«We have clearly asked Rwanda to withdraw its troops. An effective measure would be for Congo to file a complaint with the International Court of Justice for the violation of international borders,» the Belgian diplomat informed.

This, while recalling the international condemnations of this military presence and emphasizing the calls already made to Rwanda to withdraw its troops and to cease its support for the M23 rebel group.

She reminded that precedents, notably one against Uganda, had already allowed the DRC to win cases and obtain reparations for the suffered damages. Such a move, she specifies, before the International Court of Justice could incite other countries to recognize and react to the situation.

The Congolese Government has, for its part, appealed to the International Criminal Court to investigate the crimes committed in the North Kivu province since January 2022.

It is appropriate to note that this is the second time the DRC has submitted such a request, as the first was in March 2004, which had enabled investigations and prosecutions to be carried out.

Let us recall that at the 21st session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, Rose Mutombo, Minister of State, Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals, had urged the States Parties to support the complaint filed by her country against the crimes perpetrated by the M23 rebels, supported by Paul Kagame’s country, in the East of the national territory.

Gisèle Mbuyi