Eye | Dr Denis Mukwege Assasination Attempt in Congo

Noted Women’s Rights Activist in Congo Eludes Group of Gunmen NY Times

On Thursday evening, a group of unidentified gunmen entered the home of the activist, Dr. Denis Mukwege, forcing his two daughters and their friend onto the floor and threatening to shoot them if they made any noise, according to a statement from Physicians for Human Rights, a humanitarian organization based in the United States. Dr. Mukwege, a past Nobel Peace Prize nominee and ferocious advocate for women, is devoted to treating women rape victims with an emphasis on repairing fistulas. 

The gunmen forced their way into his car, and one stepped out and trained his gun on the doctor. Then one of his security guards appeared out of nowhere. The gunman menacing Dr. Mukwege whirled around and opened fire on the guard instead, Dr. Mukwege said, then fired at him. “They were shooting bullets in my direction,” he said. He scrambled to get away, and the assailants ran out of ammunition without hitting him. “And then they just jumped again in the car.”

Dr. Mukwege’s family was unharmed but his security guard — Papa Djef, as he was known to the family — was killed. “He was like my child,” Dr. Mukwege said. “He was really a brave man. He just paid his life to save mine.”

AOC has long tracked the atrocities against women of the Congo, with a special focus on Smart Sensuality woman Eve Ensler and a top supporter and advocate for women in East Africa, Charlize Theron.