DRC: Gunmen kill police officer in Rubaya (North Kivu) Feb. 28 – Mar. 1

Event

Unidentified gunmen killed a police officer and wounded two others at a coltan deposit in Masisi territory's Rubaya area (North Kivu province) overnight (local time) from Thursday, February 28, to Friday, March 1. Similar attacks on coltan mining areas are possible in North Kivu province over the near term.

Context

Coltan is mined in eastern DRC to be refined into tantalum for use in capacitors in consumer electronics. Central Africa has become one of the world's most significant production regions for coltan in recent years.

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. 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

Individuals in North Kivu province are advised to monitor developments to the situation, remain vigilant for militant activity, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities and their home governments.