The relentless violence in Djugu, Democratic Republic of Congo, persists, spreading fear among the locals. The recent assault by the Cooperative for the Development of Congo (Codeco) on Galay village near Bunia is a tragic reality.
Eyewitnesses recount the Saturday morning attack where Codeco militants callously shot at civilians, resulting in devastating human casualties. The distressing scenes of rescuers carrying victims’ bodies on stretchers highlight the magnitude of this tragedy.
The attacks are driven by the illegal exploitation of natural resources, mainly gold, funding local militias. Despite claiming to protect their communities, Lendu or Hema, these groups unleash terror and death on innocent civilians.
Since 2017, escalating violence has displaced thousands, with over a million and a half now displaced, presenting a massive humanitarian crisis. Immediate action is imperative to halt this violence and safeguard civilians from terror.
The recent Galay attack underscores the urgent need for coordinated interventions to end the region’s turmoil. Civilian lives should not be sacrificed for resource greed. Restoring peace and justice is vital for the Djugu conflict’s victims to secure a better future.
Recommended articles for further reading:
1. MONUSCO Strategic Decision in North Kivu: Strengthening Security Operations
2. Deaths in Custody: The Urgency of Prison Reform in Idiofa
3. RDC: Massacre d’au moins quinze civils dans l’Ituri