In a tragic incident in eastern Congo, at least 21 individuals were killed in an attack on church premises on Sunday. This violent assault was attributed to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a rebel group known for its ties to the Islamic State. Dieudonne Duranthabo, a civil society leader in Komanda, reported that the attack occurred around 1 a.m., affecting a Catholic church and leading to the destruction of several houses and shops.
Duranthabo provided further details, stating, "More than 21 people were shot dead inside and outside and we have recorded at least three charred bodies and several houses burned. But the search is continuing." The tragic event comes shortly after the ADF was implicated in another attack earlier this month, which resulted in a massacre in Ituri, described as a bloodbath by a United Nations spokesperson.
In response to this latest attack, a spokesperson for the Congolese army in Ituri province confirmed ten fatalities. Lt. Jules Ngongo remarked, "What we know this morning is that there was an incursion by armed men with machetes into a church not far from Komanda, where about 10 people were killed and massacred and some shops were set on fire." This incident underscores the persistent threat that the ADF poses to civilian populations in the region.
Duranthabo expressed deep disappointment regarding the security situation, asserting that it is shocking such an event could occur where security officials are present. He noted that some residents have begun to flee towards Bunia, seeking safety from further violence. Duranthabo emphasized the urgent need for military intervention, stating, "We demand military intervention as soon as possible, since we are told the enemy is still near our town."
The ADF was originally formed in the late 1990s by various small groups in Uganda, emerging from dissatisfaction with President Yoweri Museveni's governance. In 2002, after suffering military pressure from Ugandan forces, the group relocated to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Since then, they have been responsible for the deaths of thousands of civilians and have conducted numerous attacks against vulnerable populations. In 2019, the ADF pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, further solidifying its extremist ideology.
The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) have long struggled against the ADF, which operates primarily in the complex borderland between Uganda and Congo. This latest violence adds to the ongoing challenges faced by the Congolese army, which is navigating a web of conflicts, particularly amid the renewed hostilities associated with the Rwanda-backed M23 militia.
As the situation unfolds, the local community is left grappling with fear and uncertainty, pressing authorities for effective action to restore safety and prevent further bloodshed in the region.
