More attacks in North Kivu

Incidents of banditry are on the rise in the Goma area of North Kivu, humanitarian sources reported on Thursday. The compound of MSF-Belgium was attacked last week by armed robbers, with communications equipment and flight tickets stolen. On 18 July, a truck preceding an MSF-Holland vehicle was attacked by “uncontrolled armed men” in the Masisi region, 6 km from Kitchanga. One person was killed and all the goods looted. As a result, MSF-Holland has suspended its activities in the area and its workers in Kitchanga have been recalled. The sources added that troops of the Rassemblement congolais pour la democratie (RCD-Goma) were mobilising in Goma town ahead of an operation to flush out “negative forces” in the Masisi region.

Meanwhile, the Sake area - west of Goma - continues to experience insecurity. Staff working for the NGO World Vision in Ngunge, near Sake, fled fighting between RCD troops and the Interahamwe at the weekend. As a result, a food destribution to Sake could not take place on Monday and the World Vision operation in the area was cancelled indefinitely until the security situation improved. World Vision is reviewing its activities elsewhere in the region. At least 40 people were killed in an attack on a displaced people’s camp in Sake earlier this month. [See also separate IRIN item of 27 July headlined “DRC: IRIN Feature on tension in North Kivu”]