In brief
A suspected attack by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) on the night of Thursday into Friday in Cantine, Beni territory, killed at least 30 people, including civilians, security personnel and civil‑society workers. The incident follows a spike in ADF attacks across North Kivu and Ituri and has prompted joint military operations by Congolese and Ugandan forces. Search efforts are ongoing to locate victims and hostages taken by the rebels.
Overnight Thursday into Friday, at least 30 people were killed in a suspected attack by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in Cantine, a locality in Beni territory of North Kivu Province, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Security sources in Beni said the attackers killed residents and set fire to several houses before withdrawing, leaving a trail of civilians, security personnel and civil‑society members dead and several people reportedly taken hostage.
Xinhua reports the death toll has risen to at least 30, a sharp increase from earlier estimates of 10 civilians reported by news.az the same day. The lower figure was based on initial reports; the subsequent Xinhua account cites a broader sweep of bodies and the involvement of a larger militia contingent.
The ADF, an affiliate of the Islamic State, has been conducting an intensified campaign of violence across eastern DRC’s North Kivu and Ituri provinces. French‑speaking security officials described the organization as a Ugandan rebel group that has been operating in the region for several years, using a mix of guerrilla tactics and brutal reprisals against civilians.
In response to the surge, Congolese forces have been deploying reinforcements to Beni, while joint military operations with Ugandan troops have been underway since November 2021 to track down and neutralize the ADF. Beni security officials stated that additional units had been moved into the area following the attack, and that their command structure is coordinating with Ugandan counterparts to conduct reciprocal search and recovery missions.
Local civil society groups, many of whom work to provide essential services and mediate peace talks in conflict‑prone communities, have been deeply affected by the attack. Members of non‑governmental organizations were among the casualties, underscoring the broader risk faced by humanitarian workers who operate in the province. Journalists and community advocates have called for a transparent investigation into the circumstances that allowed the rebels to strike with such ferocity.
The incident highlights the fragility of the DRC’s security architecture. Following the attack, security investigators announced that they were conducting thorough searches for survivors and hostages, as the ADF had reportedly fled while carrying kidnapped civilians. The Mugil community in Cantine, where the homes were burned, is now grappling with the loss of life and the destruction of property, while emergency services work within a police‑controlled perimeter to secure the site.
Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi has reiterated his commitment to restoring peace in the east, urging regional partners to intensify the counter‑insurgency strategy. “We must act decisively to protect our citizens from these terrorist activities,” a spokesperson for the administration said, citing the joint operations with Uganda as a crucial element of the response.
The ADF’s continued presence raises significant concerns about the capacity of DRC’s judicial and law‑enforcement institutions to respond to insurgent violence. Human rights organisations warn that the lack of a robust legal framework hampers accountability for crimes committed by both the rebels and the state forces involved in counter‑insurgency campaigns.
Observers of regional politics note that the attack could further destabilise elections scheduled in the province, as security vacillates and communities become wary of participating in public life. Civic groups stressed the importance of safeguarding voter registration sites and ensuring that the electoral process remains inclusive and free from intimidation.
Moreover, the ADF’s use of civilian hosts enhances the group’s gambit to exploit socio‑economic grievances. Local spokespersons report that many families have been left bereft of income and security, forcing some to relocate to safer zones, which in turn places pressure on already over‑burdened infrastructures in nearby towns.
International partners have urged the Congolese government to maintain transparency in the investigation and to involve independent observers if possible, to avoid allegations of impunity or bias. The United Nations Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) has reiterated its mandate to support the government while safeguarding civilians in conflict‑affected areas.
In addition to the civilian toll, the attack underscores the operational challenges faced by security forces in areas with porous borders. The proximity of the region to Uganda has facilitated the ADF’s cross‑border movements, allowing fighters to retreat quickly after raids. Joint military drills between Congolese and Ugandan troops aim to mitigate this advantage and improve rapid response times in the event of future assaults.
The combined reports from Xinhua and news.az provide a broader picture of the darkening security landscape in eastern DRC. While the later Xinhua bulletin overshadows the earlier casualty figures from news.az, both emphasize the urgent need for coordinated efforts to protect civilians, pursue accountability, and reinforce state institutions that are integral to national stability and democratic governance.