“God has not abandoned us,” say persecuted D. R. Congo Christians

Away from the eyes of the world, in north-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, a vicious campaign of persecution is unfolding. Thousands of Christians have been slaughtered by Islamic State militants. Thousands more have been left in urgent need, their lives upended by perpetual violence. Yet these believers have not been forgotten by the Lord. They have not been forgotten by you.

When we think of the most dangerous places in the world to be a Christian, a few countries might come to mind.

North Korea could well top the list. Afghanistan, certainly. Iran, Saudi Arabia and Eritrea would all feature.

Until recently, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) might not have featured on that list. Yet an Islamist insurgency that began in 2017 has now claimed the lives of thousands in a campaign of calculated anti-Christian violence.

Persecution of Christians in D. R. Congo

The killings were the culmination of a two-day assault in the village of Bandisende, Ituri Province, north-eastern DRC. On the second day, 29 September, militants from Islamic State Central Africa Province (ISCAP) captured nine Christians and beheaded them.  

“By the grace of Allah Almighty,” declared a typically boastful Islamic State (IS – also known as ISIS, ISIL, Daesh) social media post, “the solders of the Caliphate captured nine Christan combatants … and slaughtered them, praise be to Allah.”

This was only the latest atrocity carried out by ISCAP (also known by its former name of Allied Democratic Forces or ADF). In just the last four months, more than 200 Christians have been slaughtered in attacks throughout Ituri Province. In less than two years, the Islamists have claimed the lives of almost 1,400 followers of Christ across north-eastern DRC.

In IS propaganda, Christians are always “combatants”. They have neither converted to Islam, nor accepted subjugation at the hands of the Islamic conquerors. They deserve only death.

“Hope, compassion and support”

“Your assistance has shown our community that God has not abandoned us despite everything we have suffered,” said a church member in Ituri.

Our brother was speaking after humanitarian aid funded by Barnabas Aid supporters was distributed to around 2,100 people, the survivors of a major Islamic State attack in the province. These included families directly affected – those bereaved, injured and displaced – as well as other vulnerable people in the region suffering from desperate shortages caused by the Islamist insurgency.

Thanks to you, these brothers and sisters in Christ received emergency supplies of food – beans, salt, sugar, flour and vegetable oil – along with essential household items such as cutlery, cups, plates, pots and pans, alongside blankets, soap and laundry detergent.

As well as this, each family was given tools and seeds to grow onions, bell peppers, cabbage, aubergines (also known as eggplant) and amaranth (a crop that produces edible seeds, similar to grain, which are a good source of fibre, protein and micronutrients).

Read more: Please strengthen victims of extreme persecution in D. R. Congo

“The project contributed to restoring dignity, social cohesion and community resilience among survivors,” reported our project partner, adding that church leaders involved in the aid distribution had seen the work “encourage many families and reinforce the Church’s role as a source of hope, compassion and support during a time of crisis”.

“After the massacre, I did not know how I would feed my children,” said a woman whose husband died at the hands of the terrorists. “We were sleeping on the floor and depended on neighbours for food.

“For the first time since the attack, I feel that there is hope for tomorrow.”

Violence and suffering continue – but so does your help and support

Sadly, the violence continues. ISCAP remains highly active, targeting Christian communities in Ituri, North Kivi and beyond. In June, the Islamists beheaded 14 Christians in two attacks on Watsa Territory, Haut-Uélé Province.

North and South Kivu continue to suffer from instability caused by the rebel M23 Movement, which has claimed the lives of thousands of civilians.

 

All of this has added to the instability and poverty that has sadly characterised the DRC for many years. To make matters worse, north-eastern DRC is experiencing a new outbreak of Ebola virus that has now resulted in more than 4,000 deaths – the deadliest Ebola epidemic in the country’s history.

Barnabas Aid supporters continue to offer help and support. Recently, 50 vulnerable families affected by conflict in South Kivu were gifted with pigs and chickens as part of our Barnabas Brekkie campaign.

You are also providing counselling and emotional support, as well as supporting security and advocacy measures on behalf of the victims of Islamist persecution. 

PR1571 (DRC General Fund)