ISIL-Affiliated Allied Democratic Forces

Group financing profile

The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) is the most active and violent armed group in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).  Since 2013, the organization has conducted dozens of attacks, killing over 6,000 civilians and causing the displacement of over 200,000 people. U.N. Officials have accused ADF of several war crimes and crimes against humanity, including perpetrating civilian massacres, carrying out kidnappings, and using child soldiers.  Although the group conducted most of the attacks of their own volition, in 2019, ADF pledged allegiance to the Islamic State and became an affiliate of the Islamic State in Central Africa Province. The group’s activity has increased in recent years, potentially in connection with additional resources provided by IS core.

Keep reading to learn more about ADF, including details on how the group is financed.

Origins and Operations

ADF was formed in 1995 when two Ugandan rebel movements merged and fled to DRC under Ugandan military pressure.  While ADF’s initial goal was to overthrow the Ugandan government,  leader Jamil Mukulu rebranded the group and claimed that the organization’s main objective was to establish Sharia law in the region. 

Throughout the 2000s, ADF expanded its recruitment in the DRC and forged ties with local civilians through marriage, trade, and alliances.  This period in the groups’ history was associated with few instances of violence; instead, they were focused on entrenching themselves in the local community and economy. In the early 2010s, ADF grew more active and became implicated in large civilian massacres.