CODECO

The group was initially founded in what was then Mobuto-led Zaire in the 1970s as a Lendu-based agricultural cooperative by Bernard Kakado, with the intention of promoting agriculture in the Walendu-Bindi chiefdom of the Irumu Territory of Ituri.[1]

The group became a mouthpiece for Lendu demands, namely the reclamation of land allegedly taken by the Hema tribe and the refusal to accept foreign exploitation of local resources.[1]

During the 1999-2003 Ituri conflict, CODECO's founder Bernard Kakado instead began organizing an armed Lendu operation, before joining the Patriotic Resistance Front of Ituri (FRPI). At this point, CODECO ceased to exist as an agricultural cooperative. In 2003, the internationally-led Operation Artemis succeeded in ending the violence between the Lendu and Hema groups, achieving a period of relative stability in the region.[13] However, neither the organization nor the various local militias ever completely dissolved and instead stockpiled weapons.[1]

In 2017, armed militia attacks began in Djugu, which local civilians attributed to CODECO. Congolese authorities stated that the group behind the attacks was led by Justin Ngudjolo, who had begun using the CODECO name to describe his militia, despite being linked to the Nationalist and Integrationist Front - another Lendu rebel group.[1]

The reorganized CODECO once more echoed the same demands for property rights that had originally come to define the movement, but met criticism at the hands of prominent Lendu figures, which accused it of unjustified violence and outside manipulation.[1][14][13]

In mid 2019, the United Nations accused armed Lendu groups of mass killings of Hema civilians, but did not name CODECO directly.[15] Shortly after one of the group's attacks, Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi pledged in July to "eliminate" it.[10]

In September 2019, the group entered into negotiations with the Ituri regional government to cease its operations and disarm. The group offered to lay down its arms, so long as a disarmament deal gave amnesty to its members, provided CODECO fighters a right to join the Congolese Army with their current rank if they so choose, or disarm and be reintegrated into civilian life as part of a DDR campaign. The Ituri government did not immediately agree to the terms, but agreed to talks with CODECO, which were generally well-received by the local communities.[16]

The group's fighters entered into pre-disarmament cantonment shortly thereafter, but the peace process dragged on. Negotiations stalled and CODECO members were subjected to very poor living conditions and food shortages, which led to the formation of anti-ceasefire factions, which once more took up arms. Several hundred CODECO fighters remained in a run-down 'transit centre' for several weeks in January 2020, before they themselves also left, carrying with them the same weapons they entered with.[9]

In 2020, the group launched a series of large-scale attacks concurrently (though not necessarily in coordination) with various Congolese rebel and Islamist groups, which led to several thousand deaths.[1][2] It and other Lendu militias suffered several setbacks during March of that year, including the killing of its own leader Ngudjolo,[3] but then returned on the offensive by April, reasserting control over various localities in North-Eastern Congo.[1] However, the death of its leader left CODECO splintered into various different factions, some of which stood accused of carrying out atrocities against civilians.[3][1]

In the following months, officials from the United Nations blamed several massacres described as "akin to crimes against humanity" on CODECO. What followed was an appeal by Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi for an end to the inter-ethnic conflict in the country. CODECO agreed and announced a unilateral ceasefire in August 2020.[6]

About a month later, about 100 heavily-armed CODECO fighters entered the city of Bunia and demanded the release of several group members, which were being held in a local prison. Security forces made no attempt to stop the fighters from entering the town and a UN source cited by Reuters reported that they had entered the city under escort from the Congolese police. An army spokesperson stated that there was no conflict and that the situation was under control, adding the CODECO fighters had only come to ask for better treatment and the release of prisoners.[17][18] It was later revealed that the actual number of fighters involved was around 200 (including what appeared in a video of the event to be children combatants), as well as that they had belonged to the CODECO/ALC.[11]

The September 4th gunmen belonging to CODECO enter to the city of Bunia, in the eastern of the country and protested for treatment during a continuing peace process and to demand the release of jailed fighters. The militants wears white headbands to distinguish each other, surrounded the prison to push for the release of their fighters.[19][20] However, not all of the group's factions had come to accept the ceasefire. In late October, the CODECO/ALC faction joined forces with another rebel group to attack the town of Bunia. The attack was repelled by the joint forces of the Congolese Army and MONUSCO. The latter reported killing 33 CODECO/ALC fighters and seizing two rebel strongholds, while also accusing it of committing abuses against civilians and their property.[21][22]

In November 4, militants attacked a military post in the Ezekere area, Ituri province, leaving five soldiers killed and five others seriously wounded. a senior military officer is among the fatalities. Further fighting was reported in nearby Bedu hours later.[23][24]

MONUSCO troops engaged against CODECO elements in Djugu Territory, May 2022.

CODECO increased attacks in 2021-2022.[7] By 2023, the group was still clashing with rival militias as well as the military, and continued to raid villages. In doing so, it exploited the unrest caused by the offensive of another rebel group in the region. CODECO militiamen also committed further war crimes, including the murder of civilians and hostages.[25][26]