Latest news with #Kivu
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Students in rebel-held eastern Congo brave insecurity to take exams
BUKAVU, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) -Tens of thousands of secondary school students sat for state exams in rebel-held eastern Congo this week, a complicated logistical feat requiring rare cooperation between the government and M23 rebels. The Rwanda-backed insurgents seized eastern Congo's two largest cities in an offensive earlier this year and are now trying to show they can govern. African leaders along with Washington and Doha are meanwhile trying to broker a peace deal that would put an end to a conflict with roots in the Rwandan genocide more than three decades ago. The state exams, administered across the sprawling central African country for students hoping to go to university, began on Monday and will continue through mid-June. Administering them throughout the east of Democratic Republic of Congo required having education officials personally escort documents and other materials from the capital Kinshasa into M23-held cities and towns. "We were among those who went to Kinshasa to collect the items," said Jean-Marie Mwayesi, an education official in South Kivu province, where M23 claims considerable territory. "Thanks to the combined efforts of our teams and partners, all 111 centres we cover have been served." President Felix Tshisekedi's government announced last month it was waiving exam fees - which normally exceed $40 - for students in North and South Kivu provinces, citing insecurity. While M23 has previously said it seeks the ouster of Tshisekedi's government, the group's leader Bertrand Bisimwa told Reuters that it still recognised Kinshasa as the administrator of national exams. "Our presence in the eastern part of our country does not make this a separate country," Bisimwa said. "The education of our children is apolitical. It must be protected against any political divergence because we all work for the interest and well-being of our children." Human rights groups have repeatedly accused M23 of executing civilians including children - allegations the group has denied. Exauce Katete was among the students who sat for exams at a school in the South Kivu regional capital Bukavu, which fell under M23 control in February and where insecurity including vigilante violence has increased since then. "Yes, security is there. I can still see a few people outside, responsible for keeping us safe. There are no disturbances, no noise, everything is going well," Katete said, referring to plainclothes officers positioned by M23 outside the school. Mwayesi, the local education official, said that of 44,000 students who registered in his zone, nearly 42,000 showed up, speculating that the remainder may have been displaced by fighting.
Reuters
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Students in rebel-held eastern Congo brave insecurity to take exams
BUKAVU, Democratic Republic of Congo, June 6 (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of secondary school students sat for state exams in rebel-held eastern Congo this week, a complicated logistical feat requiring rare cooperation between the government and M23 rebels. The Rwanda-backed insurgents seized eastern Congo's two largest cities in an offensive earlier this year and are now trying to show they can govern. African leaders along with Washington and Doha are meanwhile trying to broker a peace deal that would put an end to a conflict with roots in the Rwandan genocide more than three decades ago. The state exams, administered across the sprawling central African country for students hoping to go to university, began on Monday and will continue through mid-June. Administering them throughout the east of Democratic Republic of Congo required having education officials personally escort documents and other materials from the capital Kinshasa into M23-held cities and towns. "We were among those who went to Kinshasa to collect the items," said Jean-Marie Mwayesi, an education official in South Kivu province, where M23 claims considerable territory. "Thanks to the combined efforts of our teams and partners, all 111 centres we cover have been served." President Felix Tshisekedi's government announced last month it was waiving exam fees - which normally exceed $40 - for students in North and South Kivu provinces, citing insecurity. While M23 has previously said it seeks the ouster of Tshisekedi's government, the group's leader Bertrand Bisimwa told Reuters that it still recognised Kinshasa as the administrator of national exams. "Our presence in the eastern part of our country does not make this a separate country," Bisimwa said. "The education of our children is apolitical. It must be protected against any political divergence because we all work for the interest and well-being of our children." Human rights groups have repeatedly accused M23 of executing civilians including children - allegations the group has denied. Exauce Katete was among the students who sat for exams at a school in the South Kivu regional capital Bukavu, which fell under M23 control in February and where insecurity including vigilante violence has increased since then. "Yes, security is there. I can still see a few people outside, responsible for keeping us safe. There are no disturbances, no noise, everything is going well," Katete said, referring to plainclothes officers positioned by M23 outside the school. Mwayesi, the local education official, said that of 44,000 students who registered in his zone, nearly 42,000 showed up, speculating that the remainder may have been displaced by fighting.
Times of Oman
12-05-2025
- Climate
- Times of Oman
At least 100 dead as floods hit eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
Kinshasa : At least 100 people have died in floods that swept through the Fizi territory in South Kivu Province, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, overnight from Friday to Saturday, the provincial government confirmed on Sunday. Torrential rains triggered flash floods in the locality of Kasaba, destroying approximately 150 homes, according to a provisional toll. The provincial government expressed deep concern over the heightened risk of waterborne diseases, respiratory infections, and malnutrition amid ongoing heavy rains.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Little Rock Zoo announces baby gorilla gender on The Today Show
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Little Rock Zoo announced the gender of its new baby gorilla is a boy on The Today Show and now viewers can help give him a name. A gender reveal video was shown on TODAY Friday morning showing two gorillas opening cardboard boxes filled with blue and green paper. Little Rock Zoo gorilla welcomes newborn Zoo officials said the mom and dad, Adelina and Kivu, were recommended for breeding by the Gorilla Species Survival Plan. The little one was born on March 1. In an update from the zoo, officials said the baby has been nursing and is in good health. Newborn baby gorilla meets Little Rock Zoo caretaker's newborn Zoo officials are calling for TODAY viewers to name the newest member. The choices are Ruzizi, Kizazi, Beni and Buzibu. To cast your vote, visit KARK 4 News will join zoo officials live Tuesday, April 8, as they announce the name chosen by viewers. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Little Rock Zoo gorilla welcomes newborn
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Little Rock Zoo is welcoming a newborn gorilla. Zoo officials announced that Adelina gave birth Saturday, March 1, to a healthy newborn gorilla. Staff said this is Adelina's first baby and the first gorilla born at the Little Rock Zoo to give birth. The gender has not been confirmed yet, but zoo officials said it is nursing well and is expected to continue to thrive. Little Rock Zoo African penguin chicks continue to thrive Zoo officials said Adelina and Kivu, the dad, were recommended for breeding by the Gorilla Species Survival Plan. Animal care staff at the zoo are monitoring the newborn's progress. To learn more about the Little Rock Zoo, visit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
