Human rights group Amnesty International has accused the Allied Democratic Forces of carrying out widespread war crimes and crimes against humanity in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
In a new report, Amnesty says the IS-linked group has engaged in mass abductions, forced labour, child recruitment, and systematic sexual violence, including forced marriage and forced pregnancy. The group, originally formed by Ugandan rebels, is now aligned with the Islamic State and operates mainly in North Kivu and Ituri Province.
Amnesty Secretary-General Agnes Callamard described the abuses as “rampant” and said they constitute both war crimes and crimes against humanity. The report is based on interviews with 71 survivors and witnesses.
Pattern of Brutality Against Civilians
According to Amnesty, ADF fighters deliberately target civilians, looting food, medicine, and essential supplies, often as retaliation for military operations against them. Survivors also reported kidnappings used to force families to pay ransoms ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars.
The group is also accused of forcibly converting abducted women to Islam and subjecting them to sexual slavery, which Amnesty says is used both as a tool of control and recruitment.
Use of Child Soldiers and Ongoing Violence
The report further alleges that the ADF is one of the largest recruiters of child soldiers in the region, exploiting minors in a conflict already marked by widespread use of underage combatants across armed groups in eastern Congo.
The group continues to operate across remote areas near the borders with Uganda and Rwanda, where instability has persisted for decades due to the presence of multiple armed militias competing for territory and resources.
Military Response and Continued Insecurity
The Uganda People’s Defence Force has been deployed alongside Congolese forces since 2021 in joint operations aimed at dismantling the ADF network. However, despite sustained military campaigns, the group continues to launch deadly attacks, raising concerns over the effectiveness of regional security cooperation.
Humanitarian Concerns
Eastern DR Congo remains one of the world’s most volatile conflict zones, with millions affected by displacement, insecurity, and limited access to humanitarian aid. Rights groups warn that continued violence by the ADF and other armed factions is worsening an already severe humanitarian crisis.
Amnesty is calling for stronger international action and accountability mechanisms to protect civilians and bring perpetrators of abuses to justice.
