DRC: Two British tourists abducted in North Kivu released May 13 /update 1

Event

Two British tourists were released on Sunday, May 13, after they were reportedly kidnapped by four unidentified armed men in Virunga National Park (North Kivu) near the village of Kibati on May 11. A driver was reportedly injured and released. One park ranger was also killed in the attack, the eighth to be killed this year in the park. According to local sources, the Virunga National Park has been suspended tourism in the area until further notice.The circumstances surrounding the release of the two British nationals are currently unclear, including whether the USD 200,000 (GBP 147,000) ransom demanded by the gunmen was paid, or if the kidnappers had been apprehended.

Context

On April 9, suspected Maï-Maï militiamen ambushed a vehicle belonging to park rangers in Virunga National Park, killing five park rangers and their driver.

The government's limited presence in the DRC's eastern provinces, including North Kivu, as well as the presence of numerous armed groups and local self-defense militias (Maï-Maï militias) have led to continued insecurity in the area. In 2017, North and South Kivu provinces recorded an increase in armed group activities. Humanitarian organizations have stated that security conditions in the Kivu regions present a major obstacle to delivering humanitarian assistance to those in need, as kidnappings, including of Congolese and foreign aid workers, are frequent in the area.

Advice

A number of Western governments advise their citizens against travel to the east and northeast of the country due to poor security conditions, including the presence of armed groups and a high risk of kidnapping. Professional security advice should be sought prior to travel.