“Convert, pay or die” – New Violence in DRC

In Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as reported earlier, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) attacks have killed more than 80 people in March and April. A new wave of violence continues in May.

On May 5, the ADF killed at least 24 Christian farmers in the communities of Manzuba, Musandwa and Wasafi. The following two days saw the killings of a further 40 individuals, according to the Ituri civil society group. At this stage, it is unclear how many of those killed were Christians. Radio Okapi reported that other ADF attacks on 10 May and 11 May left at least 15 dead. 
 

Either killed or displaced

Reverend Paluku leading a church in Oicha (North Kivu) attended several burials. “The suffering was visible on every face,” he said. “The town was in mourning. They were members from the Baptist Church, Catholic, and other churches. It was painful. Let us pray that God heals the broken hearts.”

Pastor Jean-Pierre leads another church in Oicha. He shared, “The situation is chaotic. Farmers are dead; the Body of Christ is wounded. We ask God to strengthen His Church because nothing seems to work.”

It’s apparent that the attacks are severely impacting believers. 

“Christians have fled toward Butembo and Beni,” Pastor Mumbere reported. “The Sunday service on 10 May was attended by only 42 believers, whereas we normally gather 136. The ADF attacks are affecting the faith of Christians on every level. Please, pray for the faith of the church in this situation.” 

  “Only prayer will stop the ADF,” Reverend Bagheni emphasized.
 

Convert, pay or die

In April, the ADF shot and killed a farmer in front of his workers for refusing to pay an imposed tax of 30,000 Congolese francs (approximately 102 HKD) for all his workers camped in the field.

This reflects the situation that others in the DRC have shared with Open Doors partners. In November 2025, a Christian farmer said, “The terrorists say Christians must choose:  convert to Islam, pay  jizya (tax), or die.”

Ongoing ADF violence not only affects people’s lives but also their health and education. A civil society organisation has decried the fact that about 40% final year students were unable to take preliminary tests for their state exams, due to recurrent insecurity.

The continued violence also affects churches and missionary schools, and church leaders report being overwhelmed by the repeated attacks.

“Our hearts are broken. The ADF killings are out of control,” a local church leader said.
 

Break the silence

The situation in DRC continues to be a painful reality for so many believers. 

“It is unacceptable that these attacks on civilians are allowed to continue without any restraint,” says Jo Newhouse*, a spokesperson for Open Doors’ work in sub-Saharan Africa.

And it’s not just isolated to the DRC—around sub-Saharan Africa, millions of Christians are displaced, face violence for their faith in Jesus and live and work in places where their Christianity puts them at risk. It’s why Open Doors started the multi-year Arise Africa campaign. And if you haven’t added your voice to break the silence and make the world pay attention, please do so now.

  “We ask the Body of Christ to keep the church in eastern DRC in prayer. Pray for God's comfort, His provision to the displaced and for his Spirit to give them strength to stand firm amidst these targeted attacks,” Newhouse adds.

We urge to stand with your brothers and sisters in the eastern DRC in prayer.

*Name changed for security reasons