How a political power struggle could distract from eradication efforts
An already deadly and worsening Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is compounded by the ruling government’s controversial attempts to simultaneously revise the constitution and retain power, according to a press review compiled by Radio Okapi and cross-referenced by Translator.
Citing various national press sources, the review summarises the rising death and infection toll in Ituri province, where the outbreak was first declared on May 17. It highlights an Info27 article in which virologist Jean-Jacques Muyembe points out that no approved vaccine or treatment currently exists for the prevalent Bundibugyo variant. Still, he emphasises that the DRC has contained 15 of the 17 previous epidemics due to rigorous health measures.
But while international media attention is largely framed around the risk of the disease spreading beyond the DRC as a result of USAID cuts, this press review shows that – for now – the greatest risks remain inside the country, where health and political crises are feeding off each other.
Le Potential details how the epidemic is growing amid an explosive security situation between the Rwanda-backed M23 fighters, Congolese forces and other militia groups, where disease hotspots are virtually inaccessible to medical teams.
The newspaper also highlights the political background: Tshisekedi’s attempts to revise the constitution and secure a third term, which have been met with fierce opposition. The daily newspaper reports the launch of the Article 64 coalition on May 19 – a group made up of major opposition parties which aims to prevent him from holding on to power beyond the end of his term in 2028.
Opposition leader Nicolas Lenga of the Envol party called the political manoeuvring “an act of rebellion against the Republic and a declaration of war on the Congolese people.”
This political uncertainty could easily distract from vital emergency response efforts in a country long beset by war, disease, and other crises.
The original article ‘Ebola en RDC: le gouvernement en première ligne contre une variante sans vaccin’ was published in French by Radio Okapi on May 20, 2026.
It is available here.
Radio Okapi is the radio of the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the DRC. It began its programming in February 2002 from Kinshasa with the purpose of accompanying the peace process in the DRC.
Summary by MBM