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The growth of multiple Islamic extremist and rebel groups perpetrating violence, coupled with an ineffective, complicit, and/or corrupt government, Christians in Congo are suffering from unprecedented persecution, also occurring in neighboring sub-Saharan African countries.

The persecution is becoming more frequent and violent. Though ninety-five percent of the population are Christians, their presence is diminishing in regions terrorized by the Allied Democratic Forces, ADF, and over one hundred other armed groups.

Christian villages are raided, churches are burned, and Christians are abducted and brutally killed if they refuse to recant their faith and convert to Islam. Women and girls are raped and forced to marry the perpetrators. Many Christians have fled to safer areas.

Christian villages are raided, churches are burned, and Christians are abducted and brutally killed if they refuse to recant their faith and convert to Islam. Women and girls are raped and forced to marry the perpetrators. Many Christians have fled to safer areas.

Despite the deep and longstanding U.S. relations with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the State Department has ignored religious persecution specifically while focusing on more generalized topics which impact religious persecution: “combat corruption, uphold democratic processes and effective governance, promote stability and peace within the country and with its neighbors, improve security and justice institutions to strengthen state authority, ensure accountability for human rights abuses and violations.”

Christians are suffering horrific persecution in Cong, and governmental entities exempt from punishment or freedom from the injurious consequences of Christian Persecution in Congo.

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