GOMA, Congo — A tragic incident unfolded in eastern Congo, where extremist rebels associated with the Islamic State claimed the lives of at least ten individuals, as reported by local authorities on Wednesday.
The group, known as the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), launched an assault on the village of Makoko located within the Lubero territory of North Kivu province. David Sikuli, a member of the provincial parliament, highlighted this attack and emphasized the urgent need for a coordinated military response.
Sikuli specifically urged the Congolese government to broaden collaborative military operations between the Congolese army and the Ugandan forces across regions where the ADF is active. He pointed out that during the assault, the village had no Congolese soldiers present, only local militias referred to as Wazalendo, who commonly support Congolese security personnel.
The eastern region of Congo has long been plagued by violent clashes involving various armed groups competing for dominance, access to land, and valuable minerals. This ongoing conflict has also led to serious humanitarian crises, resulting in nearly seven million individuals being displaced from their homes.
The precise number of ADF fighters operating in Congo remains uncertain; however, their influence is deeply rooted in the area, frequently conducting attacks on innocent civilians. Emerging in the late 1990s in Uganda, the group became affiliated with ISIS in 2019. The Muslim population in Congo, largely located in the eastern part of the country, constitutes about 10% of the overall demographic.
In recent years, the ADF’s violent actions have surged, particularly near the borders with Uganda, and have extended towards Goma, which serves as the primary city in eastern Congo, along with surrounding areas such as Ituri province. Human rights organizations and the United Nations have voiced serious concerns, alleging that the ADF is responsible for the deaths of hundreds and the abduction of numerous individuals, including many children.
In December, the ADF carried out another brutal operation in North Kivu, resulting in at least ten fatalities and several abductions, further illustrating the urgent security challenges faced in the region.
