- The bodies of 49 people were found in the DRC.
- The UN attributed the killings to CODECO.
- More than 1.5 million people are displaced in the country because of the violence.
Mass graves containing 49 bodies have been discovered in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the United Nations said on Thursday, attributing the killings to an ethnic militia group.
Forty-two bodies, including 12 women and six children, were found buried in the village of Nyamamba, in Ituri province.
The bodies of seven men were found in the village of Mbogi, about 30km east of the provincial capital Bunia, the UN peacekeeping mission, MONUSCO, said on Twitter.
“MONUSCO strongly condemns these barbaric and cowardly killings attributed to CODECO,” it said, adding that peacekeepers had launched a patrol in the area over the weekend after hearing about attacks.
READ | ‘I was raped every day’ – former DR Congo hostages relieved to be reunited with family
CODECO is one of dozens of militias operating in eastern Congo.
Its ranks are drawn mainly from the ethnic Lendu farming community, which carries out regular attacks on Hema herders in Ituri province.
CODECO, which is split into factions and operates in remote areas, does not have a spokesperson and could not be reached for comment.
At least 195 civilians were killed and 84 kidnapped in attacks attributed to CODECO and a rival militia called Zaire since the start of December, increasing the number of displaced people in Ituri province to more than 1.5 million, the UN mission said.
Congo’s government spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
In times of uncertainty you need journalism you can trust. For 14 free days, you can have access to a world of in-depth analyses, investigative journalism, top opinions and a range of features. Journalism strengthens democracy. Invest in the future today. Thereafter you will be billed R75 per month. You can cancel anytime and if you cancel within 14 days you won’t be billed.