A brutal attack on a Catholic church in eastern Congo resulted in the deaths of at least 34 people on March 10, 2024. The assault, attributed to Islamic State-backed rebels, occurred in the town of Komanda, located in Ituri Province. Local civil society leader Dieudonne Duranthabo confirmed the details to the Associated Press, stating that the attackers stormed the church around 01:00 local time.
The violence did not end at the church; several houses and shops were also set ablaze. Duranthabo reported that the bodies of the victims remained at the scene, with preparations underway for their burial in a mass grave at the church compound. Eyewitness video footage shared online depicted burning structures and victims lying on the church floor, evoking despair among those present, some of whom wailed in grief while others stood in shock.
The chaos continued in the region, as Lossa Dhekana, another civil society leader in Ituri, reported that five additional individuals were killed in an earlier assault on the village of Machongani. In that incident, armed men abducted several residents, leaving their fate unknown. Both attacks are believed to have been executed by members of the Allied Democratic Forces, who wielded guns and machetes.
Military officials are responding to the increasing violence. Lt. Jules Ngongo, a spokesperson for the Congolese army in Ituri, confirmed at least ten fatalities from the church attack. However, Radio Okapi, a U.N.-backed news outlet, reported a higher death toll of 43, citing security sources. Reports indicate that the attackers fled from a stronghold approximately seven miles from Komanda before security forces could intervene.
Duranthabo has called for immediate military intervention to address the ongoing threat, emphasizing that “the enemy is still near our town.” The situation in eastern Congo remains precarious, with the local population facing increasing insecurity from armed groups. As the region grapples with these violent outbreaks, the need for effective security measures becomes more urgent.
