Source: www.persecution.org
Date: August 18, 2023
DRC (International Christian Concern) – The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), which operates primarily out of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), is a violent extremist group that is gaining power in Central Africa.
The known ISIS affiliate is notorious for targeting Christians in their violent campaigns to establish an Islamic caliphate in the region.
A widening recruitment network and an increase in funding overseas contributed to ADF’s bloodiest year yet, according to a report by the Washington Post. While ISIS lost much of its power and control in Syria and Iraq, its affiliate groups in Afghanistan, the Sahel region, and Central Africa grew stronger.
International Christian Concern (ICC) previously reported on an egregious ADF attack in May against a school in Uganda. More than 40 students were murdered along with several teachers. The ADF was listed as one of the worst terrorist groups in ICC’s comprehensive 2022 Persecutor of the Year annual report.
The ADF was formed in 1995 in eastern DRC to overthrow the Ugandan government. After decades of violent extremism, the terror group affiliated itself with Islamic State in 2019.
Years of local and international attempts to uproot the ADF have seen short-term success, but the group has repeatedly regenerated in the face of withering losses.
HOW TO PRAY: Pray for an end to ADF-led violence in this region. Pray for protection for Christians throughout the DRC. Pray for the group’s funding and recruitment network to be cut off.