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Congo Ruling Party Leader Killed After Ebola Awareness Radio Programme
Marie-Celestin Karondwa spoke on the radio about how people could prevent Ebola.
Afterward, residents in his neighborhood attacked him in Butembo.
The UDPS said they beat him, stole his belongings and burned his house.
Karondwa later died from his injuries.
The people who attacked him have not been identified.
The party said he was attacked because he supported the view that Ebola exists and threatens people.
Other Ebola response workers have also faced attacks.
Government figures said the outbreak had infected 8,067 people and killed 3,901 by Monday.
Marie-Celestin Karondwa was beaten to death in Butembo after promoting Ebola prevention measures on radio.
Karondwa was acting president of the UDPS federal executive committee in Butembo and a party spokesperson.
The UDPS said residents looted his belongings and set his house on fire during the attack.
The attackers’ identities, number and motives were not immediately known, although the party cited mistrust of Ebola information.
The outbreak, declared on May 15, has infected 8,067 people and killed 3,901, according to government data.
- Who
- Marie-Celestin Karondwa, a senior UDPS official and party spokesperson, was attacked by residents of his neighborhood.
- What
- Karondwa was beaten after promoting Ebola prevention measures on a radio programme and later died from his injuries.
- Where
- The incident occurred in Butembo, North Kivu province.
- When
- The attack took place on Sunday; the figures and report were released on Monday.
- Why
- The UDPS said Karondwa was targeted for defending the existence of Ebola and warning about its threat, amid local mistrust of the response.
Key facts
- Victim
- Marie-Celestin Karondwa
- Position
- Acting president of the UDPS federal executive committee in Butembo and party spokesperson
- Incident
- Beaten, robbed and left in a house that attackers reportedly set on fire
- Location
- Butembo, North Kivu province
- Outbreak declaration
- May 15
- Reported Ebola cases
- 8,067
- Reported Ebola deaths
- 3,901
- Related violence
- An armed attack on a hand-washing checkpoint in nearby Beni territory reportedly killed at least one person and wounded several others
Quotes
UDPS federation in Butembo
The local federation of Congo’s ruling UDPS party
“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.”
firstpost.com
Sources
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