In the northeast of the DRC, around twenty people were killed this Friday, June 21, in two new attacks by the Codeco militia, in the territory of Djugu in Ituri. The villages of Lodjo and Biyanda, stormed by Codeco, were previously under the control of the Zaire militia. These two groups have been clashing for several years, against a backdrop of community tensions. The Codecos claim to defend the Lendu and the Zaire claim to protect the Hema. The Congolese army denounces the non-compliance with the peace agreements signed last April.
2 mins
With our correspondent in Kisangani, Joseph Kahongo
In DRC, according to civil society, this double Codeco attack cost the lives of more than 20 people, civilians and soldiers. Civil society actor in the territory of Djugu, Cherubin N’Kuku Ndilawa calls for more protection for the populations: “ What we can plead with the authorities is to see how to strengthen military personnel in the region to impose state authority. We do not know the cause of these attacks, other than competition between two militias, each wanting to show its strength over the other. »
“ Respect their agreement »
Cherubin N’Kuku Ndilawa also calls for the acceleration of the application of ” Disarmament, demobilization, community recovery and stabilization program » to achieve peace.
Because despite the signing of this program in April 2024, the Zaire and Codeco militiamen continue to clash for control of mining areas, according to the spokesperson for the army in Ituri, Lieutenant-Colonel Jules Ngongo: “ The Codecos and the Zaires clash around the mining areas to exploit gold illegally. We ask them to respect their agreement. All those who do not respect it will be forced to respect it by force and justice », declared the army spokesperson in Ituri.
These violence with community connotations are not the only ones in Ituri. The province is also the scene of terrorist attacks, committed by the ADF, affiliated with the Islamic State terrorist group.
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