On Sunday, seven bodies that were in an advanced state of decomposition were discovered outside Mangina, a town in the province of North Kivu, Congo. The governor’s delegation confirmed that the victims were villagers who had been brutally murdered by militiamen from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a Ugandan group linked to Islamic State.
The mayor of Mangina, Rocky Muvunga, stated that the victims were residents of the town who were found dead in their fields outside the commune. The ADF had planned to attack Mangina and anyone they encountered was mercilessly killed. Local youth discovered the bodies and notified the wazalendo, or self-defense groups, in the area.
The discovery of these bodies has raised concerns about the ongoing violence and instability in the region. The ADF is responsible for numerous atrocities, including the murder of 1,200 civilians in 2021. The bodies of the victims were found by wazalendos and buried as they were in a decomposed state.
This incident highlights the ongoing threat posed by armed groups in the region and how it impacts local communities. It is crucial for authorities and humanitarian organizations to address the root causes of violence and work towards sustainable peace and security in