DRC: MSF staff attacked in Mweso, North Kivu December 4

Event

According to local sources, unidentified gunmen forcibly entered a Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) facility in the town of Mweso (North Kivu) before assaulting and robbing the organization's staff. MSF condemned the attack but announced it would maintain its presence in Mweso.

Context

Mweso is located 65 km (40 mi) northwest of Goma. There have been a growing number of attacks against mine workers and NGOs operating in the region, a manifestation of the state's limited presence in the eastern provinces and the presence of numerous armed groups and local self-defense militias (Maï-Maï militias). In March, two members of a UN Group of Experts - a Swede and a US national - were kidnapped and subsequently killed in Kasai-Central province, which has also seen an uptick in violence.

Advice

Due to these and other security concerns, many Western governments advise their citizens against all travel to the provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu (particularly outside the cities of Goma and Bukavu), as well as the northeast portion of Eastern province and the northern part of Katanga due to the presence of armed groups. Certain governments also advise against nonessential travel to the rest of the country.