At least 43 people, including nine children, were killed in a brutal attack on a church in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Sunday, according to the United Nations peacekeeping mission MONUSCO. The assault was carried out by fighters linked to the Islamic State (IS) affiliate, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).
The victims were reportedly attending a night vigil at a church in the town of Commander when armed assailants wielding machetes stormed the building. In addition to the fatalities, at least 15 people were injured, while several others were abducted. The attackers also looted and set fire to nearby shops and businesses before fleeing the scene.
MONUSCO condemned the attack in a statement, identifying the ADF as the perpetrators. The armed group, which originated in Uganda in the 1990s, has been based in the DRC for years and has been responsible for numerous deadly assaults in the region.
This latest massacre follows another ADF attack in early July in Ituri province that left 47 people dead. The UN peacekeeping force has warned of a resurgence of violence by the ADF and other armed groups in the conflict-ridden region.
The DRC’s eastern provinces have long been plagued by instability, with dozens of armed groups vying for control. Civilians, particularly in Ituri and North Kivu, have borne the brunt of the violence, facing repeated attacks, kidnappings, and displacement.
International observers have called for increased security measures and humanitarian support to protect vulnerable communities. Meanwhile, Congolese authorities and MONUSCO forces are working to track down the perpetrators and prevent further bloodshed.
The attack has drawn widespread condemnation, with religious and civil society groups urging the government and international community to take stronger action against militant groups operating in the region.
