DRC: Jihadists leave headless bodies in Church
A local source in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has confirmed that jihadists left the dead bodies of 70 Africans in a church – many of whom had been beheaded.
Speaking to catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need, the source, who asked to remain anonymous because of fear of reprisals, corroborated reports that at least 70 trussed up corpses were discovered in North Kivu Province last week.
The source said: “On 15th February, 70 bodies were discovered inside a Protestant church.
“Many of them had been bound and some beheaded. Among the victims were women, children and the elderly.”
According to the source, between 12th and 15th February fighters from Islamist group Allied Democratic Forces seized around 100 people in Maiba village in North Kivu’s Lubero region.
The source said: “It is likely that these victims were unable to resist or endure the forced march, because when the rebels take hostages, they make them travel with them, either as reinforcements for their group or as forced labour for the war effort.
“When there is loot, they need people to carry it. If you get tired on the way, you’re done. I believe that is what happened to these 70 people.”
The dead bodies were discovered in the Evangelical church in Kasanga just “just a few kilometres away from Maiba”.
The source added: “The Islamic groups have stepped up their attacks and raids in remote villages, killing thousands of Congolese civilians.
“Before they used to be in other areas, but now it is Lubero which is being attacked.”
“It is thought that the terrorists have local collaborators who facilitate their operations and that is what is really frightening.”
This mass killing follows heavy fighting between the M23 rebel militia, supported by neighbouring Rwanda, and Congolese Armed Forces.
M23 has taken key cities such as Goma and Bukavu, forcing half a million civilians to flee their homes in North Kivu since December 2024, according to UNHCR figures.
ACN’s source also expressed fears that M23 will take Butembo, North Kivu’s second largest city, following its seizure of Goma, the provincial capital, and Bukavu, capital of South Kivu.
The source said: “We are living through very, very difficult times. We are expecting the rebels to enter the city any moment now, as they are only 70km [43 ½ miles] away from here.
“There is a lot of psychological suffering in Butembo, because the war is literally at our door.
“We have seen how other regions were overrun by chaos and now it seems it is our turn.”
The source concluded by calling for prayer: “Prayer is what keeps our hope alive amidst this situation we are living through.”