ADF Attacks Intensify in Eastern Congo, UN Demands Investigation

The eastern Democratic Republic of Congo remains a theater of escalating violence, with the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) launching increasingly deadly attacks on civilians in North Kivu and Ituri provinces. Since the start of 2026, these assaults have claimed the lives of over 300 civilians, painting a grim picture of the ongoing insecurity.

The latest attack occurred on the night of June 2, when at least 16 civilians were killed in Mbau, a locality in the Beni-Mbau sector of North Kivu. The violence also resulted in five disappearances, and numerous homes and motorcycles were set ablaze, leaving a trail of destruction and fear.

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The UN Joint Human Rights Office (BCNUDH) calls for an independent and impartial investigation to formally identify the perpetrators of this attack and bring them to justice.

This incident follows another attack between May 30 and 31, which saw approximately 25 civilians, both Pygmies and Bantus, fall victim in agricultural areas of Bapakombe-Bakondo village, also in Beni, North Kivu. In response to these escalating atrocities, the UN Joint Human Rights Office (BCNUDH) has demanded an independent and impartial investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible.

The UN agency also urged Congolese authorities to bolster civilian protection measures and called for the urgent deployment of humanitarian assistance to support the survivors of these attacks. The situation highlights the persistent challenges in ensuring safety and security for populations in the affected regions.

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The agency also calls on the authorities to strengthen the protection of civilian populations and requests the deployment of urgent humanitarian assistance for survivors.