AGP Executive Report

Aviation Tragedy: DR Congo’s transport ministry says a Let L-410 operated by TRACEP Congo Aviation crashed near Kenge (Kwango) after a technical fault while trying an emergency landing, killing all 17 aboard—13 passengers and four crew—plus two top military justice figures: Lt-Gen Joseph Mutombo Katalayi Tiende (High Military Court) and Lt-Gen Lucien-René Likulia Bakumi (armed forces auditor general). Accountability & Safety: President Félix Tshisekedi ordered a thorough investigation; the ministry suspended TRACEP’s operating certificate and grounded its aircraft nationwide while investigators work, with questions raised about Kenge’s lack of a functioning runway. National Mourning: The government declared three days of national mourning. Humanitarian Youth & Peacebuilding: JA Africa and the Z Zurich Foundation launched “Génération Équitable” to equip 20,000 Francophone youth across DRC (plus Burkina Faso and Togo) with entrepreneurship, financial literacy, digital skills, and work-readiness, aiming to turn economic inclusion into local peace. Public Health Innovation: The DRC is using anonymised mobile phone data to help predict where Ebola could spread next, supporting earlier preparedness in a fast-growing outbreak. Aid/Development Finance: FasterCapital support continues for Fondation Selemani Kitonda under EquityPilot, focusing on governance setup and fundraising readiness for humanitarian and development work in the DRC.

Disaster in Kwango: A Congolese army Let L-410 crashed near Kenge while flying from Kikwit to Kinshasa, after a reported technical fault and an attempted emergency landing with no runway available, killing all aboard and raising the toll to 17 (13 military, 4 civilians, including a child). Military Justice Hit: Among the dead are two top FARDC justice figures—Lieutenant General Joseph Mutombo (High Military Court president) and Lieutenant General Lucien-René Likulia (armed forces auditor general). Kinshasa Orders Probe: President Félix Tshisekedi has ordered a thorough investigation; authorities say the crash scene is secured and the flight recorder has not yet been recovered. Public Health Tech: Separately, the DRC is using anonymised mobile phone data to map movement patterns to help predict where Ebola could spread next, aiming for faster early detection as cases rise across multiple provinces. Diplomacy Watch: Rwanda and Belgium moved to restore ties after an 18-month rupture, setting up the reopening of embassies and renewed dialogue.

Aviation Tragedy: A Congolese military Let L-410 crashed near Kenge in Kwango while flying from Kikwit to Kinshasa, killing at least 17 people after the toll rose from 13; authorities say 13 military personnel and four civilians (including a child) died, with the aircraft reportedly trying to find a landing spot in an area without a standard runway and then catching fire after impact. Military Justice Hit: Among the dead are two top officials—Lieutenant General Joseph Mutombo, president of the High Military Court, and Lieutenant General Lucien-René Likulia, armed forces auditor general—along with a delegation and crew. Official Response: President Félix Tshisekedi ordered a thorough investigation; investigators were dispatched and the flight recorder had not yet been recovered, while the crash site was secured. Regional Context: The incident comes as the FARDC continues fighting armed groups in eastern DRC, including the Rwanda-backed M23. Diplomacy Watch: Separately, Rwanda and Belgium moved to restore ties after an 18-month rupture, with both sides signaling renewed dialogue and non-interference.

Aviation & Security: A military plane crash in Kenge, Kwango province, has killed at least 14 people, with authorities later revising the toll to 17, including two senior FARDC generals—Mutombo Katalayi Tiende (head of the military court) and Bakumi Likulia (auditor general)—plus delegation members and crew; officials say the aircraft, returning from Kikwit to Kinshasa, suffered a technical fault and attempted an emergency landing in an area without a standard runway, with the wreckage hitting a residential plot and many victims burned beyond recognition; Government Response: President Félix Tshisekedi ordered a thorough investigation into the circumstances and cause; Regional Context: the crash comes as FARDC continues fighting armed groups in the east, including Rwanda-backed M23; Diplomacy Watch: Belgium and Rwanda restored diplomatic ties after an 18-month rift linked to the M23 conflict, a move analysts say could affect how Brussels engages on the DRC file.

