AU condemns attacks against civilians in North Kivu Province

The African Union has condemned the killing 71 innocent people in an overnight attack by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels in North Kivu Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

In a statement, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf termed the attack at a ‘heinous terrorist attack’ decrying recurrent violence that continues to target civilians in eastern DRC.

“The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has learned with deep shock of the attack perpetrated during the night of 8 to 9 September by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels against the village of Ntoyo, in the Bapere sector, North Kivu Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which claimed the lives of at least 71 innocent people.” The statement read.

Adding that: “The Chairperson of the Commission strongly condemns this heinous terrorist attack, as well as the recurrent violence that continues to target civilians in eastern DRC.”

He stressed that such acts constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights, and calls for the perpetrators to be identified and held accountable, in order to put an end to the prevailing climate of impunity that fuels the recurrence of these atrocities.

The Chairperson of the Commission reiterated the African Union’s solidarity with the Government and people of the DRC in these painful circumstances.

He further reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the African Union to support national, regional and international efforts aimed at restoring peace, security and stability in the Great Lakes region.