Recent news in the Democratic Republic of Congo is marked by the tragic attack on the village of Lodjibua, in the region of Walendu Tatsi, located in the territory of Djugu, in Ituri. Residents were trapped in the violence of Zaire militia fighters, causing the death of four people, including three women and a child, and seriously injuring four other civilians.
This attack, perpetrated by around twenty fighters from Blukwa, in the Bahema-Nord chiefdom, sowed terror among the local population. The inhabitants of Lodjibua, already impacted by previous violence, saw a new wave of violence fall on them.
Testimonies report that this attack is part of a context of reprisals following the violence perpetrated by the CODECO armed group in neighboring communities. This recent violence in the localities of Café, Soba and Nyamamba has left a tragic toll of six deaths, including fighters from the Zaire group.
Faced with this alarming situation, Desiré Muguga, leader of local civil society, calls for rapid intervention by MONUSCO to evacuate the injured to the town of Bunia and calls for the deployment of armed forces to ensure the safety of innocent civilians.
It is essential that the international community and the Congolese authorities redouble their efforts to end the violence in the Ituri region and protect vulnerable populations.
In a context where peace and security are fragile, it is imperative to support initiatives aimed at establishing a climate of stability and protection of human rights in the region.