Recent events in Ukraine and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have highlighted the issue of aggression and state responsibility in international conflicts. While the Russian invasion in Ukraine prompted a strong reaction from the international community and calls for the creation of a special tribunal to prosecute those responsible for the aggression, the Rwandan aggression in the DRC was largely ignored.
However, in recent months, Rwandan troops have carried out military operations in the DRC, fighting alongside armed groups and causing massive population displacements. Despite overwhelming evidence of Rwanda’s support for the March 23 Movement (M23), a Congolese armed group, governments have chosen not to label these actions as “aggression” and not to hold Rwanda accountable for its actions.
This differential treatment between Ukraine and the DRC raises questions about the willingness of the international community to hold states accountable for their aggressive actions. While steps have been taken to prosecute those responsible for the Russian invasion, little concrete action has been taken to hold Rwanda accountable for its involvement in the DRC.
It is imperative that States respond coherently and fairly to attacks committed around the world. By freezing aid to the security sector in Rwanda, rich countries, including the United States, could send a strong message and encourage the Rwandan government to withdraw its troops from the DRC and stop supporting armed groups. Moreover, it is essential that governments publicly recognize that Rwanda’s actions may constitute aggression and that they support the calls of Congolese civil society for the creation of an international criminal tribunal to try crimes committed in the DRC.
Finally, it is necessary to clarify the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to judge the crime of aggression in order to allow the prosecution of Rwanda before this court if necessary. By doing so, the international community would send a clear message: aggression, wherever it occurs and whoever is responsible, will not go unpunished.
It is time to put an end to the difference in treatment between the attacks committed in Ukraine and in the DRC. Justice and accountability must prevail, regardless of the context or the actors involved