DAKAR, June 29 (Reuters) - The Democratic Republic of Congo has banned public gatherings in four provinces, including the capital, Kinshasa, as the country battles a deadly Ebola outbreak.
The ban comes ahead of a planned protest in Kinshasa on July 8 against constitutional reform, with opposition figures calling it "politically motivated."
• The order, issued on June 27 by the interior minister, covers Kinshasa, Tshopo, Haut-Uele and Bas-Uele provinces, none of which has recorded cases so far.
• It cited proximity to affected provinces as a key transmission risk, and required authorities in the four provinces to monitor anyone presenting symptoms and submit daily surveillance reports.
• The outbreak, declared on May 15, has infected 1,274 people and killed 360 across three eastern provinces, Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu, according to government data released on Monday.
• Opposition figures are calling on supporters to rally against proposed constitutional changes they say could allow President Felix Tshisekedi to seek a third term.
• Prince Epenge, a spokesperson for the opposition Lamuka coalition, denounced the ban as "politically motivated" and told Reuters the July 8 protest would go ahead.
• A previous rally on June 12 was broken up by police using tear gas and live ammunition, killing one protester and injuring 38, according to the UN Human Rights Office.
• Separately, the mayor of Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo and currently under the control of AFC/M23 rebels, on Monday banned public gatherings and demonstrations, including celebrations linked to sporting events. The order cited the risk of Ebola transmission and came a day after crowds gathered to celebrate Congo's qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout round.
(Reporting and writing by Clement Bonnerot and Congo newsroom; Editing by Jessica Donati and Alexandra Hudson)
