February 14, 2023
Cited article by Reuters
HRRC condemns the fatal attacks in Ituri province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). With the ongoing raids by militias, innocent civilians are at extreme risk of harm. The government must work harder to suppress the violence, and the international community should provide the necessary support to ensure the DRC is able to effectively protect its people.
Article Summary
On February 12th and 13th, two separate attacks took place in the Ituri province of DRC, resulting in the deaths of 22 villagers. The assaults were allegedly carried out by two different militia groups: CODECO and Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).
The eastern part of DRC is filled with valuable minerals, which has led to numerous outbreaks of violence as militias compete to claim resources. Many interventions have taken place over the years, including local and regional military response and the deployment of United Nations peacekeepers. Despite these efforts, the militias continue conducting raids on the region, killing and injuring innocent civilians.