Rwanda-DR Congo border reopens as Ebola cases rise

The border crossing at Goma, linking the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with Rwanda, has been reopened after being closed for several weeks due to a surge in Ebola infections in the DRC’s North Kivu province. Congolese health authorities said the decision follows the implementation of new screening procedures and the deployment of additional medical staff to monitor travelers. The reopening allows the flow of humanitarian aid and trade, which had been severely disrupted, while both governments maintain that strict health protocols will remain in place.

Ebola, a viral hemorrhagic fever, has claimed over 100 lives in North Kivu since the outbreak began earlier this year, prompting the World Health Organization to declare a public health emergency. The DRC’s eastern region has also been plagued by armed conflict involving government forces, rebel groups such as the M23, and intercommunal militias. The fighting has displaced millions and hampered disease‑control efforts, creating a complex humanitarian crisis.

Officials from the DRC’s Ministry of Health indicated that the border’s reopening will be monitored through temperature checks, symptom questionnaires, and rapid diagnostic testing for anyone crossing. Rwanda’s health ministry echoed the commitment to joint surveillance and said it would support the DRC’s response with medical supplies. Trade groups welcomed the move, noting that the closure had halted the movement of essential goods, including food and fuel, into Goma’s markets.

The reopening does not signal an end to the Ebola threat; health workers continue to conduct vaccination campaigns and contact tracing. Both countries have urged residents to adhere to safety measures and to report any suspected cases promptly.