SUMMARY
Bon Temple de Dieu (CODECO–BTD) was an armed Lendu militia that emerged as a splinter faction following the fragmentation of the URDPC. The split occurred after the killing of URDPC leader, Justin Ngudjolo, by the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) in March 2020. This leadership vacuum and subsequent internal discord led to the formation of multiple factions, including the CODECO–BTD. By the end of 2022 CODECO–BTD rejoined URDPC and operated under its leadership, marking the end of CODECO–BTD as a separate group in the UCDP data.
Colloquially, all Lendu militias in the Ituri area was known as CODECO. CODECO was an agro-religious cooperative that had been linked to the Irumu-based FRPI rebel group. The group became heavily involved in the Ituri conflict, which was marked by tensions between Lendu and Hema communities, as well as disputes over land and local resources.
CODECO–BTD was primarily driven by Lendu communal defense motives and spiritual-military ideology. The group inherited the agro-religious and mystical aspects of the original CODECO movement, emphasizing the protection of Lendu interests against perceived external threats, especially from Hema communities. It rejected government-led peace processes and was hostile toward disarmament or political negotiations.
The group operated mainly in southwestern Djugu territory, particularly in the Banyali-Kilo sector of Ituri province. It was headquartered in Nyangaray, with additional positions in Ngoto and Ritsi.
CODECO–BTD’s fighters were drawn predominantly from the Lendu ethnic group, many from surrounding villages in Djugu. In early 2021, its estimated strength was between 400 and 800 fighters.
CODECO–BTD was equipped with small arms and relied on guerrilla tactics, ambushes, and village raids. It also retained a spiritual combat dimension, often combining traditional rites with military mobilization.
The group initially operated under the leadership of Tuwo, a local hunter turned commander, who was known for his hostility toward peace efforts. After Tuwo’s killing in May 2021 during clashes with rival FDBC fighters, he was succeeded by a commander known as General Kadogo.
