Amnesty International specified On Tuesday, fighters from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an armed group active in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), alleged numerous human rights violations against civilians in the region, valued at up to $100,000 war crimes And Crimes against humanity.
The organization based its statement on its newly released version reportwhich documents acts of violence committed by the ADF in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, including shootings of civilians, kidnappings and hostage-taking, recruitment of children and violence against women and girls. Amnesty International stressed that these abuses violated international humanitarian law and that many acts amounted to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Amnesty International interviewed 71 people from North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, including witnesses, survivors of previous attacks, members of civil society and also security officials, who claimed that targeted violent attacks against civilians were a characteristic pattern of ADF tactics. The report detailed that these militants intentionally shot citizens, including children, not only to steal food and other supplies, but also in retaliation for state military operations. In addition, the organization documented several cases of kidnapping in which the victims were subjected to torture and other physical abuse. Abducted women and girls experienced not only physical abuse but also sexual violence and were threatened with death if they attempted to escape.
In addition, ADF fighters looted victims’ homes, destroyed health facilities, and recruited children to fight in their ranks and for various other roles. Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International, said: “The group’s relentless attacks underscore the scale of insecurity and overlapping crises in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and underscore the urgent need for the government and the international community to step up efforts to protect civilians and bring those responsible to justice.”
Amnesty International therefore called on the authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo to step up their efforts to protect civilians from atrocities and to work with the UN communities on the ground to improve early warning mechanisms and respond quickly in advance of attacks. It also called for the implementation of a comprehensive approach to security and accountability and the creation of a reintegration program for survivors.
The ADF is an armed group of Ugandan origin operating in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo and has been involved in the ongoing operations conflict between armed groups and security forces. The group was previously sanctioned by the UN Security Council for serious violations of international law. In September 2025, a UN rights group released a report showing that all warring parties in the Democratic Republic of Congo committed serious violations of international humanitarian law. Despite attempts to restore peace and security in the country, the interim head of the UN Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, MONUSCO, warned that the country continues to face a security crisis amid escalating violence.
