Rwanda is facing allegations of involvement in a neighboring country’s conflict, prompting international scrutiny and legal proceedings.
According to a Congolese official, the EACJ has made a decision to initiate proceedings in response to Kinshasa’s lawsuit against Rwanda for its purported involvement in an ongoing armed conflict spanning several decades in the east of DR Congo.
On Thursday, the trial start date of September 26 was announced by Samuel Mbemba who is DR Congo’s deputy justice minister responsible for handling international litigation.
Mbemba informed the press that Rwanda would be found guilty of breaching an EAC member state’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity, committing numerous mass atrocities against civilians, as well as exhibiting blatant and severe contraventions of international humanitarian law in the upcoming trial.
Since the outbreak of fighting in North Kivu by various rebel factions, including M23 militia who have taken control over large parts of land, relations between Kinshasa and Kigali have worsened.
The government officials in the war-ravaged nation have accused Rwanda’s administration of repeatedly arming the rebels, an allegation reinforced by America. The President of Congo, Felix Tshisekedi has warned to declare a state of war on his neighboring country if they continue propping up the ongoing conflict.
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In the beginning of last month, a report was released by UN experts alleging that around 3,000 to 4,000 Rwandan soldiers were fighting alongside the M23 militia in opposition to Congolese forces and their supporters. The specialists stated that due to Rwanda Defense Forces having “de facto control and direction over M23 operations,” they are responsible for any actions committed by M23 as well.
Despite the accusations, Kigali has continually refuted them. Paul Kagame, their leader who was sworn in for his fourth term this month, conveyed apprehension about the DR Congo crisis and emphasized Rwanda’s priority of attaining peace within its region by stating: “Peace is our foremost concern.”
In March, Kinshasa initiated a legal proceeding against Kigali, alleging that it has consistently infringed on DR Congo’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence for the last 25 years.
The deputy justice minister of Congo declared on Thursday that he had urged the regional court in Arusha, Tanzania to promptly consider the complaint. He also warned that if it did not do so, DRC would retract its membership from the East African Community.
Mbemba announced that the EAC Court of Justice’s registry has released a portion of its records, revealing that the case between DRC and Rwanda will be heard in an open court. This development is considered by Mbemba as a substantial breakthrough for the said lawsuit.
On Thursday, the minister initiated a drive to urge for an inquiry by the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding the Rwandan army’s actions and legal action against individuals implicated in human rights offenses committed within DR Congo. The previous Belgian territory has presented accusations to ICC requesting that it probe into purported systemic looting of natural resources located in Eastern parts of country executed by M23 rebels alongside Rwandan forces.
