The Democratic Republic of Congo has just filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC) against the M23 and the Rwandan army. This complaint follows serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law (IHL) that took place in the east of the country between 2022 and 2023. Rose Mutombo, the Congolese Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals, recently underlined that civilian populations have been victims of systematic and large-scale looting and that atrocious crimes have been committed.
The March 23 Movement (M23), a rebel group active between 2012 and 2013, is also responsible for the recent wave of violence that has affected the villages of Kishishe and Bambo in North Kivu province. United Nations reports confirmed that M23 terrorists killed more than 300 civilians, including women and children. The Congolese authorities filed the complaint with the ICC in order to end impunity by prosecuting those responsible for these atrocities.
The DRC invites the ICC Prosecutor, Karim Khan, to pay a visit scheduled for May 28 to 31 to see with his own eyes the extent of the violence committed by the M23 and the Rwandan army. This action demonstrates the determination of the Congolese government to fight against these human rights violations and to demand justice for the victims.
This recent complaint also shows the need for continued efforts to strengthen human rights and prevent such crimes in the future. It is imperative that the international community support these efforts by providing humanitarian assistance and promoting peace in the region.