Fatshimetrie recently reported a tragedy that took place in the villages of Upende and Ilange, near the town of Mbau, in North Kivu. A brutal attack attributed to ADF fighters caused the death of at least ten civilians, who were brutally executed with machetes. Heartbreaking accounts from witnesses describe an initial attack in Ilange, where six farmers were killed while working in their fields.
The terror then spread to the neighboring village of Upende, where four more people were killed in their own homes. The attackers burned down a residential house and looted local businesses, leaving behind a landscape of destruction and mourning. The heroic work of human rights activists, such as Emery Nzanzu and Kakule Sekera, who courageously recovered the bodies of the victims, is a testament to the community’s solidarity and resilience in the face of horror.
This is unfortunately not the first time that the region has been the scene of atrocious violence caused by ADF fighters. Indeed, a recent attack in Mantumbi cost the lives of fifteen people, including two health professionals. The situation is even more precarious following the attack on Mayimoya, where there were two beheadings and a victim shot dead, as well as the worrying disappearance of ten civilians. Fear and instability reign, pushing some residents to flee the region to seek refuge elsewhere.
In a burst of cooperation, the Congolese and Ugandan armies managed to capture a key ADF leader, Anywari Al Iraq, known for his specialization in the manufacture of improvised explosive devices. His arrest, which occurred during a joint operation in the village of Tokomeka, represents a significant step forward in the fight against this deadly terrorist organization. The armies seized an impressive arsenal from his possession, including a machine gun, ammunition, walkie-talkies and materials for making explosive devices.
The question remains, however: how to put an end to the violence perpetrated by ADF combatants and ensure the security of innocent civilian populations? The international community must redouble its efforts to support peace and security initiatives in the region, and help local authorities neutralize this persistent threat. It is imperative to continue joint operations between the Congolese and Ugandan armed forces and other regional actors to effectively dismantle terrorist networks and protect the lives and dignity of the inhabitants of Eastern Congo.
In this period of mourning and desolation, it is essential to mobilize so that justice is done to the victims of these atrocities and so that peace and stability can finally prevail in a region long ravaged by violence.. The courage and determination of local communities, human rights activists and security forces must not be forgotten, but supported and praised as they strive to rebuild a safer and more peaceful future for all .