At least 45 killed in raid on northern Congo villages

A United Nations Security Council delegation arrived in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Thursday as rebel militias continue to launch attacks. At least 45 people were killed Wednesday after a militia with links to the Islamic State group stormed several villages in North Kivu province, said Saidi Balikwisha, the province’s deputy. National military forces arrived in the village too late to defend its residents. Witnesses in the village of Mukondi said the attackers were part of the Allied Democratic Forces, a rebel group that has been accused by the United Nations of targeting civilians.

What is the history of violence in Congo? More than 120 armed groups and militias have been fighting for land and power in eastern and northern Congo for decades. During February alone, renewed clashes between these groups and government forces drove at least 300,000 people to flee their homes in North Kivu Province, according to the UN.

Dig deeper: Read Onize Ohikere’s report in World Tour about how residents of eastern Congo are praying for peace.