fighters are believed to be linked to the Mai-Mai Bakata Katanga network accused of the deadly March attack on Upemba National Park’s headquarters at Lusinga.

Governance and Justice

Matadi police commissioner receives five-year sentence

The Matadi garrison military court sentenced police commissioner José Mbayi wa Mbayi to five years in prison for violating service instructions governing the security of his police station and its weapons.

The case followed the fatal shooting of a motorcyclist by another police officer and the ensuing unrest at the Matadi municipal offices. The officer accused of firing the fatal shot remained at large.

Mass population-identification operation scheduled for mid-December

The government says mass population-identification operations will begin in mid-December under the National Population Identification Office.

The national identification program and the general population and housing census are distinct but operationally linked. Under the government’s mutualization framework, the agencies responsible for identification, census-taking and electoral enrollment can share mapping, equipment, logistics and technical infrastructure. The National Population Identification Office registers individuals, maintains the population register and issues identity cards, while the National Statistics Institute’s census measures the size, geographic distribution and demographic, socioeconomic and housing characteristics of the population for planning purposes.

The census will be the DRC’s first since 1984, when the country counted approximately 30 million people. The latest United Nations projection places the population at approximately 116.5 million in mid-2026.

Economy and Public Finance

Government adopts CDF 57.5 trillion draft budget for 2027

The Council of Ministers has adopted a CDF 57.5 trillion, or approximately $24.8 billion, draft budget for 2027. The proposed envelope is 12 percent larger than the revised 2026 budget and projects approximately $17.5 billion in domestic revenue.

The draft also proposes extending free basic education to grades seven and eight. It must still be submitted to and approved by Parliament.

Government advances $475 million in additional loan agreements

The Council of Ministers approved draft ratification measures for three loan agreements providing $475 million in additional financing.

The proposed financing comprises $200 million for women entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises, $200 million for education and $75 million for nutrition and health. The agreements must complete the parliamentary ratification process before taking effect.

Small-commerce controls planned after September 30

The government has mapped 2,689 foreign small-commerce operators representing 67 nationalities in Kinshasa as it prepares to enforce rules reserving designated small-commercial activities for Congolese nationals.

The census and awareness campaign continue the previously announced reform. Controls and possible coercive measures are planned after September 30.

Public Safety

Tshisekedi gives government 30 days to prepare fire-response plan

President Tshisekedi has given the government 30 days to present an emergency plan for preventing and responding to fires and called for broader safety inspections.

The directive follows a succession of destructive fires. At the University of Kisangani, about 1,600 students were left without accommodation after the Intendance building burned. About ten fires were reported across South Kivu within 24 hours, while a palm-kernel oil factory was destroyed in Tshela, Kongo Central.

Conservation

Tshisekedi promulgates carbon-market law despite objections

President Tshisekedi has promulgated an ordinance-law establishing a legal framework for the carbon market.

Before promulgation, civil-society organizations asked him to return the measure to Parliament. Their objections concerned limited consultation and ambiguity over how carbon-market revenue would be divided among the state, local communities and Indigenous peoples.

ADF activity threatens the Okapi Wildlife Reserve

Officials at the Okapi Wildlife Reserve in Mambasa territory say ADF activity continues to threaten the reserve, its okapis and surrounding communities. Ituri Governor Gaby Kasongo Mulumba promised stronger protection but did not specify the reinforcements or their deployment timetable.