Two game rangers attached to the Virunga National Park post of Kamuhororo on the southern shores of Lake Edward in Rutshuru Territory, North Kivu Province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, have been killed by suspected armed militia fighters.
Management of the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN) identified the deceased as Valyathire Kasereka Baraka and Mihigo Jacques Munguakonkwa. The two rangers were killed on the morning of Thursday, May 21, 2026.
In a statement signed by Emmanuel de Merode, the provincial Director of ICCN, the two guards were carrying out their duties to protect the park when an unidentified heavily armed group attacked their position.
De Merode condemned the attack, describing it as “cowardly, barbaric and unacceptable.
He notes that the incident comes amid an already fragile security situation characterized by persistent armed conflict in eastern DR Congo.
He adds that the attack constitutes a serious violation of Congolese laws governing nature conservation and the protection of personnel tasked with safeguarding protected areas.
He calls for the immediate opening of investigations to identify both the perpetrators and masterminds behind the deadly assault and bring them to justice.
Despite the latest tragedy, de Merode said the ICCN remains committed to continuing its conservation mission and protecting Congo’s natural heritage within Virunga National Park, one of the most environmentally sensitive sites and among the hardest hit by armed violence in the Great Lakes region.
Kasereka Valyathire Baraka joined the ICCN in 2018 and served as a First Class Guard and Patrol Officer. He was 35 years old and is survived by his widow and two children.
Munguakonkwa Mihigo Jacques joined the ICCN in 2017 and served as a Senior Guard and Section Leader. He was 34 years old and is also survived by his widow and two children-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
