On 16 September 2024, in the tumultuous Ituri region, a patrol of MONUSCO’s Nepalese peacekeepers was confronted with an armed attack by the fearsome CODECO militia. While carrying out their daily security mission around the Gina displaced persons camp, the peacekeepers faced a violent attack in the market area, endangering the lives of thousands of innocent civilians.
Faced with this imminent threat, the peacekeepers acted with determination, managing to neutralize a militiaman and repel the attackers, thus saving many lives. However, despite their bravery, two civilians unfortunately lost their lives during this attack, including a 14-year-old boy, victims of the blind and indiscriminate violence of CODECO members.
The scenes of looting, ransacking and fires that accompanied the attack are a sad reflection of the cruelty of these armed groups that are rampant in the region, mercilessly destroying everything in their path. The inhabitants of Gina had to face the horror, seeing their property stolen and their homes reduced to ashes, in a climate of terror and desolation.
Despite these tragic events, the rapid and courageous intervention of the blue helmets helped restore a semblance of calm in the region. MONUSCO was able to regroup the displaced people and bring them to safety, demonstrating exemplary compassion and determination in carrying out their mission to protect civilian populations.
This attack once again underlines the urgent need to strengthen efforts to put an end to the persistent insecurity in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. It is essential that the international community, the Congolese authorities and local actors join forces to eradicate the threat of armed groups and ensure security and stability in the region.
In conclusion, the incident in Gina is a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by the people of Ituri and the crucial importance of the work of MONUSCO peacekeepers in ensuring the protection of vulnerable populations. It highlights the need to redouble efforts to end the violence and instability in the region, and to support initiatives aimed at establishing lasting peace and ensuring respect for fundamental rights for all.