In eastern Congo, suspected Islamists murder almost 80 people every week

A Congolese army spokesman claimed that after an attack on villages in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo on Friday by suspected Islamist rebels, the number of deaths has increased to 41, bringing the overall number of deaths in the region to more than 80 since Tuesday.

The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) were responsible for the attack on the villages of Masala, Mapasana, and Mahini on Friday night, according to lieutenant-colonel Mak Hazukay, an army spokesman in the North Kivu region of Congo.

Now headquartered in the eastern Congo, the ADF has sworn allegiance to the Islamic State and launches regular attacks, further destabilizing an area that is home to other armed organizations.

According to two civil society activists, it is thought to have been responsible for several attacks in the region over the previous week, including one that left 17 people dead in the community of Masawu. It is believed to be based in neighboring Uganda.

Five dead were discovered in the villages of Kabweli and Mamulese on Thursday, according to Justin Kavalami, a member of civil society who assisted with the body search. Six bodies were found in a river in Mununze village that same day, according to the village chief.

Thirteen remains were discovered in Makobu village on Friday, according to the village chief and a leader in civil society. This brings the total number of individuals slain by suspected ADF militants since Tuesday to 82.

The ADF could not be reached for comment.

“CHAOS”

Local official Fabien Kakule told Reuters that during the raids on Friday evening, armed men attacked residents of the communities in Beni territory with pistols and machetes.

Vusindi In addition to the 41 fatalities, a local health center was set on fire, according to Nick Junior, a representative of the civic society in the area. Nine other people were also injured.

EU foreign affairs spokeswoman Nabila Massrali stated, “Several dozen civilians have been victims of the ADF in eastern DRC in recent days,” and stressed the urgent need to step up efforts to find a political settlement.

“Terrorist groups are taking advantage of the chaos to expand their hold on an already very unstable region,” she stated.

Former North Kivu governor Julien Paluku stated on X that more needed to be done by the national government of Congo to solve the insecurity in the east. Regarding Friday’s attacks, the government has not yet released a statement, and when contacted for comment, a government spokeswoman did not provide a response.

“People have the impression, rightly or wrongly, of being abandoned to their sad fate,” he stated.