Eastern DRC journalists face death threats and arson as conflict escalates

Government‑aligned Wazalendo militiamen have threatened to kill a reporter and burn down Radio Tuungane’s station after adverse coverage of fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Radio Tuungane journalist Anne Nanduhura told the Committee to Protect Journalists she received three threats in June and two intimidating phone calls, saying, “Keep publishing your stories, and you’ll be killed.” The station was also bombed twice by drones in March.

The threats come as the Rwanda‑backed M23 and Congo River Alliance rebels, after making major territorial gains in early 2025, withdrew from parts of South Kivu in May. The United States responded by sanctioning former DRC President Joseph Kabila and the Rwandan army for alleged support of the rebel alliance, which the Rwandan government rejected. Ongoing clashes, drone strikes on civilian areas and a humanitarian blockade around the contested Minembwe commune have forced many journalists to flee, while those who remain face intimidation from both rebel groups and government forces.