Attacks from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) have multiplied on Christians living on the outskirts of the city of Beni, North Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). In the month of March 2024 alone, the group killed at least 50 Christians and kidnapped several others.
“We need the prayers from Christians all over the world because nothing is working,” said field partner, Pastor Kambale, after the Christians were killed in March.
The attacks began on the night of 29 February at around 9 p.m., when the ADF killed two Christians and wounded others in Ngite-Mavivi. Following this attack, the population barricaded the Beni-Oicha stretch of road on Friday morning, 1 March. According to the local civil society organisation, Convention for the Respect of Human Rights (CRDH), police dispersed the population.
On 5 March 2024, the inhabitants of Vemba-Kinyamusehe village woke up to the news that Christians were killed in the middle of the night by the ADF. Nine believers were reportedly killed. CRDH highlighted that since the attacks in January and February, schools and health centres in the area have been closed.
Ongoing, brutal attacks occurred from 17 to 23 March, where Christians were kidnapped, killed, and their houses were burned and looted.
Palm Sunday Attack
On Palm Sunday, 24 March, alarming cries of distress were heard in the Mulekera community following the killings of at least 13 Christians. The attackers also burnt a dozen homes, while several Christians were reported missing, a local pastor told Open Doors’ field partners.
The CRDH reports discovering an additional 22 bodies in the bush, bringing the death toll of the 23-24 March attacks to 36 Christians.
An undisclosed number of Christians were kidnapped by the ADF in another location on 26 March 2024. According to Pastor Kambale of the CECA20 church in Mangina, these Christians have been taken to unknown locations, and the incident has caused immense distress in the community.
Comment from the Field
“The rate at which Christian communities continue to be attacked in eastern DRC by the ADF is horrifying. These attacks continue unabated, displacing thousands of people from their homes, farmlands, and livelihoods. We call on the international community to do everything in its power to ensure the Government of DRC faithfully and transparently protects all affected communities and that the displaced receive the support they need in these circumstances,” shares Jo Newhouse* Open Doors’ Field spokesperson for the work in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Pray for the Democratic Republic of the Congo:
- Join us in giving thanks to the Lord for Easter celebrations in the DRC which continued without news of bomb explosions in churches.
- Please continue to pray for peace and security in eastern DRC, particularly in the North Kivu and Ituri provinces.
- Pray for the Lord’s wisdom and guidance for political leaders in the DRC so that they may listen to divine direction to end the crises and attacks by terrorists and rebel groups in the country.
Stay updated with the latest prayer requests from the persecuted church.
