Stories from Kinshasa · DR Congo

Kinshasa is studying a project to acquire a military satellite estimated at 400 million dollars. This follows reports that enemy forces are intercepting and decrypting unit communications, which has hindered action synchronization. The country is also looking into developing its own military satellite capabilities. The French minister noted that the country currently lacks its own military satellites, making communications vulnerable to interception and decryption by enemies. A minister noted the existence of AfriDex, a company that produced improvised bombs during the 1998 war. A partnership between AfriDex and a Turkish company was engaged in 2022 and is currently ongoing. Two parliamentary commissions have recommended improving the transition line to support military production.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has been ordered this Thursday to immediately reintegrate the opposition party, African Democratic Congress, onto the 2027 electoral lists. The Commission's director had previously removed the main opposition party from the race.

Kabila, who led the DRC from 2001 to 2019, is now on a blacklist of individuals facing US economic sanctions. Kabila stated the sanctions are unjustified and politically motivated. The source did not provide specific details regarding the nature of the sanctions or the recent military court judgment. The announcement was reported by RFI Afrique and RFI Monde. No specific reasons for the sanctions were provided in the broadcast. The presidential party in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is organizing a demonstration in the streets of Kinshasa this Monday. Kabila has been accused by China, according to the report. The demonstration occurs amid the administration of Félix Tshisekedi. The move is intended to hold the former leader accountable, though commentators noted the importance of him answering to Congolese justice and the Congolese people.

Jack Machabani has been elected in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The announcement was made via radio broadcast. No specific details regarding the election results or margin were provided.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is projected to become the world's most populous Francophone country this year. The nation is expected to surpass France with 66 million French speakers.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has announced the creation of a paramilitary force to secure its mining sector. The initiative is reportedly backed by funding from the United States and other partners.

The Congolese Defense Minister informed the Senate that certain auxiliary fighters, known as volunteers, have acted against loyalist forces. He attributed the seizure of the city of Wallikale last year to the betrayal of a group of these combatants. Of the $2.9 billion defense budget voted for 2025, only $2 billion has been effectively liquidated.

Two confidential parliamentary reports have been produced following hearings with government members regarding the military situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The reports analyze the difficulties faced by armed forces in confronting the M23 rebellion.

The 'Debt for Climate' campaign is calling for the annulment of illegitimate and illegal debts held by countries in the Global South. The campaign specifically highlights the debt situation in Congo and other African nations.

Jacques M. Chabani, the Vice-Premier Minister in charge of the Interior in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, remains in office. An opposition deputy filed a motion of no confidence against him at the National Assembly on Wednesday.