In a horrific incident that has sent shockwaves through the international community, seventy decapitated bodies were discovered in a Protestant church in Kasanga, a town in the Lubero Territory of North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The gruesome discovery was reported by Open Doors, an organisation dedicated to supporting persecuted Christians worldwide.
The victims are believed to have been taken hostage days before their brutal killings. While no group has officially claimed responsibility, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an Islamist militant group linked to the Islamic State, are suspected of carrying out the atrocity.
Open Doors and several other organisations have accused the ADF, citing credible field sources.
The DRC has been gripped by conflict for over three decades, with violence intensifying in recent years due to the activities of various armed groups. Among them, the ADF, originally from Uganda, has established a reputation for extreme brutality. The group is known for targeting civilians, particularly Christians, as part of its insurgency campaign in eastern Congo.
According to local reports, the victims were tied up and decapitated using machetes. The manner of execution and the location—a church—suggest a deliberate act of terror aimed at instilling fear within the Christian community. This massacre is the latest in a series of violent attacks that have plagued North Kivu, a province already destabilised by the resurgence of the March 23 Movement (M23), another militant group that recently captured strategic cities, including Goma and Bukavu.
Calls for Justice and Security
Military administrator Alain Kiwewa for the Lubero Territory confirmed that an investigation into the incident is underway. However, the lack of security in the region continues to hinder effective governance and justice. Open Doors’ legal expert for sub-Saharan Africa, John Samuel, condemned the attack, calling on international organizations, governments, and civil societies to prioritize the protection of civilians in eastern DRC.
In a statement, Samuel said, “Open Doors strongly condemns this heinous act of violence against civilians. The international community must not turn a blind eye to the ongoing atrocities committed by armed groups in this region.”
His call for action resonates with the sentiments of many who are appalled by the incident. American conservative activist Lila Rose expressed her outrage on social media platform X, asking, “Where’s the media outrage? Pray for persecuted Christians.”
The massacre has left the local Christian community devastated. An elder from the Evangelical Community in Central Africa lamented, “We don’t know what to do or how to pray. There have been too many massacres. May God’s will be done.” The weight of continuous violence and loss has left many in despair, questioning the future of their community and safety in the region.
ADF’s Role in Regional Instability
The ADF has long been a destabilising force in eastern Congo. Initially formed as a rebel group in Uganda, the ADF relocated to the DRC and has since been responsible for numerous attacks on civilians. In recent years, the group pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, intensifying its campaign of violence. The ADF’s brutal tactics, including mass killings, kidnappings, and destruction of property, have led to widespread displacement and humanitarian crises in the affected areas.
This growing threat is one of the reasons Ugandan forces were deployed to eastern Congo to assist the Congolese army. Despite these efforts, the ADF and other militant groups continue to operate with relative impunity, exploiting the region’s complex political and ethnic tensions.
The recent massacre underliness the urgent need for international intervention. Human rights organisations and advocacy groups are calling for increased security measures, humanitarian aid, and strategic military cooperation to protect vulnerable communities.
Open Doors, in particular, is urging world leaders to respond decisively. “This is not just a DRC issue; it is a global human rights crisis,” said John Samuel. “The international community must take responsibility and act swiftly to prevent further loss of innocent lives.”
Main Image: @war_noir
