The ADF (Allied Democratic Forces) have been sowing death and destruction in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) since they became active there. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, they killed more than a hundred people. According to local sources, fifty civilians were killed in recent attacks on the towns of Muchacha and Babesua in Ituri province. As a result, more than 31,600 people have fled the ongoing violence.
Terrorist attacks
During the night of 11th March, Muchacha was attacked by ADF fighters. “The extremists killed residents, stole valuables, and took several people hostage. This triggered a mass exodus of the population,” said Dieudonne Lossa, coordinator of a civil society organisation in Ituri.
Video footage shows the devastation and desertion of the town and surrounding villages. Reverend Kitika, pastor of a local Baptist church, explains, ‘On Sunday, March 15th, the churches around Muchacha were empty. The Christians attended services in other towns.”
“A mass exodus of the population began.”
The Islamic State (IS) group has claimed responsibility for the attack. IS has links with the ADF and provides the terrorist group with funding, ideological training and propaganda material. In an official statement on March 15th, the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo strongly condemned the attack. It stated that it would take decisive action against terrorist groups until the state regained control of the area.
The day after the government statement on March 16th, another attack took place. According to initial reports, at least ten people were killed in the village of Babesua, where houses and vehicles were set on fire and valuables were looted. Local Christians report that churches, schools and health facilities have been closed.
Ongoing violence
Shortly before the February 2026 attacks, government officials, military personnel and church leaders attended a forum to discuss the ADF problem. Earlier this year, in January, 45 Christians were killed in an attack and two churches and 78 homes were burned down. Several people also went missing. Then, at the end of January, 22 Christian farmers were brutally murdered.
The March attacks also highlight just how violent and problematic the terrorist group’s presence is. Dieudonne Lossa’s regional civil society organisation, mentioned earlier, confirmed on March 20th that 35 people had been killed in Muchacha and 15 in Babesua. On March 24th , Radio Okapi reported that the national army had since regained control of Muchacha.
Gold mines
Muchacha and Babesua are both located within the Okapi Reserve. This reserve, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lies close to the border with Uganda and is known for its gold mines. These mines are owned by Chinese companies.
Two members of a Baptist church were killed in the attack on Muchacha. The pastor’s 17-year-old son was kidnapped. “My son was working in the mine where the Chinese were extracting gold,” the pastor explains. “The kidnappers forced the hostages to wash sand for three days so that they could extract the gold.” Then the kidnappers were attacked by our army. My son managed to escape in the ensuing chaos. We thank God for this miracle!”
“We ask our brothers and sisters around the world to pray that the church will be strengthened and that peace will return, so that we can continue to spread the good news of Jesus Christ in all the villages.”
Unity
Pressure on churches and communities sheltering refugees is increasing as attacks continue. The church of Pastor Kitika is hosting a number of displaced children. “They had already fled once before, after radical Islamist fighters attacked their village. And now they were forced to flee again,” he shares. “They set out on foot, but were picked up by a car along the way. Their parents are still on their way. Let us pray that they arrive here safely.”
According to Pastor Kitika, the churches are working together in unity to withstand the persecution. He asks for our prayers. “We are the Body of Christ. We ask our brothers and sisters around the world to pray that the church will be strengthened and that peace will return, so that we can continue to spread the good news of Jesus Christ in all the villages.”
DR Congo ranks 29th on the World Watch List.
Prayer points
- Pray for comfort for those who lost loved ones in the attacks.
- Pray for strength and flourishing for the church in DRC.
- Pray that the Lord God will provide for the needs of the refugees and the people who shelter them.
- Thank God that the son of a pastor managed to escape. Pray that the parents of the children who fled will arrive safely.
- Ask God to restore peace in eastern DRC. Pray that He will work powerfully in the hearts of the terrorists, so that they may turn to Him.
Break the silence
In 2026, Open Doors plans to present a record-breaking one million signatures to political leaders around the world, including the African Union, the UN and the EU. Our aim is to urge politicians and international organisations to take action on behalf of Christians in Africa.
Sign the petition to give a voice to persecuted Christians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo:
