The authorities have declared 1 February a public holiday in the capital Kinshasa, a decision aimed at allowing Catholic citizens to attend a mass presided over by Pope Francis at Ndolo airport

Over 100 deaths have been caused by recent, still unidentified infection that is spreading in Kwango region showing a very high mortality rate; DRC has announced 'maximum alert' and surveillance levels have been raised in ports and airports worldwide

Since October 20, the rebel armed group M23 has defied the peace agreement in place, continuing to engage in military activities in the North Kivu province, sparking international fears of further instability in the area and worsening civilians' suffering

President Tshisekedi, during a recent speech, proposed amending the country's constitution, bringing up the idea of changing presidential term limits, while Tshisekedi himself had previously pledged to 'scrupulously respect constitutional obligations'