Democratic Republic Of Congo

/"Besides that, I can mention the Arena Project; a sports facilities that we are building here. We are advancing Congolese workers here in the country. Also, we have an academy, that we established here, to educate the Congolese. So these investments will add value to the country, and will also add value to the business environment of the country as well\".<\/p>\n<p>But challenges remain. With more than 80 million hectares of fertile land and favourable conditions for year-round farming, the country&#039;s production is too low. Over 80% of consumer food products are imported.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>But, Safia\u00a0Ibrahim-Netter, the Director of the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.afd.fr//en//page-region-pays//democratic-republic-congo/">French Development Agency<\/strong><\/a>, DRC explained that optimising the agricultural policy will enable the DRC\u00a0to re-establish itself as a giant on the international stage.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-quotation\n widget--size-fullwidth\n widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__content\">\n <blockquote class=\"widget__quote\">\n <span class=\"widget__quoteText\">We have allocated \u20ac40 million euros to build rural tracks, to supply the province of Kinshasa, to enable farmers and cooperatives to transport their crops. We have also mobilised \u20ac41 million euros to provide electricity to 200,000 people in the town of Kabinda.<\/span>\n <\/blockquote>\n <cite class=\"widget__author\">\n <div class=\"widget__authorText\">\n Safia Ibrahim-Netter\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"widget__author_descriptionText\">\n Director of the French Development Agency, DRC\n <\/div>\n <\/cite>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\"We wouldn&#039;t have been able to do all this if there hadn&#039;t been an agreement with the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.imf.org//en//Home/">IMF, and for there to be an agreement with the IMF, reforms had to be implemented. So that&#039;s how I see the DRC: not a day goes by without a French company expressing its desire to come here\".<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1687794183,"updatedAt":1688653092,"publishedAt":1688652025,"firstPublishedAt":1688575888,"lastPublishedAt":1688652060,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"euronews","altText":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"caption":null,"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/70\/92\/28\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_9d30817d-44d6-58d2-94a1-f7310b00821a-7709228.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1080}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[{"urlSafeValue":"chignac","twitter":null,"title":"Fran\u00e7ois Chignac"}],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"investment","titleRaw":"Investment","id":11071,"title":"Investment","slug":"investment"},{"urlSafeValue":"dr-congo","titleRaw":"DR Congo","id":354,"title":"DR Congo","slug":"dr-congo"},{"urlSafeValue":"africa","titleRaw":"Africa","id":3,"title":"Africa","slug":"africa"}],"widgets":[{"count":1,"slug":"html"},{"count":2,"slug":"quotation"}],"related":[{"id":2339160},{"id":2385910}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"d_PLDSTp4wA","dailymotionId":"x8mbf7m"},"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":300000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":38109544,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/FO\/SU\/23\/07\/06\/en\/230706_FOSU_52202803_52202804_300000_153126_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":300000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":58369384,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/FO\/SU\/23\/07\/06\/en\/230706_FOSU_52202803_52202804_300000_153126_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"}],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"focus","urlSafeValue":"focus","title":"Focus","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/business\/business-series\/focus"},"vertical":"business","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"business","id":11,"title":"Business","slug":"business"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":11,"slug":"business","urlSafeValue":"business","title":"Business"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"business-series","id":"business-series","title":"Business Series","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/business\/business-series"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":76,"urlSafeValue":"business-series","title":"Business Series"},"advertising":1,"advertisingData":{"startDate":1643732228,"endDate":2114353039,"type":"sponsored","slug":"rdc-debate","title":"RDC debate","disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":"RDC - Minist\u00e8re des Finances","sponsorName":"rdc-debate","sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/campaigns\/472\/180x103_cmsv2_8920211f-9110-5e2f-93a1-ee33ab5ce8ba-472.jpg","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":3,"urlSafeValue":"africa","title":"Africa"},"country":{"id":69,"urlSafeValue":"democratic-republic-of-congo","title":"Democratic Republic Of Congo","url":"\/news\/africa\/democratic-republic-of-congo"},"town":{"id":6001,"urlSafeValue":"kinshasa","title":"Kinshasa"},"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','gb_safe','gs_politics_issues_policy','gs_politics','gs_science','gs_economy','gs_politics_misc'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"daletEventName":"FO-07-KINSHASA INVESTISSEMENT - MASTER","path":"\/business\/2023\/07\/06\/the-democratic-republic-of-congo-aims-to-attract-new-investors","lastModified":1688652060},{"id":2285964,"cid":7643058,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230531_WBWB_51866608","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"DRC's race-based election law is threatening to push the country over the brink","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"DRC's racist election law threatens to push the country over the brink","titleListing2":"VIEW | If the legislation barring anyone without two Congolese parents from seeking the presidency existed in Europe, it would make a number of the continent's leaders unelectable, Duggan Flanakin writes.","leadin":"If the legislation barring anyone without two Congolese parents from seeking the presidency existed in Europe, it would make a number of the continent's leaders unelectable, Duggan Flanakin writes.","summary":"If the legislation barring anyone without two Congolese parents from seeking the presidency existed in Europe, it would make a number of the continent's leaders unelectable, Duggan Flanakin writes.","keySentence":"","url":"drcs-race-based-election-law-is-threatening-to-push-the-country-over-the-brink","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/05\/31\/drcs-race-based-election-law-is-threatening-to-push-the-country-over-the-brink","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"After two major wars, three million dead, and 18 years of strongman rule by President Joseph Kabila (now a senator for life), the Democratic Republic of the Congo held its first presidential election in December 2018. \n\nThe inauguration of Felix Tshisekedi, son of 1980s dissident and three-time Prime Minister Etienne Tshisekedi, as president in January 2019 marked the young nation\u2019s first peaceful transfer of power. \n\nAs Tshisekedi seeks reelection in December, the nation remains plagued by internal conflict. \n\nThe UN estimates there are 4.5 million internally displaced persons in the DRC and another 800,000-plus who have sought refuge outside the country.\u00a0 \n\nMoreover, the DRC is under international scrutiny for allowing very young children to engage in life-threatening work at artisanal cobalt mines. \n\nMeanwhile, Tshisekedi has resurrected the careers of convicted war criminal Jean-Pierre Bemba and convicted embezzler Vital Kamerhe and sought to bar, through spurious legislation, likely main rival Moise Katumbi from running for the presidency. \n\nTo run in the DRC election, both of your parents have to be Congolese?\u00a0 \n\nThis latter move, which has been in the works since 2021, was recently again condemned by the Congolese Association for Access to Justice (ACAJ). \n\nThis sinister campaign, which still awaits a final vote, specifically targets Katumbi, the popular former Governor of Katanga Province, who did not announce his candidacy for president until December 2022.\u00a0 \n\nThe legislation would bar anyone without two Congolese parents from seeking the presidency, thereby excluding Katumbi, whose father was a Greek-born Jew of Sephardic descent. \n\nThe ACAJ claims that the so-called \u201celection reform\u201d violates the spirit of the DRC\u2019s Fundamental Charter, which states that \u201cWe, the Congolese People ... affirm our determination to safeguard and consolidate national independence and unity while respecting\u00a0 our diversities and positive particularities.\u201d \n\nMoreover, notes ACAJ president Georges Kapiamba, this ill-advised move would undermine the nation\u2019s democratic gains and risk generating frustration and possible violence that the DRC does not need.\u00a0 \n\nIn many nations, he added, leaders from immigrant backgrounds who acquired nationality have served their adopted states with dedication and patriotism.\u00a0 \n\nAlso worth noting is that Katumbi\u2019s mother was a member of the royal family of the Native Lunda people. \n\nKabila's influence on politics is still significant \n\nThe hidden hand of Joseph Kabila cannot be ignored here.\u00a0 \n\nKabila had barred Katumbi from even entering the country prior to the 2018 election, and many claim that Kabila\u2019s interference with the voting that year kept \u201crightful\u201d winner Martin Fayulu from victory.\u00a0 \n\nAfterwards, Fayulu called the decision to award his opponent victory an \u201celectoral coup.\u201d\u00a0 \n\nF ayulu and former DRC Prime Minister Augustin Matatma are also expected to join the 2023 race. \n\nSince then, though, Tshisekedi distanced himself from Kabila. Last spring, after 14 of the nation\u2019s 24 provincial governors were dismissed, candidates from Tshisekedi\u2019s Sacred Union of the Nation (SUN) coalition won nearly all of those seats.\u00a0 \n\nTogether with the move to bar Katumbi, one begins to wonder if Tshisekedi envisions holding the kind of power long wielded by his father\u2019s rival, Mobutu Sese Seko, half a century ago. \n\nTainted elections and billions of euros in untapped resources \n\nThe 2022 elections, many observers claim, were tainted by irregularities that they predict could reoccur on a grander scale this December.\u00a0 \n\nGoma-based researcher and activist Stewart Muhindo made the accusation that \u201cthe gubernatorial elections have been characterised by votes motivated by corruption or political injunctions.\u201d \n\nLosing candidate Diomi Ndongala from Kongo-Centrale province claimed that several local members of parliament received hundreds of thousands of dollars as a condition to participating in the governor\u2019s vote.\u00a0 \n\n\u201cWhere is the future of these people when elections are tainted with such ignominy? They [politicians] have bought the conscience ... to colonise this province and bring it under the control of dark forces.\u201d \n\nYet dark forces have long been operating in the former Belgian Congo. Also formerly known as Zaire, the DRC is estimated to hold \u20ac22.5 trillion of untapped mineral resource wealth \u2014 including the child-killing cobalt fields.\u00a0 \n\nAnd as with Rwanda, the DRC has both Hutu and Tutsi tribespeople whom politicians have played against each other for political and economic gain. \n\nViolence, massive human rights violations, and extreme poverty \n\nThings were so bad that in 2010 the US passed legislation to reduce its purchase of \u201cconflict minerals\u201d and prevent the funding of armed militias.\u00a0 \n\nThis, however, opened the door for China to enter the Congolese minerals market, and that has resulted in supply chain confusion that have led many multinational companies to stop buying from the DRC altogether.\u00a0 \n\nThis only complicates the problems in a nation with perhaps the world\u2019s poorest people. \n\nThe Center for Preventive Action also said that the nation\u2019s weak governance and prevalence of many armed groups have subjected Congolese civilians to widespread rape and sexual violence, massive human rights violations (including the exploitation of child labour), and extreme poverty.\u00a0 \n\nThere are ongoing concerns that this violence might spread to neighbouring countries unless the nation can be brought under the rule of law. \n\nIf it existed in Europe, this law would make many leaders unelectable \n\nThe effort to bar Katumbi from candidacy is especially egregious in light of his Jewish heritage.\u00a0 \n\nRabbi Menachem Margolin, chairman of the European Jewish Association, called it \u201can outrage that \u2026 a person can be disqualified for having a Jewish parent.\" \n\n\"This is a cynical political move aimed at manipulating the will of the people and imposing on them candidates they don\u2019t want,\u201d he added. \n\nThe Katumbi campaign, which early on picked up speed with the decisions by Christian Mwando, Ch\u00e9rubin Okende, and V\u00e9ronique Kilumba to leave the Tshisekedi government to support Katumbi, is equally outraged.\u00a0 \n\n\u201cThis law is going to bring about discrimination. Let the people vote. They should be allowed to choose their leaders \u2013 that\u2019s democracy and not changing the law,\u201d said a campaign spokesperson. \n\nIf such a law existed anywhere in Europe, several other key leaders could not have run for office. \n\nDuggan Flanakin is a senior policy analyst for the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow. \n\nAt Euronews, we believe all views matter. Contact us at view@euronews.com to send pitches or submissions and be part of the conversation. \n\n\n","htmlText":"<p>After two major wars, three million dead, and 18 years of strongman rule by President Joseph Kabila (now a senator for life), the Democratic Republic of the Congo held its first presidential election in December 2018.<\/p>\n<p>The inauguration of Felix Tshisekedi, son of 1980s dissident and three-time Prime Minister Etienne Tshisekedi, as president in January 2019 marked the young nation\u2019s first peaceful transfer of power.<\/p>\n<p>As Tshisekedi seeks reelection in December, the nation remains plagued by internal conflict.<\/p>\n<p>The UN estimates there are 4.5 million internally displaced persons in the DRC and another 800,000-plus who have sought refuge outside the country.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Moreover, the DRC is under international scrutiny for allowing very young children to engage in life-threatening work at artisanal cobalt mines.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, Tshisekedi has resurrected the careers of convicted war criminal Jean-Pierre Bemba and convicted embezzler Vital Kamerhe and sought to bar, through spurious legislation, likely main rival Moise Katumbi from running for the presidency.<\/p>\n<h2>To run in the DRC election, both of your parents have to be Congolese?<\/h2><p>This latter move, which has been in the works since 2021, was recently again condemned by the Congolese Association for Access to Justice (ACAJ).<\/p>\n<p>This sinister campaign, which still awaits a final vote, specifically targets Katumbi, the popular former Governor of Katanga Province, who did not announce his candidacy for president until December 2022.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7512182\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//04//05//a-resurrected-conflict-is-raging-in-the-drc-europe-should-be-paying-attention/">A resurrected conflict is raging in the heart of Africa. Europe should be paying attention<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The legislation would bar anyone without two Congolese parents from seeking the presidency, thereby excluding Katumbi, whose father was a Greek-born Jew of Sephardic descent.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.66796875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//64//30//58//808x539_cmsv2_8c65b5c2-c7ef-5771-a066-33da5e99238a-7643058.jpg/" alt=\"AP Photo\/Gregorio Borgia\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/64\/30\/58\/384x257_cmsv2_8c65b5c2-c7ef-5771-a066-33da5e99238a-7643058.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/64\/30\/58\/640x428_cmsv2_8c65b5c2-c7ef-5771-a066-33da5e99238a-7643058.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/64\/30\/58\/750x501_cmsv2_8c65b5c2-c7ef-5771-a066-33da5e99238a-7643058.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/64\/30\/58\/828x553_cmsv2_8c65b5c2-c7ef-5771-a066-33da5e99238a-7643058.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/64\/30\/58\/1080x721_cmsv2_8c65b5c2-c7ef-5771-a066-33da5e99238a-7643058.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/64\/30\/58\/1200x802_cmsv2_8c65b5c2-c7ef-5771-a066-33da5e99238a-7643058.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/64\/30\/58\/1920x1283_cmsv2_8c65b5c2-c7ef-5771-a066-33da5e99238a-7643058.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Soldiers rest at the Martyrs&apos; Stadium in Kinshasa during the visit of Pope Francis in February 2023<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo\/Gregorio Borgia<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The ACAJ claims that the so-called \u201celection reform\u201d violates the spirit of the DRC\u2019s Fundamental Charter, which states that \u201cWe, the Congolese People ... affirm our determination to safeguard and consolidate national independence and unity while respecting\u00a0our diversities and positive particularities.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Moreover, notes ACAJ president Georges Kapiamba, this ill-advised move would undermine the nation\u2019s democratic gains and risk generating frustration and possible violence that the DRC does not need.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In many nations, he added, leaders from immigrant backgrounds who acquired nationality have served their adopted states with dedication and patriotism.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Also worth noting is that Katumbi\u2019s mother was a member of the royal family of the Native Lunda people.<\/p>\n<h2>Kabila's influence on politics is still significant<\/h2><p>The hidden hand of Joseph Kabila cannot be ignored here.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Kabila had barred Katumbi from even entering the country prior to the 2018 election, and many claim that Kabila\u2019s interference with the voting that year kept \u201crightful\u201d winner Martin Fayulu from victory.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Afterwards, Fayulu called the decision to award his opponent victory an \u201celectoral coup.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-quotation\n widget--size-fullwidth\n widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__content\">\n <blockquote class=\"widget__quote\">\n <span class=\"widget__quoteText\">Together with the move to bar Katumbi, one begins to wonder if Tshisekedi envisions holding the kind of power long wielded by his father\u2019s rival, Mobutu Sese Seko, half a century ago.<\/span>\n <\/blockquote>\n <cite class=\"widget__author\">\n <\/cite>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6689453125\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//64//30//58//808x542_cmsv2_6736987a-f0bb-5de0-8076-51d8d8f24c0c-7643058.jpg/" alt=\"AP Photo\/Themba Hadebe\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/64\/30\/58\/384x257_cmsv2_6736987a-f0bb-5de0-8076-51d8d8f24c0c-7643058.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/64\/30\/58\/640x428_cmsv2_6736987a-f0bb-5de0-8076-51d8d8f24c0c-7643058.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/64\/30\/58\/750x502_cmsv2_6736987a-f0bb-5de0-8076-51d8d8f24c0c-7643058.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/64\/30\/58\/828x554_cmsv2_6736987a-f0bb-5de0-8076-51d8d8f24c0c-7643058.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/64\/30\/58\/1080x722_cmsv2_6736987a-f0bb-5de0-8076-51d8d8f24c0c-7643058.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/64\/30\/58\/1200x803_cmsv2_6736987a-f0bb-5de0-8076-51d8d8f24c0c-7643058.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/64\/30\/58\/1920x1284_cmsv2_6736987a-f0bb-5de0-8076-51d8d8f24c0c-7643058.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Congolese opposition leader, Moise Katumbi, during their three-day forum at a resort hotel near Johannesburg, March 2018<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo\/Themba Hadebe<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Fayulu and former DRC Prime Minister Augustin Matatma are also expected to join the 2023 race.<\/p>\n<p>Since then, though, Tshisekedi distanced himself from Kabila. Last spring, after 14 of the nation\u2019s 24 provincial governors were dismissed, candidates from Tshisekedi\u2019s Sacred Union of the Nation (SUN) coalition won nearly all of those seats.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Together with the move to bar Katumbi, one begins to wonder if Tshisekedi envisions holding the kind of power long wielded by his father\u2019s rival, Mobutu Sese Seko, half a century ago.<\/p>\n<h2>Tainted elections and billions of euros in untapped resources<\/h2><p>The 2022 elections, many observers claim, were tainted by irregularities that they predict could reoccur on a grander scale this December.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Goma-based researcher and activist Stewart Muhindo made the accusation that \u201cthe gubernatorial elections have been characterised by votes motivated by corruption or political injunctions.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Losing candidate Diomi Ndongala from Kongo-Centrale province claimed that several local members of parliament received hundreds of thousands of dollars as a condition to participating in the governor\u2019s vote.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-quotation\n widget--size-fullwidth\n widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__content\">\n <blockquote class=\"widget__quote\">\n <span class=\"widget__quoteText\">The DRC is estimated to hold \u20ac22.5 trillion of untapped mineral resource wealth \u2014 including the child-killing cobalt fields.<\/span>\n <\/blockquote>\n <cite class=\"widget__author\">\n <\/cite>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//64//30//58//808x539_cmsv2_30c90583-c601-585f-a94f-787a6fa40888-7643058.jpg/" alt=\"AP Photo\/Marc Hofer\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/64\/30\/58\/384x256_cmsv2_30c90583-c601-585f-a94f-787a6fa40888-7643058.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/64\/30\/58\/640x427_cmsv2_30c90583-c601-585f-a94f-787a6fa40888-7643058.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/64\/30\/58\/750x500_cmsv2_30c90583-c601-585f-a94f-787a6fa40888-7643058.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/64\/30\/58\/828x552_cmsv2_30c90583-c601-585f-a94f-787a6fa40888-7643058.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/64\/30\/58\/1080x720_cmsv2_30c90583-c601-585f-a94f-787a6fa40888-7643058.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/64\/30\/58\/1200x800_cmsv2_30c90583-c601-585f-a94f-787a6fa40888-7643058.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/64\/30\/58\/1920x1281_cmsv2_30c90583-c601-585f-a94f-787a6fa40888-7643058.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">A Congolese miner digs for cassiterite, the major ore of tin, at Nyabibwe mine, in eastern DRC, August 2012<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo\/Marc Hofer<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhere is the future of these people when elections are tainted with such ignominy? They [politicians] have bought the conscience ... to colonise this province and bring it under the control of dark forces.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Yet dark forces have long been operating in the former Belgian Congo. Also formerly known as Zaire, the DRC is estimated to hold \u20ac22.5 trillion of untapped mineral resource wealth \u2014 including the child-killing cobalt fields.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>And as with Rwanda, the DRC has both Hutu and Tutsi tribespeople whom politicians have played against each other for political and economic gain.<\/p>\n<h2>Violence, massive human rights violations, and extreme poverty<\/h2><p>Things were so bad that in 2010 the US passed legislation to reduce its purchase of \u201cconflict minerals\u201d and prevent the funding of armed militias.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This, however, opened the door for China to enter the Congolese minerals market, and that has resulted in supply chain confusion that have led many multinational companies to stop buying from the DRC altogether.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-quotation\n widget--size-fullwidth\n widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__content\">\n <blockquote class=\"widget__quote\">\n <span class=\"widget__quoteText\">There are ongoing concerns that this violence might spread to neighbouring countries unless the nation can be brought under the rule of law.<\/span>\n <\/blockquote>\n <cite class=\"widget__author\">\n <\/cite>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//64//30//58//808x539_cmsv2_86130543-ac8c-56b4-b24e-1b75bb826427-7643058.jpg/" alt=\"AP Photo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/64\/30\/58\/384x256_cmsv2_86130543-ac8c-56b4-b24e-1b75bb826427-7643058.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/64\/30\/58\/640x427_cmsv2_86130543-ac8c-56b4-b24e-1b75bb826427-7643058.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/64\/30\/58\/750x500_cmsv2_86130543-ac8c-56b4-b24e-1b75bb826427-7643058.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/64\/30\/58\/828x552_cmsv2_86130543-ac8c-56b4-b24e-1b75bb826427-7643058.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/64\/30\/58\/1080x720_cmsv2_86130543-ac8c-56b4-b24e-1b75bb826427-7643058.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/64\/30\/58\/1200x800_cmsv2_86130543-ac8c-56b4-b24e-1b75bb826427-7643058.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/64\/30\/58\/1920x1281_cmsv2_86130543-ac8c-56b4-b24e-1b75bb826427-7643058.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Forensics workers search for human remains at a mass grave in the village of Ndoma, near Beni in North Kivu, May 2023<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>This only complicates the problems in a nation with perhaps the world\u2019s poorest people.<\/p>\n<p>The Center for Preventive Action also said that the nation\u2019s weak governance and prevalence of many armed groups have subjected Congolese civilians to widespread rape and sexual violence, massive human rights violations (including the exploitation of child labour), and extreme poverty.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>There are ongoing concerns that this violence might spread to neighbouring countries unless the nation can be brought under the rule of law.<\/p>\n<h2>If it existed in Europe, this law would make many leaders unelectable<\/h2><p>The effort to bar Katumbi from candidacy is especially egregious in light of his Jewish heritage.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Rabbi Menachem Margolin, chairman of the European Jewish Association, called it \u201can outrage that \u2026 a person can be disqualified for having a Jewish parent.\"<\/p>\n<p>\"This is a cynical political move aimed at manipulating the will of the people and imposing on them candidates they don\u2019t want,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-quotation\n widget--size-fullwidth\n widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__content\">\n <blockquote class=\"widget__quote\">\n <span class=\"widget__quoteText\">If such a law existed anywhere in Europe, several other key leaders could not have run for office.<\/span>\n <\/blockquote>\n <cite class=\"widget__author\">\n <\/cite>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//64//30//58//808x539_cmsv2_36ae6cd3-a9cc-516b-ac02-fb6fc0c750e2-7643058.jpg/" alt=\"AP Photo\/Samy Ntumba Shambuyi\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/64\/30\/58\/384x256_cmsv2_36ae6cd3-a9cc-516b-ac02-fb6fc0c750e2-7643058.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/64\/30\/58\/640x427_cmsv2_36ae6cd3-a9cc-516b-ac02-fb6fc0c750e2-7643058.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/64\/30\/58\/750x500_cmsv2_36ae6cd3-a9cc-516b-ac02-fb6fc0c750e2-7643058.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/64\/30\/58\/828x552_cmsv2_36ae6cd3-a9cc-516b-ac02-fb6fc0c750e2-7643058.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/64\/30\/58\/1080x720_cmsv2_36ae6cd3-a9cc-516b-ac02-fb6fc0c750e2-7643058.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/64\/30\/58\/1200x800_cmsv2_36ae6cd3-a9cc-516b-ac02-fb6fc0c750e2-7643058.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/64\/30\/58\/1920x1281_cmsv2_36ae6cd3-a9cc-516b-ac02-fb6fc0c750e2-7643058.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">French President Emmanuel Macron, left, is greeted by Democratic Republic of the Congo President Felix Tshisekedi in Kinshasa, March 2023<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo\/Samy Ntumba Shambuyi<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The Katumbi campaign, which early on picked up speed with the decisions by Christian Mwando, Ch\u00e9rubin Okende, and V\u00e9ronique Kilumba to leave the Tshisekedi government to support Katumbi, is equally outraged.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis law is going to bring about discrimination. Let the people vote. They should be allowed to choose their leaders \u2013 that\u2019s democracy and not changing the law,\u201d said a campaign spokesperson.<\/p>\n<p>If such a law existed anywhere in Europe, several other key leaders could not have run for office.<\/p>\n<p><em>Duggan Flanakin is a senior policy analyst for the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>At Euronews, we believe all views matter. Contact us at view@euronews.com to send pitches or submissions and be part of the conversation.<\/em><\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1685527104,"updatedAt":1685547833,"publishedAt":1685547830,"firstPublishedAt":1685547833,"lastPublishedAt":1685547833,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Euronews","altText":"Congolese opposition leader Moise Katumbi in March 2018","callToActionText":null,"width":1600,"caption":"Congolese opposition leader Moise Katumbi in March 2018","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/64\/30\/58\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_1d14df3e-c0af-5c4d-9389-f4332cd6d455-7643058.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":900},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Gregorio Borgia","altText":"Soldiers rest at the Martyrs' Stadium in Kinshasa during the visit of Pope Francis in February 2023","callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"caption":"Soldiers rest at the Martyrs' Stadium in Kinshasa during the visit of Pope Francis in February 2023","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/64\/30\/58\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_8c65b5c2-c7ef-5771-a066-33da5e99238a-7643058.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":684},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Themba Hadebe","altText":"Congolese opposition leader, Moise Katumbi, during their three-day forum at a resort hotel near Johannesburg, March 2018","callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"caption":"Congolese opposition leader, Moise Katumbi, during their three-day forum at a resort hotel near Johannesburg, March 2018","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/64\/30\/58\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_6736987a-f0bb-5de0-8076-51d8d8f24c0c-7643058.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":685},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Marc Hofer","altText":"A Congolese miner digs for cassiterite, the major ore of tin, at Nyabibwe mine, in eastern DRC, August 2012","callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"caption":"A Congolese miner digs for cassiterite, the major ore of tin, at Nyabibwe mine, in eastern DRC, August 2012","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/64\/30\/58\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_30c90583-c601-585f-a94f-787a6fa40888-7643058.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":683},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","altText":"Forensics workers search for human remains at a mass grave in the village of Ndoma, near Beni in North Kivu, May 2023","callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"caption":"Forensics workers search for human remains at a mass grave in the village of Ndoma, near Beni in North Kivu, May 2023","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/64\/30\/58\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_86130543-ac8c-56b4-b24e-1b75bb826427-7643058.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":683},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Samy Ntumba Shambuyi","altText":"French President Emmanuel Macron, left, is greeted by Democratic Republic of the Congo President Felix Tshisekedi in Kinshasa, March 2023","callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"caption":"French President Emmanuel Macron, left, is greeted by Democratic Republic of the Congo President Felix Tshisekedi in Kinshasa, March 2023","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/64\/30\/58\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_36ae6cd3-a9cc-516b-ac02-fb6fc0c750e2-7643058.