The situation remains tense in Ituri province, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), following several intercommunal clashes earlier this week. At least 11 people died in Djugu territory in attacks launched by armed groups. This violence is part of a cycle of reprisals between Hema and Lendu communities.
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On the morning of Thursday, September 19, the Congolese army and soldiers from the United Nations mission in Congo (MONUSCO) intervened to prevent one of the attacks on displaced persons sites.
According to MONUSCO, its peacekeepers were warned Thursday morning shortly after 8am of an attack on the village of Nglé located one kilometre from two displaced persons sites. With elements of the Congolese army, the peacekeepers intervened and, after an exchange of fire, managed to repel the attackers. The latter were Codeco militiamen and came in large numbers, according to the spokesperson for the UN mission, without giving further details. One of the attackers was captured.
According to a civil society actor, the attack on the village left at least six people dead. Since then, the two nearby displaced persons camps have emptied. Several hundred civilians have found refuge about fifteen kilometers away, in Bule, where there is a United Nations military base.
A disarmament program at a standstill
Despite the signing of an agreement in April 2024the cycle of violence has resumed in recent days between the Hema and Lendu community militias. This agreement provided for the establishment of a disarmament, demobilization, community recovery and stabilization program (PDDRC-S).
According to Michel Meta Wani, president of the Union of Cultural Associations for the Development of Ituri (Unadi), which brings together all the communities of Ituri, the problem comes from the local militias who have not yet disarmed despite the agreement: “ This is an area where there are minerals and the fact that the armed groups keep their weapons gives a balance of power in their favor. These minerals give these armed groups the means to supply themselves with ammunition and to survive and so the situation gets even worse. »
Michel Meta Wani calls for a greater military presence to advance the disarmament program and contain the violence.
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