In the past week, at least 45 civilians have lost their lives in a series of brutal attacks across the Democratic Republic of Congo's North Kivu province, a region long plagued by conflict. The violence underscores the persistent instability fueled by the competition for the area's rich gold and mineral deposits, which has displaced millions.
While the Congolese government has yet to officially identify the perpetrators, local sources implicate the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a group with suspected ties to the Islamic State. The attacks targeted multiple villages around the city of Beni, prompting many residents to flee.
Mamove district suffered the most severe devastation, with numerous homes set ablaze and motorbikes stolen. "The [death] toll could rise as the search continues, the population is fleeing and heading towards supposedly secure areas," stated Leon Siviwe, an administrative leader in Beni, in an interview with the AFP news agency on Wednesday.
The ADF, originally formed in eastern Uganda during the 1990s to oppose President Yoweri Museveni’s government, has been active in North Kivu for years. Its association with the Islamic State reportedly began around six years ago, although experts suggest these links are weak. Islamic State claimed responsibility for one of this week's attacks, stating it targeted Christians.
Joint military operations by Ugandan and Congolese forces against the ADF, initiated in 2021, have so far failed to curb the violence against civilians.
In a related development, the rebel group M23 has renewed its violent campaign in eastern DR Congo, capturing territory from government forces. Despite widespread belief that Rwanda supports M23, the Rwandan government has consistently denied these allegations.
The resurgence of violence in North Kivu highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the challenges faced by the region in achieving lasting peace.
