Often, Islamic militia is known for conducting state insurgencies. Recent reports alleged that suspected Muslims murdered three civilians and 13 soldiers during a raid in a village in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
What Realy Happened?
According to witnesses, the arrival of the attackers was unprecedented. It was on a Sunday morning when the insurgents ambushed villagers of Ndalya. Christophe Munysnderu, co-ordinator of the group Convention for Respect of Human Rights, stated that the attackers opened wildfire upon entering the village. Other than the shooting, the rebels also burnt a Catholic Church in the neighborhood.
Although there is not much clarity on who perpetrated the act, Ngongo Tshikudi, the army spokesman, thinks it’s the Allied Democratic Forces who conducted the ambush. More so as the Ugandan insurgents have been active in eastern Congo since the 1990s. According to United Nation’s records, the ADF killed 850 people the previous year.
Tshikudi asserted that they had deployed enough troops to the villages; hence, the villagers remained calm.
“For the moment, our troops are occupying the village after the attack that cost the lives of three civilians and thirteen soldiers,” said army spokesman Jules Ngongo Tshikudi, adding that four assailants also died amid the violence.
Who is the ADF?
The Allied Democratic Forces is a group of Muslim rebels formulated in 1995, known to operate in Uganda and DRC. The uprising intensified in 1995 when it expanded its operations. Currently, the group controls several hidden militia camps. Killing, abducting, Looting, Burning are some of the vices of the ADF plots. And, unfortunately, they find satisfaction in that.
Are Such Attacks Common in Congo?
Over a hundred different militia groups inhabit Congo’s eastern region and its neighboring states, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi. Although, on many occasions, the Islamic State claims responsibility for several suspected ADF attacks, UN experts have not found evidence that links the two groups.
Insurgencies within most regions usually leave a tremendous impact, especially the thought of insecurity, which drives people to migrate from their homes. The escalating numbers of refugees in Africa are mainly because of militia attacks. Generally, no one wishes to live in a violence-prone environment.
The attacks also result in bloodshed. I.e., in most cases, families lose their loved ones who die amid the raids. Hence such incidents are usually saddening. Listening to tales of those who have survived rebel attacks is touching. The pain they undergo trying to recover from their past experiences is overwhelming.
Any Actions to Stop Insurgencies?
Insurgent attacks in Africa at large have drawn the attention of International friends. The human watchdog, United Nations, and African Union have all expressed their concern regarding the deteriorating situation in the continent’s remote parts. However, the Democratic Republic of Congo has; nevertheless, it is said the rebel groups continue to grow through misguiding innocent youths.
They use ethnic conflicts as an excuse to lure the young men to join the uprisings. In some cases, they forcefully recruit them.
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