Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): A multitude of militant groups are operating with impunity

Civilians in eastern DRC are being targeted on a regular basis, as reported by the Global Center for the Responsibility to Protect on 31 May 2023. On 3 June 2023, the North Kivu Security Tracker reported that suspected ADF militants (who are affiliated with the Islamic State group) killed at least nine villagers in Museya Kanyamutsutsa village in Beni territory, and International Christian Concern reported on 5 June 2023, that another ten Christians had been targeted and killed by ADF militants. Earlier in May 2023, at least 20 civilians were discovered killed by suspected ADF militants in Ndoma village in Kivu (Africa News, 9 May 2023).

World Watch Research analyst Yonas Dembele comments: “While ADF militants are aiming to impose a radical version of Islam in the region, the situation has been made worse by the M23 insurgency which has further destabilized the region and made it easy for a multitude of militant groups to operate (Monitor, 17 May 2023). Indeed, eastern DRC has become a center of operations for over 100 armed groups, each operating with virtual impunity. The political and radical Islamic insurgency in eastern DRC has persisted for many decades, leaving the Christian population to bear the brunt of the violence coming from all sides. The state of insecurity has made it risky to organize religious activities and gather in churches for prayer and worship, since this could attract attacks from the groups operating in the region.”