By Alex Pithua
The villages of Gina, Nyapala, Fataki, Salo, Lenga and Upakri, in the territory of Djugu in (Ituri) Province in the Eastern DR Congo have been emptied of their populations since Wednesday, September 18, following the “activism” of CODECO militiamen.
According to local sources, hundreds of families are fleeing these threats and some of them have found refuge near the MONUSCO base in Djaiba.
Behind them, these households have left behind deprived localities, where all activities are paralyzed.
The army has reinforced its positions on national road 27, where traffic remains limited on the Bunia-Mahagi axis.
Several political and civil society actors are calling on the Government to neutralize the CODECO militia in this part of Ituri.
It is reported that on Thursday FARDAC engaged CODECO in apparently fierce battle all day long to flash them out from the positions they had taken control.
At these places CODECO caused mayhem and killing a number of locals including women and children.
