AFC/M23 alliance announces new movement restrictions over Ebola in eastern Congo
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The AFC/M23 rebel alliance said late Wednesday it will impose new restrictions on movement to and from Ebola-affected government-held zones in eastern Congo. Shared taxis on the Goma-Kirumba road will be suspended for one month from Saturday, along with pirogue boats on certain Lake Edward routes. The measure follows two travellers from government-held Lubero testing positive for Ebola in an M23-controlled village.
Key Facts
- Taxi-buses and trucks used for transporting goods will still be allowed to operate on the Goma-Kirumba road, subject to health and safety controls.
- The AFC/M23 alliance declared territories under its control Ebola-free late in June.
- The number of confirmed Ebola cases in Congo exceeded 5,000, government data showed this week.
- The AFC/M23 rebels control large parts of North and South Kivu provinces after capturing Goma and Bukavu, eastern Congo's two largest cities, in early 2025.
- The United Nations and Western governments say the group is backed by Rwanda, which Kigali denies.
Movement Restrictions
Shared taxis on the road between Goma and Kirumba will be suspended for one month, starting from Saturday. Pirogue boats carrying passengers on certain Lake Edward routes will also be suspended. Taxi-buses will still be allowed to operate on the Goma-Kirumba road, subject to health and safety controls. Trucks used for transporting goods will also continue to operate under those controls.
Ebola Response
The new measure was introduced after two travellers from the government-held town of Lubero tested positive for Ebola in a village under M23 control. A member of the response team set up by rebel authorities told Reuters about the two cases. The AFC/M23 alliance has mounted an Ebola response largely separate from authorities in Kinshasa. The rebels declared territories under their control Ebola-free late in June.
Territorial Control
The AFC/M23 rebels control large parts of North and South Kivu provinces following their early 2025 advance. During that advance they captured Goma and Bukavu, eastern Congo's two largest cities. The United Nations and Western governments say the group is backed by Rwanda, which Kigali denies. The restrictions were announced amid continued hostilities between Congo and the rebel group, and as health officials have described the current Ebola outbreak as the fastest-spreading on record.
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AFC/M23 alliance announces new movement restrictions over Ebola in eastern Congo
