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Ebola Activist Beaten to Death After Radio Warning
28 Sep
Summary
- Senior party official killed after promoting Ebola prevention.
- Attackers stole belongings and set the victim's house on fire.
- Violence linked to misinformation about the deadly virus.
Marie-Celestin Karondwa, acting president of the UDPS party's federal executive committee in Butembo, a current hotspot for the Ebola outbreak, was tragically beaten to death on Sunday. His death followed his appearance on a local radio program where he advocated for disease prevention measures. According to a statement from the UDPS federation in Butembo, the attackers assaulted Karondwa, stole his possessions, and subsequently set his home on fire.
Karondwa's killing occurred after a series of violent incidents targeting healthcare workers and treatment facilities, which experts attribute to the spread of misinformation and deep-seated distrust of health responders. These disruptions have hampered essential services. The current Ebola outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, has infected 8,067 people and claimed 3,901 lives across seven provinces since its declaration on May 15. It is the DRC's most severe outbreak to date and second globally to the 2014-2016 West African epidemic.
