Latest news with #MONUSCO
The Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
DR Congo church massacre survivors describe ADF terror attack
BUNIA: Survivors of a brutal massacre at a Catholic church in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo have described a night of terror as Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) militants stormed the building, killing dozens. The attack, which occurred overnight Saturday to Sunday in Komanda, Ituri province, left 43 dead, including nine children. Pierre Abendi, 21, was among those inside the Blessed Anuarite Catholic parish church when the assault began. 'I stood against a wall and hid behind a mattress. I waited quietly for my turn to die,' he told AFP, his voice trembling. Witnesses said the attackers spoke a foreign language, confirming their identity as ADF fighters. The UN peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO) confirmed the death toll, while a local priest, Aime Lokana Dhego, reported six seriously wounded and several young people kidnapped. One survivor, who asked not to be named, described hearing 'gunshots and cries for help' before militants threatened to burn down his shop. 'We saw them armed with machetes and rifles. It was terrifying,' he said. The ADF, an Islamist group linked to Islamic State, has been responsible for years of violence in eastern DR Congo. Despite joint military operations by Ugandan and Congolese forces since 2021, the group continues to carry out brutal attacks. At a funeral in Komanda, mourners criticized security forces for failing to protect civilians. 'What are the security services doing? They're not doing their job,' one woman told AFP. MONUSCO deputy chief Vivian van de Perre condemned the attack, calling it 'revolting' and a violation of international humanitarian law. The Congolese army accused the ADF of seeking 'revenge on defenceless populations.' Pope Leo XIV expressed grief over the killings, while France condemned the attack and pledged support for Congolese authorities. - AFP
Al Jazeera
2 days ago
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
ISIL claims responsibility for deadly church attack in eastern DR Congo
The armed group ISIL (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for a deadly attack that a United Nations mission says killed at least 43 worshippers during a night mass at a church in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The attack, which took place at the church in Ituri province's Komanda city, saw members of the ISIL-affiliated Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) killing people with guns and machetes, and taking captives. ISIL said on its Telegram channel that rebels had killed some 45 churchgoers and burned dozens of homes and shops. The UN mission known as MONUSCO said at least 43 people had been killed, including 19 women and nine children, and condemned the attack. Pope Leo sent a message of condolences to the bereaved families and the Christian community who lost their relatives and friends in the assault, saying he would pray for them. The Congolese government condemned the church attack as 'horrific', while the military described it as a 'large-scale massacre' carried out in revenge for recent security operations targeting the ADF. However, M23, another Congolese rebel group, backed by Rwanda, used the attack to accuse the government of 'blatant incompetence' in attempts to protect citizens. MONUSCO said the church killings will 'exacerbate an already extremely worrying humanitarian situation in the province'. The church attack on Sunday was the latest in a series of deadly ADF assaults on civilians, including an attack earlier this month when the group killed 66 people in Ituri province. The attack happened on July 11, at about 1am (00:00 GMT) in the Irumu area, near the border with Uganda. The ADF originates in neighbouring Uganda, but is now based in the mineral-rich eastern DRC. It mounts frequent attacks, further destabilising a region where many armed groups compete for influence and resources. The ADF was formed by disparate small groups in Uganda in the late 1990s following alleged discontent with President Yoweri Museveni. In 2002, following military assaults by Ugandan forces, the group moved its activities to the neighbouring DRC and has since been responsible for the killings of thousands of civilians. In 2019, it pledged allegiance to ISIL. The ADF's leadership says it is fighting to form a government in the East African country. The DRC army has long struggled against the rebel group, and it is now also grappling with a complex web of attacks since renewed hostilities with the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Politics
- Zawya
United Nations (UN) condemns deadly attack on worshippers in Democratic Republic of the Congo
The UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, MONUSCO, strongly condemned an attack by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) on civilians during the night of 26 to 27 July. Elements of the ADF, an Islamic State-affiliated insurgent group that originated in neighbouring Uganda, carried out the attack in Komanda town, Irumu territory, Ituri province. At least 49 civilians were killed, including nine children. Several other people were injured and abducted, and shops and homes were set on fire. Most of the victims were reportedly worshippers killed with bladed weapons during a night vigil at a church. The incident comes after ADF attacks earlier in the month killed 82 civilians in Ituri and North Kivu provinces, which MONUSCO condemned on 23 July. The group has committed grave human rights violations against civilians since its founding in 1995 and has been under UN sanctions since June 2014. 'Deep outrage' over attacks MONUSCO expressed 'deep outrage at these heinous acts of violence, which constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law and infringements on human rights.' The peacekeeping mission also extended condolences to the bereaved families, urged Congolese authorities to investigate these killings, and reiterated the UN Secretary-General's call for all foreign armed groups to lay down their weapons unconditionally and return to their countries of origin. 'These targeted attacks against defenceless civilians, particularly in places of worship, are not only appalling but also in violation of all human rights standards and international humanitarian law,' said Vivian van de Perre, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Protection and Operations and Acting Head of MONUSCO. She added that the Mission 'will continue to work tirelessly alongside the Congolese authorities to protect the population in line with its mandate.' Response on the ground MONUSCO is supporting local authorities in their response by organising burials and providing medical care to the wounded. The peacekeeping mission is also intensifying security efforts in and around the city of Komanda. The Mission is committed to working with Congolese authorities and communities 'to help prevent future attacks, protect civilians, reduce tensions, and contribute to the stabilization of areas affected by armed violence.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.
