The recent assault on churchgoers in Komanda, DR Congo, attributed to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), underscores the escalating violence linked to Islamic State affiliates in Africa. As local officials report a significant death toll and ongoing violence, the international community faces increasing concerns regarding the proliferation of extremist groups in the region.
Deadly Attack on Worshippers in DR Congo Linked to Islamic State Affiliation
Deadly Attack on Worshippers in DR Congo Linked to Islamic State Affiliation
A night vigil turned tragic as Islamic State's affiliate, the Allied Democratic Forces, attacks a church in Komanda, resulting in numerous casualties and widespread destruction.
Dozens of worshippers were killed in a horrific assault in the town of Komanda, located in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, believed to be carried out by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an affiliate of the Islamic State. Eyewitness reports indicate that approximately 20 individuals who were participating in a night vigil at a local church lost their lives when they were targeted by the militant group. Following the attack, local businesses were reportedly looted and set ablaze.
The ADF, originally formed in Uganda during the 1990s, emerged under the guise of protecting Muslim rights but has shifted its focus to carry out violent campaigns across borders into the DR Congo. The group has become part of the Islamic State's Central African Province, further complicating the security landscape in the region, which has seen nearly 90% of IS’s operations now linked to its affiliates in Africa.
According to Dieudonne Duranthabo, a civil society coordinator in Komanda, recovery efforts are still underway, with the potential for more bodies to be discovered. Initial counts have varied, with reports confirming at least 21 individuals shot dead within and around the church, alongside others found elsewhere in the town. Some sources, including the UN-sponsored Radio Okapi, report the death toll could rise to at least 43. In contrast, an army spokesperson has only confirmed 10 deaths thus far.
Father Aime Lokana Dhego, a local priest, has expressed concerns regarding six severely injured individuals and the kidnapping of young attendees, with little information on their fate. Despite efforts, violence continues unchecked in the region; the DR Congo had invited Ugandan military assistance in tackling the ADF, yet incidents persist alarmingly.
The province of Ituri, where Komanda is located, is rich in minerals but plagued by ongoing conflicts among various armed factions, making it a hotspot for violent actions. As the international community responds to this latest tragedy, the increasing power of militant groups in the region raises significant concerns for broader regional stability and security.