Aviation Tragedy: A Congo military L-410 crashed near Kenge in Kwango while flying from Kikwit to Kinshasa, killing all 13 aboard, including senior army figures—Lieutenant General Bakumi Likulia (auditor general) and Lieutenant General Mutombo Katalayi Tiende (military court head)—as authorities say the aircraft had technical problems and no landing strip was available. Public Safety & Accountability: The aviation accident investigation authority has opened a probe, while reports also describe the wreckage hitting a residential plot and many victims burned beyond recognition. Regional Diplomacy: Belgium and Rwanda restored diplomatic ties after an 18-month rupture, a move analysts link to the wider Great Lakes agenda and the DRC conflict. Justice & Rights: The Committee to Protect Journalists urged Kinshasa to release music journalist Virginie Manganga, detained over defamation-linked allegations involving Fally Ipupa. Health Security: IOM expanded Ebola surveillance at displacement sites and major travel routes in and around Kinshasa, screening passengers and coordinating with neighboring countries to reduce cross-border spread. Governance: Prime Minister Judith Suminwa met Senegal’s Bassirou Diomaye Faye on cooperation, security, and UN leadership politics.

UN Diplomacy: Prime Minister Judith Suminwa met Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye on cooperation, security, and the UN secretary-general race, with Senegal backing Macky Sall. Eastern Security & Rwanda: At the UN, Suminwa said the FDLR can no longer be used as a “pretext” for foreign forces, citing the MONUSCO-supported repatriation of 120 people linked to the group—while Kigali dismisses it as a “non-event.” Transitional Justice: Kinshasa moved to speed up transitional justice for victims, pushing better documentation of grave rights abuses and stronger coordination among state and civil society actors. Media Freedom: The CPJ urged Congo to immediately release music journalist Virginie Manganga, detained over allegations tied to Fally Ipupa. Ebola Watch: WHO says the Ebola outbreak remains uncontrolled as surveillance expands beyond borders, with IOM stepping up screenings at major travel routes. Mining & Governance: Reuters reports Congo is preparing a one-stop agency to centralize mining approvals and attract more Western investment. Health & Testing: A study suggests up to 35% of mpox PCR positives may reflect contamination rather than true infections. Local Life: Kinshasa’s SNEL chief was summoned over chronic electricity supply problems. Humanitarian Tragedy: A Lake Tanganyika boat capsized, killing at least 41 people. Sports: DRC opened AFCON 2027 qualifiers with a 2-0 win over Equatorial Guinea, featuring goals by Chancel Mbemba and Yoane Wissa.

FDLR & Foreign Forces: Prime Minister Judith Suminwa told the UN General Assembly that the FDLR can no longer be used as a “pretext” for foreign military presence in the DRC, citing the repatriation of 120 people linked to the group—while Rwanda dismisses the move as a “non-event.” National Dialogue: President Félix Tshisekedi’s planned national dialogue is drawing sharp opposition, with critics warning it could be a route to constitutional change and a possible extension of his term beyond 2028. Media Crackdown: The Committee to Protect Journalists is calling for the immediate release of music journalist Virginie Manganga, arrested over comments tied to allegations involving Fally Ipupa, as defamation charges tighten pressure on reporters. Ebola Response: WHO says the DRC’s Ebola outbreak remains uncontrolled as transmission spreads geographically toward borders; meanwhile, vaccination expands in Ituri with Ervebo and a BRAVO study underway. Armed Violence & Mines: Amnesty International reports Rwanda-backed M23 abuses against artisanal miners and trafficking of gold and coltan, raising potential war-crime concerns. Governance & Services: Kinshasa lawmakers summoned SNEL’s boss over poor electricity supply, as repeated blackouts disrupt households and business. Security Disarmament: A national voluntary civilian disarmament campaign launched in six zones, including Kinshasa and Tanganyika, aiming to reduce illicit weapons. Trade & Investment: Reuters reports Kinshasa is preparing a one-stop mining investment agency tied to its US minerals partnership to cut red tape and attract Western capital. Transport Tragedy: A boat capsized on Lake Tanganyika, killing at least 41 people with dozens rescued and others missing.

