Kasindi has previously witnessed violence attributed to the ADF, including a bombing at a Pentecostal church in January, which claimed the lives of approximately 15 individuals. IS claimed responsibility for that attack. Despite a joint offensive conducted in 2021 by Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to dislodge ADF militants from their strongholds in the Congolese region, the attacks have persisted.
The ADF, originally comprised primarily of Muslim Ugandan rebels, established a presence in the area during the 1990s and has been accused of committing atrocities against thousands of civilians. During the recent attack in Kasindi, two Ugandan soldiers lost their lives while attempting to repel the ADF's advance. Additionally, three vehicles were set on fire during the confrontation.
A local civil society representative, who chose to remain anonymous, reported that the incident left the local population outraged, leading to the burning of the body of a deceased ADF member. The ADF is known by an alternate name, the Islamic State Central Africa Province, as recognized by IS.
Further violence attributed to the ADF occurred in the Beni territory, where a massacre took place overnight, resulting in the deaths of 26 civilians. This region has been a focal point of the ADF's prolonged violence. In Uganda, the ADF was implicated in the murder of a honeymoon couple and their safari guide in Queen Elizabeth National Park, an incident for which IS claimed responsibility.
Despite the presence of peacekeepers, eastern DR Congo continues to grapple with numerous militia groups and rebel forces, highlighting the ongoing challenges in achieving stability in the region.
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