Ebola Denialists Kill DRC Political Leader in Butembo

Attackers beat to death Marie-Celestin Karondwa, the acting president of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) federal executive committee in Butembo, on Sunday. The assault occurred after Karondwa appeared on a radio program to raise awareness and promote prevention measures regarding a current Ebola outbreak. Following the beating, attackers stole his belongings and set his house on fire; Karondwa later died from his injuries.

The UDPS described Karondwa as an innocent victim for defending the existence of the virus and the threat it poses to the population. This killing follows a pattern of violence fueled by misinformation and distrust of healthcare efforts. On Saturday, armed men attacked a hand-washing checkpoint in the Beni territory, killing at least one person.

The current outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, has infected 8,067 people and killed 3,901 across seven provinces. This makes it the deadliest outbreak in the history of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.