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Assassination Attempt on Congolese Activist

Dr. Mukwege advocates for sexual abuse victims.

The world nearly lost one of its most important activists when four armed men attempted to assassinate Dr. Denis Mukwege in the Democratic Republic of Congo Thursday night, killing his security guard instead. Mukwege is known worldwide as an advocate women’s rights and survivors of sexual abuse in his country, and narrowly escaped the assassination by throwing himself on the ground to avoid gunfire. Dr. Mukwege is a recipient of numerous international awards including the U.N. Human Rights Prize, African of the Year, the Olof Palme Prize and the Clinton Global Citizen Award. He has been nominated several times for the Nobel Peace Prize. The identity of the armed men and their whereabouts are unknown.