Gold Miners Among Victims as Violence Worsens in Ituri Province
Families in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo gathered at a local health centre on Thursday to collect the bodies of loved ones killed in another deadly attack in the mineral-rich Ituri province.
Residents said fighters from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an Islamic State-linked armed group, attacked the Kikundo mining site near the border between North Kivu and Ituri provinces on Wednesday.
The victims were mostly gold miners who were working at the site when the attack happened.
Residents Describe Brutal Attack on Miners
Musubao Kiwanza, who lost his brother-in-law in the attack, said the victims were targeted while carrying out their daily work.
“Everyone here was a gold miner. They were found doing their work; they were slaughtered like animals,” he said.
A nurse at a nearby health centre, Fiston Ndeze, said eight bodies were brought from the scene of the attack.
He said the victims suffered severe injuries and were not killed by gunfire.
Eastern Congo Faces Long-Running Conflict
Violence in Ituri and North Kivu provinces has continued for decades, with multiple armed groups fighting for control of territory and resources.
The region gained renewed international attention last year after Rwanda-backed M23 rebels captured Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo.
The area remains one of the most unstable parts of the country due to ongoing clashes involving armed groups, despite efforts to restore peace.
Violence Disrupts Ebola Response
The continued insecurity has also affected efforts to contain an Ebola outbreak in Congo.
Health workers have struggled to reach some communities because of attacks and restricted movement, leaving residents without easy access to medical services.
The country’s health ministry reported that deaths linked to the Ebola outbreak surpassed 1,000 on Wednesday, highlighting the growing humanitarian challenges facing affected communities.
Communities Fear More Attacks
Residents in nearby Mununzi said the Kikundo attack was part of a wider wave of violence in the area.
Local resident Obed Kasereka said at least 19 people had been killed in recent weeks in Mununzi and Njiapanda-Bela.
As families continue mourning their losses, communities in eastern Congo are calling for stronger protection and urgent action to end the cycle of violence.
