On the morning of Sunday, 5 April 2026, as Christians were celebrating Easter, fighters from the Convention for Popular Revolution (CRP) militia launched an attack on a Congolese army position in Lodha, about fifteen kilometres from Djugu-centre, in Ituri. Alerted to the incident, peacekeepers based in Fataki immediately deployed to the area and pushed back the assailants.
As they approached Lodha, they came under heavy fire from a group of around one hundred militiamen. The peacekeepers returned fire and engaged in combat, while Congolese soldiers simultaneously reinforced their position on the ground.
To protect civilians, especially those living at the Lodha displaced persons camp, MONUSCO established a position at the junction of Lodha and Djaiba, preventing any advance by the militia.
Retreat of the attackers and protection of civilians
As they withdrew, the militiamen fired into the air to further terrorise residents. Thanks to the intervention of the peacekeepers, many inhabitants of Djaiba were able to leave their village safely and seek refuge near the MONUSCO military base.
“The threats from the CRP are constant. They accuse us of collaborating with the FARDC [Congolese army]. Their objective was clear, but the rapid intervention of the peacekeepers saved many lives,” said a displaced person.
During the fighting on 5 April, the Congolese army announced that it had neutralised six CRP militiamen. An AK-47 rifle and a mortar shell were recovered. One wounded Congolese soldier was evacuated by MONUSCO to the hospital in Fataki.
A violent week
Between 31 March and 5 April, attacks by CRP and CODECO militia fighters were thwarted by MONUSCO peacekeepers in various localities: Dudu, Pili Pili, Kaa, Bule, Mbidjo, Tsatsaku, as well as the displaced persons sites of Savo and Djaiba.
The UN Mission also reinforced its patrols around densely populated areas, notably in Masumbuko, where a women’s football match between two teams from the Hema and Lendu communities took place under its protection on 31 March.
In response to persistent threats restricting civilians’ freedom of movement and access to farmland, MONUSCO escorted farmers and traders from the Savo Plain to Fataki.
On 2 April, peacekeepers dislodged a CRP position in Mbidjo. On the same day, an attempted attack on the Djaiba displaced persons camp was also repelled.
“MONUSCO’s rapid intervention prevented the attackers from entering the camp. Their response probably saved many lives,” said the head of the Djaiba site after the peacekeepers’ intervention.
In coordination with the FARDC, MONUSCO is maintaining a strengthened posture to ensure the protection of civilians in an area where armed groups remain active and threatening.
Josiah Obat, Head of MONUSCO’s office in Ituri, stressed that the Mission has the mandate to “protect civilians, especially displaced persons, and support the FARDC in tracking down armed groups.”
“We once again call on all militiamen to lay down their arms and join the disarmament, demobilisation and community reintegration programme, PDDRC-S,” added Josiah Obat.
Jean-Tobie Okala
