A United Nations report on 28 July stated that elements of the ADF, an Islamic State-affiliated insurgent group that originated in neighbouring Uganda, carried out the attack in Komanda town, Irumu territory, Ituri province.The militants wielding guns and machetes struck around 1 a.m. while Catholic Christians were attending the prayer vigil. 

At least 40 civilians were killed, including children. Several other people were injured and abducted, and shops and homes were set on fire. Most of the victims were reportedly worshippers killed with bladed weapons during a night vigil at a church.The incident comes after ADF attacks earlier in the month killed 82 civilians in Ituri and North Kivu provinces.  

The tragedy has deeply affected religious communities across the region. Anglican clergy on the ground have been among those appealing for prayers and support. 

A message from a local clergy member referred to the region saying: “Please we need your prayers in order God can help Congo to have real peace. I know some of them who were killed... some of them were in the church praying.... It is really sad to see such a kind of killing happening where there are UN Peace-keepers plus the government soldiers. We need only to trust God and he can provide the right peace to us. Please brothers and sisters, we still need your prayers.”

Another clergy member recalled a previous mission trip to the region saying: “I remember the joyful welcome, powerful and spirit filled church service, and the hospitality of the people. All that was changed into cries, fear and despair yesterday... that does not prevent us to do what is required for the peace in Congo, but we need to do it without favour and compromise. A sincere internal dialogue, a regional commitment, and international support are the way forward for lasting peace.” 

The attack comes after a dramatic escalation of violence earlier this year, in which the armed group M23 took the cities of Goma and Bukavu, and Rwandan defence forces crossed the border into DRC. The US has recently brokered an agreement between the governments of DRC and Rwanda, but the M23 has not yet withdrawn and humanitarian needs are vast. 

The UN peacekeeping mission in DRC, MONUSCO, has strongly condemned the attack, expressing “deep outrage at these heinous acts of violence, which constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law and infringements on human rights”.  

“These targeted attacks against defenceless civilians, particularly in places of worship, are not only appalling, but also in violation of all human rights standards and international humanitarian law,” said Vivian van de Perre, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Protection and Operations and Acting Head of MONUSCO.  

The UN peacekeeping mission is intensifying security efforts in and around the city of Komanda. However, in this context, the UN often struggles against local mistrust. There are also concerns about the ability of local government forces to keep communities safe.  

With more than 95% of the DRC's population affiliated with Christian denominations, attacks on places of worship strike at the heart of Congolese society. The Anglican Church, alongside other Christian denominations, continues to provide essential services in regions where state infrastructure is limited. Churches are working across the East on peace-making, including through radio programmes, community dialogue, trauma support and international discussions with businesses, investors and UN forces engaged in the region. 

Martha Jarvis, the Anglican Communion’s Permanent Representative at the United Nations said: “We pray with sisters and brothers in DRC as they mourn these recent deaths and seek peace once again. It is deeply challenging work and we pray God strengthens them. We also seek ways to ensure that recent peace negotiations involving the US, DRC, Rwanda and Qatar bring tangible benefits for them and for local communities, in a country on which we all depend for the minerals that power our phones, computers and the clean energy transition.”

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