2026 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
| |||||
| Decades: | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| See also: | Other events of 2026 History of the DRC | ||||
Events of the year 2026 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Incumbents
[edit]Events
[edit]January
[edit]- 2 January –
- Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels kill at least 16 people during overnight attacks on the villages of Kilonge, Katanga, and Maendeleo in Lubero Territory, North Kivu.[1]
- The DRC assumes a two-year non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council for the first time since 1991.[2]
- M23 rebels accuse the FARDC of carrying out a drone strike that killed 22 people in Masisi Territory, North Kivu.[3]
- 13 January – At least 13 people are killed while 30 others are reported missing following a landslide in Burutsi, North Kivu.[4]
- 18 January – The FARDC retakes Uvira in South Kivu following M23's withdrawal.[5]
- 25 January – At least 25 people are killed in separate attacks on Apakulu and Walese Vonkutu in Ituri.[6]
- 28 January – More than 400 people are killed in a landslide at the Rubaya mines in North Kivu.[7]
February
[edit]- 1 February – The Congo River Alliance and M23 carry out a drone attack on Kisangani Airport.[8]
- 7 February – South Africa announces the withdrawal of its military contingent from MONUSCO.[9]
- 8 February – The ADF kills 66 people in an attack on Irumu, North Kivu.[10]
- 23 February – The Kavimvira border crossing between the DRC and Burundi reopens following a two-month closure caused by M23 offensives.[11]
- 24 February – Willy Ngoma, the spokesperson of M23, is killed in an FARDC drone strike near the Rubaya mines in North Kivu, along with at least eight others.[12][13]
Holidays
[edit]Source:[14]
- 1 January – New Year's Day
- 4 January – Martyrs' Day
- 16 January – Laurent-Désiré Kabila Assassination
- 17 January – Patrice Lumumba Assassination
- 14 February – Valentine's Day
- 8 March – Women's Day
- 20 March –
- 6 April – Kimbangu Memorial Day
- 30 April – Education Day
- 1 May – May Day
- 17 May – Liberation Day
- 21 June – June Solstice
- 30 June – Independence Day
- 1 August – Parents' Day
- 23 September – September Equinox
- 27 September – Tourism Day
- 21 December – December Solstice
- 24 December – Christmas Eve
- 25 December – Christmas Day
- 31 December – New Year's Eve
Deaths
[edit]- 24 February – Willy Ngoma, 52, military spokesman (March 23 Movement).[15]
References
[edit]- ^ Corey-Boulet, Robbie (2 January 2026). "Islamic State-linked rebels kill 15 in eastern Congo, officials say". Reuters. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
- ^ "DRC, Liberia among five new non-permanent UN Security Council members". Africanews. 3 January 2026. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
- ^ "M23 rebel group holds a symbolic funeral for victims of drone strike in eastern Congo". AP News. 9 January 2026. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
- ^ "Landslide in eastern Congo kills at least 13, leaves over 30 missing". Africanews. 13 January 2026. Retrieved 14 January 2026.
- ^ "Congolese soldiers reenter key eastern city after M23 rebels' withdrawal, army and residents say". AP News. 20 January 2026. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
- ^ "25 killed in attack by Islamic State-backed group in eastern Congo, rights group says". AP News. 26 January 2026. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ Bonnerot, Clement (30 January 2026). "More than 200 killed in coltan mine collapse in east Congo, official says". Reuters. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
- ^ "AFC/M23 rebels claim responsability[sic] for drone attack on Kisangani airport". Africanews. 4 February 2026. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
- ^ "South Africa to withdraw troops from UN mission in DR Congo". Africanews. 2026-02-08. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
- ^ "IS-linked rebels kill at least 20 in Congo village attack, army says". Africanews. 2026-02-09. Retrieved 2026-02-10.
- ^ "Key DRC-Burundi border reopens after two-month closure". Africanews. 2026-02-23. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ^ "M23 rebel spokesperson killed in Congo army drone strike, officials say". Reuters. 24 February 2026. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
- ^ "At least nine dead in Congo drone strike that killed rebel spokesperson, sources say". Reuters. 25 February 2026. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
- ^ "Holidays and Observances in Congo Democratic Republic in 2026". Time and Date. Retrieved 2026-01-03.
- ^ Stanis Bujakera Tshiamala; Romain Gras (2026-02-25). "DRC: Willy Ngoma, military spokesperson for AFC/M23, killed in drone strike". The Africa Report. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
