Komanda, DRC – The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) has strongly condemned a deadly overnight attack by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), which left at least 49 civilians dead, including nine children, in Komanda town, Irumu territory, Ituri province.
The horrific incident, which occurred between the night of 26 and 27 July, saw victims—many of them worshippers attending a night vigil at a local church—slaughtered with bladed weapons. Several others were injured or abducted, while homes and shops were set ablaze in the small northeastern town.
The ADF, an armed insurgent group affiliated with the Islamic State and originally formed in Uganda in the 1990s, has been responsible for a string of brutal attacks in eastern Congo. This latest massacre follows a series of deadly assaults earlier in July that claimed the lives of 82 civilians across Ituri and North Kivu provinces. MONUSCO had condemned those attacks on 23 July.
In a statement, MONUSCO expressed “deep outrage at these heinous acts of violence, which constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law and gross infringements of human rights.”
Vivian van de Perre, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Protection and Operations and Acting Head of MONUSCO, described the violence as “appalling,” particularly as it targeted worshippers in a sacred space.
“These targeted attacks against defenceless civilians, particularly in places of worship, are not only appalling but also in violation of all human rights standards and international humanitarian law,” she said. “MONUSCO will continue to work tirelessly alongside the Congolese authorities to protect the population in line with its mandate.”
The Mission is supporting local authorities in response efforts, including organizing dignified burials and providing urgent medical care to the wounded. Security has also been heightened in and around Komanda as part of an intensified operation to prevent further violence.
MONUSCO reiterated the UN Secretary-General’s call for all foreign armed groups to unconditionally lay down their arms and return to their countries of origin. The ADF has been under UN sanctions since 2014 for its sustained campaign of violence and human rights violations.
As the region grapples with persistent insecurity, the Mission reaffirmed its commitment to working hand-in-hand with Congolese authorities and affected communities to protect civilians, de-escalate tensions, and support long-term stabilization efforts. m.
