DRC militia threatens journalists with death and arson over critical reporting
Government-allied Wazalendo militia in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo have threatened to kill or capture Radio Tuungane journalist Anne Nanduhura and to burn down another radio station because of their critical coverage of government attacks and blockades. Nanduhura told the Committee to Protect Journalists she received three threats in June, including phone calls on 8 June and 10 June and a WhatsApp message on 20 June warning her that if the militia retakes Minembwe she would become 'their woman'. In March, Radio Tuungane was hit twice by drone strikes, and Wazalendo warned staff over reporting that implicated their forces. Separately, Radio Faraja director Zachee Kalume has been in hiding since late June after receiving multiple death threats by phone and text from Wazalendo leader Nehémie Ndaheba, who objected to the station's broadcast of a 30 May government order ordering fighters to leave Sange so army special forces could secure the area. The threats come as M23 and Congo River Alliance rebels withdrew from parts of South Kivu in May after the United States sanctioned former DRC president Joseph Kabila and Rwanda's army, accusing them of backing the rebel alliance in violation of a December peace deal. Both government and rebel forces have carried out high-profile drone strikes this year, increasing risks for journalists covering clashes and civilian harm. Many reporters have fled eastern DRC; those who remain face intimidation from all sides. For Nigerian journalists covering conflict zones, this underscores the need for robust safety protocols, solidarity networks, and vigilance against intimidation, prompting the question: what protective measures should media outlets put in place before assigning reporters to unstable regions?