In a tragic incident, more than 50 civilians were brutally killed by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels armed with machetes and guns during a funeral in eastern Congo. The attack, which occurred in the town of Ntoyo in North Kivu province’s Lubero territory, was a devastating assault on unsuspecting victims gathered for a mourning ceremony.
The ADF, originally formed in Uganda and now based in Congo, has been affiliated with the Islamic State militant group. This recent assault is part of a series of attacks that have heightened insecurity in the mineral-rich eastern region of Congo. The ADF’s violent activities have resulted in numerous civilian casualties in previous incidents, including an attack on a church that left 38 people dead.
Colonel Alain Kiwewa, the military administrator for Lubero, confirmed a death toll of around 60 from the latest attack, with the possibility of further casualties as some individuals remain unaccounted for. The assailants, in addition to using machetes, also resorted to gunfire and arson, causing chaos and destruction in the area.
Local residents reported that Congolese soldiers arrived at the scene the following morning, while many people sought to flee the area in fear. Despite the soldiers’ intervention, the ADF militants had already carried out the massacre, leaving a trail of devastation behind.
The ADF has reportedly claimed responsibility for multiple recent attacks on civilians and security forces, demonstrating the ongoing threat posed by the group. Congolese and Ugandan forces have intensified their efforts to combat the ADF in response to the escalating violence, further complicating the already challenging situation in eastern Congo, which is plagued by various conflicts, including clashes with the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel groups.