DRC: Violent protest in Butembo September 11

Event

Civil society activists and students staged a protest in Butembo (North Kivu, northeast) on Monday, September 11, to denounce the government’s perceived failure to address rising insecurity in the city. According to local sources, security forces were deployed to the area in response to the demonstration, and shots were heard in the Furu district (located in the north of Butembo) to disperse the protesters who reportedly burned tires on roads. Multiple protesters were reportedly injured in the confrontation. Further protests, and associated violence, cannot be ruled out.

Context

Since the beginning of the year, Butembo residents have regularly denounced security issues in the city, which is located in the war-torn region of North Kivu.

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.

Advice

Individuals present in Butembo are advised to monitor local developments, to maintain a high degree of situational awareness, and to 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.