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Scores of Civilians Killed in Worsening Inter-Ethnic Violence in DR Congo

Lisa Schlein

   GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - The U.N. Human Rights Office reports scores of
   civilians are being killed, wounded and abducted in worsening
   Inter-ethnic violence between the Hema and Lendu in eastern Democratic
   Republic of Congo's Ituri Province.

   More than 150 people have been killed in Djugu and Mahagi territories
   in Ituri province since early March, raising the number of civilian
   deaths this year to more than 200. In addition, the U.N. Human Rights
   Office reports scores of other civilians have been wounded and abducted
   in this inter-ethnic conflict.

   The agency says attacks by CODECO fighters, a militia tied to the Lendu
   ethnic group, have escalated against the Hema people after their
   commander was killed on March 25 by the DRC Military.

   U.N. human rights spokesman, Rupert Colville, says 23 civilians were
   killed in the latest attack last week in the village of Koli.

   "The brutality of the attacks with perpetrators using machetes to kill
   women and children, raping, looting property, destroying houses,
   killing livestock, suggests the aim is to inflict lasting trauma on the
   affected populations, forcing them to flee, and so gain control over
   the territory, which is rich in natural resources."

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