South Sudanese rebels abduct at least 40 in eastern DRC border villages

The eastern Democratic Republic of Congo faces renewed insecurity as South Sudanese rebels launched a brazen attack, abducting at least 40 individuals from villages in the Aru territory. This incursion, which occurred on May 11th, saw armed men cross the border and descend upon the communities of Arile and Ulendere. The attackers, identified as rebels from South Sudan, engaged in widespread looting, stealing essential medicines, goats, cows, and poultry. The local civil society in the Kakwa chiefdom has expressed grave concern over the fate of the hostages, who include both Congolese nationals and South Sudanese refugees who had sought safety in the region. This incident is particularly alarming as it follows a pattern of cross-border aggression, with civil society groups reporting at least 28 similar incursions attributed to South Sudanese soldiers and militiamen in the Aru territory since the beginning of 2026. The lack of a swift official response from the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) or provincial authorities has amplified anxieties. The civil society is urgently calling on the Congolese government to intensify efforts for the release of the hostages and to bolster the FARDC presence along the border to prevent further incursions and restore security to this vulnerable region. The ongoing instability highlights the complex challenges of managing border security and protecting civilian populations caught in the crossfire of regional conflicts.

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The rebels took hostage at least 40 people, including Congolese and South Sudanese refugees who had been living in the region for several months.