Title: FARDC military operation against the CODECO militia in Ituri
On Saturday June 17, the Congolese army of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) carried out an offensive against the Cooperative for the Development of Congo (CODECO) militia in the village of Petro and its surroundings, in the territory of Djugu in Ituri.
At least seven localities occupied by the militia have been recovered by the army, according to military sources. The purpose of this military action is to put an end to the activism of this armed militia, implicated in the killing of 46 displaced persons from the Lala site the previous week.
Hostilities are taking place around Petro and Golo, about 80 kilometers north of Bunia. Local sources reported heavy gunfire all day Saturday. The FARDC declared having recovered seven localities previously controlled by CODECO.
However, a child lost his life in the clashes and several houses were burnt down, which led to population movements towards the village of Jiba.
The spokesman for the army in Ituri, who baptized this operation “Chase au jackal”, affirmed that these actions will continue to put out of harm’s way these armed men accused of committing serious human rights violations. ‘man.
This offensive against CODECO is an important step in the fight against the insecurity that has plagued the DRC for many years. However, it also recalls the importance of finding a political solution to the continuing violence in the regions of conflict