1

Rwanda's defence minister has just reassured the local population that the attackers were not military men, but ordinary thieves, saying something like that they wouldn't be able to survive for more than an hour within the borders Rwanda.

But I don't know if this will reassure you.
You would be very unlucky to cross a rebel during your trek. The chance of getting hit by a car while you cross the street in your home town, is probably bigger.

www.igihe.com:
Le Ministre de la Défense, Gen. James Kabarebe trouve que le rwanda n’est pas du tout en guerre avec les FDLR (Forces Démocratiques de Libération du Rwanda), surtout quand on constate comment elles ont attaques les Secteurs administratifs frontaliers avec l’Est de la RDC d’où elles sont venues. Elles sont venues comme des voleurs. Ceci est différent de la tactique d’attaque militaire.Le Ministre Kabarebe a déclaré aux habitants de l’aire où les combats ont eu lieu que ces rebelles ne peuvent rien leur apporter parce que, eux-mêmes sont des brigands qui battent les forêts congolaises en attendant de venir collecter les récoltes des plantations d’honnêtes citoyens. et quand ce n’est pas cela, ils viennent piller.

2

"A new 2012 Gallup research paper has found Rwanda to be the safest place on the planet "

http://rwandaeye.com/news/1432/rwanda-safest-place-world-gallup/

http://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/index.php?i=15181&a=60827

3

I would not have known about the incident before I had read your post. My trek will be next week, and I am not going to cancel it (I would not get any money back anyway, I suppose). I dont't feel extremely well after reading your post, but I don't know any details, so I won't judge befor I get there.

4

It is a bit scary that a park ranger has been killed near Bisoke volcano, but on the other hand, it might be considered as a relatively isolated accident.
In the past 15 years or so, no tourist has been harmed in Rwanda's National Volcanoes Park, as far as I know.
Rwanda's army is pretty strong and well organzed, and if there is a danger, security measures willl be stepped up, the more so as gorilla tourism is an important source of income for the country.

5

I think it was a staff member of Kazi Camp which is operated by the Diane Fossey Gorilla Fund International that got killed in the attack and not a Gorilla trekker.

6

Awwwwwwwwwwww. This is sad news.

Thanks for the update, gozone

7

New Times newspaper, 12-12-12:

KAMPALA - The Ugandan government has reopened its western border post of Bunagana, a month after it had closed it on the request of the Congolese government.

Uganda’s Defence Minister Crispus Kiyonga told The New Times yesterday that the decision was aimed at allowing resumption of local trade between Uganda and DRC communities.

Bunagana was closed after Kinshasa complained that it was being used by the M23 rebels to make money in taxes levied on cross-border businesses.

“For example, there are school children who cross the border from the DRC side to attend classes in Uganda. The local population on either side of the border appealed to President Yoweri Museveni (of Uganda) and he in turn consulted President Joseph Kabila (of DRC),” the minister said.

However, Kiyonga said big trucks will not be allowed to use the route.

Francois Rucogoza, the head of the M23 delegation which is in the Ugandan capital of Kampala for peace talks with the Congolese government, welcomed the reopening of the border post.

He said the M23 would continue to follow up on the matter until the border resumes normal operations.

“We are happy that the residents around border can now exercise their right; they need to freely access food and other basic needs,” he said.

He said the closure had hurt businesses both in Goma and Rutshuru towns.

8

I did my gorilla trek mid December, and it was fantastic. The rangers and guides are doing a great job, and we all felt safe and enjoyed the beautiful gorillas every single second without any fear.