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Unrest in DR Congo as warring gunmen kill at least 69: What we know
Clashes in Ituri province between Hema- and Lendu-linked militias intensified, with Codeco attacks on April 28 resulting in 69 deaths. A prior CRP assault near Pimbo preceded the flare-up, and MONUSCO later reported rescuing nearly 200 civilians as casualties and fighting continued in the region. The conflict is linked to a resurgence of the CRP since early 2025 in the mineral-rich eastern DRC.
Why It Matters
The violence underscores ongoing instability in eastern DR Congo with humanitarian and security implications, including displacement and MONUSCO involvement amid long-standing ethnic tensions and mineral exploitation.
Timeline
4 Events
April 30, 2026: MONUSCO rescues civilians; casualties reported
April 30, 2026
MONUSCO said it had rescued nearly 200 people caught under fire from the CRP assault and noted dozens of civilians killed in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu in recent days.
April 28, 2026: Codeco attacks kill 69 in Ituri
April 28, 2026
Gunmen linked to the Codeco militia attacked several villages in Ituri, resulting in at least 69 deaths, including 19 militia members and soldiers.
CRP assault near Pimbo precedes April flare-up
March 2026
An earlier assault by the CRP on positions held by the FARDC near the locality of Pimbo occurred prior to the April 28 clashes.
CRP resurgence in Ituri
2025
Ituri has seen a resurgence of the CRP since early 2025.