DRC: Ebola outbreak fuels xenophobia and disinformation in Ituri

In the Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, socio-political figures and human rights activists are confronting a dangerous wave of xenophobia and misinformation surrounding the Ebola epidemic. They report that hateful messages are spreading on social media, falsely blaming individuals from the North and South Kivu regions for the virus's propagation in Ituri.

Luc Malembe, a political actor from Djugu territory, highlighted that many young people from Kivu provinces work and run businesses in areas like Iga-Barrière and Mungwalu. These individuals are now facing harassment from local residents who wrongly accuse them of spreading Ebola. Malembe emphasized that this xenophobic behavior, fueled by false online information, poses a significant threat to social cohesion.

Malembe strongly condemned these acts and warned perpetrators, stating that evidence is being collected for legal action. He called on the justice system to hold those responsible accountable. The provincial prosecutor's office has also issued warnings against spreading rumors about Ebola, as such misinformation impedes crucial efforts to combat the epidemic, which has already affected over 700 people in Ituri and resulted in approximately 100 deaths.

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We strongly condemn these acts of xenophobia and warn their perpetrators, as we are collecting all these messages to present them to justice.