Congo's Ituri Province faces risk of chronic unrest

Subject

Conflict dyanmics in Ituri Province.

Significance

Fresh violence in Ituri Province saw well over 100 civilians killed in June alone, with more than 300,000 now displaced, including from previous unrest in 2018. While authorities have blamed an organisation called the Congo Economic Development Cooperative (CODECO), a lack of clarity over the underlying drivers of the unrest could undercut the response.

Impacts

• New military operations dubbed ‘Ituri Storm’ are yet to stabilise the area and could even generate more violence.
• The lack of clear analysis will hobble efforts to devise a long-term strategy to reduce tensions.
• Poor conditions in displacement sites will increase the risk of spread of disease, including Ebola.