3/27/2025 DRC (International Christian Concern) — Militants from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) launched a brutal assault on the village of Ngohi Vuyinga in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on March 8, killing at least nine people.
The attack began at dawn, catching villagers by surprise. Armed with guns and machetes, the ADF fighters targeted the farming community, swiftly overpowering the residents. The assault, which included the destruction of homes, left dozens of families displaced, worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis in the region.
Samuel Kagheni, a local civil society leader, warned that the death toll could increase.
“Yesterday’s death toll could rise because there are still some missing people,” Kagheni said, underscoring the chaos and uncertainty following the assault.
This deadly raid is just the latest in a series of attacks carried out by the ADF, which has been terrorizing the region for years. Eastern Congo remains plagued by violence, with more than 100 armed groups vying for control of the region’s valuable resources. The innocent civilians, like those in Ngohi Vuyinga, continue to bear the heaviest cost.
Despite repeated calls for action, the DRC government has been unable to protect its citizens from these frequent raids. César Kambale, a youth leader, expressed growing frustration with the lack of governmental intervention, saying, “The peaceful population is still being killed, but there is no intervention on the government side.” Kambale’s statement reflects the sense of abandonment and vulnerability felt by many residents.
The government’s failure to ensure security highlights the ongoing instability in eastern Congo. With many people displaced by violence, the region remains one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. The lack of effective protection for civilians, coupled with the inability of authorities to curtail the activities of armed groups like the ADF, has left many to question the government’s capacity to restore peace.
International organizations have long warned of the risks posed by groups like the ADF. According to reports from Shia Waves, the group’s growing power and ability to carry out coordinated attacks signal that the threat to local populations will only intensify. With the ADF continuing to target vulnerable communities, the situation is increasingly dire.
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