‘If Bin Laden’s disciples are seen as terrorists, why should we wonder about the ADF in DRC?’

'If Bin Laden's disciples are seen as terrorists, why should we wonder about the ADF in DRC?'
World Watch Monitor speaks to Nicaise Kibel’Bel Oka, editor of “Les Coulisses” (Behind the Scenes) magazine in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Mr. Oka recently published a book (in French): “The advent of jihad in DR Congo – the unknown Islamist terrorism of the ADF” (Allied Democratic Forces). WWM: Is . . . Read More

65,000 children freed from armed groups in 10 years

At least 65,000 children have been released from armed forces and armed groups in the past 10 years, UNICEF said as leaders from around the world gathered in Paris on 21 Feb. to mark the anniversary of the Paris Commitments to end the use of children in conflict. “Ten years . . . Read More

DRC – more reports allege ‘caliphate’ in N. Kivu

The International Business Times UK writes about the apparent Islamic agenda of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. World Watch Monitor recently highlighted a UN report stating the same concern. Three decades since its start in Uganda in the 1990s, “the mysterious rebel . . . Read More

African Church must ‘promote peace, forgiveness and reconciliation’

African Church must 'promote peace, forgiveness and reconciliation'
Christian Centre in Abuja, Nigeria.World Watch Monitor African church leaders concerned by the devastating consequences of conflicts across the continent have pledged to focus on preventative efforts. The continent has been among the worst-hit by violent conflicts in recent decades. Countries in West and Central Africa have been particularly affected. . . . Read More

‘90,000 Christian martyrs annually’ claim disputed

'90,000 Christian martyrs annually' claim disputed
Global charity Open Doors has disputed the way in which statistics on Christian “martyrs” are collected, arguing that an annual figure of 90,000, recently reported widely, is significantly higher than the accurately verifiable number. The figure, reported by some media and cited by an Italian academic on Vatican Radio, was . . . Read More

UN report highlights Islamists’ role in DRC violence

UN report highlights Islamists' role in DRC violence
Over the Christmas weekend, more than 40 people were killed in the city of Beni and neighbouring communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Now a new report by the UN Panel of Experts on the DRC sheds new light on the presence of Islamist militants, which has caused . . . Read More

DRC: church deacon released after demonstration

A kidnapped church deacon has been released in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), following demonstrations in the village where he works as a hospital apprentice. Godefroid Paluku was kidnapped on 18 November on the Kiwanja-Ishasha road in the Rutshuru territory of the eastern North Kivu province. He was on . . . Read More

Slashed by machetes and left for dead in the DRC

Slashed by machetes and left for dead in the DRC
In the volatile province of North Kivu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a father of three has described how Islamist militants carrying guns and machetes almost killed him. Jean*, who’s recovering in hospital from his injuries, was attacked while walking home from work, when he ran into rebels. . . . Read More

DRC pastor – ‘We don’t understand why this is happening to us’

DRC pastor - 'We don't understand why this is happening to us'
A relatively unknown militant group has intensified attacks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), raising fears of the emergence of a new jihadist organisation in central Africa. For years now, one of various rebel groups operating there, the Islamist Allied Democratic Forces-National Association for the Liberation of Uganda (ADF-NALU), . . . Read More