October 2020 Ituri offensive

Last updated
October 2020 Ituri offensive
Part of Ituri conflict
DateOctober 24–28, 2020
Location
Dele, Ezekere, Walendu Tatsi, and the Blue Mountains, Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Result

Congolese victory

  • Sporadic CODECO-ALC attacks in November 2020
Belligerents
Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.svg Democratic Republic of the Congo
Flag of the United Nations.svg MONUSCO 		CODECO-ALC
Commanders and leaders
Unknown Justin Maki Gesi "Mountain Wolf"   †
Casualties and losses
7–9 soldiers killed
Several soldiers injured		 33 killed

On October 24, 2020, militants from CODECO-ALC attacked Congolese and MONUSCO forces in the town of Dele, Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. In response, Congolese forces launched an offensive against CODECO-ALC, capturing several towns from the group and killing its leader Mountain Wolf.

Contents

Background

In 2020, CODECO began peace talks with the Congolese government and MONUSCO into laying down their arms in Ituri Province. These talks culminated in a ceasefire in August 2020 by CODECO. [1] The first faction of CODECO to sign the peace agreement was CODECO - Alliance for the Liberation of the Congo (CODECO-ALC), headquartered in Walendu Tatsi and Ezekere, near Bunia. [2] [3] CODECO-ALC was led by Justin Maki Gesi, known as Mountain Wolf. [3]

A few months after signing the agreement, CODECO-ALC broke off from the ceasefire agreement, and began preparing for attacks in and around Bunia. [2] The first incursion was by 200 fighters into Bunia, demanding the release of inmates from the prison. [2] CODECO-ALC then began a campaign against the Congolese government and MONUSCO around the city. [2]

Offensive

On October 24, 2020, MONUSCO peacekeepers patrolling the town of Dele, outside of Bunia, caught CODECO-ALC militants burning down civilian houses in the town. A firefight broke out between the two groups, and the peacekeepers managed to dislodge CODECO-ALC from the town, and called for backup. [3] That same day, clashes broke out between CODECO-ALC and Congolese soldiers in the towns of Kijogo and Fichama. Congolese soldiers repelled CODECO-ALC in these attacks, but residents reported that at least two Congolese soldiers were wounded in the attacks. [4] [5]

Congolese forces then went on the offensive against CODECO-ALC in the Blue Mountains over the following days. Heavy fighting occurred in Ezekere, and Congolese soldiers pushed CODECO-ALC out of Djokodjo, Kambutso, and Mbetshi as well. [6] At least thirty-three militants were killed in the offensive, and two to four Congolese troops were killed. [7] [8] On October 26, Congolese soldiers pushed CODECO-ALC out of Walendu Tatsi. [9] In the Congolese offensive, Mountain Wolf was killed. [8]

On November 3, CODECO-ALC launched an attack on Ezekere that killed five Congolese soldiers. [10] However, Congolese forces retained control of the base that was attacked, and continued operations against CODECO in the area. [11]

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References

  1. ↑ "Militia in Eastern DRC agrees to stop attacks". The East African. 2020-08-24. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Letter dated 23 December 2020 from the Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo addressed to the President of the Security Council" (PDF). ReliefWeb. United Nations Security Council. 23 December 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-01-09.
  3. 1 2 3 "FARDC and MONUSCO have deterred CODECO rebel incursion into Bunia". MONUSCO. 2020-10-28. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
  4. ↑ "DRC: Government troops clash with CODECO rebels near Bunia (Ituri province) October 24". DRC: Government troops clash with CODECO rebels near Bunia (Ituri province) October 24 | Crisis24. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
  5. ↑ "Incident Summary for GTDID: 202010240020". www.start.umd.edu. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
  6. ↑ "DRC: Government troops clash with CODECO militants around Blue Mountains (Ituri province) October 24-26". DRC: Government troops clash with CODECO militants around Blue Mountains (Ituri province) October 24-26 | Crisis24. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
  7. ↑ "DRC: Government troops clash with CODECO militants around Blue Mountains (Ituri province) October 24-26". DRC: Government troops clash with CODECO militants around Blue Mountains (Ituri province) October 24-26 | Crisis24. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
  8. 1 2 Kambale, Erikas Mwisi (October 28, 2020). "Congo army says it killed 33 militiaman in days of intense fighting". Reuters. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  9. ↑ "DRC: Government troops clash with CODECO rebels in Walendu Tatsi (Iutri province) October 26 /update 1". DRC: Government troops clash with CODECO rebels in Walendu Tatsi (Iutri province) October 26 /update 1 | Crisis24. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
  10. ↑ "DRC: CODECO attack kills five soldiers in Ituri province November 3". DRC: CODECO attack kills five soldiers in Ituri province November 3 | Crisis24. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
  11. ↑ Lay, Timothy (2020-11-11). "Regional Overview: Africa1-7 November 2020". ACLED. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
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