tragedy in DR Congo: Soldier Opens Fire in Church, Killing Three
Muanda, DR Congo – A Sunday church service in Muanda, Kongo-Central province, turned into a scene of horror when a soldier from the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) stormed into “le Chemin” church and opened fire.The attack resulted in the deaths of three individuals, including a woman and a four-month-old infant. Authorities confirmed that a third victim died en route to the hospital.
The Incident Unfolds
Eyewitness accounts and social media footage paint a grim picture of the event. According to witnesses, the soldier, identified as a member of the naval forces, entered the church armed and disrupted the service, demanding to know the whereabouts of a woman he claimed was his wife.
One woman, who stated she was present during the attack, recounted that
the soldier promptly began firing multiple rounds into the churchafter receiving no response.
The church, located near Banana along the Atlantic coast in western DR Congo, became a scene of chaos as worshippers scrambled for safety.
Aftermath and Response
Graphic images from inside the church show bloodstains and overturned benches,evidence of the panic that ensued. witnesses reported the soldier repeatedly shouting, Naomie ari he? Naomie ari he?
(Where is Naomie? Where is Naomie?).
Kandi Naomie ntitumuzi…Naomie simuzi(We don’t know Naomie…I don’t know Naomie), one witness stated, highlighting the confusion and terror of the moment.
Grâce Nkuanga Bilolo, the Governor of Kongo-Central province, condemned the attack in a public statement, identifying the perpetrator as a FARDC soldier. She extended condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.
As of now, the Congolese military has not released an official statement regarding the incident.
Justice and Accountability
Reports from DR Congo media indicate that the soldier was apprehended by civilians, who severely beat him before handing him over to military authorities.
Nicolas Ndombasi, head of the Muanda territory, confirmed that he visited the scene and found
the soldier had already been arrested.Nicolas Ndombasi, head of the Muanda territory
Ndombasi added:
He was beaten but he is alive. This will allow justice to do its job and the real reason for this tragedy to be known.Nicolas Ndombasi, head of the Muanda territory
He also verified the deaths of a small child (bébé), a young boy, and a woman who died while being taken to the hospital.
The governor of Kongo-Central is reportedly monitoring the situation closely.
A Pattern of Violence
Unfortunately, incidents of soldiers shooting civilians are not unprecedented in DR Congo. Civil society groups have frequently criticized the excessive use of force by military personnel.
Past incidents include:
- 2020: A soldier killed 12 civilians, including a two-year-old girl, in Sange, South Kivu province.
- 2022: A drunken soldier on a boat in Lake Tanganyika, South Kivu, shot and killed eight passengers, including children.
- 2023: In Nyakova, Ituri province, a soldier killed 13 people, including 10 children and his wife, after finding his son had died and been buried in his absence.
