Democratic Republic of Congo: Second MSF colleague shot dead in Masisi
MSF urges end to violence against civilians, humanitarian workers
On the evening of April 18, a Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) health worker was shot dead in his home in Masisi town, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by a gunman in a military uniform. A nurse at Masisi general referral hospital, he is the second MSF staff member to be killed in Masisi town, North Kivu province in the past two months and the third to be fatally shot in North Kivu this year.
Earlier in the evening of April 18, two armed men dressed in military fatigues and carrying assault rifles attacked and robbed civilians in Masisi town, before breaking into the house of the MSF nurse to rob residents. During the incident, the attackers opened fire, fatally wounding the MSF nurse with two shots to the chest.
“We strongly condemn this terrible act, which cost our colleague his life and which reflects the severely deteriorating security situation we have witnessed in North and South Kivu since the beginning of the year,” says Emmanuel Lampaert, MSF country representative in DRC. “Week after week, our teams are not only witnesses but also victims of violent incidents targeting civilians, humanitarian workers and medical facilities. This must stop immediately.”
“In addition to armed violence that directly affects our hospitals and bases, on a daily basis we are witnessing persistently high levels of crime and repeated violent incidents affecting civilians, especially at night: murders, sexual violence, gunshot wounds, extortion, home invasions, intimidation and more.”
Mathilde Guého, MSF head of programs in North Kivu
Since early 2025, MSF teams have witnessed violent incidents on an almost daily basis – and on several occasions have been injured or lost their lives. In the space of four months, three MSF staff have been shot dead in North Kivu, either in the course of their work or because of violence against civilians.
On Feb. 20, an MSF radio operator on duty at MSF’s base in central Masisi was killed in a crossfire between VDP/Wazalendo and M23/AFC fighters. A few days later, another MSF worker was shot dead in the middle of the night at his home in Goma. In the past few months, other colleagues have been shot and wounded, the most recent of whom is currently hospitalized in Goma.
“Even in locations where armed clashes have ceased, insecurity is everywhere,” says Mathilde Guého, MSF head of programs in North Kivu. “In addition to armed violence that directly affects our hospitals and bases, on a daily basis we are witnessing persistently high levels of crime and repeated violent incidents affecting civilians, especially at night: murders, sexual violence, gunshot wounds, extortion, home invasions, intimidation and more.”
Some 15 violent incidents have directly affected MSF teams, ambulances, offices and the health facilities it supports since January. In response, MSF calls on the competent authorities to hold those carrying weapons accountable and to take immediate measures to ensure the safety of civilians and humanitarian workers. Authorities also need to combat crime and to put an end to the abuses MSF teams witness daily.
“We remind all parties – M23/AFC, VDP/Wazalendo, FARDC – that the protection of civilians and their property in conflict zones is a legal obligation,” says Lampaert. “All relevant authorities must act urgently to uphold this responsibility.”
In DRC, nearly 3,000 locally and internationally hired staff work directly for MSF, alongside Ministry of Health staff, to provide medical care to people in vulnerable situations across the country.
