UN Condemns ‘Truly Horrific’ Massacres in DR Congo

A displacement camp in Goma, capital of the North Kivu region, for civilians fleeing violence earlier this year.

Seventeen civilians, including women in labour and patients receiving care, were killed inside a Catholic Church-run health centre in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) last week.

The UN described it as one of the most appalling attacks in a new wave of violence by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an extremist rebel group.

Four wards housing patients were set ablaze during the assault in Byambwe, a remote community about 60 kilometres west of Lubero in the restive North Kivu province, which has long been plagued by fighting between multiple armed groups and national security forces.

Coordinated killings

The Byambwe attack was part of a series of coordinated assaults carried out between 13 and 19 November across several localities in Lubero Territory.

According to UN human rights staff from the MONUSCO peacekeeping mission, 89 civilians were killed in total, including at least 20 women and an undetermined number of children.

Other areas affected include Mabiango, Tunarudi, Sambalysa, Thucha and Butsili,where abuses ranged from abductions and looting of medical supplies to the burning of homes and destruction of property.

UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told a briefing in New York on Friday that “as we dig deeper, and as we have sent people there, the information we have received is truly horrific.”

The UN extended condolences to the affected families and communities, stressing that attacks on civilians, particularly medical facilities, may amount to war crimes and serious violations of international humanitarian law.

Solidarity with victims

“We express our solidarity with all those affected,” Mr Dujarric said. “Violence committed against civilians, including the targeting of medical facilities, may constitute war crimes.”

MONUSCO stated it remains fully committed to supporting Congolese authorities in protecting civilians, preventing further human rights violations, and combating impunity.

The mission urged national authorities to promptly launch independent and credible investigations to identify those responsible and bring them to justice. It also renewed its call for armed groups operating in the region to lay down their weapons unconditionally.

Mr Dujarric added that “all too often, massacres of this kind happen away from the eyes of journalists, away from the eyes of the international community.” He called on regional powers to cooperate and for armed groups to disarm “so that those responsible for these crimes that are beyond words can be brought to justice.”

Who are the ADF?

The Allied Democratic Forces are an armed group of Ugandan origin that has operated in eastern DRC for decades. Known for brutal attacks on civilians, the ADF has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State and is considered one of the deadliest non-state armed organisations in the region.