MSF says rebel rules cut care for rape survivors in North Kivu
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said the number of people seeking its care for sexual violence in North Kivu fell 41 percent in August compared to January. The charity links the fall to measures imposed by the M23 rebels, who run the area.
MSF said the measures target health workers and humanitarian organisations in North Kivu, in eastern DR Congo. It says they caused a sharp fall in consultations. The charity says the rules pressure health workers to reduce the reported number of victims, by limiting recognition of sexual violence to people with visible injuries.
MSF also says the measures include intrusive and medically unnecessary examinations to prove violence. It says victims must report to police within 72 hours of an assault before they seek care. MSF said the rules "raise serious concerns about medical confidentiality, medical ethics, victim and survivor protection and access to healthcare".
The M23 is an armed anti-government group backed by Rwanda. A new group, the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation, took over the M23 last month. Former president Joseph Kabila leads that group.
Key facts
- Who
- Doctors Without Borders (Medical charity, known by its French acronym MSF, which issued the statement); M23 (Armed anti-government group backed by Rwanda, described as de facto…); Joseph Kabila (Former president who leads the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN)); Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (New group that took over the M23 last month, according to the article)
- What
- MSF said measures by de facto authorities in North Kivu on health workers and humanitarian organisations led to a sharp fall in consultations, and that the number of people seeking its care for sexual violence fell 41 percent in August compared to January. MSF says the measures raise serious concerns about medical confidentiality and ethics.
- When
- 2 November 2026
- Where
- North Kivu, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, DR Congo
- Status
- Reported