In a devastating surge of violence, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ituri province witnessed a brutal assault by militia forces, culminating in the tragic loss of 25 innocent lives. The Cooperative for the Development of Congo (CODECO), a notorious militia group, carried out the heinous attack in the village of Galayi, situated 70 kilometers northwest of Bunia city. The initial aftermath revealed 10 victims, but a grim discovery on Sunday brought the toll to 25, according to Banzala Danny, a local chief, and Vital Tungulo, a civil society leader.
An internal United Nations document and Jules Ngongo, the spokesperson for the governor of Ituri province, confirmed the attack and the preliminary death count. Ngongo expressed a firm commitment to bringing the perpetrators to justice, emphasizing the government’s dedication to ensuring accountability for the atrocious acts.
This surge in violence marks a significant escalation in the human rights crisis engulfing Ituri province, already a hotbed of conflict and unrest due to the activities of various militia groups. The United Nations Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO) highlighted the worsening situation in a recent report, pointing out the increasing frequency and brutality of CODECO attacks since the year’s start.
CODECO, alongside the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), bears the grim distinction of being the primary perpetrators behind the majority of civilian casualties in eastern DRC, as detailed in a report by the United Nations peacekeeping mission. The continuous violence underscores the urgent need for concerted efforts to restore peace and protect vulnerable communities in this strife-torn region of Congo.
The international community’s attention is once again drawn to the dire situation in eastern Congo, calling for immediate action to address the root causes of the conflict and provide necessary aid to the affected populations. As the death toll rises, the call for peace and stability in the region grows louder, with the hope of ending the cycle of violence and suffering that has plagued the Congo for far too long.
