Dozens of worshippers gathering for a nighttime vigil at a church in Komanda, northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, lost their lives in a brutal attack attributed to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). Local officials report that around 20 worshippers were among the deceased as militants stormed the church, igniting chaos by looting and setting nearby businesses ablaze.
The ADF, originally formed in Uganda in the 1990s, has since shifted its base to DR Congo, where it has integrated into the Islamic State’s Central African Province. This group has become notorious for indiscriminately targeting civilians, regardless of their faith. Through increasing violent episodes, the ADF has solidified its standing as a key player in the region, with nearly 90% of the Islamic State's operations now executed by affiliates in Africa, as noted by BBC Monitoring.
Dieudonne Duranthabo, a civil society leader in Komanda, expressed fears that the death toll may rise, stating, “More than 21 people were shot dead inside and outside [the church] and we have recorded at least three charred bodies.” Local priest Father Aime Lokana Dhego provided a sobering update: “We have at least 31 dead members of the Eucharistic Crusade movement," he reported, adding that several young individuals have been kidnapped with their whereabouts still unknown.
While the United Nations-backed Radio Okapi estimated the death toll at 43, military spokespersons were only able to confirm 10 deaths. The area of Ituri province, rich in minerals, has long been a battlefield for various militant groups, and despite the involvement of Ugandan troops in 2021 to stifle ADF activities, such violent incidents continue to plague the region.
This tragic affair underscores the urgent need for renewed strategies to ensure the safety of vulnerable communities across northeastern DR Congo.
The ADF, originally formed in Uganda in the 1990s, has since shifted its base to DR Congo, where it has integrated into the Islamic State’s Central African Province. This group has become notorious for indiscriminately targeting civilians, regardless of their faith. Through increasing violent episodes, the ADF has solidified its standing as a key player in the region, with nearly 90% of the Islamic State's operations now executed by affiliates in Africa, as noted by BBC Monitoring.
Dieudonne Duranthabo, a civil society leader in Komanda, expressed fears that the death toll may rise, stating, “More than 21 people were shot dead inside and outside [the church] and we have recorded at least three charred bodies.” Local priest Father Aime Lokana Dhego provided a sobering update: “We have at least 31 dead members of the Eucharistic Crusade movement," he reported, adding that several young individuals have been kidnapped with their whereabouts still unknown.
While the United Nations-backed Radio Okapi estimated the death toll at 43, military spokespersons were only able to confirm 10 deaths. The area of Ituri province, rich in minerals, has long been a battlefield for various militant groups, and despite the involvement of Ugandan troops in 2021 to stifle ADF activities, such violent incidents continue to plague the region.
This tragic affair underscores the urgent need for renewed strategies to ensure the safety of vulnerable communities across northeastern DR Congo.
