Today's local press mainly comments on the explosion reported in FARDC ammunition damp in Mbandaka, Equateur province.

"The explosion occurred last Sunday, 3 p.m., leaving 3 people dead and 52 injured," says Le Palmarès.

In respect of the explosion, Le Phare reports, "investigations have been initiated to establish the cause of the explosion."

"Four FARDC officers of the 3rd military region have been arrested in connection with the explosion, as prime suspects and transferred to Kinshasa for investigations," says Le Palmarès, echoing military intelligence.

Le Phare recalls another explosion, "7 years ago that damaged part of Nd'jili airport's facility and killed 10 people."

In other news, Le Potentiel reports, "Saturday night, armed gangs in Congolese national police's clothes, opened fire on Anne-Marie Kalanga, journalist working for the State Radio and Television broadcast RTNC in his house." The journalist who is also coordinator of Association des Professionnels du Secteur de l'Environment, "sustained two bullets and her younger brother 1" further says Le Phare, noting, "the three armed gangs did not take anything away."

La Tempête des Tropiques reports "a meeting between DRC Government, MONUC and the Independent Electoral Commission IEC took place on Saturday to prepare UN Security Council's visit and to prepare the local elections."

About the elections L'Observateur highlights, "DRC Government wishes to see all the local elections take place simultaneously."