Congolese militias have killed 333 civilians during the first quarter of the year in Djugu territory alone

9 Apr. (EUROPE PRESS) –

At least 333 civilians have died and more than 120 have been kidnapped by Congolese militias during the first three months of the year alone in the territory of Djugu, in the province of Ituri (northeast of the country), according to the latest balance of the forces of Congolese security.

The Congolese Army attributes most of the deaths to the militias of the Cooperative for Development in Congo (CODECO), to which it attributes dozens of incursions that have also resulted in at least 700 homes being completely destroyed.

The report of the security services indicates that there have been more than 170 cases of incursions by the militias in different locations.

Thus, 333 civilians were killed and another 125 taken hostage and dozens are missing. The report also estimates that 72 militants were killed and more than 60 wounded during the fighting against the Congolese Army, according to the balance collected by Radio Okapi.

On the Army side, there are 42 deceased soldiers, including two colonels.

The provinces of Ituri and North Kivu are among the most violent territories on the African continent. Numerous armed groups operate there, such as CODECO, the March 23 Movement or the fearsome Allied Democratic Forces, to which the United Nations blames the killings of more than 1,200 civilians in 2021.