An attack by Islamist-linked rebels in eastern Congo has turned a mourning gathering into a massacre. In the early hours, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) targeted mourners at a funeral in Ntoyo, North Kivu, killing at least 60 people. Survivors were horrified by the brutality of the assault, which marked another tragic chapter in the region’s ongoing conflict.
Crescent of Violence at a Burial
Military administrator Colonel Alain Kiwewa confirmed the horrific event, explaining that assailants first gathered residents under the guise of a burial ceremony before launching a bloody assault. Estimated death counts remain provisional, as authorities are still recovering and identifying bodies, including beheaded victims.
A survivor described the horror: the attackers wielded machetes and ordered everyone to gather before striking. The survivor fainted amid screams, underscoring the terror the community endured.
ADF’s Resilient Threat
The ADF, an armed group that pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in 2019, has long been responsible for deadly raids across eastern Congo despite joint operations with Ugandan forces to suppress it. This attack follows brutal assaults earlier in July, which claimed dozens of lives in Ituri province.
A Region in Crisis
Eastern Congo remains volatile, with numerous armed groups vying for control over resource-rich communities. Political instability, cross-border insurgencies, and weak governance contribute to recurring cycles of violence. Civilians bear the greatest burden, facing death, displacement, and the erosion of trust in security institutions.
Rising International Concern
This latest mass killing highlights the urgent need for a coordinated international response. The ADF is just one actor in a tangled web of conflict involving M23 rebels, government forces, and other militias. Addressing lasting peace will require addressing poverty, land disputes, and political disenfranchisement, not just cleanup operations.
The rallying cry is clear: a Congo rebel attack kills 60 today, but without real accountability and peace-building, civilians face the same peril again.
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