Deadly Attack on Displaced Persons Camp in Eastern DR Congo

A devastating assault on a displaced persons camp in Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo, has left 10 people dead and 15 injured.

The attack was carried out by the Cooperative for the Development of Congo (Codeco), a militia group aligned with the Lendu ethnic group.

The victims were mostly women and children who were brutally killed with machetes and firearms.

The Djangi camp, located about 60 kilometers from Bunia, was caught off guard by the attackers, who descended upon the camp in large numbers. Richard Likana, the camp’s head, described the horrific scene, while a Red Cross employee confirmed the attack, highlighting the gruesome nature of the violence.

This incident is the latest in a long-standing conflict between the Lendu and Hema ethnic groups in Ituri province. The violence has resulted in thousands of deaths and mass displacement, with over 1.5 million people forced to flee their homes.

Codeco has been responsible for previous attacks on civilians, including a February 10 incident that killed 51 people, mostly displaced persons.

The conflict in Ituri province is fueled by ethnic tensions, land disputes, and control over natural resources.

The region has a history of brutal violence, with European forces intervening in the past to quell fighting between the Lendu and Hema. Despite this, the conflict reignited in 2017, leading to further humanitarian crises.

The attack on the Djangi camp is a stark reminder of the ongoing instability in the region and the need for sustained attention and support to protect civilians and address the root causes of the conflict.