Members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) have killed about 50 civilians in attacks on Muchacha and Babesua in the Mambasa territory of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The violence has displaced more than 31,600 people.
In Muchacha, churches were empty after the attack, and in Babesua, the fighters closed churches, schools, and health facilities. The villages are located inside the UNESCO Okapi nature reserve. This area is internationally known for gold mines and close to the Ugandan border.
According to Radio Okapi, the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) announced on Tuesday, 24 March, that they had retaken control of Muchacha after the conflict in Chinese-owned gold mines in this area.
“These extremists killed people, looted a great deal of valuables, and took several people hostage. A massive exodus of the population has been recorded, and we have seen footage of them claiming responsibility for the attack,” Dieudonne Lossa, coordinator of the Ituri civil society organisation, shared on 15 March during a phone interview.
In a statement on 15 March issued by the Ministry of Communication and Media, the DRC government strongly condemned the attack, which has been claimed by so-called Islamic State (IS). The ADF, officially affiliated with IS since 2019, has provided extremists with funds, ideological training, and propaganda support, reported by AFP and Africa Defence Forum.
“On Sunday, 15 March 2026, there was no activity in the churches; some [people] were heading towards Nia-Nia, others towards Bafwasende,” shares Reverend Kitika of a Baptist church in the area.
Two members of at least one Baptist church were killed in the Muchacha attack. The reverend at the church says the attackers also set fire to houses, lorries, tractors, and camps at a mining site, and took several hostages, including his 17-year-old son.
“My son was working in the mine where the Chinese were extracting gold. When the ADF fighters arrived, he was taken hostage along with the others. There, the kidnappers forced the hostages to wash the sand for three days so they could extract gold. God is wonderful: the loyalist forces attacked the kidnappers, and while everyone was scattered, my son managed to escape. We give thanks to God for this miracle,” the reverend shares.
Children Escape Attacks on Foot
On Monday, 16 March 2026, the ADF continued attacking Babesua, a village located 12 kilometres from Badengaido, where they killed another ten people, set fire to houses and vehicles, and looted valuables. Reverend Kitika spoke to parishioners who remained in Badengaido and reported churches, schools, and health facilities being closed.
These incidents happened shortly after a provincial forum held between government officials, military representatives, and church leaders to discuss the ADF insecurity. The forum took place in Beni early this year from 23 to 26 February.
These recent attacks have further displaced the population, causing increasing strain on the church and host communities. Reliefweb reports around 31,600 people were displaced when they fled the violence to Bafwasende.
Reverend Kitika’s church has taken in some of the displaced children. “They came from Mangurejipa in North Kivu after the Islamists attacked their village; yet here we are with them again here. These children left Bandengaido on foot… they found a vehicle on the road that brought them here where the church is providing them with accommodation. Their parents are still on their way. Let us pray that they arrive safely,” the reverend added.
The Church is also unifying more against its persecutors. “As the body of Christ, we ask for the prayers of brothers and sisters across the world for the strengthening of the Church and the return of peace, so that we may continue to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ in all the villages,” shares the reverend.
Since the start of the year, the ADF have continued to attack Christian communities and killing, kidnapping, and creating devastation. At the start of the new year, 45 Christians were killed, two churches burned, 78 houses burned and several people went missing after an attack in Bapère sector, Lubero territory, North Kivu province. Towards the end of January, about 22 Christian farmers were brutality killed in Walese Vonkutu in Irumu territory, Ituri province.
Please pray:
- Thank God for the escape of the reverend’s son from captivity.
- Pray for comfort for the grieving and for church leaders who continue to bury their members.
- Pray for strengthening for the Church in the face of these attacks.
- Pray for the Lord to meet the needs of the believers in different ways, and also, for the displaced in Mambasa, Nia-Nia, Bafwasende, etc.
- Pray for divine encounters for the attackers and kidnappers to surrender their lives to Jesus.
- Continue praying for successful military operations aimed at securing the Eastern DRC against Islamic extremist attacks.
Stay updated with the latest prayer requests from the persecuted church.