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"congo-politics","titleRaw":"Congo politics","id":10585,"title":"Congo 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CFACT","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"world news","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":1,"title":"News","slug":"news"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":"news","title":"World","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":3,"urlSafeValue":"africa","title":"Africa"},"country":{"id":69,"urlSafeValue":"democratic-republic-of-congo","title":"Democratic Republic Of Congo","url":"\/news\/africa\/democratic-republic-of-congo"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'pos_equinor','pos_facebook','pos_ukraine-russia','gs_politics','sm_politics','gs_politics_misc','gs_politics_issues_policy','neg_facebook_2021','gt_negative','neg_mobkoi_castrol','neg_nespresso','castrol_negative_uk','neg_saudiaramco','neg_facebook_q4','gs_law','gb_crime_edu','gs_politics_elections','gs_society','gt_negative_dislike','gv_crime','gs_law_misc','gt_negative_anger','gv_death_injury','gs_society_religion'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet-web","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":1,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"daletEventName":"VIEW DRC PRESIDENTIAL ELEX RACISM","path":"\/2023\/05\/31\/drcs-race-based-election-law-is-threatening-to-push-the-country-over-the-brink","lastModified":1685547833},{"id":2266858,"cid":7586408,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230507_NCSU_51538797","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"WATCH: Floods and landslides devastate South Kivu in DRC","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"WATCH: Floods and landslides devastate South Kivu in DRC","titleListing2":"WATCH: Floods and landslides devastate South Kivu in DRC","leadin":"Authorities say some 400 people have been killed by the natural disaster since Thursday.","summary":"Authorities say some 400 people have been killed by the natural disaster since Thursday.","keySentence":"","url":"watch-floods-and-landslides-devastate-south-kivu-in-drc","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/05\/07\/watch-floods-and-landslides-devastate-south-kivu-in-drc","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The floods and landslides caused by heavy rains on Thursday in South Kivu, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, have left at least 394 dead whose bodies have been found, according to a new report released on Sunday by an administrative official. \n\nThe official, Thomas Bakenga, administrator of Kalehe territory, where the affected villages are located, had reported on Saturday that at least 203 people had died. \n\nHe told local media that it was not possible to evaluate the full extent of the human losses and material damage. \n\nThe torrential rains caused rivers to overflow from their banks, submerging villages, washing away houses and devastating fields.\u00a0 \n\nAt the end of Friday's council of ministers, Kinshasa announced the sending of a \"government mission to support the provincial government in managing this disaster\". It declared a day of national mourning on Monday. \n\nCongolese doctor and Nobel Peace Prize winner Denis Mukwege, whose clinic is located in Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu, said Saturday he had sent a team of surgeons, anaesthetists and technicians to the area to \"provide the population with emergency medical aid\". \n\nDoctors Without Borders (MSF) also said it had sent an emergency team on Saturday. \n\nThe disaster comes two days after floods killed at least 131 people and destroyed thousands of homes in neighbouring Rwanda. \n\nExperts say extreme weather events are happening with increased frequency and intensity due to climate change. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>The floods and landslides caused by heavy rains on Thursday in South Kivu, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, have left at least 394 dead whose bodies have been found, according to a new report released on Sunday by an administrative official.<\/p>\n<p>The official, Thomas Bakenga, administrator of Kalehe territory, where the affected villages are located, had reported on Saturday that at least 203 people had died.<\/p>\n<p>He told local media that it was not possible to evaluate the full extent of the human losses and material damage.<\/p>\n<p>The torrential rains caused rivers to overflow from their banks, submerging villages, washing away houses and devastating fields.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>At the end of Friday&#039;s council of ministers, Kinshasa announced the sending of a \"government mission to support the provincial government in managing this disaster\". It declared a day of national mourning on Monday.<\/p>\n<p>Congolese doctor and Nobel Peace Prize winner Denis Mukwege, whose clinic is located in Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu, said Saturday he had sent a team of surgeons, anaesthetists and technicians to the area to \"provide the population with emergency medical aid\".<\/p>\n<p>Doctors Without Borders (MSF) also said it had sent an emergency team on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p>The disaster comes two days after floods killed at least 131 people and destroyed thousands of homes in neighbouring Rwanda.<\/p>\n<p>Experts say extreme weather events are happening with increased frequency and intensity due to climate change.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1683452669,"updatedAt":1683471364,"publishedAt":1683470808,"firstPublishedAt":1683470815,"lastPublishedAt":1683470815,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Moses Sawasawa\/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved","altText":"Families mourn the victims of the devastating floods in the Democractic Republic of Congo's South Kivu region","callToActionText":null,"width":6000,"caption":"Families mourn the victims of the devastating floods in the Democractic Republic of Congo's South Kivu region","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/58\/64\/24\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_17836f2c-a6da-5c42-8153-ef3eac5d3ff2-7586424.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":4000}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"democratic-republic-of-congo","titleRaw":"Democratic Republic of Congo","id":12127,"title":"Democratic Republic of Congo","slug":"democratic-republic-of-congo"},{"urlSafeValue":"goma","titleRaw":"Goma","id":12179,"title":"Goma","slug":"goma"},{"urlSafeValue":"dr-congo","titleRaw":"DR Congo","id":354,"title":"DR Congo","slug":"dr-congo"},{"urlSafeValue":"flood","titleRaw":"Floods","id":5052,"title":"Floods","slug":"flood"},{"urlSafeValue":"africa","titleRaw":"Africa","id":3,"title":"Africa","slug":"africa"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2271826},{"id":2298494}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"S7165vnhS6U","dailymotionId":"x8kqqpa"},"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":60000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":7562092,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/NC\/SU\/23\/05\/07\/en\/230507_NCSU_51538797_51538991_60000_120245_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":60000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":11463532,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/NC\/SU\/23\/05\/07\/en\/230507_NCSU_51538797_51538991_60000_120245_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"}],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP & AFP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"nocomment","urlSafeValue":"nocomment","title":"no comment","online":1,"url":"\/nocomment"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":1,"title":"News","slug":"news"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":"news","title":"World","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":3,"urlSafeValue":"africa","title":"Africa"},"country":{"id":69,"urlSafeValue":"democratic-republic-of-congo","title":"Democratic Republic Of Congo","url":"\/news\/africa\/democratic-republic-of-congo"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gs_science','gv_death_injury','gb_death_injury_news-ent','gs_science_environ','gs_science_environment','gs_science_geography','gt_negative','gt_negative_sadness','gs_science_weather','gs_genres'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"daletEventName":"NC 1 DR CONGO FLOODS AFTERMATH","path":"\/video\/2023\/05\/07\/watch-floods-and-landslides-devastate-south-kivu-in-drc","lastModified":1683470815},{"id":2241556,"cid":7512182,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230405_WBWB_51117683","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"A resurrected conflict is raging in the heart of Africa. Europe should be paying attention","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"A resurrected conflict is raging in the DRC. Europe should take notice","titleListing2":"VIEW | If things continue along the current trajectory, the situation in the DRC could deteriorate rapidly, spreading further instability and greater suffering across the region, Mo\u00efse Katumbi writes.","leadin":"If things continue along the current trajectory, the situation in the DRC could deteriorate rapidly, spreading further instability and greater suffering across the region, Mo\u00efse Katumbi writes.","summary":"If things continue along the current trajectory, the situation in the DRC could deteriorate rapidly, spreading further instability and greater suffering across the region, Mo\u00efse Katumbi writes.","keySentence":"","url":"a-resurrected-conflict-is-raging-in-the-drc-europe-should-be-paying-attention","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/04\/05\/a-resurrected-conflict-is-raging-in-the-drc-europe-should-be-paying-attention","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"With the world\u2019s attention fixed on the war in Ukraine, another conflict, potentially with equally deadly implications, is raging in the heart of Africa. \n\nIn my country, the Democratic Republic of Congo \u2014 a land the size of Western Europe\u00a0\u2014 a decades-long conflict has been resurrected over the past year.\u00a0 \n\nIn an earlier iteration in the late 1990s, known as Africa\u2019s World War, due to the involvement of at least seven other countries, over five million people were killed. \n\nLast year, the M23 rebel group restarted their attacks against us, causing hundreds of deaths and forcing almost a million people to flee their homes.\u00a0 \n\nAgain the hand of neighbouring countries can be seen, and again, we call on all nations to respect the United Nations charter and refrain from interfering in our sovereign affairs without invitation. \n\nThis conflict might be far away, but it should still matter to Europe \n\nIt is not difficult to understand why an audience in Europe or the US might be unaware of this conflict. \n\nWith war raging close to home, this is a conflict taking place a long way away with limited media coverage.\u00a0 \n\nBut while it may be out of sight and out of mind for many, it is something that should concern us all, both for its tragic human consequences and its global economic implications. \n\nEastern Congo \u2014 including the region where the fighting is happening\u00a0\u2014 is home to around two-thirds of the world\u2019s cobalt reserves, making the DRC the key country in the global supply chain of the batteries used in electric vehicles, tablets and smartphones.\u00a0 \n\nIt will become as central to the second half of the 21st-century economy as Middle Eastern oil was in the 20th century.\u00a0 \n\nThe pivot to a green economy, and the global economy in general, will increasingly rely on a functioning and stable DRC. \n\nA byword for chaos and suffering no more? \n\nThis goes beyond economics. Situated in the heart of Africa, Congo is a land of rich potential, a land that can be the driving force of Africa\u2019s economic development.\u00a0 \n\nIt is home to over one hundred million people who would prefer not to migrate to Europe but to build a better life here.\u00a0 \n\nIt can go from being a byword for chaos and suffering to a source of inspiration for the people of our continent. \n\nWhat is lacking, though, is sound economic management. While those in government claim that our economy is suffering because of the conflict, the reality is often the opposite.\u00a0 \n\nThe conflict is raging because our economy is too weak to sustain the unity, security and prosperity of a large country. \n\nJust look at a map. There is no way our small neighbours should be able to disrupt or even paralyse a behemoth such as the DRC.\u00a0 \n\nBut as long as our economy is weak and underdeveloped and tens of millions live in poverty, those seeking our resources will continue exploiting our weaknesses. As long as our economy is broken, true peace, security and stability will prove elusive. \n\nThe DRC has to find a way avoid the 'resource curse' \n\nWhat is required therefore is twofold. First, we need to invest in a modern, professional army with well-trained, well-equipped, and fairly paid soldiers. An army that is given the tools to do its job.\u00a0 \n\nFor a nation long at war, it is shameful that this government has left us so woefully unprepared to defend ourselves and our resources. This must be immediately remedied. \n\nSecond, and crucially, we must address the root causes of the instability through the economic transformation of the DRC.\u00a0 \n\nWe must improve the business climate, fight corruption and improve governance, assuring investors that the DRC is a safe and secure place to do business.\u00a0 \n\nWe must work on downstreaming so that the DRC not only mines our resources but that we are also present further down the value chain.\u00a0 \n\nIt is imperative that the jobs and innate value from our natural wealth are shared among our people. And with the profits from our resources, we must invest in infrastructure, education and in healthcare. \n\nThat way, we could avoid the resource curse which has plagued so many other African nations, and our young people would have all the opportunities they need to prosper here in the DRC. \n\nThe stakes could not be higher \n\nMy vision for Congo is that of economic peace. One in which peace might be secured by a strong army and preserved and fostered over time by the existence of a strong economy. \n\nThe stakes here could not be higher. The fate of the DRC, of Central Africa, and much of the global economy lies in the balance.\u00a0 \n\nIf things continue along the current trajectory, the situation could deteriorate rapidly, spreading further instability and greater suffering across the region while negatively impacting the global green transition. \n\nHowever, with vision, leadership and sound management, Congo can become a success story and a force for stability and prosperity across the region and beyond. \n\nMo\u00efse Katumbi is a former Governor of Katanga Province and the leading opposition presidential candidate in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). \n\nAt Euronews, we believe all views matter. Contact us at view@euronews.com to send pitches or submissions and be part of the conversation. \n\n\n","htmlText":"<p>With the world\u2019s attention fixed on the war in Ukraine, another conflict, potentially with equally deadly implications, is raging in the heart of Africa.<\/p>\n<p>In my country, the Democratic Republic of Congo \u2014 a land the size of Western Europe\u00a0\u2014 a decades-long conflict has been resurrected over the past year.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In an earlier iteration in the late 1990s, known as Africa\u2019s World War, due to the involvement of at least seven other countries, over five million people were killed.<\/p>\n<p>Last year, the M23 rebel group restarted their attacks against us, causing hundreds of deaths and forcing almost a million people to flee their homes.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Again the hand of neighbouring countries can be seen, and again, we call on all nations to respect the United Nations charter and refrain from interfering in our sovereign affairs without invitation.<\/p>\n<h2>This conflict might be far away, but it should still matter to Europe<\/h2><p>It is not difficult to understand why an audience in Europe or the US might be unaware of this conflict.<\/p>\n<p>With war raging close to home, this is a conflict taking place a long way away with limited media coverage.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>But while it may be out of sight and out of mind for many, it is something that should concern us all, both for its tragic human consequences and its global economic implications.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-quotation\n widget--size-fullwidth\n widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__content\">\n <blockquote class=\"widget__quote\">\n <span class=\"widget__quoteText\">The pivot to a green economy, and the global economy in general, will increasingly rely on a functioning and stable DRC.<\/span>\n <\/blockquote>\n <cite class=\"widget__author\">\n <\/cite>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.7373046875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//51//21//82//808x594_cmsv2_13fc6be3-e7c0-5643-8d17-285b82dc4b78-7512182.jpg/" alt=\"AP Photo\/Schalk van Zuydam\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/51\/21\/82\/384x283_cmsv2_13fc6be3-e7c0-5643-8d17-285b82dc4b78-7512182.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/51\/21\/82\/640x472_cmsv2_13fc6be3-e7c0-5643-8d17-285b82dc4b78-7512182.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/51\/21\/82\/750x553_cmsv2_13fc6be3-e7c0-5643-8d17-285b82dc4b78-7512182.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/51\/21\/82\/828x610_cmsv2_13fc6be3-e7c0-5643-8d17-285b82dc4b78-7512182.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/51\/21\/82\/1080x796_cmsv2_13fc6be3-e7c0-5643-8d17-285b82dc4b78-7512182.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/51\/21\/82\/1200x885_cmsv2_13fc6be3-e7c0-5643-8d17-285b82dc4b78-7512182.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/51\/21\/82\/1920x1416_cmsv2_13fc6be3-e7c0-5643-8d17-285b82dc4b78-7512182.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">A man enters one of the tunnels dug with shovels in the Shinkolobwe Cobalt mine, April 2004<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo\/Schalk van Zuydam<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Eastern Congo \u2014 including the region where the fighting is happening\u00a0\u2014 is home to around two-thirds of the world\u2019s cobalt reserves, making the DRC the key country in the global supply chain of the batteries used in electric vehicles, tablets and smartphones.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>It will become as central to the second half of the 21st-century economy as Middle Eastern oil was in the 20th century.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The pivot to a green economy, and the global economy in general, will increasingly rely on a functioning and stable DRC.<\/p>\n<h2>A byword for chaos and suffering no more?<\/h2><p>This goes beyond economics. Situated in the heart of Africa, Congo is a land of rich potential, a land that can be the driving force of Africa\u2019s economic development.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>It is home to over one hundred million people who would prefer not to migrate to Europe but to build a better life here.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>It can go from being a byword for chaos and suffering to a source of inspiration for the people of our continent.<\/p>\n<p>What is lacking, though, is sound economic management. While those in government claim that our economy is suffering because of the conflict, the reality is often the opposite.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-quotation\n widget--size-fullwidth\n widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__content\">\n <blockquote class=\"widget__quote\">\n <span class=\"widget__quoteText\">As long as our economy is broken, true peace, security and stability will prove elusive.<\/span>\n <\/blockquote>\n <cite class=\"widget__author\">\n <\/cite>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//51//21//82//808x539_cmsv2_a4d807b4-5092-56b7-9400-63cdd4045988-7512182.jpg/" alt=\"AP Photo\/Socrate Mumbere\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/51\/21\/82\/384x256_cmsv2_a4d807b4-5092-56b7-9400-63cdd4045988-7512182.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/51\/21\/82\/640x427_cmsv2_a4d807b4-5092-56b7-9400-63cdd4045988-7512182.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/51\/21\/82\/750x500_cmsv2_a4d807b4-5092-56b7-9400-63cdd4045988-7512182.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/51\/21\/82\/828x552_cmsv2_a4d807b4-5092-56b7-9400-63cdd4045988-7512182.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/51\/21\/82\/1080x720_cmsv2_a4d807b4-5092-56b7-9400-63cdd4045988-7512182.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/51\/21\/82\/1200x800_cmsv2_a4d807b4-5092-56b7-9400-63cdd4045988-7512182.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/51\/21\/82\/1920x1281_cmsv2_a4d807b4-5092-56b7-9400-63cdd4045988-7512182.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Red Cross volunteers carry the body of a civilian, who was killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo North Kivu province village of Mukondi, 9 March 2023<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo\/Socrate Mumbere<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The conflict is raging because our economy is too weak to sustain the unity, security and prosperity of a large country.<\/p>\n<p>Just look at a map. There is no way our small neighbours should be able to disrupt or even paralyse a behemoth such as the DRC.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>But as long as our economy is weak and underdeveloped and tens of millions live in poverty, those seeking our resources will continue exploiting our weaknesses. As long as our economy is broken, true peace, security and stability will prove elusive.<\/p>\n<h2>The DRC has to find a way avoid the 'resource curse'<\/h2><p>What is required therefore is twofold. First, we need to invest in a modern, professional army with well-trained, well-equipped, and fairly paid soldiers. An army that is given the tools to do its job.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>For a nation long at war, it is shameful that this government has left us so woefully unprepared to defend ourselves and our resources. This must be immediately remedied.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-quotation\n widget--size-fullwidth\n widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__content\">\n <blockquote class=\"widget__quote\">\n <span class=\"widget__quoteText\">It is imperative that the jobs and innate value from our natural wealth are shared among our people.<\/span>\n <\/blockquote>\n <cite class=\"widget__author\">\n <\/cite>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//51//21//82//808x539_cmsv2_50fa8311-ef3e-50c4-9a4b-20fbc9b0f9d9-7512182.jpg/" alt=\"AP Photo\/Gregorio Borgia\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/51\/21\/82\/384x256_cmsv2_50fa8311-ef3e-50c4-9a4b-20fbc9b0f9d9-7512182.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/51\/21\/82\/640x427_cmsv2_50fa8311-ef3e-50c4-9a4b-20fbc9b0f9d9-7512182.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/51\/21\/82\/750x500_cmsv2_50fa8311-ef3e-50c4-9a4b-20fbc9b0f9d9-7512182.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/51\/21\/82\/828x552_cmsv2_50fa8311-ef3e-50c4-9a4b-20fbc9b0f9d9-7512182.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/51\/21\/82\/1080x720_cmsv2_50fa8311-ef3e-50c4-9a4b-20fbc9b0f9d9-7512182.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/51\/21\/82\/1200x800_cmsv2_50fa8311-ef3e-50c4-9a4b-20fbc9b0f9d9-7512182.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/51\/21\/82\/1920x1281_cmsv2_50fa8311-ef3e-50c4-9a4b-20fbc9b0f9d9-7512182.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Congolese military units patrol the streets in Kinshasa, 3 February 2023<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo\/Gregorio Borgia<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Second, and crucially, we must address the root causes of the instability through the economic transformation of the DRC.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>We must improve the business climate, fight corruption and improve governance, assuring investors that the DRC is a safe and secure place to do business.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>We must work on downstreaming so that the DRC not only mines our resources but that we are also present further down the value chain.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>It is imperative that the jobs and innate value from our natural wealth are shared among our people. And with the profits from our resources, we must invest in infrastructure, education and in healthcare.<\/p>\n<p>That way, we could avoid the resource curse which has plagued so many other African nations, and our young people would have all the opportunities they need to prosper here in the DRC.<\/p>\n<h2>The stakes could not be higher<\/h2><p>My vision for Congo is that of economic peace. One in which peace might be secured by a strong army and preserved and fostered over time by the existence of a strong economy.<\/p>\n<p>The stakes here could not be higher. The fate of the DRC, of Central Africa, and much of the global economy lies in the balance.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-quotation\n widget--size-fullwidth\n widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__content\">\n <blockquote class=\"widget__quote\">\n <span class=\"widget__quoteText\">With vision, leadership and sound management, Congo can become a success story and a force for stability and prosperity across the region and beyond.<\/span>\n <\/blockquote>\n <cite class=\"widget__author\">\n <\/cite>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//51//21//82//808x539_cmsv2_4d004227-ea4e-5e48-85bd-f146c0ccf446-7512182.jpg/" alt=\"AP Photo\/Jerome Delay\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/51\/21\/82\/384x256_cmsv2_4d004227-ea4e-5e48-85bd-f146c0ccf446-7512182.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/51\/21\/82\/640x427_cmsv2_4d004227-ea4e-5e48-85bd-f146c0ccf446-7512182.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/51\/21\/82\/750x500_cmsv2_4d004227-ea4e-5e48-85bd-f146c0ccf446-7512182.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/51\/21\/82\/828x552_cmsv2_4d004227-ea4e-5e48-85bd-f146c0ccf446-7512182.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/51\/21\/82\/1080x720_cmsv2_4d004227-ea4e-5e48-85bd-f146c0ccf446-7512182.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/51\/21\/82\/1200x800_cmsv2_4d004227-ea4e-5e48-85bd-f146c0ccf446-7512182.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/51\/21\/82\/1920x1281_cmsv2_4d004227-ea4e-5e48-85bd-f146c0ccf446-7512182.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Fabrice, 20, poses in front of his hairdressing salon in Goma, November 2022<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo\/Jerome Delay<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>If things continue along the current trajectory, the situation could deteriorate rapidly, spreading further instability and greater suffering across the region while negatively impacting the global green transition.<\/p>\n<p>However, with vision, leadership and sound management, Congo can become a success story and a force for stability and prosperity across the region and beyond.<\/p>\n<p><em>Mo\u00efse Katumbi is a former Governor of Katanga Province and the leading opposition presidential candidate in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>At Euronews, we believe all views matter. Contact us at view@euronews.com to send pitches or submissions and be part of the conversation.<\/em><\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1680694436,"updatedAt":1680700562,"publishedAt":1680700521,"firstPublishedAt":1680700524,"lastPublishedAt":1680700562,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AFP\/Euronews","altText":"A woman holds a Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) flag during a protest against the conflict in eastern DRC, February 2023","callToActionText":null,"width":1600,"caption":"A woman holds a Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) flag during a protest against the conflict in eastern DRC, February 2023","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/51\/21\/82\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_a91d9c9a-c40f-50c0-9147-6b308dabd6f0-7512182.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":900},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Jerome Delay","altText":"Fabrice, 20, poses in front of his hairdressing salon in Goma, November 2022","callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"caption":"Fabrice, 20, poses in front of his hairdressing salon in Goma, November 2022","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/51\/21\/82\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_4d004227-ea4e-5e48-85bd-f146c0ccf446-7512182.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":683},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Schalk van Zuydam","altText":"A man enters one of the tunnels dug with shovels in the Shinkolobwe Cobalt mine, April 2004","callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"caption":"A man enters one of the tunnels dug with shovels in the Shinkolobwe Cobalt mine, April 2004","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/51\/21\/82\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_13fc6be3-e7c0-5643-8d17-285b82dc4b78-7512182.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":755},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Gregorio Borgia","altText":"Militaries patrol the streets in Kinshasa, 3 February 2023","callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"caption":"Militaries patrol the streets in Kinshasa, 3 February 2023","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/51\/21\/82\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_50fa8311-ef3e-50c4-9a4b-20fbc9b0f9d9-7512182.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":683},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Socrate Mumbere","altText":"Red Cross volunteers carry the body of a civilian, who was killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo North Kivu province village of Mukondi, 9 March 2023","callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"caption":"Red Cross volunteers carry the body of a civilian, who was killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo North Kivu province village of Mukondi, 9 March 2023","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/51\/21\/82\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_a4d807b4-5092-56b7-9400-63cdd4045988-7512182.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"dr-congo-opposition","titleRaw":"DR Congo Opposition","id":12422,"title":"DR Congo Opposition","slug":"dr-congo-opposition"},{"urlSafeValue":"democratic-republic-of-congo","titleRaw":"Democratic Republic of Congo","id":12127,"title":"Democratic Republic of Congo","slug":"democratic-republic-of-congo"},{"urlSafeValue":"political-crisis-in-congo","titleRaw":"Political crisis in Congo","id":12019,"title":"Political crisis in Congo","slug":"political-crisis-in-congo"},{"urlSafeValue":"congo-politics","titleRaw":"Congo politics","id":10585,"title":"Congo politics","slug":"congo-politics"},{"urlSafeValue":"presidential-election-congo","titleRaw":"Presidential election Congo","id":10471,"title":"Presidential election Congo","slug":"presidential-election-congo"},{"urlSafeValue":"euroviews","titleRaw":"Euroviews","id":22480,"title":"Euroviews","slug":"euroviews"}],"widgets":[{"count":4,"slug":"image"},{"count":4,"slug":"quotation"}],"related":[{"id":2270110}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Mo\u00efse Katumbi, former governor of Katanga province, DRC","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"world news","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":1,"title":"News","slug":"news"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":"news","title":"World","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":3,"urlSafeValue":"africa","title":"Africa"},"country":{"id":69,"urlSafeValue":"democratic-republic-of-congo","title":"Democratic Republic Of Congo","url":"\/news\/africa\/democratic-republic-of-congo"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gt_negative','neg_facebook_2021','pos_equinor','pos_facebook','pos_pmi','pos_ukraine-russia','pos_ukrainecrisis','gs_politics','african_related_content_uk','neg_facebook_q4','neg_mobkoi_castrol','gs_science','gs_busfin','neg_nespresso','gt_negative_anger','gv_death_injury','gs_science_geography','gs_politics_issues_policy','gs_busfin_economy','gs_economy_misc','gs_politics_misc','gb_death_injury_news-ent'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet-web","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":1,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"daletEventName":"VIEW CONGO WAR EUROPE","path":"\/2023\/04\/05\/a-resurrected-conflict-is-raging-in-the-drc-europe-should-be-paying-attention","lastModified":1680700562},{"id":2237758,"cid":7502140,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230331_NASU_51058620","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"\u2018First lung\u2019: This rainforest could be the world\u2019s most important carbon sink.","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Carbon sink: Where is the world\u2019s most important rainforest?","titleListing2":"\u2018First lung\u2019: This rainforest could be the world\u2019s most important carbon sink.","leadin":"During the process of photosynthesis, trees naturally absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Rainforests act as important 'carbon sinks' stemming global heating.","summary":"During the process of photosynthesis, trees naturally absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Rainforests act as important 'carbon sinks' stemming global heating.","keySentence":"","url":"first-lung-this-rainforest-could-be-the-worlds-most-important-carbon-sink","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/green\/2023\/03\/31\/first-lung-this-rainforest-could-be-the-worlds-most-important-carbon-sink","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The Congo rainforest is the planet\u2019s most important \u201clung,\u201d new data has revealed. \n\nThe world\u2019s rainforests absorb huge amounts of carbon dioxide, slowing down global warming. \n\nAccording to researchers at the University of Ghent, the rainforest in the Democratic Republic of Congo is the most important rainforest carbon sink in the world - more important even than the Amazon in South America. \n\nThe built a 57 metre \u2018 climate tower\u2019 in the middle of the Yangambi river basin, a UNESCO biosphere reserve. \n\nThe calculations are not yet conclusive, but preliminary data shows massive carbon dioxide absorption rates, says Pascal Boeckx from the University of Ghent. \n\n\u201cThe calculations are not yet final but we now are at approximately 5 tonnes of CO2 per hectare and per year,\u201d he said. \n\nThat's almost twice as much as in a Belgian forest and it's even more than the CO2 uptake in the Amazon forest , he claimed. \n\nHow do forests act as carbon sinks? \n\nDuring the process of photosynthesis, trees naturally absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Trees also emit carbon through their roots and trunks, but this is dwarfed by the amount they absorb. \n\nEvery year, the world\u2019s forests absorb a net 7.6 billion metric tonnes of CO2. \n\nWhen forests are logged , they release this carbon. Recent research found that the world\u2019s forests sequestered about twice as much carbon dioxide as they emitted between 2001 and 2019. But if logging intensifies, this balance will shift. \n\nFor example, the Amazon river basin absorbs around 1.2 billion tonnes of CO2 per year - only a little more than the 1.1 billion tonnes emitted through logging. \n\nWhat does a \u2018climate tower\u2019 do? \n\nA climate tower measures just how much carbon dioxide a forest is releasing. \n\nThe tower in the Congo is 57 metres tall, with the top reaching 25 metres above the canopy. \n\n\"We measure the CO2 that comes out of the soil. We also measure the CO2 that comes in and out of the leaves, so from the whole of the forest, and how much CO2 comes out of the trunk,\u201d says Roxane Daelman, a mathematician at Ghent University. \n\n\u201cSo we can have an overall picture of what is really happening in the forest with the CO2 level.