Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni has accused former Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) leader Joseph Kabila, as well as regional and international actors, of allowing armed rebels to flourish in the mineral-rich regions of North Kivu and Ituri.

The rebels, known as the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), were formed in Uganda in 1995 to counter Museveni's administration and have been responsible for numerous killings of civilians and security personnel. In 2019, the ADF pledged allegiance to ISIL (ISIS), further escalating the threat posed by the group.

Last month, ADF fighters crossed the border into Uganda and launched a brutal attack on a secondary school, resulting in the massacre of 42 people, mostly students. Museveni, in a recent speech, highlighted the complicity of Kabila's government in providing sanctuary to the ADF.

According to Museveni, the ADF was able to expand and establish large camps in eastern DRC during Kabila's tenure, thanks to the support of regional and international actors. These camps served as bases for the group to carry out various illegal activities, including mining gold, selling timber, harvesting cocoa, and extorting money from local communities.

The military operation launched by Uganda in collaboration with the Congolese army in 2021 has been successful in dismantling most of the ADF camps. However, the rebels have now split into smaller groups that are harder to detect, occasionally slipping into Uganda to carry out attacks on civilians.

Despite joint operations against the ADF, a United Nations group of experts has reported that the group continues to expand its operations in the DRC with funding from ISIL. This highlights the ongoing threat posed by the ADF and the need for sustained efforts to combat this terrorist group.

The accusations made by Museveni shed light on the complex dynamics and complicity that have allowed the ADF to thrive in the DRC. The exploitation of minerals and timber resources has not only fueled the strengthening of the ADF but has also contributed to the destabilization of the region.

The international community must address the underlying factors that enable armed groups like the ADF to operate and ensure that regional and international actors cease supporting these illicit activities. Only through concerted efforts and cooperation can the menace of the ADF be effectively confronted and peace restored in the region.