The harrowing and heartbreaking story of the village of Ngadi in the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to haunt minds and hearts, ten years after the first massacres that plunged the community into absolute horror. These tragic events have left deep and indelible scars, weaving a dark veil of fear and mourning over the lives of the inhabitants. In this tormented region, terror persists, fueled by the actions of the rebel group Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), affiliated with an Islamist movement.
Memories of these dark days remain vivid for survivors and witnesses. The village chief, Balulu Musekuse, recalls with a pain still as raw as ever the atrocities committed: “The massacres started at the roundabout. They killed Commander Matatdi. Then they killed a soldier’s wife and his two children. They came here and killed my son Gaizo. As they left, they also killed a lieutenant.” For Musekuse and so many others, the trauma is as present as the first day.
Survivors still bear the scars, both physical and emotional, of these tragedies. Ebike Gérard, a survivor of the 2014 massacre, is one of the few who survived to testify. The emotional and physical wounds he bears are a testament to the brutality of that fateful night: “I lived near the eucalyptus trees. I was sitting there when they came and shot me in the leg. I fell down, and they also shot me in the stomach. I cried, and they thought I was dead. When they saw that, they left me and went to a neighbor’s house where they shot a couple on the spot,” says Gérard.
The relentless violence has left the residents of Ngadi in a state of perpetual fear, preventing them from recovering from the traumas of the past.
Death Toll Rising
According to civil society in Beni, the ADF’s reign of terror has claimed the lives of more than 17,000 people in the region. To honour the memory of those who disappeared, a memorial has been erected. Relatives of the victims regularly visit the site, seeking comfort and justice.
“Let justice be done and let the massacres stop because we want to live in peace. We have lost many loved ones in these massacres. This is what we ask of those who support us,” implores Kambale Fiston, a relative of a victim.
Despite their pleas, the violence continues. Recently, at least 10 civilians were killed in a new attack, according to the Congolese army.
Fragile Hope Amid Ongoing Military Efforts
Joint military operations between the Congolese and Ugandan armies are underway in the region, targeting ADF strongholds. However, these efforts have not yet brought the long-awaited peace. The ADF continues to spread terror, leaving the people of Ngadi wondering when they will finally be able to live without fear..
The echo of these terrible events continues to resonate in the village of Ngadi, where the quest for justice, peace and reconciliation remains a daily struggle for all those who have suffered so much.