15 Apr 2020 | 05:08 PM UTC
DRC: CODECO militants kill 22 civilians in Djugu territory (Ituri province) April 11 /update 2
CODECO militants kill 22 civilians during overnight attack in Djugu territory (Ituri province) on April 11; ADF attack reported in Beni (North Kivu province) on April 14
Event
Suspected Cooperative for the Development of Congo (CODECO) militants killed 22 civilians in the village of Koli in Djugu territory (Ituri province) overnight on Saturday, April 11. Local reports suggest that the victims, who were mainly from the Hema ethnic community, were killed with machetes. The attackers reportedly looted a number of shops in the area before fleeing.
In a separate incident, at least two soldiers and a civilian were killed in an Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) attack near Beni (North Kivu province) on Tuesday, April 14. At least five ADF militants were also killed.
Similar attacks are possible in the region over the near term.
Context
The government's limited presence in the DRC's eastern provinces, as well as the presence of numerous armed groups and local self-defense militias, has led to continued insecurity in the area.
Advice
Individuals in Ituri and North Kivu provinces are advised to remain vigilant for militant activity, monitor developments to the situation, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments.
