Clashes broke out on the morning of Sunday, May 18, near Nyamamba, a town on the shores of Lake Albert, about 60 kilometers from Bunia in Ituri Province. The Congolese army says it has regained control, although it has faced repeated attacks in the region for the past four days.
According to the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), the violent acts are being carried out by fighters linked to Thomas Lubanga, who was released by the International Criminal Court and has since, starting in March, relaunched a political and military movement. The area affected by the fighting stretches far beyond Nyamamba.
By midday on Sunday, May 18, calm had returned to Nyamamba and nearby areas such as Katoto, Malabo, and Lopa — all located about 30 kilometers from Bunia.
Since Thursday, May 15, the region has seen intense fighting, according to a report by RFI. The battles involved both heavy and light weapons in confrontations between the Congolese army and rebel forces. On Saturday, May 17, FARDC launched a major offensive in Lopa, which the local civil society described as “strong.”
The rebels were reportedly pushed back. Some wore civilian clothes while others were in military uniforms. They were armed with AK-47 rifles, a common weapon in the region. According to the army, the rebels sought refuge in schools and churches, which had already been abandoned as civilians fled the violence.
FARDC claims that military officials blame the CRP-Zaire coalition, led by Thomas Lubanga, for the attacks. Lubanga, the former leader of the UPC militia and a convicted war criminal by the International Criminal Court, is believed to currently be in Uganda.
