In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), our Christian brothers and sisters have been attacked and displaced.
On 18 January, churches and other faith-based organisations belonging to the Banyamulenge ethnic community in Uvira were targeted and destroyed by army-aligned forces and local militias. More than 70 homes were demolished alongside them, and lives were lost.
These attacks were deliberately carried out to destroy the central Christian religious pillars of the Banyamulenge in Uvira as a means of erasing their identity.
“This is the often-overlooked aftermath of ethnic and religiously motivated violence,” said Sean Nelson, Senior Counsel for Global Religious Freedom at ADF International. “Beyond the immediate devastation, these attacks leave lasting scars on communities. In this case, these Christians from the Banyamulenge community are now significantly hindered in their ability to worship, gather and live out their faith.”
We cannot look away, and we haven’t. On 11 March, we supported the filing of this case at the East African Court of Justice, with affidavits from church leaders and members who witnessed the destruction firsthand. We are working to hold the DRC accountable, to stop further attacks, and to ensure these communities can rebuild their churches, their organisations, and their lives.
“It is only right that the DRC acts swiftly to prevent further violence, takes responsibility and supports the reconstruction of destroyed churches and religious properties,” said Innocent Nteziryayo, named counsel for the churches and representatives for the Banyamulenge community before the East African Court of Justice. “Banyamulenge communities must be able to rebuild not only their homes, but also the churches and organisations that sustain their spiritual and communal life.”
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