The Democratic Republic of Congo is in turmoil following a complaint filed by the Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals, Rose Mutombo, at the International Criminal Court, in The Hague in the Netherlands. This complaint targets the M23 terrorist movement and its ally, the Rwandan army, for crimes committed in the east of the country, as well as for the looting of natural resources.
The DRC is deeply concerned about the serious violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law committed against civilian populations. The Minister of Justice therefore asked the ICC to initiate the investigation process for the purposes of the prosecution and repression of the agents of the RDF-M23 coalition as well as any other person involved, as perpetrator or accomplice. , in unlawful acts and behavior characterized by serious violations of International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law.
In recent years, the DRC has been the scene of numerous crimes against humanity. One of the most significant is the massacre of civilians in Bambo and Kishishe, in North Kivu province, attributed to the M23 following clashes with local militias. A preliminary investigation by the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (UNJHRO) and MONUSCO confirmed that M23 terrorists killed at least 131 civilians (102 men, 17 women and 12 children ) during acts of reprisals against the civilian population perpetrated on November 29 and 30, in Kishishe and Bambo, two villages in the territory of Rutshuru in the province of North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The victims were arbitrarily executed by bullets or with bladed weapons. Eight people were wounded by bullets and 60 others kidnapped. At least 22 women and five girls were raped.
The complaint filed by the Minister of Justice is therefore a strong signal sent to the various armed groups that have plunged the DRC into violence. This initiative of the DRC is part of the dynamics of the cause of humanity to fight against impunity for the said crimes, by resorting to civilized means, in particular through its full and complete collaboration with the International Criminal Court.
President Félix Tshisekedi recently reinforced the DRC army in response to Rwanda’s hegemonic ambitions, which are reflected in particular in the Teke-Yaka conflict in Greater Bandundu. The DRC also has to deal with political tensions, the economic and social crisis, as well as the BIAC affair. Faced with all these challenges, the Congolese people are on the alert, and the opposition is starting to wake up.