For almost 30 years, the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has endured a violent insurgency of the extremist group Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), now affiliated with Islamic State. But in recent weeks,
the violence against majority-Christian communities has reached alarming proportions, and our field teams are calling for urgent and fervent prayer.
Our local field resources report that in March and early April, including Holy Week, fresh attacks have killed more than 80 people, and an estimated 600, mostly farmers, were kidnapped. 10 young boys were also taken.
The attacks and overall insecurity of the area forced more than 31,000 people to flee their homes and communities. Militants torched houses, motorbikes and other properties, burning buildings and everything inside them to the ground.
‘Something never seen before’
The brutality of ADF attacks has always been horrific. But local contacts and videos circulating on social say that the violence of these attacks was “something never seen before,” said a church leader in NiaNia, one of the affected communities:
“Thursday 2 April 2026, something never seen before: bodies being transported on motorbikes, with either their heads or feet severed as if a chicken were being slaughtered.”
One field report shared, “Videos of the incident shared on social media show corpses strewn by the roadside like plastic bottles on riverbanks.”
Faced with this insecurity, Christians from NiaNia and surrounding areas fled their homes.
One church leader noted: “We have just welcomed Christians from villages along the Mambasa–NiaNia route after the ADF killed several Christians in the village of Bafwakoa. We are with them in the church.”
‘Enough is enough’
Dieudonne Lossa, coordinator of the Ituri Civil Society (which acts as a link between locals and security forces), said that Islamic State had claimed responsibility for the attacks. For the last seven years since the ADF officially affiliated with Islamic State, the group has provided the ADF with funds, ideological training and propaganda support.
In another statement on April 4, second vice president, Maître Ezadri Jean Marie, of the Ituri Provincial Civil Society Coordination, said,
“Enough is enough … Villages are being emptied of their inhabitants.”
Since the start of the year, the ADF has attacked Christian communities incessantly. In January, 67 Christians were killed. The population lives in fear, and many are forced to live in displacement.
The military administration in the Ituri province has, however, called for calm and urged the population to trust the national army, while reiterating the government’s resolve to secure its population.
‘Pray for the faith of Christians’
The latter end of the attacks came during Holy Week. Days before Easter Sunday, church leaders expressed doubt that many would gather. On Saturday, April 4, Rev. Philemono*, who leads a Baptist church in the area shared that no choir members attended rehearsal. “And yet this Sunday, 5 April 2026, is a great celebration for all Christians around the world.”
True to his fears, Easter service for his congregation was somber, unlike previous Easter seasons. Still, for the 150 people who attended,
the church remained resilient, offering Easter messages and an opportunity to gather and celebrate the joy of Christ’s resurrection.
“We usually have at least 250 worshippers every Sunday, but this Easter Sunday, we didn’t even reach 150,” the reverend said, adding the need for constant prayer.
“We are living through the message of Matthew chapter 24.”
Rev Philemono
“Brothers and sisters, pray for the faith of Christians in the Christian villages of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo,” Rev. Philemono said. “Truly, let us pray for our faith; we are living through the message of Matthew chapter 24 (Jesus’ message on the end times).”
Rev. Kitika also called for prayer, remembering Jesus’ Matthew 28 command to make disciples. “As the Body of Christ, we ask for the prayers of brothers and sisters across the world for the strengthening of the church and the return of peace, so that we may continue to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ in all the villages.”
Pray with us for your family in the DRC
- Pray for comfort for the bereaved, encouragement for the displaced, and for the Lord to meet their needs in different ways.
- Pray that the hostages will find freedom, and experience God’s intervention in their current fate.
- Pray for wisdom for authorities to take effective and courageous measures to ensure the safety of the population. Pray for an end to the bloodshed.
- Pray for the Lord’s peace in the hearts of His children and for strengthening for the church in the face of these attacks.
- Pray for divine encounters for extremists to surrender their lives to Jesus.
*Name changed for security reasons
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Throughout sub-Saharan Africa, Christians are under fire, as extremist groups target the church. The problem is massive and requires an equally large response. Add your voice to the Arise Africa petition, answering the call of the African church to join them in calling for protection, justice and restoration.
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