Dozens of civilians have been killed so far this month due to attacks by the armed group Convention pour la Revolution Populaire against positions of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Djugu territory, the statement noted.

It also denounced the repeated and deadly attacks by the Allied Democratic Forces against the civilian population, resulting in the deaths of 82 Congolese in Ituri and North Kivu provinces.

MONUSCO expressed particular dismay at the attacks that occurred between July 8 and 9 in Irumu territory, Ituri province, where at least 47 people were killed.

These attacks were apparently in retaliation for joint operations by the Congolese and Ugandan armed forces against the Allied Democratic Forces.

The statement also condemned the attacks against civilians that occurred on July 21 in Djugu territory, as well as the looting and desecration of the Catholic parish in Lopa, attributed to the armed group Cooperativa pour le Developpement du Congo.

In addition to offering condolences to the affected families and communities, the Mission reiterated the UN Secretary-General’s call to all foreign armed groups to unconditionally lay down their arms and return to their countries of origin.

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