Editor's note

It’s two years since DRC President Joseph Kabila’s mandate ended. He has lost all legitimacy and his authority is disintegrating, yet an election has still to be held. Andrew Edward Tchie warns that there are renewed fears that Kabila will change the rules and run again, raising the real possibility that a violent reaction could spill over into the entire Great Lakes region.

Close to 80% of South Africans over the age of 60 suffer from high blood pressure or hypertension. But only a quarter seek treatment. To change this, a project was launched that involved getting lay health workers to help nurses at clinics. The outcome was both encouraging and disappointing: while the experience patients had was much improved, having lay workers involved didn’t reduce the prevalence of hypertension in the community. Jane Goudge, Felix Limbani, Francesc Xavier Gomez-Olive Casas and Margaret Thorogood explain.

Julius Maina

Regional Editor East Africa

Top story

President Kabila’s time in government has shown an inability to bring together the various ethnic groups. EPA/Michael Kappeler

DRC faces upsurge of violence unless a deal is done with Kabila

Andrew Edward Tchie, University of Essex

African leaders need to acknowledge the gravity of the Congo crisis and apply pressure on Kabila.

Health + Medicine

Business + Economy

From our international editions