### The ICC in Kinshasa: a new hope for justice in the DRC or a temporary illusion?
The stay of the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, in Kinshasa, from February 24, 2025, raises many questions about the future of justice in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). While the North Kivu region is marked by unbearable violence, generating an prolonged humanitarian crisis, Khan’s visit is part of a framework where the urgency of action mixes with the distrust of the Congolese in front of the international community .
Karim Khan’s declaration during his stay sounded like a rallying cry for those who suffer from the M23 abuses, supported by Rwanda. By articulating an integrative and sustainable vision of justice, the prosecutor calls for a collective mobilization around a fundamental question: “How many generations of your children will be sacrificed?”. This, poignant and direct sentence refers not only to tragic reality but also to the moral imperative to act. However, beyond words, the question of the effectiveness of the measures that will be implemented.
### A historical reflection
Violence in the DRC, and more particularly in the east of the country, is not a new phenomenon. Beginnings in the 1990s, the situation deteriorated considerably with the armed conflicts that followed the Rwandan genocide. An analysis of the evolution of violence during these decades shows that armed groups, such as FARDC or local militias, have often taken precedence over the state’s ability to protect its population. In parallel, international actors, often well -intentioned, have faced a land of conflicts which seems to doubt their interventions.
A study by Human Rights Watch (2021) reveals that since 1996, around 5.4 million Congolese have lost their lives due to armed conflicts, diseases and famines resulting directly from the war. Children, hope of tomorrow, are systematically targeted in these clashes, emphasizing the urgency of a concrete response, both judicial and socio-economic.
### The challenges to be met
It is undeniable that the announcement of a collaboration between the Congolese government and the ICC could mark a significant turning point. However, there is an imperative of prudence in the face of initiatives that could quickly fade without concrete commitments. History has shown that the absence of local political will, combined with lack of logistical support from the international community, can destroy laudable efforts.
A survey carried out by the Center for Global Development (2023) revealed that only 37 % of Congolese trust the legal systems, both national and international. Even more alarming, 65 % believe that foreign interventions are often motivated by geopolitical interests at the expense of their well-being. In this context, Karim Khan’s contribution could be perceived as a simple symbolic approach, if the CPI and the Congolese government fail to gain the confidence of a disillusioned population.
### A call for collective action
For justice to become a palpable reality for the Congolese, it is crucial to instill a new dynamic including different social actors, ranging from local NGOs to young people’s movements. Khan’s call to perceive Congolese children as “our children” is an invitation to empathy, but must result in concrete actions.
In addition, it is necessary to consider restorative and not only repressive mechanisms, taking into account the votes of the victims and their needs. For example, the establishment of community courts could facilitate conflict resolution and an establishment of peace, at the local level. Such initiatives have already been experienced in other post-conflict contexts, especially in South Africa and Rwanda.
### Conclusion
Karim Khan’s stay in Kinshasa, although wearing hope, must turn into a real opportunity for change. The suffering of the Congolese should not remain a statistic on a paper, but a reality which calls for action. Cooperation between the ICC, the Government of the DRC and civil society is not only desirable, but essential to build a future where justice would be accessible to all, a future where children of this nation will no longer be sacrificed on the altar conflicts.
Only a holistic approach, sensitized to realities on the ground, will make it possible to eradicate the poison of chronic violence and to appease hearts injured by years of pain. The question remains: will the ICC and the DRC succeed in turning the page of a story marked by blood and writing that of a peaceful future? Time will be the only judge.