Former Rebel Fighters Join Campaign Against Ebola In The DR Congo


Former rebels in the DR Congo are now supporting Ebola prevention awareness in their communities. Photo Credit: MONUSCO

August 16, 2026

By UN News

Key Takeaways

Twenty-seven demobilised former rebels in Ituri Province’s Tchomia locality have been trained and deployed as community mobilisers to promote Ebola prevention behaviours such as handwashing, symptom recognition and prompt reporting of suspect cases.

The current Bundibugyo-species Ebola outbreak is already among the deadliest in DRC history, with over 2,000 deaths, rapid spread complicated by conflict, poor infrastructure and limited healthcare access, and risks of further expansion.

The initiative, supported by MONUSCO, serves both public-health and stabilisation goals by integrating former combatants into community efforts and reinforcing social cohesion after demobilisation.

Demobilised former combatants are actively joining the fight against Ebola by participating in public information campaigns in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Twenty-seven former rebels are being deployed as community mobilisers in the Tchomia locality of Ituri Province to promote behaviours that prevent the spread of the deadly virus.
A deadly outbreak

The Ebola outbreak is on track to become the deadliest epidemic in the history of the DRC.


The latest information states that the current outbreak has already killed 2,000 lives across the country.

Caused by the Bundibugyo species, for which there is not yet an approved vaccine, the outbreak is spreading quickly.

Conflict, poor roads and the lack of access to healthcare are making it difficult to contain. It has recently reached a sixth province in the DR Congo, and it is threatening to spread to neighbouring South Sudan, according to media reports.
Rebel combatants turned community mobilisers

Eastern DRC has suffered years of instability as rebel groups have continued to fight government forces, driving millions of people from their homes.

The UN peacekeeping mission, MONUSCO, has supported the demobilisation of former rebels.


After receiving training on prevention measures and detection of suspect cases, the rebels-turned community mobilisers were sent to heavily frequented areas across Tchomia including the central market, the town centre, and the animal feed production site.

They emphasised the importance of regular handwashing, shared information on how to identify symptoms and stressed the need to promptly report suspect cases to health authorities.

“The idea here is to make these former combatants and community members active participants in the fight against Ebola,” said Florent Nzama, the coordinator of a local NGO network.

For MONUSCO the project serves a dual purpose: Responding to a public health emergency and contributing to stabilisation efforts by strengthening community cohesion.

“This action illustrates their involvement in community life after demobilization,” explained a MONUSCO representative.