Ekeomah Atuonwu
Following last week’s horrific attacks, the United Nations Human Rights Office fears that heightened tensions between Hema herders and Lendu farmers in eastern DRC will erupt into more bloodshed.
When their camp was attacked by an armed gang last week, at least 62 internally displaced members of the Hema ethnic community were killed and 38 were injured.
Cooperative for the Development of Congo (CODECO) fighters raided the Plaine Savo IDP camp in DR Congo’s Ituri province at night.
CODECO, which is primarily made up of Lendu farmers, has carried out a series of catastrophic attacks on IDP camps, the most recent of which occurred on February 1.
Liz Throssel, a spokesperson for the United Nations’ human rights office, says that all of the victims have been identified.
All of the victims in the 24,000-person camp were shot or attacked with machetes and knives, according to UN human rights spokesperson Liz Throssel.
A preliminary investigation into the recent assaults has been started by military officials in the region. Officials from the United Nations said the probe must be independent, effective, and transparent, and the culprits must face justice.
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