Media Freedom Under Pressure: The Committee to Protect Journalists is calling for the immediate release of Kinshasa music journalist Virginie Manganga, arrested over an interview tied to allegations involving Fally Ipupa, as rights groups warn DRC is escalating criminal defamation cases. Ebola Response, Cross-Border Focus: WHO says the DRC outbreak remains uncontrolled and increasingly dispersed toward borders, while IOM expands screening at Kinshasa’s Bende-Bende port and Tunisia sends medicines and equipment to support containment. Health Policy & Vaccines: Ebola vaccination has expanded to Ituri, with MSF launching the BRAVO study in Bunia to vaccinate about 20,000 frontline workers and track protection. Electricity Governance: Kinshasa lawmakers summoned SNEL’s CEO over poor power supply and repeated load-shedding, pressing for explanations and fixes. Mining Reform & Investment Push: Reuters reports Kinshasa is preparing a one-stop mining investment agency under the US minerals partnership to centralize registration, licensing, taxes and compliance—aimed at attracting Western capital beyond Chinese dominance. Security & Rights in the East: Amnesty International alleges Rwanda-backed M23 fighters killed 18 artisanal miners and committed torture, forced labour and abuses at coltan and gold sites in North and South Kivu. Mpox Testing Concerns: Swiss researchers say more than a third of PCR-positive mpox results in DRC may be false diagnoses linked to sample contamination, raising stakes for surveillance and treatment decisions. Political Tension & Protests: A justice ministry probe is underway after violence and a death during an anti-government rally against constitutional changes that could enable President Félix Tshisekedi’s third term.

Ebola Cross-Border Push: The IOM is ramping up Ebola surveillance beyond DR Congo, screening about 1,000 travelers a day at Kinshasa’s Bende-Bende port and coordinating with Uganda, South Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda and the Central African Republic as cases top 7,700. Vaccination Expansion: WHO says the outbreak remains uncontrolled and geographically dispersed, while DRC expands Ervebo vaccination in Ituri under the MSF-led BRAVO study, with 3,700+ already vaccinated and plans for 20,000 frontline workers. Kinshasa Power Crisis: The National Assembly summoned SNEL’s CEO over poor electricity supply, after months of cuts disrupting households and businesses. Media Crackdown: CPJ calls for the immediate release of journalist Virginie Manganga, detained over defamation-linked allegations involving musician Fally Ipupa. Mining Reform & Investment: Reuters reports DRC is preparing a one-stop agency to centralize mining approvals—registration, licensing, taxes and compliance—to attract more Western capital. Eastern Congo Abuses: Amnesty alleges Rwanda-backed M23 killed 18 artisanal miners and used torture, forced labor and detention at coltan and gold sites. Mpox Testing Doubts: Swiss researchers say up to 35% of PCR “positive” mpox results may reflect contamination, raising alarms for surveillance accuracy. Constitutional Tension: A justice ministry probe is underway after violence around an anti-government rally over Tshisekedi’s potential third term.

Ebola Response: WHO says the DRC Ebola outbreak is still “uncontrolled” as transmission shifts toward the border, with 7,733 confirmed cases and 3,732 deaths reported; meanwhile vaccination expands in Ituri, with Ervebo reaching 3,700+ people and a Bunia study (BRAVO) targeting about 20,000 frontline workers. Kinshasa Power Crisis: The National Assembly summoned SNEL boss Teddy Lwamba over poor electricity supply and repeated outages that paralyze the capital. Media Freedom: CPJ calls for the immediate release of journalist Virginie Manganga, arrested over comments tied to allegations involving musician Fally Ipupa, as DRC continues to criminalize defamation. Mining Governance: Reuters reports Kinshasa is preparing a one-stop agency to centralize mining approvals and attract Western investors under the US minerals partnership, aiming to cut delays and reduce Chinese dominance. Eastern Congo Abuses: Amnesty International alleges Rwanda-backed M23 killed 18 miners and tortured others at coltan and gold sites, with abuses that may amount to war crimes. Politics & Protest: After September 15 anti-government rallies over constitutional change, the justice minister orders an inquiry into violence and alleged deaths; opposition says one supporter died during police tear gas dispersal.

