ADF Raids Trigger Mourning Strike In Mambasa

Mambasa, August 11, 2026 - ADF attacks across the Babila Babombi area of Mambasa territory caused a new wave of civilian casualties and abductions in early August, prompting local civil society to announce a day of mourning and a shutdown of commercial activity.

On the evening of August 7, attackers attributed to the ADF killed at least 13 civilians at Banana Ecole, about PK20 from Mambasa-centre in the Bapongomo grouping. They also burned part of the village and abducted residents. By the morning of August 8, 14 people were listed as hostages, including a couple seized later.

On the night of August 8-9, two more civilians were killed in separate incidents at Mirindi near Mambasa-centre and at PK26 on the Mambasa-Makeke axis. At least 21 people remained missing after successive ADF raids, while local groups called for army operations to free hostages.

Civil society structures announced a mourning day and commercial paralysis for August 12, followed by a six-month campaign of tax noncompliance from August 13. Territorial administrator Matadi Muyapandi Jean Baptiste urged dialogue, while Protection Plus warned that mounting public anger could become confrontational if civilian protection does not improve.