Kinshasa Declares Mass‑Gatherings Ban Amid Ebola Threat

Sun Sep 06 2026 03:56:12 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s capital city, Kinshasa, has been placed under a ban on public events to curb the spread of Ebola, a move criticized by opposition parties.

In a decision aimed at preventing the spread of Ebola, Kinshasa and the neighbouring provinces Tshopo, Haut‑Uele and Bas‑Uele have been ordered to prohibit mass gatherings. The ban follows the virus’s detection in the eastern provinces of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu, where the outbreak has claimed over 360 lives. Opposition leaders view the restriction as a political tool ahead of a scheduled protest march, while the government has yet to respond. Besides the ban, authorities have introduced 21‑day quarantines for travellers from affected areas and are exploring antiviral trials as the virus shows no current vaccine. The Ebola outbreak in DR Congo is of the Bundibugyo strain, complicating containment amid ongoing conflict.

Kinshasa Declares Mass‑Gatherings Ban Amid Ebola Threat

Health worker holding a thermometer — Image source: Getty Images.

The Democratic Republic of Congo interior minister Jacquemain Shabani announced a nationwide ban on public events in Kinshasa and three surrounding provinces – Tshopo, Haut‑Uele and Bas‑Uele – to stop the spread of Ebola.

The outbreak is currently limited to the eastern provinces of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu, some 1,800 kilometres from the capital. Nonetheless, officials fear the virus could reach Kinshasa’s 18 million residents.

Opposition leaders, who had planned a protest march for 8 July against President Felix Tshisekedi’s proposed extension of his two‑term limit, cast the ban as a political maneuver. Prince Epenge, spokesperson for the Lamuka coalition, said the move was “political” and rejected the authority, while Envol’s secretary‑general Rodrigues Ramazani urged supporters to ignore the restriction and attend the march.

The government has yet to reply to the opposition’s criticism, leaving the ban in place with no official counter‑statement.

Authorities have also initiated a 21‑day quarantine for travellers moving from Ebola‑affected areas to other parts of the country. The virus is the Bundibugyo strain, for which no vaccine currently exists, though antiviral trials may commence soon under the guidance of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As of the latest update, confirmed cases in the DRC total 1,274 with 360 deaths. Uganda has reported 20 cases and two deaths. The outbreak’s progression is hampered by conflict, with rebel groups controlling large areas in North and South Kivu.