On Saturday, September 22^nd, rebels attacked Beni City, a city in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Beni City and surrounding areas are being attacked by the Allied Defence Forces which is a Ugandan rebel group. The Allied Defence Forces began operating in the region in 1995.

According to a doctor aiding in the Ebola outbreak, “the surprise attack happened in the streets of Beni city.” The attack began early in the evening went on for a period of 6 hours and disrupted efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak that has been raging in the area. The Beni City attack is part of the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In 2017, unrest in the country re-intensified when violent ethnic conflicts began.  By the end of 2017, the UN declared that there was a “mega-crisis” in the country as over a million people had fled the country within the year due to violence.

The violence in Beni City is particularly disturbing given the fact that in addition to the fear of losing their lives, residents are now at greater risk of contracting the deadly Ebola virus. It seems like there is little to hope for when the risk of death comes from two very dangerous fronts. Officials now have the task of trying to end the violence in the area and eradicate the Ebola outbreak. Currently, humanitarian workers aiding in the outbreak have ceased fieldwork until the area becomes more stable. This will leave the thousands who leave in the area more vulnerable to the risk of contracting Ebola. This conundrum highlights why there must be more effort to stabilize and create peace in the DRC.

18 casualties have been attributed to Saturday’s attack so far among which 14 were believed to be civilians and the remaining four were soldiers. Six civilians and four soldiers were also said to be wounded in the attack.

On Sunday, protests began in Beni city in the aftermath of the attack. It is hoped that protests would remain peaceful and that efforts to stabilize the area and the country as a whole are swift. DRC is particularly vulnerable now with the threat of Ebola and violence from rebel groups thus peace efforts are urgently required.