Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): Climate of insecurity enables targeted attacks

On the evening of 11 June 2023, CODECO militants claimed responsibility for an attack on an IDP camp at Lala displacement site in Djugu territory, which killed at least 45 civilians, 23 of whom were children (Al-Jazeera, 12 June 2023). According to a report by the Kivu Security Tracker on 13 June 2023, the massacre may have been a reprisal for acts of violence by other armed groups. A day later, on 12 June 2023, ADF militants rebels attacked Kasindi town on the border to Uganda in eastern DRC, as reported by VOA on 14 June 2023. At least 10 people were killed and many others fled across the border to Uganda for refuge. In these attacks, the weapons used have reportedly often been hammers and machetes to avoid being heard. Earlier in the year, in January, at least 12 Christians were killed and 50 injured when ADF militants detonated a bomb at a church in Kasindi where hundreds of Christians had gathered for a service (CNN, 16 January 2023). 

World Watch Research analyst Yonas Dembele comments: “The Christian community in eastern DRC continues to bear the brunt of violence perpetrated by numerous armed groups, including Islamic militants. The atmosphere of insecurity enables Islamist organizations to carry out targeted attacks against Christians. At present, there appears to be no foreseeable resolution to this ongoing crisis, as the cycle of violence persists with impunity. Moreover, Christians who dare to speak out against the injustice and atrocities committed in the region often become direct targets themselves. This further exacerbates the vulnerability and challenges faced by the Christian population.”