Komanda massacre

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Komanda massacre
Part of the Kivu conflict and the ADF insurgency
Komanda massacre
LocationKomanda, Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Coordinates 1°21′44.31″N29°46′38.58″E / 1.3623083°N 29.7773833°E / 1.3623083; 29.7773833
Date27 July 2025
~01:00 a.m. CAT (UTC+02:00)
TargetSaint Anuarite Catholic church and Komanda town
Weapons Light arms, machetes
Deaths43-50 civilians
Injured13 civilians
Perpetrator

The Komanda massacre occurred on 27 July 2025, when ISIL-affiliated Allied Democratic Force (ADF-Buluku) rebels attacked the Saint Anuarite Catholic church in Komanda, Zunguluka district, Irumu territory in central Ituri province, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). [1] [2] The attack occurred in the middle of the night, during which ADF rebels targeted a night vigil. [3] [4] [5] Between 43-50 Congolese civilians were killed, with credible estimates listing 43 deaths, including 19 women, 15 men, and nine children. [1] [2] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11]

Contents

Background

This section is an excerpt from Allied Democratic Forces insurgency § Background.[ edit ]

The ADF was formed by Jamil Mukulu, an ultra conservative Ugandan Muslim belonging to the Tablighi Jamaat group. Mukulu was born as David Steven and was baptised as a Catholic, later converting to Islam, adopting a Muslim name and becoming radicalised. He reportedly spent the early 1990s in Khartoum, Sudan, coming into personal contact with Osama bin Laden. [12]

ADF merged with the remnants of another rebel group, the National Army for the Liberation of Uganda (NALU), during the years following the fall of Idi Amin. ADF-NALU's initial goal was to overthrow Ugandan president's Yoweri Museveni government, replacing it with an Islamic fundamentalist state. The group went on to recruit former officers of the Ugandan army, as well as volunteers from Tanzania and Somalia. Funded by the illegal mining and logging industries of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, ADF created 15 well organised camps in the Rwenzori Mountains, located in the DRC-Uganda border areas. The insurgence remained unaffected by government amnesty and talk efforts, as members married local women. [13]

Formed in 1989, ADF carried out its first attacks in 1995. The conflict gradually intensified, culminating in the 1998 Kichwamba Technical College attack, which left 80 people dead, with 80 more being abducted. By 2002, continuous pressure from the Ugandan Army forced ADF to relocate most of its activities into the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo. The insurgency continued on a smaller scale until 2013, which marked a resurgence of ADF activity, with the group launching a recruitment campaign along with numerous attacks. [12] [14] [15]

In 2024, the ADF committed the highest number of civilian killings in the DRC. [5]

Motives

The motive for the attack is ultimately unclear, but is believed to stem from retaliatory efforts in response to the escalated bombing campaign led by Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) and Uganda People's Defense Force (UPDF) in their joint Operation Shujaa. [16] [17]

Lt. Jules Ngongo, the Congolese army's spokesman for the Ituri province believed the attack was intended to divert attention from the increased efforts of the army. [3] Onesphore Sematumba, a Congo analyst at the International Crisis Group, instead argued that “these joint operations have only succeeded in dispersing the ADF without really protecting civilians from their wrathful reprisals" and believes that "the ADF is taking more or less the advantage of the Congolese army’s and international diplomacy’s focus on the M23 further south without attracting too much attention.” [18]

Context

The Saint Anuarite church reportedly sent a request in June 2025 to local authorities for protection from possible attacks during church activities. [19] Local forces did not act on the request and neither MONUSCO, the FARDC, nor those local authorities intervened during the attack. [19] The United States Embassy located in Kinshasa warned of terrorist attacks in places of worship on 20 July. [20]

Attack

The Saint Anuarite church (French: Paroisse Bienheureuse Anuarite de Komanda) was holding a night vigil for its 25th anniversary prior to the attack where some 100 individuals were present. [5] [19] [21] Some in attendance were preparing for their confirmation. [9] Individuals were present at the church multiple days prior to the attack. [5]

