Eastern DR Congo: ADF reduce financial dependence on ISIS through illicit gold trade routed to Uganda (The Sentry)

A The Sentry investigation released on October 27, 2026, says the ADF have reduced their dependence on funding from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant. Illicit gold from eastern DR Congo, routed mainly through Uganda, is now the group’s main source of income, followed by cocoa production, extortion and kidnappings; some of the gold is also sent to the United Arab Emirates. The proceeds have reportedly allowed the group to build reserves worth several million dollars and become more financially autonomous. The Sentry urged the gold and finance sectors to treat Uganda and the UAE as high-risk countries for illicit gold and apply enhanced scrutiny to related transactions.