The East African Court of Justice, located in Arusha, Tanzania, commenced the legal proceedings on Thursday concerning a case initiated by the Democratic Republic of Congo against Rwanda. Congo accused Rwanda of violating its sovereignty and territorial integrity by providing assistance to rebels in eastern Congo, where ongoing armed violence involving over 120 groups is fueled by power struggles and competition for land and mineral resources, with some groups being implicated in mass killings.
According to Congo, Rwandan forces have allegedly been complicit in acts of aggression and war crimes in eastern Congo. Reports from U.N. experts in July suggested that an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 Rwandan government troops are operating alongside the M23 rebel group in the region, which has been gaining significant ground.
Established as a regional court through a 1999 treaty among several East African nations, the East African Court of Justice hears cases involving Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania and is endorsed by the United Nations. The timing of the legal proceedings coincided with President Felix Tshisekedi of Congo calling for sanctions against Rwanda during the U.N General Assembly, due to allegations of support for the M23 rebels in eastern Congo.
Congo’s lawsuit aims to hold Rwanda responsible for various violations, including crimes against civilians and breaches of international law, and to secure reparations for the victims of these alleged offenses. The legal action underscores the longstanding tensions between the two countries, particularly concerning the mineral-rich eastern region of Congo.
Elisha Ongoya, the legal representative for Congo, expressed satisfaction that the case had progressed. Rwanda, however, raised objections during the proceedings, disputing the court’s jurisdiction over the matter. Emile Ntwali, representing Rwanda, requested the dismissal of the case, citing the court’s purported inability to handle criminal cases and pointing out procedural errors, such as the failure to translate court documents into English, the court’s official language.
Congo’s legal team requested permission to present new evidence and translated documents, while Presiding Judge Yohanne Masara indicated that the court would carefully consider both parties’ arguments and issue a ruling on the objections at a later date.