Mine event in Congo, the Democratic Republic of the on Sun 14th April 2024

Two of the explosive devices placed by ADF rebels exploded and injured seven civilians last Wednesday in Ndimo in the territory of Irumu (Ituri), local sources reported on Saturday April 13. The NGO Convention for the Respect of Human Rights (CRDH) asks the authorities to take the necessary measures to prevent damage and guarantee the protection of the population in these areas. At least four explosive devices were discovered by the population this week in the combat zones around Tchabi and Ndimo. Some were discovered after an attack last Tuesday and Wednesday by ADF rebels, which left people dead in Ndimo in the chiefdom of Walesse Vonkutu (Irumu). These anti-personnel mines were placed on two bodies of victims, who were lying on the ground. Some residents went there to recover the remains of their brothers. It was then that these devices exploded and injured seven people, who were admitted to Otomaber hospital, local sources say. According to the NGO Convention for the Respect of Human Rights, at least five cases have been recorded since the start of 2024 where explosive devices, placed by the ADF on the bodies of victims, have exploded. They left a total of eleven injured, including a soldier. Two remains of war explosives were also found on Wednesday by some residents near Tchabi. The latter alerted the FARDC to prevent access to this area. The NGO CRDH calls on the Government to dismantle ADF strongholds in the forest. It also invites MONUSCO to deploy its demining team to identify these devices and destroy them, in order to allow the population to freely carry out rural activities. Security sources recall that the administrator of the Irumu territory had prohibited the population from going deeper into the forest beyond 5 kilometers to prevent these dangers. But this decision is not respected by farmers looking for food.