The Silent Carnage: ADF/ISCAP Attacks in North Kivu and Ituri
While much of the attention remains on Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Allied Democratic Forces/Islamic State's Central Africa Province (ADF/ISCAP) continues its reign of terror. Reports indicate that on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, ADF rebels launched a deadly attack in Makoko, near Muhangi, within the Bashwaha chiefdom of Lubero territory. The assault claimed approximately ten lives, including Mwami Kasereka Kasimba, Chief of the Bulengya group. He and his secretary were ambushed by ADF fighters while returning from an assessment of the attack site, according to local civil society sources.
The ADF's campaign of violence has resulted in large-scale massacres across the northwest of Lubero territory, particularly in the Muhangi parish. Between January 13 and January 20, 2025, the death toll reached 113, distributed across several locations:
- Makoko: 9 people
- Tsava and Kiseghe: 43 deaths
- Mutumbo: 25 deaths
- Vusaka: 4 deaths
- Mapanga: 7 deaths
- Kalimba: 2 deaths
- Mulambi: 11 deaths
- Masakoki: 8 deaths
- Matundu: 4 deaths
Mambelenga (Ituri)
On Friday, January 24, 2025, around 5 PM, ADF/ISCAP militants struck the village of Mambelenga, specifically in Manzebi, killing eight civilians, including a woman. Since the start of 2025, the Irumu territory has witnessed a rising death toll due to ADF/ISCAP attacks.
Beni Mayangose
On Wednesday, January 22, 2025, the remains of at least two motorcycles were retrieved from the Mayangose forest and brought to the Beni city center. The motorcycles were traced to Mayangose Mikua, and their owners, including a motorcycle taxi driver from the Boikene Mayangose market, have been missing for over three days. The Mikua area has become a hotspot for ADF attacks in recent weeks.
Year-to-Date Overview in Ituri
Since the beginning of the year, ADF terrorists have claimed the lives of 50 civilians, with over 70 others reported missing. In addition, motorcycles, bicycles, and goods have been set ablaze in Irumu territory, particularly in the Walese Vonkutu and Banyali Tchabi chiefdoms. These killings are frequently publicized on the Islamic State's online platforms, yet they continue under a shroud of silence. Despite the presence of Ugandan troops engaged in the joint military operation "Shujaa," the security situation remains precarious, with the effectiveness of these efforts increasingly under scrutiny.
The persistent violence unleashed by ADF/ISCAP in North Kivu and Ituri underscores the severe security challenges plaguing the region. While Goma draws significant attention, the relentless attacks continue to take a heavy toll on local populations, causing loss of life and mass displacement. Fear and insecurity dominate daily life, and doubts are mounting regarding the capability of joint military operations like "Shujaa" to curb the ADF/ISCAP's ability to perpetrate violence.
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A Fragile Ceasefire in Eastern DRC
Amid ongoing violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), two nearly identical statements released on April 23, 2025, announced an immediate ceasefire. One was signed in Goma by a member of the rebel group AFC/M23—someone not even officially part of the delegation—and the other was issued by the Congolese government in Kinshasa.
Ituri Under Surveillance
Rising Security Concerns The political fragmentation in eastern DRC continues to threaten the fragile stability of Ituri. The failure of the Doha process and the breakdown of the republican pact could pave the way for a new wave of unrest in the region. On April 22, 2025, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, met with leaders of the Lendu militia CODECO (Cooperative for the Development of the Congo) in Entebbe. Officially, the meeting was convened to address CODECO’s attack on Ugandan military positions in Ituri, a confrontation that adds to past clashes between the group and the Ugandan People’s Defence Forces (UPDF). Key Figures and Discussions The CODECO delegation, led by Dunji Kulukpa Etienne (Vice President of the Lendu community), included political and militant representatives. On the Ugandan side, top-ranking officials participated: • General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, CDF • Lieutenant General Kayanja Muhanga, Land Forces Commander • Major General Felix Busizoori, Commander of the 4th Infantry Division • Brigadier General Oscar Munanura, Deputy Assistant Chief of Intelligence and Security Earlier in the week, CODECO leaders had already engaged with Ugandan military commanders. During the Entebbe meeting, Mr. Dunji expressed gratitude for Uganda’s reception and apologized for the Fataki clashes between CODECO and the UPDF. He claimed the militia had been influenced by external forces and emphasized that the Lendu, Balega, and Bahema communities do not view Uganda as an adversary. Dunji also highlighted Ituri’s worsening humanitarian crisis, attributing it to political divisions, while praising Uganda’s contributions in healthcare, refugee assistance, and economic aid. Uganda’s Expanding Influence in Ituri General Kainerugaba reaffirmed Uganda’s historical presence in North Kivu and Ituri, citing counter-insurgency operations dating back to the early 2000s. He urged CODECO leaders to collaborate with the UPDF in pursuit of a lasting peace. As a demonstration of goodwill, Ugandan forces provided free medical care to wounded CODECO fighters. Strategic Implications: A Larger Agenda? While Uganda frames this meeting as a step toward reconciliation, analysts at African Security Analysis suggest a deeper motive. They argue that the gathering was part of a broader effort to integrate CODECO into the militant coalition led by Thomas Lubanga, potentially setting the stage for coordinated offensives in Ituri, particularly targeting Bunia. If confirmed, this would signal a significant shift in the security landscape, with Uganda deepening its influence in Ituri under the guise of conflict resolution. The region remains under scrutiny as stakeholders assess the evolving dynamics.
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