In the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, extremist rebels raged this week, killing at least two dozen civilians in separate attacks, local authorities and a society group reported. civil.
Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels, with links to the Islamic State group, killed 13 people in the territory of Mambasa, Ituri province, last Tuesday, said Christophe Munyanderu, coordinator of the Convention for Respect human rights. Most of the victims were murdered in their homes, he added.
In the neighboring province of North Kivu, the ADF killed at least 11 people with machetes and pistols in the territory of Beni on Monday, according to Colonel Charles Ehuta Omeonga, administrator of the region. Civilians have also been targeted in their homes, and the death toll is higher due to several people missing.
For years, violence has raged in eastern DRC where around a hundred armed groups have been fighting for power, land, minerals or the security of their communities.
In recent years, ADF attacks have intensified and affected Goma, the main city in eastern Congo, as well as Ituri province.
Human rights groups and the United Nations accuse the ADF of killing hundreds of people and kidnapping more, including many children.
This dramatic situation once again highlights the urgency of concerted international action to end the violence and protect innocent civilians targeted in this deadly conflict.