Rebels Kill at Least 60 in Deadly Attack in Eastern Congo

A brutal attack by rebels affiliated with the Islamic State group has resulted in the deaths of at least 60 people in eastern Congo. The incident occurred overnight in Ntoyo, North Kivu, as residents gathered for a burial. The attack was perpetrated by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a group that has increasingly targeted civilians in the region.

According to Col. Alain Kiwewa, the local administrator of Lubero territory, “The ADF attack caused around 60 deaths, but the final toll will be given later this evening because the territory has just deployed services to the area to count the number of beheaded people.” Survivors recounted harrowing details of the event, with one woman stating, “I listened to people screaming and I fainted,” while requesting anonymity for fear of reprisal.

The ADF has a long history of violence in the border region between Congo and Uganda, having pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group in 2019. The group has escalated its attacks, particularly in recent months. Notably, in July 2023, the ADF was responsible for two significant assaults in Ituri province, including an attack on a church that killed at least 34 individuals and another incident that claimed 66 lives.

The persistent violence exacerbates the humanitarian crisis in eastern Congo, where multiple conflicts are ongoing. The Congolese government is engaged in a struggle against various armed groups, including the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel faction, which has diverted military resources away from border villages to counter the M23 threat.

At a recent session of the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk highlighted the ADF’s actions, stating that the group has “taken advantage of the security vacuum.” This ongoing instability continues to endanger the lives of countless civilians in the region, further complicating an already dire situation.

As the Congolese government works to address the escalating violence, the international community remains vigilant, monitoring the situation closely. The need for a coordinated response to the threats posed by the ADF and other armed groups is more pressing than ever.