Suspected militants launched a violent raid in the north-eastern Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of Congo on Friday, killing at least 30 civilians, including women and children. The attack, which took place in the district of Banyali Kilo, was confirmed by Army spokesperson Jules Ngongo Tshikudi, who stated that the military was still searching the area and did not provide a death toll.
The head of a local civil society group, Charite Banza, condemned the attack and reported that the militants had looted property, set fire to several houses, and killed around 30 people. Banza added that both men and women were among the dead. Local resident Jean Basiloke confirmed Banza’s account, stating that the bodies of 35 people had been counted, including children.
Members of the CODECO group, one of several dozen armed militias operating in Congo’s eastern region, were held responsible for the attack. The country has been plagued by instability and violence from various armed groups in its densely forested eastern territories for years. The government declared a state of siege in Ituri and neighbouring North Kivu province in 2021 in an attempt to quell the violence, but the situation has yet to improve.
The attack in Banyali Kilo is just the latest in a string of violent incidents in the area. In March, another armed group killed at least 10 civilians in a raid on a village in the same province. The United Nations warned earlier this month that the humanitarian situation in Congo’s eastern territories was deteriorating rapidly, with more than 2 million people displaced by violence and insecurity.
The government has struggled to contain the numerous armed groups operating in the eastern region of the country. The various militias are often fighting for control of mineral-rich territory, and their actions have led to widespread displacement, sexual violence, and human rights abuses.
Humanitarian organizations have urged the international community to provide additional support to help alleviate the crisis in Congo’s eastern provinces. The UN has deployed a peacekeeping force, MONUSCO, to the country to help maintain stability, but the situation remains volatile.
The recent attack in Banyali Kilo underscores the urgent need for a long-term solution to the violence in Congo’s eastern region. The government must work to address the root causes of the conflict, including poverty, corruption, and the exploitation of natural resources. The international community must also provide additional support to help stabilize the region and protect the civilian population from further violence.
In the meantime, the people of Ituri province continue to suffer the devastating effects of the ongoing conflict. Families have been torn apart, communities have been destroyed, and innocent civilians have been caught in the crossfire. The government and international community must act quickly to bring an end to the violence and provide much-needed assistance to those affected by the crisis.
Who are the CODECO group in the DRC?
The Cooperative for the Development of the Congo (CODECO) is an armed militia group operating in the northeastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The group is primarily composed of members of the Lendu ethnic community, and it has been accused of carrying out numerous violent attacks against other ethnic groups, particularly the Hema. The conflict between the Lendu and Hema communities in Ituri province dates back decades, with the two groups fighting for control of land and resources in the region. The CODECO group’s actions have led to a humanitarian crisis in Ituri, with over 1.2 million people displaced as a result of the conflict. Despite efforts to address the conflict, the group continues to operate in the region, and no progress has been made towards a peaceful resolution.
