At Least 69 Dead in Militia Attack in DR Congo

Victims and Reactions

The provisional death toll from the attack stands at more than 70, including 19 fighters, according to Dieudonné Losa, a representative of Ituri province's civil society, speaking to AFP. "After the CRP attacked a FARDC position, Codeco militiamen from Pimbo retaliated by attacking several villages on April 28," Losa explained.

The exact circumstances of the attack remain unclear, but the high death toll underscores the ongoing instability in the region. Ituri province has long been a hotspot for ethnic tensions between the Hema and other groups.

Militia Activities

The CRP, founded by Thomas Lubanga, has repeatedly caused unrest in the region in the past. Lubanga's conviction for using child soldiers was an internationally noted case, but his release in 2020 heightened fears of renewed violence.

The recent attacks demonstrate that militias continue to pose a serious threat to civilian security. Congolese authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the incidents.