The situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has worsened in the last few weeks as violence between militia groups associated with the Hema and Lendu ethnic groups has intensified.
In the armed rebel attack, at least 69 people have lost their lives in Ituri province.
The mineral-rich eastern DRC has been a battleground for 30 years, where different armed groups have tried to take control of its mines.
Ethnic Clashes Between Hema and Lendu Escalate in Ituri
The latest violence in Ituri erupted between the two ethnic groups, the Hema and the Lendu. Ituri is a gold-rich province that borders Uganda and South Sudan.
The AFP news agency reported that the latest attack was carried out by armed men affiliated with the Cooperative for the Development of the Congo (CODECO), a coalition of militia groups that claims to protect the Lendu community, on April 28.
These attacks are believed to be a response to an earlier assault by another armed group called the Convention for the Popular Revolution (CRP). This group claims it fights for the Hema community. It attacked positions held by the Congolese army (FARDC) near the locality of Pimbo.
Civil society leader Dieudonne Losa told AFP that over 70 people were killed in an attack launched by CODECO fighters in late April.
Two anonymous security sources confirmed that around 69 people died, including 19 militia members and soldiers.
They also stated that CODECO fighters delayed the recovery of the bodies for several days. Losa mentioned that only 25 bodies have been buried, and several remains are yet to be recovered.
CODECO and CRP Violence Leaves Dozens Dead
On April 30, the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) stated that it had rescued around 200 people who were caught in crossfire during the CRP assault on the FARDC.
MONUSCO strongly condemned the recent wave of attacks targeting civilians in the restive east.
A nonprofit organization representing the Hema community, called Ente Association, described the incident as a massacre and urged people to avoid retaliation.
The Ituri region, known for its rich minerals such as cobalt, copper, uranium, and diamonds, has long faced violence, corruption, and instability.
Since early 2025, fighting has increased again with the return of the rebel group CRP, created by former warlord Thomas Lubanga. He was sentenced in 2012 by the International Criminal Court for using child soldiers and was released from prison in 2020.
The CRP is now clashing with government forces and another armed group called CODECO. These clashes have led to killings and serious harm to civilians.
At the same time, the region is also facing attacks from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a group linked to former Ugandan rebels that now operates in eastern Congo.
Rights groups say the security situation is extremely difficult. They warn that government troops are stretched thin because they are fighting multiple armed groups in different areas, leaving many civilians unprotected and exposed to attacks.
UN Condemns Attacks as Security Situation Deteriorates in Eastern DRC
On April 30, MONUSCO stated that it had rescued around 200 people caught under fire during the recent clashes. The mission strongly condemned the wave of attacks targeting civilians.
Rights organizations and local leaders continue to call for restraint and urge communities to avoid retaliation, warning that further violence could deepen the humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC.