April 2023 Banyani Kilo massacres
| April 2023 Banyani Kilo massacres | |
|---|---|
| Part of Ituri conflict | |
| Location | Itendeyi, Batata, Sabayido, Djambisse, Carriere Penge, Matete, and Kilo, Banyani Kilo Chiefdom, Djugu Territory, Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Date | April 14, 2023 |
| Deaths | 46-62 |
| Injured | 13 |
| Perpetrator | CODECO |
On April 14, 2023, CODECO militants attacked several villages in Banyani Kilo Chiefdom, Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo, killing between 46 and 62 people.
Background
CODECO is a Congolese militant group based in Ituri and predominantly composed of Lendus.[1] The group has attacked Hema communities in conflicts over farming and land rights for decades, although CODECO's insurgency in recent years had disproportionately targeted civilians.[1]
Massacres
CODECO militants attacked ten villages in Banyani Kilo chiefdom on April 14; Itendeyi, Batata, Sabayido, Djambisse, Carriere Penge, Matete, and Kilo.[2] The attacks on the towns were intended to seize control of them and exploit the gold mines located there.[3] Jean-Robert Bassiloko, the coordinator of civil society in Kilo, reported that 35 people were killed in Kilo and the surrounding villages, while ten were killed near Matete.[2] Congolese MP Gratien Iracan reported that at least 62 people were killed in the CODECO attacks.[4] Thirteen others were wounded.[2] Both women and men were targeted in the killings, along with five children.[5] The militants also burned homes and destroyed property.[5]
Leaders in Banyani Kilo chiefdom deplored the massacres.[6] The Congolese Army also said on April 15 that the situation was put under control, but did not elaborate.[2]
Aftermath
On April 30, CODECO militants killed eight farmers in the villages of Duvire, Njalo, and Bengi, all three in Djugu territory.[7][8]
References
- 1 2 "DR Congo: Deadly Militia Raid on Ituri's Displaced | Human Rights Watch". 2023-07-24. Retrieved 2025-08-27.
- 1 2 3 4 "Ituri : Le bilan des attaques des CODECO dans le secteur de Banyali-Kilo revu à 45 morts". CongoRassure (in French). 2023-04-15. Retrieved 2025-08-27.
- ↑ "Djugu : les notables de Banyali Kilo dénoncent le contrôle de 13 groupements par la CODECO". Radio Okapi (in French). 2023-04-18. Retrieved 2025-08-27.
- ↑ Post, Kivu Morning (2023-04-15). "ITURI: les sanguinaires de la codeco tuent plus de 60 personnes à Banyani kilo". Kivu Morning Post (in French). Retrieved 2025-08-27.
- 1 2 "Dozens killed in Democratic Republic of the Congo village attacks". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2025-08-27.
- ↑ "Djugu : les notables de Banyali Kilo dénoncent le contrôle de 13 groupements par la CODECO". Radio Okapi (in French). 2023-04-18. Retrieved 2025-08-27.
- ↑ "RDC : huit agriculteurs tués dans une attaque des milices dans le nord-est". Actualite.cd (in French). 2023-05-01. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
- ↑ "Militia Attack Kills 8 Farmers in DR Congo". Voice of America. 2023-04-30. Retrieved 2025-10-07.