At least 69 killed after militia attack in eastern DR Congo

Saturday 09 - 20:49

At least 69 people, mostly civilians, were killed in late April following an attack by armed fighters linked to the CODECO militia in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to local and security sources.

The violence took place in Ituri Province, a resource-rich region bordering Uganda that has been affected for years by deadly conflicts and recurring communal violence. The CODECO (Cooperative for the Development of Congo) militia claims to defend the interests of the Lendu farming community against the Hema pastoralist community, a rivalry that has fueled long-standing tensions.

In addition to local militias, the region also faces attacks from the ADF (Allied Democratic Forces), an armed group originally from Uganda and linked to Islamic State, which has carried out repeated massacres in recent years.

According to civil society representatives, the violence escalated after clashes involving another armed group, the CRP (Popular Revolution Convention), which reportedly attacked positions held by the Congolese armed forces near Pimbo in the Djugu territory. In response, CODECO fighters launched retaliatory attacks on several nearby villages.

Local officials estimate that the death toll exceeds 70, while security sources confirm at least 69 deaths, including both civilians and combatants. The presence of armed groups in the area has made access difficult, delaying recovery efforts and the identification of victims.

Humanitarian sources report that bodies were left unattended for days in some locations due to insecurity. Only a portion of the victims has been buried so far, with many remains still uncollected.

The ongoing instability in eastern DRC highlights the complexity of overlapping conflicts involving ethnic militias, rebel groups, and national armed forces. Despite military operations launched by the government, violence continues to affect civilian populations, raising concerns over long-term security in the region.