Briefing note for HDP actors in Djugu, Ituri Province (June-July 2025)

The Djugu territory, located in Ituri Province in the northeastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is one of the most persistent hotspots of tension in the eastern part of the country. It consists of seven chiefdoms (Bahema, Baguru, Bahema-Badjere, Bahema-Banywagi, Bahema-Nord, Mabendi, Mambisa, and Ndo-Okebo) and four sectors (Banyali-Kilo, Walendu-Djatsi, Walendu-Pitsi, and Walendu-Tatsi). Djugu is populated mainly by the Hema, Lendu, and Alur communities, as well as other minority groups (Bhale, Banyali Kilo, Mabendi, Mambisa, Ndo Ukebo, and Pygmies).
Although it possesses significant natural resources, notably gold deposits in the localities of Mongbwalu, Kobu, and Kpandroma, the territory remains marginalized in terms of infrastructure and basic social services, exacerbating poverty and local frustrations.
The Djugu territory is deeply marked by a persistent antagonism between the Hema and Lendu communities, the two major groups in Ituri. This conflict, centered on land disputes, rivalries over customary power, and issues of identity, has become entrenched over the years, making violence virtually constant. The clashes, fueled by competition for access to land and natural resources, have led to severe intercommunal violence, including massacres and forced displacement.
Some community leaders play a key role in exacerbating these tensions by exploiting these divisions to gain influence or mobilize support.