Democratic Republic of Congo: Civilians in eastern Congo face ongoing atrocities

A report published by the “Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect” on 28 February 2023 highlights the indiscriminate attacks being carried out against DRC’s civilian population:  “More than 120 militias and armed groups actively operate in the eastern provinces, many of whom regularly perpetrate widespread violations and abuses that may amount to atrocity crimes.” In describing the role of ADF in these attacks, the report says: “The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an armed group that has been active for more than eight years and implicated in ‘brutal and systematic’ attacks that may amount to crimes against humanity and war crimes, has escalated their assault on civilians in North Kivu and Ituri.”

World Watch Research analyst Yonas Dembele comments: “Eastern DRC has seen numerous atrocities over the last 30 years or more. The region has also been targeted by neighboring countries. ADF in this context, has committed countless attacks against civilians, particularly Christians: The group has kidnapped, raped and looted, exploiting the weakness of state authority in the region. Churches and Christian leaders have also been targeted. The report by the ‘Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect’ is a reminder that civilians, Christians in particular, are at risk caused by the rampant impunity enabling such widespread violence. Only the building of effective governance will bring stability and security for DRC’s Christians in the eastern region.”