Kisangani "politically volatile"

Humanitarian sources say the political situation in Kisangani is very volatile, although overall security in Province Orientale has improved slightly. Four parties are now represented in the province - the RCD-Kisangani, RCD-Goma, the Mouvement de liberation congolais (MLC) of Jean-Pierre Bemba and the newly formed Mouvement pour la securite, la paix et le developpement (MSPD) of Willy Mishiki, erstwhile aide to Ernest Wamba dia Wamba of RCD-Kisangani. According to the local population, Wamba is gaining popularity for two main reasons: "his anti-Tutsi campaign and his support for the Lusaka peace process". The province however is becoming increasingly isolated. River traffic from Kinshasa has stopped, it is impossible to drive from Goma and supplies brought in by plane from Uganda are too costly for most people, many of whom are now only taking one meal a day. The nutritional quality of their food has reduced drastically. Security problems in North Kivu North Kivu meanwhile has experienced some security problems, after a military vehicle reportedly came under attack by Interahamwe militia in the Virunga national park on the Goma Rutshuru-Kanyabayonga road. Sources in touch with the region also said 15 people were killed when a convoy of vehicles was ambushed along the Sake-Mweso road, possibly by the Interahamwe. Local observers say there is disappointment in Goma over the RCD's refusal to sign the Lusaka accord. Possible cure for Ebola Laboratory tests have identified a plant which could halt the spread of the Ebola virus, the BBC reported on Tuesday. It quoted scientists as saying a compound from the garcinia kola plant, commonly found in west Africa, had proved effective against the virus as well as against some strains of influenza. The discovery was announced at the 16th International Botanical Congress in the US, the BBC said. If the compound proves successful in animal and human trials, it will be the first medicine to successfully treat Ebola. Civil servants striking Civil servants in Kinshasa went on strike Tuesday over pay issues, news reports said. Nine trade union officials were arrested during a demonstration calling for the removal of Finance Minister Mawampanga Mwana Nanga who is accused by civil servants of blocking their demand for increased salaries.