Wazalendo Militias in Ituri Shift Focus to Illegal Mining, Neglecting Fight Against ADF

Initially deployed alongside the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and the Ugandan army to combat the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), many Wazalendo militiamen have abandoned their security duties. Instead, they have turned their attention to illegal mining operations in Mambasa territory, Ituri province.

As reported by African Security Analysis, local sources indicate that these militias have taken control of several mining areas, deviating from their original mission of maintaining regional security.

Militias Turn to Mining

This alarming shift has drawn criticism from the Human Rights Research Convention (CRDH). Rams Malikidogo, CRDH’s coordinator, stated, “Several mining sites are now under the control of these militias, who exploit resources illegally for personal gain, at the expense of the government.”

The unauthorized activities are causing substantial economic harm by depriving the Congolese state of critical revenue. Malikidogo emphasized, “The Congolese treasury is directly affected. It is crucial to restore order in this region.”

Exploitation and Suppression of Local Communities

Beyond exploiting natural resources, these militias have imposed oppressive measures on the residents of Mambasa. CRDH reports that they loot agricultural products, particularly cocoa, and restrict farmers’ access to their own fields. Malikidogo lamented, “Their actions extend beyond mining; they also steal farmers’ crops, including cocoa.”

A Call for Action: Refocusing the Wazalendo Mission

In response to these concerning developments, CRDH has urged the Congolese government to intervene decisively and put an end to these abuses. The organization insists on redirecting the militias to their initial mandate. “Their role is to combat armed groups, not to exploit natural resources illegally,” Malikidogo asserted. He also proposed, “If they believe their mission against the ADF is complete, they should redirect their efforts to addressing the M23 rebels, a significant threat to the population in North Kivu.”

This deviation from their original purpose highlights a persistent issue in Ituri: armed groups exploiting mineral wealth to the detriment of national development. In a region plagued by chronic insecurity, this situation underscores the urgent need for effective resource governance to ensure the nation’s wealth benefits all its citizens, rather than private or criminal entities.

ADF/ISCAP increasing massacre of local population

According to local sources, on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, two civilians, both men, arrived in Mayuano, a locality located 35 km south of Mambasa on RN 44. They managed to escape from the hands of presumed ADF/ISCAP rebels and reached the village of Libanda, which is four hours on foot from Mayuano.

Questioned the same day by African Security Analysis, these survivors revealed that other civilians had been taken hostage on Tuesday, March 4, in the same village.

"We were surprised by the presence of these terrorists in our village around 1 p.m. on Tuesday, February 4. They took us hostage, but we managed to escape. Unfortunately, other civilians were captured by these rebels. We saw three civilians being taken after our escape," they specified.

A notable from Bakwanza confirmed this information, calling on the security and defense services to track down these assailants who roam freely in the region. These terrorists are also said to exploit natural resources, using hostages as labor in the mines, reported to African Security Analysis.

A week earlier, the ADF/ISCAP had killed around 20 civilians and abducted a hundred others in Matolo, Samboko, and the surrounding areas.

On the night of Monday, March 3, to Tuesday, March 4, 2025, a double attack attributed to ADF/ISCAP targeted the Banyali-Tchabi chiefdom in the Irumu territory, in the Ituri province. The provisional toll indicates three civilians killed, including two women in Valubu village and a young man in Ndengesa village, both located in the Boyo grouping.

The Convention for the Respect of Human Rights (CRDH) in Irumu also reports that several houses were burned down by these presumed ADF/ISCAP terrorists. According to the same source, the assailants are believed to have come from Mapipa, a village in the Badibongo Siya grouping, in the Walese Vonkutu chiefdom, known as the epicenter of this terrorist movement.

Leader of ADF/ISCAP spotted in Mambasa territory

In February 2025, an envoy of the ADF/ISCAP leader Musa Baluku was reportedly spotted in several villages, including Matolo, Bandenge, Samboko, Bauenzi, Kadika, and Lokobati in the Babila Bakwanza chiefdom, Mambasa territory. These movements were said to have followed a massacre of 27 civilians, including the son of the Lokobati village chief and his three children. Lokobati had been Musa Baluku’s headquarters for several months in 2023. This envoy was also reportedly sent recently to Kampala to deliver a contribution to Musa Baluku’s family, mourning the loss of their brother, Hassan Kibaba, who passed away due to illness.

Christophe Munyanderu, coordinator of this human rights organization, calls on the youth of the communities in southern Irumu territory to organize and fight the ADF/ISCAP alongside the FARDC.

Recent attacks in by ADF/ISCAP are strategic

Furthermore, African Security Analysis reports that the recent attacks in Ituri province are strategic, in response to the new deployments of the Ugandan army in the region. Meanwhile, the attacks in Lubero territory appear to aim at deterring collaboration between civilians and the armed forces of the DRC as well as the UPDF. These reprisal operations include plans to establish a new camp in the Mwalika area along the Semuliki River, which was previously abandoned. ADF/ISCAP elements stationed in Kyavinyonge are expected to be deployed in this area to carry out new attacks and ambushes.

The road linking Butembo to Kasindi, at the Ugandan border, is currently used by traders from Butembo. This deployment also seeks to conduct ambushes in this area to obtain supplies, pharmaceuticals, and hostages.