SUMMARY
The Ituri region is situated in the north-eastern part of the DR Congo (Zaire). The province has considerable natural wealth. The competition over land and these resources is a major factor of the crisis in Ituri.
Fighting between the former allies FAPC (Forces Armées Populaire du Congo, Peoples Armed Forces of Congo) and FNI (Front Nationalist et Integrationist, Front for National Integration) broke out as they struggled for the control of a goldmine. The warring parties had since 2003 an agreement not to attack each other and to split taxes earned on trade in the region. The conflict started out as FAPC signed a mining deal with a Ugandan-based company to mine gold in the Zani river in Djalasiga. On 15 June 2004 FNI and FAPC clashed for the first time. Fighting occurred in many areas in the Mahagi territory and over the following months the control of Djalasiga and the goldmine changed hands between the groups. In the end FAPC was forced to withdraw its forces to the southern part of Mahagi territory and towards the northern part of Djugu territory.
The peacekeeping operation MONUC tried to mediate the conflict as fighting was seen as ´violating the terms of the 14 May 2004 ‘Acte d’Engagement de Kinshasa’ under which seven militias active in Ituri committed to ending hostilities.
As FNI controlled the area Uganda intervened in FAPC's favour. Uganda assisted the group with weapons and possibly soldiers. The former enemies FAPC and the Hema militia UPC (Union des Patriotes Congolais, Union of Congolese Patriots) fought together against the FNI. In September 2004 they agreed to divide the control over gold mining areas. FAPC forces were also reportedly assisted by the Sudanese rebel group SPLA (Sudan People Liberation Army) operating to the north in the DR. Congo-Sudan border areas.
Numerous civilians were killed during the fight and a massacre of Lendu ethnic group was reported. Both groups committed serious human rights abuses including rapes. Tens of thousands of civilians fled their homes which were looted and burned down.
The non-state conflict between FAPC and FNI is first included in UCDP data in 2004. In June and July of that year violent clashes flared up in the Mahagi region of DR Congo, resulting in over 25 battle-related deaths.
