DRC: Attacks in Uvira (South Kivu) May 6

Event

According to local reports, militiamen attacked a village in the Uvira area (South Kivu) on Sunday, May 6.  The group reportedly set fire to houses, stole cattle, and looted local residences. At least two people were killed in the attack and several others injured. According to local sources, armed men behind the clashes come from the Bafulero and Banyamulenge communities - who have been fighting since April 30. An increased security presence has been deployed to the area.

Context

Numerous armed groups are active across the DRC, including ethnic-based self-defense militia groups. Violent clashes between these groups and government forces, as well as between rival groups, are common.

The security situation in the east of the country, including South Kivu, is particularly worrisome. Between May 2016 and April 2018, at least 2459 people were killed in clashes - twice as many compared to the 2014-2016 period. The security situation in neighboring North Kivu has also resulted in 1343 people killed during the same period. The situation prompted several civil society organizations to call for concrete government actions and to demand an International Criminal Court investigation. 

Advice

Those present in South Kivu are advised to avoid the area and monitor the situation.

For various security reasons, a number of Western governments advise their citizens against travel to much of the country, and professional security advice should be sought prior to travel.