At least 55 civilians killed by militia fighters in northeastern Congo

Tue Feb 11 12:09:20 UTC 2025: ## Congo Militia Massacre: At Least 55 Civilians Killed in Ituri Province

**Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo –** At least 55 civilians have been killed in a brutal attack by CODECO militia fighters in northeastern Congo’s Ituri province, local authorities confirmed Tuesday. The attack, which occurred Monday night, targeted the Djaiba group of villages, including a camp for displaced people. Witnesses report that the death toll is likely much higher, with bodies still being recovered from burned homes.

Antoinette Nzale, the leader of the displaced persons camp, described a scene of widespread destruction, stating that “almost the entire village was attacked.” She and other witnesses reported that Congolese government troops and UN peacekeepers (MONUSCO) attempted intervention but were overwhelmed by the superior numbers of attackers. Jean Richard Lenga, chief of the Bahema Badjere district, corroborated the attack and the high death toll, citing the use of machetes and firearms. Survivors describe victims being brutally murdered.

CODECO, a loosely organized militia primarily composed of Lendu ethnic fighters, is responsible for numerous atrocities in the region. The group’s violence has claimed nearly 1,800 lives and injured over 500 in the past four years, according to the African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism. The UN has previously stated that some of CODECO’s actions constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.

This latest attack comes amidst a surge in violence across eastern Congo, where over 120 armed groups are currently fighting for control of land and mineral resources. The conflict escalated last month following the seizure of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, by Rwanda-backed rebels. The Djaiba attack follows a similar CODECO attack in September, which resulted in at least 20 civilian deaths in the same territory. The ongoing instability and widespread violence continue to displace thousands and create a humanitarian crisis in the region.

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