Nine ADF Hostages Escape After FARDC-UPDF Strikes Near Elake

Mambasa, August 5, 2026 - Nine civilians, including five women, escaped from Allied Democratic Forces captivity after bombardments by the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Uganda People's Defence Force in the Elake forest area of Babila Bakwanza.

The civilians had been abducted in May near Byakato and reached Lwemba on the evening of August 4. Local residents, suspecting them of being ADF fighters, nearly lynched them before the Congolese National Police and FARDC intervened.

Rights defender Zephani Kataliko warned against mob justice and urged communities to allow authorities to verify the identities of escapees through proper procedures. The episode underscores the severe mistrust created by ADF activity in Ituri, where civilians are exposed both to armed group violence and retaliatory suspicion.

Babila Babombi remained under heavy pressure from ADF activity, with residents observing ville-morte protests to signal anger and fear over the continuing insecurity.