ADF rebels kill at least 16 in new Congo attack

At least sixteen people died in a new attack attributed to ADF rebels in the villages of Mandeite and Ndiapanda, located in the Mambasa territory of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The incident occurred on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, approximately 165 kilometers southwest of Bunia.

Local sources indicate the provisional death toll, as search operations were halted due to the ongoing presence of assailants in the area. Suspected armed men had been observed in Mambasa territory since the beginning of the week. The attack on Mandeite village, near Ndiapanda Bella, reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least sixteen people, with their bodies still at the scene. Access to the affected area remains difficult.

This latest violence has prompted numerous residents to flee towards neighboring localities and the city of Beni in North Kivu province. Economic and agricultural activities in the affected villages have come to a standstill due to persistent insecurity.

Civil society members attribute the surge in attacks to the insufficient number of FARDC soldiers in Mambasa territory. They urge the government to bolster military presence to enhance civilian protection and continue operations against the rebels. In response, the MONUSCO rapid intervention force, stationed near Beni, has been deployed to the area to support security patrols and safeguard the population.