26 Apr. (EUROPE PRESS) –
The Army of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has regained control of ten towns in the province of Ituri (east) after fighting with the Cooperative for the Development of Congo (CODECO) militia, which has increased its activities in the area during the last weeks.
According to information collected by the Congolese radio station Radio Okapi, the military advances come after five days of operations in the Mungwalu commune, located in the territory of Djugu, one of the most affected by insecurity.
After that, the activities of stores and schools have begun to resume, while the Army has reinforced its positions, according to local sources. CODECO had taken control of the area after an offensive launched on April 15, which allowed it to take several towns in Djugu.
The mayor of Mungwalu, Jean-Pierre Bikilissende, has specified that some of those displaced after the CODECO offensive have begun to return to their homes, after nearly ten days of almost total paralysis in the area.
The CODECO militia is predominantly made up of members of the Lendu community, following the increase in assaults since June 2019 and inter-community clashes between the Lendu and the Hema in Ituri, which bring to mind the conflict between the two communities between 1999 and 2007 for grazing rights and political representation.
