Christian leaders have decried the coordinated mass slaughter of more than 80 Christians in early May 2026 by armed assaults by Islamist militants in the north-eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In the deadliest coordinated attacks, on May 5, 2026, Islamic State Central Africa Province (ISCAP), formerly known as Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) militants, killed more than 60 Christians in Beni Territory, an area bordering the North Kivu and Ituri provinces.
Two days later, a secondary attack in Beni left 15 more Christians dead and on Sunday, May 10, 2026, jihadists raided the village of Makumu in Ituri, killing nine individuals and abducting six others.
Islamic State channels published statements explicitly targeting the victims for their faith, warning “worshipers of the cross” that they face death unless they convert to Islam or pay the jizya (a submission tax imposed on non-Muslims).
Suspected ISCAP members. Credit: SG News.
The objective of the ADF is to convert everyone into a Muslim
Following the massacres, Christian leaders raised an alarm about the escalating violence, calling for prayers over the killings while establishing that the jihadists aim to convert everyone to Islam.
Pastor Kambale Aristote of CECA20 Church underscored that in the circumstance, all they “is prayer, nothing but prayer,” adding, “We ask all Christians to continue to intercede for us.”
Another elder in the Church stated, “We don’t know what to do or how to pray; we’ve had enough of massacres,” stressing, “May God’s will alone be done.”
Aristote clarified that “the objective of the ADF is to convert everyone into a Muslim and this is a persecution of a great level.”
On his part, a Local Church Leader, Rev. Kitika, told Open Doors that “As the body of Christ, we ask for the prayers of brothers and sisters across the world for the strengthening of the church and the return of peace, so that we may continue to spread the good news of Jesus Christ in all the villages.”
A Baptist Church Pastor, Rev. Philemono enjoined everyone to “pray for the faith of Christians in the Christian villages of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Truly, let us pray for our faith; we are living through the message of Matthew chapter 24 (Jesus’ message on the end times).”
“We will not be silent” in the face of insecurity – Catholic Bishops of Congo
In a statement, the Catholic Bishops under the aegis of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) warned that, “We are well aware that some people turn to discrediting our mission, to sow discord between us, or to engage us in some kind of religious war.”
The prelates maintained that “Our goal is to contribute, among other things, to the promotion of the inalienable dignity of the human person and to the well-being of the Congolese people. Therefore, in the face of the degrading security and humanitarian situation of our country, we will not be silent.”
The plenary assembly statement underlined that “The Church therefore has the right to preach faith in all freedom, to teach social doctrine without any hindrance, to make a moral judgment, even on matters that concern political order, when the fundamental rights of the human person and the salvation of souls require it.”
International Christian Watchdogs and Analysts
In his reaction to the attacks, the Senior Analyst for Freedom of Religion or Belief in Sub-Saharan Africa, Open Doors, Illia Djadi told the press that “This was not just an act of terror. It was a targeted massacre of Christians, and it will not stop here.”
Djadi detailed that “The ADF is part of a growing extremist network that wants to wipe out Christianity in the region. If nothing is done, more attacks will follow.”
Meanwhile, Open Doors Spokesperson for Sub-Saharan Africa, Jo Newhouse, urged the government to ensure the protection of lives and livelihoods.
“We call on government at all levels to keep civilians safe and bring to justice to all who are found to be involved in these acts of brutality… All human beings have the right to protection no matter their faith, ethnicity or gender,” Newhouse stated.
Call for an end to the ongoing violence
This tragedy mirrors a previous surge of violence in June 2024, during which Open Doors UK documented another wave of ADF attacks.
A report analysed by humanitarian watchdogs highlights ISCAP’s long-running strategy of “extensive brutality” in the resource-rich eastern DRC, utilising mass killings, decapitations, sexual violence and forced child labour to terrorise local populations.
Legal and humanitarian agencies like Open Doors US continue to call on international bodies to prioritise civilian protection, as the death toll of Christians killed by ISCAP since 2017 has surpassed 6,000.
Editor’s Note: Featured photo is courtesy of SG News.
