ADF attack shakes border town of Kasindi
On the night of Friday October 27, the border town of Kasindi, in the territory of Beni, was the scene of an attack perpetrated by ADF (Allied Democratic Forces) rebels. The consequences of this attack are tragic, with a provisional toll of three dead, two trucks burned and a weapon recovered.
The attack began around 10 p.m., with light and heavy weapons fire that resonated for more than an hour. The ADF targeted the central parking lot of the Kasindi Lubirigha customs office, located in the Congo ya Sika district. Two trucks loaded with goods were set on fire, while another tanker truck was riddled with bullets.
Security forces, including the police, the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and elements of the UPDF (Uganda People’s Defense Army), responded quickly to the attack. An ADF rebel was killed and his weapon recovered. Unfortunately, two civilians, conveyors of the targeted trucks, also lost their lives.
Civil society welcomed the prompt response of military forces, stressing that their intervention made it possible to limit the number of deaths. The coordinator of the new civil society in the Basongora grouping, Denis Kalenga, testified to the importance of the vigilance of the security forces, particularly following the recent ADF attack in Elisabeth Park in Uganda, where several tourists were massacred.
Search operations continue in the Congo ya Sika district, near the park where the ADF attackers have taken refuge. The police commander in Kasindi stressed that the toll could be revised upwards, because the searches are still underway.
This ADF attack in Kasindi once again highlights the persistent presence of this militia in the region. The authorities must continue to strengthen security measures to protect the population and fight against these armed groups who are sowing terror in eastern DRC. Regional cooperation between the DRC and Uganda is also essential to put an end to the activities of the ADF and ensure the security of the populations.