Ebola Outbreak in DR Congo Kills Over 5,000 as Crisis Deepens

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has now claimed 5,372 lives, according to new data released Friday [278024]. The case fatality rate — the share of confirmed cases that end in death — stands at 51.6%, meaning more than half of those infected have died [278024]. The outbreak remains one of the deadliest on record [278024].

Africa's latest Ebola outbreak has passed 10,000 confirmed cases, the Congolese health authorities said Tuesday [273589]. The vast majority of these cases are in the DRC, where almost 5,000 people have died [273589].

The outbreak is unfolding against a backdrop of ongoing conflict in eastern DRC, where fighting continues to force people from their homes [277616]. As the violence goes on, aid is shrinking and host countries are tightening security, undermining the rights of Congolese refugees [277616]. Refugees now face a second crisis: host countries are cutting aid and tightening security, putting their basic rights at risk [277097]. Congolese civilians are caught between an ongoing war in the DRC and shrinking support in the countries where they seek safety [277097].

The United States Treasury announced new sanctions this week against Rwanda's Ministry of Defense and Zigama Credit and Savings Society, a Rwandan financial institution [275935]. The Treasury found that Zigama facilitated payments for the Rwandan army and the M23 armed group [275935]. The sanctions freeze all named parties' assets and interests in the US and effectively bar their use of the US dollar in international transactions [275935].

Thousands of Rwandan soldiers have fought alongside the M23 in eastern Congo since the group's resurgence in late 2021 [275935]. The Rwandan army has also provided the M23 with significant logistical and material support [275935]. In announcing the sanctions, the US Treasury noted that the M23 has perpetrated serious human rights abuses, including unlawful killings, sexual violence, forced recruitment and forced labor, unlawful detentions, forced population transfers, and torture [275935].

The United Nations identified the M23 as the leading perpetrator of documented human rights violations in 2025, with the Congolese army second [275935]. Sanctions alone, however, will not protect civilians and should be accompanied by concrete measures to end abuses [275935].

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