The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Congo has condemned a series of deadly attacks by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in North Kivu province that killed 89 civilians over the past week, including women and patients inside a church-run health centre.
In a statement issued last week, the UN mission, known as MONUSCO, said the assaults took place between November 13 and 19 across several localities in Lubero territory, including the Bapere and Baswagha chiefdoms. At least 20 women and an unknown number of children were among the dead.
One of the worst incidents occurred in Byambwe, about 60 kilometres west of Lubero, where at least 17 civilians, including women receiving care in a maternity ward, were killed inside a Catholic Church-operated health centre. Four patient wards were set on fire during the attack, MONUSCO said.
Other communities, including Mabiango, Tunarudi, Sambalysa, Thucha and Butsili, experienced abductions, the burning of homes, looting of medical supplies and the destruction of property in areas already facing severe humanitarian distress.
“Violence committed against civilians, including in medical facilities, may constitute war crimes and serious violations of international humanitarian law,” said Bruno Lemarquis, deputy UN special representative in Congo and MONUSCO’s acting head. He expressed condolences to the families of the victims and reaffirmed that protecting civilians remains “an absolute priority.”
The mission said it is coordinating with Congolese authorities, the national army and regional partners to curb further ADF activity. It cited recent operations by the Force Intervention Brigade, including Operation Nyondo in the Komanda area and joint efforts with Congo’s military under Operation Safisha along the Beni–Kasindi axis. Another effort, Operation Mid-Night Guard, aims to secure population centers along the Beni–Eringeti corridor at night.
MONUSCO urged Congolese authorities to launch independent investigations to identify those responsible for the massacres. Lemarquis reiterated the U.N. Secretary-General’s call for all armed groups — local and foreign — to lay down their weapons unconditionally.
The ADF, originally a Ugandan armed group, has expanded its operations in eastern Congo and is responsible for some of the region’s deadliest attacks on civilians.
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