\" \n\nFrom high in the trees , you can measure many different things, says Fabrice Kimbesa, the Flux Tower chief technician. \n\n\"As you can see, we are measuring the CO2, the atmospheric moisture content, at different levels of the forest , from the bottom of the forest to above the canopy.\" \n\n","htmlText":"<p>The Congo rainforest is the planet\u2019s most important \u201clung,\u201d new data has revealed.<\/p>\n<p>The world\u2019s <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2020//12//11//the-guajajara-people-fighting-to-protect-the-brazilian-rainforest/">rainforests absorb huge amounts of carbon dioxide, slowing down global warming.<\/p>\n<p>According to researchers at the University of Ghent, the rainforest in the Democratic Republic of Congo is the most important rainforest carbon sink in the world - more important even than the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2020//01//21//dumping-beef-for-chicken-is-killing-the-rainforest-greenpeace/">Amazon in South America.<\/p>\n<p>The built a 57 metre \u2018<a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//03//09//fast-fashion-retailer-zalando-claims-its-returns-are-climate-neutral-is-it-true/">climate tower\u2019 in the middle of the Yangambi river basin, a UNESCO biosphere reserve.<\/p>\n<p>The calculations are not yet conclusive, but preliminary data shows massive <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//03//30//safeguard-our-future-australia-passes-law-capping-oil-and-gas-emissions-for-the-first-time/">carbon dioxide<\/strong><\/a> absorption rates, says Pascal Boeckx from the University of Ghent.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe calculations are not yet final but we now are at approximately 5 tonnes of CO2 per hectare and per year,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>That&#039;s almost twice as much as in a Belgian forest and it&#039;s even more than the CO2 uptake in the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2020//04//04//young-people-of-the-amazon-are-the-real-guardians-of-the-rainforest/">Amazon forest<\/strong><\/a>, he claimed.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7284080,4547656\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//01//03//swedens-lucrative-forestry-industry-comes-up-against-eu-climate-concerns/">Are Europe\u2019s largest carbon sinks being cared for properly?<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2020//03//06//tropical-forests-shrinking-ability-to-take-carbon-from-the-air-could-accelerate-climate-ch/">Tropical forests' shrinking ability to take carbon from the air could accelerate climate change<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>How do forests act as carbon sinks?<\/h2><p>During the process of photosynthesis, trees naturally absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//02//01//heatwaves-kill-thousands-every-summer-heres-how-many-lives-we-could-save-by-planting-trees/">Trees also emit carbon through their roots and trunks, but this is dwarfed by the amount they absorb.<\/p>\n<p>Every year, the world\u2019s forests absorb a net 7.6 billion metric tonnes of CO2.<\/p>\n<p>When <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2020//09//17//european-nations-ask-brazil-for-real-action-on-deforestation/">forests are logged<\/strong><\/a>, they release this carbon. Recent research found that the world\u2019s forests sequestered about twice as much carbon dioxide as they emitted between 2001 and 2019. But if logging intensifies, this balance will shift.<\/p>\n<p>For example, the Amazon river basin absorbs around 1.2 billion tonnes of CO2 per year - only a little more than the 1.1 billion tonnes emitted through logging.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//50//21//40//808x454_cmsv2_473e441f-e54a-5e02-81d0-2f53d5cf21db-7502140.jpg/" alt=\"canva\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/50\/21\/40\/384x216_cmsv2_473e441f-e54a-5e02-81d0-2f53d5cf21db-7502140.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/50\/21\/40\/640x360_cmsv2_473e441f-e54a-5e02-81d0-2f53d5cf21db-7502140.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/50\/21\/40\/750x422_cmsv2_473e441f-e54a-5e02-81d0-2f53d5cf21db-7502140.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/50\/21\/40\/828x466_cmsv2_473e441f-e54a-5e02-81d0-2f53d5cf21db-7502140.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/50\/21\/40\/1080x608_cmsv2_473e441f-e54a-5e02-81d0-2f53d5cf21db-7502140.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/50\/21\/40\/1200x675_cmsv2_473e441f-e54a-5e02-81d0-2f53d5cf21db-7502140.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/50\/21\/40\/1920x1080_cmsv2_473e441f-e54a-5e02-81d0-2f53d5cf21db-7502140.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">A river runs through the Congo rainforest.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">canva<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>What does a \u2018climate tower\u2019 do?<\/h2><p>A climate tower measures just how much carbon dioxide a forest is releasing.<\/p>\n<p>The tower in the Congo is 57 metres tall, with the top reaching 25 metres above the canopy.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7165670,7490728\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//03//27//the-era-of-mega-forest-fires-has-begun-in-spain-is-climate-change-to-blame/">The era of \u2018mega forest fires\u2019 has begun in Spain. Is climate change to blame?<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2022//10//31//brazil-lula-pledges-to-end-deforestation-in-the-amazon-after-election-victory/">Brazil: Lula pledges to end deforestation in the Amazon after election victory<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\"We measure the CO2 that comes out of the soil. We also measure the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//03//21//paris-olympics-environmental-campaigners-question-claims-games-will-be-climate-positive/">CO2 that comes in and out of the leaves, so from the whole of the forest, and how much CO2 comes out of the trunk,\u201d says Roxane Daelman, a mathematician at Ghent University.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo we can have an overall picture of what is really happening in the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2022//12//02//indias-original-eco-warriors-meet-the-bishnoi-community-who-wont-cut-down-living-trees/">forest with the CO2 level.\"<\/p>\n<p>From high in the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2022//12//03//turning-desert-into-forest-olympic-committee-plants-70000-trees-in-africas-sahel-region/">trees, you can measure many different things, says Fabrice Kimbesa, the Flux Tower chief technician.<\/p>\n<p>\"As you can see, we are measuring the CO2, the atmospheric moisture content, at different levels of the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2020//07//23//nocturnal-sloths-are-adapting-to-habitat-destruction-by-coming-out-in-the-day-instead/">forest, from the bottom of the forest to above the canopy.\"<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1680273536,"updatedAt":1680279488,"publishedAt":1680279459,"firstPublishedAt":1680279469,"lastPublishedAt":1680279488,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"EBU","altText":"Researchers climb the trees to collect data in the Congo rainforest","callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"caption":"Researchers climb the trees to collect data in the Congo rainforest","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/50\/21\/40\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_8d3c45cb-f79b-5801-9f4c-2979c09bc224-7502140.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1080},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"canva","altText":"A river runs through the Congo rainforest.","callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"caption":"A river runs through the Congo rainforest.","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/50\/21\/40\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_473e441f-e54a-5e02-81d0-2f53d5cf21db-7502140.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1080}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"elton","twitter":null,"title":"Charlotte Elton"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[{"urlSafeValue":"brown-h","twitter":"@hannahdingbrown","title":"Hannah Brown"}]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"rain-forest","titleRaw":"rain forest","id":17394,"title":"rain forest","slug":"rain-forest"},{"urlSafeValue":"democratic-republic-of-congo","titleRaw":"Democratic Republic of 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Republic Of Congo","url":"\/news\/africa\/democratic-republic-of-congo"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','gb_safe','pos_equinor','pos_facebook','pos_pmi','pos_ukraine-russia','pos_ukrainecrisis','gs_science','progressivemedia','gs_science_environ','gs_science_environment','gs_science_geography','neg_facebook','neg_saudiaramco','climatechange','gs_science_misc','gt_positive','neg_audi_list1','gs_politics'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"daletEventName":"GREEN_Congo rainforest","path":"\/green\/2023\/03\/31\/first-lung-this-rainforest-could-be-the-worlds-most-important-carbon-sink","lastModified":1680279488},{"id":2217666,"cid":7442664,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230304_NWSU_50679465","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"EU sets up humanitarian air bridge to deliver aid to trouble eastern DRC","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"EU pledges humanitarian assistance for eastern DRC ","titleListing2":"EU sets up humanitarian air bridge to deliver aid to trouble eastern DRC","leadin":"French president, Emmanuel Macron, is on a visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo as Brussels announced it was setting up a 'humanitarian air bridge' to deliver aid to the troubled east of the country.","summary":"French president, Emmanuel Macron, is on a visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo as Brussels announced it was setting up a 'humanitarian air bridge' to deliver aid to the troubled east of the country.","keySentence":"","url":"eu-sets-up-humanitarian-air-bridge-to-deliver-aid-to-trouble-eastern-drc","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/03\/04\/eu-sets-up-humanitarian-air-bridge-to-deliver-aid-to-trouble-eastern-drc","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"French president, Emmanuel Macron, is on a visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo as Brussels on Saturday said it was setting up a \"humanitarian air bridge\" to deliver aid to the troubled east of the country. \n\nIt will link the capital, Kinshasa, with Goma, which is the main city in the DRC\u2019s North Kivu province, where fighting with the rebel group M23 has displaced more than 600,000 people. \n\n\u201cThe EU stands ready to mobilize all the necessary means to support humanitarian workers, including logistics and air, to meet the needs of the population in Democratic Republic of Congo,\u201d said Janez Lenar\u010di\u010d, the European Commissioner for Crisis Management. \n\nMacron, who is visiting the country on the last leg of his African tour aimed at renewing frayed ties, said that all sides in the ongoing conflict would support a ceasefire in the fighting. \n\nFrance is supporting the operation as part of a Team Europe initiative. The EU will also release more than 47 million euros through partners to cover immediate needs such as nutrition, healthcare, water and sanitation, shelter and protection. \n\n\"Faced with a history whose number of victims is equivalent to that of the world wars we have lived through, France does not claim, I do not claim, to have a solution on its own. The solution lies in a collective awakening. [...] For this reason, France will be the first state to respond to the European Union's initiative,\" he said. \n\nMacron\u2019s visit to the DRC has not been without controversy \n\nAhead of his visit, some 150 Congolese NGOs called for France to condemn what is widely seen as support by Rwanda for the M23 militia. \n\nIn a text published in the media, they said he should \"support the call for sanctions\" against Kigali, and \"help the DRC to organise its legitimate defence\". \n\nAt a march protesting against his visit, many could be seen holding up Russian flags and at least one calling for \"Help to Mr Putin\". \n\nMacron\u2019s visit to four central African countries comes at a time when France finds itself facing a wave of hostility among its former colonies in the Sahel, forcing it to withdraw its troops. \n\nAhead of his visit, he said there would be a \"noticeable reduction\" in the French troop presence in Africa \"in the coming months\" and a greater focus on training and equipping allied countries' forces. \n\n","htmlText":"<p><strong>French president, Emmanuel Macron, is on a visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo as Brussels on Saturday said it was setting up a \"humanitarian air bridge\" to deliver aid to the troubled east of the country.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It will link the capital, Kinshasa, with Goma, which is the main city in the DRC\u2019s North Kivu province, where fighting with the rebel group M23 has displaced more than 600,000 people.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe EU stands ready to mobilize all the necessary means to support humanitarian workers, including logistics and air, to meet the needs of the population in Democratic Republic of Congo,\u201d said Janez Lenar\u010di\u010d, the European Commissioner for Crisis Management.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1631955863454744576\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Macron, who is visiting the country on the last leg of his African tour aimed at renewing frayed ties, said that all sides in the ongoing conflict would support a ceasefire in the fighting.<\/p>\n<p>France is supporting the operation as part of a Team Europe initiative. The EU will also release more than 47 million euros through partners to cover immediate needs such as nutrition, healthcare, water and sanitation, shelter and protection.<\/p>\n<p>\"Faced with a history whose number of victims is equivalent to that of the world wars we have lived through, France does not claim, I do not claim, to have a solution on its own. The solution lies in a collective awakening. [...] For this reason, France will be the first state to respond to the European Union&#039;s initiative,\" he said.<\/p>\n<h2>Macron\u2019s visit to the DRC has not been without controversy<\/h2><p>Ahead of his visit, some 150 Congolese NGOs called for France to condemn what is widely seen as support by Rwanda for the M23 militia.<\/p>\n<p>In a text published in the media, they said he should \"support the call for sanctions\" against Kigali, and \"help the DRC to organise its legitimate defence\".<\/p>\n<p>At a march protesting against his visit, many could be seen holding up Russian flags and at least one calling for \"Help to Mr Putin\".<\/p>\n<p>Macron\u2019s visit to four central African countries comes at a time when France finds itself facing a wave of hostility among its former colonies in the Sahel, forcing it to withdraw its troops.<\/p>\n<p>Ahead of his visit, he said there would be a \"noticeable reduction\" in the French troop presence in Africa \"in the coming months\" and a greater focus on training and equipping allied countries&#039; forces.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1677939937,"updatedAt":1677948126,"publishedAt":1677945201,"firstPublishedAt":1677945204,"lastPublishedAt":1677948125,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Samy Ntumba Shambuyi\/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved","altText":"Emmanuel Macron and DRC President Felix Tshisekedi","callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"caption":"Emmanuel Macron and DRC President Felix Tshisekedi","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/44\/26\/64\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_53d38f4b-0de2-5d2d-bba6-5c21fff199e8-7442664.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"humanitarian-aid","titleRaw":"Humanitarian aid","id":9229,"title":"Humanitarian aid","slug":"humanitarian-aid"},{"urlSafeValue":"democratic-republic-of-congo","titleRaw":"Democratic Republic of Congo","id":12127,"title":"Democratic Republic of Congo","slug":"democratic-republic-of-congo"},{"urlSafeValue":"france","titleRaw":"France","id":117,"title":"France","slug":"france"},{"urlSafeValue":"emmanuel-macron","titleRaw":"Emmanuel Macron","id":12357,"title":"Emmanuel 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Congo","url":"\/news\/africa\/democratic-republic-of-congo"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'pos_equinor','pos_facebook','pos_pmi','gs_politics','gt_negative','african_related_content_uk','gs_politics_issues_policy','sm_politics','gs_politics_misc','neg_facebook_2021','shadow9hu7_pos_ukrainecrisis','gs_travel','neg_facebook_q4','neg_intel_en','gv_military','neg_mobkoi_creed_eng','gt_negative_anger','gb_sensitive_news-ent','gs_war_conflict','gs_travel_locations_africa','gs_travel_locations','gs_science_geography','gt_negative_sadness'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"daletEventName":"RDC MACRON","path":"\/2023\/03\/04\/eu-sets-up-humanitarian-air-bridge-to-deliver-aid-to-trouble-eastern-drc","lastModified":1677948125},{"id":2178514,"cid":7317078,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230119_NCSU_50024300","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Watch: Police fire tear gas at Goma protest against arrival of foreign troops","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Watch: Police fire tear gas at demonstration in Goma","titleListing2":"Police fired tear gas at protesters in the eastern DR Congo on Wednesday after dozens of people took part in an unauthorised demonstration in Goma against the presence of foreign troops.","leadin":"Police fired tear gas at protesters in the eastern DR Congo on Wednesday after dozens of people took part in an unauthorised demonstration in Goma against the presence of foreign troops.","summary":"Police fired tear gas at protesters in the eastern DR Congo on Wednesday after dozens of people took part in an unauthorised demonstration in Goma against the presence of foreign troops.","keySentence":"","url":"watch-police-fire-tear-gas-at-goma-protest-against-arrival-of-foreign-troops","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/01\/19\/watch-police-fire-tear-gas-at-goma-protest-against-arrival-of-foreign-troops","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Police fired tear gas at protesters in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday after dozens of people took part in an unauthorised demonstration in Goma against the presence of foreign troops to help quell violence from armed groups. \n\nAuthorities later detained some participants, including journalists covering the protest. \n\nLeaders of the seven-nation East African Community resolved last year to create and deploy a regional force to eastern Congo, where the M23 rebel group has been blamed for growing violence. \n\nKenyan troops arrived late last year and another contingent from South Sudan was expected in the coming days. \n\nHowever, the troops have faced opposition from some Congolese residents. \n\n\u201cThe Kenyan military came here as tourists. They go around the town every day and they do absolutely nothing,\" protester Gloire Bagaya said. \n\n\"We as a population have come together to say no to this regional force.\" \n\nM23 reemerged in eastern DR Congo a year ago after about a decade of dormancy.\u00a0The fighting is exacerbating the country's dire humanitarian crisis. \n\nAlmost six million people are internally displaced in the country, including about 450,000 in the North Kivu province since clashes escalated in February. \n\nWatch the No Comment video above. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Police fired tear gas at protesters in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday after dozens of people took part in an unauthorised demonstration in Goma against the presence of foreign troops to help quell violence from armed groups.<\/p>\n<p>Authorities later detained some participants, including journalists covering the protest.<\/p>\n<p>Leaders of the seven-nation East African Community resolved last year to create and deploy a regional force to eastern Congo, where the M23 rebel group has been blamed for growing violence.<\/p>\n<p>Kenyan troops arrived late last year and another contingent from South Sudan was expected in the coming days.<\/p>\n<p>However, the troops have faced opposition from some Congolese residents.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Kenyan military came here as tourists. They go around the town every day and they do absolutely nothing,\" protester Gloire Bagaya said.<\/p>\n<p>\"We as a population have come together to say no to this regional force.\"<\/p>\n<p>M23 reemerged in eastern DR Congo a year ago after about a decade of dormancy.\u00a0The fighting is exacerbating the country&#039;s dire humanitarian crisis.<\/p>\n<p>Almost six million people are internally displaced in the country, including about 450,000 in the North Kivu province since clashes escalated in February.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Watch the No Comment video above.<\/strong><\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1674144060,"updatedAt":1674158766,"publishedAt":1674158192,"firstPublishedAt":1674158197,"lastPublishedAt":1674158197,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Moses Sawasawa\/Copyright 2021 The AP. All rights reserved.","altText":"Goma residents protest against the scheduled arrival of South Sudanese troops set to join Kenyan forces deployed to assist the Congolese army.","callToActionText":null,"width":3024,"caption":"Goma residents protest against the scheduled arrival of South Sudanese troops set to join Kenyan forces deployed to assist the Congolese army.","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/31\/70\/78\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_6c5249da-5e4a-5390-9b45-c92f85a7b7be-7317078.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":2016}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"democratic-republic-of-congo","titleRaw":"Democratic Republic of Congo","id":12127,"title":"Democratic Republic of Congo","slug":"democratic-republic-of-congo"},{"urlSafeValue":"congo-politics","titleRaw":"Congo politics","id":10585,"title":"Congo politics","slug":"congo-politics"},{"urlSafeValue":"kenya","titleRaw":"Kenya","id":163,"title":"Kenya","slug":"kenya"},{"urlSafeValue":"south-sudan-army","titleRaw":"South Sudan Army","id":12272,"title":"South Sudan Army","slug":"south-sudan-army"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2234032},{"id":2236890},{"id":2291862}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"daokGsykz2I","dailymotionId":"x8heeaa"},"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":60000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":7730515,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/NC\/SU\/23\/01\/19\/en\/230119_NCSU_50024300_50024471_60000_170601_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":60000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":12135251,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/NC\/SU\/23\/01\/19\/en\/230119_NCSU_50024300_50024471_60000_170601_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"}],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"nocomment","urlSafeValue":"nocomment","title":"no 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Congo","url":"\/news\/africa\/democratic-republic-of-congo"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'neg_facebook_2021','castrol_negative_uk','neg_mobkoi_castrol','african_related_content_uk','neg_facebook_q4','shadow9hu7_pos_ukrainecrisis','neg_nespresso','gb_crime_serious','gb_sensitive_serious','gb_sensitive_news-ent','neg_facebook','gt_negative','gv_military','gv_crime','neg_intel_en','pos_equinor','gs_law','gs_society_misc'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"daletEventName":"NC 4 DRCONGO PROTEST","path":"\/video\/2023\/01\/19\/watch-police-fire-tear-gas-at-goma-protest-against-arrival-of-foreign-troops","lastModified":1674158197},{"id":2175506,"cid":7309674,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230116_GISU_49968258","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Meet the artist who names and shames politicians with his recycled plastic portraits","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Watch this artist make political portraits from a mountain of plastic","titleListing2":"Meet the artist who names and shames politicians with his recycled plastic portraits","leadin":"Congolese artist Patrick Cikuru Cirimwami is using plastic waste to create shame portraits of politicians \u2018responsible for the destruction of the environment\u2019.","summary":"Congolese artist Patrick Cikuru Cirimwami is using plastic waste to create shame portraits of politicians \u2018responsible for the destruction of the environment\u2019.","keySentence":"","url":"meet-the-artist-who-names-and-shames-politicians-with-his-recycled-plastic-portraits","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/green\/2023\/01\/16\/meet-the-artist-who-names-and-shames-politicians-with-his-recycled-plastic-portraits","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Artist Patrick Cikuru Cirimwami from the Democratic Republic of Congo has created a collection of portraits of his country\u2019s present and historical leaders. \n\nBut instead of pencil or paint, Patrick melts down plastic waste that he collects in his local area to create these masterpieces. \n\nPatrick\u2019s work isn\u2019t about celebrating national pride, however - he\u2019s calling out political inaction on environmental issues. \n\nMaking a plastic portrait from mountains of bottles \n\nIn his hometown of Bukavu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), there is no public waste collection. Rubbish often ends up in nearby Lake Kivu, causing breakdowns at its hydroelectric plant which lead to power cuts. \n\nPatrick regularly wades through knee-deep mountains of plastic bottles by the lake, collecting as many as he can carry for his artworks. He melts the plastic down to make a thick liquid which he uses to paint the portraits. \n\n\u201cI made the decision to make my contribution in our province of South Kivu, by taking this plastic waste to paint portraits. This is how I can help my province of South Kivu,\" says Patrick. \n\nPolitics and the environment in DRC \n\nLast month, the artist's portraits of political figures - from independence leader Patrice Lumumba to current president Felix Tshisekedi - were displayed at a cultural centre in his hometown. \n\n\"There were many conferences in DR Congo, many meetings [...] but in these meetings there was no mention of problems related to the destruction of the environment. No measures have been taken to protect nature. \n\n\u201cThe past presidents, the fighters such as Kasavubu, Lumumba, Mobutu, Laurent D\u00e9sir\u00e9 Kabila and Joseph Kabila, even Felix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, have all done nothing. They are responsible for the destruction of the environment,\" explains Patrick. \n\nDemocratic Republic of Congo, like other African nations, has insisted on its right to develop its economy by exploiting the country\u2019s vast natural resources. It has come under criticism for putting the rights to drill for oil and gas up for auction in the world's second-biggest rainforest. \n\nDRC has pledged to minimise the potentially devastating impact by using modern drilling methods and tight regulation. \n\nIt also hosted talks before November's COP27 climate summit to call on rich nations to honour a pledge to developing nations which would ensure fair finance to fight climate change. \n\nWatch the video above to see Patrick create his incredible artwork. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Artist Patrick Cikuru Cirimwami from the Democratic Republic of Congo has created a collection of portraits of his country\u2019s present and historical leaders.<\/p>\n<p>But instead of pencil or paint, Patrick melts down <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2022//11//28//most-significant-environmental-deal-since-paris-un-agrees-on-landmark-plastic-pollution-tr/">plastic waste<\/strong><\/a> that he collects in his local area to create these masterpieces.<\/p>\n<p>Patrick\u2019s work isn\u2019t about celebrating national pride, however - he\u2019s calling out political inaction on environmental issues.<\/p>\n<h2>Making a plastic portrait from mountains of bottles<\/h2><p>In his hometown of Bukavu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), there is no public waste collection. Rubbish often ends up in nearby Lake Kivu, causing breakdowns at its <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2022//06//30//enormous-water-battery-in-switzerland-will-help-prevent-power-shortages/">hydroelectric plant<\/strong><\/a> which lead to power cuts.<\/p>\n<p>Patrick regularly wades through knee-deep mountains of plastic bottles by the lake, collecting as many as he can carry for his artworks. He melts the plastic down to make a thick liquid which he uses to paint the portraits.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI made the decision to make my contribution in our province of South Kivu, by taking this plastic waste to paint portraits. This is how I can help my province of South Kivu,\" says Patrick.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7300958,7295190\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//01//09//a-drop-in-the-ocean-england-bans-some-single-use-plastics-but-does-it-go-far-enough/">/u2018A drop in the ocean\u2019: England bans some single-use plastics - but does it go far enough?<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//01//11//new-solar-powered-technology-can-transform-plastic-waste-into-sustainable-fuels-and-cosmet/">/u2018Bypass fossil fuels\u2019: Researchers create clean fuel from thin air and plastic waste using solar<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>Politics and the environment in DRC<\/h2><p>Last month, the artist&#039;s portraits of political figures - from independence leader Patrice Lumumba to current president Felix Tshisekedi - were displayed at a cultural centre in his hometown.<\/p>\n<p>\"There were many conferences in DR Congo, many meetings [...] but in these meetings there was no mention of problems related to the destruction of the environment. No measures have been taken to protect nature.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe past presidents, the fighters such as Kasavubu, Lumumba, Mobutu, Laurent D\u00e9sir\u00e9 Kabila and Joseph Kabila, even Felix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, have all done nothing. They are responsible for the destruction of the environment,\" explains Patrick.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-quotation\n widget--size-fullwidth\n widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__content\">\n <blockquote class=\"widget__quote\">\n <span class=\"widget__quoteText\">They are responsible for the destruction of the environment<\/span>\n <\/blockquote>\n <cite class=\"widget__author\">\n <\/cite>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7153462\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2022//10//24//solar-lamps-made-from-e-waste-are-one-solution-to-nigerias-power-outages/">Solar lamps made from e-waste are one solution to Nigeria\u2019s power outages<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Democratic Republic of Congo, like other African nations, has insisted on its right to develop its economy by exploiting the country\u2019s vast natural resources. It has come under criticism for putting the rights to <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2022//12//14//britains-biggest-bank-will-no-longer-finance-new-oil-and-gas-fields/">drill for oil and gas<\/strong><\/a> up for auction in the world&#039;s second-biggest rainforest.<\/p>\n<p>DRC has pledged to minimise the potentially devastating impact by using modern <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2022//12//08//major-offenders-these-oil-and-gas-companies-are-tipping-the-world-toward-climate-catastrop/">drilling methods and tight regulation.<\/p>\n<p>It also hosted talks before November&#039;s <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//tag//cop27/">COP27 climate summit<\/strong><\/a> to call on rich nations to honour a pledge to developing nations which would ensure fair finance to fight climate change.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Watch the video above to see Patrick create his incredible artwork.<\/strong><\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1673873695,"updatedAt":1673885350,"publishedAt":1673884751,"firstPublishedAt":1673884756,"lastPublishedAt":1673884756,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"CRISPIN KYALANGALILWA\/REUTERS","altText":"Patrick Cikuru Cirimwami with a collection of his portraits of D.R.C. politicians.","callToActionText":null,"width":5500,"caption":"Patrick Cikuru Cirimwami with a collection of his portraits of D.R.C. politicians.","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/30\/96\/74\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_d04ede90-676b-5fc6-9303-dc43384145f4-7309674.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":3613}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"brown-h","twitter":"@hannahdingbrown","title":"Hannah Brown"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[{"urlSafeValue":"brown-h","twitter":"@hannahdingbrown","title":"Hannah Brown"}]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"democratic-republic-of-congo","titleRaw":"Democratic Republic of Congo","id":12127,"title":"Democratic Republic of Congo","slug":"democratic-republic-of-congo"},{"urlSafeValue":"plastic","titleRaw":"plastic","id":12838,"title":"plastic","slug":"plastic"},{"urlSafeValue":"waste-disposal","titleRaw":"waste disposal","id":13734,"title":"waste 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Congo","url":"\/news\/africa\/democratic-republic-of-congo"},"town":{"id":6011,"urlSafeValue":"bukavu","title":"Bukavu"},"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','gs_science','gb_safe','pos_facebook','pos_pmi','pos_ukraine-russia','pos_ukrainecrisis','gs_science_environ','progressivemedia','gs_science_environment','gs_busfin','african_related_content_uk','environment','gt_mixed','gs_politics_misc','gs_politics_issues_policy','gs_hobby','neg_nespresso','sm_politics','gs_busfin_indus','manufacturing','gt_positive_happiness'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"daletEventName":"GREEN_Congo Artist","path":"\/green\/2023\/01\/16\/meet-the-artist-who-names-and-shames-politicians-with-his-recycled-plastic-portraits","lastModified":1673884756},{"id":2174884,"cid":7307920,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230116_NWSU_49959852","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Church bomb attack in DRC kills at least 10 people","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Church bomb attack in DRC kills at least 10 people","titleListing2":"The Democratic Republic of Congo government has blamed a group linked to Islamic extremists for Sunday's church bomb attack killing at least 10 people","leadin":"The government has urged people to avoid crowds and be vigilant while investigations are underway.","summary":"The government has urged people to avoid crowds and be vigilant while investigations are underway.","keySentence":"","url":"church-bomb-attack-in-drc-kills-at-least-10-people","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/01\/16\/church-bomb-attack-in-drc-kills-at-least-10-people","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The Democratic Republic of Congo government has blamed rebels linked to the Islamic State for a bomb attack at a church that killed at least 10 people and wounded 39 others. \n\nThe blast occurred at a Pentecostal church in Kasindi, in the east of the country\u00a0during Sunday worship. \n\n\"It is clear that this is a terrorist act perpetrated by the Allied Democratic Forces,\" said military spokesperson Antony Mualushayi.