UN Reports 52 Civilians Killed in Eastern DRC by Islamic State-Linked Rebels
A recent wave of violence in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has resulted in the deaths of at least 52 civilians, according to a report by the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in DRC (MONUSCO). The attacks, carried out by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a rebel group linked to Islamic State, occurred between August 9 and 16 in the Beni and Lubero territories of North Kivu province.
Local authorities reported that the assailants, armed with machetes and hoes, targeted villagers in the middle of the night, tying them up before massacring them. The violence was accompanied by kidnappings, looting, and the burning of homes, vehicles, and motorcycles. At least eight women and two children were among the victims, with MONUSCO warning that the death toll could rise further.
The ADF’s actions have been condemned by Bintou Keita, head of MONUSCO, who described the attacks as “intolerable” and a serious violation of international humanitarian and human rights law. The group has been responsible for the killings of thousands of civilians since it moved its activities to the DRC in 2002, following military assaults by Ugandan forces.
The recent surge in violence is believed to be a response to a string of losses inflicted on the ADF by government forces. The Congolese military has reported that the group sought to take revenge on the civilian population. In July, the ADF killed dozens of worshippers at a Catholic church in Komanda during an overnight prayer vigil.
In response to the escalating violence, MONUSCO has increased its military presence and support to the Congolese authorities. The organisation has provided physical protection to at least 206 civilians, including 70 women and 93 children, who have taken refuge at its military base.
The ADF was formed in the late 1990s by disparate insurgency groups in Uganda, following alleged discontent with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. The group’s activities have been a major concern for regional stability, with the UN and other international organisations working to support the DRC government in its efforts to combat the group.
The recent attacks highlight the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the DRC, where thousands of civilians have been displaced or killed in recent years. The international community has called for increased support to the DRC government and humanitarian organisations working in the region to address the crisis.
