Rebel Attacks Leave Extensive Brutality in Their Wake in Congo

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Amnesty International has released a report detailing alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The report, titled “I’d Never Seen So Many Bodies: War Crimes by the Allied Democratic Forces in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo,” accuses the ADF of multiple cases of murder, abductions, forced labor, and sexual abuse.

According to Amnesty International’s secretary general, Agnès Callamard, civilians in the region have suffered extensive brutality at the hands of ADF fighters. The group has been involved in a years-long military campaign against central authorities in Kinshasa and pledged allegiance to ISIS/ISIL in 2019.

The report is based on interviews with 71 people, including survivors of ADF attacks, humanitarian workers, and police officers. Amnesty International documented 46 cases of abduction, including hostages being held for ransom, enduring torture, sexual slavery, forced labor, or murder.

The ADF largely operates in eastern DRC, near the Ugandan border, and has been in conflict with the government’s Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and the UN mission MONUSCO. The group has carried out repeated attacks, leading to mass displacement and limited access to healthcare, food, and education.

Amnesty International is calling on authorities in the DRC to do more to protect civilians and urging the government to work with the UN and local communities to improve early warning systems and respond quickly to any attacks.

Source: Al Jazeera