ADF commander Difenda Kasibandi killed in joint FARDC-UPDF operation

Mambasa, March 24, 2026 - A senior leader of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), Difenda Kasibandi, has been killed during a joint military operation conducted by the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and the Ugandan army (UPDF) in the Asangwa area, near the Lindi River. According to the Congolese army, Kasibandi was killed alongside four other fighters in an operation targeting a key ADF stronghold located along the border between Lubero and Mambasa territories. The offensive also led to the rescue of three civilians who had been held hostage by the armed group. Military sources indicate that the operation was part of broader efforts to dismantle ADF networks operating between North Kivu and Ituri provinces. The targeted group was reportedly linked to a faction led by a senior ADF figure known for directing attacks against civilians in the Bapere region. Recent movements of ADF fighters between Lubero and Mambasa have reinforced concerns about the group’s mobility and its ability to regroup across territories despite ongoing military pressure. Following the operation, army officials reiterated their warning to individuals suspected of collaborating with the ADF, stating that all those involved with the group would be tracked down and held accountable.