It is believed that the particular rebels perpetrating the massacre travelled from a stronghold located in Mount Hoyo, the stronghold's position which is found approximately 12 kilometers from Komanda. [18] [22] The directionality of the attack likely indicated that it was led by Commander Seka Umaru, Musa Baluku's second-in-command. [23] The attack began around 1:00am UTC+2 between the night of 26 July and morning of 27 July, when ADF forces stormed the church. [5] [24] After rounding up dozens of churchgoers, rebels executed 20 individuals with machetes and others with light firearms. [3] [19] [22] However, some others present at the vigil were able to escape into the surrounding forest and some have gone missing according to a local chaplain and other witnesses. [6] [25] One survivor from inside the church told Human Rights Watch (HRW):

They told us to sit down, and then started hitting people [with blunt instruments] on the back of the neck. They killed two people I didn’t know, and that’s when I decided to flee with four others...We managed to run away – they shot at us but didn’t hit us. [5]

Following the massacre within the church, rebels proceeded to burn stores and homes. [7] Individuals were found to have been burned inside. [21] [26] Five individuals were killed in the attack on Komanda town. [5] One man was found charred inside of his truck, which the ADF had set ablaze. [22] Several children between the ages of 12 and 14 were kidnapped. [7] [27] Since then, some of those kidnapped have managed to escape. [5]

The alarm about the attack was raised around 2:00am UTC+2. [22] However, all ADF rebels were able to escape prior to the arrival of defense forces. [18] It was later reported that network issues slowed the alarm's sounding and response time. [5]

The ISIL-aligned ADF-Baluku faction would claim credit for the attack later on July 28 through Telegram. [2] They claimed that 45 individuals were killed in the attack. [5]

Reaction and response

The day after the attack, virtually all daily activity in Komanda ceased. [22] Around 30,000 individuals in the Ituri province have been displaced or are fleeing in response to the attack and other regional instability, primarily attributed to ADF and Cooperative for the Development of the Congo (CODECO) attacks. [6] [28] The region in the Komanda vicinity had been in relative peace months prior to this attack, with many displaced civilians having returned. [22]

Religious institutions

Pope Leo XIV stated on 28 July 2025: "may the blood of these martyrs become a seed of peace, reconciliation, fraternity, and love for the Congolese people." President of the Episcopal Conference of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (CENCO), Archbishop Marcel Utembi Tapa, received the Pope's comments from Cardinal Pietro Parolin via Telegram, reading: "His Holiness Pope Leo XIV learned with dismay and deep sorrow of the attack perpetrated against the Parish of Blessed Anuarite in Komanda, which caused the death of several faithful gathered for worship." According to Vatican News , "the Pope also extended his Apostolic Blessing to the Parish of Blessed Anuarite, to the grieving families, the faithful of the DRC, and the entire nation, offering comfort amid their anguish." [29]

The Pope later again expressed "deep sorrow" regarding the attack on the churchgoers of the Saint Anuarite Catholic church. [27] [30] He prayed for the victims during his weekly Wednesday audience in St. Peter’s Square, during which he stated the following in his appeal: [30]

I renew my deep sorrow for the brutal terrorist attack that occurred during the night between 26 and 27 July in Komanda, in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where over 40 Christians were killed in a church during a prayer vigil, and in their own homes. As I entrust the victims to God’s loving Mercy, I pray for the wounded and for Christians around the world who continue to suffer violence and persecution. I urge those with local and international responsibility, to work together in order to prevent such tragedies. [31]

Other religious organizations have echoed the pope's comments. The CENCO called the attack an "odious massacre." [30] The World Council of Churches (WCC) called it "a tragic and unacceptable act of violence against innocent worshippers gathered in prayer." [32]

Military, governments, and intergovernmental organizations

The FARDC and MONUSCO have both denounced the attack. [1] [2] [33] The UN jointly supported MONUSCO's condemnation which expressed a "deep outrage at these heinous acts of violence, which constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law and infringements on human rights." [8] [34] The UN Security Council (UNSC) released a press release on 7 August 2025, issued by Council President Eloy Alfaro de Alba, "expressed their deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and wished a swift recovery to those injured." [35]

