Violence Escalates in Eastern DRC: Christians Targeted by ADF Attacks

Violence Escalates in Eastern DRC: Christian Community Under Siege

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is facing a wave of violence as a recent series of attacks has devastated a Christian enclave in the eastern part of the country. Within days, more than 20 people have lost their lives, including a church elder and a worship leader. These incidents have left the community in fear, as reported by Open Doors, an organization dedicated to supporting persecuted Christians globally.

The commune of Mangina in North Kivu Province’s Beni Territory was the site of one tragic attack on July 14, confirmed by an Open Doors field contact. During this assault, six people were killed, six others sustained injuries, one person went missing, and two homes were destroyed by fire.

Prior to this, on July 12, fighters believed to be from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) launched an assault west of Beni city, resulting in the deaths of seven civilians and three Congolese soldiers. Another attack on July 16 in Mangina claimed ten more lives.

Pastor Nkulu, a church leader in Mangina, shared that he provided refuge to ten Christians in his home as they fled the violence. He noted, “Fear is increasing,” and emphasized that regular church activities have been disrupted. He called for prayers for the safety of Mangina and the resilience of its Christian community.

The eastern DRC region remains perilous for Christians, ranking 29th on Open Doors’ World Watch List for persecution. The ADF’s presence in the area has deeply affected local populations emotionally.

The organization highlighted, “These latest attacks will further heighten fear. Please pray for the region and our brothers and sisters who live there.”

The ADF, which has ties to the Islamic State, has particularly targeted Christian communities in North Kivu and Ituri provinces. According to Amnesty International, most of the ADF’s victims are Christians, as the group operates in predominantly Christian territories.

Amnesty International’s investigators, after extensive interviews with survivors and witnesses, concluded that many of the crimes committed by the ADF qualify as war crimes and crimes against humanity.

In September 2025, a propaganda video from the Islamic State’s Central Africa Province referred to fighting against “crusaders,” underscoring the religious dimension of the conflict.

Among the most brutal acts was a massacre in Komanda, where more than 40 churchgoers lost their lives. Survivors recounted numerous attacks on villages and other establishments, often executed with brutal weapons such as guns and machetes.

Victims described feeling abandoned by security forces, who either arrived too late or failed to intervene. The report also detailed incidents of sexual violence, mass abductions, and the coercion of children into militant camps.

Former child captives revealed they were forced into combat roles, subjected to harsh treatment, and coerced into adopting Islamic practices under threat of death.