By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
KINSHASA (Worthy News) – Pope Francis has urged the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) government to end the massacres by Islamic fighters in the east of the country and protect civilians, including Christians.
He spoke after local authorities reported that up to 80 people, many of them Christians, were killed in a series of attacks on villages in the Beni area allegedly perpetrated by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels.
Also known as Oicha territory, Beni is part of the North Kivu province.
“Painful news of clashes and massacres continues to arrive from the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo,” he said before launching his plea.
“I appeal to the national authorities and to the international community to do everything possible to stop the violence and safeguard the lives of civilians,” Francis said, and he noted that among the victims, many are Christians.
“I appeal to the national authorities and to the international community to do everything possible to stop the violence and safeguard the lives of civilians.”
Describing them as martyrs, he said the sacrifice of Christians “is a seed that germinates and bears fruit, teaching us to bear witness to the Gospel with courage and consistency.”
ATTACKS LAST MONTH
The attacks, which began last month, followed other such killings in the Central African nation during which assailants also stole motorcycles and set fire to houses during their incursions, sources said.
Villagers fled their homes to take refuge in Kyatsaba, in the western part of the city of Beni, and in Mabalako, where the General Reference Hospital is overwhelmed with patients, officials confirmed.
The ADF, which is now based in eastern Congo, has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group and mounts frequent attacks, further destabilizing a region where many militant groups are active, the Vatican said.
Experts say the rebel group started as a Ugandan insurgency and has operated from eastern Congo for nearly three decades.
Officials and rights activists said the latest attack brings the death toll due to ADF attacks in the DRC over the past month to nearly 150.
Separately, DRC authorities are also battling the Rwanda-linked M23 rebels, who also mainly operate in the eastern region of the country.
Copyright 1999-2024 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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