It’s evil rarely seen. Last month, over 70 Christians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) were bound, marched into a church, and beheaded. Local church leaders are devastated: “We don’t know what to do or how to pray; we’ve had enough of massacres.” This method of execution was intentional, designed to put terror in the hearts of Christians in the region. At the ACLJ, we are taking steps to protect Christians in the Congo from further massacres.
The Conflict in Eastern DRC
Eastern DRC has long suffered from instability and persistent humanitarian crises, with various armed groups fighting to commandeer the region. The M23 rebel group, backed by Rwanda, launched a major offensive in early January 2025, seizing key cities like Goma and Bukavu. The conflict has led to the deaths of 7,000 Congolese people and the displacement of over 500,000 civilians.
As is often the case, terrorist groups, such as the Islamist militant Allied Democratic Forces (“ADF”), have exploited the situation to target vulnerable populations, particularly Christians. The ADF, an Islamic State (ISIS) affiliate, is a former Ugandan rebel faction recognized as a terrorist organization by both the U.S. and the U.N. and is responsible for numerous attacks, including the recent beheadings.
The ADF, notorious for its brutality, often takes hostages, forcing them to join their group as reinforcements or labor. According to our sources on the ground, it is likely these 70 Christians were murdered in this grotesque act of savagery – solely because of their faith.
The DRC is one of Africa’s wealthiest but most corrupt nations. Corruption and criminal activities are interconnected to the mining industry and riddled by organized crime syndicates that smuggle minerals out of the country. Numerous paramilitary and rebel groups operate unchecked, fostering lawlessness and committing atrocities, particularly against those who oppose their illegal actions.
Christians speaking out against these groups face brutal retaliation. And its government provides little respite as corruption within the government is rampant, with officials embezzling public funds, while failing to protect civilians. Persecutors of Christians often go unpunished due to the widespread corruption, further enabling violence and instability.
A Call for Justice and International Action
This recent massacre is not an isolated event. For example, in June 2024, the ADF carried out another mass killing, slaughtering 150 Congolese civilians, many of whom were Christians. Religious persecution in the DRC and other parts of Africa, such as Nigeria, has reached alarming levels, prompting global leaders, including Pope Francis, to condemn these atrocities.
In response to the crisis, a humanitarian appeal was launched seeking $2.54 billion to aid 11 million affected people. However, financial aid alone is not enough. Justice must be served, and the perpetrators must be held accountable under international law for their crimes against humanity.
Our Response and the Role of the International Community
Through the ACLJ’s international affiliate, the European Centre for Law and Justice (ECLJ), we have taken a firm stance by addressing an official letter to the U.N. Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner, urging that office to:
- Demand that the DRC government prosecute those responsible for the massacre and strengthen its protection of Christian communities.
- Pressure Rwanda to cease its support for the M23 rebel group, which has exacerbated the region’s instability.
- Call on the U.N. to establish a dedicated body within the Human Rights Council to monitor and prevent religious persecution, particularly the ongoing massacres of Christians in Africa.
We must help bring global attention to the systematic persecution of Christians in the DRC. By formally engaging with international authorities, we seek to ensure that these crimes do not go unanswered and that necessary measures are taken to prevent further violence. Our advocacy is a crucial step toward holding both state and non-state actors accountable for their roles in enabling such atrocities.
These actions are just the first step of a much larger ACLJ initiative to defend persecuted Christians in the region – working with key leaders here in the U.S., across Europe, and at the U.N. to raise the plight of these persecuted believers to a global level.
The mass killing of 70 Christians is a grim reminder of the unchecked violence plaguing the DRC. Without decisive international action, these atrocities will continue, further deepening the humanitarian crisis. It is imperative that global leaders, human rights organizations, and the U.N. work together to bring justice to the victims and prevent future massacres.
The world cannot remain silent in the face of such horror. Now is the time to demand accountability, provide security for the persecuted, and uphold the fundamental right to religious freedom in the DRC and beyond. But we need your help to accomplish this; add your name to our petition to Protect Christians From Massacre in the Congo. Then tell your church leaders to engage, speak out against the persecution, and find ways to help our brothers and sisters in Christ.
And please continue to pray for the protection of Christians in the Congo.