Escalating Religious Persecution in the DRC: ADF Atrocity Against Christians Ignored by Media

An atrocity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has exposed a global blind spot: the increasing brutality against Christians that escapes international media scrutiny. A horrific massacre of 70 Christians in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has shocked the world, yet the tragedy remains unreported mainly by mainstream media.

Brutal Attack on Christian Community

A militant faction linked to ISIS, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), executed 70 Christian villagers in the northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The alarming incident took place on February 13 in the village of Mayba, where hostages were forced into a Protestant church in Kasanga. The murders have increased the threat level for the Christian population, already insufficiently protected against repeated militant assaults. This act vividly illustrates the ongoing religious violence sweeping across the DRC.

This gruesome event further underscores the broader security crisis in the mineral-rich DRC. Open Doors UK has reported that the church targeted by the militants was abandoned due to the deteriorating security situation in the area. The religious genocide committed by the ADF aims to destabilize governments and establish a caliphate. Despite the gravity of the massacre, families of the deceased have been too fearful to carry out immediate burials, and many Christians are fleeing the area altogether.

Escalation of Militant Activities

The ADF has intensified its operations across northeastern DRC, contributing to a massive human toll. This atrocity is part of a larger pattern of violence that has plagued the region, with more than 200 people killed in the last month alone. The Ugandan government has contributed troops to combat the ADF, though they face significant challenges, particularly from the M23 rebel group.

“This recent massacre, where 70 Christians lost their lives, is not an isolated incident but part of a grim tapestry of violence that has claimed over 6 million lives in the DRC over two decades of on-and-off war.” – Jeff King.

According to Open Doors, religiously motivated attacks against Christians in the DRC are on the rise. In 2024, 355 Christians were killed, compared to 261 in the previous year. The escalation reveals a failure by both local and international governments to secure the area effectively, leaving civilians and Christian communities dangerously exposed.

International Response Needed

The massacre received insufficient attention globally, barely registering in international media coverage or attracting condemnatory statements from public officials. However, figures like Tristan Azbej, Hungary’s State Secretary for the Aid of Persecuted Christians, have vocalized their horror and called for decisive global intervention to combat Christian persecution.

“Open Doors strongly condemns this heinous act of violence against civilians and calls upon civil societies, governments, and international organizations to prioritize civilian protection in eastern DRC where armed groups, such as the ADF, are operating.” – Open Doors legal expert John Samuel.

This incident, as extensively documented by significant reportage like Breitbart and Daily Wire, reveals a stark reality—a worsening crisis primarily ignored by the global community. While local groups mourn their loss and live in fear, the international community must recognize its duty to protect these vulnerable populations and enact effective policies to counter religious persecution in the DRC.

Sources:

https://www.breitbart.com/africa/2025/02/20/jihadists-behead-70-christians-in-dr-congo-church/

https://www.dailywire.com/news/70-christians-beheaded-in-congo-church

https://www.newsweek.com/christians-beheaded-congo-drc-2033864