More than 50 killed in latest DRC attacks

The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have killed more than 50 in a spate of recent violent attacks.

Our family in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have recently suffered another spate of extreme violence. From Saturday 9 August, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) began attacking communities in North Kivu province, in the east of the country. In the attacks, more than 50 people – including women and children – were murdered by the militants. Many Christians are believed to be among those killed.

“They massacred many people here in Oicha, and many houses burnt,” a church leader in the community’s Mbimbi neighbourhood told an Open Doors local field contact. “We continue to ask for your assistance in prayer.” This attack left at least nine people dead, homes and vehicles destroyed, and many people displaced from their homes. It’s just one of many recent examples of terrible ADF violence targeting Christian communities.

Ambushes and murders

This latest spree of attacks began on Saturday 9 August, when militants ambushed and burned a vehicle transporting passengers and goods from Butembo to Bunia, a journey of more than 150 miles. It is not known what happened to the passengers, and they have not been heard from since the attack.

A few days later, the ADF killed three people in Mayi-Moya – which is on the route between Butembo and Bunia. Then, in the early hours of Saturday 16 August, the attackers killed four people in Mulango, Banjiji and Busio communities, looting and burning the homes of people who had fled for safety.

Between 14-15 August, the ADF killed 32 people in Melia village, sources say. The victims included women and children. “Ten others were killed in the nearby village,” a security source in Beni revealed.

Thousands of people fleeing ADF attacks in the Lubero territory have sought refuge in Njiapanda and Mangurujipa, living in dire conditions with extreme shortages.

The attacks were ‘revenge’

In a statement issued on Monday 18 August, the UN Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) condemned the attacks. Reuters, citing Congolese army spokesperson Lieutenant Elongo Kyondwa Marc, reports: “The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels were taking revenge on civilians after suffering defeats by Congolese forces.”

“It is unacceptable that these attacks on civilians continue with impunity,” says Jo Newhouse (name changed), spokesperson for Open Doors’ work in sub-Saharan Africa. “Open Doors strongly condemns these ongoing acts of violence against civilians and call upon civil societies, governments and international organisations to prioritise civilian protection in eastern DRC where armed groups, such as the ADF, are operating.”

Please keep praying

Jo Newhouse continues: “We call on the international Christian community to remain in prayer for Christians and vulnerable communities in eastern DRC. Pray for an end to violence and that government at all levels will diligently, impartially and transparently address the violence and its effects. Pray for the church in the Lubero Territory as she seeks to bring physical and spiritual assistance to the families affected.”

Open Doors local field contacts are working to determine how many Christians are among those killed. While it’s not only Christians who are targeted in these attacks, they are a preferred target for the terrorist group – partly because they have an expansionist agenda and are determined to impost a radical form of Islam.