Seventy Christians have been found beheaded in a church in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in what’s the latest devastating attack on believers in the north east of the country.
According to field sources, at around 4am on Thursday, 13 February, suspected militants from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) – a group with ties to Islamic State (IS) – approached homes in Mayba in the territory of Lubero, saying: “Get out, get out and don’t make any noise.” Twenty Christian men and women came out and were captured.
Shaken by this incident, people from the local community in Mayba later gathered to work out how to release those held captive. However, ADF militants surrounded the village and captured a further 50 believers.
All 70 of those kidnapped were taken to a Protestant church in Kasanga where they were tragically killed.
Muhindo Musunzi, director of the Kombo primary school (which belongs to the CECA20 church), says that prior to this incident, churches, schools and health centres had all shut their doors because of the chaotic security situation. “We had to move all activities towards Vunying,” he said.
Field sources report that, until Tuesday 18 February, some families had not been able to bury their dead because of insecurity in the area. Many Christians have now fled the area for their safety.
We don’t know what to do or how to pray anymore; we’ve had enough of massacres – LOCAL CHURCH LEADER
Expressing an unquantifiable sense of grief and surrender, an elder of the CECA20 church said, “We don’t know what to do or how to pray; we’ve had enough of massacres. May God’s will alone be done.”
Why has persecution increased in DRC?
Rise in violence and internal displacement: This latest awful incident is a continuation of the escalating threat posed by ADF militants in the country’s north east region.
In 2014, the group intensified attacks in Beni territory in North Kivu province, and since then attacks have spread to the territories of Irumu and Mambasa in Ituri province, and now it’s affecting Lubero. In the last month alone, the group have killed more than 200 people in Baswagha chiefdom, according to a local news website.
This explains why DRC rose six places to number 35 in the latest World Watch List. Last year, 355 were killed for their faith, compared with 261 the previous year, whilst an estimated 10,000 were internally displaced, which is ten times more than 2023.
Houses have been looted and burnt, schools relocated, churches and health facilities closed, and several Christian villages have been abandoned altogether. The recent activities of the M23 rebel group, reportedly supported by Rwanda, has added to the vulnerability of Christians.
A call to remain steadfast in prayer
“Open Doors strongly condemns this heinous act of violence against civilians and calls upon civil societies, governments and international organisations to prioritise civilian protection in eastern DRC where armed groups, such as the ADF, are operating,” says John Samuel, Open Doors’ legal expert for the work in sub-Saharan Africa.
“The violence takes place in a context of impunity, where almost no one is held accountable,” he continues. “This massacre is a clear indicator of widespread human rights violations against civilians and vulnerable communities, often targeting Christians, perpetrated by ADF – (a so-called Islamic State) affiliate.”
“We further call on the international Christian community to remain in prayer for Christians and vulnerable communities in eastern DRC,” adds John Samuel.
“Pray for an end to violence and that government at all levels will diligently, impartially, and transparently address the violence and its effects. Pray for the church in Lumbero as she seeks to bring physical and spiritual assistance to the families affected.”
”That God’s comfort will engulf all those grieving and traumatised by this incident, and that Christians in the area affected by persecution will be strengthened in their faith in Jesus; For the Lord to intervene in bringing a halt to these attacks, and for national and international governments, organisation and security forces to do more to provide security and justice in the region.
”That the Holy Spirit will soften the hearts of ADF militants, leading them to Jesus, and that all their plans will be thwarted.”
Meanwhile, Christian leaders across sub-Saharan Africa are calling on the global church to stand with them against violent persecution.
