A double attack by CODECO leaves at least ten dead in the DRC

1 May. (EUROPE PRESS) –

At least ten people have been killed this weekend in a double attack carried out by suspected members of the Cooperative for the Development of Congo (CODECO) militia in Djugu, located in the Congolese region of Ituri, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo ( DRC).

According to local authorities, CODECO members have attacked several villages, killing peasants and stealing property from the victims, reports Radio Okapi.

In addition, armed men have attacked a truck carrying aid for the displaced, killing the soldiers who were escorting this vehicle.

While military sources have indicated that there are three soldiers among the dead, the Congolese Army (FARDC), which has not confirmed the balance of victims, has asked the inhabitants of the region to move away from the insured perimeters, according to the aforementioned station.

CODECO is predominantly made up of members of the Lendu community. The increase in their attacks in recent months has brought to mind the conflict between the Hema and the Lendu between 1999 and 2007 over grazing rights and political representation, which left nearly 50,000 dead, in an area shaken by operations. of various armed groups.