ConflictBarometer_2016

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
to strengthen Ouattara's power. Six days later, the police used
teargas to disperse 50 people protesting against the draft in
the capital Abidjan and allegedly beat up several. On October
30, according to the Independent Electoral Commission, approx.
93 percent voted in favor of the new constitution with
an electoral turnout of about 42 percent. N'Guessan rejected
the announced results, claiming that the voter turnout had
been less than ten percent. On the day of the referendum,
supposed opposition supporters attacked several polling stations
in Abidjan as well as in the districts of Gôh-Djiboua, Lagunes
and Montagnes, where they stole voting materials, allegedly
trying to prevent people from voting.
On January 28, the trial against former president Laurent
Gbagbo and his ex-minister Charles Blé Goudé started at the
ICC in The Hague, Netherlands, where they were charged
with crimes against humanity allegedly committed during
the post-electoral violence from 12/16/10 until 04/12/11 in
Abidjan. Moreover, for the same charges, a trial against Simone
Gbagbo, former FPI chairman, at the Assize Court in
Abidjan began, on May 30. jwi
DR CONGO (ADF)
Intensity: 4 | Change: | Start: 1995
Conflict parties: ADF vs. government
Conflict items: subnational predominance, resources
The conflict over subnational predominance and resources
between the Islamist Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and the
government, supported by MONUSCO, continued as a limited
war. Having originated in Uganda, the armed group now
solely operated on DR Congo's (DRC) territory. ADF activities
concentrated in the northern Beni territory, North Kivu
province, and Irumu territory, Ituri province, close to the Congolese
border with Uganda. ADF continued to kill civilians
and extort goods from the population. The UN Group of
Experts for the DRC and other analysts found no evidence
for sustained links between ADF and international jihadist
groups. Due to military offensive by the Congolese Armed
Forces (FARDC), the estimated number of about 800 to 1,500
armed fighters in early 2014 was substantially reduced to a
few hundred in 2016. After the arrest oflong-time leader
Jamil Mukuli in April 2015, the group had lost its central
leadership and reorganized its remaining fighters in small,
decentralised groups in Beni and Irumu Territories.
Throughout the year, ADF repeatedly attacked FARDC and
MONUSCO positions in Beni Territory, while the latter continued
their offensive against the group. Especially the so-called
''death triangle'' between Eringeti, Kamango and Mbau was
affected by the fighting. At least 91 alleged ADF fighters and
22 FARDC soldiers were killed. Moreover, approx. 80 alleged
ADF fighters were arrested. At least four soldiers and four
67
ADF fighters were killed in several ADF attacks in January. On
February 6, around 20 ADF fighters attacked a FARDC position
in Mayimoya region, Beni. FARDC repulsed the attack
killing three assailants. MONUSCO and FARDC resumed joint
actions against the group in February, after MONUSCO had
ceased the cooperation in 2015 due to allegations of human
rights abuses by FARDC members. In March, MONUSCO repeatedly
supported FARDC forces with combat helicopters.
At least six alleged militants and three FARDC soldiers were
killed the same month. On May 14, FARDC and MONUSCO
announced the start of operation ''Usalama” against ADF.
In the course of the operation, at least 37 ADF fighters, including
deputy commander Hood Lukwago, and five FARDC
soldiers were killed in Beni and Irumi Territories by the end
of June. On July 5, alleged ADF fighters killed nine civilians in
the towns of Tenambo, Nzanza and Mamiki near Oicha, Beni.
Subsequently, FARDC and MONUSCO deployed troops to the
villages and killed eight attackers. Eight days later, FARDC
forces, in collaboration with MONUSCO, killed six alleged
ADF rebels in Kokola, Beni. On July 31, alleged ADF fighters
killed two civilians, two Congolese soldiers and injured
one MONUSCO soldier in Oicha, Beni. FARDC, supported by
MONUSCO, repulsed the attack and killed three alleged ADF
members. The same day, FARDC took over control of the ADF
stronghold in Mwalika, near Beni town, without fighting. On
August 8, alleged ADF fighters attacked a MONUSCO helicopter
wounding six soldiers in Beni Territory. Two civilians,
two FARDC soldiers and two ADF militants were killed on the
road between Beni and Kasindi on September 27. On October
9, alleged ADF fighters killed seven civilians and a FARDC
officer in an attack on an army post near Beni town.Two ADF
fighters were killed during the attack. Nine alleged ADF fighters
and one FARDC soldier were killed in November during
various ADF attacks in Beni Territory. On December 16, FARDC
and MONUSCO repulsed two simultaneous attacks by alleged
ADF fighters at Nadwi village and a former ADF stronghold in
Beni Territory leaving four FARDC soldiers injured and seven
alleged ADF militants killed. On December 24, FARDC killed
four alleged ADF fighters in Mayiomya, Beni.
As in the previous two years, alleged ADF fighters attacked
villages and killed civilians in Beni Territory. At least 157 civilians
were killed, 37 injured and 32,000 displaced. In addition,
more than 100 houses were burned down and several health
centers looted. However, a report was published in March
suggesting that in addition to ADF, local militias, including
Mayi-Mayi and members of the former ''Rally for Congolese
Democracy” were also responsible for some of the killings [→
DR Congo (Mayi-Mayi et al.)]. The report further stated that
members of FARDC were also involved in killings in Beni. On
February 14, alleged ADF fighters killed at least 16 civilians
in Kambi Ya Chui village. During a similar attack on February
29, 14 people were killed, 23 houses burnt down and four
people kidnapped in Mambabio-Ntombi village. On May 3,
alleged ADF fighters attacked Luna village with machetes and
axes killing at least 16 people and injuring seven. Following
the attack, around 1,500 people fled the area towards Ituri
Province. The deadliest attack occurred on August 13, when
alleged ADF fighters killed between 36 and 64 civilians in
Beni town's Rwangoma district. Following the latest killings
of civilians in Beni, locals protested in Beni town demanding
the end of violence. Police dispersed the demonstration