\u00a0 \n\nThe DRC military said a Kenyan national was detained at the scene.\u00a0 The government has urged people to avoid crowds and remain vigilant as it conducted an investigation, the minister of communication tweeted. \n\nViolence has wracked eastern Congo for decades as more than 120 armed groups and self-defence militias fight for land and power.\u00a0 \n\nNearly 6 million people are internally displaced, and hundreds of thousands are facing extreme food insecurity, according to the UN. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>The Democratic Republic of Congo government has blamed rebels linked to the Islamic State for a bomb attack at a church that killed at least 10 people and wounded 39 others.<\/p>\n<p>The blast occurred at a Pentecostal church in Kasindi, in the east of the country\u00a0during Sunday worship.<\/p>\n<p>\"It is clear that this is a terrorist act perpetrated by the Allied Democratic Forces,\" said military spokesperson Antony Mualushayi.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The DRC military said a Kenyan national was detained at the scene.\u00a0 The government has urged people to avoid crowds and remain vigilant as it conducted an investigation, the minister of communication tweeted.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7286926,7259166\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2022//12//19//eu-hq-in-central-african-republic-burned-down-in-mystery-fire/">EU HQ In Central African Republic burned down in mystery fire<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2023//01//05//african-war-veterans-win-lengthy-battle-against-france-for-full-pension-rights/">African war veterans win lengthy battle against France for full pension rights<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Violence has wracked eastern Congo for decades as more than 120 armed groups and self-defence militias fight for land and power.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Nearly 6 million people are internally displaced, and hundreds of thousands are facing extreme food insecurity, according to the UN.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1673820993,"updatedAt":1673866626,"publishedAt":1673865300,"firstPublishedAt":1673865307,"lastPublishedAt":1673865307,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","altText":"The Democratic Republic of Congo government has blamed rebels linked to the Islamic State for a bomb attack at a church that killed at least 10 people and wounded 39 others","callToActionText":null,"width":4797,"caption":"The Democratic Republic of Congo government has blamed rebels linked to the Islamic State for a bomb attack at a church that killed at least 10 people and wounded 39 others","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/30\/79\/26\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_5700c036-ed84-54db-8517-68d89d7ab7fd-7307926.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":3323}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"republic-of-congo","titleRaw":"Republic of Congo","id":236,"title":"Republic of Congo","slug":"republic-of-congo"},{"urlSafeValue":"attack","titleRaw":"Attack","id":7815,"title":"Attack","slug":"attack"},{"urlSafeValue":"bomb-blast","titleRaw":"Bomb blast","id":9939,"title":"Bomb blast","slug":"bomb-blast"},{"urlSafeValue":"temple","titleRaw":"Temple","id":10915,"title":"Temple","slug":"temple"},{"urlSafeValue":"islamists","titleRaw":"Islamists","id":5244,"title":"Islamists","slug":"islamists"}],"widgets":[{"count":1,"slug":"related"}],"related":[{"id":2234032}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"w0UlOMFUhH4","dailymotionId":"x8ha35v"},"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":35000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":4664140,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/NW\/SU\/23\/01\/16\/en\/230116_NWSU_49959852_49959898_35000_105243_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":35000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":6945100,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/NW\/SU\/23\/01\/16\/en\/230116_NWSU_49959852_49959898_35000_105243_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"}],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"world news","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":1,"title":"News","slug":"news"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":"news","title":"World","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":3,"urlSafeValue":"africa","title":"Africa"},"country":{"id":69,"urlSafeValue":"democratic-republic-of-congo","title":"Democratic Republic Of Congo","url":"\/news\/africa\/democratic-republic-of-congo"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gb_death_injury_serious','gv_death_injury','gs_society_religion'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"daletEventName":"CONGO BOMB IN CHURCH","path":"\/2023\/01\/16\/church-bomb-attack-in-drc-kills-at-least-10-people","lastModified":1673865307},{"id":2158122,"cid":7268604,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":"221225_NCSU_49693176","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Watch: Congo charity hosts Christmas event for displaced children","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Watch: Charity hosts Christmas event in Congo for displaced children","titleListing2":"Watch: Charity hosts Christmas event in Congo for displaced children","leadin":"Congolese organisation \"Un Jour Nouveau\" (A New Day) is celebrating Christmas with children forced to flee war.","summary":"Congolese organisation \"Un Jour Nouveau\" (A New Day) is celebrating Christmas with children forced to flee war.","keySentence":"","url":"watch-charity-hosts-christmas-event-in-congo-for-displaced-children","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2022\/12\/25\/watch-charity-hosts-christmas-event-in-congo-for-displaced-children","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo have been beholden to armed groups for many years, leading to millions being displaced and a massive humanitarian crisis. \n\nAmid this backdrop, one organisation \"Un Jour Nouveau\" (A New Day) is celebrating Christmas with children forced to flee the war against rebel group M23. \n\nAlong with their families, the children have found refuge in Kanyaruchinya, a village eight kilometres north of Goma. They were welcomed with a meal, music and gifts. \n\nClick on the video above to see more. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>The eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo have been beholden to armed groups for many years, leading to millions being displaced and a massive humanitarian crisis.<\/p>\n<p>Amid this backdrop, one organisation \"Un Jour Nouveau\" (A New Day) is celebrating Christmas with children forced to flee the war against rebel group M23.<\/p>\n<p>Along with their families, the children have found refuge in Kanyaruchinya, a village eight kilometres north of Goma. They were welcomed with a meal, music and gifts.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Click on the video above to see more.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1671977958,"updatedAt":1671989044,"publishedAt":1671988745,"firstPublishedAt":1671988749,"lastPublishedAt":1671988984,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AFP","altText":"Helpers hand out food and drinks to displaced children in eastern DRC","callToActionText":null,"width":960,"caption":"Helpers hand out food and drinks to displaced children in eastern DRC","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/26\/86\/04\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_da5fffec-dd7f-5e66-b3f4-e5331bf3d53e-7268604.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":540}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"democratic-republic-of-congo","titleRaw":"Democratic Republic of Congo","id":12127,"title":"Democratic Republic of Congo","slug":"democratic-republic-of-congo"},{"urlSafeValue":"m23","titleRaw":"M23","id":27770,"title":"M23","slug":"m23"},{"urlSafeValue":"christmas","titleRaw":"Christmas","id":5312,"title":"Christmas","slug":"christmas"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2168548},{"id":2208278},{"id":2432494}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"mvUg_MNoIvo","dailymotionId":"x8gmmcz"},"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":60000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":7750490,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/NC\/SU\/22\/12\/25\/en\/221225_NCSU_49693176_49693409_60000_153915_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":60000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":12235098,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/NC\/SU\/22\/12\/25\/en\/221225_NCSU_49693176_49693409_60000_153915_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"}],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"nocomment","urlSafeValue":"nocomment","title":"no comment","online":1,"url":"\/nocomment"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":1,"title":"News","slug":"news"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":"news","title":"World","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":3,"urlSafeValue":"africa","title":"Africa"},"country":{"id":69,"urlSafeValue":"democratic-republic-of-congo","title":"Democratic Republic Of Congo","url":"\/news\/africa\/democratic-republic-of-congo"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gs_politics','gs_war_conflict','pos_equinor','pos_facebook','pos_pmi','pos_ukraine-russia','pos_ukrainecrisis','neg_facebook_q4','sm_politics','african_related_content_uk','gb_death_injury_news-ent','gs_society','neg_facebook','gv_military','neg_facebook_2021','gt_positive'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"daletEventName":"NC 1 - CONGO WAR-DISPLACED CHRISTMAS","path":"\/video\/2022\/12\/25\/watch-charity-hosts-christmas-event-in-congo-for-displaced-children","lastModified":1671988984},{"id":2144306,"cid":7238184,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"221208_NWSU_49446731","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"France condemns DR Congo massacre that left at least 131 dead","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"France condemns DR Congo massacre that left at least 131 dead","titleListing2":"France condemns DR Congo massacre that left at least 131 dead","leadin":"Local residents have said that M23 rebels forced them to dig mass graves to bury the victims.","summary":"Local residents have said that M23 rebels forced them to dig mass graves to bury the victims.","keySentence":"","url":"france-condemns-dr-congo-massacre-that-left-at-least-131-dead","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2022\/12\/08\/france-condemns-dr-congo-massacre-that-left-at-least-131-dead","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"France said on Thursday it was \"horrified\" by a recent massacre in the Democratic Republic of Congo that left at least 131 people dead and called on \"all armed groups to stop fighting immediately and engage in the disarmament process without delay\". \n\nA preliminary report from the UN released Thursday found that\u00a0DR Congo's M23 rebel group was responsible for the massacre, and of committing rape and looting at the end of November,\u00a0in two villages in eastern DRC in retaliation for clashes with armed groups. \n\nAuthorities in Kinshasa said the death toll is much higher, claiming around 300 people were killed in the village of Kishishe in North Kivu province. \n\nThe UN preliminary investigation, based on eyewitness accounts concerns Kishishe and the nearby village of Bambo. \n\nIt states that 102 men, 17 women and 12 children were killed \"during acts of reprisal against the civilian population\".\u00a0 \n\n\"The victims were arbitrarily executed by bullets or with bladed weapons,\" Monusco -- the UN peacekeeping mission in DR Congo -- said in a statement.\u00a0 \n\n\"Eight people were also wounded by bullets and 60 others abducted. At least 22 women and five girls were raped. \n\n\"The violence was committed as part of a campaign of murder, rape, abduction and looting against these two villages in Rutshuru territory in retaliation for clashes between the M23 and FDLR (Forces D\u00e9mocratiques de Lib\u00e9ration du Rwanda) militiamen and other armed groups\", the statement said. \n\nThe investigation was conducted by the UN Joint Human Rights Office and Monusco, which \"interviewed 52 victims and direct witnesses, and various sources\" in Rwindi, a town 20 km from Kishishe, where a Monusco base is located and where victims and witnesses have taken refuge. \n\nThe investigators were unable to go to Kishishe and Bambo \"because of security constraints due to the fact that Kishishe is currently controlled by the M23 and the high risk of reprisals against the victims and witnesses still present in the area\", Monusco said. \n\nThe M23 has denied having committed this massacre, acknowledging only the death of 8 civilians killed by \"stray bullets\" during clashes in Kishishe between its fighters and militiamen. \n\nLocal residents report mass graves \n\nLocal residents in Kishishe told reporters by telephone that M23 rebels ordered them to bury the victims in mass graves.\u00a0 \n\nIn its statement, Monusco said, according to the preliminary investigation team, that \"elements of the M23 would have buried the bodies of the victims themselves, in what could be an attempt to destroy the evidence\". \n\nM23 -- March 23 Movement -- is a former Tutsi-dominated rebellion that took up arms again in late 2021 and in recent months has conquered large swathes of territory north of Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu. \n\nAccording to Congolese authorities, UN experts and US diplomats, the M23 is supported by Rwanda. But Kigali disputes this, accusing Kinshasa, which also denies it, of collusion with the FDLR, an essentially Hutu movement formed by some of the perpetrators of the 1994 Tutsi genocide in Rwanda. \n\nAmong the various diplomatic initiatives launched to try to resolve the crisis in eastern DRC, a summit held on 23 November in Luanda decided on a ceasefire on the evening of 25 November, followed two days later by a withdrawal of the M23 from conquered areas.\u00a0 \n\nAn East African regional force being deployed in North Kivu could potentially intervene to dislodge the rebel fighters.\u00a0 \n\nM23 said this week it was \"ready to start disengaging and withdrawing\", but no withdrawal has been observed so far. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>France said on Thursday it was \"horrified\" by a recent massacre in the Democratic Republic of Congo that left at least 131 people dead and called on \"all armed groups to stop fighting immediately and engage in the disarmament process without delay\".<\/p>\n<p>A preliminary report from the UN released Thursday found that\u00a0DR Congo&#039;s M23 rebel group was responsible for the massacre, and of committing rape and looting at the end of November,\u00a0in two villages in eastern DRC in retaliation for clashes with armed groups.<\/p>\n<p>Authorities in Kinshasa said the death toll is much higher, claiming around 300 people were killed in the village of Kishishe in North Kivu province.<\/p>\n<p>The UN preliminary investigation, based on eyewitness accounts concerns Kishishe and the nearby village of Bambo.<\/p>\n<p>It states that 102 men, 17 women and 12 children were killed \"during acts of reprisal against the civilian population\".\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\"The victims were arbitrarily executed by bullets or with bladed weapons,\" <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////monusco.unmissions.org//en/">Monusco -- the UN peacekeeping mission in DR Congo -- said in a statement.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\"Eight people were also wounded by bullets and 60 others abducted. At least 22 women and five girls were raped.<\/p>\n<p>\"The violence was committed as part of a campaign of murder, rape, abduction and looting against these two villages in Rutshuru territory in retaliation for clashes between the M23 and FDLR (Forces D\u00e9mocratiques de Lib\u00e9ration du Rwanda) militiamen and other armed groups\", the statement said.<\/p>\n<p>The investigation was conducted by the UN Joint Human Rights Office and Monusco, which \"interviewed 52 victims and direct witnesses, and various sources\" in Rwindi, a town 20 km from Kishishe, where a Monusco base is located and where victims and witnesses have taken refuge.<\/p>\n<p>The investigators were unable to go to Kishishe and Bambo \"because of security constraints due to the fact that Kishishe is currently controlled by the M23 and the high risk of reprisals against the victims and witnesses still present in the area\", Monusco said.<\/p>\n<p>The M23 has denied having committed this massacre, acknowledging only the death of 8 civilians killed by \"stray bullets\" during clashes in Kishishe between its fighters and militiamen.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7185188,7187566,6878908\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2022//11//10//soldiers-patrol-goma-as-fighting-in-the-democratic-republic-of-congo-resumes/">Soldiers patrol Goma as fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo resumes <\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2022//07//25//monusco-facilities-vandalised-by-protesters-in-goma/">MONUSCO facilities vandalised by protesters in Goma<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2022//11//11//dr-congo-volunteers-try-to-help-displaced-children/">DR Congo volunteers try to help displaced children<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>Local residents report mass graves<\/h2><p>Local residents in Kishishe told reporters by telephone that M23 rebels ordered them to bury the victims in mass graves.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In its statement, Monusco said, according to the preliminary investigation team, that \"elements of the M23 would have buried the bodies of the victims themselves, in what could be an attempt to destroy the evidence\".<\/p>\n<p>M23 -- March 23 Movement -- is a former Tutsi-dominated rebellion that took up arms again in late 2021 and in recent months has conquered large swathes of territory north of Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu.<\/p>\n<p>According to Congolese authorities, UN experts and US diplomats, the M23 is supported by Rwanda. But Kigali disputes this, accusing Kinshasa, which also denies it, of collusion with the FDLR, an essentially Hutu movement formed by some of the perpetrators of the 1994 Tutsi genocide in Rwanda.<\/p>\n<p>Among the various diplomatic initiatives launched to try to resolve the crisis in eastern DRC, a summit held on 23 November in Luanda decided on a ceasefire on the evening of 25 November, followed two days later by a withdrawal of the M23 from conquered areas.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>An East African regional force being deployed in North Kivu could potentially intervene to dislodge the rebel fighters.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>M23 said this week it was \"ready to start disengaging and withdrawing\", but no withdrawal has been observed so far.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1670485301,"updatedAt":1670512229,"publishedAt":1670512217,"firstPublishedAt":1670512229,"lastPublishedAt":1670512229,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","altText":"Goma residents join in a protest called by the civil society against the United Nations peacekeeping force and fighting factions, Goma, Dec. 1, 2022. ","callToActionText":null,"width":1600,"caption":"Goma residents join in a protest called by the civil society against the United Nations peacekeeping force and fighting factions, Goma, Dec. 1, 2022. ","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/23\/81\/84\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_2ed1ba18-454e-59ec-a980-b8f51fee4160-7238184.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":900}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"democratic-republic-of-congo","titleRaw":"Democratic Republic of Congo","id":12127,"title":"Democratic Republic of Congo","slug":"democratic-republic-of-congo"},{"urlSafeValue":"massacre","titleRaw":"Massacre","id":12392,"title":"Massacre","slug":"massacre"},{"urlSafeValue":"dr-congo","titleRaw":"DR Congo","id":354,"title":"DR Congo","slug":"dr-congo"},{"urlSafeValue":"united-nations","titleRaw":"United Nations","id":292,"title":"United Nations","slug":"united-nations"}],"widgets":[{"count":1,"slug":"related"}],"related":[{"id":2297858},{"id":2298494}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AFP, AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"world news","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":1,"title":"News","slug":"news"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":"news","title":"World","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":3,"urlSafeValue":"africa","title":"Africa"},"country":{"id":69,"urlSafeValue":"democratic-republic-of-congo","title":"Democratic Republic Of Congo","url":"\/news\/africa\/democratic-republic-of-congo"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'neg_facebook_2021','castrol_negative_uk','neg_mobkoi_castrol','neg_facebook_q4','gb_death_injury_news-ent','gv_death_injury','gv_crime','neg_facebook','neg_nespresso','neg_intel_en','gb_death_injury_serious','neg_saudiaramco','neg_umw_fs_12oct202','neg_facebook_neg1','gt_negative','gb_crime_serious','gv_military','gs_politics','gb_crime_edu','gs_war_conflict','gt_negative_dislike','gs_politics_misc'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"daletEventName":"WEB: DRC MASSACRE","path":"\/2022\/12\/08\/france-condemns-dr-congo-massacre-that-left-at-least-131-dead","lastModified":1670512229},{"id":2122190,"cid":7187566,"versionId":3,"archive":0,"housenumber":"221111_NCSU_49055994","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"DR Congo volunteers try to help displaced children","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":null,"titleListing2":"DR Congo volunteers try to help displaced children","leadin":"Some 237,000 people have been displaced in the Democratic Republic of Congo since March, says the United Nations, since clashes broke out in March. Some 60% are children.","summary":"Some 237,000 people have been displaced in the Democratic Republic of Congo since March, says the United Nations, since clashes broke out in March. Some 60% are children.","keySentence":"","url":"dr-congo-volunteers-try-to-help-displaced-children","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2022\/11\/11\/dr-congo-volunteers-try-to-help-displaced-children","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Volunteers in eastern areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo sing and dance, trying to bring not just food but some happiness to the thousands of children displaced by the violence and living in precarious conditions in the improvised camps in the Nyiragongo region. \n\nMembers of the collective Goma Actif, which draws together artists, musicians, businessmen and other Goma residents to help those in need, prepare porridge to distribute among the families fleeing from the fight between the army and the M23 rebel group \n\nMost of the displaced fleeing from the conflict in the last weeks were forced to leave their homes suddenly, with families running in different directions with nothing other than the clothes they were wearing. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Volunteers in eastern areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo sing and dance, trying to bring not just food but some happiness to the thousands of children displaced by the violence and living in precarious conditions in the improvised camps in the Nyiragongo region.<\/p>\n<p>Members of the collective Goma Actif, which draws together artists, musicians, businessmen and other Goma residents to help those in need, prepare porridge to distribute among the families fleeing from the fight between the army and the M23 rebel group<\/p>\n<p>Most of the displaced fleeing from the conflict in the last weeks were forced to leave their homes suddenly, with families running in different directions with nothing other than the clothes they were wearing.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1668160567,"updatedAt":1668163619,"publishedAt":1668162248,"firstPublishedAt":1668162251,"lastPublishedAt":1668163619,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","altText":"Children with plastic cups and containers waiting to receive food","callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"caption":"Children with plastic cups and containers waiting to receive food","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/18\/75\/66\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_1500ec1c-0032-5e57-9799-1f65bb544e5f-7187566.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1080}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"internally-displaced","titleRaw":"Internally displaced","id":23224,"title":"Internally displaced","slug":"internally-displaced"},{"urlSafeValue":"drc-crisis","titleRaw":"DRC Crisis","id":12187,"title":"DRC Crisis","slug":"drc-crisis"},{"urlSafeValue":"humanitarian-aid","titleRaw":"Humanitarian aid","id":9229,"title":"Humanitarian aid","slug":"humanitarian-aid"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2070222},{"id":2045634}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"CLrZPmZ59Oc","dailymotionId":"x8fer8m"},"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":60000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":7792460,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/NC\/SU\/22\/11\/11\/en\/221111_NCSU_49055994_49056193_60000_110159_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":60000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":12152652,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/NC\/SU\/22\/11\/11\/en\/221111_NCSU_49055994_49056193_60000_110159_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"}],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"nocomment","urlSafeValue":"nocomment","title":"no 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Congo","url":"\/news\/africa\/democratic-republic-of-congo"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'neg_facebook','neg_facebook_2021','gt_mixed','neg_mobkoi_castrol','neg_mobkoi_creed_eng','neg_mobkoi_new','gs_fineart','gb_safe','pos_equinor','pos_facebook','pos_pmi','pos_ukraine-russia','pos_ukrainecrisis','gs_attractions','gt_negative_anger','gs_politics','gs_attractions_museums','gv_safe'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"daletEventName":"NC1-DR CONGO DISPLACED CHILDREN","path":"\/video\/2022\/11\/11\/dr-congo-volunteers-try-to-help-displaced-children","lastModified":1668163619},{"id":2070222,"cid":7037592,"versionId":3,"archive":0,"housenumber":"221005_FOSU_48356692","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":1,"isBreakingNews":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":6},{"id":8},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Maximising the Democratic Republic of Congo's economic potential ","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Maximising the Democratic Republic of Congo's economic potential ","titleListing2":"The DRC has one of the strongest growth rates in the sub-Saharan region. To attract investors, Kinshasa hosted an unprecedented conference designed to explore the country's economic potential.","leadin":"The DRC has one of the strongest growth rates in the sub-Saharan region. To attract investors, Kinshasa hosted an unprecedented conference designed to explore the country's economic potential.","summary":"The DRC has one of the strongest growth rates in the sub-Saharan region. To attract investors, Kinshasa hosted an unprecedented conference designed to explore the country's economic potential.","keySentence":"","url":"maximising-the-democratic-republic-of-congos-economic-potential","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/business\/2022\/10\/10\/maximising-the-democratic-republic-of-congos-economic-potential","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The Democratic Republic of Congo is a key player on the African continent, with one of the strongest growth rates in the sub-Saharan region. Euronews went to the Congolese capital, Kinshasa to observe an 'unprecedented' conference designed to explore the country's economic strengths and weaknesses. \n\nBalancing the country's risks and advantages \n\nThe aim of the \"Country Risk Conference\" is to guide investors by sifting through the strengths and weaknesses of the country.\u00a0 \n\nMajor players in the regional political and economic spheres have gathered in the DRC around a report written by the pan-African rating agency Bloomfield. \n\nVarious information was analysed: macroeconomic data as well as social and security data, culminating in the country receiving a rating of 5.1 out of 10. \n\nStanislas Z\u00e9z\u00e9, CEO of the Bloomfield Investment corporation said:\u00a0 \"The rating of 5.1 represents moderate risk, a median moderate risk. It means that the D.R.C. is a country with a lot of potential, with reforms that are being implemented but also with weaknesses.\" \n\nCombating economic challenges \n\nAmong these weaknesses are the lack of infrastructure, security risks in the east and problems with corruption. \n\nHowever, recently, the international rating agencies Moody's or Standard and Poor's, raised the country's sovereign rating.\u00a0 This signals that the country's economic situation is improving and the Minister of Finance is determined to strike while the iron is hot and continue this wave of change.\u00a0 \n\nNicolas Kazadi said:\u00a0 \"In terms of public finance, we have an extremely ambitious roadmap that we are implementing as part of the program with the IMF. It is essentially to improve revenue transparency, tax reforms to create a more favourable business environment, and also to fight against corruption, particularly through the strengthening of digitalization in public finance, both in terms of revenue and expenditure.\" \n\nDiversifying the D.R.C's economic portfolio \n\nThe International Monetary Fund reported that the Democratic Republic of Congo saw an over 4.5% economic growth in 2021 thanks, in large part, to the country's mining and service sectors. \n\nThe mining sector remains the essential engine behind Congolese growth, as the country has key resources for the energy transition such as copper, cobalt and lithium. \n\nCEO of the ERG group, one of the largest investors in these activities, believes in the country's enormous potential. \n\nBeyond the DRC's mineral wealth, the country also boasts vast arable lands which offer opportunities for the agricultural sector.\u00a0 \n\nEntrepreneurs seizing opportunities \n\nTisya Mukuna, creator of\u00a0\" La Kinoise, \" a Congolese coffee brand, is the embodiment of a new generation of entrepreneurs who are determined to get the country moving. \n\nThree years ago, she became the first to cultivate organic coffee in the Kinshasa region, making the most of what the land has to offer.\u00a0 \n\nThis summer, Mukuna opened a small factory to roast and package her coffee on site in the capital, however she has faced some challenges caused by environmental factors, such as heavy rain.\u00a0 \n\nShe told Euronews that growing coffee is \"a story about passion\" which she pursued \"even when everyone told [her] it was impossible.\" \n\nFrom harvesting to packaging, Tisya intends to control the entire production chain of this 100% local coffee business, which requires energy and perseverance.\u00a0 \n\nTisya aspires to make her coffee known and have it sold beyond the borders of the DRC, an entrepreneur who provides an \u00a0example to those who want to invest in the country and seize its opportunities for the future. \n\n","htmlText":"<div class=\"widget widget--type-freeform\nwidget--size-fullwidth\nwidget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <img src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////video.euronews.com//flv//adverts//drc-banner-en-2022b.jpg/"> \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>The Democratic Republic of Congo is a key player on the African continent, with one of the strongest growth rates in the sub-Saharan region. Euronews went to the Congolese capital, Kinshasa to observe an &#039;unprecedented&#039; conference designed to explore the country&#039;s economic strengths and weaknesses.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2>Balancing the country's risks and advantages<\/h2><p>The aim of the \"Country Risk Conference\" is to guide investors by sifting through the strengths and weaknesses of the country.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Major players in the regional political and economic spheres have gathered in the DRC around a report written by the pan-African rating agency Bloomfield.<\/p>\n<p>Various information was analysed: macroeconomic data as well as social and security data, culminating in the country receiving a rating of 5.1 out of 10.<\/p>\n<p>Stanislas Z\u00e9z\u00e9, CEO of the Bloomfield Investment corporation said:\u00a0<em>\"The rating of 5.1 represents moderate risk, a median moderate risk. It means that the D.R.C. is a country with a lot of potential, with reforms that are being implemented but also with weaknesses.\"<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//03//75//92//808x454_cmsv2_410e69e3-9559-51d2-94c3-16dbaa7a2c43-7037592.jpg/" alt=\"Euronews\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/03\/75\/92\/384x216_cmsv2_410e69e3-9559-51d2-94c3-16dbaa7a2c43-7037592.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/03\/75\/92\/640x360_cmsv2_410e69e3-9559-51d2-94c3-16dbaa7a2c43-7037592.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/03\/75\/92\/750x422_cmsv2_410e69e3-9559-51d2-94c3-16dbaa7a2c43-7037592.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/03\/75\/92\/828x466_cmsv2_410e69e3-9559-51d2-94c3-16dbaa7a2c43-7037592.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/03\/75\/92\/1080x608_cmsv2_410e69e3-9559-51d2-94c3-16dbaa7a2c43-7037592.