Bottom Line

Nigeria has confirmed an Ebola case, becoming the fifth country to detect the Bundibugyo virus since the DRC outbreak began. In North Kivu, fighting has left only half of Katoyi’s health areas operational. Artisanal miners protested for a third day in Kolwezi as Lualaba’s government offered a mining zone near Luilu.

Health and Humanitarian

Nigeria confirms an imported Ebola case

Nigeria confirmed a Bundibugyo Ebola case in Abuja, becoming the fifth country to detect the virus since the DRC outbreak was declared in May. The patient, a woman who had recently traveled through Uganda, tested positive on October 20. Health authorities have identified 44 contacts for monitoring; her exposure history is under investigation.

Half of Katoyi’s health areas remain operational

Only 11 of Katoyi’s 22 health areas remain operational after months of fighting in Masisi territory, North Kivu. Health workers have fled repeated clashes, and medical supplies have been looted. Local health officials are seeking humanitarian access as cases of cholera-like diarrhea reappear in parts of the zone.

Politics and Governance

Threats attributed to Fils Mukoko prompt investigation and media sanction

Remarks attributed to Fils Mukoko, a UDPS figure and deputy director of Kinshasa’s sanitation agency, called for arms to be distributed in public places and threatened Western nationals, particularly Belgians. The justice minister ordered an investigation, the UDPS disavowed the remarks, and the media regulator barred Mukoko from media appearances for 88 days.

Kinshasa municipal workers call a strike over unpaid salaries

The union representing Kinshasa’s urban-administration employees called a general strike from October 21 over salary arrears and working conditions. It says some categories of staff are owed as much as 20 months of pay.

Government plans to include Goma and Bukavu in the census

Planning Minister Guylain Nyembo says the government intends to count residents of FRN-controlled Goma and Bukavu in the forthcoming national census. He cited the administration of national school exams as a possible model for working in the two cities. The DRC’s last national population census was conducted in 1984.

Economy and Mining

Kolwezi mining protests continue as Lualaba offers an artisanal zone

Artisanal miners protested for a third day in Kolwezi over controls on mineral transport and buying points. After a brief lull, renewed unrest kept some schools and businesses closed. Lualaba’s provincial government announced that an artisanal mining zone near Luilu would be made available.

Financial inspectors audit allegations at subcontracting regulator

The Inspectorate General of Finance is auditing the private-sector subcontracting regulator, ARSP, its director-general says. An employee collective alleges that former management made $100.4 million in cash withdrawals from agency accounts between 2023 and June 2025. The audit will examine those allegations.

Kolwezi introduces a monthly household waste charge

A city order requires Kolwezi households to pay $20–$25 a month for waste collection under a public-private sanitation arrangement. Residents have objected to the cost and asked for clearer collection arrangements.

Katanda cement plant targets first deliveries in early 2027

The operator of the Katanda cement plant in Kasaï-Oriental says construction is nearly 80 percent complete and expects to deliver its first bags in the first quarter of 2027. The plant is intended to supply a region that relies heavily on cement transported from elsewhere in the country.

Energy and Public Services

Kalemie power cut disrupts drinking-water supply

An electricity interruption has hampered REGIDESO’s water-distribution operations in Kalemie as the city responds to cholera. Health officials say the worst-affected areas include neighborhoods without reliable treated-water service. Repairs are underway at the Bendera hydroelectric plant, which supplies the city.

Theft weakens supports on the Inga–Shaba power line

SNEL says thieves have removed metal braces from transmission towers on the Inga–Shaba line in Kasaï Central. The utility warns that the missing supports could weaken the towers on this major electricity corridor.

SNEL inspects floating power plant intended for Kinshasa

SNEL’s director inspected a 134-megawatt power-generating vessel in Istanbul. The plan is to bring it to Matadi, connect it to the national grid and use its output to help supply Kinshasa. The inspection covered preparations for moving the vessel and connecting it to the grid.