DRCongo: Bomb attack on worshippers at a church in Kasindi Town,what we know so far

RegionWeek Newsletter Vol VII, Issue #231 | Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Dear Readers,

A bomb attack  claimed by Islamic State jihadists has killed 17 people and 39 wounded in a church. The terrorist attack occurred on Sunday in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

The "terrorist act" happened in a Pentecostal church (the 8th CEPAC Lubiriha Church) during a Baptism ceremony in North Kivu province's Kasindi, a town on the border with Uganda, an information confirmed by Congolese military spokesman Antony Mualushayi. 

The DRC's communications ministry said on social media that the attack was apparently carried out by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) --- which the Islamic State group claims as its affiliate in central Africa. 

AFP reports that the spokesman for Uganda's military operation in the DRC, Bilal Katamba, said on Sunday evening that 16 people had been killed in the blast, and 20 wounded.

"The attackers used an IED to carry out the attack and we suspect ADF is behind the attack," he added.

According to Captain Antony Mwalushayi, the spokesperson for the Sokola1 Grand-Nord operational sector, the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo confirmed that they arrested a suspect on Sunday at the Kasindi border post. According to  to a politico.cd journalist the arrested suspect was of Kenyan nationality.

President Felix Tshisekedi condemned the attack in the town of Kasindi in North Kivu province.

“Very saddened by the heinous crime. The father of the nation, his excellency Felix Tshisekedi, presents his most heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, reassuring that the culprits will be arrested, prosecuted and punished. The administrative and security authorities evacuated the wounded to health centers, while the corpses were taken to the morgue," the Presidency of the Democratic Republic of Congo said in a press statement.

President Ruto condemned the attack

“I have learnt with deep sorrow of the terrorist attack on the 8th CEPAC Lubiriha Church during the Baptism ceremony on Sunday, January 14th, 2023, that led to deaths and injury of innocent civilians, tweeted President Ruto.

According to him, this awful act is a reminder of the ever present terrorist threat and underscores the imperative to strengthen the resolve of our nations, individually and collectively, to deal with this threat to international peace and security.

The EAC is committed to the restoration of peace in Eastern DRC

The Secretary General of the East African Community that DRC joined recently strongly condemned this cowardly and heinous crime and extended his sincere condolences to the families of the victims, the people and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo, while wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.

Dr. Mathuki conveys the EAC’s solidarity with President Fèlix Tshisekedi, the Government, and the people of DRC, at this difficult time, reaffirming that the EAC is committed to the restoration of peace in Eastern DRC and extended its full support in the pursuit of a sustainable solution to the protracted security situation.

“The EAC continues to call on all parties to establish an immediate ceasefire, respect international law, and ensure the safety and security of civilians, in order to enable a peaceful solution to the ongoing conflict.” He added..

As AP reminds, violence has wracked eastern Congo for decades as more than 120 armed groups and self-defense militias fight for land and power. Nearly 6 million people are internally displaced, and hundreds of thousands are facing extreme food insecurity, according to the U.N.

Fighters with the Allied Democratic Forces, a rebel organization which is believed to have links to the the Islamic State group have carried out several attacks in Kasindi, which is located on the border with Uganda.

Troops from Uganda’s army have deployed to eastern Congo to try to stem the violence, but the attacks have increased and spread. ADF attacks since April have killed at least 370 civilians and involved the abduction of several hundred more, a report by the United Nations last month said.

Thanks for reading,

Fabrice Iranzi, Editor in Chief, RegionWeek