April 2023 Banyani Kilo massacres

CODECO militants attacked ten villages in Banyani Kilo chiefdom on April 14; Itendeyi, Batata, Sabayido, Djambisse, Carriere Penge, Matete, and Kilo.^[2] The attacks on the towns were intended to seize control of them and exploit the gold mines located there.^[3] Jean-Robert Bassiloko, the coordinator of civil society in Kilo, reported that 35 people were killed in Kilo and the surrounding villages, while ten were killed near Matete.^[2] Congolese MP Gratien Iracan reported that at least 62 people were killed in the CODECO attacks.^[4] Thirteen others were wounded.^[2] Both women and men were targeted in the killings, along with five children.^[5] The militants also burned homes and destroyed property.^[5]

Leaders in Banyani Kilo chiefdom deplored the massacres.^[6] The Congolese Army also said on April 15 that the situation was put under control, but did not elaborate.^[2]

On April 30, CODECO militants killed eight farmers in the villages of Duvire, Njalo, and Bengi, all three in Djugu territory.^[7][8]