At least 47 more Christians have been killed by Islamist terrorists in north-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) since the beginning of March.
The deadliest incident came on March 5. Fighters from Islamic State Central Africa Province (ISCAP, also known as the Allied Democratic Forces) slaughtered 19 believers in the Sambuco and Makayana area of Ituri Province.
The terrorists also burned down 15 homes and several motorcycles.
Islamic State Central Africa Province has killed at least 287 in targeted attacks against Christians since Christmas 2024. This is part of a broader escalation in violence in north-eastern D. R. Congo.
The attacks were claimed by ISCAP on Islamic State (IS, ISIS, ISIL, Daesh) social media channels, monitored by the Terrorism Research and Analysis Consortium.
On the same day the terrorists boasted that they had “killed one of the Christians and burned 18 houses” in Totolito, North Kivu Province.
Twenty more believers were killed on the weekend of March 8-9 in North Kivu’s Lubero District, and at least another seven in North Kivu and Ituri in the days that followed.
Escalation in Violence
The scale and frequency of ISCAP attacks has increased notably in recent months. These killings mean that at least 287 believers have been killed by ISCAP since Christmas 2024.
ISCAP’s attacks against Christians are part of a broader escalation of violence in north-eastern DRC. The main actor is the armed opposition group M23, which has seized control of Goma and Bukavu, the capital cities of North Kivu and South Kivu, respectively.
Neighboring countries are also involved in the conflict. It is alleged that M23 is backed by 3-4,000 Rwandan troops.
Ugandan forces are holding Bunia, the capital of Ituri. Burundian troops have also been battling M23 fighters in South Kivu, but as of March 7 appear to have reached an agreement with Rwanda to pause hostilities.
International experts believe that around 7,000 people have died since the beginning of the M23 offensive in January, including around 3,000 in Goma alone.
Ask the Lord to bring an end to the violence in DRC. Pray that the humanitarian needs of all people will be met. Pray especially that our God will sustain the faith of His people despite their traumatic circumstances.
