The African Union (AU) strongly condemned the recent atrocities committed by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in North Kivu province. In a statement released on June 17th, Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the AU Commission, denounced the “massacres of innocent civilians” in the Beni and Lubero areas.
These attacks have claimed a devastating number of lives. “At least 150 people have been killed since the beginning of June,” the Chadian diplomat stated, “including 42 in a single attack on June 13th.” He expressed his deepest condolences to the victims’ families and the entire Congolese nation.
The statement also emphasized the AU’s unwavering commitment to supporting the fight against terrorism in the Great Lakes region, a challenge also evident in the Sahel, particularly in Mali and Burkina Faso.
North Kivu, a vast province spanning nearly 60,000 square kilometers, has long been plagued by rebel groups. The M23 continues to exert control in some areas, while the Ugandan Islamist group, ADF, has disrupted the peace for decades.
Founded in 1995, the ADF has undergone a radical transformation. Originally a Ugandan rebel group, it has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) group since 2019, becoming its purported Central African branch.
Despite joint operations with partner nations, the Congolese army struggles to break the cycle of violence against civilians. The AU Commission Chairperson urged the Congolese authorities to “intensify their efforts” alongside regional partners “to curb the spread of the terrorist threat in the Great Lakes region.”
ODL/te/lb/abj/APA