By Jamillah Kemigisa
The African Union (AU) has fiercely condemned the killing of at least 71 civilians in North Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), describing it as a “heinous terrorist attack” and a gross violation of international humanitarian law.
The massacre, carried out by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels between the night of September 8 and 9, struck the village of Ntoto in Bapere sector, leaving scores dead and many others traumatized. The AU says the attack highlights the persistent threat posed by armed groups in eastern DRC and the urgent need for coordinated global action.
“The Chairperson of the Commission strongly condemns this heinous terrorist attack, as well as the recurrent violence that continues to target civilians in eastern DRC,” said H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the AU Commission, in a statement released by the Information & Communication Directorate.
Youssouf expressed “deep shock” over the killings and demanded immediate accountability, stressing that such atrocities represent serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. He warned that the prevailing “climate of impunity” only fuels further bloodshed and instability in the Great Lakes region.
The AU Chairperson reiterated the organization’s solidarity with the government and people of the DRC, promising continued support for national, regional, and international initiatives aimed at restoring peace, security, and stability. “Today, the African Union stands with the government and people of the Democratic Republic of Congo in these painful circumstances,” Youssouf said, calling on all stakeholders to step up efforts to end the violence.
Eastern DRC remains one of the most volatile regions in Africa, with the ADF and other armed groups frequently carrying out deadly attacks on civilians. Despite the presence of the United Nations peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO) and repeated government operations, the region continues to face waves of displacement, killings, and destruction of property.
Analysts say the AU’s strong condemnation could put pressure on international partners to intensify peacekeeping efforts and address the root causes of the conflict, including weak governance, porous borders, and the illicit exploitation of mineral resources that finance rebel activities.
