Tshisekedi warns of genocide threat

President Felix Tshisekedi has described inter-ethnic bloodshed in the DRC's northeast as ‘attempted genocide’ after numerous people were killed and tens of thousands displaced. He said the violence appeared to be a ‘plot’ and vowed to ‘find out the truth’ about who was behind the deadly unrest. A report on the News24 site notes that he said fighting in Ituri province between militias connected to Lendu farmers and Hema herders has left at least 160 civilians dead since 10 June. ‘Clearly, this looks like an attempt at genocide. To push Ituri to ignite,’ he said at a press conference in the city of Bunia. He has ordered the army to launch a ‘large-scale’ operation against armed groups in Ituri's Djugu and Mahagi territories.