Ituri: Former ADF hostages released to families in Mambasa

Approximately fifty people held by ADF rebels for several weeks have been released in the Malembi forest, located about 130 kilometers from Mambasa in the Ituri province. While local civil society sources report nearly fifty individuals escaped or were freed, an official ceremony held on November 2 in Mambasa-centre formally presented twenty-nine former hostages to their families.

The release follows military operations conducted jointly by the Congolese army (FARDC) and the Ugandan military in the Malembi zone. Some of the freed individuals reportedly joined military positions before being moved to Mambasa, while others returned directly to their home villages.

Reports indicate the captives had been held for between two and three months. Some were abducted from the localities of Nduye and Malembi, while others were intercepted following vehicle breakdowns. Authorities noted that the return of these individuals requires ongoing medical, psychological, and administrative support to facilitate community reintegration and prevent stigmatization.