LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have confirmed the first Ebola case in South Kivu, a province under the Rwanda-backed M23 militia control.
This new infection was announced by the armed group’s spokesman on Thursday, who said the case was identified in Bukavu, the provincial capital currently under their control.
The latest development has increased fears about the spread of the deadly haemorrhagic disease in eastern Congo, where years of armed conflict have weakened healthcare systems and disrupted emergency response efforts.
According to the spokesman, medical tests “confirm a new positive case” linked to a person who travelled from Kisangani, a major city in Tshopo province.
Health officials noted that no Ebola infections tied to the current outbreak had previously been recorded in Kisangani.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has already classified the Ebola outbreak as an international emergency due to the serious public health risks linked to the virus.
Still, controlling the disease has become more difficult because of the ongoing conflict between Congolese government forces and the M23 rebel group.
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With support from Rwanda, the armed movement controls large areas in the mineral-rich eastern region.
Following its territorial gains, the M23 established a parallel administration in areas under its control, including Bukavu, which fell to the group in February 2025.
However, the new confirmed Ebola case has placed the militia at the frontline of a major public health challenge.
The group has never managed an Ebola response despite the virus killing more than 15,000 people across Africa over the past 50 years.
Health experts warn that insecurity, population movement and medical infrastructure could complicate efforts to isolate cases, trace contacts, and prevent further infections.
Ultimately, the emergence of Ebola in the militia-controlled area is expected to place additional pressure on humanitarian agencies and health workers already operating under difficult conditions in eastern Congo.
