Congo ruling party official beaten to death after Ebola radio appearance

Marie-Celestin Karondwa was beaten to death in Butembo, North Kivu province, on Sunday after appearing on a radio program promoting Ebola prevention measures. Attackers looted his belongings and set the home on fire. Karondwa was acting president of the UDPS party's local federal executive committee in Butembo and its spokesperson. The UDPS federation in Butembo issued a statement condemning the killing and described him as "an innocent victim for having defended the party's position on the existence of the Ebola virus disease (…) and the threat it poses to the population." Attackers' identities and motive remain unclear, no arrests have been announced, and the mayor of Butembo did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The day before, armed men attacked a hand-washing checkpoint in nearby Beni territory, killing at least one person and wounding several others. Government data released Monday put infections at 8,067 and deaths at 3,901 since the outbreak was declared May 15, with North Kivu and Butembo described as a recent hotspot.