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Joint Ugandan-Congolese Operation Frees Over 200 Civilians from ADF-Controlled Camp in Eastern DR Congo
Ugandan and Congolese soldiers conducted a joint raid on an Allied Democratic Forces camp, freeing more than 200 captives including children. The operation, part of ongoing efforts against the IS-linked group, resulted in ADF fighter deaths and weapon seizures. Rescued individuals described harsh captivity conditions and health issues.
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The rescued civilians described harsh conditions in captivity, including lack of food, forced labour, and punishment for disobedience, according to a Ugandan army statement. Several appeared frail and were suffering from malaria, breathing difficulties, and exhaustion, Ugandan authorities said.
Women and girls were being used as sexual slaves by the ADF, stated Rawya Rageh, an Amnesty International researcher. At the end of last year, a researcher for Amnesty International reported killings and abductions by the ADF happening with alarming frequency.
"Men, women and children told me how they ran for their lives as fighters armed with blades and guns descended on their villages.... Released hostages talked of agonising spells – sometimes months and years – spent in captivity, practically starved and forced to do various tasks in ADF camps," Rageh added.
Major General Stephen Mugerwa, who leads the joint Uganda-Congolese mission, told the freed civilians: "You are not under detention. " The operation was part of the sustained offensive that has improved security in parts of eastern DR Congo, enabling displaced communities to return home, schools to reopen, and cross-border trade between Uganda and the DR Congo to resume, the Ugandan People's Defense Forces said.
The Allied Democratic Forces was originally formed in Uganda in the 1990s. ADF rebels have been operating from inside DR Congo for the past two decades. In 2021, Uganda and DR Congo launched a joint offensive against the Allied Democratic Forces, with Operation Shujaa first launched in November 2021.
