At least 17 hostages executed by CODECO in northeast DRC

March 27 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The militias of the Cooperative for the Development of Congo (CODECO) have executed, in retaliation for the kidnapping of several members of the guerrilla, at least 17 hostages in the territory of Djugu, which is located in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. (DRC), in the province of Ituri.

The victims were passengers traveling through the area in various vehicles, when armed individuals took them hostage in retaliation for the death of three CODECO members in an ambush on Friday night, Radio Okapi has reported.

For his part, the governor of Dujgu has regretted that this armed group continues to sabotage his commitment to peace, as the aforementioned station has learned.

The CODECO militia, made up mainly of members of the Lendu community, have carried out numerous attacks in recent weeks, including one against the Plaine Savo displacement camp that left more than 60 civilians dead.

The provinces of Ituri and North Kivu have been under a state of siege since May 2021, when the Congolese president, Félix Tshisekedi, gave the order to place them under military command to reinforce operations against the various rebel groups operating in the area.