Clashes Between Army and Militia Sow Tension in Ituri's Marabo

Tensions remain high in Marabo, Ituri province, following clashes between the Congolese army (FARDC) and the Patriotic and Integrationist Front of Congo (FPIC) militia. The confrontations, which began early Thursday morning, have created an unstable security situation in the area, located about 40 kilometers south of Bunia.

Local customary sources indicate that the fighting stems from the killing of a prominent FPIC militia leader, identified as 'Hérode,' along with two of his bodyguards. The three men were reportedly killed in a shooting incident in the nearby locality of Nyakunde during the night of Wednesday to Thursday. Militiamen accuse the FARDC of involvement in the operation, fueling retaliatory attacks on military positions in Marabo.

Adding to the unrest, a woman, the wife of an FPIC fighter, died at the Nyakunde General Hospital. Her death sparked anger among local youth, some reportedly affiliated with the FPIC, who subsequently vandalized parts of an Ebola treatment center in the area. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed.

The escalating insecurity has also impacted transportation, causing disruptions on National Road 27 (RN27), a vital route connecting Bunia and Komanda. Local traditional authorities and civil society members are urging all parties to exercise restraint and avoid further escalation to restore security and normalize socio-economic activities.