At least 43 civilians were killed in a brutal overnight attack in Komanda, northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, local officials confirmed Sunday.
The assault, blamed on the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), struck around midnight Saturday in Irumu territory’s town centre, near the general hospital. Victims, including Catholic catechumens preparing for confirmation, were ambushed while gathered in a prayer hall for night worship.
Survivors described a sudden and merciless onslaught. “They caught the people at prayer by surprise,” said Mwila Kiloko, who narrowly escaped. The attackers looted homes, torched belongings, and set fire to a merchant’s truck. Displaced persons sheltering nearby were among the dead.
Shockingly, the attack occurred in what was considered a secure zone, under the eyes of the state security forces stationed in Komanda. Christophe Munyanderu, a human rights advocate, condemned the killings as “barbaric and premeditated,” and called for urgent military reinforcements.
On Sunday, grief turned to anger as residents refused to bury the dead until provincial leaders acknowledged the massacre. Civil society groups are demanding the immediate arrival of the military governor and stronger protective measures for civilians.
The town of Komanda lies along the strategic Beni-Bunia corridor, a region plagued by frequent attacks and deepening insecurity. Despite a state of siege imposed over two years ago, critics argue that the violence has only intensified, with little to no accountability.
The latest bloodshed has renewed calls for concrete action to dismantle ADF strongholds and protect civilians in eastern Congo. As the nation mourns another mass killing, pressure grows on the Congolese government to move beyond rhetoric and deliver real security.
