Defender Kasibandi, alias Salongo, was killed during joint operations by the Congolese and Ugandan armies in North Kivu’s Lubero territory, according to a military spokesperson.
“He was killed in an operation code-named Asangwa in the Bapere sector.
In addition to neutralizing this terrorist, the defense forces recovered several AK-47 weapons,” Lt. Marc Elongo, the spokesman for the Sokola I operational sector in Greater North Kivu, told reporters.
Security sources said Kasibandi was an influential commander of the ADF close to Seka Musa Baluku, the group’s leader.
The operation also led to the rescue of three civilians who were recently held hostage.
The rebel group, which has been active in eastern Congo for several years, is affiliated with the ISIS (Daesh) terrorist group.
Since 2021, Ugandan and Congolese forces have been conducting joint operations against the ADF rebels.
The killing of the rebel commander comes days after several deadly attacks attributed to the ADF were reported in the neighboring territory of Mambasa.
Earlier in March, at least 35 civilians were killed at the Muchacha gold mine and 15 were killed in Babesua locality in Ituri province by suspected ADF rebels, according to local media.
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