A wave of brutal attacks has left at least 89 civilians dead in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The killings took place over a week of violence in the Lubero territory. The United Nations peacekeeping mission, MONUSCO, confirmed the details on Friday.
Fighters from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) carried out the assaults between November 13 and November 19. The victims included at least 20 women and many children.
Attack on Maternity Ward
One of the most horrific incidents occurred in the town of Byambwe. Rebels stormed a health center operated by the Catholic Church.
According to reports, the attackers killed at least 17 people at the clinic. This included women who were receiving maternity care. The rebels then set fire to four wards that were housing patients. They also looted medical supplies before fleeing.
A Pattern of Violence
MONUSCO condemned the “grave and ongoing atrocities” in North Kivu province. Beyond the killings, the rebels abducted civilians and destroyed property.
“MONUSCO urges the Congolese authorities to promptly initiate independent and credible investigations,” the mission stated. They called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice immediately.
This violence follows a deadly pattern in the region.
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Last Month: Suspected ADF rebels killed 19 civilians in an overnight raid on Mukondo village.
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In September: The group claimed responsibility for a massacre at a funeral that killed over 60 people.
Who are the ADF?
The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) began as a rebel group in Uganda. However, they have operated out of Congo’s forests since the late 1990s. Today, they are recognized as an affiliate of the Islamic State.
Despite joint military operations by Congo and Uganda, the group continues to terrorize the region. Meanwhile, other parts of North Kivu remain under the control of M23 rebels.
International mediators, including the United States and Qatar, are currently working to broker peace. They hope stability will allow for economic development in the resource-rich area.
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