Congo Files: Suspected international money laundering scheme revealed

A new report calls DR Congo's $6 billion deal with China on mining resources 'unconscionable', saying few of the promised benefits have materialised, and that may bolster the country's bid to revise the terms of the contract.

In the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, in the heart of Beni territory, plagued by extreme violence from Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels, employees of the Virunga National Park are battling to keep a chocolate factory running. Their aim is to process cocoa locally to prevent it being smuggled to neighbouring Uganda and to create jobs to combat enrolment in illegal armed groups.

Six months ago, DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi placed North Kivu and Ituri – two provinces in the east of the country – under "a state of siege", effectively imposing martial law in a region that has been rocked by conflict for decades. Today, although the government claims that hundreds of armed militiamen have surrendered, massacres continue and security forces face mounting criticism. In the city of Beni, the justice system has ground to a halt and crime has soared. Our correspondents report.

Democratic Republic of Congo's environment minister said on Thursday (October 28) the country intends to ban all log exports and implement other measures to lessen threats to its carbon-absorbing tropical rainforest, a major bulwark against climate change. Home to a majority of the world's second-largest rainforest, Congo is under pressure to improve forest management and curb a high deforestation rate that has doubled in the last decade, according to U.N. figures. Environment Minister Eve Bazaiba announced the suspension of log exports to reporters in the capital Kinshasa, but did not say when it would come into effect.

Photos on social media claim to show the skeleton of one of the murdered DR Congo human rights activist, Fidèle Bazana. The posts also claim that the skeleton was found in the property of a high-ranked police officer. False! These skeletons actually belong to archeological findings from last year.Also, fake photos of the Day of the Dead in Mexico emerge online. Find out more on this edition of Truth or Fake.

Photos on social media claim to show the skeleton of a slain DR Congo human rights activist, Fidèle Bazana, who was assassinated in 2010. The posts also claim the remains were found at the property of a high-ranking police officer. But most of these skeletons are actually archaeological findings from 2019. Also, a fake photo of a Day of the Dead light show in Mexico emerges online. We tell you more in this edition of Truth or Fake.

There are reports of renewed fighting between various militia groups and the military in eastern Congo. This dampens hopes of an end to the long-simmering conflict in the region.

Self-taught luthier "Socklo" uses brake cable and plastic chairs to make guitars which are considered by some aficionados to be among the best in the world.

Businessman Jack Kahorha in 2017 formed a company to provide fresh drinking water to local communities. DW examines how it convinced customers to pay for their water and now turns over $400,000 a year.

Uganda has deployed soldiers into the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo, as part of a joint operation with the Congolese military. The troop movement followed bombardments against posts held by the Islamist ADF.

The attacker set off an explosive device at the entrance to a bar and restaurant in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as customers gathered on Christmas Day. Two children were reportedly among those killed.

Militias rule northeastern Congo through fear and bloodshed. The central government has little to no authority here. Mama Faida saw her own family murdered - and joined a militia to seek revenge.