On the night of Sunday, 5 April 2026, suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) militants launched an attack near Mambasa town in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, marking one of the closest incursions to the town to date.
The assailants, reportedly arriving from the north around 11:00 PM, set several houses ablaze, looted shops, and took multiple hostages, allegedly to transport stolen goods. While no official death toll has been confirmed, the scale of destruction has raised alarm among civil society groups.
By Monday, 6 April 2026, Mambasa had ground to a halt, with businesses and schools shut down amid widespread fear. Residents described a climate of anxiety, with farmers avoiding their fields and some locals contemplating displacement.
The attack forms part of a broader surge in violence in the region over recent weeks, following earlier strikes on the Muchacha mining site in mid-March and other nearby towns, each leaving casualties and displacing populations.
Security officials indicated that the Army responded to the latest assault, claiming to have neutralized five militants. However, analysts note that the group has exploited gaps in security presence to expand its operations, heightening concerns in the capital, Kinshasa.
In response, Government authorities have reiterated commitments to restore stability, with defence officials assuring that efforts are ongoing to counter the persistent threat and protect civilians in the affected territory.