Stories
Congo Ruling Party Leader Beaten to Death After Ebola Awareness Program
- •Marie-Celestin Karondwa, a senior UDPS party member, was killed after participating in a radio program promoting Ebola prevention in Butembo, North Kivu province.
- •Attackers beat Karondwa, looted his belongings, and set his house on fire following his appearance on the awareness program.
- •The UDPS party stated Karondwa was an "innocent victim" for defending the party's stance on the Ebola virus and its threat.
- •This incident highlights ongoing mistrust among the local population and follows other attacks on Ebola response teams.
- •The current Ebola outbreak has infected 8,067 people and resulted in 3,901 deaths, according to recent government data.
Key Questions Answered
Marie-Celestin Karondwa was a senior member of Congo's ruling party and acting president of the UDPS party's federal executive committee in Butembo. He was beaten to death by neighborhood residents, his belongings looted, and his house set on fire after he participated in a radio program to promote Ebola prevention measures.
Aside from the fatal attack on the UDPS party leader, armed men attacked a hand-washing checkpoint in nearby Beni territory on Saturday, killing at least one person and wounding several others. Additionally, other incidents have involved treatment centers being burned down and hospitals being stormed by residents demanding the bodies of their relatives.
The Ebola outbreak was declared on May 15. According to government data released on Monday, the outbreak has infected 8,067 people and resulted in 3,901 deaths.