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/03\/75\/92\/1200x675_cmsv2_410e69e3-9559-51d2-94c3-16dbaa7a2c43-7037592.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/03\/75\/92\/1920x1080_cmsv2_410e69e3-9559-51d2-94c3-16dbaa7a2c43-7037592.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Stanislas Z\u00e9z\u00e9, CEO, Bloomfield Investment corporation<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>Combating economic challenges<\/h2><p>Among these weaknesses are the lack of infrastructure, security risks in the east and problems with corruption.<\/p>\n<p>However, recently, the international rating agencies Moody&#039;s or Standard and Poor&#039;s, raised the country&#039;s sovereign rating.\u00a0 This signals that the country&#039;s economic situation is improving and the Minister of Finance is determined to strike while the iron is hot and continue this wave of change.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Nicolas Kazadi said:\u00a0<em>\"In terms of public finance, we have an extremely ambitious roadmap that we are implementing as part of the program with the IMF. It is essentially to improve revenue transparency, tax reforms to create a more favourable business environment, and also to fight against corruption, particularly through the strengthening of digitalization in public finance, both in terms of revenue and expenditure.\"<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//03//75//92//808x454_cmsv2_712a6baf-9243-5f32-9b73-a6acee122188-7037592.jpg/" alt=\"Euronews\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/03\/75\/92\/384x216_cmsv2_712a6baf-9243-5f32-9b73-a6acee122188-7037592.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/03\/75\/92\/640x360_cmsv2_712a6baf-9243-5f32-9b73-a6acee122188-7037592.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/03\/75\/92\/750x422_cmsv2_712a6baf-9243-5f32-9b73-a6acee122188-7037592.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/03\/75\/92\/828x466_cmsv2_712a6baf-9243-5f32-9b73-a6acee122188-7037592.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/03\/75\/92\/1080x608_cmsv2_712a6baf-9243-5f32-9b73-a6acee122188-7037592.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/03\/75\/92\/1200x675_cmsv2_712a6baf-9243-5f32-9b73-a6acee122188-7037592.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/03\/75\/92\/1920x1080_cmsv2_712a6baf-9243-5f32-9b73-a6acee122188-7037592.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Conf\u00e9rence Risque Pays in Kinshasa<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>Diversifying the D.R.C's economic portfolio<\/h2><p>The <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.imf.org//fr//News//Articles//2022//07//19//cf-drc-growth-among-highest-in-region-amid-significant-challenges/">International Monetary Fund<\/a> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.imf.org//fr//News//Articles//2022//07//19//cf-drc-growth-among-highest-in-region-amid-significant-challenges/">reported that the Democratic Republic of Congo saw an over 4.5% economic growth in 2021 thanks, in large part, to the country&#039;s mining and service sectors.<\/p>\n<p>The mining sector remains the essential engine behind Congolese growth, as the country has key resources for the energy transition such as copper, cobalt and lithium.<\/p>\n<p>CEO of the ERG group, one of the largest investors in these activities, believes in the country&#039;s enormous potential.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-quotation\n widget--size-fullwidth\n widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__content\">\n <blockquote class=\"widget__quote\">\n <span class=\"widget__quoteText\">\"If you have a mobile phone, there is a 100% certainty that a small part of the battery is from the DRC. It is also the only country that is going to be able to supply sufficient materials, to supply the incredible amount of materials that will be required by the electronic sector or transportation sector: electric vehicles, stationary batteries or energy storage. The numbers that you are looking at are enormous.\"<\/span>\n <\/blockquote>\n <cite class=\"widget__author\">\n <div class=\"widget__authorText\">\n Benedikt Sobotka\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"widget__author_descriptionText\">\n CEO of Eurasian Resources Group\n <\/div>\n <\/cite>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Beyond the DRC&#039;s mineral wealth, the country also boasts vast arable lands which offer opportunities for the agricultural sector.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//03//75//92//808x454_cmsv2_2804f1e1-35d3-52ba-8094-67afcba307c2-7037592.jpg/" alt=\"Euronews\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/03\/75\/92\/384x216_cmsv2_2804f1e1-35d3-52ba-8094-67afcba307c2-7037592.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/03\/75\/92\/640x360_cmsv2_2804f1e1-35d3-52ba-8094-67afcba307c2-7037592.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/03\/75\/92\/750x422_cmsv2_2804f1e1-35d3-52ba-8094-67afcba307c2-7037592.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/03\/75\/92\/828x466_cmsv2_2804f1e1-35d3-52ba-8094-67afcba307c2-7037592.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/03\/75\/92\/1080x608_cmsv2_2804f1e1-35d3-52ba-8094-67afcba307c2-7037592.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/03\/75\/92\/1200x675_cmsv2_2804f1e1-35d3-52ba-8094-67afcba307c2-7037592.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/03\/75\/92\/1920x1080_cmsv2_2804f1e1-35d3-52ba-8094-67afcba307c2-7037592.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">A land full of diverse economic opportunities<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>Entrepreneurs seizing opportunities<\/h2><p>Tisya Mukuna, creator of\u00a0\"<em>La Kinoise,<\/em>\" a Congolese coffee brand, is the embodiment of a new generation of entrepreneurs who are determined to get the country moving.<\/p>\n<p>Three years ago, she became the first to cultivate organic coffee in the Kinshasa region, making the most of what the land has to offer.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//03//75//92//808x454_cmsv2_416b926f-8e90-5cb5-9fde-3d18f66f2741-7037592.jpg/" alt=\"Euronews\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/03\/75\/92\/384x216_cmsv2_416b926f-8e90-5cb5-9fde-3d18f66f2741-7037592.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/03\/75\/92\/640x360_cmsv2_416b926f-8e90-5cb5-9fde-3d18f66f2741-7037592.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/03\/75\/92\/750x422_cmsv2_416b926f-8e90-5cb5-9fde-3d18f66f2741-7037592.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/03\/75\/92\/828x466_cmsv2_416b926f-8e90-5cb5-9fde-3d18f66f2741-7037592.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/03\/75\/92\/1080x608_cmsv2_416b926f-8e90-5cb5-9fde-3d18f66f2741-7037592.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/03\/75\/92\/1200x675_cmsv2_416b926f-8e90-5cb5-9fde-3d18f66f2741-7037592.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/03\/75\/92\/1920x1080_cmsv2_416b926f-8e90-5cb5-9fde-3d18f66f2741-7037592.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Tisya Mukuna, founder of &quot;La Kinoise&quot;<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>This summer, Mukuna opened a small factory to roast and package her coffee on site in the capital, however she has faced some challenges caused by environmental factors, such as heavy rain.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>She told Euronews that growing coffee is \"a story about passion\" which she pursued \"even when everyone told [her] it was impossible.\"<\/p>\n<p>From harvesting to packaging, Tisya intends to control the entire production chain of this 100% local coffee business, which requires energy and perseverance.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-quotation\n widget--size-fullwidth\n widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__content\">\n <blockquote class=\"widget__quote\">\n <span class=\"widget__quoteText\">The hardest part was the industrialization process: finding the machines, importing them. The hassles with customs. Setting them up. It's also a story of energy, having the electricity to run this factory. It's a lot of ambition. It requires a rather stable ecosystem. Take the case of the plantation: when it rains, the roads leading to the plantation are immediately unusable. So, this is all part of an ecosystem that adds difficulties for the company. But it's not impossible: the proof is that today, we are present in four cities across Congo.<\/span>\n <\/blockquote>\n <cite class=\"widget__author\">\n <div class=\"widget__authorText\">\n Tisya Mukuna\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"widget__author_descriptionText\">\n Founder of \"La Kinoise\"\n <\/div>\n <\/cite>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Tisya aspires to make her coffee known and have it sold beyond the borders of the DRC, an entrepreneur who provides an\u00a0example to those who want to invest in the country and seize its opportunities for the future.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1663936694,"updatedAt":1665421926,"publishedAt":1665419406,"firstPublishedAt":1664983020,"lastPublishedAt":1665419620,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"euronews","altText":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"caption":null,"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/03\/75\/94\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_ca17b1e2-0184-519f-b5ac-ee744028676e-7037594.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1080},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Euronews","altText":"Stanislas Z\u00e9z\u00e9, CEO, Bloomfield Investment corporation","callToActionText":null,"width":960,"caption":"Stanislas Z\u00e9z\u00e9, CEO, Bloomfield Investment corporation","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/03\/75\/92\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_410e69e3-9559-51d2-94c3-16dbaa7a2c43-7037592.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":540},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Euronews","altText":"Tisya Mukuna, founder of \"La Kinoise\"","callToActionText":null,"width":960,"caption":"Tisya Mukuna, founder of \"La Kinoise\"","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/03\/75\/92\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_416b926f-8e90-5cb5-9fde-3d18f66f2741-7037592.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":540},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Euronews","altText":"A land full of diverse economic opportunities","callToActionText":null,"width":960,"caption":"A land full of diverse economic 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of young people in Goma took to the streets to protest against MONUSCO.","leadin":"Hundreds of young people in Goma took to the streets to protest against MONUSCO.","summary":"Hundreds of young people in Goma took to the streets to protest against MONUSCO.","keySentence":"","url":"monusco-facilities-vandalised-by-protesters-in-goma","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2022\/07\/25\/monusco-facilities-vandalised-by-protesters-in-goma","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Hundreds of young people in Goma, a town in North Kivu in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, took to the streets to protest against the presence of the United Nations Organisation Mission in Congo (MONUSCO). \n\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Hundreds of young people in Goma, a town in North Kivu in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, took to the streets to protest against the presence of the United Nations Organisation Mission in Congo 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Belgian King Philippe expressed his \u201cdeepest regrets\u201d for his nation's abuses in its former colony. ","leadin":"Philippe also offered a traditional mask of the Suku people to Congo's national museum that has been held for decades by Belgium's Royal Museum for Central Africa.","summary":"Philippe also offered a traditional mask of the Suku people to Congo's national museum that has been held for decades by Belgium's Royal Museum for Central Africa.","keySentence":"","url":"belgian-king-reiterates-regrets-for-colonial-past-in-congo","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2022\/06\/08\/belgian-king-reiterates-regrets-for-colonial-past-in-congo","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"On his first visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Belgium's King Philippe returned a looted artefact as an \"indefinite loan\u201d. \n\nAnd he expressed his \"deepest regrets for the wounds\" inflicted on the country by his ancestors. \n\nThe Belgian monarch is visiting the country for a 6-day tour. And during a speech, he said that\u00a0\"Although many Belgians were sincerely committed, deeply loving the Congo and its people, the colonial regime as such was based on exploitation and domination.\"\u00a0 \n\nAnd he added that the colonial regime \"was one of an unequal relationship. It was in itself unjustifiable, marked by paternalism, discrimination, and racism. It gave rise to abuses and humiliations\". \n\nAccording to Ronald Kato, senior journalist for Euronews' sister organisation Africanews, officials are trying to use the visit to improve relations with Belgium. \n\nBut for many people in the country, the situation is different. \n\n\u201cOn the streets and social media there has been a great deal of dissent, with some people calling for the King to apologise,\u201d Kato said. \n\n\u201cAnd to even pay for the crimes that Belgian committed and for the country\u2019s wealth that the Belgians looted.\u201d \n\nKing Philippe\u2019s ancestor, Leopold II, plundered Congo as his fiefdom from 1865 to 1909. \n\nAn estimated 10 million Congolese died in the first 23 years of his control. It then passed to the Belgian state until it gained independence in 1960. \n\nKing Philippe became the first Belgian official to express regret for this period two years ago. \n\nWatch the Interview in the video player above to learn more about this story. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>On his first visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Belgium&#039;s King Philippe returned a looted artefact as an \"indefinite loan\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>And he expressed his \"deepest regrets for the wounds\" inflicted on the country by his ancestors.<\/p>\n<p>The Belgian monarch is visiting the country for a 6-day tour. And during a speech, he said that\u00a0\"Although many Belgians were sincerely committed, deeply loving the Congo and its people, the colonial regime as such was based on exploitation and domination.\"\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>And he added that the colonial regime \"was one of an unequal relationship. It was in itself unjustifiable, marked by paternalism, discrimination, and racism. It gave rise to abuses and humiliations\".<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"6761260\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2022//06//07//belgian-king-arrives-in-dr-congo-for-key-visit/">Belgian King arrives in DR Congo for key visit<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>According to Ronald Kato, senior journalist for Euronews&#039; sister organisation Africanews, officials are trying to use the visit to improve relations with Belgium.<\/p>\n<p>But for many people in the country, the situation is different.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOn the streets and social media there has been a great deal of dissent, with some people calling for the King to apologise,\u201d Kato said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd to even pay for the crimes that Belgian committed and for the country\u2019s wealth that the Belgians looted.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>King Philippe\u2019s ancestor, Leopold II, plundered Congo as his fiefdom from 1865 to 1909.<\/p>\n<p>An estimated 10 million Congolese died in the first 23 years of his control. It then passed to the Belgian state until it gained independence in 1960.<\/p>\n<p>King Philippe became the first Belgian official to express regret for this period two years ago.<\/p>\n<p><em>Watch the Interview in the video player above to learn more about this story.<\/em><\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1654713269,"updatedAt":1654764579,"publishedAt":1654721764,"firstPublishedAt":1654721768,"lastPublishedAt":1654764579,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Samy Ntumba Shambuyi\/Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.","altText":"King Philippe greets 100-year-old corporal Albert Kunyuku, the last surviving Congolese veteran of World War II, in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, June 2022.","callToActionText":null,"width":2738,"caption":"King Philippe greets 100-year-old corporal Albert Kunyuku, the last surviving Congolese veteran of World War II, in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, June 2022.","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/76\/36\/98\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_da596231-3c69-5ecf-93fa-8755efd7fac1-6763698.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1825},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"NA","altText":"King Philippe reiterates his \"deepest regrets for these wounds of the past\" in a speech on the grounds of the DRC parliament","callToActionText":null,"width":960,"caption":"King Philippe reiterates his \"deepest regrets for these wounds of the past\" in a speech on the grounds of the DRC 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clinic.","keySentence":"","url":"sisters-doing-it-for-themselves-drc-nun-fed-up-with-power-outages-builds-own-hydroelectric","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/next\/2022\/05\/16\/sisters-doing-it-for-themselves-drc-nun-fed-up-with-power-outages-builds-own-hydroelectric","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Sister Alphonsine Ciza spends most of her day in gumboots, white veil tucked under a builder's hat, manning the micro hydroelectric plant she built to overcome daily electricity cuts in her town of Miti in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. \n\nShe works around the clock with a team of nuns and engineers, greasing machinery and checking the dials of a generator that is fed from a nearby reservoir. \n\nThe mini plant lights up a convent, church, two schools and a clinic free of charge. \n\nWithout the plant, residents would only have electricity two or three days a week for a few hours. \n\n\"This is the alternator that produces the current and here we have the cabinet that sends the current to the population. It's here that we make adjustments, it's called the electrical cabinet,\" said Ciza, 55, a portable voltage meter slung around her neck in the town of 300,000 inhabitants near the border with Rwanda. \n\nBlackouts are a daily disruption in the Congo, a vast central African country of around 90 million people that sources most of its electricity from a run-down and mismanaged hydropower system. \n\nThe government has worked with foreign partners in an effort to increase the capacity of the mineral-rich nation's ailing grid. Critics say the new projects focus too much on powering mines and exporting electricity to neighbouring countries. \n\nDespite millions of dollars in donor funding, only around 20 per cent of the population has access to electricity, according to the World Bank. \n\nFed up with relying on candlelight and costly fuel-powered generators, Ciza started raising money in 2015 to build the hydropower plant. \n\nShe picked up skills as a young nun, repairing electrical faults around the convent, which convinced superiors to send her to study mechanical engineering. \n\nIt took Ciza's convent three years to gather the required $297,000 (\u20ac284,897) and build the plant, which generates between 0.05 and 0.1 MW. \n\nThanks to Ciza's efforts, students at Miti's Maendeleo secondary school can now learn computer skills from screens rather than from books. \n\n\"It was rare to find power during the day. We had to use fuel for the generator, but buying fuel was very expensive. It was no longer possible at some point, so we were forced to stop and only teach theory for the computer science course,\" said headmistress Mweze Nsimire Gilberte. \n\nFor more one this story, watch the video in the media player above. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Sister Alphonsine Ciza spends most of her day in gumboots, white veil tucked under a builder&#039;s hat, manning the micro hydroelectric plant she built to overcome daily electricity cuts in her town of Miti in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.<\/p>\n<p>She works around the clock with a team of nuns and engineers, greasing machinery and checking the dials of a generator that is fed from a nearby reservoir.<\/p>\n<p>The mini plant lights up a convent, church, two schools and a clinic free of charge.<\/p>\n<p>Without the plant, residents would only have electricity two or three days a week for a few hours.<\/p>\n<p>\"This is the alternator that produces the current and here we have the cabinet that sends the current to the population. It&#039;s here that we make adjustments, it&#039;s called the electrical cabinet,\" said Ciza, 55, a portable voltage meter slung around her neck in the town of 300,000 inhabitants near the border with Rwanda.<\/p>\n<p>Blackouts are a daily disruption in the Congo, a vast central African country of around 90 million people that sources most of its electricity from a run-down and mismanaged hydropower system.<\/p>\n<p>The government has worked with foreign partners in an effort to increase the capacity of the mineral-rich nation&#039;s ailing grid. Critics say the new projects focus too much on powering mines and exporting electricity to neighbouring countries.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"6534288,5740022\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//next//2022//03//11//the-three-wheeled-solar-powered-electric-car-its-tunisian-designer-hopes-will-change-city-/">The three-wheeled solar-powered electric car its Tunisian designer hopes will change city driving<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//next//2021//09//14//this-23-year-old-amateur-engineer-has-just-built-his-own-electric-car-from-scratch/">This 23-year-old Russian amateur engineer built his own electric car from scratch<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Despite millions of dollars in donor funding, only around 20 per cent of the population has access to electricity, according to the World Bank.<\/p>\n<p>Fed up with relying on candlelight and costly fuel-powered generators, Ciza started raising money in 2015 to build the hydropower plant.<\/p>\n<p>She picked up skills as a young nun, repairing electrical faults around the convent, which convinced superiors to send her to study mechanical engineering.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"6700312\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//next//2022//05//15//how-africa-s-tech-sector-can-thrive-and-it-s-not-all-about-legalising-bitcoin/">How Africa\u2019s tech sector can thrive - and it\u2019s not all about legalising Bitcoin<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>It took Ciza&#039;s convent three years to gather the required $297,000 (\u20ac284,897) and build the plant, which generates between 0.05 and 0.1 MW.<\/p>\n<p>Thanks to Ciza&#039;s efforts, students at Miti&#039;s Maendeleo secondary school can now learn computer skills from screens rather than from books.<\/p>\n<p>\"It was rare to find power during the day. We had to use fuel for the generator, but buying fuel was very expensive. It was no longer possible at some point, so we were forced to stop and only teach theory for the computer science course,\" said headmistress Mweze Nsimire Gilberte.<\/p>\n<h2>For more one this story, watch the video in the media player above.<\/h2>","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1652364711,"updatedAt":1652703104,"publishedAt":1652703102,"firstPublishedAt":1652703104,"lastPublishedAt":1652703104,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Reuters","altText":"Image shows Sister Alphonsine Ciza inspecting the mini hydeo-electric plant that she built herself to combat power outages.","callToActionText":null,"width":4000,"caption":"Image shows Sister Alphonsine Ciza inspecting the mini hydeo-electric plant that she built herself to combat power outages.","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/69\/82\/04\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_d981b893-e9cc-58be-a887-e1074a923eed-6698204.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":2250}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[{"urlSafeValue":"ni-chulain","twitter":null,"title":"Aisling N\u00ed Ch\u00fal\u00e1in"}]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"africa","titleRaw":"Africa","id":3,"title":"Africa","slug":"africa"},{"urlSafeValue":"electricity-consumption","titleRaw":"Electricity consumption","id":9601,"title":"Electricity consumption","slug":"electricity-consumption"},{"urlSafeValue":"electricity","titleRaw":"electricity","id":25900,"title":"electricity","slug":"electricity"},{"urlSafeValue":"power-outage","titleRaw":"power outage","id":13008,"title":"power outage","slug":"power-outage"},{"urlSafeValue":"innovation","titleRaw":"innovation","id":15550,"title":"innovation","slug":"innovation"},{"urlSafeValue":"self-sufficient","titleRaw":"self-sufficient","id":21892,"title":"self-sufficient","slug":"self-sufficient"}],"widgets":[{"count":2,"slug":"related"}],"related":[{"id":1972390},{"id":2111784},{"id":2520302}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"lt0Aw2jXNIE"},"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":74600,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":9029632,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/BZ\/SU\/22\/05\/12\/en\/220512_BZSU_46420648_46472700_74600_125146_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":74600,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":13508608,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/BZ\/SU\/22\/05\/12\/en\/220512_BZSU_46420648_46472700_74600_125146_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"}],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Reuters","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"tech-news","urlSafeValue":"tech-news","title":"Tech News","online":0,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/next\/tech-news\/tech-news"},"vertical":"next","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"next","id":9,"title":"Next","slug":"next"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":9,"slug":"next","urlSafeValue":"next","title":"Next"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"tech-news","id":"tech-news","title":"Tech News","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/next\/tech-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":40,"urlSafeValue":"tech-news","title":"Tech News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":3,"urlSafeValue":"africa","title":"Africa"},"country":{"id":69,"urlSafeValue":"democratic-republic-of-congo","title":"Democratic Republic Of Congo","url":"\/news\/africa\/democratic-republic-of-congo"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gs_business_energy','gs_business','pos_equinor','pos_facebook','pos_pmi','pos_ukraine-russia','african_related_content_uk','gs_auto','gs_society','neg_facebook_2021','gs_education_misc','shadow9hu7_pos_ukrainecrisis','gs_tech_computing','back_to_school_sep','gs_politics_misc','neg_bucherer','gs_auto_misc','back_to_school_2021','gv_safe'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"daletEventName":"NEXT COngo nun's self-made power plant","path":"\/next\/2022\/05\/16\/sisters-doing-it-for-themselves-drc-nun-fed-up-with-power-outages-builds-own-hydroelectric","lastModified":1652703104},{"id":1849860,"cid":6499462,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"220223_NASU_45155826","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Traumatised apes are being nursed back to health in Congo's war-torn east","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Inside the gorilla sanctuary: Congo\u2019s haven for wounded animals","titleListing2":"Poachers claim as much as six million tonnes of bushmeat annually from the Congo Basin alone.\n\nThis sanctuary cares for the primates who survive \ud83d\udc47","leadin":"A refuge hidden among the trees of a Congolese national park is providing hope for some of the world\u2019s most endangered primates","summary":"A refuge hidden among the trees of a Congolese national park is providing hope for some of the world\u2019s most endangered primates","keySentence":"","url":"traumatised-apes-are-being-nursed-back-to-health-in-congo-s-war-torn-east","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/green\/2022\/02\/24\/traumatised-apes-are-being-nursed-back-to-health-in-congo-s-war-torn-east","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"As the Central African market for bushmeat expands, great ape poaching is now reaching crisis point, with over 3,000 apes illegally killed or stolen from the wild each year. \n\nVast networks of logging roads, modern weapons and cheap transportation are behind the rise - with poachers claiming as much as six million tonnes of bushmeat annually from the Congo Basin alone. \n\nBut away from the bloodshed, a refuge hidden among the trees of the Khahuzi-Biega National Park is offering hope for Congo\u2019s endangered primates . \n\n\"These orphaned chimps are coming to us because of insecurity and war,\u201d says Sylvestre Libaku, manager of the Lwiro Ape Rehabilitation Centre (CRPL). \n\n\u201cWe just want to let the animals live peacefully in their natural habitat.\u201d \n\nWith an assortment of at-risk apes from 16 different species, the sanctuary has nursed wounded animals back to health for over two decades. \n\nAmong its wards are chimpanzees, gorillas and bonobos - all saved from poachers in a region where illegal activity goes largely unchallenged. \n\n\u201cThe gorillas only need security,\u201d says Lambert Cirimwami, head of the Khahuzi-Biega park guides. \n\n\u201cIf they have that, they will grow up very easily and very quickly.\" \n\nUnhealed wounds \n\nFor the carers who tend to Lwiro\u2019s endangered apes, bloodshed is a part of everyday life. \n\nMany of their charges need constant attention after arriving at the facility, with complex injuries resulting from their entanglements with bushmeat hunters. \n\n\"First we try to put in place all the means to see how to save the animal's life,\u201d says Ernest Kalalize, veterinary assistant at the centre. \n\n\u201cIn the case of injuries or other serious cases, we see how to stop the bleeding and then anaesthetise the animal, before suturing it and returning it to its enclosure.\" \n\nOnce there, the animals are cared for by the sanctuary\u2019s 55 members of staff - many of whom work around the clock to tend to the primates' every need. \n\nEach of the 110 chimpanzees at the sanctuary eats as much as six kilograms of fruit, cereals and vegetables every day. The infants are bottle-fed by their carers. \n\n\"We arrive here at 6.30 am,\u201d says Libaku. \n\n\u201cFirst, we give them meatballs and bananas, and if there are sick animals, that's when we take the opportunity to give them medicine too.\" \n\nMany months of care are needed to stabilise an animal at the facility. \n\nBordering the Kahuzi-Biega National Park - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - the Lwiro Centre was founded in 2002 by the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature. \n\nSome 250 eastern lowland gorillas live in the neighbouring rainforest - the last of their kind in the wild. \n\nMuch like their relatives in the sanctuary, these apes are at the mercy of poachers looking to hunt and kill them - often to provide food for their families. \n\nFor Kalalize, this could all change if the Congolese government provided more financial assistance to the sanctuary. \n\n\"There is still not 100 per cent government involvement in the management of the Lwiro Primate Rehabilitation Centre,\u201d says the veterinary assistant. \n\n\u201cIt is run through the efforts of people who, out of their own good will, are trying to see how to protect the animals that are very much under threat.\" \n\nWatch the video above to see the ape sanctuary for yourself. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>As the Central African market for bushmeat expands, great ape poaching is now reaching crisis point, with over <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.un-grasp.org///">3,000 apes<\/strong><\/a> illegally killed or stolen from the wild each year.<\/p>\n<p>Vast networks of logging roads, modern weapons and cheap transportation are behind the rise - with poachers claiming as much as <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.weforum.org//agenda//2019//10//in-congo-part-time-hunters-boost-income-with-bushmeat///">six million tonnes<\/strong><\/a> of bushmeat annually from the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2022//02//17//the-congo-basin-doesn-t-absorb-greenhouses-gases-in-the-same-way-as-other-rainforests/">Congo Basin<\/strong><\/a> alone.<\/p>\n<p>But away from the bloodshed, a refuge hidden among the trees of the Khahuzi-Biega National Park is offering hope for Congo\u2019s <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2021//09//27//orangutan-portraits-capture-the-humanity-of-the-critically-endangered-species/">endangered primates<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\"These orphaned chimps are coming to us because of insecurity and war,\u201d says Sylvestre Libaku, manager of the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.lwiroprimates.org///">Lwiro Ape Rehabilitation Centre<\/strong><\/a> (CRPL).<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe just want to let the animals live peacefully in their natural habitat.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>With an assortment of at-risk apes from 16 different species, the sanctuary has nursed wounded animals back to health for over two decades.<\/p>\n<p>Among its wards are chimpanzees, gorillas and bonobos - all saved from poachers in a region where illegal activity goes largely unchallenged.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe gorillas only need security,\u201d says Lambert Cirimwami, head of the Khahuzi-Biega park guides.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf they have that, they will grow up very easily and very quickly.\"<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"5318256,6488022,6442184\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2021//01//25//stop-the-selfie-photos-with-monkeys-may-be-driving-illegal-pet-trade/">Stop the selfie: Photos with monkeys may be driving illegal pet trade<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2022//01//31//how-solar-powered-bikers-are-busting-illegal-wildlife-poachers-in-south-africa/">Solar-powered bikers are busting illegal wildlife poachers in South Africa<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2022//02//18//how-elephant-dna-is-being-used-to-disrupt-the-ivory-trade/">How elephant DNA is being used to disrupt the ivory trade<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>Unhealed wounds<\/h2><div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-ease-in-up widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6666666666666666\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//06//49//94//62//808x539_cmsv2_35ce257e-43dc-5876-ba56-fdf303be997d-6499462.jpg/" alt=\"Getty Images\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/49\/94\/62\/384x256_cmsv2_35ce257e-43dc-5876-ba56-fdf303be997d-6499462.