A deadly assault unfolded this Monday in the town of Maziya, near Mangina in Ituri province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Local authorities report that at least 11 people were killed when suspected members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) attacked a group of farmers moving about their daily work. The bodies were later transported to Mangina for formal processing, according to interim mayor Kathemo Salamu Emmanuel, with confirmation received by Congolese outlet Actualité.
The early morning strike disrupted life across the region as security forces and community leaders grappled with the shock. Reports detail that civilians were targeted and slain with bladed weapons in what officials described as a coordinated attack. The situation remained tense through the day as authorities assessed casualty figures and security patrols intensified in nearby villages. The ongoing violence has drawn swift condemnation from the Congolese Armed Forces, who have framed it as part of a broader pattern of targeted violence against rural communities in North Kivu and Ituri.
Since the late 2010s the ADF, a group originally operating in eastern Congo and linked to violent campaigns, has been the focus of international concern. IDA’s network has included a split in leadership and a shift in allegiance to a regional jihadist banner, which has, at times, complicated counter‑insurgency operations. The group’s evolution has intersected with regional security commitments between the DRC and neighboring Uganda, including a defense accord signed in late 2021 to pursue joint operations in eastern Congo. In recent years, authorities and analysts have tracked the ADF’s fluctuating presence as they seek new footholds in local territories, sometimes exploiting administrative gaps and local grievances to widen their reach. This pattern of violence coincides with intensified security operations by regional forces and international partners aimed at degrading the group’s capability to organize large‑scale attacks. The situation in Ituri and adjacent provinces underscores the fragile security environment in eastern Congo, where civilians, farmers, and small communities bear the brunt of armed clashes. Markers of risk include continued cross‑border movement and evolving affiliations among militant groups, which complicate local peace efforts and humanitarian access. Observers caution that the security situation remains fluid and invite ongoing monitoring by international agencies and regional authorities, with emphasis on protecting civilians and ensuring reliable reporting channels for affected residents. (Citations: UN and regional security analyses)