The torrential rains caused flooding in the villages of Bushushu and Nyamukubi, in South Kivu, causing the death of 401 people whose bodies were found but also missing and missing people. The authorities have promised financial aid, food and medicine, but civil society speaks of more than 4,300 people missing. Rescuers continue to search for survivors and treat the injured.

Out-of-session state exams have started in the Democratic Republic of Congo despite a tense security environment. Educational authorities have taken measures to ensure the safety of students. In parallel, other news such as Congolese boxing which failed to qualify for the quarter-finals of the World Cup, the scandal within the Congolese football federation and the complaint for high treason against President Félix Tshisekedi have also marked the Congolese news.

By May 15, the inhabitants of the territory of Walikale in the province of North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo will be able to access electricity thanks to the “Nduma kasha” initiative. The project, which will be entirely financed by a private company, will cost US$500,000 and will be subsidized to the tune of US$100,000 by the government. This initiative will electrify approximately 250 households and will also provide public lighting for certain areas of Walikale.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is facing a corn flour crisis which is causing market prices to soar, making this staple food difficult to access for households. The government has entered into negotiations with Zambia and South Africa to supply maize flour, but also to support local production in the long term. However, the real causes of the crisis remain unclear and it is important to find lasting solutions to avoid such a situation in the future.

SADC will deploy new troops to the DRC to help the Congolese army fight against armed groups in the east of the country. This deployment nevertheless raises concerns about the effectiveness of such a strategy, and the gynecologist and 2018 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Denis Mukwege, pleads for a profound reform of the Congolese security apparatus. As the situation in eastern DRC is very precarious, it appears that long-term solutions are needed to deal with these persistent challenges.

The low participation in the out-of-session 2023 state exams in the Banande-Kainama region, in Beni territory in North Kivu, worries local civil society. The violence perpetrated in the region by ADF terrorists led in particular to the closure of a school, pushing some students to move to other more secure areas. Civil society advocates for a restoration of peace in the region to guarantee the right to education for children. However, the Congolese sports community brings some hope with the Boxing World Cup and the CAN U17.

The Congolese boxing team does not win any titles at the Boxing World Cup in Uzbekistan. Although they failed to win any medals, Fiston Mbaya Mulumba and Pita Kabeji nevertheless gained experience and moved closer to world level. Medal hopes are now postponed to the African Boxing Championship which will take place at the end of June in Cameroon. Despite everything, this competition will remain an important stage in the history of Congolese boxing.

Morocco will face Algeria for a place in the semi-finals of the Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations. The coach of the Atlas Cubs, Said Chiba, underlined the challenge of this match which will be difficult and characterized by particular enthusiasm because of the Maghreb derby. Political relations between the two countries have led to difficult situations in the past. Other matches will take place on the same day for the quarter-finals. The game between Morocco and Algeria should take place without incident.

In a letter addressed to the Secretary General of the International Federation of Football Association (FIFA), Patrice-Rainier Mangenda, former Deputy Secretary General of the Congolese Federation of Football Association (FECOFA), denounced the bad intentions of the standardization committee set up place. Mangenda expressed concern over the dissolution of the entire FECOFA General Secretariat ahead of elections at all levels. He also revealed that the financial management of FECOFA is opaque and that the normalization committee wants to move away from its mission by extending the lease of FECOFA. Mangenda’s letter raises serious concerns about the leadership of FECOFA and the way its finances are managed. FIFA must investigate these allegations.