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/49\/94\/62\/640x427_cmsv2_35ce257e-43dc-5876-ba56-fdf303be997d-6499462.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/49\/94\/62\/750x500_cmsv2_35ce257e-43dc-5876-ba56-fdf303be997d-6499462.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/49\/94\/62\/828x552_cmsv2_35ce257e-43dc-5876-ba56-fdf303be997d-6499462.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/49\/94\/62\/1080x720_cmsv2_35ce257e-43dc-5876-ba56-fdf303be997d-6499462.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/49\/94\/62\/1200x800_cmsv2_35ce257e-43dc-5876-ba56-fdf303be997d-6499462.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/49\/94\/62\/1920x1280_cmsv2_35ce257e-43dc-5876-ba56-fdf303be997d-6499462.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Each of the 110 chimpanzees at the sanctuary eats as much as six kilograms of fruit, cereals and vegetables every day<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Getty Images<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>For the carers who tend to Lwiro\u2019s endangered apes, bloodshed is a part of everyday life.<\/p>\n<p>Many of their charges need constant attention after arriving at the facility, with complex injuries resulting from their entanglements with bushmeat hunters.<\/p>\n<p>\"First we try to put in place all the means to see how to save the animal&#039;s life,\u201d says Ernest Kalalize, veterinary assistant at the centre.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn the case of injuries or other serious cases, we see how to stop the bleeding and then anaesthetise the animal, before suturing it and returning it to its enclosure.\"<\/p>\n<p>Once there, the animals are cared for by the sanctuary\u2019s 55 members of staff - many of whom work around the clock to tend to the primates&#039; every need.<\/p>\n<p>Each of the 110 chimpanzees at the sanctuary eats as much as six kilograms of fruit, cereals and vegetables every day. The infants are bottle-fed by their carers.<\/p>\n<p>\"We arrive here at 6.30 am,\u201d says Libaku.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFirst, we give them meatballs and bananas, and if there are sick animals, that&#039;s when we take the opportunity to give them medicine too.\"<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-ease-in-up widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//06//49//94//62//808x454_cmsv2_73d34583-8508-5584-a1f0-ebc959d81f16-6499462.jpg/" alt=\"Getty Images\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/49\/94\/62\/384x216_cmsv2_73d34583-8508-5584-a1f0-ebc959d81f16-6499462.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/49\/94\/62\/640x360_cmsv2_73d34583-8508-5584-a1f0-ebc959d81f16-6499462.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/49\/94\/62\/750x422_cmsv2_73d34583-8508-5584-a1f0-ebc959d81f16-6499462.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/49\/94\/62\/828x466_cmsv2_73d34583-8508-5584-a1f0-ebc959d81f16-6499462.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/49\/94\/62\/1080x608_cmsv2_73d34583-8508-5584-a1f0-ebc959d81f16-6499462.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/49\/94\/62\/1200x675_cmsv2_73d34583-8508-5584-a1f0-ebc959d81f16-6499462.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/49\/94\/62\/1920x1080_cmsv2_73d34583-8508-5584-a1f0-ebc959d81f16-6499462.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">The Lwiro Centre was founded in 2002 by the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Getty Images<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Many months of care are needed to stabilise an animal at the facility.<\/p>\n<p>Bordering the Kahuzi-Biega National Park - <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2021//07//19//is-it-possible-to-protect-historic-sites-from-the-effects-of-climate-change/">a UNESCO World Heritage Site<\/strong><\/a> - the Lwiro Centre was founded in 2002 by the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature.<\/p>\n<p>Some 250 eastern lowland gorillas live in the neighbouring rainforest - the last of their kind in the wild.<\/p>\n<p>Much like their relatives in the sanctuary, these apes are at the mercy of poachers looking to hunt and kill them - often to provide food for their families.<\/p>\n<p>For Kalalize, this could all change if the Congolese government provided more <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2020//05//19//leonardo-dicaprio-saves-gorilla-park-by-donating-to-1-8-million-fund/">financial assistance<\/strong><\/a> to the sanctuary.<\/p>\n<p>\"There is still not 100 per cent government involvement in the management of the Lwiro Primate Rehabilitation Centre,\u201d says the veterinary assistant.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is run through the efforts of people who, out of their own good will, are trying to see how to protect the animals that are very much under threat.\"<\/p>\n<p><strong>Watch the video above to see the ape sanctuary for yourself.<\/strong><\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1645633509,"updatedAt":1645686548,"publishedAt":1645686046,"firstPublishedAt":1645635662,"lastPublishedAt":1645686071,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Getty Images","altText":"Poachers are claiming as much as six million tonnes of bushmeat annually from the Congo Basin alone","callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"caption":"Poachers are claiming as much as six million tonnes of bushmeat annually from the Congo Basin alone","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/49\/94\/62\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_77c22d36-5366-5cff-a478-94b16fd8cb45-6499462.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1080},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Getty Images","altText":"The Lwiro Centre was founded in 2002 by the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature","callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"caption":"The Lwiro Centre was founded in 2002 by the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/49\/94\/62\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_73d34583-8508-5584-a1f0-ebc959d81f16-6499462.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1080},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Getty Images","altText":"Each of the 110 chimpanzees at the sanctuary eats as much as six kilograms of fruit, cereals and vegetables every day","callToActionText":null,"width":4368,"caption":"Each of the 110 chimpanzees at the sanctuary eats as much as six kilograms of fruit, cereals and vegetables every day","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/49\/94\/62\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_35ce257e-43dc-5876-ba56-fdf303be997d-6499462.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":2912}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"horton","twitter":null,"title":"Ben Anthony Horton"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[{"urlSafeValue":"horton","twitter":null,"title":"Ben Anthony Horton"}]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"democratic-republic-of-congo","titleRaw":"Democratic Republic of Congo","id":12127,"title":"Democratic Republic of Congo","slug":"democratic-republic-of-congo"},{"urlSafeValue":"wildlife-conservation","titleRaw":"wildlife conservation","id":24900,"title":"wildlife 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Republic Of Congo","url":"\/news\/africa\/democratic-republic-of-congo"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'neg_facebook_2021','neg_bucherer','gs_science','gs_science_environ','gs_food_misc','neg_facebook_q4','castrol_negative_uk','neg_nespresso','pos_equinor','pos_facebook','pos_pmi','pos_ukrainecrisis','gs_food','neg_mobkoi_castrol','gt_negative','gv_crime','gv_death_injury','gv_military','gt_negative_fear','gs_health_misc','gs_health'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"daletEventName":"GREEN_CONGO_PRIMATE_SANCTUARY","path":"\/green\/2022\/02\/24\/traumatised-apes-are-being-nursed-back-to-health-in-congo-s-war-torn-east","lastModified":1645686071},{"id":1843878,"cid":6486038,"versionId":3,"archive":0,"housenumber":"220217_GNSU_45052028","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"The Congo Basin doesn\u2019t absorb greenhouse gases in the same way as other rainforests ","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Scientists discover unique greenhouse gas effect in the Congo Basin","titleListing2":"The Congo Basin doesn\u2019t absorb greenhouses gases in the same way as other rainforests ","leadin":"The Congo Basin is home to one of the world\u2019s largest rainforests, so why do we know so little about it?","summary":"The Congo Basin is home to one of the world\u2019s largest rainforests, so why do we know so little about it?","keySentence":"","url":"the-congo-basin-doesn-t-absorb-greenhouses-gases-in-the-same-way-as-other-rainforests","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/green\/2022\/02\/17\/the-congo-basin-doesn-t-absorb-greenhouses-gases-in-the-same-way-as-other-rainforests","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"It may be the second-largest tropical rainforest on Earth, home to mountain gorillas, elephants and buffalo, but studies of the Congo Basin are few and far between. In fact, the last study of greenhouse gas exchanges in this unique green lung was done back in 1963. \n\nScientific research in the Democratic Republic of Congo - then known as Zaire - collapsed after President Mobutu took power in 1965. It is only now beginning to start up again, following his death in 1997. Conditions in the enormous country aren\u2019t easy for scientific researchers either, as many areas lack basic infrastructure, making travel and access difficult. \n\n\u201cAfrica is underrepresented in such climate gas measurements, and the Congo Basin is particularly poorly researched,\u201d says \u200b\u200bMatti Barthel, a research associate with ETH Zurich and the study\u2019s lead author. \n\nUntil now researchers had assumed that the Congo Basin acted exactly like other large tropical forests. Based on climate modelling they believed it was just like the Amazon or the Indonesian. \n\nThese known methane sinks are also a major source of nitrous oxide - a greenhouse gas 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide - which lead scientists to assume that the Congo Basin would behave similarly. \n\nBut after years of collecting empirical evidence, scientists from ETH Zurich have discovered something quite unexpected. Far from being a sink for methane, the Congo Basin is actually a source of this greenhouse gas. \n\nHow does gas exchange in the Congo Basin work? \n\nResearchers from ETH, lead by scientist Johan Six, demonstrated that although the mountain and lowland forests which make up the Basin are methane sinks, the swamp forests weren\u2019t. It is this that tips the balance of greenhouse gases. \n\n\u201cMethane emissions there were exorbitant at times,\u201d Barthel says. \n\nSwamp forests can emit up to 1,500 times more methane in the rainy season than during the dry season. This negates the methane absorbed by the other forest types in the Congo Basin. \n\nAnother surprise for the ETH researchers was that nitrous oxide emissions were also low when compared with previous modelling and other tropical forests. \n\n\u201cThis was unexpected,\u201d says Barthel. \u201cOur measurements from both the first short measurement campaigns and subsequent long-\u200bterm studies didn\u2019t confirm the model assumptions.\u201d \n\nThe answer lies in the soil \n\nIn a bid to understand why the Congo Basin behaves differently to other rainforests, the researchers \u201clooked into the soil,\u201d says Six. \n\nThe team studied soil-based microorganisms in the region to see how they were behaving. As well as analysing the composition of the nitrogen present in the soil. \n\nTheir studies revealed that the soil microbes in the Basin convert nitrous oxide to gaseous nitrogen (N2) so that they can generate energy for their metabolisms. \n\nThis natural conversion process removes the potent greenhouse gas from the atmosphere, as gaseous nitrogen is completely harmless. Quite why this process works differently in the Congo Basin when compared to other tropical rainforests, requires more research, as Barthel explains. \n\n\u201cIt was simply assumed that the Congo Basin\u2019s biogeochemistry and the resulting soil gas fluxes are similar to other tropical forests. Given that this is not the case, together with being such an important ecosystem, our understanding of greenhouse gas fluxes can be much more refined. \n\n\u201cGenerally, we simply know very, very little about greenhouse gas fluxes from the African continent compared to what we know from the global north.\u201d \n\nWhat threats does the Congo Basin face? \n\nDue to its vast forests and huge landmass - the DRC receives the biggest biodiversity conservation fund from the EU in Africa. The country is the same size as two thirds of Western Europe. \n\nIn recent years, parts of the forest have been put under community ownership . This means the people who live in the Congo Basin have the legal right to own and manage where they live. And there are signs that this is already starting to pay off by reducing the impact of deforestation. \n\n\u201cThe forests of the Congo Basin are under extreme pressure for many reasons, of which charcoal production, dramatic increase in population, logging of precious timber, mining, and land-use conversion for agriculture (slash and burn) are probably the most important ones,\u201d explains Barthel. \n\nSix, Bathel and their team are now trying to investigate how agriculture can be practised more sustainably in the region to reduce pressure on the forest. \n\n\u201cThrough sustainable agriculture the converted forest can be used longer without having to cut more and more forest patches. Of course there are also socio-economic factors (corruption, etc. ) which, if can be overcome, would help to protect these forests.\u201d \n\n","htmlText":"<p>It may be the second-largest tropical rainforest on Earth, home to mountain gorillas, elephants and buffalo, but studies of the Congo Basin are few and far between. In fact, the last study of greenhouse gas exchanges in this unique green lung was done back in 1963.<\/p>\n<p>Scientific research in the Democratic Republic of Congo - then known as Zaire - collapsed after President Mobutu took power in 1965. It is only now beginning to start up again, following his death in 1997. Conditions in the enormous country aren\u2019t easy for scientific researchers either, as many areas lack basic infrastructure, making travel and access difficult.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAfrica is underrepresented in such climate gas measurements, and the Congo Basin is particularly poorly researched,\u201d says \u200b\u200bMatti Barthel, a research associate with ETH Zurich and the study\u2019s lead author.<\/p>\n<p>Until now researchers had assumed that the Congo Basin acted exactly like other large tropical forests. Based on climate modelling they believed it was just like the Amazon or the Indonesian.<\/p>\n<p>These known methane sinks are also a major source of nitrous oxide - a greenhouse gas 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide - which lead scientists to assume that the Congo Basin would behave similarly.<\/p>\n<p>But after years of collecting empirical evidence, scientists from <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////ethz.ch//en//news-and-events//eth-news//news//2022//02//the-congo-tropical-forest-is-simply-different.html/">ETH Zurich<\/strong><\/a> have discovered something quite unexpected. Far from being a sink for methane, the Congo Basin is actually a source of this greenhouse gas.<\/p>\n<h2>How does gas exchange in the Congo Basin work?<\/h2><div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-ease-in-up widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//06//48//60//38//808x404_cmsv2_a7180a6d-8e2f-55de-852c-563ad98a9c06-6486038.jpg/" alt=\"M Barthel, ETH Zurich\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/48\/60\/38\/384x192_cmsv2_a7180a6d-8e2f-55de-852c-563ad98a9c06-6486038.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/48\/60\/38\/640x320_cmsv2_a7180a6d-8e2f-55de-852c-563ad98a9c06-6486038.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/48\/60\/38\/750x375_cmsv2_a7180a6d-8e2f-55de-852c-563ad98a9c06-6486038.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/48\/60\/38\/828x414_cmsv2_a7180a6d-8e2f-55de-852c-563ad98a9c06-6486038.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/48\/60\/38\/1080x540_cmsv2_a7180a6d-8e2f-55de-852c-563ad98a9c06-6486038.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/48\/60\/38\/1200x600_cmsv2_a7180a6d-8e2f-55de-852c-563ad98a9c06-6486038.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/48\/60\/38\/1920x960_cmsv2_a7180a6d-8e2f-55de-852c-563ad98a9c06-6486038.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">The Congo Basin, DRC<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">M Barthel, ETH Zurich<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Researchers from ETH, lead by scientist Johan Six, demonstrated that although the mountain and lowland forests which make up the Basin are methane sinks, the swamp forests weren\u2019t. It is this that tips the balance of greenhouse gases.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMethane emissions there were exorbitant at times,\u201d Barthel says.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-quotation\n widget--size-fullwidth\n widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__content\">\n <blockquote class=\"widget__quote\">\n <span class=\"widget__quoteText\">Swamp forests can emit up to 1,500 times more methane in the rainy season than during the dry season. This negates the methane absorbed by the other forest types in the Congo Basin.<\/span>\n <\/blockquote>\n <cite class=\"widget__author\">\n <\/cite>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Swamp forests can emit up to 1,500 times more methane in the rainy season than during the dry season. This negates the methane absorbed by the other forest types in the Congo Basin.<\/p>\n<p>Another surprise for the ETH researchers was that nitrous oxide emissions were also low when compared with previous modelling and other tropical forests.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis was unexpected,\u201d says Barthel. \u201cOur measurements from both the first short measurement campaigns and subsequent long-\u200bterm studies didn\u2019t confirm the model assumptions.\u201d<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"6343822,6273654,6396602,6457932\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2022//02//08//custom-made-kilts-and-rainforest-walks-these-are-the-9-most-beautiful-train-journeys-in-th/">Custom-made kilts and rainforest walks: These are the 9 most beautiful train journeys in the world<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2022//01//23//want-to-be-more-present-this-year-gift-yourself-a-stay-at-origins-lodge-in-costa-rica/">Want to be more present this year? Gift yourself a stay at Origins Lodge in Costa Rica<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2021//11//30//india-s-all-female-rainforest-team-take-on-cobras-to-protect-biodiversity/">India's Western Ghats are under the protection of this amazing team<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2022//01//03//the-indonesian-conservationists-saving-endangered-gibbons/">The Indonesian conservationists saving endangered gibbons<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>The answer lies in the soil<\/h2><p>In a bid to understand why the Congo Basin behaves differently to other rainforests, the researchers \u201clooked into the soil,\u201d says Six.<\/p>\n<p>The team studied soil-based microorganisms in the region to see how they were behaving. As well as analysing the composition of the nitrogen present in the soil.<\/p>\n<p>Their studies revealed that the soil microbes in the Basin convert nitrous oxide to gaseous nitrogen (N2) so that they can generate energy for their metabolisms.<\/p>\n<p>This natural conversion process removes the potent greenhouse gas from the atmosphere, as gaseous nitrogen is completely harmless. Quite why this process works differently in the Congo Basin when compared to other tropical rainforests, requires more research, as Barthel explains.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt was simply assumed that the Congo Basin\u2019s biogeochemistry and the resulting soil gas fluxes are similar to other tropical forests. Given that this is not the case, together with being such an important ecosystem, our understanding of greenhouse gas fluxes can be much more refined.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-quotation\n widget--size-fullwidth\n widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__content\">\n <blockquote class=\"widget__quote\">\n <span class=\"widget__quoteText\">\u201cGenerally, we simply know very, very little about greenhouse gas fluxes from the African continent compared to what we know from the global north.\u201d<\/span>\n <\/blockquote>\n <cite class=\"widget__author\">\n <div class=\"widget__authorText\">\n \u200b\u200bMatti Barthel\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"widget__author_descriptionText\">\n Research Associate, ETH Zurich\n <\/div>\n <\/cite>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cGenerally, we simply know very, very little about greenhouse gas fluxes from the African continent compared to what we know from the global north.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>What threats does the Congo Basin face?<\/h2><div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-ease-in-up widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//06//48//60//38//808x404_cmsv2_c6f2f804-8341-566b-8637-5adcc291aa5d-6486038.jpg/" alt=\"M Barthel, ETH Zurich\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/48\/60\/38\/384x192_cmsv2_c6f2f804-8341-566b-8637-5adcc291aa5d-6486038.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/48\/60\/38\/640x320_cmsv2_c6f2f804-8341-566b-8637-5adcc291aa5d-6486038.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/48\/60\/38\/750x375_cmsv2_c6f2f804-8341-566b-8637-5adcc291aa5d-6486038.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/48\/60\/38\/828x414_cmsv2_c6f2f804-8341-566b-8637-5adcc291aa5d-6486038.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/48\/60\/38\/1080x540_cmsv2_c6f2f804-8341-566b-8637-5adcc291aa5d-6486038.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/48\/60\/38\/1200x600_cmsv2_c6f2f804-8341-566b-8637-5adcc291aa5d-6486038.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/48\/60\/38\/1920x960_cmsv2_c6f2f804-8341-566b-8637-5adcc291aa5d-6486038.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Congo tributary, Cuvette Centrale, DRC<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">M Barthel, ETH Zurich<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Due to its vast forests and huge landmass - the DRC receives the biggest biodiversity conservation fund from the EU in Africa. The country is the same size as two thirds of Western Europe.<\/p>\n<p>In recent years, parts of the forest have been put under <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.bbc.com//future//article//20210107-congo-basin-a-bold-plan-to-save-africas-largest-rainforest/">community ownership<\/strong><\/a>. This means the people who live in the Congo Basin have the legal right to own and manage where they live. And there are signs that this is already starting to pay off by reducing the impact of deforestation.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe forests of the Congo Basin are under extreme pressure for many reasons, of which charcoal production, dramatic increase in population, logging of precious timber, mining, and land-use conversion for agriculture (slash and burn) are probably the most important ones,\u201d explains Barthel.<\/p>\n<p>Six, Bathel and their team are now trying to investigate how agriculture can be practised more sustainably in the region to reduce pressure on the forest.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThrough sustainable agriculture the converted forest can be used longer without having to cut more and more forest patches. Of course there are also socio-economic factors (corruption, etc. ) which, if can be overcome, would help to protect these forests.\u201d<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1645101322,"updatedAt":1645103271,"publishedAt":1645103045,"firstPublishedAt":1645103052,"lastPublishedAt":1645103271,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Canva","altText":"A river meanders through trees in the Congo Basin","callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"caption":"A river meanders through trees in the Congo Basin","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/48\/60\/38\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_ed9b1720-8ee4-5aa0-b85e-68c6f554d952-6486038.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1080},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"M Barthel, ETH Zurich ","altText":"Congo tributary, Cuvette Centrale, DRC","callToActionText":null,"width":1564,"caption":"Congo tributary, Cuvette Centrale, DRC","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/48\/60\/38\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_c6f2f804-8341-566b-8637-5adcc291aa5d-6486038.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":782},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"M Barthel, ETH Zurich","altText":"The Congo Basin, DRC","callToActionText":null,"width":1564,"caption":"The Congo Basin, DRC","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/48\/60\/38\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_a7180a6d-8e2f-55de-852c-563ad98a9c06-6486038.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":782}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"daunton","twitter":null,"title":"Nichola Daunton"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"dr-congo","titleRaw":"DR Congo","id":354,"title":"DR 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Congo","url":"\/news\/africa\/democratic-republic-of-congo"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gs_science','pos_equinor','pos_facebook','pos_pmi','gs_science_environ','progressivemedia','african_related_content_uk','gt_positive','neg_facebook_2021','gs_science_misc','neg_saudiaramco','neg_facebook','gt_positive_curiosity','gs_business','neg_nespresso','gv_safe'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"daletEventName":"Euronews Green_Congo Basin","path":"\/green\/2022\/02\/17\/the-congo-basin-doesn-t-absorb-greenhouses-gases-in-the-same-way-as-other-rainforests","lastModified":1645103271},{"id":1810086,"cid":6397308,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"220119_WBSU_44574586","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Luca Attanasio: DR Congo arrests two suspects over killing of Italian ambassador","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"DR Congo arrests two suspects over killing of Italian ambassador","titleListing2":"Authorities have arrested two suspects over the killing of the Italian Ambassador to the DR Congo Luca Attanasio.","leadin":"Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo say the main suspect is still at large.","summary":"Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo say the main suspect is still at large.","keySentence":"","url":"luca-attanasio-dr-congo-arrests-two-suspects-over-killing-of-italian-ambassador","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2022\/01\/19\/luca-attanasio-dr-congo-arrests-two-suspects-over-killing-of-italian-ambassador","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Two people have been arrested in the Democratic Republic of Congo over the killing of Italian ambassador Luca Attanasio and two others. \n\nPolice in the eastern province of North Kivu announced the arrests on Tuesday but said that the main suspect -- referred to as \"Aspirant\" -- remains at large. \n\nGeneral Aba Van Ang said that rebels had killed Attanasio in February 2021 in a botched attempt to kidnap him for ransom. \n\nThe 43-year-old was fatally shot during an ambush, along with paramilitary officer Vittorio Iacovacci and a UN World Food Programme (WFP) driver, Moustapha Milambo. \n\nThe convoy was traveling from Goma to Rutshuru, where the ambassador was to visit a WFP project feeding students at a school. \n\nOn Tuesday, police also presented four other men accused of attacking other humanitarian workers in the region. \n\nItaly has formally asked for an inquiry into what happened amid questions about whether UN security arrangements were sufficient for the mission. \n\nThe United Nations has said the road had been cleared for travel without security escorts or armoured vehicles. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Two people have been arrested in the Democratic Republic of Congo over the killing of Italian ambassador Luca Attanasio and two others.<\/p>\n<p>Police in the eastern province of North Kivu announced the arrests on Tuesday but said that the main suspect -- referred to as \"Aspirant\" -- remains at large.<\/p>\n<p>General Aba Van Ang said that rebels had killed Attanasio in February 2021 in a botched attempt to kidnap him for ransom.<\/p>\n<p>The 43-year-old was fatally shot during an ambush, along with paramilitary officer Vittorio Iacovacci and a UN World Food Programme (WFP) driver, Moustapha Milambo.<\/p>\n<p>The convoy was traveling from Goma to Rutshuru, where the ambassador was to visit a WFP project feeding students at a school.<\/p>\n<p>On Tuesday, police also presented four other men accused of attacking other humanitarian workers in the region.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"5394266\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2021//02//22//italian-ambassador-to-dr-congo-shot-dead-in-attack-on-un-convoy/">DR Congo: Italy's ambassador to country killed in attack on UN convoy<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Italy has formally asked for an inquiry into what happened amid questions about whether UN security arrangements were sufficient for the mission.<\/p>\n<p>The United Nations has said the road had been cleared for travel without security escorts or armoured vehicles.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1642613372,"updatedAt":1642614762,"publishedAt":1642614760,"firstPublishedAt":1642614762,"lastPublishedAt":1642614762,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Claudio Furlan\/LaPresse via AP","altText":"Carabinieri officers stand by the coffin of Luca Attanasio in Limbiate last February.","callToActionText":null,"width":3500,"caption":"Carabinieri officers stand by the coffin of Luca Attanasio in Limbiate last February.","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/39\/73\/08\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_5bb9235c-213e-550e-b113-b517f0ca28f7-6397308.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":2333}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"democratic-republic-of-congo","titleRaw":"Democratic Republic of Congo","id":12127,"title":"Democratic Republic of Congo","slug":"democratic-republic-of-congo"},{"urlSafeValue":"dr-congo","titleRaw":"DR Congo","id":354,"title":"DR Congo","slug":"dr-congo"},{"urlSafeValue":"ambassador","titleRaw":"ambassador","id":12397,"title":"ambassador","slug":"ambassador"},{"urlSafeValue":"italy","titleRaw":"Italy","id":158,"title":"Italy","slug":"italy"},{"urlSafeValue":"arrest","titleRaw":"Arrest","id":8199,"title":"Arrest","slug":"arrest"},{"urlSafeValue":"united-nations","titleRaw":"United Nations","id":292,"title":"United Nations","slug":"united-nations"}],"widgets":[{"count":1,"slug":"related"}],"related":[],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"Euronews","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"AP","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"world 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Congo","url":"\/news\/africa\/democratic-republic-of-congo"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'neg_facebook_q4','castrol_negative_uk','neg_mobkoi_castrol','neg_facebook_2021','neg_nespresso','neg_saudiaramco','neg_mobkoi_fb-weareonit_fs_28feb2019','neg_mobkoi_feb2021','neg_facebook','gv_death_injury','gv_crime','neg_facebook_neg1','gs_education','gv_military','gs_politics_misc'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"daletEventName":"WEB ATTANASIO SUSPECT ARRESTED","path":"\/2022\/01\/19\/luca-attanasio-dr-congo-arrests-two-suspects-over-killing-of-italian-ambassador","lastModified":1642614762},{"id":1782170,"cid":6329770,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"211226_WBSU_44224150","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Authorities in DR Congo fear more attacks after suicide bomber kills 5","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Authorities in DR Congo fear more attacks after suicide bomber kills 5","titleListing2":"Authorities in DR Congo fear more attacks after suicide bomber kills 5","leadin":"After a suicide bomber killed five people in a thwarted attack on a packed restaurant in Beni, in the east of the country, concerns grow of further attempts by extremists.","summary":"After a suicide bomber killed five people in a thwarted attack on a packed restaurant in Beni, in the east of the country, concerns grow of further attempts by extremists.","keySentence":"","url":"authorities-in-dr-congo-fear-more-attacks-after-suicide-bomber-kills-5","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2021\/12\/26\/authorities-in-dr-congo-fear-more-attacks-after-suicide-bomber-kills-5","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Authorities in DR Congo urged churches, restaurants, and hotels to step up security Sunday, fearing more violence after a suicide bomber killed five people in Beni, a town in the eastern part of the country. \n\nBeni mayor Narcisse Muteba, a police colonel, warned owners of popular venues they needed to add security guards with metal detectors because terrorists could strike again. \n\n\u201cWe are asking people to be vigilant and to avoid public places during this festive period,\" Muteba. \n\nOfficials initially said the death toll was six plus the suicide bomber, but Muteba revised that figure a day later to five victims. \n\nThirteen others remained hospitalized after the blast at the entrance to the Inbox restaurant on Christmas Day. The death toll remains provisional. \n\nSaturday's bloodshed dramatically deepened fears that Islamic extremism has taken hold in Beni, which already has suffered years of attacks by rebels from the Allied Democratic Forces, or ADF. \n\nMuteba blamed the latest attack on the ADF, whose exact links to international extremist groups have been murky. \n\nThe Islamic State's Central Africa Province has claimed responsibility for attacks blamed on ADF in the past, but it is unknown what role exactly it may have played in organising and financing the attacks. \n\nThere have been worrying signs that religious extremism was escalating around Beni. Two local imams were killed earlier this year within weeks of each other, one of whom had spoken out against the ADF. \n\nThen in June, the Islamic State group\u2019s Central Africa Province claimed responsibility for a suicide bomber who blew himself up near a bar in Beni without harming others. \n\nAnother explosion that same day at a Catholic church wounded two people. \n\nThere was no immediate claim of responsibility for Saturday's attack, in which authorities say the bomber ultimately was stopped from entering the crowded restaurant.