Komanda — More than 40 people were killed in a brutal nighttime attack at a church in the northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to statements from the United Nations and Congolese military. The massacre was carried out by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a militant group aligned with the Islamic State. The assault took place during a night vigil in Komanda, a town in the troubled Ituri province. Witnesses said the attackers stormed the church and used machetes to kill worshipers as they prayed. The UN peacekeeping mission, MONUSCO, reported that the victims included 19 women, 15 men, and nine children.
“This was a deliberate slaughter of civilians in a sacred place,” said Vivian van de Perre, MONUSCO’s deputy chief. “These crimes are clear violations of international humanitarian law and human rights.”
The attackers also looted nearby businesses and set buildings on fire before retreating into the surrounding forest.
The Congolese military said the massacre was an act of retaliation. Lt. Jules Ngongo, a military spokesperson in Ituri, stated that the ADF launched the attack to draw attention away from ongoing joint operations by Congolese and Ugandan forces aimed at dismantling the group.
“These terrorists are targeting peaceful communities in revenge,” Ngongo said. “They intend to spread fear, but our forces will pursue them to their last hideout.”
The ADF originated in Uganda in the 1990s, accusing the government there of marginalizing Muslims. The group later moved into eastern DR Congo, where it began attacking civilians indiscriminately. It has since pledged allegiance to the Islamic State and now operates as part of the Islamic State Central African Province.
Recent research indicates that nearly 90% of all Islamic State-linked operations now take place through affiliates based in Africa, including the ADF and similar groups in Mozambique.
The violence in Komanda follows a pattern of escalating attacks by the ADF in recent weeks. Earlier this month, MONUSCO documented two days of violence on July 8 and 9 that left 47 people dead in the same province.
Despite joint operations with Ugandan forces since 2021, ADF cells continue to operate across the eastern DRC. The group’s presence in Ituri and neighboring North Kivu has disrupted daily life and led to repeated mass killings.
Komanda lies in a region rich in minerals but plagued by conflict. Dozens of armed groups have fought for control of Ituri’s resources, with civilians frequently caught in the crossfire.
The Congolese army has urged residents to remain alert and report any suspicious movement to the nearest security forces.
As investigations continue, the victims’ families are preparing to bury their loved ones. Many in the community are calling for stronger protection and greater international attention to a conflict that continues to cost innocent lives.
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