By Chris Muhizi for MCN.
On Tuesday, August 15, a CODECO militia raid on the communities of Ngongo and Babukela in Irumu territory (Ituri) resulted in 11 fatalities and 9 injuries.
More than 40 homes were burned, and a significant portion of the inhabitants in this area was relocated, according to local security sources.
These communities, which are about 10 KM from Bunia, were invaded by armed individuals who were later identified as CODECO fighters and were carrying rifles and bladed weapons.
They started shooting at bystanders, including artisanal gold miners at a mining location.
For its part, the civil society of the region of Irumu presents a tally of 15 fatalities and 12 injuries in the two entities.
Infighting between two groups of the FPIC militia, one of which is associated with a faction of CODECO, resulted in the deaths of more CODECO militia members in June of last year.
The civil society of the Irumu region denounces this attack, which is now the nth, and calls on the heads of the armed groups to honor their promise to a durable peace in Ituri.
Following conflicts between CODECO and FPIC in the same location in April of last year, more than 30 civilians perished, over 500 homes were set on fire, and two medical institutions were plundered.
Source Okapi Radio.