The massacre of 70 Christians in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on February 13, 2025, is yet another tragic chapter in the ongoing persecution of Christians in the region. The victims, forcibly rounded up and brutally beheaded by Islamist militants from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), were targeted solely because of their faith. The ADF, an affiliate of the Islamic State (ISIS), has been waging a relentless war against Christian communities in eastern DRC, leaving a trail of destruction, fear, and suffering.
Despite the sheer brutality of this attack and many others like it, the world remains largely indifferent. While acts of religious violence in other parts of the world often draw swift condemnation and media attention, the plight of Christians in DRC continues to be ignored. Their suffering is overshadowed by political instability, economic interests, and a global narrative that often minimizes or overlooks the persecution of Christians.
The ADF, originally founded in the 1990s as a Ugandan rebel group, has evolved into one of the deadliest Islamist extremist factions in Africa. Over the years, the group has expanded its operations deep into the eastern provinces of DRC, carrying out gruesome attacks against civilians, particularly targeting Christians.
The February 13 attack in Lubero is not an isolated incident. In 2023 alone, the ADF was responsible for hundreds of killings, kidnappings, and village raids, with churches frequently being primary targets. Villagers are often forced to flee their homes, leaving behind their churches and livelihoods, while those who remain are either forcibly converted or brutally executed. Reports indicate that churches are regularly burned, Christian clergy are murdered, and believers live in constant fear of the next attack.
The methods employed by the ADF are designed to instill terror. Survivors have described beheadings, mass executions, and the use of machetes to slaughter entire families. Women and children are not spared, with many being taken captive and subjected to unspeakable horrors. The goal of the ADF is clear—to eradicate Christian presence from the region and establish Islamist control.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is home to one of Africa’s largest Christian populations, with approximately 95% of its citizens identifying as Christian. Despite this majority, many Christian communities in the eastern part of the country live under the constant threat of Islamist extremism.
According to Open Doors’ World Watch List 2024, DRC ranks among the most dangerous places for Christians. In 2023 alone, over 1,100 Christians were killed for their faith, with thousands more displaced due to terrorist attacks. The government’s inability to curb the violence, coupled with the failure of international organizations to intervene effectively, has left Christian communities vulnerable and defenseless.
Survivors of these attacks often recount harrowing experiences of being forced to watch their loved ones murdered in front of them. Many flee to refugee camps, where they face harsh conditions, food shortages, and inadequate medical care. For those who remain in their villages, the fear of another attack is a daily reality.
Despite the scale of the atrocities being committed, the international response has been minimal. Unlike similar acts of religious persecution elsewhere, the suffering of Christians in DRC has largely been met with indifference. The mainstream media rarely covers these attacks, and global human rights organizations offer only muted responses.
This lack of attention raises troubling questions about the world’s willingness to acknowledge and address the persecution of Christians. While some conflicts and human rights abuses receive widespread coverage and immediate action, the massacre of Christians in Africa is often treated as a footnote, if it is mentioned at all.
The massacre of 70 Christians in Lubero is not an anomaly—it is part of an ongoing cycle of violence that has been escalating for years. Every week, more villages are attacked, more churches are destroyed, and more lives are lost. Yet, without significant intervention or awareness, the situation is likely to worsen.
For the Christians in eastern DRC, survival is a daily struggle. Many continue to practice their faith in secret, fearing reprisal from militants. Others have abandoned their homes and places of worship, knowing that staying could mean death. Despite their suffering, their cries for help are largely ignored by a world that seems unwilling to acknowledge the genocide taking place.
The story of these persecuted Christians is not just one of loss and tragedy—it is a story of resilience in the face of unimaginable horror. But how long can they continue to endure without support, without recognition, and without justice?
