53 civilians killed by militiamen in DRC

The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) confirmed and condemned the deadly attack late Tuesday by militiamen of the Cooperative for the Development of Congo (CODECO) against a camp for displaced people in the northeastern part of the country. At least 53 civilians were killed, reported Xinhua.

CODECO militiamen attacked late Tuesday a camp for displaced people located in Bule village of the Djugu territory, in DRC's northeastern province of Ituri, confirmed Lieutenant Jules Ngongo, spokesman for the FARDC in Ituri. According to local media, at least 53 civilians were killed, while dozens of were wounded.

"We sympathize with the families of the victims, and we condemn this terrorist criminal act. Attacking the site of the displaced where we find the innocent civilian population, which has no means of defense, is pure madness and cowardice," said the lieutenant, reassuring FARDC's determination to end cease hostilities in this area.

CODECO is an armed group structured around a religious sect in Ituri. The group is accused of being behind the violence that has been engulfing this gold-rich region since late 2017, after a 20-year lull. The province of Ituri and the neighboring North Kivu province, long troubled by insecurity, have been under siege since May 6 due to violence by armed groups.