Fighters from the Islamic State-affiliated Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) have carried out a series of brutal assaults in the Democratic Republic of Congo, resulting in the deaths of at least 89 innocent civilians.
The violent attacks occurred across several localities in North Kivu province between 13 and 19 November, with the death toll including at least 20 women and an undetermined number of children.
Health Centre Massacre
In one of the most shocking incidents, the rebels targeted a health centre operated by the Catholic Church in Byambwe. The assault claimed the lives of at least 17 people, including women who had visited the facility to receive maternity care.
The attackers showed no mercy, setting alight four separate wards that housed patients. This reprehensible act has drawn widespread condemnation from local and international authorities.
Widespread Violations and Official Condemnation
Beyond the direct killings, the rebel fighters committed numerous other violations, including abductions in nearby villages and the systematic looting of essential medical supplies.
Colonel Alain Kiwewa, the territory's administrator, expressed outrage at the attacks. 'Attacks on health facilities are a crime against humanity,' he stated emphatically. 'These despicable acts must not go unpunished.'
The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Congo, MONUSCO, issued a statement urging Congolese authorities to 'promptly initiate independent and credible investigations' to identify those responsible for the massacres and ensure they face justice.
Pattern of Violence and Regional Instability
This recent surge in violence is part of a disturbing pattern. Local officials reported that just last month, suspected ADF rebels killed 19 civilians in an overnight attack in the village of Mukondo, also in North Kivu province.
In September, the group claimed responsibility for one of its deadliest attacks in recent months, where more than 60 civilians were slaughtered at a funeral in eastern Congo.
The ADF, which originated as a rebel force in Uganda, has been based in the forests of neighbouring Congo since the late 1990s. The group is now formally recognised by Islamic State as an affiliate, operating under the name Islamic State Central Africa Province.
Despite ongoing military operations against the ADF by both Congo's army and Ugandan forces, the group's capacity for violence remains undiminished, exacerbating the profound insecurity in the mineral-rich east Congo region.
This instability is further complicated by the presence of Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, who control other parts of North Kivu province after staging a significant advance earlier this year. International mediators, including the United States and Qatar, are currently attempting to broker peace in that separate conflict.
