Militants of the radical Islamist group ADF-Nalu group enjoy complicity in the Democratic Republic of Congo on the part of “uncontrolled elements of Ugandan army and security forces”. This was affirmed in a statement following a meeting of “Social Dialogue on the persisting presence of ADF and allies in the area of Beni”, promoted by a local Study Centre for the promotion of peace, democracy and human rights (CEPADHO by its French acronym).

ADF-NALU, originally rooted in a rebel movement to overthrow Uganda’s government and replace it with an Islamist fundamentalist state, but forced to re-locate over the border into DRC, has been carrying out murders of local people, far from the attention of major media. Attacks, including murder, looting, abduction and rape, are carried out on an almost weekly basis in the Beni area, a predominantly Christian region, as is most of the DRC.

“We deplore, on the basis of numerous witnesses, the presence of Islamist elements coming from various parts of East African countries (Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Chad, South Sudan, Burundi),” said the statement.

“We are certain that the activity of ADF in DR Congo could soon diminish, were the direct or indirect support it has hitherto enjoyed to cease.”

Local bishops have repeatedly denounced the resurgence of violence still carried out in the name of ADF-NALU, but which now takes the form of a jihadist organisation called Muslim Defense International (MDI).

The statement calls on the international community to investigate massacres in that area of the DRC and to verify charges that injured ADF members were admitted to Ugandan hospitals.

Source: Fides