Rebel Attacks Leave Extensive Brutality in Their Wake in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Amnesty International Publishes Report on Alleged War Crimes by Allied Democratic Forces in DRC

A report published Monday by Amnesty International has accused a rebel group in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) of committing mass war crimes and crimes against humanity. The report, titled “I’d Never Seen So Many Bodies: War Crimes by the Allied Democratic Forces in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo”, alleges that the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) was responsible for multiple cases of murder, abduction, forced labour, marriage, sexual abuse, and exploitation of children.

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

The report is based on interviews with 71 people, including survivors of ADF attacks, humanitarian workers, and police officers. It documents 46 cases of abduction, including hostages being held for ransom, enduring torture, sexual slavery, forced labour, or murder. The report also alleges that the ADF has exploited children, forcing some to carry heavy loads and receive beatings.

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 report highlights the need for authorities in the DRC to take stronger action to protect civilians and work with the UN and local communities to improve early warning systems.

Amnesty International is calling on the Congolese government to do more to address the situation, including implementing peace and reintegration programmes to help survivors and communities cope with their trauma.

Source: Al Jazeera