The UN described it as one of the most appalling attacks in a new wave of violence by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an armed extremist rebel group.

Four wards housing patients were set ablaze during the assault in Byambwe, a remote community about 60 kilometres west of Lubero in the restive North Kivu province, which has been plagued by fighting between a plethora of armed groups and national security forces for years.

Coordinated killings

The Byambwe killings were part of a series of coordinated attacks carried out between 13 and 19 November in several localities of Lubero Territory.

According to information gathered on the ground by UN human rights staff from the MONUSCO peacekeeping mission, 89 civilians were killed in total, including at least 20 women and an undetermined number of children.

Other areas hit by the violence include Mabiango, Tunarudi, Sambalysa, Thucha and Butsili, where abuses ranged from abductions and the looting of medical supplies to the burning of homes and the destruction of property.

UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told Friday’s briefing in New York that “as we dig deeper, and as we have sent people there, the information we have received is truly horrific.”

The UN extended its condolences to the affected families and communities, stressing that attacks on civilians, particularly medical facilities, may amount to war crimes and serious violations of international humanitarian law.

Solidarity with victims

“We express our solidarity with all those affected,” Mr. Dujarric said. “Violence committed against civilians, including the targeting of medical facilities, may constitute war crimes.”

MONUSCO said it remains fully committed to supporting Congolese authorities in protecting civilians, preventing further human rights violations and combating impunity.

The stabilization mission urged national authorities to promptly open independent and credible investigations to identify those responsible for the massacres and bring them to justice.

It also renewed its call for armed groups operating in the region to lay down their weapons unconditionally.

Mr. Dujarric said that “all too often”, massacres of the kind reported in Lubero “happen away from the eyes of journalists, away from the eyes of the international community.”

He called on regional powers to cooperate and for armed groups to disarm, “so that those who are responsible for these crimes that are beyond words [can] be brought to justice.”

Who are the ADF?

The Allied Democratic Forces are an armed group of Ugandan origin that has operated in eastern DRC for decades.

Known for brutal attacks on civilians, the ADF has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State and is considered one of the deadliest non-State armed organisations in the region.