Militants in Eastern Congo Kill at Least 12 in Recent Attacks

KINSHASA, Congo — In a tragic escalation of violence, militants affiliated with the Islamic State have reportedly killed at least 12 individuals in North Kivu province, according to local officials. The attacks, carried out by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), targeted the village of Mukonia on Saturday, as confirmed by the municipality's mayor, Nicole Kikuku. The death toll may rise, as several villagers remain unaccounted for. The ADF's recent activities mark a worrying trend, with a significant increase in attacks over the past year. In June, the group was responsible for the deaths of at least 40 people across multiple villages in the same province. The ADF is also linked to a massacre in Uganda last year, where 41 individuals, primarily students, lost their lives. In response to the ongoing violence, Uganda's military conducted joint operations against the ADF in eastern Congo in 2021. Eastern Congo has long been plagued by armed conflict, with over 120 groups vying for control over land and resources. This violence has resulted in the displacement of nearly 7 million people, many of whom are inaccessible to humanitarian aid. The United Nations peacekeeping mission, which has been active in the region for over two decades, is set to complete its withdrawal by the end of 2024, following a request from the Congolese government due to its perceived ineffectiveness in curbing the violence. The withdrawal process has already commenced in South Kivu province.