Based on 71 interviews – including with 45 victims and survivors – Amnesty International examined the impact of the violence by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) on civilians in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Fighters have deliberately killed civilians, attacked medical facilities, and looted and burned homes. They have abducted men, women and children and forced them to take part in attacks and carry out different roles in the group’s camps. Women and girls have been forced into “marriages” and pregnancies and compelled to live a life of servitude. The group’s actions amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
This report shows how, despite efforts by the Congolese military, supported by international peacekeepers or in collaboration with Ugandan troops, the ADF continues to expand its attacks on civilians. In 2025, after M23’s renewed wave of violence, the ADF further capitalized on security gaps.
The Congolese government must do more to ensure the protection of civilians. The international community must support this effort.
A holistic approach is needed to address the needs of communities and survivors and ensure effective justice and accountability processes. A meaningful reintegration program for former abductees is crucial to ensure successful reinsertion and long-lasting community healing.
Read “I’d Never Seen So Many Bodies”: War Crimes by the Allied Democratic Forces in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.