DR Congo: Suspected ADF Rebels Attack Catholic Church, Killing at Least 34 in Ituri Province
A brutal attack by suspected Islamic State-backed rebels of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) on a Catholic church in the town of Komanda, Ituri province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, has resulted in a horrific loss of life. While initial reports varied, confirmed sources indicate a death toll of at least 34 people, with some reports citing as many as 43 fatalities.
Details of the Attack:
Target and Time: The assault took place in the early hours of Sunday, July 27, around 1:00 AM, while Catholic Christians were gathered for a prayer vigil at a church complex managed by the Caritas charity in Komanda.
Perpetrators: The attack is widely attributed to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a Ugandan Islamist rebel group that has formally pledged allegiance to the Islamic State since 2019. The group is known for its operations in the border region between Uganda and Congo.
Modus Operandi: Witnesses and civil society leaders reported that the rebels, armed with both guns and machetes, stormed the church premises. Victims were reportedly killed indiscriminately with both bullets and bladed weapons.
Casualty Figures:
Dieudonne Duranthabo, a civil society coordinator in Komanda, initially reported at least 34 people killed, with bodies remaining at the scene. He also mentioned discovering at least three charred bodies and several burned houses.
Other city officials and the Associated Press reported death tolls ranging from 34 to 38 killed, with 15 injured and several others still missing.
DRC's Radio Okapi, a UN-backed radio station, reported the death toll as high as 43, citing security sources. It specified that over 20 victims were killed with bladed weapons during the prayer vigil, with additional bodies found in burned houses nearby.
The Congolese army spokesperson in Ituri province, Lt. Jules Ngongo, confirmed the attack but provided an initial, lower toll of 10 fatalities within the church.
Additional Damage: Beyond the church building, several nearby houses and shops were also set ablaze during the incursion.
Security Concerns: Duranthabo expressed profound disappointment over the incident, stating it was "incredible that such a situation could occur in a town where all the security officials are present," and urgently called for immediate and stronger military intervention.
Context and Implications:
Break in Calm: This bloodshed in Komanda tragically interrupts a period of relative calm in the Ituri region. This comes despite ongoing joint military operations by Congolese and Ugandan forces against the ADF, which have struggled to completely dislodge the group.
ADF's Brutal History: The ADF has a well-documented history of brutal attacks on civilians, often employing machetes and targeting remote villages and vulnerable communities. Earlier in July, the group reportedly killed dozens of people in Ituri in what a United Nations spokesperson described as a "bloodbath."
Humanitarian Crisis: The eastern DR Congo, particularly the Ituri province, has been grappling with a prolonged and severe humanitarian crisis marked by persistent armed violence, massive internal displacement, and widespread food insecurity. Attacks like this further exacerbate the already dire situation.
ISIS Affiliation: The ADF's established ties to the Islamic State complicate security efforts and raise concerns about the broader spread and influence of extremist ideologies in central Africa.
Community Impact and Displacement: The attack has left the community of Komanda in profound shock and grief. Volunteers were seen preparing a mass grave within the compound of the Catholic church for the numerous victims. Following the attack, some citizens have reportedly begun fleeing the area, seeking safety towards Bunia.
The attack highlights the continued and severe security challenges in eastern DR Congo and the devastating, indiscriminate impact of armed groups like the ADF on civilian populations.