\u00a0 \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Authorities in DR Congo urged churches, restaurants, and hotels to step up security Sunday, fearing more violence after a suicide bomber killed five people in Beni, a town in the eastern part of the country.<\/p>\n<p>Beni mayor Narcisse Muteba, a police colonel, warned owners of popular venues they needed to add security guards with metal detectors because terrorists could strike again.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are asking people to be vigilant and to avoid public places during this festive period,\" Muteba.<\/p>\n<p>Officials initially said the death toll was six plus the suicide bomber, but Muteba revised that figure a day later to five victims.<\/p>\n<p>Thirteen others remained hospitalized after the blast at the entrance to the Inbox restaurant on Christmas Day. The death toll remains provisional.<\/p>\n<p>Saturday&#039;s bloodshed dramatically deepened fears that Islamic extremism has taken hold in Beni, which already has suffered years of attacks by rebels from the Allied Democratic Forces, or ADF.<\/p>\n<p>Muteba blamed the latest attack on the ADF, whose exact links to international extremist groups have been murky.<\/p>\n<p>The Islamic State&#039;s Central Africa Province has claimed responsibility for attacks blamed on ADF in the past, but it is unknown what role exactly it may have played in organising and financing the attacks.<\/p>\n<p>There have been worrying signs that religious extremism was escalating around Beni. Two local imams were killed earlier this year within weeks of each other, one of whom had spoken out against the ADF.<\/p>\n<p>Then in June, the Islamic State group\u2019s Central Africa Province claimed responsibility for a suicide bomber who blew himself up near a bar in Beni without harming others.<\/p>\n<p>Another explosion that same day at a Catholic church wounded two people.<\/p>\n<p>There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Saturday&#039;s attack, in which authorities say the bomber ultimately was stopped from entering the crowded restaurant.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1640540300,"updatedAt":1640541171,"publishedAt":1640541168,"firstPublishedAt":1640541171,"lastPublishedAt":1640541171,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Al-hadji Kudra Maliro","altText":"Police officers inspect the scene of a bomb explosion in Beni, eastern Congo ","callToActionText":null,"width":1600,"caption":"Police officers inspect the scene of a bomb explosion in Beni, eastern Congo ","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/32\/97\/70\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_cd677884-9f24-5c84-b2bd-85802b856ef9-6329770.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":900}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"dr-congo","titleRaw":"DR Congo","id":354,"title":"DR Congo","slug":"dr-congo"},{"urlSafeValue":"terrorism","titleRaw":"Terrorism","id":274,"title":"Terrorism","slug":"terrorism"},{"urlSafeValue":"islamic-state-jihadist-group","titleRaw":"Islamic State Jihadist Group","id":11808,"title":"Islamic State Jihadist Group","slug":"islamic-state-jihadist-group"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":1809308},{"id":1828236},{"id":1863758}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"AP","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"world news","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":1,"title":"News","slug":"news"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":"news","title":"World","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":3,"urlSafeValue":"africa","title":"Africa"},"country":{"id":69,"urlSafeValue":"democratic-republic-of-congo","title":"Democratic Republic Of Congo","url":"\/news\/africa\/democratic-republic-of-congo"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'neg_nespresso','neg_facebook_2021','castrol_negative_uk','neg_mobkoi_castrol','neg_mobkoi_fb-weareonit_fs_28feb2019','neg_saudiaramco','gv_death_injury','neg_facebook_q4','neg_facebook','neg_facebook_neg1','gt_negative','gv_terrorism','neg_bucherer','gt_negative_fear','gt_negative_anger','gt_negative_sadness','gs_food_estab'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"daletEventName":"WEB CONGO TERRORISTS","path":"\/2021\/12\/26\/authorities-in-dr-congo-fear-more-attacks-after-suicide-bomber-kills-5","lastModified":1640541171},{"id":1771682,"cid":6307878,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"211215_HRSU_44059935","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Congoloese rumba 'cha-chas' into UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list ","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Congolese rumba dances into UNESCO's cultural heritage list","titleListing2":"Congoloese rumba 'cha-chas' into UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list ","leadin":"The Democratic Republic of Congo has delighted in the addition of its traditional dance to the United Nations' cultural summit's list of intangible cultural heritage list, made for expressions, knowledge, and skills.","summary":"The Democratic Republic of Congo has delighted in the addition of its traditional dance to the United Nations' cultural summit's list of intangible cultural heritage list, made for expressions, knowledge, and skills.","keySentence":"","url":"congoloese-rumba-cha-chas-into-unesco-s-intangible-cultural-heritage-list","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/culture\/2021\/12\/15\/congoloese-rumba-cha-chas-into-unesco-s-intangible-cultural-heritage-list","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"UNESCO are adding the Congolese rumba dance to its intangible cultural heritage list, sparking delight in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Congo-Brazzaville. \n\nA United Nations' culture summit approved the two countries' joint application to add rumba to its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list, where it joins Cuban rumba, the Central African Republic's polyphonic pygmy music and the drums of Burundi. \n\nDRC President Felix Tshisekedi says he welcomes the news \"with joy and happiness\" as citizens from both nations celebrated on social media. \n\nWhere did rumba originate? \n\nSpecialists have located rumba's origins in the ancient central African kingdom of Kongo, where people practised a dance called 'Nkumba'. \n\nThe word means navel as performances involved a man and woman dancing with their navel opposite the other person's. \n\nAfricans brought their music and culture across the Atlantic through the slave trade, eventually giving birth to jazz in North America and rumba in South America. \n\nTraders then brought the music back to Africa through records and guitars in more recent times. \n\nWhat does rumba look like today? \n\nThe modern version of rumba is 100 years old and symbolises cities and bars, Andre Yoka Lye, a director at the DRC's national arts institute in the capital Kinshasa, told AFP. \n\nHe says rumba has been marked by the political history of the two Congos before and after independence and is \"present in all areas of national life\". \n\nIt draws on nostalgia, cultural exchange, resistance, resilience and the sharing of pleasure through its flamboyant \"sape\" dress code. \n\n\"These treasures from Congo and exported throughout the world are part of our pride,\" DRC government spokesman Patrick Muyaya tweeted last week in anticipation of the announcement. \n\nThe people of both countries say the dance lives on and hope its addition to UNESCO's list will give it greater fame even among Congolese. \n\nCheck out the video above to see the dancers in action. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>UNESCO are adding the Congolese rumba dance to its intangible cultural heritage list, sparking delight in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Congo-Brazzaville.<\/p>\n<p>A United Nations&#039; culture summit approved the two countries&#039; joint application to add rumba to its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list, where it joins Cuban rumba, the Central African Republic&#039;s polyphonic pygmy music and the drums of Burundi.<\/p>\n<p>DRC President Felix Tshisekedi says he welcomes the news \"with joy and happiness\" as citizens from both nations celebrated on social media.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"6303438,6232720\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2021//12//06//budapest-s-world-famous-orchestra-swap-concert-halls-for-bar-stools-in-mini-concerts/">Budapest's world-famous orchestra swap concert halls for bar stools in mini-concerts<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2021//12//14//afghan-musicians-land-in-portugal-with-hopes-of-rebuilding-school-destroyed-by-the-taliban/">Afghan musicians land in Portugal with hopes of rebuilding famed arts school<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>Where did rumba originate?<\/h2><p>Specialists have located rumba&#039;s origins in the ancient central <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2021//12//06//the-ballet-dancer-inspiring-children-living-in-kenya-s-slum/">African kingdom of Kongo, where people practised a dance called &#039;Nkumba&#039;.<\/p>\n<p>The word means navel as performances involved a man and woman dancing with their navel opposite the other person&#039;s.<\/p>\n<p>Africans brought their music and culture across the Atlantic through the slave trade, eventually giving birth to jazz in North America and rumba in South America.<\/p>\n<p>Traders then brought the music back to Africa through records and guitars in more recent times.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What does rumba look like today?<\/strong><\/h2><p>The modern version of rumba is 100 years old and symbolises cities and bars, Andre Yoka Lye, a director at the DRC&#039;s national arts institute in the capital Kinshasa, told AFP.<\/p>\n<p>He says rumba has been marked by the political history of the two Congos before and after independence and is \"present in all areas of national life\".<\/p>\n<p>It draws on nostalgia, cultural exchange, resistance, resilience and the sharing of pleasure through its flamboyant \"sape\" dress code.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"6292696\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2021//12//13//meet-the-men-sparking-the-beatboxing-revolution-in-kashmir/">Meet the men sparking the beatboxing revolution in Kashmir<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\"These treasures from Congo and exported throughout the world are part of our pride,\" DRC government spokesman Patrick Muyaya tweeted last week in anticipation of the announcement.<\/p>\n<p>The people of both countries say the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2021//11//23//from-hip-hop-to-classical-music-meet-the-breakdancing-singer-making-his-met-opera-debut/">dance lives on and hope its addition to UNESCO&#039;s list will give it greater fame even among Congolese.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Check out the video above to see the dancers in action.<\/strong><\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1639564992,"updatedAt":1639577343,"publishedAt":1639576493,"firstPublishedAt":1639576495,"lastPublishedAt":1639576495,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AFP","altText":"The smooth grooves of Congolese rumba was added to UNESCO\u2019s intangible cultural heritage list","callToActionText":null,"width":3600,"caption":"The smooth grooves of Congolese rumba was added to UNESCO\u2019s intangible cultural heritage list","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/30\/78\/78\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_aff5c80b-61b8-5ad2-8109-1225976a35bb-6307878.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":2400}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"farrant","twitter":"@theo_farrant","title":"Theo Farrant"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"video","titleRaw":"Video","id":9813,"title":"Video","slug":"video"},{"urlSafeValue":"dr-congo","titleRaw":"DR Congo","id":354,"title":"DR Congo","slug":"dr-congo"},{"urlSafeValue":"dance","titleRaw":"Dance","id":4145,"title":"Dance","slug":"dance"},{"urlSafeValue":"music","titleRaw":"Music","id":11646,"title":"Music","slug":"music"},{"urlSafeValue":"unesco-kultur-miras-listesi","titleRaw":"UNESCO Cultural Heritage List","id":15948,"title":"UNESCO Cultural Heritage List","slug":"unesco-kultur-miras-listesi"}],"widgets":[{"count":2,"slug":"related"}],"related":[],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"G_JbMRQVjVo","dailymotionId":"x86bhgg"},"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":150680,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":14557979,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/HR\/SU\/21\/12\/15\/en\/211215_HRSU_44059935_44059940_150680_130446_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":150680,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":24339527,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/HR\/SU\/21\/12\/15\/en\/211215_HRSU_44059935_44059940_150680_130446_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"}],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"AFP","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"culture-news","urlSafeValue":"culture-news","title":"Culture news","online":0,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/culture\/culture-news\/culture-news"},"vertical":"culture","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"culture","id":10,"title":"Culture","slug":"culture"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":10,"slug":"culture","urlSafeValue":"culture","title":"Culture"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"culture-news","id":"culture-news","title":"Culture news","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/culture\/culture-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":53,"urlSafeValue":"culture-news","title":"Culture news"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":3,"urlSafeValue":"africa","title":"Africa"},"country":{"id":69,"urlSafeValue":"democratic-republic-of-congo","title":"Democratic Republic Of Congo","url":"\/news\/africa\/democratic-republic-of-congo"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gs_entertain','pos_equinor','pos_facebook','pos_pmi','gt_positive','gs_entertain_music','african_related_content_uk','gt_positive_happiness','eap-gs-homerfaber-fs-30july19','gs_politics','neg_facebook_2021','gs_politics_misc','sm_politics','gt_positive_pleasure','gs_entertain_perfarts','gs_entertain_celeb','gv_safe'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"daletEventName":"CULTURE CONGOLESE RUMBA ADDED TO UNESCO","path":"\/culture\/2021\/12\/15\/congoloese-rumba-cha-chas-into-unesco-s-intangible-cultural-heritage-list","lastModified":1639576495},{"id":1735638,"cid":6232660,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"211115_NASU_43574187","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"The European Union at the forefront of biodiversity in the DRC","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":null,"titleListing2":"The European Union at the forefront of biodiversity in the DRC","leadin":"Hidden in the thick primary rainforest of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are a few silverbacks and a host of small, fiery eyes.","summary":"Hidden in the thick primary rainforest of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are a few silverbacks and a host of small, fiery eyes.","keySentence":"","url":"the-european-union-at-the-forefront-of-biodiversity-in-the-drc","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/green\/2021\/11\/19\/the-european-union-at-the-forefront-of-biodiversity-in-the-drc","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Hidden in the thick primary rainforest of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are a few silverbacks and a host of small, fiery eyes. The Baraka, one of the last families of mountain gorillas, are welcoming a happy event out of sight: a young male snuggled in his mother's arms . A new victory for this critically endangered species, for the entire Virunga National Park and above all for the fight against global warming. \n\nIn this protected area, supported by the European Union, 350 gorilla beringei beringei , 500 elephants and 2,500 hippos have returned to the area. This is proof that the strategy to preserve biodiversity implemented since 1988 is bearing fruit. \n\nWith 68% of the investments in the area between 2015 and 2029, the European Union is the main donor to the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN). In addition to Virunga, the Salonga and Garamba national parks, the Upemba-Kundelengu complex and the Yangambi Biosphere Reserve are benefiting from the \u20ac140 million mobilised by the European Development Fund. \n\nThe EU is so committed because it sees the DRC as a \u201csolution country\u201d to the challenges of global warming. The Congo Basin is home to the world\u2019s second largest primary rainforest after the Amazon. Capable of capturing 1.2 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide per year , this carbon sink is the planet\u2019s main lung. It may be our last line of defence against catastrophe. \n\nBut in 2019, the equivalent of a football pitch of Congolese forest disappeared every six seconds according to Global Forest Watch. The cause: a greedy and sometimes illegal timber industry, harmful slash-and-burn agriculture and the growing need for highly polluting charcoal (\u201cmakala\u201d). \n\nThe European Union is working hand in hand with the DRC government in all these areas. \u201cWe are like a rugby pack\u201d, says Jean-Marc Ch\u00e2taigner, EU ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. \u201cAll pushing together behind a Congolese team leader.\u201d \n\nIn close cooperation with the ICCN, the EU finances numerous projects in \u201cprotected areas\u201d. These are areas that are inaccessible to humans and are managed to \u201censure the long-term conservation of nature and the associated ecosystem services and cultural values\u201d as defined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature . \n\nHalf of the funding is dedicated to the preservation of biodiversity, while the other half is dedicated to the development of the surrounding communities. In Virunga alone, 2,500 direct jobs, 4,200 jobs in connected SMEs and 15,000 indirect jobs have been created . \n\n\u201cThis shows that it is possible to reconcile the preservation of biodiversity with human development, including access to education, health, electricity and economic development\u201d, says Jean-Marc Ch\u00e2taigner . \u201cIt\u2019s a win-win situation, both for the population and for the future of the planet.\u201d \n\nIn this country where less than 10% of the population has direct access to electricity, the European Union is financing a virtuous circle. The first step was to invest in hydroelectric energy and create power stations and a network that now brings electricity to the city of Goma. \n\nThis encourages the creation of businesses such as this chocolate factory, which was born out of a sad situation. Until then, despite being a major producer of cocoa beans, only imported bars were available in the DRC. Now the team is selling its \u201c chocolate made where cocoa grows \u201d, using 100% renewable energy. \n\nIn Garamba National Park, the EU has funded farmer field schools, educational beehives and, most importantly, two solar mini-grids that provide renewable energy to 1,000 households, 140 small businesses and 11 public services. \n\nThe electrification and revitalisation of the economic fabric makes it possible to send more children to school * . And the EU intends to make them the main ambassadors of biodiversity. At a school not far from the Yangambi Biosphere Reserve, the children are sitting tight, watching a speaker draw trees on the board. CO2, oxygen, environment... in a few hours, they are humming their new credo. \u201cBatela zamba, tokobatela zamba, toloni nzete, tokobatela zamba.\u201d Let\u2019s protect our forests, let\u2019s plant trees . \n\nWith the support of the EU, the FORETS project (Training, Research, and Environment in Tshopo) aims to plant 1.5 million trees in the region. And now the first eddy covariance flux tower overlooks the canopy. Here the EU is involved in a precise study of Congolese trees, which already harbour 8% of the world's forest carbon. \n\nThis natural heritage should enable the DRC to take full advantage of the European Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), created in 2005 to encourage the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In practice, companies offset their CO2 emissions by compensating landowners who preserve biodiversity: these are known as \u201ccarbon credits\u201d. These sources of revenue could contribute to the financial autonomy of the Virunga National Park planned for 2025. \n\nUntil then, the EU is celebrating its successes. In July 2021 , UNESCO removed the gigantic Salonga National Park from the List of World Heritage in Danger, praising the efforts of international donors and \u201cthe greatly improved management of the park, particularly with regard to the strengthening of anti-poaching measures\u201d. Among the eco-guards are several dozen women. \u201cWomen create intimate bonds much greater than those of the men\u201d, explains ICCN director Olivier Mushiete. \u201cIf we are committed to involving local communities in protected areas, it seems to me essential to have women involved.\u201d \n\nWhether in fish farming, green \u201cmakala\u201d production or agroforestry, many women also benefit from funding from the European \u201cEnvironment and Sustainable Agriculture\u201d programme. \u201cThis whole forest is mine. I started with seeds and now it\u2019s a forest\u201d, explains B\u00e9b\u00e9 Lumingu in Ntsio. Between the acacia trees, known for their ability to absorb CO2, she plants manioc when she is not raising her edible caterpillars. \n\nAnother effective solution to ensure future food security. If nothing is done, temperatures are expected to rise faster in Africa than in the rest of the world. And if soil degradation continues at this rate, half of the continent\u2019s agricultural land could be unusable by 2050 . \n\n* While enrolment rates have jumped since 2000, it is estimated that more than a quarter of all children are denied an education. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Hidden in the thick primary rainforest of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are a few silverbacks and a host of small, fiery eyes. The Baraka, one of the last families of mountain gorillas, are welcoming a happy event out of sight: <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.france24.com//fr//afrique//20210828-le-parc-des-virunga-en-rdc-enregistre-une-nouvelle-naissance-de-gorille-de-montagne/">a young male snuggled in his mother&#039;s arms<\/a>. A new victory for this critically endangered species, for the entire Virunga National Park and above all for the fight against global warming.<\/p>\n<p>In this protected area, supported by the European Union, 350 <em>gorilla beringei beringei<\/em>, 500 elephants and 2,500 hippos have returned to the area. This is proof that the strategy to preserve biodiversity implemented since 1988 is bearing fruit.<\/p>\n<p>With 68% of the investments in the area between 2015 and 2029, the European Union is the main donor to the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN). In addition to Virunga, the Salonga and Garamba national parks, the Upemba-Kundelengu complex and the Yangambi Biosphere Reserve are benefiting from the \u20ac140 million mobilised by the European Development Fund.<\/p>\n<p>The EU is so committed because it sees the DRC as a <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.rfi.fr//fr//afrique//20211029-cop26-la-rdc-se-veut-un-pays-solution-aux-changements-climatiques-dans-le-monde/">/u201csolution country\u201d<\/a> to the challenges of global warming. The Congo Basin is home to the world\u2019s second largest primary rainforest after the Amazon. Capable of <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.nature.com//articles//s41586-020-2035-0/">capturing 1.2 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide per year<\/a>, this carbon sink is the planet\u2019s main lung. It may be our last line of defence against catastrophe.<\/p>\n<p>But in 2019, the equivalent of a football pitch of Congolese forest disappeared every six seconds according to Global Forest Watch. The cause: a greedy and sometimes illegal timber industry, harmful slash-and-burn agriculture and the growing need for highly polluting charcoal (\u201cmakala\u201d).<\/p>\n<p>The European Union is working hand in hand with the DRC government in all these areas. \u201cWe are like a rugby pack\u201d, says Jean-Marc Ch\u00e2taigner, EU ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. \u201cAll pushing together behind a Congolese team leader.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In close cooperation with the ICCN, the EU finances numerous projects in \u201cprotected areas\u201d. These are areas that are inaccessible to humans and are managed to \u201censure the long-term conservation of nature and the associated ecosystem services and cultural values\u201d <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"http:////uicn.fr//wp-content//uploads//2010//11//Espaces_proteges-Partie-7.pdf/">as defined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Half of the funding is dedicated to the preservation of biodiversity, while the other half is dedicated to the development of the surrounding communities. In Virunga alone, <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////desknature.com//rdc-4-millions-deuros-de-lue-et-gwc-pour-appuyer-la-conservation-du-parc-national-des-virunga///">2,500 direct jobs, 4,200 jobs in connected SMEs and 15,000 indirect jobs have been created<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis shows that it is possible to reconcile the preservation of biodiversity with human development, including access to education, health, electricity and economic development\u201d, says <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.youtube.com//watch?v=CTeMG_4umoY\%22>Jean-Marc Ch\u00e2taigner<\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019s a win-win situation, both for the population and for the future of the planet.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In this country where <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr//PagesInternationales//Pages//13971f9d-3178-4715-bd09-5240a52d532b//files//176f8950-cd3c-481f-bc94-d18578236305#:~:text=%2D%20Acc%C3%A8s%20%C3%A0%20l&#039;%C3%A9lectricit%C3%A9%20%3A,1%25%20dans%20les%20zones%20rurales\">less than 10% of the population<\/a> has direct access to electricity, the European Union is financing a virtuous circle. The first step was to invest in hydroelectric energy and create power stations and a network that now brings electricity to the city of Goma.<\/p>\n<p>This encourages the creation of businesses such as this chocolate factory, which was born out of a sad situation. Until then, despite being a major producer of cocoa beans, only imported bars were available in the DRC. Now the team is selling its \u201c<a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////origins.virunga.org//fr//chocolate///">chocolate made where cocoa grows<\/a>\u201d, using 100% renewable energy.<\/p>\n<p>In Garamba National Park, the EU has funded farmer field schools, educational beehives and, most importantly, two solar mini-grids that provide renewable energy to 1,000 households, 140 small businesses and 11 public services.<\/p>\n<p>The electrification and revitalisation of the economic fabric makes it possible to send more children to school*****. And the EU intends to make them the main ambassadors of biodiversity. At a school not far from the Yangambi Biosphere Reserve, the children are sitting tight, watching a speaker draw trees on the board. CO2, oxygen, environment... in a few hours, they are humming their new credo. <em>\u201cBatela zamba, tokobatela zamba, toloni nzete, tokobatela zamba.\u201d<\/em> Let\u2019s protect our forests, <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.gcca.eu//stories//drc-protecting-forest-early-age/">let/u2019s plant trees<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>With the support of the EU, the FORETS project (Training, Research, and Environment in Tshopo) aims to plant 1.5 million trees in the region. And now the first eddy covariance flux tower overlooks the canopy. Here the EU is involved in a precise study of Congolese trees, which already harbour 8% of the world&#039;s forest carbon.<\/p>\n<p>This natural heritage should enable the DRC to take full advantage of the European Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), created in 2005 to encourage the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In practice, companies offset their CO2 emissions by compensating landowners who preserve biodiversity: these are known as \u201ccarbon credits\u201d. These sources of revenue could contribute to the financial autonomy of the Virunga National Park planned for 2025.<\/p>\n<p>Until then, the EU is celebrating its successes. In <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////whc.unesco.org//fr//actualites//2313/">July 2021<\/a>, UNESCO removed the gigantic Salonga National Park from the List of World Heritage in Danger, praising the efforts of international donors and \u201cthe greatly improved management of the park, particularly with regard to the strengthening of anti-poaching measures\u201d. Among the eco-guards are several dozen women. \u201cWomen create intimate bonds much greater than those of the men\u201d, <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.france24.com//fr//émissions//actuelles//20211029-l-écoféminisme-une-arme-de-déconstruction-massive/">explains ICCN director Olivier Mushiete. \u201cIf we are committed to involving local communities in protected areas, it seems to me essential to have women involved.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Whether in fish farming, green \u201cmakala\u201d production or agroforestry, many women also benefit from funding from the European \u201cEnvironment and Sustainable Agriculture\u201d programme. \u201cThis whole forest is mine. I started with seeds and now it\u2019s a forest\u201d, explains B\u00e9b\u00e9 Lumingu in Ntsio. Between the acacia trees, known for their ability to absorb CO2, she plants manioc when she is not raising her edible caterpillars.<\/p>\n<p>Another effective solution to ensure future food security. If nothing is done, temperatures are expected to rise faster in Africa than in the rest of the world. And if soil degradation continues at this rate, half of the continent\u2019s agricultural land could be <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////agnes-africa.org//wp-content//uploads//2020//07//Policy-brief-2_Land-Degradation_Final_09032020.pdf/">unusable by 2050<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><em>*****While enrolment rates have jumped since 2000, it is estimated that more than a quarter of all children are denied an education.<\/em><\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1636985558,"updatedAt":1637331034,"publishedAt":1637331027,"firstPublishedAt":1637331034,"lastPublishedAt":1637331034,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Getty Images","altText":"Family of mountain gorillas, baby, mother and father, in Virunga National Park, DRC, Africa","callToActionText":null,"width":2717,"caption":"Family of mountain gorillas, baby, mother and father, in Virunga National Park, DRC, Africa","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/23\/26\/58\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_e6ae2e40-efaf-5b5b-b6a6-088fb221f514-6232658.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":2000}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"environmental-protection","titleRaw":"Environmental protection","id":9507,"title":"Environmental protection","slug":"environmental-protection"},{"urlSafeValue":"fauna-and-flora","titleRaw":"Fauna and Flora","id":9625,"title":"Fauna and Flora","slug":"fauna-and-flora"},{"urlSafeValue":"animal-welfare","titleRaw":"animal welfare","id":16072,"title":"animal welfare","slug":"animal-welfare"},{"urlSafeValue":"dr-congo","titleRaw":"DR Congo","id":354,"title":"DR Congo","slug":"dr-congo"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":1776228}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"EU Delegation in the DRC","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"nature","urlSafeValue":"nature","title":"Nature","online":0,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/green\/nature\/nature"},"vertical":"green","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"green","id":8,"title":"Green","slug":"green"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":8,"slug":"green","urlSafeValue":"green","title":"Green"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"nature","id":"nature","title":"Nature","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/green\/nature"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":33,"urlSafeValue":"nature","title":"Nature"},"advertising":1,"advertisingData":{"startDate":1635778201,"endDate":2114347805,"type":"advertisement_feature","slug":"EU-DRC-2021-Ad","title":"EU DRC 2021 Ad","disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":"The European Union Delegation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo","sponsorName":"EU-DRC-2021-Ad","sponsorUrl":"https:\/\/eeas.europa.eu\/delegations\/dr-congo-kinshasa_en","sponsorLogo":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/campaigns\/430\/180x120_cmsv2_8b6d004e-ec96-5da0-b806-4c8ca406f132-430.jpg","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":3,"urlSafeValue":"africa","title":"Africa"},"country":{"id":69,"urlSafeValue":"democratic-republic-of-congo","title":"Democratic Republic Of Congo","url":"\/news\/africa\/democratic-republic-of-congo"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gs_science_environ','gs_science','gs_business','gs_politics_misc','gs_politics','gs_education_misc','african_related_content_fr','gs_home_gardening','gs_business_misc','gv_safe'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"daletEventName":"DRC Native Article","path":"\/green\/2021\/11\/19\/the-european-union-at-the-forefront-of-biodiversity-in-the-drc","lastModified":1637331034}]" data-api-url="/api/country/democratic-republic-of-congo">

