In a devastating attack on Wednesday night, February 15, 2023, the Cooperative for the Development of Congo (CODECO) militia targeted the Plaine Savo camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Ituri province, northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The assault left seven civilians dead, including five children and two adults, according to Desire Malodra, a local civil society representative. The militia reportedly burned homes, looted property, and drove many residents from the camp, located 9 kilometers east of Djugu. This marks the second deadly attack in the region within a week, intensifying fears among displaced communities.
UN Peacekeepers Mobilize to Secure Camp
The United Nations peacekeeping mission, MONUSCO, responded swiftly to the attack, deploying forces to secure the Plaine Savo camp and prevent further violence. Farhan Haq, the UN’s deputy spokesperson, confirmed that peacekeepers were sent to the site immediately after reports of the overnight assault emerged. However, frustration boiled over among camp residents, who felt unprotected. On Thursday morning, February 16, 2023, protesters gathered outside MONUSCO’s base, throwing stones in anger. The demonstration resulted in minor injuries to three peacekeepers and five protesters, as reported by an anonymous MONUSCO spokesperson.
Mass Graves Reveal Earlier Atrocities
Just days before, on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, MONUSCO peacekeepers uncovered mass graves in the villages of Nyamamba and Mbogi, containing the bodies of 49 civilians killed in attacks attributed to CODECO. In Nyamamba, 42 victims, including six children and 12 women, were found, while seven men were discovered in Mbogi. These killings, believed to have occurred over the previous weekend, were reported after peacekeepers patrolled the area following initial alerts. Haq stated that MONUSCO is supporting Congolese authorities to investigate these crimes and urged that the perpetrators face justice.
CODECO’s Campaign of Ethnic Violence
The CODECO militia, which claims to represent the Lendu ethnic group, has been attacking villages, IDP camps, and military positions in Ituri for approximately three years. The group’s actions are often framed as a defense against the Congolese army and the Hema community, represented by the rival Zaire militia. This ethnic rivalry, which led to thousands of deaths between 1999 and 2003, continues to fuel violence in the region. A year earlier, in February 2022, CODECO killed 62 people in a machete attack at the Plaine Savo camp, a tragedy that left deep scars on the community.
Broken Ceasefire and Rising Tensions
In June 2022, seven CODECO factions pledged to halt violence against civilians in Ituri, but this commitment has since unraveled. The recent killing of a Lendu teacher, which CODECO blamed on the Zaire militia, sparked retaliatory attacks, escalating the conflict. Haq noted a worsening security situation, with at least 195 civilians killed, 68 wounded, and 84 abducted since December 2022 in attacks linked to both CODECO and Zaire militias. These incidents highlight the fragility of peace efforts in the region.
Humanitarian Toll in Ituri Province
The repeated attacks have worsened the already dire humanitarian crisis in Ituri, home to 1.5 million displaced people. The Plaine Savo camp, like many others, offers little safety for families fleeing violence. The destruction of homes and loss of lives have left residents in desperate need of aid and protection. The UN continues to call for accountability and stronger measures to address the ongoing violence threatening vulnerable communities.
