The ADF (Allied Democratic Forces) carried out “particularly deadly” attacks between November 13 and 19 in several localities in the territory of Lubero, located north of North Kivu province, MONUSCO said.
“The toll from the attacks in the Bapere sector and the Baswagha chiefdom … is 89 civilians killed, including at least 20 women and an as yet undetermined number of children,” the UN mission stated.
MONUSCO specified that the ADF killed at least 17 civilians – including women in the maternity ward – at a health center in Byambwe, about 60 km west of Lubero, and set fire to “four rooms housing patients.”
The mission also said that other localities such as Mabiango, Tunarudi, Sambalysa, Thucha, and Butsili were targeted for “abductions, looting of medicines, burning of houses, and destruction of property.”
It was stated: “Violence committed against civilians, including in medical facilities, can constitute war crimes and serious violations of international humanitarian law.”
MONUSCO reiterated its support to the Congolese authorities and called on them to open “independent and credible investigations to identify the perpetrators and accomplices of these massacres so they can be held accountable.”