Three Christians have been killed and several others kidnapped in an attack on a village near Movmove in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Militants from the Islamist Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) launched an assault on the community on the night of July 16, according to Christian persecution watchdog International Christian Concern (ICC).
“We did not realize that they had invaded our village until they landed on us in the house and started slaughtering people while speaking some Islamic words,” a survivor recalled. “That is the moment I realized there was danger. I ran passing through the behind door of our house to the bush, and this is how I managed to survive these killings.”
The attackers also reportedly set fire to several homes.
“The army was alerted well before, but it could not succeed in protecting this population,” a civil society leader in Mamove explained.
In response to the attack, the Bishop of the Anglican Church of Beni urged the Congolese Armed Forces to protect the vulnerable community by strengthening the military units based in the area.
“As we are praying to God to bring this to an end, we also urge the government security organs to step up surveillance in these volatile zones to protect its citizens from the incessant attacks coming from the ADF Islamic group,” he said.
Christian persecution charity Open Doors estimates that there are around 93.4 million Christians in the DRC, which equates to 95% of the population.
Those who live in the eastern part of the country are at "incredible risk", the charity notes, with the region being home to more than 100 armed groups, some of whom "specifically target followers of Jesus".
