The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) have announced significant progress in their fight against terrorists from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in the Beni region. Since the beginning of March, more than 200 terrorists have been neutralized during the military operations carried out as part of Operation Sokola 1, according to the operations spokesman, Captain Anthony Mwalushayi.
In addition to the neutralized elements, the FARDC also captured 191 terrorists and freed 251 civilians who were taken hostage. The regular army also recovered 177 weapons used by the terrorists. These figures testify to the determination of the Congolese forces to eradicate the terrorist threat in the Beni region.
These encouraging results were presented to the experts of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), responsible for evaluating the effectiveness of military operations against the ADF. The fight against the ADF is a priority for the DRC, which is counting on the support of the international community to put an end to this threat which has plagued the region for several years.
At the same time, Congolese justice has also taken measures to punish the collaborators of terrorists. Two people were sentenced to 20 years in prison by the Military Court of the city of Bunia, for crimes against humanity. This conviction sends a strong message about the country’s determination to prosecute the culprits and guarantee justice for the victims.
The security situation in the Beni region remains complex, with the presence of several armed groups and the persistence of terrorist attacks. However, the progress made by the FARDC in the fight against the ADF is encouraging and shows that the DRC is determined to put an end to this threat.
The international community must continue to support the DRC’s efforts in its fight against terrorism, by providing military assistance and helping to strengthen the country’s security capacities. By eradicating the ADF threat, the DRC will contribute to the stability of the Great Lakes region and the security of its population.