Amnesty Report Details ADF’s Brutal Attacks on Christians in Eastern DRC

Escalating Violence in Eastern DRC: Amnesty International Reports on ADF Atrocities

In the heart of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), communities are grappling with a surge in violence at the hands of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an Islamic State-affiliated militant group. A comprehensive 61-page report from Amnesty International sheds light on the atrocities committed in the predominantly Christian regions of North Kivu and Ituri provinces.

The report, titled ‘I’d Never Seen So Many Bodies’: War Crimes by the Allied Democratic Forces in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, reveals that the ADF’s actions could be classified as war crimes and crimes against humanity. Amnesty investigators, who conducted extensive research from October 2025 to February 2026, gathered testimonies from 71 individuals, including survivors and humanitarian workers.

According to Amnesty, the majority of the ADF’s victims have been Christians, primarily due to the group’s operations in Christian-majority areas. The report highlights the religious rhetoric used by the militants, referencing a September 2025 video by the Islamic State’s Central Africa Province (ISCAP) which portrays their mission as a fight against “crusaders.”

Among the most shocking incidents was an attack on a church in Komanda village, resulting in the deaths of over 40 worshippers. Additionally, on September 8, 2025, disguised fighters infiltrated a funeral in Ntoyo, leading to the mass killing of over 60 individuals. One survivor recounted finding the bodies of her parents, stating, “I’d never seen so many bodies.”

Survivors expressed feelings of abandonment, criticizing security forces for their delayed or absent responses. A woman injured during an attack in Otmaber on July 12, 2025, described how her family was attacked and their homes set ablaze without military intervention: “Even in the morning, [the military] didn’t come,” she said. “Everyone had to take care of themselves.”

Amnesty’s report also delves into the long-term trauma faced by survivors. Numerous abductions have been documented, with children being taken to militant camps for forced labor and indoctrination. A former captive revealed, “If you refused, they could kill you,” describing the pressure to adopt Islamic practices.

Women and girls suffered severe abuses, including coerced “marriages” and sexual violence. A teenager shared a harrowing ultimatum from a commander: “Either you accept a husband or we kill you.” The report underscores the stigma and lack of support survivors face upon returning to their communities.

Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General, emphasized the dire situation, stating that civilians are experiencing “a dehumanising campaign of abuse.” She called for action from the Congolese government, international bodies, and the global community to bolster protection measures and support justice and recovery efforts.

Amnesty urges the ADF to cease attacks and release captives, highlighting the significant disruption to basic services and the exacerbating humanitarian crisis. Callamard noted, “Survivors told us that peace and security must be urgently restored in the eastern DRC if they are to rebuild their lives.”

The ADF, which originated in Uganda in the 1990s, pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in 2019, becoming part of ISCAP. Amnesty suggests that focus on other regional conflicts has inadvertently allowed the ADF to intensify its activities.