DRC: Jean-Noël Barrot visits Kinshasa to combat Ebola

French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, arrived in Kinshasa this Friday, October 2, 2026, for a two-day mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to RFI, this visit is primarily focused on the fight against the 17th Ebola epidemic, which is currently affecting the east of the country. The French official's trip includes a crucial stop on Saturday in Bunia, Ituri, to observe the health situation and meet with teams mobilized on the ground.

Ituri province, the epicenter of the epidemic, remains a complex area where the health crisis is compounded by persistent security and humanitarian challenges, marked by the presence of armed groups. In Kinshasa, the minister's schedule includes meetings with his counterpart in Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Justice, Guillaume Ngefa. These discussions are expected to focus on gender-based violence and the follow-up to the investigation into the death of Karine Buisset, a French humanitarian worker killed in Goma last March.

Beyond the health situation, diplomatic talks may address investigations into the violence that occurred during opposition protests in Kinshasa and other locations in June and September. The French minister also plans to meet with officials from the UN mission in the DRC, MONUSCO. However, no meetings are officially scheduled with representatives of the opposition or religious authorities, even though the latter play an active role in the national democratic debate.

This trip marks Jean-Noël Barrot's second visit to the DRC, following a trip in January 2025. The program will conclude on Saturday evening with a meeting with Congolese Foreign Minister Thérèse Wagner, who is returning from an international tour. This mission highlights the attention France is paying to the humanitarian situation in the eastern Congo, in a context where local authorities and international actors are seeking to coordinate an effective response to the spread of the disease.

Our perspective

The management of health, security, and judicial crises in the DRC highlights the urgent need to strengthen the continent's sovereign capacities. International solidarity must imperatively be rooted in respect for the dignity of the Congolese people, who are the primary agents of their own resilience. The demand for truth regarding violence and human tragedies is an essential condition for restoring trust and guaranteeing the right to justice for all citizens.