DRC: UN reports at least 250 deaths in Kasai provinces

Event

The UN Office of the High Commission for Human Rights (OHCHR) released a report on rising ethnic violence in the Kasai provinces on Friday, August 4. According to OHCHR, an estimated 251 people, including 62 children, were killed in incidents of ethnic violence between March 12 and June 19. UN personnel interviewed residents fleeing the area, who claimed that local security forces and other officials actively planned or led attacks based on ethnicity. The UN Mission in the DRC has identified at least 80 mass graves in the Kasai provinces.

Context

In June, the DRC Catholic church released a report stating that at least 3383 people have been killed in the Kasai region since October 2016 due to the continuing conflict between the Kamuina Nsapu militia and government forces.

The Kamuina Nsapu militia has been mounting an insurgency against the government in Kasai-Central province since April 2016.  Fighting escalated following the death of a leader in clashes with the army in August 2016, and fighting has since spread into Kasai, Kasai-Oriental, and Lomami provinces. The ongoing crisis in the Kasai region brings the estimated total number of the DRC’s internally displaced persons (IDPs) to 2 million.

Advice

The political and security situation in DRC is complex. Travelers should consider making contingency plans in the event of violent political demonstrations, which should be avoided, and keep abreast of the developing situation.  Although travel is permissible in some areas, other areas may be considered off limits. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel.