**Rebels Impose Travel Restrictions in DR Congo Amid Ebola Concerns**
A coalition of rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) has enacted travel restrictions in response to allegations that the government intends to send Ebola-infected individuals into areas under their control. The Congo River Alliance/March 23 Movement (AFC/M23) announced that shared taxi services between the eastern city of Goma and the town of Kirumba will be suspended for one month starting Saturday. Additionally, passenger canoes will be prohibited from operating on specific routes across Lake Edward.
While shared taxis are being halted, minibuses will still be allowed to operate on the Goma-Kirumba road, albeit under health and security measures. Trucks carrying goods will also be permitted to continue their operations.
Corneille Nangaa, the political coordinator for AFC/M23, expressed concerns about what he described as a "cynical health offensive" from the Kinshasa government. He claimed that the government plans to deliberately introduce infected individuals into rebel-controlled territories to cause widespread death and devastation.
The DR Congo has been grappling with an Ebola outbreak that was declared on May 15, known as the Bundibugyo outbreak. As of Thursday, the Congolese Health Ministry reported that the outbreak has affected six provinces, resulting in 5,208 infections and 2,476 deaths, marking it as the deadliest Ebola outbreak in the country's history. The Bundibugyo strain currently lacks an approved vaccine or specific treatment.
In late June, AFC/M23 declared the areas under its control Ebola-free after implementing measures such as isolation, contact tracing, and community surveillance to manage an earlier wave of the virus. However, the recent travel restrictions were prompted by the detection of Ebola in two travelers from the government-held town of Lubero, who arrived in a village within rebel territory.
Nangaa criticized the Congolese government's response to the outbreak, labeling it as corrupt and tribalistic, and asserting that their efforts fall significantly short of what is necessary for an effective emergency response. He claimed that the rebel administration has approached the outbreak with a "strong sense of responsibility."
The AFC/M23 has gained control over significant portions of North and South Kivu provinces, including Goma and Bukavu, following a major offensive in early 2025. This region, rich in minerals, has been marred by violence for decades, with numerous armed groups vying for control over valuable resources such as gold and coltan. The conflict has intensified in recent years, resulting in thousands of deaths and widespread displacement, as reported by United Nations agencies.
Efforts to establish a ceasefire have repeatedly failed, including recent talks facilitated by Qatar in Doha. The Congolese government has long accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels, a claim that has been corroborated by a UN panel of experts, although Kigali denies these allegations. These tensions have strained Rwanda's relations with Western nations, particularly Belgium, which led to Rwanda severing diplomatic ties with Brussels in March, accusing it of neo-colonial interference in the conflict.
In December, a US-brokered agreement was ratified by Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, which aimed to ensure the withdrawal of Rwandan forces from the border and halt alleged support for M23. The agreement also included commitments from Kinshasa to address militias hostile to Rwanda. Despite these diplomatic efforts, violence has persisted.
The World Health Organization has highlighted that ongoing insecurity, large-scale displacement, and population movements are complicating the response to the Ebola outbreak. Attacks on health facilities have further restricted access for response teams, disrupted surveillance efforts, and increased the risk of undetected infections.
As the situation continues to evolve, the implications of the conflict and the Ebola outbreak remain a significant concern for both the local population and international health organizations. The rebel coalition's travel restrictions reflect the heightened tensions and the urgent need for effective health measures in the face of the ongoing crisis.