A devastating attack by the CODECO militia in the Democratic Republic of Congo's Ituri province has left more than 45 people dead and a dozen injured, according to the United Nations peacekeeping mission. The assault, targeting displaced individuals at the Lala displacement site in Djugu territory, transpired between Sunday evening and Monday morning.
The U.N. peacekeeping mission expressed condolences to the victims' families and condemned the attack as a grave breach of international humanitarian law, emphasizing that such targeted attacks against civilians could constitute war crimes.
The CODECO militia, a coalition of Lendu ethnic groups, has been engaged in conflict with the Zaire self-defense group, predominantly composed of Hema ethnicity, since 2017. This conflict has recently escalated, resulting in numerous civilian casualties this year alone. In December, the United Nations reported CODECO's expansion of territorial control, attacks on civilians and Congolese military forces, and the imposition of taxes on communities under their control.
This tragic incident occurs amidst a broader surge in violence across eastern Congo, a region grappling with decades of conflict involving over 120 armed groups. These groups primarily vie for land and control of mineral-rich mines, while others aim to protect their communities. The ongoing violence underscores the complex and deeply rooted challenges facing the region.
