Latest news with #VivianvandePerre
DW
11 hours ago
- Politics
- DW
Congo: Over 40 killed in militant attack on church – DW – 07/28/2025
Militants backed by the "Islamic State" group attacked a Catholic church in eastern Congo, leaving more than 40 people dead. The attack put an end to months-long calm in the region. At least 43 people were killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo after a Catholic church was attacked by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels on Sunday. The ADF — an insurgent group with ties to the so-called "Islamic State" group — raided the church located in the northeastern town of Komanda as worshippers gathered for prayer. Nine children were among those killed, according to MONUSCO, the UN peacekeeping mission in the country. According to reports, houses and shops surrounding the church were also set ablaze by the rebels. "These targeted attacks on defenseless civilians, especially in places of worship, are not only revolting but also contrary to all norms of human rights and international humanitarian law," the mission's deputy chief, Vivian van de Perre, said in a statement. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Sunday's attack marked the end of a months-long period of calm in the region of Ituri, bordering Uganda. In February, 23 people had died in an attack by the ADF in the province's Mambasa territory. The Congolese army condemned what it described as a "large-scale massacre" on Sunday. It said the ADF had decided to take "revenge on defenseless peaceful populations to spread terror". Eastern Congo is considered as one of the world's most dangerous regions. Nearly 130 different armed groups are said to be active across the country, many of which are focused on controlling the region's vast and valuable reserves of natural resources like coltan, cobalt, gold and diamonds. Hostilities earlier this year between Congolese forces and the M23 rebel group ended in a truce on July 19. The ADF is a long-standing insurgent group originating in Uganda and operating in eastern Congo. They have been responsible for the killings of thousands of civilians. The group often uses hatchets and machetes to carry out attacks. In 2019, the ADF pledged allegiance to the "Islamic State" group.
Eyewitness News
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
More than 40 killed in rebel attack in northeast DR Congo
BUNIA - More than 40 people were killed Sunday in an attack by Allied Democratic Forces rebels in northeastern DR Congo, ending a months-long period of regional calm, the UN mission and Congolese military said. The ADF, which pledged allegiance to Islamic State in 2019, raided a Catholic church in the town of Komanda where worshippers were gathered for prayer, residents told AFP by telephone from Bunia, capital of Ituri province. The attack killed 43 people including nine children, according to the UN peacekeeping mission in the country. "These targeted attacks on defenseless civilians, especially in places of worship, are not only revolting but also contrary to all norms of human rights and international humanitarian law," said Vivian van de Perre, deputy chief of the peacekeeping mission. The Congolese army denounced the "large-scale massacre", adding that "around forty civilians were surprised and killed with machetes and several others were seriously injured". It said the ADF had decided to take "revenge on defenseless peaceful populations to spread terror". Local sources had reported an earlier death toll of at least 35. Lieutenant Jules Ngongo, army spokesman in Ituri, did not comment on the toll but confirmed the attack to AFP, saying "the enemy is believed to have been identified among ADF" rebels. The bloodshed comes after months of calm in the region of Ituri, bordering Uganda. The last major attack by the ADF was in February, leaving 23 dead in Mambasa territory. The town of Komanda in Irumu territory is a commercial hub linking three other provinces -- Tshopo, North Kivu, and Maniema. The ADF, originally Ugandan rebels who are predominantly Muslim, have killed thousands of civilians and ramped up looting and killing in northeastern DRC despite the deployment of the Ugandan army alongside Congolese armed forces in the area. At the end of 2021, Kampala and Kinshasa launched a joint military operation against the ADF, dubbed "Shujaa", which has so far been unable to dislodge the group. The Congolese army promised to continue tracking the ADF and called on the population "to remain extra vigilant and report any suspicious presence to the defense and security forces".
Korea Herald
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Korea Herald
More than 40 killed in rebel attack in northeast Congo
BUNIA, Congo (AFP) -- More than 40 people were killed Sunday in an attack by Allied Democratic Forces rebels in northeastern Congo, ending a monthslong period of regional calm, the UN mission and Congolese military said. The ADF, which pledged allegiance to Islamic State in 2019, raided a Catholic church in the town of Komanda where worshippers were gathered for prayer, residents told Agence France-Presse by telephone from Bunia, capital of Ituri province. The attack killed 43 people including nine children, according to the UN peacekeeping mission in the country. "These targeted attacks on defenseless civilians, especially in places of worship, are not only revolting but also contrary to all norms of human rights and international humanitarian law," said Vivian van de Perre, deputy chief of the peacekeeping mission. The Congolese Army denounced the "large-scale massacre," adding that "around forty civilians were surprised and killed with machetes and several others were seriously injured." It said the ADF had decided to take "revenge on defenseless peaceful populations to spread terror." Local sources had reported an earlier death toll of at least 35. Lieutenant Jules Ngongo, army spokesman in Ituri, did not comment on the toll but confirmed the attack to AFP, saying "the enemy is believed to have been identified among ADF" rebels. The bloodshed comes after months of calm in the region of Ituri, bordering Uganda. The last major attack by the ADF was in February, leaving 23 dead in Mambasa territory. The town of Komanda in Irumu territory is a commercial hub linking three other provinces -- Tshopo, North Kivu, and Maniema. The ADF, originally Ugandan rebels who are predominantly Muslim, have killed thousands of civilians and ramped up looting and killing in northeastern Congo despite the deployment of the Ugandan army alongside Congolese armed forces in the area. At the end of 2021, Kampala and Kinshasa launched a joint military operation against the ADF, dubbed "Shujaa," which has so far been unable to dislodge the group. The Congolese army promised to continue tracking the ADF and called on the population "to remain extra vigilant and report any suspicious presence to the defense and security forces."