Mining & Investment Reform: The DRC is preparing a one-stop agency to centralize mining registration, licensing, taxation and compliance under US-linked minerals reforms, aiming to cut red tape and pull in Western capital beyond China’s dominance. Eastern Congo Security & Rights: Amnesty International alleges Rwanda-backed M23 fighters killed 18 artisanal miners and subjected others to torture, forced labour and arbitrary detention at coltan and gold sites in North and South Kivu. Constitutional Crisis & Protest Policing: After opposition rallies against proposed constitutional changes that could enable President Félix Tshisekedi’s third term, Congo’s justice minister ordered a probe into violence and alleged deaths during the Sept. 15 Kinshasa crackdown. Public Health: Mpox testing in the DRC may be overcounting true infections, with Swiss-led research finding about 35% of PCR-positive results likely driven by sample contamination. Ebola Response: Ebola vaccination expanded to Ituri, with a study in Bunia (BRAVO) targeting about 20,000 frontline workers; meanwhile, Africa CDC says the outbreak peak is not yet confirmed. Media Freedom: CPJ urged authorities to release journalist Trésor Muntu, detained over sharing a post criticizing a politician.

Mpox Watch: Swiss researchers say nearly 35% of mpox tests in DRC may reflect contaminated samples, not real infections, after analysis of 2,700 results across Goma, Kinshasa, Uvira and Kamituga. Ebola Response: DRC expanded Ervebo vaccination to Ituri, with MSF launching the BRAVO study in Bunia to vaccinate about 20,000 frontline workers; Africa CDC and WHO continue to dispute whether the outbreak peak has truly passed. Eastern Congo Minerals: Amnesty warns Rwanda-backed M23 fighters abused artisanal miners and trafficked gold and coltan to Rwanda, with violations potentially amounting to war crimes. Constitutional Crisis: Opposition C64 protests against proposed changes that could enable Tshisekedi’s third term were dispersed with tear gas and warning shots in Kinshasa and other cities, amid claims of an “ambush” and allegations of militia involvement. Press Freedom: CPJ calls for the release of journalist Trésor Muntu, detained in Haut-Katanga after sharing a post criticizing a politician. Health & Governance: Minister Ferdinand Massamba vowed sanctions against companies violating labor laws after Kinshasa inspections. Public Safety: A southeastern road crash killed at least 33 people.

Constitutional Crisis: Opposition C64 protests against proposed constitutional changes that could let President Félix Tshisekedi seek a third term turned violent in Kinshasa and other cities, with police firing tear gas and warning shots, clashes with pro-government groups, arrests reported, and the opposition alleging an “ambush” after the death of ADD-Congo official Manassé Lomboto Bomegola. Ebola Response: In Ituri, the epicentre of the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak, vaccination expanded with more than 3,700 people receiving Ervebo and a BRAVO study launching in Bunia to follow about 20,000 frontline workers; meanwhile Africa CDC says the peak is not yet confirmed and transmission control remains uneven, with North Kivu under mounting pressure. Eastern Congo Minerals & War Crimes: Amnesty warns that Rwanda-backed M23 abuses at artisanal mines and trafficking of gold and coltan to Rwanda may amount to war crimes, including pillage. Media Freedom: CPJ calls for the release of journalist Trésor Muntu in Haut-Katanga, detained over sharing a post criticizing a politician. Labour Enforcement: Minister Ferdinand Massamba says inspections in Kinshasa found illegal work practices and promises sanctions against companies violating labour law. Health & Development: WFP and METTELSAT signed an MoU to modernize Congo’s meteorological observation system, aiming for better crisis anticipation. Business & Local Economy: In Bukavu, young entrepreneurs are building a domestic coffee market as conflict disrupts farm access and export buyers.

