France has issued a firm condemnation of the recent deadly attack attributed to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in the town of Komanda, located in Irumu territory, Ituri province, northeast Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The armed group, which has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, reportedly killed at least 43 civilians during a night assault on a local church between 26 and 27 July.
In a statement released by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs on Monday, France expressed solidarity with the Congolese government and extended its condolences to the families of the victims.
“France strongly condemns the attack perpetrated by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF/ISCAP), affiliated with Daesh, during the night of Saturday 26 to Sunday 27 July, in a church in Komanda, Ituri, in northeastern DRC, which resulted in the deaths of at least 43 civilians.
France expresses its solidarity with the Congolese government and its condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. France stands with the Congolese authorities in combating terrorist groups and protecting civilians,” the ministry posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account.
The assault left 19 women, 15 men, and nine children dead, with many reportedly killed with bladed weapons inside the place of worship.
In addition to the killings, several people were abducted, and homes and shops were set ablaze, worsening an already dire humanitarian situation in the region.
The attack occurred despite the ongoing joint military operation “Shujaa” between the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and the Ugandan People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), which was launched nearly four years ago to dismantle ADF strongholds.
According to a recent report by United Nations experts, while Shujaa has achieved limited success in eliminating some ADF leaders and fighters, the operation has failed to fully curb the group’s violence against civilians, particularly in North Kivu and Ituri.
The experts also highlighted that ADF cells remain highly active in northwest Lubero and eastern Beni, areas not adequately covered by current military deployments, as national forces focus elsewhere due to rising tensions with the M23 rebel movement.
This latest massacre has reignited debate around the effectiveness and future direction of regional counterterrorism efforts in eastern Congo.
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