Call for Investigations After Assassination of Civil Society Leader in Ituri

Ituri DRC, February 6, 2026 - The Ituri Civil Society Coordination has confirmed the assassination of Désiré Malo Dra, president of the Bahema Badjere civil society, and called on justice and security authorities to conduct independent and urgent investigations to clarify the circumstances of this crime. According to an obituary read on Thursday, February 5, by Jean-Marie Ezadri Aguekwa of the Ituri Civil Society Coordination, Malo Dra was killed by unknown assailants in Bule Centre. “It is with great sadness and regret that the provincial coordination of civil society, Force Vive of Ituri, announces and confirms to the international community the tragic death of one of its active members, the president of the civil society of the Bahema Badjere chiefdom, Désiré Malo Dra, who was cowardly gunned down on February 4, 2026, at around 8:00 p.m. by unidentified armed individuals,” Ezadri stated. The announcement also noted the abduction of the president of FEC Bule by unidentified assailants, with no communication yet made to his family or professional network. The civil society coordination urged the security and justice authorities to conduct an independent investigation and called on the international community, including MONUSCO, to assist the Congolese government to ensure a thorough and transparent inquiry. “The provincial coordination informs the public that funeral arrangements will be announced later. May the soul of our dear colleague rest in peace,” added Ezadri. Despite the presence of MONUSCO, FARDC, and the UPDF, the security situation in Bule remains fragile, as CRP rebels continue attacks, even though the area is nominally under FARDC control.