DRC: Ituri camps displaced by community attacks - RFI

By RFIPalled on 22-09-2019Modified on 22-09-2019 at 06:50

MONUSCO and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights have condemned a series of attacks on IDP sites in the Djugu and Mahagi territories of north-eastern DRC.

These are the IDP sites that are targeted and among them, especially women and children. Dozens of people have been killed in the Djugu and Mahagi territories in six different attacks over the last two weeks, beheaded or shot at night. Coordinated and planned attacks condemned by MONUSCO and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

#RDC #Ituri: @MONUSCO release on the series of attacks in the territory of Djugu. pic.twitter.com/dP7sC15s71

More than 200 civilians killed since June

Since 1 June, more than 200 civilians have been killed , according to the UN Human Rights Joint Office (UNHRO). The victims are members of the Hema community and the attackers are lendu, according to the UN which also reports 51 cases of rape and other sexual violence.

In its warning message, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights also denounces the violence of the response operations carried out by the Congolese army that affect the Lendu civilians, with 17 extrajudicial executions since 1 June. Within this community, we call not to stigmatize everyone and to establish specific responsibilities.

#DRCongo: We are alarmed by the increase in violence against civilians in Ituri & South Kivu. We call on the DRC authorities to implement a serious #security strategy to resolve crises and protect civilians.

Learn more: https://t.co/xFS9H9sMk7#ENDViolence pic.twitter.com/56Jmil0mEy

Government meeting

The Hema community is calling for the replacement of some of the military commanders accused of letting the attackers go or even supporting them. Its representatives say they have made the request since May at the staff. " These community conflicts are complex and the army has stopped a large-scale violence ," said a senior army official. The latter assures that no sufficient evidence had ever been brought against these officers to justify their replacement.

On the government side, a meeting was held between key ministers and state services to explore ways and means to end the violence. But no measure has yet been announced.

On the same subject

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DRC: In Djugu, Felix Tshisekedi at the bedside of the bruised populations of Ituri

DRC: In Kinshasa and Ituri, the call for peace at the heart of the speeches on June 30

DRC: uncertainties about the origin of the new massacre in Ituri

DRC: Community violence in Ituri kills dozens

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