A devastating attack on a Catholic church in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has left dozens of people dead, with civil society leaders blaming the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a rebel group affiliated with the Islamic State. The assault took place on Sunday during an overnight prayer vigil in the town of Komanda, located in Ituri province.
Witnesses say the attackers stormed the church armed with machetes and guns, targeting worshippers as they gathered in prayer. The church, run by the Caritas charity, was filled with Catholic Christians taking part in the vigil when the violence erupted. Several homes and shops were also burned to the ground, and the search continues for missing individuals who may have fled or been abducted.
Dieudonné Duranthabo, a civil society coordinator in Komanda, expressed outrage that such an attack could take place in a town where security forces are stationed. He called for urgent military intervention, warning that the assailants were still believed to be in the area. Residents, fearing further violence, have begun fleeing into the surrounding countryside for safety.
The ADF, originally formed in Uganda in the 1990s, has long operated in the borderlands between Uganda and the DRC. Following military pressure in Uganda, the group moved its base of operations into Congo in 2002 and has since been responsible for the deaths of thousands of civilians. In recent years, the ADF has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, and it now carries out frequent attacks on civilian populations, often targeting churches, schools, and remote villages.
The United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Congo (MONUSCO) condemned the latest wave of violence, warning of a dangerous resurgence of attacks in Ituri. Earlier this month, the ADF was responsible for another massacre that left dozens dead. A UN spokesperson described the killings as a “bloodbath” and urged international attention to the region’s deteriorating security situation.
The Congolese military has struggled for years to contain the ADF insurgency. The difficult terrain, lack of resources, and the group’s ability to operate across borders have all hampered efforts to stop the violence. The situation has become even more complex in recent months, as Congolese forces are also engaged in renewed conflict with the M23 rebel group, which is backed by neighboring Rwanda and controls parts of North Kivu.
The violence in eastern Congo has triggered a growing humanitarian crisis, with millions of people displaced and countless others living in fear. Aid organizations report that access to the region is increasingly difficult due to ongoing attacks and threats to humanitarian workers. Local leaders and international human rights groups are calling for urgent intervention to prevent further atrocities and to provide protection for vulnerable communities.
The final death toll from Sunday’s attack in Komanda is still being confirmed, but early estimates suggest it is one of the deadliest assaults on a religious gathering in recent years. As the search for survivors continues, families of the victims are demanding answers, justice, and renewed efforts to restore security to eastern Congo.
