At least 40 Christians who had gathered for a night prayer vigil at a church were killed when suspected Islamist militants attacked a town in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The incident took place in Komanda, a small town in Ituri provice, in the early hours of Sunday morning (27 July), with people both inside and outside the Catholic church targeted. Nearby shops, businesses and homes were attacked and looted. Security forces received news at around 2am, but when they arrived, the militants had already left the area.
Number killed could be higher
There are conflicting reports over the number of people killed, and it’s unclear exactly how many are Christians. The full picture will likely become clearer in the coming days, but the death toll is likely to rise. According to the BBC, nine children are amongst those killed.
“More than 21 people were shot dead inside and outside [the church] and we have recorded at least three charred bodies and several houses burned. But the search is continuing,” reports Dieudonne Duranthabo, a civil society coordinator in Komanda, on 27 July.
“The bodies of the victims are still at the scene of the tragedy, and volunteers are preparing how to bury them in a mass grave that we are preparing in a compound of the Catholic church,” continues Duranthabo.
Others are believed to have been abducted during the assault. It’s also believed that at least five others were killed in Machongani, a nearby village, in an earlier incident. These are the latest in a series of attacks in the region in July, with around 80 people said to have been killed in total.
Mass burial of the attack victims in Komanda
Who is behind the attack?
The group behind the attack is believed to be the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), which has links with so-called Islamic State (IS). Despite a joint military operation by DRC and Uganda to address their threat, the group continues to pursue their Islamist agenda in eastern DRC.
“People have been displaced – not once, not twice. They are in constant displacement”
Illia Djadi
“They’re targeting Christians, and because they have this Islamist ideology and plan to establish a caliphate the same way IS did – they are like an IS in eastern DRC,” says Illia Djadi, Senior Analyst for Freedom of Religion or Belief in sub-Saharan Africa for Open Doors.
“They [ADF] are very strategic. They’re attacking farming communities – defenceless communities where there’s no security presence,” continues Illia, explaining how the group are taking advantage of a power vacuum in the area where a plethora of armed groups are active.
Displaced, bereaved and traumatised
“Millions of people have been killed in eastern DRC and millions have been displaced,” he continues. “Something needs to be done from the DRC government, but also the international community to say this is not acceptable. People have been displaced – not once, not twice. They are in constant displacement. They have lost everything. The only thing they want is to live in peace.”
Open Doors local partners have already responded, Illia confirms. “Open Doors is active there, through our network of local partners,” he says. “They’re already on the scene in that village. The first response is providing relief material, in terms of food, but also we understand that dozens of people have been wounded. They need healing, they need trauma counselling – they need everything.”
Calls for government to act
“Open Doors strongly condemns the attack on Christians peacefully participating in a church programme and civilians in the town of Komanda,” adds Jo Newhouse*, Open Doors spokesperson for the work in sub-Saharan Africa. “We call on government at all levels to keep civilians safe and bring to justice to all who are found to be involved in these acts of brutality.
“Thousands of people have already been affected by the violence in eastern DRC and are living in constant flux – bereaved and severely traumatised. The immediate and long-term human cost of the violence must not be allowed to continue in this manner. All human beings have the right to protection no matter their faith, ethnicity or gender.”
“We further call on the international Christian community to remain in prayer over the ongoing insecurity in eastern DRC. Pray for an end to the Islamist radical violence as government at all levels diligently, impartially and transparently address the violence and its effects. Pray for provision for the church in eastern DRC as she seeks to bring physical and spiritual assistance to the affected.”
please pray
- That God’s comfort will encircle all those affected by this tragedy, and that believers living in areas threatened by armed groups will be strengthened in their faith and protected from harm
- For an end to these attacks, and that the security forces will be equipped to address their threat
- That ADF militants will encounter Jesus and turn from their evil ways to follow Him.
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