The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) formally referred another case to the International Criminal Court (ICC), seeking the court’s attention on the systematic plundering of its natural resources in eastern Congo. This referral specifically targets the Rwanda Defense Forces (RDF) and the M23 rebel group, alleging their involvement in the exploitation of Congo’s resources.
The primary objective of this latest referral is to prompt an investigation and prosecution of individuals responsible for human rights violations occurring between 2022 and 2023, as stated by the Congolese Justice Ministry. Kinshasa expressed deep concern for the suffering of the affected populations in the referred territory.
It should be noted that the ICC has been conducting an ongoing investigation in eastern Congo since 2004. Whether this new referral will shift the court’s focus remains unclear at this time. To date, the ICC has convicted three different Congolese militia leaders, one for war crimes and the others for war crimes and crimes against humanity, related to atrocities committed in the eastern DRC.
DRC has accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group, an accusation that the government of Rwanda has vehemently denied and has triggered tension between the neighbors.
While the ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor has provided limited details, the focus of the investigation is reported to be on alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the Ituri region, as well as the North and South Kivu provinces since July 2002.
Last year, the Tutsi-led M23 rebel group launched a fresh offensive in eastern Congo, resulting in the seizure of towns and villages along the border with Uganda. The conflict forced over a million people to flee their homes.
ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan is scheduled to visit Kinshasa and the provinces affected by rebel groups from May 28 to May 31.
