Concerns have been raised by Christians and observers after the Islamic State’s Central Africa Province (ISCAP), which includes the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), published a series of images from what it described as 2026 Tabaski celebrations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The images, which also showed children in militant-held areas, have been widely viewed as part of a broader effort by the group to signal its continued presence and long-term activity in the region.
Church leaders and local analysts say the publication is particularly troubling, as it appears to highlight not only the group’s operations but also the involvement of children in its environment. They warn that such material may be used to reinforce extremist messaging and recruitment.
A Baptist pastor based in Oicha expressed deep concern over the ongoing violence affecting Christian communities. He said many families have continued to lose loved ones in repeated attacks since May, with reports of deaths emerging almost daily. He also warned that the appearance of children in the group’s recent material was a distressing sign of the ongoing threat facing civilians.
The ADF, linked to ISCAP, has for years been associated with deadly attacks in the North Kivu and Ituri provinces. Thousands of people have been killed, while many others have been displaced or abducted. Survivors and escaped victims have also reported cases of forced marriage, abuse, and ideological indoctrination, particularly affecting women and girls.
Analysts say the group’s use of imagery involving children appears to be aimed at demonstrating continuity, suggesting a new generation is being raised within its ideology. They also note that while adult members often avoid being shown clearly in propaganda, children are more visibly displayed.
Security experts warn that beyond the immediate violence, the use of children in such material raises serious concerns about long-term instability in the region and the future impact on communities already suffering repeated attacks.
As insecurity continues across eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, church leaders, humanitarian organisations, and local communities are urging stronger protection for civilians. They are also calling for renewed international attention to the situation, particularly the ongoing risks faced by Christian populations living under constant threat.
Rewritten from reporting by ICC.
