ADF attacks in eastern Congo kill at least 32 civilians in 72 hours

The security situation in the Mambasa territory of Ituri province continues to deteriorate, with at least 32 civilians killed and several others abducted in the past 72 hours. The attacks, attributed to the rebel group Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), occurred in the localities of Njiapanda-Bela and Lukaya, according to civil society actors.

These violent incidents have triggered substantial displacement of populations from the directly affected villages and surrounding areas. The progression of the assailants has instilled a pervasive climate of fear and uncertainty among residents. The most recent attack took place on Friday, July 24, in Lukaya, where seven people were killed. The bodies of the victims were discovered after the rebels' passage, and reports indicate that several inhabitants were taken captive. The Congolese Civil Society has stated that this toll remains provisional as searches for additional victims continue.

Two days prior, the same assailants targeted the village of Njiapanda-Bela. Initially reported by civil society as having 16 deaths, the discovery of more bodies raised the death toll to 25. Numerous residents were also abducted and forced to carry looted goods into the bush by the rebels. According to civil society reports, ADF fighters are reportedly heading towards Makumo, prompting many residents to flee their homes fearing further attacks. A climate of panic is also observed in Malulu, located in the neighboring Irumu territory, particularly in the Tchabi area, where the ADF threat remains a significant concern.

In response to this surge in violence, civil society actors in Mambasa are urging the government to bolster its military presence in the region and equip the armed forces with the necessary means to permanently neutralize the ADF. They point out that since March 2026, the ADF is believed to have killed over a hundred people across some twenty villages in the Mambasa territory. "We ask the authorities to take the ADF issue seriously. These rebels are killing and sabotaging the government's efforts," declared Marie-Noëlle Anotane, a member of the Congolese Civil Society. The organization also implores the population to cooperate closely with security services to aid in the fight against armed groups and calls on individuals suspected of supporting or collaborating with the ADF to cease all complicity.

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We ask the authorities to take the ADF issue seriously. These rebels are killing and sabotaging the government's efforts.