Ebola Response: DRC expanded Ervebo vaccination to Ituri, with more than 3,700 people vaccinated, as MSF launches the BRAVO study in Bunia to test protection against Bundibugyo virus and track about 20,000 frontline workers. Epidemic Politics: Africa CDC says the outbreak peak is not yet confirmed, warning declines are uneven and transmission control must be sustained—while Kinshasa insists the peak passed mid-August. Eastern Security & Minerals: Amnesty warns M23 fighters, with Rwandan help, abused miners and trafficked gold and coltan to Rwanda—violations that may amount to war crimes. Constitutional Crisis: Police used tear gas and warning shots to disperse C64 protests against proposed constitutional changes that could enable Tshisekedi’s third term; opposition alleges an “ambush” and reports deaths and arrests. Press Freedom: CPJ calls for the release of detained Likasi journalist Trésor Muntu, charged with defamation after sharing a post criticizing a politician. Labor Oversight: Minister Ferdinand Massamba vowed sanctions after Kinshasa inspections found illegal work practices, including for expatriates. Governance & Environment: Greenpeace urged Tshisekedi to protect the Kivu-Kinshasa Green Corridor from new oil, gas and mining expansion.

Constitutional Crisis: Opposition C64 protests against proposed constitutional changes that could let President Félix Tshisekedi seek a third term turned violent in Kinshasa and other cities, with police firing tear gas and warning shots, arrests reported, and the opposition alleging an “ambush” involving pro-government youth militia. Ebola Response: DRC expanded Ervebo vaccination to Ituri, with MSF launching the BRAVO study in Bunia to vaccinate about 20,000 frontline workers; meanwhile, Africa CDC and WHO dispute Kinshasa’s claim the peak is over, warning transmission remains uneven as North Kivu rises. Governance & Labor: Minister Ferdinand Massamba vowed sanctions after Kinshasa inspections found workers, including expatriates, operating “illegally” and violations of labor rules. Media Freedom: CPJ urged authorities to release journalist Trésor Muntu in Likasi, detained over alleged defamation after sharing a politician-critical post. Public Health & Research: CEPI pledged $3.9m to strengthen Bundibugyo ebolavirus surveillance, lab work, and modelling in DRC and Uganda. Environment & Extractives: Greenpeace Africa pressed Tshisekedi to protect the Kivu-Kinshasa Green Corridor from new oil, gas, and mining expansion ahead of UNGA climate events. Safety & Infrastructure: Investigators probed a 737-300 freighter gear-collapse at Kindu airport, while a separate road crash in southeastern DRC killed at least 33. Local Economy: Young entrepreneurs in South Kivu are building a domestic coffee market as conflict disrupts exports.

Constitutional Crisis: Opposition C64 protests against proposed constitutional changes that could let President Félix Tshisekedi seek a third term were met with tear gas and warning shots in Kinshasa and other cities, with arrests reported and the opposition alleging an “ambush” involving pro-government militia. Ebola Response: Congo’s Ebola fight remains politically and medically contested: Africa CDC says the peak is not yet confirmed while WHO warns transmission is still “uncontrolled” and uneven, even as vaccination expands—more than 3,700 people received Ervebo in Ituri and a Bunia study (BRAVO) targets about 20,000 frontline workers. Public Health Accountability: The government reports over 7,200 confirmed cases and says the outbreak is “under control,” but experts stress persistent flare-ups and rising pressure in North Kivu. Labor Enforcement: Minister Ferdinand Massamba vowed sanctions after Kinshasa inspections found illegal work practices, including expatriates and wage irregularities in construction. Media Freedom: CPJ urged authorities to release journalist Trésor Muntu detained in Likasi after sharing a post criticizing a politician. Regional Life & Economy: In Bukavu, young entrepreneurs are building a local market for South Kivu coffee as conflict disrupts exports. Transport & Safety: Investigators probe a Serve Air Cargo 737-300 freighter gear collapse at Kindu, while a separate road crash in the southeast killed at least 33.