Based on reports, a tragic event occurred in Ntoyo, Congo, where approximately 60 individuals lost their lives at the hands of supporters linked to the Islamic State group.
In the violent and turbulent landscape of eastern Congo, a premeditated act of terror unfolded on the night of September 8-9, 2021, in Ntoyo, North Kivu province. The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a militant group with alleged links to the Islamist organization Islamic State, carried out the brutal attack on St. Joseph of Manguredjipa Catholic Parish.
The attackers, armed with firearms and hammers, selectively set homes alight, suggesting a calculated and ruthless intent. The situation in eastern Congo has been described as dire, with the violence intensifying and leading to massive displacement and a serious humanitarian crisis.
The ADF, a murderous militia group launched in Uganda in 1995 and currently operating in the mountainous region between Uganda and Congo, has been responsible for a number of massacres in eastern Congo, characterized by their extreme violence against civilians, especially Christians. In 2019, the militant group pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group and increased its attacks.
The Islamic State group has reportedly pledged allegiance by the ADF militant group operating in the region. This alliance has raised concerns of a silent genocide unfolding in Congo, with over 120 militias and violent groups contributing to the chaos.
The aftermath of the attack saw local authorities beginning to bury the victims and implement new security measures. The Congolese bishops' conference denounced the ongoing murders and kidnappings in certain regions, describing the killings as 'odious massacres' against innocent faithful.
The brutal overnight attack on a Catholic church in Komanda on July 27 resulted in at least 43 deaths, including children. The attack left at least 64 people dead, many of whom were killed during a wake.
The charity ACN called for prayers for the victims, their families, and the entire Christian community. Bishop Melchisédech Sikuli Paluko of Butembo-Beni expressed his 'spiritual closeness' to the families affected by the attack. The charity also called for urgent action by the international community to protect civilians, ensure religious freedom, and work for a lasting peace in the region.
Conflict in Congo has been ongoing for over 30 years, with fighting escalating in early 2025 when M23 rebels violently took over Goma and Bukavu. Many provinces in Congo have been under martial law for years, with a heavy presence of Congolese armed forces, Ugandan troops, and a U.N. mission, yet the attacks continue.
In February, over 70 corpses were found in a Protestant church in Lubero, with many victims having their hands bound and decapitated. The tragedy in Ntoyo serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing violence and the urgent need for peace and protection of civilians in eastern Congo.
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