The Democratic Republic of Congo is no stranger to violence but this week’s attack in Ituri province where more than 50 people including children were hacked and beheaded by the Codeco armed group as it clashed for control of an artisanal gold mine with ‘’Zaire’’ group, has jolted authorities in Kinshasa. The Codeco, reportedly not wearing military fatigues like other militia, also attacked a camp for the internally displaced signalling a change in their modus operandi.
The violence, just two weeks after the end of the first phase of negotiations between President Felix Tshisekedi’s government and more than 20 rebel groups, in Nairobi, is a blow to Kinshasa’s efforts and new approach to end the long-term conflict in the east of the country.
