Hunger threatens Congo after fighting cuts supply

Two thirds of South Sudan's population may face severe food shortages during next year's April-to-July lean season due to floods, drought and conflict, United Nations agencies said on Thursday (November 3). Rachel Judah reports.

In the eastern Congo, a powerful armed group controls lucrative gold mines. DW’s Mariel Mueller is the first international journalist who got access. She speaks with miners who are forced to pay 'tax' to the Mai-Mai Yakutumba and with survivors of its brutal attacks.

Thousands have fled the fighting in North Kivu, resulting in a serious humanitarian crisis. But for those staying behind, food price increases and shortages are now threatening lives and livelihoods.

Detained pro-democracy activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah has been refusing to eat or drink. His family now says Egyptian authorities have placed him under "medical supervision."

In France, where 8 million people are food insecure, 10 million tonnes of food are thrown away every year. But initiatives are under way to limit food waste. In the heart of Paris's La Défense business district, the eco-conscious restaurant La Salle à Manger makes cheap meals out of leftovers from local caterers and unsold food from supermarkets.

Thousands more flee their homes in eastern DRC amid fighting between M23 rebels and government forces. Locals don't believe new talks in Kenya will bring peace.

We cross to Kenya, as former president Uhuru Kenyatta and Rwanda's President Paul Kagame agree on the need for M23 rebels to cease fire and withdraw from captured territories in eastern DR Congo. The rebels have waged several offensives there this year in their first major comeback since 2012, prompting clashes with the army that have displaced thousands of civilians since March.

The region has been in the grip of an offensive by the M23 armed group and 900 Kenyan soldiers were recently sent to the area. Also in this edition: South Africa's disgraced ex-president Jacob Zuma could go back to prison, and we talk to Nigerian climate expert Chukwumerije Okereke, who is the Director of the Centre for Climate Change and Development. And lastly, guest Karim Baldé breaks down the Senegal's loss against the Netherlands in the World Cup.

Kenya's President William Ruto says East African troops will enforce peace in eastern DR Congo. The region has been in the grip of an offensive by the M23 armed group and 900 Kenyan soldiers were recently sent to the area.

DR Congo and Rwanda have struck a deal to end months of fighting between Congolese troops and rebels in eastern DRC. The agreement was reached with the mediation of the East African community, but it hinges on the withdrawal of M23 rebels from occupied areas.

The M23 rebel group said Thursday that a ceasefire announced a day earlier "doesn't really concern us," while calling for "direct dialogue" with Democratic Republic of Congo's government.

The armies of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi said they have dislodged the Burundian rebels from the town of Nabombi. Meanwhile, a cease-fire between with a separate rebel group, M23, appears to be holding.