DistantNews
Support us
🇨🇩 DR Congo /Conflict & Security

Violent Clashes Erupt Between Congolese Army and CRP Militia in Djugu

From Radio Okapi · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Violent clashes erupted between the Congolese army (FARDC) and the CRP militia in the Djugu territory, near Bunia.
  • The fighting began after an army patrol investigated overnight explosions, leading to an initial FARDC advance followed by a militia counter-offensive.
  • The conflict has caused a humanitarian crisis, with local populations fleeing their homes amid fear of renewed fighting.

Violent armed confrontations have broken out between the Congolese army (FARDC) and the Convention for the People's Revolution (CRP) militia in the Djugu territory, located north of Bunia in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The clashes occurred in the Gina grouping, approximately 40 kilometers north of Bunia, on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.

The FARDC first dislodged the CRP elements installed in the area before facing, at the end of the day, a counter-offensive by the militiamen.

— Radio OkapiDescribing the initial stages and subsequent counter-offensive during the clashes.

The hostilities commenced Tuesday morning near the village of Liko. The FARDC had dispatched a patrol to investigate detonations heard during the night. Initially, the army forces dislodged CRP elements from the area. However, by the end of the day, the militia launched a counter-offensive against the FARDC.

There is conflicting information regarding the casualties. Local sources report at least eleven deaths and the loss of military equipment. In contrast, the army command claims no losses on its side, reporting only injuries among the assailants. This discrepancy highlights the chaotic and contested nature of the ongoing conflict.

local sources report at least eleven deaths and military equipment carried away, while the army command claims to have registered no losses in its ranks and speaks of injuries on the side of the assailants.

— Radio OkapiHighlighting the conflicting reports on casualties and losses.

The deteriorating security situation has triggered a mass exodus of local populations. Many residents from the Dirokpa grouping have fled their homes, seeking refuge near the MONUSCO base. A pervasive climate of fear grips the local population, with the constant threat of renewed fighting between the army and the CRP paralyzing activities in this part of the Djugu territory. This violence is particularly concerning as the CRP had previously declared a unilateral ceasefire in May to support the peace process.

A climate of fear grips the local population. The haunting fear of a resumption of fighting between the army and the CRP continues to paralyze activities in this part of the Djugu territory.

— Radio OkapiDescribing the humanitarian impact and the psychological effect on the local population.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Radio Okapi in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog