More than 5000 civilians have fled their homes following unrelenting running gun battles between government troops and rebels in Djugu, North Kivu.
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that since September 27, the security situation has deteriorated significantly in the Drodro health zone, in Djugu territory.
During the night of September 27-28, violent armed clashes flared between CRP and CODECO militiamen in Rhoo and Nyampala villages as well as in Blukwa before the intervention of the loyalist army.
Djugu had enjoyed relative calm since July 2026.
The CRP (Convention pour la Révolution Populaire) is a politico-military movement formed in early 2025 by former International Criminal Court (ICC) convict and former Union of Congolese Patriots (UPC) leader Thomas Lubanga Dyilo.
The DRC army denounced the emerging attacks in Djugu and warned the militia against attacking civilians.
Spokesperson for the 32nd military region, 2ndLt. Goretty Mutwale said, “CRP militiamen are organizing targeted assassinations and kidnappings, attacks against FARDC units deployed in the area and also ambushes against civilians and military personnel on the Iga-Barrière, Fataki, Bule, Nizi, Banga and Barrière sections.”
According to military source on ground, for nearly a week, CRP militiamen have been implicated in several attacks in Djugu territory.
Local sources also claim that more than 5,000 people are living far from their homes, fearing for their safety.