1. Study finds elevated sulfur-dioxide exposure near TFM plant

A nine-month investigation measured sulfur-dioxide concentrations as high as 3.7 times the World Health Organization guideline near TFM’s 30K plant in Manomapia. Residents reported substantially higher rates of nasal and eye irritation, irritating odors and nosebleeds than participants in a comparison community. TFM disputes a causal link between the symptoms and its operations.

2. Civilian-disarmament campaign begins in six regions

The government has begun a three-month campaign for civilians to surrender illegally held weapons in Kinshasa, Kongo Central, Tshopo, Tanganyika, Grand Équateur and Grand Kasaï. Participants are promised anonymity, judicial amnesty and material assistance. The government has not identified the campaign’s funding source or disclosed its budget.

3. Belgium and Rwanda restore diplomatic relations

Belgium and Rwanda have agreed to reopen their embassies after an 18-month rupture caused by disagreements over the eastern DRC conflict. The missions will initially be led by chargés d’affaires, while differences over the conflict remain unresolved.

4. Ebola trajectories diverge across affected provinces

Two new cases were reported at Eringeti in North Kivu, and an infected schoolchild died in Mambasa, Ituri. Lubunga in Tshopo, meanwhile, has gone 68 days without a new confirmed case, while two other health zones in the province reported no cases for 39 to 54 days.

5. UN documents 2,996 human-rights violations

The United Nations Joint Human Rights Office documented 2,996 violations and abuses affecting 6,189 victims during the first half of 2026. The total was 8 percent higher than during the same period in 2025, despite continuing constraints on documentation.