In brief
In northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, an attack attributed to the Islamic State-affiliated Allied Democratic Forces resulted in the deaths of at least 20 worshippers during a church vigil. Local officials reported widespread violence, including arson and additional casualties, as the ADF continues its assault on civilians and maintains a presence in the region.
Dozens of people have fallen victim to a brutal attack by the Islamic State affiliate, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Local authorities report that approximately 20 of the deceased were churchgoers attending a night vigil in the town of Komanda when the assault occurred. In addition to the killings, there were accounts of nearby shops and businesses being looted and set ablaze, exacerbating the chaos and fear among locals. The ADF originated in Uganda in the 1990s, initially claiming to represent persecuted Muslims, but has since relocated across the border to DRC, where their violent campaigns affect people of varied faiths in both DRC and Uganda. Affiliated with the Islamic State Central African Province, which also extends to Mozambique, the ADF has escalated its attacks, with reports indicating that nearly 90% of Islamic State operations now originate from its affiliates in Africa. Dieudonne Duranthabo, a civil society leader in Komanda, observed: "More than 21 people were shot dead inside and outside [the church], and we have recorded at least three charred bodies and several houses burned. But the search is continuing."Father Aime Lokana Dhego, a local priest, recounted that among the casualties, at least 31 belonged to the Eucharistic Crusade movement, with several others seriously injured and some young individuals reported missing. The violent incident has drawn varying reports regarding the death toll: the UN-sponsored Radio Okapi indicated 43 fatalities, while an army spokesperson confirmed 10 deaths.In an ongoing effort to address the threat from the ADF, DRC had previously welcomed Ugandan troops into the region in 2021, yet the violence persists unabated. The region of Ituri, where Komanda is located, is resource-rich but has become a battleground for numerous armed groups over the years.
