The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat on Monday condemned a deadly suicide bomb attack over the weekend in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) that killed at least eight people. In a press statement, Mahamat, said he strongly condemns the attacks perpetrated on Saturday night in Beni city, DR Congo, which left several people dead and dozens of others injured. "The Chairperson of the AU commission extends his sincere condolences to the families of the victims. The AU stands in solidarity with the government and the people of DR Congo in this difficult period," the statement said. "The Chairperson of the AU commission calls on DR Congo authorities to make every effort to find and bring to justice the ones who committed this cowardly and inhumane act against innocent civilians," the statement further said. At least eight people were killed in the suicide bomb explosion, in the middle of Christmas celebration, in Beni city, located in northeastern DR Congo. Part of northeastern DR Congo have been under siege since early May as part of exceptional measures being taken on two provinces which are constantly under attack by rebels of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). In June 2021, two bomb explosions, including one carried out by a suicide bomber, struck Beni, causing at least one death and several injuries. According to DR Congo authorities, the suicide bomber was an active member of the ADF in charge of recruitment. Since November 30, troops from neighboring Uganda, in collaboration with the DR Congo army, have launched air and artillery operations against several ADF rebel positions in northeastern DR Congo.
