Kikwit: The City Hall provides vehicles to the police and the city for security and sanitation

The city of Kikwit in the Kwilu Province has equipped its police force with vehicles to enhance mobility and combat insecurity caused by local banditry known as 'Kuluna'. The official handover ceremony took place on August 21, 2024, at Camp Nsinga, attended by various dignitaries and religious representatives. Mayor Abe Ngiama emphasized the importance of these vehicles, including four motorcycles, for effective policing and urged their proper use. Additionally, the city received equipment for sanitation purposes, with the mayor encouraging former bandits to participate in city cleaning efforts. The mayor assured that such initiatives to acquire necessary tools for fighting crime and maintaining public order will continue.

More than 50 displaced from Kasaï and Kwamouth have died at the Kazamba site between 2017 and 2024

Displaced individuals from Kasaï and Kwamouth at the Kazamba site have faced severe hardships, with over 50 deaths reported between 2017 and 2024 due to lack of assistance. Despite repeated appeals for help, the response from authorities has been inadequate. The site currently hosts 20,237 displaced people, with some relying on temporary aid from churches. Local officials express frustration over the lack of resources and urge partners to provide immediate support.

Food Security - The AlimenTerre Festival in Kwilu Awakens Consciousness

The seventh edition of the 'Festival AlimenTerre' focused on alternatives to banned and dangerous pesticides and took place in the Kwilu province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Organized by FOPAKKM and CONAPAC with financial support from the Belgian NGO Broederlijk Delen, the festival aimed to raise awareness among agricultural producers and rural communities about the negative impacts of pesticides on human and environmental health. The event featured film screenings and discussions, highlighting the importance of sustainable and equitable agricultural models. Recommendations were made to the Congolese government, agricultural producers, and communities to combat the use of harmful pesticides.

Congo-Kinshasa: Kwilu - 59.339 candidats passent l'ENAFEP 2023 à l'EPST Kwilu 2

The ENAFEP 2023 examination in Kwilu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, commenced on June 1, 2023, with 59,339 candidates, including 29,414 girls. The examination is conducted free of charge, with 330 centers established for the candidates. Key figures such as Justin Nsinga Vuvu, Godefroid Katutu, and Abe Ngiama played significant roles in the event, emphasizing the importance of the examination and the free education policy implemented by the government.

Congo-Kinshasa: The leaders of the Imbongo sector advocate unity for the development of their sector

Traditional leaders in the Imbongo sector of Kwilu province, Democratic Republic of Congo, have called for unity to foster development in their region. Initiated by Judith Kimata Mumenga from the Ministry of Higher Education and University, the meeting aimed to address the lack of unity and identify urgent needs such as access to potable water, agricultural roads, healthcare facilities, and improved educational infrastructure. The leaders emphasized the importance of unity to achieve significant progress and elect representatives to defend their interests at national and provincial levels.

Congo-Kinshasa: Evaluation of Voter Identification and Enrollment Operations in Kikwit

In Kikwit, a socio-political city in the Kwilu province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Civic Education Network in Congo (RECIC) in collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) and some civil society organizations evaluated voter identification and enrollment operations. The evaluation took place during a day of discussion and reflection on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. Positive aspects of the process were acknowledged, such as the actual occurrence of planned operations and the presence of technical supervisors to address machine issues. However, weaknesses were also identified, including poor-quality machines, insufficient machines at centers, and corruption among some applicants. Recommendations were made for improvements, including preceding voter operations with a census and extending the duration of operations to three months.

Congo-Kinshasa: Provincial Coordination of Leprosy and Tuberculosis, Kwilu - 14,787 Tuberculosis Cases Detected in 2022 Across the Province

In 2022, the Kwilu province in the southwest of the Democratic Republic of the Congo recorded 14,787 tuberculosis cases, a 13 percent increase from the 12,780 cases detected in 2021. Dr. Willy Musantu, the provincial medical coordinator for Leprosy and Tuberculosis, reported that the cases include all forms of tuberculosis. The province achieved these results by establishing 104 tuberculosis diagnostic centers and implementing innovative approaches, such as trained nurses searching for patients within the community and the installation of Community Relays to direct suspected tuberculosis patients to diagnostic centers. Dr. Musantu called for society-wide involvement in the fight against tuberculosis.

Environmental Cleanup Efforts by RODHECIC in Kikwit, DRC

The article discusses the efforts of the Network of Human Rights and Civic Education Organizations (RODHECIC) in Kikwit, Kwilu province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, to combat plastic pollution. Since November 2021, RODHECIC members have been collecting and incinerating plastic sachets in the city's municipalities with the support of local authorities. These actions are part of an awareness campaign to encourage the population to maintain a clean environment. The article highlights the environmental impact of plastic waste, noting that it takes centuries to degrade and contaminates the food chain. Despite a government ban on plastic bags and packaging in 2018, enforcement has been lax. The initiative by RODHECIC has been positively received by local residents, including a market vendor named Françoise Ikolongo.

DRC: A New Political Party in the Arena

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has seen the emergence of a new political party, the Alliance of Christian Socialists (ASC), one year before the scheduled 2023 elections. The ASC, founded by former national deputy Willy Mubobo, aims to prioritize good governance and the social well-being of citizens. The party's official launch was held in Kikwit, Kwilu province, with various authorities and members in attendance. The ASC joins a crowded political landscape with nearly 600 parties. The party's secretary general, Agapit-Marius Ngayndam, emphasized the importance of citizen participation in democracy. Willy Mubobo criticized the current political climate for a lack of love between leaders and the people, and the use of power for personal enrichment. The ASC aspires to do politics differently by focusing on the people and being a positive force in the DRC.

DRC: Kikwit's Drinking Water Production Facilities Receive a Boost

The Democratic Republic of Congo's water company, REGIDESO, has inaugurated new drinking water production facilities in Kikwit, increasing production from 5500 to 16,000 cubic meters per day, now serving 63,000 households. The project, part of the PROCESEAU Program, was financially supported by Germany through KFW Bank, costing 21 million euros in Kikwit and 160 million euros nationwide. The initiative aims to improve water supply in secondary cities across the DRC and aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals. German cooperation, the project's promoter, and the consultants VSI-Afrique and WIETC were acknowledged for their roles. The improvement addresses the water scarcity that has led to deaths and waterborne diseases in the region.