Will the World Look Away from Christians under attack from Islamists in Eastern Congo?
Islamic militancy in Africa is part of a broader, global ideological current. Groups affiliated to or taking inspiration from the so called Islamic State (IS) have over the past year claimed the lives of thousands of Christians on the continent. The 2025 Global Terrorism Index stated that IS and its affiliates remained the deadliest terrorist organization in 2024, responsible for 1,805 deaths across 22 countries. It further stated: “Despite counterterrorism efforts, the group’s ability to coordinate, inspire, and execute attacks highlights its resilience and evolving operational strategies.”
The above report also indicates that Islamic State operates as a decentralised network of affiliates, encompassing nine jihadist groups and affiliated entities. Each group acts independently. In Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) were the most affected by IS activity in 2024, experiencing the highest number of fatalities.
Such has been the case with the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), one of a number of rebel groups operating in the eastern parts of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This Islamic militant group has been repeatedly attacking the mostly Christian population in these parts of DRC for years. Kidnapping and murder are common. Although their successes ebb and flow they continue to display surprising strength and have found a firm foothold where they can prepare for jihad into the Lakes Region, the heart of Africa.
Here are the five things you should know about ADF, its war on Christianity and why it matters.
1. Who are the ADF?
The ADF is a coalition of Muslim forces who were allies of notorious Ugandan dictator Idi Amin. When Amin converted to Islam he attracted all kinds of Muslim groups to the area, including those with an ideology to Islamize the region. The ADF and its allies opposed former Ugandan president Obote and current president Museveni.
Nobody knows how many fighters they have, but despite the capture of their leader in April 2015, they still show surprising strength, according to a United Nations report. They operate from the Ruwenzori Mountains in the Democratic Republic of Congo, close to the Ugandan border.
2. What have they done?
When they first arrived in the Ruwenzori Mountains in 1996, the rebels recruited local children by offering free schooling and gifts to the parents. But over time they grew more brutal. In 2005, after an aggressive military campaign against them, they started building hide-outs in virtually inaccessible areas in the mountains. In order to grow their capacity they intensified recruitment of local children and adults by offering free education and free pilgrimages. It was only after the recruits arrived that they realized that they have been taken into rebel hide-outs. Later they simply kidnapped children and adults in order to supply in a workforce and in soldiers for their ranks and to get women for sex and for birthing future warriors. Since the latest military campaign against them in 2014, they have massacred many villagers. The waves of violence have displaced tens of thousands of people, mostly Christians.
3. What is their agenda?
Although there were some who doubted the ADF’s Islamic militant agenda the group’s affiliation to IS proved the religious agenda. There are also countless testimonies of forced conversion of Christians.
During a recent research visit to the area, sources told us that ADF camps are offering training grounds for Islamist recruits from many African countries (e.g. Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Sudan and Congo). Sources further stated that their camps serve as hide-outs for African jihadists when operations fail elsewhere. Some sources also allege that the ADF camps are used to prepare fighters for future jihad in the Lakes region.
Despite the DRC government announcing martial law in ADF controlled areas in May-2021, the group has remained resilient because of its links with the local population through marriage, commerce and land, their excellent knowledge and use of the mountainous border region and their religious drive that renders them resilient in the face of all efforts to neutralize them. They are still more than able to sustain the war.
4. What has been the impact on the Church?
The local population in the related area is predominant Christian (95.8%). The impact on them has been immense. “Local churches are spiritually strong and make good efforts to disciple their members”, researcher Arne Mulders has reported after a trip to the area. “But the persistent crisis is placing the Church under immense pressure. They are struggling to cope with the displacement, trauma, loss of loved ones through murder or kidnapping and the resulting economic difficulties. The economic impact has been so radical that many congregations have had to close down, unable to continue work in the absence of money coming in from members.”
The atrocities committed have traumatized the population, especially women who have witnessed the brutal killing of family members. Women and young girls have had terrible atrocities perpetrated against them, including abduction and rape. This resultant trauma is preventing them from coping with the challenges of daily life.
5. Why should this matter to us?
An important Christian pocket in Africa is under attack from Islamic militants and the world hardly pays attention. The driving ideology of extremistIslam is what puts Christians at risk. They are unable to defend themselves and rely on government troops for protection. They also rely on our prayers and other support.
