Armed militants have killed over 35 civilians in an assault on a group of villages in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to a village chief and a lawmaker on Tuesday. The search for additional bodies is anticipated to significantly increase the death toll.
Jean Vianney, the head of the Djaiba village cluster in Djugu territory, Ituri province, reported that CODECO militants initiated the attack around 8 p.m. on Monday, executing residents indiscriminately and setting homes ablaze.
“We have confirmed more than 35 fatalities this morning, and the search continues. There are injuries, and many have perished in their homes due to the flames,” he stated.
Floribert Byaruhanga, a member of parliament for Djugu territory, indicated that the current death toll exceeds 40 and is expected to rise further. “Some individuals were shot, while others suffered beheading,” he noted.
Local civil society leader Jules Tsuba reported that 49 bodies had been accounted for by Tuesday morning, with ongoing efforts to locate more.
Survivor Daniel Kisembo recounted to Reuters that he had seen 51 bodies, most of which were burned beyond recognition. He also mentioned that some victims had been decapitated with machetes.
Witness Romeo Bahigwa, who arrived at the scene on Tuesday morning, claimed to have seen 82 bodies.
CODECO is one of numerous militias vying for control over land and resources in eastern Congo. The United Nations has previously accused it of committing attacks against other communities, including the Hema herders, which may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. The majority of Djugu territory’s residents belong to the Hema community.
“The victims are from the Hema community,” Vianney stated, adding that Congolese soldiers and U.N. peacekeepers present in the area did not intervene.
Provincial army spokesman Jules Ngono asserted that soldiers attempted to assist but arrived too late to prevent the tragedy.
“What occurred in the Djaiba group is the most devastating in terms of loss of life among our people, and we strongly condemn it,” he expressed via telephone.
The U.N. peacekeeping mission in Congo, MONUSCO, has not yet responded to requests for comment. A source from the United Nations, who requested anonymity, indicated that peacekeepers were deployed in response to a separate CODECO assault on a nearby camp for displaced individuals on Sunday night. The source further noted that CODECO subsequently targeted villages on Monday that are located at a greater distance, with the current reported death toll ranging from 49 to 55.
