Islamist Violence Against Christians Rises in Congo
Islamist violence against Christians continues to rise across Africa, with the latest atrocity occurring in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). On September 8, at least 64 people were brutally killed in Ntoyo village, located within the Saint Joseph of Maguredjipa parish in North Kivu. The attackers, believed to be militants from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), reportedly set homes on fire and used guns and hammers to kill villagers, many of whom were attending a wake at the time.
Although the ADF’s name might suggest otherwise, it is not a democratic group. The organization is affiliated with the Islamic State (also known as IS, ISIS, or ISIL) and operates as a local extension of the global jihadist network. Its attacks in eastern DRC have become more frequent and increasingly targeted at Christian communities.
This recent massacre follows a series of deadly incidents attributed to the ADF in North Kivu. In mid-August, 52 Christians were killed in coordinated attacks. In July, 43 people lost their lives during a prayer vigil, and earlier this year, 70 Christians were found beheaded inside a Protestant church. These figures point to a disturbing trend of escalating religiously motivated violence in the region.
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Bishop Melchisédech Sikuli Paluku of Butembo-Beni spoke to Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), offering condolences and spiritual support to those affected. “To all the families affected by this umpteenth and horrible carnage … and to all the faithful of the parish, we express our spiritual closeness,” the bishop said. “May God, the Master of Life, strengthen us through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, consoler of the afflicted, and lead us beyond the desert of present-day suffering to lasting peace.”
The crisis in the DRC reflects a broader pattern of anti-Christian violence in Africa. Nigeria, which has the continent’s largest Christian population, remains one of the most dangerous places for Christians. Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of Nigeria told the British House of Lords earlier this year that violence has become so normalized in some areas that attacks during Christmas celebrations are now considered “customary.” According to global watchdog Open Doors, Nigeria ranks seventh in the world for Christian persecution, largely due to the severity and frequency of Islamist attacks.
The DRC, previously ranked 41st on Open Doors’ World Watch List, has now moved up to 35th, a sign of the growing threat posed by jihadist groups in the region. While much of the international focus has been on conflict zones in the Middle East, these repeated attacks in central Africa highlight a growing and urgent crisis that demands global attention.
The continued silence from the international community risks emboldening extremist groups, leaving vulnerable Christian communities without protection or support. As violence escalates, the call for urgent humanitarian aid, security intervention, and international solidarity grows louder. The world can no longer afford to look away.
Content Credit: Ohidah Oluwaferanmi
Image Credit: Foxnews.com
