DRC: Suspected ADF rebels kill four in Beni territory (North Kivu province) August 14

Event

Suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels killed a group of four civilians in Mukomuko in Beni territory (North Kivu province) on Friday, August 14. Media sources indicate that the civilians were ambushed along the Mbau-Kamango road.

Similar ADF attacks are to be expected in North Kivu province over the near term.

Context

The government's limited presence in the DRC's eastern provinces, as well as the presence of numerous armed groups and local self-defense militias, has led to continued insecurity in the region.

The ADF is a Ugandan Islamist militant group that has been active in North Kivu province since the late 1990s. There has been local and international speculation regarding potential links between ADF rebels and Islamic State (IS) militants. According to local civil society activists, more than 200 civilians have been killed in almost daily attacks suspected to have been carried out by ADF militants in North Kivu since early November, when security operations began to combat ADF fighters.

Advice

Individuals in North Kivu province are advised to remain vigilant for militant activity, monitor developments to the situation, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments.