At least 11 civilians have been killed by Cooperative for the Development of Congo (CODECO) militia attacks in about ten villages in Djugu territory, Ituri province, located in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The CODECO militiamen, who attacked simultaneously from Petsi, Bambou, Nyangarayi, Mbau and Digene, have burned houses and looted property of the local population, as reported by the Congolese radio station Radio Okapi.
The DRC Armed Forces arrived at the scene of the attacks when the aggressors had already withdrawn, and some local politicians and members of civil society have called on the government to increase the military presence in these regions.
The inhabitants of Ituri have been forced to move on a massive scale due to the continuous attacks by militias that refuse to adhere to the peace process in the country.
The CODECO militia, mainly composed of members of the Lendu community, has perpetrated numerous attacks in recent weeks, including one against the Plaine Savo displaced persons camp which resulted in the death of more than 60 civilians.
Ituri and North Kivu provinces have been under siege since May 2021, when Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi ordered the provinces to be placed under military command to reinforce operations against the various rebel groups operating in the area.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
