On October 24, 2020, militants from CODECO-ALC attacked Congolese and MONUSCO forces in the town of Dele, Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. In response, Congolese forces launched an offensive against CODECO-ALC, capturing several towns from the group and killing its leader Mountain Wolf.
| October 2020 Ituri offensive | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Ituri conflict | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Democratic Republic of the Congo MONUSCO | CODECO-ALC | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Unknown | Justin Maki Gesi "Mountain Wolf" † | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 7-9 soldiers killed Several soldiers injured | 33 killed | ||||||
Background
In 2020, CODECO had begun peace talks with the Congolese government and MONUSCO into laying down their arms in Ituri Province. These talks culminated in a ceasefire in August 2020 by CODECO.[1] The first faction of CODECO to sign the peace agreement was CODECO - Alliance for the Liberation of the Congo (CODECO-ALC), headquartered in Walendu Tatsi and Ezekere, near Bunia.[2][3] CODECO-ALC was led by Justin Maki Gesi, known as Mountain Wolf.[3]
A few months after signing the agreement, CODECO-ALC broke off from the ceasefire agreement, and began preparing for attacks in and around Bunia.[2] The first incursion was by 200 fighters into Bunia, demanding the release of inmates from the prison.[2] CODECO-ALC then began a campaign against the Congolese government and MONUSCO around the city.[2]
Offensive
On October 24, 2020, MONUSCO peacekeepers patrolling the town of Dele, outside of Bunia, caught CODECO-ALC militants burning down civilian houses in the town. A firefight broke out between the two groups, and the peacekeepers managed to dislodge CODECO-ALC from the town, and called for backup.[3] That same day, clashes broke out between CODECO-ALC and Congolese soldiers in the towns of Kijogo and Fichama. Congolese soldiers repelled CODECO-ALC in these attacks, but residents reported that at least two Congolese soldiers were wounded in the attacks.[4][5]
Congolese forces then went on the offensive against CODECO-ALC in the Blue Mountains over the following days. Heavy fighting occurred in Ezekere, and Congolese soldiers pushed CODECO-ALC out of Djokodjo, Kambutso, and Mbetshi as well.[6] At least thirty-three militants were killed in the offensive, and two to four Congolese troops were killed.[7][8] On October 26, Congolese soldiers pushed CODECO-ALC out of Walendu Tatsi.[9] In the Congolese offensive, Mountain Wolf was killed.[8]
On November 3, CODECO-ALC launched an attack on Ezekere that killed five Congolese soldiers.[10] However, Congolese forces retained control of the base that was attacked, and continued operations against CODECO in the area.[11]