There has been a resurgence of ethnic clashes between the Lendu and Hema groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo. These clashes between the Lendu and Hema groups dates back to 1972, but the clashes intensified and became violent between 1999 and 2007. This period of time became known as the Ituri Conflict.
The Ituri Conflict occurred due to the Second Congo War. This led to disputes over land, grazing rights, weapons, formations of militia groups bearing arms, and also to racial/ethnic consciousness. BBC News reported that 1.2 million people died in May 2001 directly or indirectly in the Democratic Republic of Congo since August 1998. This conflict has resurfaced and at the moment, 161 people have died.