DRC: ADF and M23 Identified as Deadliest Armed Groups in October - Kivu Security Barometer

Kinshasa, DRC - According to the Kivu Security Barometer, published on November 24, 2025 by the Ebuteli Research Institute, the ADF and M23 were the deadliest armed groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo during October 2025. The report emphasizes the scale of violence in North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri provinces.

The ADF emerged as the most lethal group, particularly in terms of civilian casualties, despite receiving less media coverage than the M23. Henri Pacifique Mayala, an analyst at Ebuteli, notes that the widely publicized abuses of the M23 often overshadow the ADF's impact, whose attacks continue to inflict serious harm on the local population in eastern DRC.

This report underscores the persistent insecurity in the Great Lakes region, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated military, humanitarian, and governance responses to protect civilians and stabilize the affected areas.