Over 38 People Killed as Armed Gang Sets Catholic Church on Fire in DRC
- Armed assailants stormed a quiet town in Congo during a religious gathering, leaving behind chaos, destruction, and a grieving community
- Witnesses described a night filled with terror as attackers targeted peaceful residents in a place once considered safe
- The brutal incident sparked outrage, with videos capturing the aftermath and local leaders demanding swift action to prevent further violence
Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features for digital and print media.
Suspected members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) have killed at least 38 people following a brutal attack on a church in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Source: Getty Images
The group linked to the Islamic State (IS) targeted the church located within Komanda city in Ituri Province on early Sunday, July 27.
What happened during attack on DRC church?
According to a report by Al Jazeera, witnesses and local officials said heavily armed militants stormed the church, killing over 20 worshippers who had gathered for an overnight vigil with machetes and firearms.
“The attackers specifically targeted Christians who were gathered for an overnight vigil at the Catholic church. Tragically, many were killed using machetes and gunfire," said Christophe Munyanderu, a human rights activist in Komanda.
Additional victims were discovered in nearby burned homes.
Shops and businesses in the vicinity were looted and torched during the assault, further deepening the devastation in the already volatile region.
UN-backed Radio Okapi reported the death toll at 43, while humanitarian sources continued to search for more victims.
Source: Twitter
Komanda local authorities demand military intervention
Local civil society representatives condemned the attack and criticised the lack of adequate security in Komanda despite a significant presence of government forces.
The incident has prompted renewed calls for urgent military intervention to protect civilians amid ongoing threats in the area.
“We are deeply disheartened that such a horrific attack could happen in a town where security officials are fully present. We urgently call for military intervention, as the threat remains dangerously close to our community,” said Dieudonne Duranthabo, a civil society coordinator in Komanda.
Many residents reportedly fled to the nearby town of Bunia, fearing further violence. Security forces say operations are underway to locate the assailants and prevent further attacks.
The ADF, originally a Ugandan rebel group that emerged in the 1990s, established a violent presence in the eastern DRC, routinely carrying out attacks on civilians.
Though the group initially claimed to fight for Muslim rights in Uganda, it has since evolved into a broader insurgent movement that targets communities across religious lines in both Uganda and the DRC.
Did M23 sign ceasefire deal with DRC government?
The government of representatives of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and officials of the M23 signed a ceasefire deal in Qatar on Saturday, July 19, to end the decades-long conflict that had left thousands dead and others displaced.
The truce came after a series of negotiations led by separate emissaries and envoys from Africa and Qatar.
Kenya has been part of the peace process in DRC under the chairmanship of former president Uhuru Kenyatta, who has been leading the Nairobi peace process.
President William Ruto also convened several meetings of the East African heads of state to try and broker a deal between Presidents Felix Tshisekedi (DRC) and Rwanda's Paul Kagame, who is accused of funding M23.
Tshisekedi and Kagame refused to meet on several occasions, making the reconciliation talks impossible.
However, in March, Qatar brokered a deal that brought the two leaders together. They agreed to start negotiations to end the conflict in Eastern DRC.
Tragedy as 2 children die in Nyeri house fire
In other news, two children lost their lives in a mysterious house fire while their mother was away visiting an ailing relative in the hospital.
A third child, a Grade Nine student who was also in the house at the time, managed to escape and raise the alarm.
The family expressed shock over the incident, noting that there was no known source of fire or cooking activity in the house when the blaze broke out.
Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi visited the grieving family and offered his support, urging the community to stand in solidarity with them during the difficult time.
Masolo Mabonga, HOD Current Affairs and Politics, updated this article with details on the ceasefire deal between the government of DRC and the M23 militia group.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
