At least nine people were killed in a brutal attack by suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) militants in Oicha, North Kivu, on Saturday night. The rebels targeted a local cinema where football fans had gathered, opening fire before setting homes ablaze in the latest wave of violence plaguing the region.
Escalating Violence in Beni
The attack comes amid growing insecurity in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the ADF—an Islamist militant group with ties to the Islamic State—has intensified assaults on civilians. A civil society official reported that more than 30 people were also killed in a separate attack in Mombasa, though authorities in Kinshasa have yet to confirm the incident.
Frustration is mounting among locals, who accuse the government of failing to protect them. Some young men in the area are now demanding arms to defend their communities.
“People are very disappointed, calling on their government to do much more,” said the reportrt, reporting from Kinshasa.
This latest massacre follows another deadly assault two weeks ago, when ADF fighters attacked a night vigil in Commander, killing 43 people.
Ceasefire Collapses as M23 Advances
Meanwhile, fighting has resumed between the Congolese army and M23 rebels in North and South Kivu provinces, despite a ceasefire agreement brokered in Doha on July 19. The deal, which called for an end to hostilities, has been repeatedly violated, with both sides accusing each other of initiating attacks.
M23 has reportedly advanced toward Uvira, a city bordering Burundi, forcing thousands to flee—many for the second or third time since the conflict reignited in late 2021.
Residents, once hopeful after U.S.-backed peace talks, now express despair. “People have lost hope,” he said. “They are calling for divine intervention.”
International Efforts Stalling
While a U.S.-led process between the DRC and Rwanda remains active, negotiations in Doha have stalled. M23 refuses further talks until the government releases around 700 detained members—a key condition of the Doha agreement.
With no resolution in sight, civilians in eastern DRC remain trapped between warring factions, facing relentless violence with little protection.
