43 civilians killed in fresh ADF attack in eastern DRC

Ituri, DRC | URN | At least 43 civilians have been killed in a fresh attack by suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels in Mambasa Territory, Ituri Province, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The attack, which occurred between Wednesday evening and the early hours of Thursday, targeted Bafwakao village, the administrative headquarters of Bafwakao groupement, located along National Road Number 4, about 148 kilometres from Mambasa towards Kisangani.

In a statement released Thursday evening, the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) confirmed the killings and extensive destruction of property. Lieutenant Jules Ngongo Tshikudi, spokesperson for the FARDC Ituri Operational Sector, said 43 civilians were killed, while 44 houses, a dump truck, and five motorcycles were burned during the assault.

Ngongo condemned the attack, describing it as barbaric and a serious violation of human dignity and fundamental rights. He reassured residents that security forces are reinforcing measures to protect civilians and restore order in the area. He added that targeted military operations have been intensified to track down and dismantle ADF networks.

“The toll stands at 43 compatriots killed, 44 houses burned, as well as one dump truck and five motorcycles damaged… These barbaric acts constitute a serious violation of human dignity and a blatant breach of fundamental rights,” Ngongo stated. He urged the public to remain vigilant, cooperate with security forces, and report any suspicious movements that could help curb the insurgency.

However, local leaders have criticised the military’s response to the attack. Yuma Mungeni, president of civil society in the area, said the assault began at around 5:00 PM, but security forces only intervened about two hours later. A resident, Jospin Paluku Mbowa, also expressed concern over the continued mobility of ADF fighters, calling for urgent and decisive action to end the persistent insecurity.

The latest killings come amid a surge in ADF attacks in Mambasa Territory. Between March 9 and 15, 2026, the group reportedly attacked the Muchacha gold mine in Muchacha and Babesua localities, killing at least 50 civilians. Despite ongoing joint military operations by Ugandan and Congolese forces since 2021, the ADF continues to launch deadly raids on civilian populations.

Addressing the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva on March 25, 2026, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Al-Nashif revealed that ADF militants have killed more than 260 people and displaced thousands since October 2025 across Ituri, North Kivu, and Tshopo provinces.

The ADF, originally a Ugandan rebel group formed in 1995, is now based in eastern DR Congo. It pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group in 2017 and has since been designated a terrorist organization by both Uganda and the United States. The group is notorious for carrying out high-casualty attacks targeting civilians.