Eastern DRC: ADF benefited from Kinshasa’s focus on fighting M23; government urged to rebalance security priorities

A The Sentry investigation published on October 27, 2026, says the ADF are gaining ground in eastern DRC because Kinshasa is concentrating its military efforts on the Rwanda-backed M23. The ADF, which has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, has killed civilians for more than a decade in North Kivu and Ituri provinces, despite joint Congolese-Ugandan operations launched in 2021. The organization urges Félix Tshisekedi’s government to rebalance its security priorities, including dedicated troop deployments and coordinated operations against both threats.