At least six civilians were killed in an attack by the Cooperative for the Development of Congo (CODECO) militia in the Ituri province of northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The assault, which targeted the village of Ngili, sparked concerns over escalating violence in the region, particularly near camps for internally displaced people.
According to Radio France Internationale's African bulletin, Congolese military forces and UN peacekeepers from the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DR Congo (MONUSCO) intervened to repel the attackers.
The assault occurred just a kilometer from two camps housing displaced civilians. After a prolonged exchange of gunfire, the combined forces of the UN and the Congolese military successfully pushed back the militia fighters. One of the attackers was captured during the operation.
The attack caused widespread panic, leading to the evacuation of the two camps, with hundreds of civilians fleeing to the nearby town of Bule, about 15 kilometers away. Bule hosts a UN military base, providing temporary refuge for the displaced.
Michel Mita Wani, head of the Union of Cultural Associations for the Development of Ituri, emphasized that the ongoing violence in the region is largely due to the failure to disarm local militias.
He called for increased military presence and further action on disarmament programs to curb violence and restore regional peace.
Ituri has long been a hotspot for militia activity, with groups like CODECO perpetrating violent attacks against civilians.
The instability has displaced tens of thousands of people, complicating efforts to stabilize the region. Despite peacekeeping efforts, violence persists, as disarmament and reintegration programs struggle to take hold amid the chaos.
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