Congolese Politician Dies After Attack Linked to Ebola Awareness Efforts

Marie-Celestin Karondwa, a politician from the ruling Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) party, was beaten to death after promoting awareness of Ebola during a radio interview, according to the source report.

Karondwa was attacked on Sunday by residents in Butembo, in North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo. The exact calendar date of the attack was not specified.

UDPS account of the attack

The UDPS said Karondwa was assaulted, his belongings were taken and his house was set on fire. The party said he was targeted because he defended its position on the existence of Ebola and the danger the disease poses to the population.

The party described the issue as involving “the existence of the Ebola virus disease and the threat it poses to the population.” Details about the circumstances of the attack and the explanation for the killing were attributed to the UDPS in the source report.

Wider mistrust around Ebola response

The incident came amid continuing mistrust surrounding the Ebola outbreak in the region. That distrust has been linked to a series of attacks affecting efforts to respond to the disease.

Health response teams have faced violence and abuse, while hospitals have also been set on fire, according to the report. The attacks have added security challenges to public health work intended to raise awareness and address the outbreak.

More than 8,000 cases of Ebola had been confirmed in the Democratic Republic of Congo since the outbreak was declared in mid-May, the report said. Close to 4,000 people had died from the disease.

Karondwa’s death highlights the risks faced by political and health figures seeking to communicate information about Ebola in communities where confidence in the response remains low.