Islamic Leader Slain in East Congo After Attacks Killing 19

Congolese Army soldiers and UN forces inspect an ambush site where an hour previously ADF terrorists attacked two vehicles on the road between Beni and the Ugandan border town of Kasindi, in Kilya, Rwenzori Sector, Democratic Republic of Congo, on April 9, 2021. Brent Stirton/Getty Images

BENI, Congo—An Islamic leader in Congo’s eastern town of Beni was killed during evening prayers by unidentified gunmen after days of violent attacks by rebels left at least 19 people dead, officials said.

Gunmen came into Beni’s central mosque Saturday, shooting dead Sheikh Ali Amin Uthman, the representative of the Islamic community of Beni, according to the head of the mosque, Sheikh Moustapha Matsongani.