The FARDC and UPDF increased military presence in the Komanda center to track down rebels. [22] [36] Congolese forces were reportedly deployed three kilometers south of the church and MONUSCO one kilometer. [5] In a press release, MONUSCO pledged to provide aid to local authorities with burials and medical aid, which was realized. [1] [8] It also stated that it has "intensified its security efforts in and around Komanda by increasing the frequency of patrols in the area." [8] The FARDC, Congolese National Police, and MONUSCO all participated in these patrols. [36] On 29 July, joint security forces were fired at by suspected Patriotic and Integrationist Force of Congo (FPIC) militia fighters in the Baiti neighborhood which was condemned by local authorities and youth representatives alike. [36]

A public information officer within the MONUSCO rapid deployable battalion based in Komanda told HRW that "The ADF is known to employ silent killer tactics, striking swiftly, organized and unpredictable. In this case, the attack occurred in the early hours of the morning, targeting a religious gathering attended by a large number of civilians' and that MONUSCO had taken steps to 'intensify protection efforts in the area.'" A military source within the FARDC told HRW that a "military justice instigation" had been opened and that further troops were deployed in the region for civilian security. [5]

Locals conducted mass burials with the aid of MONUSCO-provided excavator. [17] [26]

According to Radio Okapi, Jacques Anayeyi, president of the Irumu Territorial Youth Council, "welcomed these security efforts but deplored the political exploitation of the situation" and "accused certain political actors of manipulating a section of the youth to fuel hostility against MONUSCO, thus endangering security cohesion. 'Some politicians are taking advantage of the situation to stir up rejection of MONUSCO,' he said." [36]

Human Rights Groups

Human Rights Watch encouraged the FARDC and MONUSCO to "urgently" complete its investigation and publish its findings. Furthermore, it argued that the military organization should reestablish trust with civilians to receive notice of militant activities and other protection needs. It underscored the need to have quicker response times and to find and hold ADF militants accountable. Citing Operation Shujaa not curbing violence in North Kivu and Ituri, HRW called for the African Union (AU) and UNSC. It extended a similar recommendation to President of the DRC, Félix Tshisekedi, specifically through "tighter military oversight" to avoid further atrocities as the government "has a duty to protect civilians and ensure justice for victims of these repeated atrocities." [5]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "UN condemns deadly attack on worshippers in DR Congo | UN News". news.un.org. 2025-07-28. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "ISIL claims responsibility for deadly church attack in eastern DR Congo". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
  3. 1 2 3 "ADF in DR Congo: IS-linked rebels accused of killing Christian worshippers in Komanda". www.bbc.com. 2025-07-28. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  4. ↑ commsmanager (2025-07-28). "Nearly 40 Christians Killed in ADF Attack in Komanda, DRC". International Christian Concern. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "DR Congo: Armed Group Massacres Dozens in Church | Human Rights Watch". 2025-08-06. Retrieved 2025-08-27.
  6. 1 2 3 "DRC: Around 30,000 displaced after ADF attack - Prensa Latina". 2025-07-30. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  7. 1 2 3 "Islamic State claims responsibility for attack on east Congo church". Reuters. 2025-07-29. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "MONUSCO condemns the ADF armed group's attack that claimed the lives of 43 civilians in Komanda and intensifies protection efforts in Ituri" (PDF) (Press release). Kinshasa: MONUSCO. 27 July 2025. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  9. 1 2 "ADF rebels kill at least three people in eastern DRC, days after deadly attack on church". TRT Global. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  10. ↑ "Violence Outpacing Diplomacy in Democratic Republic of Congo, United Nations Senior Official Warns amid Surge in Civilian Deaths | Meetings Coverage and Press Releases". press.un.org. Retrieved 2025-08-27.
  11. ↑ "Africa Overview: August 2025 | ACLED". acleddata.com. 2025-07-04. Retrieved 2025-08-27.
  12. 1 2 "The Rise of ADF-NALU in Central Africa and Its Connections with al-Shabaab". Jamestown Foundation. 9 January 2015. Archived from the original on 29 June 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  13. ↑ "Uganda's heart of darkness". Al Jazeera. 24 December 2013. Archived from the original on 26 March 2015. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  14. ↑ "UGANDA: IRIN Special Report on the ADF rebellion". IRINnews. 8 December 1999. Archived from the original on 16 November 2015. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  15. ↑ Candia, Steven (2013-04-11). "Uganda: Allied Democratic Forces Recruiting in Kampala, Says Defector (Page 1 of 2)". allAfrica.com. Archived from the original on 2017-10-12. Retrieved 2014-05-19.
  16. ↑ "Islamic State-aligned rebels kill 66 civilians in eastern Congo". AP News. 2025-07-12. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  17. 1 2 KAKULE, Job (2025-07-28). "Ituri : Enterrement collectif de 24 victimes parmi les 38 civils tués par les ADF à Komanda". www.grandslacsnews.com (in French). Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  18. 1 2 3 "An attack on a Congolese church killed nearly 40 worshippers. Here's what to know". AP News. 2025-07-28. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  19. 1 2 3 4 Davis, Hannah (2025-07-28). "Congo Church Mourns Nearly 50 Deaths After Terror Attack". Decision Magazine. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  20. ↑ Kinshasa, U. S. Embassy (2025-07-20). "Security Alert: Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo". U.S. Embassy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
  21. 1 2 "Dozens Are Killed by ISIS-Linked Rebels at a Church in Congo". 2025-07-27. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Carnage en Ituri : une attaque des ADF fait 43 morts et d'importants dégâts à Komanda". Radio Okapi (in French). 2025-07-27. Retrieved 2025-08-27.
  23. ↑ "Africa Overview: August 2025 | ACLED". acleddata.com. 2025-07-04. Retrieved 2025-08-28.
  24. ↑ "Islamic state-backed rebels kill 38 in attack on east Congo church". Reuters. 2025-07-27. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  25. ↑ commsmanager (2025-07-28). "Nearly 40 Christians Killed in ADF Attack in Komanda, DRC". International Christian Concern. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  26. 1 2 "Scores killed in DR Congo attack on Catholic Church - Vatican News". www.vaticannews.va. 2025-07-28. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  27. 1 2 Lawal, Shola. "Is ISIL a growing threat in the DR Congo and East Africa?". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  28. ↑ "Ituri : la MONUSCO renforce sa présence dans les zones affectées par les violences des groupes armés CODECO et Zaïre". Radio Okapi (in French). 2025-07-26. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  29. ↑ "Pope: May blood of 'martyrs' in DRC church attack become seed of peace - Vatican News". Vatican News . 2025-07-28. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  30. 1 2 3 "Pope Leo expresses 'deep sorrow' over deadly attack on church in DR Congo". Crux. 2025-07-30. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  31. ↑ "General Audience of 30 July 2025 | LEO XIV". www.vatican.va. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  32. ↑ "WCC Statement Condemning Attack on Catholic Church in Komanda, Democratic Republic of Congo | World Council of Churches". www.oikoumene.org. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  33. ↑ "MONUSCO condemns the ADF armed group's attack that claimed the lives of 43 civilians in Komanda and intensifies protection efforts in Ituri". MONUSCO (Press release). 2025-07-27. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  34. ↑ "DR Congo: UN deplores deadly attacks in the east of the country | UN News". news.un.org. 2025-08-19. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
  35. ↑ United Nations Security Council Press ReleaseSC/16139.Security Council Press Statement on Situation in Democratic Republic of Congo. 7 August 2025. Retrieved accessdate.
  36. 1 2 3 4 "Patrouilles militaires renforcées à Komanda après l'attaque des ADF". Radio Okapi (in French). 2025-07-30. Retrieved 2025-08-04.
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