100+ Christians killed in brutal DRC attacks

There has been yet another series of brutal attacks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). At least a hundred Christians have been killed, with hundreds more kidnapped.

There has been yet another series of brutal attacks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). At least a hundred Christians have been killed, with hundreds more kidnapped.

Murders at a funeral

Dozens of Christians were killed on Monday, 8 September, while attending a funeral in Ntoyo village, in North Kivu, in the east of the country. “They arrived and started killing. At this funeral place, they coldly murdered 26 Christians,” said Rev. Mbula Samaki of the 55e CEBCE Church Mangurejipa. “Those who tried to flee were shot dead and others were killed with machetes.”  

The devastating attacks were carried out by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an extremist Islamist group with links to so-called Islamic State.

Across the community, dozens more believers were killed in the same way over the course of two days. Rev. Mbula told an Open Doors local partner in a phone call: “The casualty as of now stands at more than 70 Christians killed, at least 100 kidnapped, 16 houses, eight motorbikes and two vehicles burnt. It is horrible.” 

“I was unable to count them”

Pastor Paluku Nzalamingi, parish priest of Manguredjipa, shared with local news what he saw of the aftermath: “Women on mattresses in the living room… others in the corridor, still others outside in the plot. Some bodies are on the road, in plots close to the centre of Ntoyo. I was unable to count them. Most of them were shot dead.”

The next morning the terrorist struck again in a nearby community, this time targeting Christian farmers. “The ADF arrived in Potodu,” says Pastor Paluku. “With machetes, they killed Christian farmers who were camped in their farms and those who were returning. It is a night of sadness and desolation for Christians.”

At least 30 farmers were killed, though the true death toll may be even higher.

“May God come to our rescue, because we are fed up with these killings,” lamented Pastor Paluku.

Christians forced to flee

Survivors from the communities have fled the affected areas. Rev. Alili’s church, 3e CBCA, Njiapanda, has received many of the displaced people. He shares: “Christians are disoriented, because it was the time when they went to harvest their padi [crop] but look what’s happening to them. We, the church, are short of what to [say to] sympathise with them. 

“The massacres are weakening the faith of Christians. Last month it was still massacre after massacre, and in September. Lord, please come to our aid.”  

He asks for your urgent prayers: “Please, brothers and sisters, let us unite in prayer to counter the enemy. God says if He does not watch over the house, those who watch, watch in vain. Let us pray together for the Christians of the east of the DRC.”

Open Doors calls on the DRC government

“We are dismayed to learn that yet another massacre of Christians has taken place in eastern DRC,” says Jo Newhouse*, a spokesperson for Open Doors’ work in sub-Saharan Africa. “It is unacceptable that these attacks on civilians, and specifically Christians who were gathered for a funeral, are allowed to continue without any restraint.

“Open Doors strongly condemns these ongoing acts of violence against believers and calls upon the government with its international partners to urgently prioritise civilian protection in eastern DRC where the IS-affiliated ADF has been allowed to wreak havoc for far too long.

“We ask the Body of Christ to keep the church in eastern DRC in prayer. Pray for God’s comfort, His provision to the displaced and for his Spirit to give them strength to stand firm amidst these targeted attacks.”

DRC is number 35 on the World Watch List, ranking the countries where Christians face the most persecution for their faith. Most of the persecution takes the form of these violent attacks by Islamist extremists – violence that is impacting many countries across sub-Saharan Africa. The Arise Africa campaign and petition is a response to this shocking violence – please join in praying and calling for protection, justice and restoration for vulnerable believers in sub-Saharan Africa.