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Par Denise Kyalwahi
At least seven people, including six members of the indigenous Mbuti community, were killed in an attack attributed to ADF rebels in Ruwenzori Commune.
The United Nations Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has strongly condemned the deadly attack carried out during the night of May 30–31, 2026, against a camp of indigenous Mbuti people in Ngadi, Ruwenzori Commune, Beni Territory, North Kivu Province.
In a statement released on June 2 in Kinshasa, the UNJHRO reported that the attack, allegedly perpetrated by fighters of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), left at least seven civilians dead. Among the victims were six members of the indigenous Mbuti community, including one woman, as well as local comedian and artist Shukrani Nzanzu Mangese, who was killed alongside several members of his family.
According to information gathered by the United Nations, several people remain missing following the violent assault.
A Particularly Vulnerable Community
The UNJHRO expressed its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and to the entire Mbuti community, which has been severely affected by the tragedy.
The UN human rights office noted that the attack occurred amid persistent insecurity in Beni Territory, where civilians continue to bear the brunt of armed violence. Indigenous peoples are among the most vulnerable groups due to their marginalization and repeated forced displacement from their ancestral lands.
According to the UNJHRO, these communities also face limited access to humanitarian assistance and essential services, further worsening their situation.
Authorities Urged to Take Action
Recalling that the Democratic Republic of the Congo adopted a law in 2022 on the protection and promotion of the rights of Indigenous Peoples, the UNJHRO stressed the responsibility of Congolese authorities to guarantee the safety and security of all citizens, particularly historically marginalized and vulnerable groups.
The office urged the competent authorities to immediately launch an independent, prompt, and impartial investigation into the attack in order to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.
The UNJHRO also called for stronger protection measures around indigenous communities’ settlements and living areas, while urging the provision of emergency humanitarian assistance to survivors and affected families.
More Than 300 Civilians Killed Since January
In its statement, the UNJHRO recalled that more than 300 civilians have been summarily executed by ADF rebels since the beginning of 2026 in the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri.
In light of the continuing escalation of violence, the office reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Congolese institutions and civil society organizations in promoting and protecting human rights and combating impunity across the country.
This latest massacre has renewed concerns about civilian security in the Beni region, where attacks against local communities continue despite ongoing military operations against armed groups.
