4 soldiers, 27 militiamen killed in clash in Democratic Republic of Congo

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) - The Democratic Republic of Congo army said Friday it lost four soldiers but killed nearly 30 militiamen in dayslong fighting in villages in Ituri in the northeast.

Clashes occurred Tuesday and Thursday in two villages in Djugu territory after militiamen from the Cooperative for the Development of Congo (CODECO) burned more than 20 houses and attacked a position of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC), according to army spokesman Lieut. Jules Ngongo.

“Twenty-seven CODECO militiamen were killed. We caused huge losses and damage in the camp of these militiamen and the search continues,” he said.

Fourteen civilians were killed early Friday during an incursion by CODECO militiamen, said Kivu Security Tracker, a monitor group focused on violence in the eastern part of the country.

And in a related incident, the Doctors Without Borders (MSF) medical charity said unknown gunmen attacked its vehicle in Ituri province Thursday, leaving two staff members injured.

Ituri has witnessed violence since late 2017 with the advent of the CODECO militia that claims to defend the Lendu community, made up largely of farmers who have had historic differences with their Hema community counterparts who are largely herders.

President Felix Tshisekedi proclaimed a “state of siege” in May in Ituri and North Kivu, replacing senior civilian officials in the state with army officers in a bid to curb growing insecurity orchestrated by armed groups, including CODECO and the Allied Democratic Forces.​​​​​​​