ADF attack kills 43 civilians in eastern DRC

Ituri Province, April 3, 2026 - At least 43 people have been killed in a new attack attributed to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in the Bafwako area of Mambasa Territory, according to local military officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Lieutenant Jules Tshikudi Ngongo, a spokesperson for the Congolese army in the region, said the attackers also burned 44 homes during the assault, which occurred on April 2, 2026. Local authorities report that search operations are ongoing, with fears the death toll could rise as more information becomes available from remote areas. Residents described scenes of extreme violence, including killings with machetes, arson attacks, and kidnappings. The ADF, an armed group operating in eastern Congo, has been blamed for a series of deadly civilian attacks in Ituri Province in recent months, including another incident in March 2026 that left around 50 people dead in the same territory.