UN Condemns Deadly Attack by Allied Democratic Forces in Congo

The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) has strongly condemned a deadly attack by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) on civilians in the town of Komanda. At least 49 civilians were killed, including nine children, and several others were injured and abducted. The attack is the latest in a series of brutal assaults by the ADF, which has committed grave human rights violations since its founding in 1995 and has been under UN sanctions since June 2014.

The ADF, an Islamic State-affiliated insurgent group that originated in neighboring Uganda, carried out the attack in the early hours of July 26-27. The victims were reportedly worshippers killed with bladed weapons during a night vigil at a church. The incident comes after ADF attacks earlier in the month killed 82 civilians in Ituri and North Kivu provinces. MONUSCO condemned the attacks on July 23, calling for all foreign armed groups to lay down their weapons unconditionally and return to their countries of origin.

Key Takeaways:

• The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) is an Islamic State-affiliated insurgent group that originated in neighboring Uganda and has been under UN sanctions since June 2014.
• The ADF has committed grave human rights violations against civilians since its founding in 1995, including killings, abductions, and attacks on places of worship.
• At least 49 civilians were killed in the attack on Komanda, including nine children, and several others were injured and abducted.
• MONUSCO has condemned the attack and called for an investigation by Congolese authorities.
• The peacekeeping mission is working with local authorities to respond to the attack and prevent future attacks.
• MONUSCO is committed to protecting civilians and reducing tensions in areas affected by armed violence.
• The ADF has ordered the UN Secretary-General to lay down its weapons and return to its countries of origin.

Statistics:

• At least 49 civilians were killed in the attack on Komanda.
• 9 children were killed in the attack.
• Several others were injured and abducted in the attack.
• The ADF has committed at least 131 civilian deaths in the last month.
• 82 civilians were killed in ADF attacks earlier in the month in Ituri and North Kivu provinces.

Sources:

• MONUSCO (2023) Press release: "Deep outrage" over ADF attacks in Congo
• United Nations (2023) Statement by the UN Secretary-General on the ADF attacks in Congo