In a deeply troubling incident that has largely escaped the attention of mainstream media, approximately 70 Christians were brutally beheaded by Islamist militants in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in mid-February 2025. This atrocity, perpetrated by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a group affiliated with the Islamic State’s Central Africa Province (ISCAP), raises pressing questions about global awareness and the selective coverage of such events.
The Atrocity in Kasanga
On February 12, 2025, ADF militants launched a horrific attack in the village of Mayba, located in Lubero Territory, North Kivu Province. According to reports, the assailants abducted at least 70 Christian civilians, including women, children, and the elderly. The captives were subsequently taken to a Protestant church in the nearby village of Kasanga, where they were tied up and executed by beheading with machetes. The bodies were discovered on February 14, 2025, still inside the church.
The Allied Democratic Forces: A Brief Overview
The ADF is a Ugandan Islamist group that began its insurgency in 1996, eventually spreading into the DRC. Over the years, the group has intensified its violent activities, including a massacre in Beni in 2016. In the late 2010s, the ADF affiliated itself with the Islamic State, with leader Musa Baluku proclaiming in 2020 that the ADF had ceased to exist, having been succeeded by ISCAP. This affiliation has led to a series of brutal attacks in the region, including recent massacres in Kasindi, Makugwe, and Kirindera in January 2023.
The Media’s Deafening Silence
Despite the gravity of this massacre, mainstream media outlets have provided minimal coverage. This lack of attention stands in stark contrast to the extensive reporting often dedicated to other global tragedies. The disparity raises concerns about media bias and the criteria used to determine newsworthiness.
Social media platforms have seen individuals expressing outrage over the media’s silence. For instance, American conservative anti-abortion activist Lila Rose posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“Horrific. 70 Christians were brutally beheaded by an Islamist group inside a church in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Where’s the media outrage? Pray for persecuted Christians.”
Similarly, the account “Libs of TikTok” highlighted the incident, questioning the lack of widespread coverage.
A Pattern of Neglect
This incident is not isolated; it forms part of a broader pattern where violence against Christians, particularly in regions like Sub-Saharan Africa, receives scant attention from global media and international organizations. The DRC, a majority-Christian nation, has been engulfed in a crisis of violence for over two decades, with Islamist terrorists and other rebel militias wreaking havoc. Yet, as noted by some observers, the mainstream media, human rights organizations, and academic institutions have largely remained silent and indifferent.
The Human Toll
The ongoing violence in the DRC has had a devastating impact on its population. Over the past two decades, more than 6 million people have lost their lives due to the conflict, with many more displaced. In 2024 alone, at least 355 Christians were killed for their faith, a significant increase from 261 the previous year. This escalation has led to the DRC climbing six places to number 35 on the World Watch List of countries where Christians face extreme persecution.
The Need for Global Awareness and Action
The lack of media coverage and international outrage not only undermines the severity of these atrocities but also hampers efforts to mobilize support and resources to address the crisis. Global leaders and organizations must acknowledge and respond to the plight of persecuted communities in the DRC and similar regions. Elevating these issues in public discourse is a crucial step toward effecting meaningful change.
Conclusion
The massacre of 70 Christians in the DRC is a stark reminder of the horrors that continue to unfold in parts of the world, often away from the spotlight of mainstream media. It is imperative for the global community to recognize and address these injustices, ensuring that all victims of violence and persecution receive the attention and support they desperately need.
Featured image credit: DepositPhotos.com
