Troops from the UN peacekeeping mission Monusco have found two mass graves in eastern Congo. The bodies of a total of 49 people were found in two villages in Ituri province, a UN spokesman said on Wednesday (local time) in New York. Accordingly, there had previously been reports of attacks by the Codeco militia in the region. Twelve women and six children were among the dead.
The sites were each about 30 kilometers east of the provincial capital Bunia. The UN spokesman said the blue helmet mission is supporting the Congolese judiciary in investigating the attacks. It must be determined whether the reports of the latest attacks are linked to the discovery of the mass graves.
Recently there have been increasing reports of attacks by the Codeco militia in Ituri. Last week, soldiers from the UN peacekeeping mission rescued 200 women from the violence of the political-religious group, which claims to represent the interests of the Lendu ethnic group. According to media reports, Codeco fighters had previously killed ten people in different villages.
1.5
millions People are fleeing in the region.
The UN spokesman expressed concern about the deteriorating security situation in Ituri. At least 195 civilians have been killed and 68 others injured since December. He blamed Codeco and Zaire militias for many of the attacks. According to the information, 1.5 million people are on the run.
Most people come without any belongings
Meanwhile, in North Kivu province, which borders Ituri, people continue to flee the violence. More than 1,000 refugee families sought refuge from attacks by militia M23, UN-funded radio station Radio Okapi reported on Thursday. The first refugees arrived at the Kanyaruchinya camp for displaced persons over the weekend. They come from areas occupied by M23 fighters.
As the head of the camp, Théo Musekura, told Radio Okapi, most of the people arrived without belongings. The M23 militia continued to burn houses and abuse villagers, he said.
As the broadcaster reported, citing a statement by Foreign Minister Christophe Lutundula, the militia fighters have apparently not yet withdrawn from their positions in North Kivu, as announced. In the past, the rebel movement had repeatedly stated its intention, but then only temporarily moved its troops.
In the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo there has been a bloody conflict between various armed groups and the government for decades over power and control over the rich mineral deposits. Numerous efforts to pacify eastern Congo have so far failed.
The M23 is currently the largest and best organized of the estimated 120+ factions. The group is accused of serious crimes. After the start of an offensive in early 2022, their fighters were now close to Goma, the most important city in the region. (epd)
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