Times of Oman
3 days ago
- Politics
- Times of Oman
Congo: Over 40 killed in militant attack on church
At least 43 people were killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo after a Catholic church was attacked by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels on Sunday. The ADF — an insurgent group with ties to the so-called "Islamic State" group — raided the church located in the northeastern town of Komanda as worshippers gathered for prayer. What do we know about the attack on the Catholic church? Nine children were among those killed, according to MONUSCO, the UN peacekeeping mission in the country. According to reports, houses and shops surrounding the church were also set ablaze by the rebels. "These targeted attacks on defenseless civilians, especially in places of worship, are not only revolting but also contrary to all norms of human rights and international humanitarian law," the mission's deputy chief, Vivian van de Perre, said in a statement. Sunday's attack marked the end of a months-long period of calm in the region of Ituri, bordering Uganda. In February, 23 people had died in an attack by the ADF in the province's Mambasa territory. The Congolese military condemned what it described as a "large-scale massacre" on Sunday. It said the ADF had decided to take "revenge on defenseless peaceful populations to spread terror". Eastern Congo is considered one of the world's most dangerous regions. Nearly 130 different armed groups are said to be active across the country, many of which are focused on controlling the region's vast and valuable reserves of natural resources like coltan, cobalt, gold and diamonds. Hostilities earlier this year between Congolese forces and the M23 rebel group ended in a truce on July 19.
Zawya
21-07-2025
- General
- Zawya
Democratic Republic of the Congo - Fataki: A Training Center to Reintegrate At-Risk Youth and Vulnerable Women
In a region still marked by insecurity, a joint initiative by MONUSCO and its partners offers a new perspective to one hundred beneficiaries in Fataki, in Djugu territory. Sixty vulnerable women and forty at-risk youth now have access to a vocational training center, inaugurated on June 15 through a Community Violence Reduction (CVR) project, in collaboration with the National Program for Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Recovery and Stabilization (PDDRCS) and the local NGO Women in Action for Multisectoral Development (FADEM). Equipped with three training rooms, a carpentry workshop, a bakery oven, an administrative office and sanitation facilities, the center offers practical training in carpentry, baking and tailoring. This advancement has been welcomed by local authorities, who see it as a concrete lever for reintegration and social cohesion. An Initiative Born from Community Dialogue This project builds on discussions initiated in 2021 between armed groups and communities, supported by MONUSCO and provincial authorities. These exchanges led to an agreement to cease violence and define local priorities, among which was the creation of economic opportunities for youth and women. " This center is the fruit of collective commitment," recalled MONUSCO Bunia office chief Josiah Obat, calling on communities to continue on the path of dialogue and living together. " All these different tribes are a wealth. In case of disagreement, dialogue. Here you have a framework to train, but also to get closer to each other," he emphasized. Training to Rebuild Beyond learning a trade, this project gives beneficiaries the means to take care of themselves and regain an active place in society. Dorcas, for example, can now sell her pastries at the market. " I'm delighted with this project. It allowed me to learn baking. I now know how to make fritters and cakes that I sell at the market. I can take care of myself without waiting for help from my husband," she confides. Aline, trained in sewing, is preparing to make school uniforms: " Here in Fataki, there are few seamstresses. I learned to sew. With the school year approaching, I'm going to make uniforms for the village children. That will allow me to earn money and feed my family." Others, like Grâce, who became a trainer, are now passing on their skills to other women. These testimonies reflect a dynamic of change that goes beyond the simple framework of training. They embody a desire to build lasting peace through local initiatives. A Response to Territorial Challenges With a budget of $98,000 funded by MONUSCO through its DDR-S section, this project responds to a dual objective: offering a concrete alternative to precarity and reducing the attractiveness of armed groups. It is based on a participatory approach, integrating communities at each stage of its implementation. Local authorities encourage ownership of this initiative. For Djugu territory administrator Ruffin Mapela, "this project strengthens social cohesion between communities, while building on local resources and skills." In Fataki, the vocational training center illustrates the common commitment to sustainable solutions to violence. It is now up to the communities, with partner support, to make it a living space, a driver of transformation for the entire region. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mission de l'Organisation des Nations unies en République démocratique du Congo (MONUSCO).
