Despite Declaring Ceasefire, CODECO Rebels Kill 12 Persons In DR Congo

Rebels of the Cooperative for the Development of Congo (CODECO) on Monday, June 7, killed 12 persons at a camp for fishers called Rho in the Gobi tribal group in the Walendu Tatsi sector of Djugu territory in Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo.

HumAngle previously reported that CODECO declared a ceasefire about a week ago in Djugu and Mahagi territories to the northeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, the rebel movement has reneged on its agreement with the recent killings.

“These CODECO militias came between 1 o’clock and 2 o’clock in the night and killed 12 persons including women, children and old men in the fishermen’s camp of Rho,” said Charite Banza Bavi, president of the Bahema North civil society.

The fishers’ camp of Rho is in the  Bahema North chiefdom in Djugu territory on the banks of Lake Albert. 

Bavi appealed to the DR Congo authorities, including the military, not to believe the message of peace disseminated by CODECO but track them down right to the last hideouts.

“Thanks to the intervention of the naval forces of the DR Congo armed forces, FARDC. The naval forces chased the CODECO rebels away.”

On Saturday, June 4, 2022, CODECO leaders signed an engagement for peace following a Lendu inter-communal conference held in the Kpadroma commercial centre.