DRC: Rwanda Will Face Charges on the East African Court of Justice for Violations Against the Congolese Sovereignty

Congolese Minister of Justice, Samuel Mbemba in the last press conference about Rwanda, Aug 29, 2024 Photo: @Melinekanza60

August 30, 2024 Hour: 5:32 pm

Violence concentrated in the eastern province of North Kivu has led not only to arbitrary killings but also to sexual abuse.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) announced this Friday that it will sue Rwanda on the East African Court of Justice, based in Arusha, Tanzania on 26 September.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo-Kinshasa) accuses Rwanda of violating its sovereignty, committing atrocities against civilians and violating international law in the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo.

Rwanda denies the accusation, but in February admitted that it has troops and missile systems in eastern Congo to safeguard its security, pointing to an accumulation of Congolese forces near the border.

This legal action comes after the efforts of the Congolese Deputy Minister of Justice, Samuel Mbemba, who pushed the court to take over the case. Rwanda is also facing charges before the African Court of Human and Peoples’ Rights.

#RDC: Agression rwandaise : Le premier pas a été franchi par la #RDC; Au cours d’un point de presse tenu ce jeudi au ministère de la justice , le vice-ministre Me Samuel Mbemba @SamuelMbemba4 annonce l’ouverture le 26 septembre prochain de l’audience public contre le Rwanda par… pic.twitter.com/kZfAlqujzU
— RDC News (@Top10buzz110) August 29, 2024

The text reads,
Rwandan aggression: The first step has been taken by the #RDC ; During a press briefing held this Thursday at the Ministry of Justice, the Vice-Minister Me Samuel Mbemba
announced the opening on September 26 of the public hearing against Rwanda by the African Court of Human and Peoples’ Rights.

The DRC is pressing for accountability and urging the International Criminal Court (ICC) to expedite its investigation into Rwanda’s actions. The Congolese government has launched the «Justice for DRC» campaign to raise awareness and demand justice for victims.

Eastern Congo has been ravaged by armed violence, with more than 120 groups fighting for power, land and valuable mineral resources, while others try to defend their communities. Some armed groups have been accused of mass murder.

The violence concentrated in eastern North Kivu has led not only to arbitrary killings but also to sexual abuse.