DRC: One killed in protests in Bukavu (east) September 25

Event

Media sources reported that a teenager was killed during protests on Monday, September 25, in Bukavu, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The teenager was reportedly killed after police fired into the crowd of protesters when tear gas failed to disperse the them. Residents were protesting the precarious security situation in the region, including a recent rise in armed robberies. Demonstrators also reportedly erected roadblocks in the Panzi neighborhood, and set a local police station on fire.

In an unrelated incident, at least 34 prisoners escaped a prison in Mwenga on Sunday, September 24. Officials are urging people in Mwenga and neighboring territories to exercise vigilance and report any suspicious individuals to police.

Context

The security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, including North and South Kivu provinces, is generally volatile due in large part to the presence of numerous rebel groups and armed criminal gangs operating in the region.

Attacks on prisons and prison breaks have occurred across the country in 2017. In June, at least 900 prisoners escaped in Beni, North Kivu, after an unknown group assaulted the facility. On May 17, over 4,000 prisoners escaped from Makala prison in Kinshasa.

Advice

Individuals present in the DRC are advised to monitor the situation, maintain a high degree of situational awareness, and avoid all rallies and demonstrations due to the risk of violence.

More generally, a number of Western governments advise their citizens against travel to the east and northeast of the country for various security reasons.