Islamic State-backed Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels have killed at least 52 civilians in brutal attacks across the Beni and Lubero areas of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to UN and local officials. The killings took place between August 9 and 16, marking yet another wave of violence in a region long torn by armed conflict.
How Did the Attacks Happen?
The rebels reportedly targeted civilians after suffering defeats at the hands of Congolese forces. Lieutenant Elongo Kyondwa Marc, a regional army spokesperson, said the attacks were acts of revenge. Local leaders described the chilling scenes.
“When they arrived, they first woke the residents, gathered them in one place, tied them up with ropes, and then began to massacre them with machetes and hoes,” explained Macaire Sivikunula, chief of Lubero’s Bapere sector.
In one of the worst-hit areas, the village of Melia, at least 30 people were slaughtered. Military administrator Alain Kiwewe revealed that “among the victims were children and women whose throats were slit in their homes, while several houses were set on fire.”
How Many People Were Killed?
The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) condemned the attacks “in the strongest possible terms.” According to the mission, the confirmed death toll currently stands at 52, including eight women and two children. However, the numbers are expected to rise as search efforts continue.
Why Is Eastern Congo Still Facing Rebel Attacks?
The ADF is one of several militias fighting for control of land and resources in eastern Congo’s mineral-rich territories. Despite intensified military operations by the Congolese army and its Ugandan allies, the group continues to launch deadly assaults. In late July, the rebels killed 38 people in an attack on a church, underscoring the persistence of the threat.
The latest massacre is another reminder of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in eastern Congo, where civilians remain caught in the crossfire of violent power struggles.
By Yockshard Enyendi