Massacre in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Dozens of Christians killed by extremist groups

On June 4, the village of Masau in the Democratic Republic of Congo was the scene of a brutal attack in which armed militants set fire to eight houses, resulting in the deaths of 10 men and 6 women. This incident marked the beginning of a series of massacres in the eastern region of the country.

According to reports from local Open Doors collaborators, between June 4 and 10, at least 80 Christians were killed in North Kivu province by radical groups. The deadliest attack occurred on June 7, when extremists killed 50 Christians in the villages of Masalsa, Mahihi and Keme. These actions are part of the growing insurgency of the Islamic extremist group Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), which is aligned with the Islamic State (ISIS).

In a country where 95% of the population is Christian, the ADF is known for its attacks against followers of Jesus. An online message attributed to ISIS claimed that one of the attacks that week was specifically targeting Christians.

Pastor Kambale Aristote of one of the churches in the area said: “We understand that the ADF’s aim is to convert the whole world to Islam. And this is a large-scale persecution.” Regarding the June 7 attacks, Aristote revealed: “The ADF killed and burned alive 50 Christians in their wooden houses.” The victims were members of local churches and were attacked while working on their farms.

The violence continued on June 8 with a surprise attack in the village of Makodu, where extremists killed 13 Christians during a community celebration. On June 10, militants attacked the village of Masuku and then advanced towards Kabweke, where they committed even more heinous acts.

These attacks have left a deep mark on the affected communities, highlighting the urgent need for international action to protect civilians and curb extremist violence in the region.