International Christian Concern, August 12th, 2024 (excerpts)
The remains of more than 30 people were found on July 24 following yet another brutal attack on a Christian community by Islamic extremist Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in Eastern Congo. Léon Siviwe, chief of Beni-Mbau, said the attack was part of a week marked by escalating violence.
“These are our brothers, sisters, daughters, and sons who, in the end, have lost their lives because of the ADF, who kill while speaking the Arabic language,” one survivor recalled. “I remember the day when my neighbour was taken and, in the end, he was found dead.”
The Anglican Bishop of Beni articulated the profound psychological toll that living under constant threat has taken on civilians in Beni.
“We try to maintain some semblance of normalcy, but every loud noise sends us into panic mode. The laughter of children has been replaced by silence or whispers about who might be next. Our dreams have turned to nightmares, and we often find ourselves looking over our shoulders.
“These atrocities create a pervasive anxiety and trauma experienced by those in conflict zones, particularly in regions like eastern Congo, where attacks by armed groups such as the ADF have become tragically commonplace that defiles God’s purpose of creating man.”