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DR Congo volunteers try to help displaced children

Some 237,000 people have been displaced in the Democratic Republic of Congo since March, says the United Nations, since clashes broke out in March. Some 60% are children.

11/11/2022

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Focus

Maximising the Democratic Republic of Congo's economic potential

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MINISTRY OF FINANCES OF DRC

The DRC has one of the strongest growth rates in the sub-Saharan region. To attract investors, Kinshasa hosted an unprecedented conference designed to explore the country's economic potential.

10/10/2022

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MONUSCO facilities vandalised by protesters in Goma

Hundreds of young people in Goma took to the streets to protest against MONUSCO.

25/07/2022

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Democratic Republic Of Congo

Belgian king expresses 'deepest regrets' for wounds inflicted in Congo

Philippe also offered a traditional mask of the Suku people to Congo's national museum that has been held for decades by Belgium's Royal Museum for Central Africa.

08/06/2022

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Tech News

Sisters doing it for themselves: this nun built her own power plant

Sister Ciza’s innovation now lights up a church, convent, two schools and a local clinic.

16/05/2022

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Nature

Inside the gorilla sanctuary: Congo’s haven for wounded animals

A refuge hidden among the trees of a Congolese national park is providing hope for some of the world’s most endangered primates

24/02/2022

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Green News

Scientists discover unique greenhouse gas effect in the Congo Basin

The Congo Basin is home to one of the world’s largest rainforests, so why do we know so little about it?

17/02/2022

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Democratic Republic Of Congo

DR Congo arrests two suspects over killing of Italian ambassador

Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo say the main suspect is still at large.

19/01/2022

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Democratic Republic Of Congo

Authorities in DR Congo fear more attacks after suicide bomber kills 5

After a suicide bomber killed five people in a thwarted attack on a packed restaurant in Beni, in the east of the country, concerns grow of further attempts by extremists.

26/12/2021

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Culture news

Congolese rumba dances into UNESCO's cultural heritage list

The Democratic Republic of Congo has delighted in the addition of its traditional dance to the United Nations' cultural summit's list of intangible cultural heritage list, made for expressions, knowledge, and skills.

15/12/2021

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Partner content

The European Union at the forefront of biodiversity in the DRC

PARTNER CONTENT PRESENTED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION DELEGATION IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

Hidden in the thick primary rainforest of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are a few silverbacks and a host of small, fiery eyes.

19/11/2021