DR Congo's M23 rebels impose new Ebola movement restrictions

The AFC/M23 rebel alliance in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has announced new restrictions on movement in areas under its control, following the detection of Ebola cases linked to travel from government-held territory.

Under the measures, shared taxis operating between Goma and Kirumba will be suspended for one month from Saturday. Passenger pirogue boats will also be barred from operating on certain routes on Lake Edward.

Taxi-buses will continue operating along the Goma-Kirumba road, but will be subject to health and safety controls. Trucks transporting goods will also be allowed to use the route.

The restrictions highlight the challenges of containing the Ebola outbreak amid continued conflict in eastern DR Congo, where health authorities have described the outbreak as the fastest-spreading Ebola epidemic on record.

The AFC/M23 alliance controls large areas of North and South Kivu provinces after its advance in early 2025, when it captured Goma and Bukavu, the two largest cities in the eastern region.

The DR Congo has so far reported 5,021 confirmed Ebola cases, including 2,378 deaths.