BENI, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) -At least 16 people were killed by a suspected Islamist rebel group based in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s North Kivu province, an official from the local administration said on Wednesday.
The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), allied to Islamic State, started as a Ugandan insurgency but has operated from the jungles of eastern Congo for almost three decades.
“We believe that the ADF are the perpetrators of this attack, they took advantage of the departure of the military in the area to come and kill the population,” local official Fabien Kakule Viriro told Reuters.
The official stated that victims were brutally hacked to death with machetes in their homes or fields. Some were even executed while attempting to flee.
Efforts to address the root causes of violence in Eastern Congo are crucial for achieving lasting peace and stability. Local and international stakeholders must collaborate to address underlying grievances fueling the conflict. Additionally, they should promote reconciliation and dialogue among communities.
Furthermore, bolstering security measures and building the capacity of local law enforcement agencies are crucial steps. These actions are vital for safeguarding the lives and rights of the affected people.
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