UDPS official killed after promoting Ebola safety on radio in Butembo
A senior UDPS party figure was beaten to death in Butembo after appearing on a radio program urging Ebola prevention.
In Butembo, North Kivu, Marie-Celestin Karondwa, who leads the UDPS party's federal executive committee for the city, was assaulted after taking part in a radio broadcast that highlighted Ebola prevention. Neighbors reportedly beat him, looted his possessions and ignited his home. Karondwa died from the wounds he sustained.
Authorities have not identified the attackers or clarified their motives, though the party described him as an innocent victim for defending the party's stance on the disease. The killing follows recent violence against Ebola response teams, including an armed assault on a hand-washing checkpoint in nearby Beni that left at least one dead and several injured. Government data show the outbreak has infected 8,067 people and killed 3,901.
Why it matters
The murder underscores deep mistrust of Ebola measures and threatens public health efforts in a hotspot region.
How this story developed
- Aug 23 Ebola toll in DRC climbs to over 5,500 cases as Pope calls for global aid
- Aug 31 The epidemic has spread to the Biena and Manguredjipa health zones, increasing the total number of affected zones to 60.
- Sep 1 More than 50,000 vaccine doses arrived for frontline workers.
- Sep 2 Confirmed cases rise to 6,186 and deaths increase to 3,007.
- Sep 13 A case confirmed in South‑Ubangi marked the virus’s spread to a seventh province.
- Sep 17 Confirmed cases have risen to over 7,200 and deaths to more than 3,500 since the outbreak was first declared.
- Sep 21 Vaccination of frontline health workers began in Ituri province.
- Sep 27 WHO confirmed spread of the Bundibugyo strain to the Bulu and Dungu health zones.
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