DR Congo Launches Controversial Auction For Oil And Gas Blocks. The Democratic Republic of Congo Thursday launched a controversial auction of 30 oil and gas blocks, despite warnings that drilling in the country's rainforests and peatlands could be environmentally catastrophic.

At least three UN peacekeepers and 12 demonstrators are killed in escalating anti-UN protests in eastern DR Congo. Also, French President Emmanuel Macron says that his country will open colonial archives on Cameroon to shed light upon the painful era. He is in Yaounde at the start of a tour of Central Africa aimed at further resetting relations with the continent.

At least three UN peacekeepers and 12 demonstrators are killed in escalating anti-UN protests in eastern DR Congo. Also, French President Emmanuel Macron says that his country will open colonial archives on Cameroon to shed light upon the painful era. He is in Yaounde at the start of a tour of Central Africa aimed at further resetting relations with the continent.

The death toll from protests in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has risen to 22. People in the DR Congo's east are angry with the UN's MONUSCO mission for failing to keep them safe.

Rebels from the M23 group in DR Congo seized the border town of Bunagana, according to local activists. The Congolese army accused Rwanda of launching an invasion.

M23 rebels have reportedly captured the eastern town of Bunagana on the Ugandan border. The violence has forced at least 30,000 people to flee the area. DR Congo's military blames Rwanda for the takeover. Also, the first flight deporting asylum seekers from the UK to Rwanda is due to go ahead on Tuesday with less than a dozen people on board. And more than 1,000 people in Cameroonian city of Douala are still homeless after their homes were destroyed in May to make way for the construction of a five-star hotel.

The monarch's visit to the DRC comes two years after he apologized for atrocities committed during Belgium's brutal colonial era. The six-day trip has been billed as a chance for reconciliation between the two countries.

Anti-Rwanda protests hit Congolese cities, accusing Kigali of backing the M23 rebel group. Two Rwandan soldiers have however been released in peace talks mediated by Angola. Also, hundreds of Sudanese protesters have demanded the dismissal of the United Nations mission chief, who is working to resolve a political crisis sparked by last year's military coup. And Pritzker Prize winner Diebedo Francis Kéré is given a hero's welcome on a trip back to Ouagadougou.

Clashes between the Congolese armed forces and the M23 militia group have sent thousands of people over the border to Rwanda seeking shelter. Meanwhile, the UK and Rwanda are to settle 50 undocumented migrants who arrived on British shores in the Rwandan capital Kigali; we take a closer look. And Zimbabwe wants to sidestep international conventions to sell its $600 million stockpile in black market ivory – not without controversy.

DR Congo marks one year since President Tshi-shékédi placed the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri under martial law. We take stock of the long-lasting security measures in the country's east. Also on the programme: a Senegalese court decides on the fate of six midwives after the death of a pregnant woman. Finally, we interview Kenyan sporting legend Kip Keino.

DR Congo marks one year since President Tshi-shékédi placed the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri under martial law. We take stock of the long lasting security measures in the country's east. Also the programme: a Senegalese court decides on the fate of six midwives, fter the death of a pregnant woman. And France 24 interviews of Kenyan sporting legend Kip Keino.

A weekly news show produced with photos, videos and personal accounts from FRANCE 24 Observers around the world – all checked by our staff here in Paris.