The UN condemned one of the most shocking attacks in a rising wave of violence carried out by the Allied Democratic Forces, an armed extremist rebel group. During the assault in Byambwe, a remote community west of Lubero in North Kivu province, four hospital wards filled with patients were set on fire. The region has long been destabilized by clashes between numerous armed groups and government forces, contributing to persistent insecurity.
The killings in Byambwe were part of a coordinated series of attacks between 13 and 19 November across several localities in Lubero Territory. UN human rights staff from the MONUSCO mission reported that 89 civilians were killed, including at least 20 women and an unknown number of children. Other affected areas such as Mabiango, Tunarudi, Sambalysa, Thucha and Butsili experienced abductions, looting of medical supplies, burning of homes and widespread destruction. UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said the information emerging from these sites is “truly horrific.”
The UN expressed condolences to the families and communities impacted, stressing that attacks on civilians and medical facilities may constitute war crimes and serious violations of international humanitarian law. MONUSCO reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Congolese authorities in protecting civilians, preventing further abuses and combating impunity. It urged the government to launch independent investigations to identify and prosecute those responsible and called on armed groups to disarm unconditionally.
Dujarric noted that massacres like those in Lubero often occur far from media attention, highlighting the need for regional cooperation and accountability. The Allied Democratic Forces, responsible for the attacks, originated in Uganda and have operated in eastern DRC for decades. Known for their brutality and allegiance to the Islamic State, they remain one of the deadliest armed groups in the region.
