A senior member of Congo’s ruling party, Marie-Celestin Karondwa, was beaten to death in North Kivu province after taking part in a radio programme to raise awareness about the Ebola outbreak. The incident occurred on Sunday in Butembo, a hotspot in the ongoing Ebola outbreak. Karondwa, acting president of the UDPS party’s federal executive committee in Butembo and a party spokesperson, was attacked by residents of his neighbourhood.
The UDPS federation in Butembo said in a statement that Karondwa was beaten, looted of his belongings, and his house was set on fire. The party said the attackers targeted Karondwa for promoting Ebola prevention measures on radio. The party described Karondwa as “an innocent victim for having defended the party’s position on the existence of the Ebola virus disease (…) and the threat it poses to the population.”
Karondwa later died from his injuries, the party said. The mayor of Butembo did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The incident is the latest in a series of attacks on Ebola response teams, underscoring persistent mistrust among the population. The Ebola outbreak, declared on May 15, has infected 8,067 people and killed 3,901, according to government data released on Monday.
The incident is part of a larger pattern of violence against Ebola responders in the region. On Saturday, armed men attacked a hand-washing checkpoint in nearby Beni territory, killing at least one person and wounding several others, a local civil society group reported. The attacks highlight the challenges faced by health workers in the region.
The Ebola outbreak in North Kivu province has been ongoing for several months, with Butembo and Beni being major hotspots. The World Health Organization and other health organizations have been working to contain the outbreak, but mistrust among the population has hindered efforts. The attacks on health workers and responders have been a major setback.
The UDPS party has condemned the attack on Karondwa, and an investigation is underway. The party has called for calm and urged the population to support Ebola prevention efforts. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation, and the government has promised to take action to protect health workers.
The Ebola outbreak in Congo has been one of the deadliest in recent history, with over 3,900 deaths reported. The outbreak has also had a significant impact on the local economy and has displaced thousands of people. The international community has pledged support to help contain the outbreak and provide humanitarian assistance to those affected.
Key points
- A senior member of Congo’s ruling party was beaten to death in North Kivu province after promoting Ebola prevention measures on radio.
- The incident is part of a larger pattern of violence against Ebola responders in the region.
- The Ebola outbreak in Congo has been one of the deadliest in recent history, with over 3,900 deaths reported.
