SUMMARY
The non-state conflict between FDBC and Zaire self-defense group was rooted in long-standing ethnic tensions between the Lendu and Hema communities in Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire). Ituri, situated in the north-eastern part of the country, has a historically served as a battleground for these two communities and their respective militias, whose clashes over land, customary authority, and natural resources have fueled recurring violence. Major outbreaks of violence occurred in 1973, 1990 and 1997 and most intensely 1999 and 2003 A resurgence of intercommunal violence in 2017 reignited hostilities in Djugu territory, during which the URDPC emerged as the main Lendu militia targeting Hema civilians. In response, members of the Hema formed the Zaire self-defense group in April 2000 to counter the Lendu offensive.
After the death of URDPC leader Justin Ngudjolo in March 2020, the group fragmented into several factions, collectively referred to as CODECO. Among these, the FDBC became a prominent armed actor. The rivalry between FDBC and the and Zaire self-defense group escalated into a localized but intense conflict marked by cycles of retributive violence. Clashes were often driven by ethnic polarization and competition over control of gold-rich mining areas.
FDBC claimed to protect or avenge the Lendu community. In August 2022, FDBC justified attacks on villages linked to the Zaire self-defense group as retaliation for killings by the group in Damas. In another incident, FDBC stated they intervened to free Lori community members enslaved by Zaire self-defense group. FDBC also accused Zaire self-defense group of collaborating with foreign nationals in illegal mining.
The violence was characterized by deadly raids, village massacres, looting, abductions, and large-scale displacement. Clashes frequently occurred in and around mining sites or villages controlled by one of the factions. FDBC fighters repeatedly attacked commercial centers and villages inhabited by the Zaire self-defense group, indiscriminately firing at civilians, looting, and kidnapping during clashes. Zaire self-defense group forces also launched preemptive strikes or retaliated against perceived Lendu-aligned strongholds. Both sides suffered combatant casualties, but civilians were frequently caught in the crossfire.
The conflict was localized to Ituri Province, particularly around the mining area Mongbwalu in Djugu territory.
The non-state conflict between FDBC and Zaire self-defense group first became active in 2022. On 5 January 2022 at least 28 civilians were killed in clashes between the groups in the locality of Makofi, a gold-mining center in the territory of Djugu in Ituri, DR Congo (Zaire). The clashes also led to significant material damage and a massive displacement of the population.
