The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) are facing an unprecedented financial crisis. Active in the territories of Beni and Lubero (North Kivu), as well as in Irumu and Mambasa (Ituri), this armed group of Ugandan origin is experiencing a drastic decline in its external funding. This is the alarming conclusion drawn by the latest report from the United Nations Group of Experts.
The fall in the ADF’s external revenue stems directly from international counter-terrorism pressure. Targeted operations carried out in Somalia against Islamic State (IS), the ADF’s main sponsor, have severely disrupted its funding networks.
Deprived of their usual sources of funding, ADF terrorists have had to completely overhaul their economic survival strategy in order to maintain their operations in the east of the DRC. To make up for this shortfall, the movement has resorted to the ruthless exploitation of civilian populations through various illicit practices.
“In most cases, these taxes were collected by force. In a propaganda video, Bonge la Chuma, a member of the ADF, stated that members of the public must either convert to Islam or pay taxes, on pain of being killed or expelled from areas controlled by the group,” the document states.
Traders. Looting
In the territories of Lubero, Irumu and Mambasa, extortion has become highly systematized. The rebels have introduced compulsory receipts known as ‘Dubius’ tokens, which serve as travel permits, whilst ‘Amani na Upendo’ ’ (Peace and Love) or ‘Délivrance Cacao’ serve as proof that local producers have paid their taxes.
Forced Islamization as a weapon of extortion
Religious ideology is now being used as a tool for economic blackmail. The UN report cites a propaganda video by Bonge la Chuma, an ADF commander. In it, he issues a clear ultimatum to residents of rebel-controlled areas: convert to Islam or pay taxes, on pain of execution or expulsion. For impoverished farmers, forced conversion remains the only way to avoid death.
Kidnappings for ransom have become a critical source of income. Earlier this year, along the strategic Komanda–Luna road and near Mamove, the ADF carried out a spate of mass kidnappings. The UN report confirms that captured civilians unable to pay the sums demanded were systematically executed. In the eyes of experts, this extremely violent escalation illustrates the financial distress of a group that is on its last legs, but which remains an extremely harmful threat to the region.
Written by Azarias Mokonzi