By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
Armed CODECO militants launched an attack on villages in eastern Congo, killing over 35 civilians, with the death toll expected to rise. The assault, which began late Monday, involved executions and house burnings.
Jean Vianney, the village chief, reported, “We have counted more than 35 dead this morning and the search is ongoing.” A survivor, Daniel Kisembo, said, “I counted 51 bodies, most of them were charred.”
Some victims were beheaded or shot. CODECO, a militia fighting over land and resources, is accused of war crimes. Local leaders confirmed the majority of the victims were from the Hema community.
Provincial army spokesman Jules Ngono condemned the attack, calling it “the worst in terms of the deaths of our people.” Neither soldiers nor UN peacekeepers intervened in time to prevent the violence.
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