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
15 hours ago
- Politics
- First Post
Over 40 killed in rebel attack in northeast DR Congo, ending brief regional calm
The Congolese army denounced the 'large-scale massacre', adding that 'around forty civilians were surprised and killed with machetes and several others were seriously injured'. read more This aerial view shows the town of Komanda, Ituri province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, on August 30, 2023. File Image: AFP More than 40 people were killed Sunday in an attack by Allied Democratic Forces rebels in northeastern DR Congo, ending a months-long period of regional calm, the UN mission and Congolese military said. The ADF, which pledged allegiance to Islamic State in 2019, raided a Catholic church in the town of Komanda where worshippers were gathered for prayer, residents told AFP by telephone from Bunia, capital of Ituri province. The attack killed 43 people including nine children, according to the UN peacekeeping mission in the country. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'These targeted attacks on defenseless civilians, especially in places of worship, are not only revolting but also contrary to all norms of human rights and international humanitarian law,' said Vivian van de Perre, deputy chief of the peacekeeping mission. The Congolese army denounced the 'large-scale massacre', adding that 'around forty civilians were surprised and killed with machetes and several others were seriously injured'. It said the ADF had decided to take 'revenge on defenseless peaceful populations to spread terror'. Local sources had reported an earlier death toll of at least 35. Lieutenant Jules Ngongo, army spokesman in Ituri, did not comment on the toll but confirmed the attack to AFP, saying 'the enemy is believed to have been identified among ADF' rebels. The bloodshed comes after months of calm in the region of Ituri, bordering Uganda. The last major attack by the ADF was in February, leaving 23 dead in Mambasa territory. The town of Komanda in Irumu territory is a commercial hub linking three other provinces – Tshopo, North Kivu, and Maniema. The ADF, originally Ugandan rebels who are predominantly Muslim, have killed thousands of civilians and ramped up looting and killing in northeastern DRC despite the deployment of the Ugandan army alongside Congolese armed forces in the area. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD At the end of 2021, Kampala and Kinshasa launched a joint military operation against the ADF, dubbed 'Shujaa', which has so far been unable to dislodge the group. The Congolese army promised to continue tracking the ADF and called on the population 'to remain extra vigilant and report any suspicious presence to the defense and security forces'.
Morocco World
15-05-2025
- Morocco World
Moroccan Peacekeeper Dies in UN Convoy Accident in Congo
Rabat – A Moroccan peacekeeper died on May 13 in a fatal road accident in North Kivu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, while serving under the UN Stabilization Mission, MONUSCO. The incident left a mark not only on the mission but also back home, where families of Moroccan soldiers await news from distant, volatile terrains. The soldier belonged to Morocco's Rapid Deployment Battalion, part of a long-standing contribution to UN efforts in the DRC. He died when a MONUSCO logistics vehicle left the road and tumbled into a ravine during a convoy journey from Munigi to the permanent base in Kitchanga. A Congolese interpreter also died in the crash. Four other Moroccan peacekeepers sustained injuries and were transferred to the UN hospital in Goma for treatment. Their condition has not been publicly disclosed. MONUSCO's acting head Vivian van de Perre addressed the tragedy in a statement from Kinshasa. 'I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Kingdom of Morocco, to the families and colleagues of the deceased, and I wish a speedy recovery to the injured,' she said. 'The Mission is taking all necessary measures to support those affected and their loved ones during this difficult time.' An investigation has begun to clarify the circumstances of the accident, the UN mission confirmed. An assessment of the damaged equipment is also underway, it added. For Morocco, this loss adds another name to the silent list of soldiers who died while wearing the blue helmet far from home. Morocco remains one of the UN's key contributors in Africa, with Moroccan troops often deployed in conflict zones where danger rarely pauses. Tags: Africa troopMorccan peacekeeperpeacekeepersUN peacekeeper
