DRC: a dozen FARDC killed by Codeco militiamen in Djugu

A United Nations vehicle patrols the Djugu region, Ituri, in March 2018 (illustration).

ALEX MCBRIDE / AFP

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

Fifteen soldiers from the Congolese army were killed on Friday January 27 in an attack attributed to Codeco fighters in the territory of Djugu, in Ituri.

They fell into an ambush during which 7 militiamen were also killed.

It is the first time since the province has been under siege that the army has suffered such a heavy loss with the death of senior officers.

Advertising

Read more

With our correspondent in Kinshasa

,

The soldiers killed were committed to combat patrols in the region.

They were going as reinforcements to an army position attacked a few hours earlier by Codeco fighters.

They were surprised by the shootings of the militiamen from the top of the hills overlooking this section of the national road N°27, about fifty kilometers north of Bunia, the capital of the province.

Among the soldiers killed, there are officers including a colonel and a lieutenant-colonel.

The zone of activity of these militiamen is particularly known for its gold quarries, some of which are exploited by these armed fighters.

Since the beginning of the month, this section has become more dangerous.

Attacks have multiplied there.

Two weeks ago, following another clash in the area, the army killed 12 militiamen, still in the same area.

However, this road axis is important for the region.

In particular, it makes it possible to transport goods from neighboring Uganda to Bunia or the large city of Kisangani, in the province of Tshopo.

►

Newsletter

Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

• ground floor