Persecution of Christians in D. R. Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is a Christian-majority country that suffers greatly from conflict, poverty and hardship. Freedom of religion is a legally protected right and religious discrimination is unlawful. Persecution comes at the hands of the Islamic State Central Africa Province (ISCAP), which has killed more than 6,000 Christians in the north-eastern provinces of Ituri and North Kivi since first pledging bay’a (allegiance) to the central Islamic State (IS – also known as ISIS, ISIL, Daesh) in 2017.
These killings are often the subject of posts on IS social media channels, in which the terrorists boast of killing “infidel Christians”. Barnabas Aid contacts say that the victims are sometimes given the opportunity to convert to Islam and save their lives. Many refuse, and are slaughtered.
In mid-2025 both ISCAP and IS central published demands for African Christians to convert to Islam, accept dhimmi status or face death. Dhimmi are non-Muslim “People of the Book” – that is, Jews and Christians – who are treated as a conquered and subjugated people who must abide by various restrictions. This demand followed an ISCAP attack on a church in Komanda, Ituri, in mid-July that left more than 34 worshippers dead.
Christians facing hardship in D. R. Congo
More than five million people are internally displaced in the north-eastern province of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu – among them many of our brothers and sisters.
More than 100 armed groups are believed to be operating in north-eastern DRC, including ISCAP. The most powerful is the Rwanda-backed M23 Movement, which has seized control of areas in North and South Kivu, including the provincial capitals of, respectively, Goma and Bukavu.
Many armed groups are motivated by the country’s vast mineral wealth and the financial opportunities it affords. Mines remain places of violence, where child labour is common. Church leaders who seek to minister to the miners face fearful reprisals if they are seen to disrupt work. Efforts to reform the sector have led to little, if any, change
How Barnabas is helping
Thaks to you, Barnabas has provided emergency aid including food, blankets, tents and medical care to Christian communities displaced and left in desperate need following attacks by ISCAP and M23. We have also provided help in the longer term, by supplying tools, seeds and pigs to as part of sustainable farming initiatives.
How you can pray
- Ask the Lord to protect His people from Islamists who are seeking to kill them, conquer them or force them to convert.
- Pray that there will be peace and stability in the DRC’s restive north-east.
- Pray also for the success of efforts to reform and regulate the mining sector.
