An ISIL-linked armed group attacked a school in Congo, killing 43 mainly students and abducting others, causing fear and upheaval locally.

Kinshasa

An armed group linked to ISIL recently carried out a violent attack on a school in Congo, resulting in the tragic loss of 43 lives, most of whom were students. This horrendous act has not only brought sorrow to the community but has also led to the abduction of several individuals, further escalating the atmosphere of fear and chaos in the area.

It has come to attention that Uganda has issued warnings regarding the potential for future attacks planned by this armed group. The incident has sparked concern across neighboring regions, prompting heightened vigilance and measures to ensure the safety of civilians.



Uganda warns armed D.R.C group is planning attacks

Julius Mbosa is still in mourning. Life for his family fell apart last June when fighters from an armed group based in the Democratic Republic of Congo crossed the border to attack a secondary school. Forty-three people, mostly students, were killed. They included his 18-year-old son, Mhindo. We thought we are protected, but to our surprise we were shocked to see ADF cross the border to come kill our children, meaning our borders are not safe. Eliza Ahindo, who lives next door, is suffering a different kind of pain. Hassan Festus was among several people kidnapped during the raids. His Congolese family came to Mpondwe to look for work and stay safe from rebel attacks. I pray my child is alive in the forest. I pray to God every day to perform a miracle so that he can come home. The school is now an abandoned shell after the petrol bomb attacks by assailants with machetes. They escaped across the border into the Virunga National Park. These are the reminders of what happened here. The students were in their dorm when the attack happened. And it's really hard to imagine the terror and fear because there was no escape. The ADF, which pledged allegiance to ISIL, was based in Uganda years ago before being defeated by the army. The rebels then fled to DRC where they've killed or kidnapped many civilians. Various government forces, including the Ugandan army and a peacekeeping mission, are reinforcing the Congolese army. Some people have paid money to give information to the wrong elements. The case of Rubiriha, if I may refer to it, we discovered there was local collaboration. Including, I think, the principal, the director, or boss of the school. That enables the insurgents to have knowledge about the area. Back in Pondwe, Ugandans here tell us life may never be the same again. But they also say they will not live in fear. Catherine Soy, Al Jazeera, Pondwe, Western Uganda.

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