The Islamist militant group Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) conducted another horrific attack late Saturday night into early Sunday morning in Beni, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), killing 12 people and injuring several others.
During the attacks, which occurred in Makene and Toda, the rebels decapitated farmers with machetes and burned others along with their possessions. Christophe Munyaderu, coordinator of a human rights organization in Beni, said the Islamists also took seven people as hostages.
“Twelve civilians were killed, seven abducted, and of these seven, they killed five, and two managed to escape,” Munyaderu said. “Arriving very close to Toda, these rebels fired bullets that hit a baby who later died from the injury. According to the explanations and testimony of the survivors, the ADF took them hostage in Mabasele.”
Although the DRC has a Christian-majority population, Islamist groups often persecute Christians along the country’s eastern border. The ADF especially seeks to establish Islamic law throughout the region. It is common for the group to kill Christians who refuse to convert to Islam.
Kambale Mwalimu, a local farmer, recounted how the attack played out in real-time.
“I was working in my fields when suddenly we heard gunshots ringing out in the distance,” he said. “At first, we thought it might be just a skirmish between rival groups, but soon the sound grew louder and closer. Panic set in as we realized that we were under attack.”
Mwalimu said the ADF militants entered the village with “ruthless efficiency.”
“They were heavily armed and showed no mercy to anyone in their path,” he said. “I knew I had to flee to save my life, so I ran towards the forest, hoping to find shelter there. The sounds of gunfire and explosions followed me as I sprinted through the trees, praying that I wouldn’t be caught. Their memory fuels my determination to seek justice and peace for Beni.”
This attack occurred a week after the ADF raided other villages in Beni and killed seven people.
Cyrile Kambale, the Bishop of Beni Anglican church, urged the ADF affiliates to abandon violence and surrender themselves to Christ instead of harming innocent people. He emphasized the importance of repentance and redemption, reminding the rebels that judgment day will come and everyone will be held accountable for their actions.
“Brothers and sisters in the ADF, I urge you to listen to my words today. The path of violence and bloodshed leads only to destruction and despair,” Kambale said. “It is never too late to turn away from this darkness and embrace the light of Christ. Come out of the shadows of the forest, lay down your weapons, and seek forgiveness for your sins.”
