Source: www.persecution.org
Date: April 1, 2021
DRC (International Christian Concern) – The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) is suspected to be behind the massacre of 23 people Tuesday night in eastern DRC’s Beni Region.
The UN Security Council released a statement on Tuesday in response to the violent attack:
“The members of the Security Council expressed concern at the continuing inter-communal violence and at the increase of armed group activity in the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo particularly by the Allied Democratic Forces…” the statement read, later calling on the DRC Government to “address the underlying drivers of the current humanitarian situation and on partners to step up their support… in tackling these challenges”.
Last month, the U.S. Department of State designated ADF as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and categorized them as ISIS-DRC. The group has the primary aim of creating an Islamic Caliphate in Central Africa. While a large majority (85-90%) of DRC’s population is Christian, violence rooted in Islamic extremism continues to worsen, putting the country at number 40 on the 2021 Open Doors World Watch List for Christian persecution. “These predominantly Christian communities are attacked by an Islamic extremist group with a clear Islamic expansionist agenda,” Open Doors spokesperson Illia Djadi stated in reference to the rebel group.
HOW TO PRAY: Please continue to pray for the healing of those traumatized by violence in the DRC, and for the Lord to comfort those who are grieving the loss of loved ones. Please also pray for the Lord to strengthen government protection over it’s people and bring peace to the nation, and for the love of Jesus to redeem the souls of those who persecute the church.