The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has issued a fervent warning concerning the worsening humanitarian plight in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo), with a pronounced emphasis on the tumultuous region of South Kivu province. As one might wonder, how did a place so inherently rich become a breeding ground for crises of such magnitude?
Director-General Jean Kaseya, in an expression resembling both concern and urgency, articulated during a weekly virtual press briefing that the current instability, exacerbated by the cessation of U.S. financial support, could transform DR Congo into a potential ground zero for a forthcoming pandemic—one poised to infiltrate neighboring territories.
“We’re playing with fire,” remarked Kaseya with notable gravity. “If the security situation isn’t addressed, we risk a devastating outbreak.”
In a bid to stave off impending disaster, Kaseya has implored African leaders, encouraging them to proffer security support, facilitating the safe passage of humanitarian assistance to those in dire need. As it stands, over seven million souls have been uprooted by the ceaseless conflict, a strife enduring over two decades, as reported by the Congolese president.
The M23 rebels’ recent capture of Goma, followed by their incursion into Bukavu, the heart of South Kivu province, adds another layer of complexity. The director-general divulged ongoing dialogues with the U.S. to unlock a previously promised $385 million, a reduction from the original $500 million. Yet, even as avenues are explored, challenges remains palpable.
“We’ve received some assistance from China and South Korea amounting to $4 million,” noted Kaseya. “But it pales in comparison to the pledged resources from the U.S.” In the corridors of power, during a recent African Union confabulation in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Kaseya reached out to luminaries such as African magnate Aliko Dangote and philanthropist Tony Elumelu. His endeavor? To galvanize a nascent financial initiative curated by the institution’s committee.
Moreover, the vision extends to fostering self-reliance: “We are striving to initiate the production of cholera vaccines in Africa by 2025,” Kaseya declared, showcasing a blend of ambition and hope. “For mpox vaccines, we anticipate concluding discussions with Bavarian Nordic shortly.”
Yet, the toll of conflict shows no relent. Since January 26, as per United Nations data, the hostilities have claimed over 3,000 lives, wounded nearly 3,000 more, and driven over 500,000 individuals to flee their homes—an addition to the extant 6.4 million displaced populace. Amongst the fallen are twenty peacekeepers, of whom fourteen hailed from South Africa, their lives extinguished in the fray with the M23 rebels.
The whirlpool of blame ensues, with Kinshasa casting aspersions towards Rwanda, alleging support for the M23 and even suggesting military incursions into eastern Congo. Kigali, however, has persistently repudiated these charges, painting a complex tapestry of cross-border tensions.
