Fatshimetrie
In a poignant speech delivered at the African Legal Aid conference in Johannesburg, the Deputy Minister of Justice and International Litigation of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Samuel Mbemba, called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to consider the act of aggression at the same level as crimes of genocide, war and against humanity. A legitimate request that provokes strong reactions and raises essential questions about the role of the ICC in resolving international conflicts.
The DRC’s firm position on the qualification of the act of aggression as a major crime demonstrates the urgency of treating this scourge with the same rigor as other serious violations of international law. Indeed, aggression is often the spark that lights the fire of conflicts and leads to atrocious crimes against civilian populations, as can be observed in the North Kivu region of the DR Congo.
Vice-Minister Mbemba rightly recalls that the crime of aggression is the precursor to war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity. By acknowledging its seriousness and calling for its thorough examination, he highlights the crucial importance of preventing this type of crime to prevent conflict situations from turning into humanitarian tragedies.
The reactivation of the ICC investigations into the alleged crimes in North Kivu is a positive sign of the international community’s commitment to prosecute those responsible for flagrant violations of international law. This decision is a reminder that international justice cannot remain passive in the face of the suffering of populations caught up in armed conflicts.
Ultimately, the DRC’s request to qualify the crime of aggression as a major crime deserves serious consideration. By highlighting the close link between aggression and other international crimes, it underlines the urgency of concerted action to prevent and punish these unacceptable acts. The voice of the DRC must resonate in the corridors of the ICC and encourage member states to strengthen their commitment to peace and international justice.