African Union Condemns Deadly Attack by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in Democratic Republic of Congo

Strategic Insights -

At least 71 people were killed in a brutal attack by suspected ADF rebels in North Kivu Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), prompting a strong condemnation from the African Union (AU). The attack, which occurred in the village of Ntoyo in the Bapere sector between 8 and 9 September, is one of the deadliest incidents of violence in recent months. The AU Commission Chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, described the attack as a "heinous terrorist act" and a gross violation of human rights and international humanitarian law. The ADF, an armed group with Ugandan origins, has waged a violent insurgency in eastern Congo for years, killing thousands of civilians and displacing many more.

Key Takeaways:

  • The ADF attack on the village of Ntoyo in North Kivu Province left at least 71 people dead, with many more civilians displaced or injured.
  • The African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, condemned the attack as a "heinous terrorist act" and a gross violation of human rights and international humanitarian law.
  • The ADF, an armed group with Ugandan origins, has waged a violent insurgency in eastern Congo for years, killing thousands of civilians and displacing many more.
  • Security analysts warn that the persistence of ADF violence poses a threat not only to Congolese civilians but also to regional stability, underscoring the need for stronger cooperation among Great Lakes countries.
  • The DRC government has launched joint military operations with neighboring countries to curb ADF attacks along the Uganda-DRC border.
  • The African Union has pledged its support for ongoing national, regional, and international peace efforts in the Great Lakes region.

Statistics:

  • At least 71 people were killed in the AFD attack on the village of Ntoyo.
  • The ADF insurgency has killed thousands of civilians in eastern Congo over the years.
  • The number of displaced people due to ADF violence is in the thousands.

Sources:

  • "AU Condemns Killing of at least 71 in DRC Attack" Nile Post, 2025
  • AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com)