A horrific militia attack in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo left at least 60 dead.
According to the witnesses and the head of a local humanitarian based group, a militia attacked a camp of displaced persons in the early hours of Wednesday.
The sources confirm that the CODECO militia is behind the ferocious attack which took place around 0200 local times at the Savo camp.
The army spokesperson from Ituri, Jules Ngongo confirmed that CODECO militia was behind this fatal attack.
CODECO militia has been responsible for hundreds of killings in the Ituri province in recent years. The same militia also made thousands of residents flee the area.
The recent attack was a targeted attack over the displaced person’s camp.
“I first heard cries when I was still in bed. Then several minutes of gunshots. I fled and I saw torches and people crying for help and I realized it was the CODECO militiamen who had invaded our site,” said Lokana Bale Lussa, a camp resident.
He further stated, “we have counted more than 60 dead and more seriously injured.”
The resident of the local humanitarian group, Charite Banza Bavi stated that the death toll to be precise is 63 and it might increase as some of the injured are also in critical condition.
According to the U.N. migration agency, the Savo displacement camp was home to more than 4000 people. CODECO militia fighters mainly belong to the Lendu community of farming in Congo. They have lifelong conflicts with the herders belonging to the Hema community. In recent years they have repeatedly started to target these displacement camps where people have taken refuge from them as they attack civilians.
