**Rebel Extremist Threat Grows in Democratic Republic of Congo**
Recent attacks by rebels linked to the Islamic State group in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have once again highlighted the dangers these armed groups pose to civilians. Authorities reported that at least nine people, including an eight-month-old baby and a 14-year-old girl, were killed in an attack on the village of Tenambo in North Kivu province.
Rebels belonging to the Allied Democratic Forces have spread terror by burning homes and kidnapping several people, leaving behind a landscape of destruction and desolation. This alarming situation highlights once again the vulnerability of the inhabitants of eastern Congo to the violence of armed groups operating in the region.
For decades, eastern DRC has been the scene of deadly armed conflicts, fueled by political rivalries, territorial claims and the exploitation of natural resources. Armed groups are competing for control of territory and precious minerals, to the detriment of local populations who live in constant fear of violence and abuses.
Recurrent attacks by the Allied Democratic Forces have exacerbated the suffering of people in the region, particularly in Goma, the main city in eastern Congo, and in the neighbouring province of Ituri. The United Nations and human rights organisations have denounced the abuses committed by the ADF, reporting hundreds of victims and numerous abductions, including children.
In a recent report, the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office called for the prosecution of those responsible for serious human rights violations committed by armed groups in the DRC. There is an urgent need to end impunity for the perpetrators of these crimes and to guarantee the security of civilian populations who have suffered the horrors of war for too long.
In the face of rising violence and insecurity in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, it is imperative that national authorities and international partners work together to protect civilians and restore security and stability in the region. It is time to put an end to human rights violations and restore peace and dignity to the people of eastern Congo, who aspire to live in safety in a peaceful and prosperous environment.