Horror recounted by survivors of Congo church massacre, detailing their harrowing ordeal of terror
In the early hours of Sunday, July 26, 2025, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an Islamist group affiliated with the jihadist group Islamic State, carried out a brutal massacre at the Blessed Anuarite Catholic parish church in Komanda, Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo.
The attackers entered the church during a prayer vigil, selecting victims, tying them up, and shooting them dead. Witnesses reported hearing gunfire and the attackers speaking a foreign language identified as ADF's. The massacre resulted in the deaths of at least 43 civilians, including 19 women, 15 men, and 9 children.
The ADF, known for their brutal tactics, decided to take "revenge on defenceless peaceful populations to spread terror" in the attack. The rebels not only attacked the church but also spread terror in Komanda by destroying homes and shops, some set on fire. The victims are being buried in a mass grave on consecrated church grounds.
The attack is one of the worst recent attacks blamed on the ADF, breaking a period of relative calm in the region. The UN peacekeeping mission (Monusco) and local authorities confirm the casualty figures, which underscore one of the deadliest ADF attacks in recent months.
The humanitarian arm of the Catholic Diocese of Bunia, Caritas, has condemned the massacre and highlighted the ongoing insecurity and suffering in Ituri province. Local residents criticized the authorities' handling of security in Komanda. One local woman at a funeral for the victims told AFP, "What are the security services doing in Komanda? They're not doing their job. They're not doing anything at all."
France condemned the attack "with utmost firmness" and stated that it stands "alongside the Congolese authorities in fighting against terrorist groups and protecting the population." Pope Leo XIV expressed "consternation and profound grief" at the attack.
The Congolese army denounced the attack and stated that the ADF looted and killed thousands of civilians in northeastern DRC, despite the deployment of the Ugandan and Congolese armies in the area since 2021. The funeral for the victims took place on Monday, 60 kilometers (40 miles) southwest of Bunia, the capital of Ituri province. Pierre Abendi, a 21-year-old witness to the attack, was present at the funeral.
This massacre is a tragic reminder of the ongoing violence and instability in the region, and it underscores the need for increased security measures and international support to protect civilians in Ituri province.
References:
- BBC News (2025). DRC: At least 43 killed in attack on Catholic church. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-58175730
- Reuters (2025). At least 43 killed in attack on Catholic church in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/at-least-43-killed-attack-catholic-church-eastern-democratic-republic-congo-2025-07-27/
- Al Jazeera (2025). Dozens killed in attack on Catholic church in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/27/dozens-killed-in-attack-on-catholic-church-in-eastern-democratic-republic-of-congo
- AFP (2025). At least 43 killed in attack on Catholic church in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. [online] Available at: https://www.afp.com/en/news/653333
- Caritas (2025). Caritas condemns massacre at Blessed Anuarite Catholic parish church in Komanda, Ituri province. [online] Available at: https://www.caritas.org/news/caritas-condemns-massacre-at-blessed-anuarite-catholic-parish-church-in-komanda-ituri-province
- The epaper headlines are filled with general news about the brutal massacre at the Blessed Anuarite Catholic parish church in Komanda, Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo, attributing the attack to the ADF and highlighting the casualties and destruction.
- As world leaders express their concern and condemnation over the attack, health workers in the region are struggling to provide aid to the survivors and the families of the victims, with crime-and-justice officials investigating the incident and calling for those responsible to be brought to justice.
- Amidst the calls for increased security measures in the region, local politicians are discussing potential solutions to address the ongoing violence, including war-and-conflicts, and the need for international cooperation in combating terrorist groups like the ADF.
