Diaspora, Africa – (African Boulevard News) – At least 17 civilians were killed over the weekend by extremist rebels in Kainana, in eastern Congo. The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) group is suspected of carrying out the attacks between Thursday and Friday.
“We buried 10 bodies on Sunday. The victims are civilians killed by ADF between Thursday and Friday in Kainana. Seven others were found on Monday,” a local official reported.
The community has been left shocked and grieving, with many questioning why the government has not done more to protect them. The ADF has been carrying out attacks in the region for years, with over 1,000 people killed since November 2019.
The Congolese army has been conducting military operations against the group, but so far, they have not been successful in completely neutralizing them. The ADF is known for its brutal tactics, including beheadings and attacks on civilians, and has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States.
“The government needs to do more to protect us. We have lost too many people already,” said one resident.
In response to the attacks, the United Nations has called for an end to the violence and for the government to prioritize protecting its citizens. “We call on the authorities to reinforce their efforts to ensure the protection of civilians and to bring the perpetrators of these atrocious acts to justice,” a UN spokesperson said.
The ADF is believed to be responsible for other attacks in the area, including the kidnapping of 120 people in November 2020. The group is said to have ties to the Islamic State, making it a significant threat to stability in the region.
The government has promised to continue its efforts to neutralize the group, but many are questioning whether more needs to be done to protect civilians. “We cannot continue to live in fear of these attacks. The government must act now,” said another resident.
As the situation in eastern Congo continues to deteriorate, it is clear that more needs to be done to protect those caught in the crossfire. The international community must also step up and help to bring an end to the violence, before more innocent lives are lost.
