An aid worker with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has died from gunshot wounds in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), where rebels backed by Rwanda continue their offensive.
Jerry Muhindo Kavali, 49, was shot while working in the MSF office in Masisi. He was rushed to a hospital in Goma but succumbed to his injuries on Saturday. His colleagues described him as a dedicated humanitarian who “always had a smile on his face.”
MSF condemned the attack, emphasizing that “even war has its rules.” The organization’s office had been struck by gunfire multiple times in recent weeks, highlighting the growing dangers for aid workers in the region.
Masisi has become a battleground between government-allied militias and rebels from the M23 and Alliance Fleuve Congo groups. The rebels have already taken control of key cities, including Goma and Bukavu, and continue to push forward.
The prolonged conflict in eastern DR Congo, fueled by mineral wealth and historic tensions stemming from the 1994 Rwandan genocide, has destabilized the region for over 30 years. Despite attempts to integrate rebels into the national army, violence persists.
In response to the crisis, the UN Security Council condemned the M23 offensive and called on Rwanda to withdraw its support for the rebels. Meanwhile, the US imposed sanctions on M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka and Rwandan minister James Kabarebe for their alleged roles in the conflict.
With violence escalating, experts warn of broader implications for stability across East Africa.
