Why military gains are not weakening the ADF in eastern DRC

Despite joint Congolese-Ugandan military efforts under Operation Shujaa, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) remains resilient in eastern DRC. The group has adapted by shifting to mobile, decentralised operations and expanding into Haut-Uele province. Its resilience is sustained by a 'kidnapping economy' involving high ransoms, forced recruitment of women and children, and a robust internal succession system that prevents power vacuums when leaders are killed. Furthermore, the ADF benefits from state collusion, FARDC institutional weaknesses, and a fragmented security landscape where resources are diverted to other conflicts like the AFC/M23. The author advocates for a strategy shift focusing on sustained state presence in mining and transport zones, disruption of cross-border networks, and addressing social grievances.

• Operation Shujaa, a joint Congolese-Ugandan military effort, has achieved tactical successes such as killing senior commanders and freeing hostages, but has failed to provide sustained security as cleared areas are frequently re-infiltrated.
• The ADF has adapted to military pressure by dispersing geographically into Haut-Uele province and transitioning from fixed strongholds to mobile, decentralised operations.
• The ADF maintains financial and operational resilience through a lucrative kidnapping economy and coercive recruitment, including the forced marriage of women and girls and the indoctrination of boys.
• The group's persistence is further enabled by a disciplined succession system, collusion with some FARDC elements, and institutional failures within the Congolese military, such as shortages in food rations and welfare funding.

APA

Institute for Security Studies (n.d.). Why military gains are not weakening the ADF in eastern DRC. https://issafrica.org/iss-today/why-military-gains-are-not-weakening-the-adf-in-eastern-drc

Chicago

Institute for Security Studies. Why military gains are not weakening the ADF in eastern DRC. n.d. https://issafrica.org/iss-today/why-military-gains-are-not-weakening-the-adf-in-eastern-drc.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Institute for Security Studies |title=Why military gains are not weakening the ADF in eastern DRC |url=https://issafrica.org/iss-today/why-military-gains-are-not-weakening-the-adf-in-eastern-drc |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{instituteforsecuritystudiesndwhy, author = {{Institute for Security Studies}}, title = {{Why military gains are not weakening the ADF in eastern DRC}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, url = {https://issafrica.org/iss-today/why-military-gains-are-not-weakening-the-adf-in-eastern-drc}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }