Reported forced taxation by ADF fighters in Ituri points to a wider strategy of territorial control, not just armed intimidation.

According to BETO.CD, local sources say ADF fighters held meetings in Makuku and Ndioka, in Babila-Bakwanza chiefdom, where civilians were allegedly ordered to pay fees tied to farming access and “security” tokens.

The reported payments include about 30,000 Congolese francs per field and monthly fees of up to $50 per resident in some areas. Civil society sources cited in the report say farmers have been paying large sums weekly, while ADF meetings have continued without immediate disruption.

The significance is that taxation can function as a form of parallel authority. Analysts cited by the outlet say the system creates fear and dependence, making residents less likely to cooperate with military intelligence or support operations against the group.

The ADF remains one of the most active armed threats in eastern DR Congo, where rights groups have documented repeated attacks, abductions and abuses against civilians. Amnesty International has also described the group as operating across North Kivu and Ituri, with civilians facing severe violence and displacement.

Joint FARDC-UPDF operations have continued to target ADF positions. Ugandan and Congolese forces recently reported rescuing more than 200 civilians from ADF captivity during an operation in eastern DRC, showing continued military pressure even as the group adapts locally.

The challenge for security forces is that economic coercion can make military action more complex. If civilians’ access to fields, income and basic safety becomes tied to ADF-imposed payments, operations risk triggering reprisals or deeper displacement in areas west of Lolwa and toward Mambasa.