Democratic Republic Of The Congo-Virunga National Park Closed

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Closing Time

The Democratic Republic of Congo has shuttered Africa’s oldest national park until 2019 after the death of a ranger and the abduction of two British tourists by local rebels this year.

Virunga National Park Director Emmanuel de Merode said in a statement Monday that the world-famous home to mountain gorillas will remain closed until the end of the year to allow a thorough review of security precautions, the Guardian reported. The park will also beef up its force of 700 rangers.

Tourist activities in Virunga had been temporarily suspended after a May incident in which militants killed one ranger, wounded another and abducted two British tourists. At least 12 rangers have been killed in such incidents in the last 10 months, and more than 180 rangers have been killed in Virunga over the last 20 years.

Meanwhile, the DRC faces the specter of broader violence, due to political instability stemming from President Joseph Kabila’s refusal to step down in 2016 – possibly gearing up for an unconstitutional bid at a third term in elections slated for December.

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