Written by Chris Muhizi Minembwe capital news 6:00pm Kinshasa Time.
The note to send the issue to the ICC Prosecutor’s Office in The Hague was submitted by the Congolese Minister of Justice, Rose Mutombo, who requested that he “focus his attention and initiate the investigation process against the M23 in eastern DRC.”
“To prosecute and repress the M23 as well as any other person involved as perpetrators or accomplices in unlawful acts and behaviors, characteristic of serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights,” reads the purpose of this note. between the years of 2022 and 2023.”
The Congolese government invited the Court’s prosecutor Karim Khan to Kinshasa in December 2022 while participating in the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute’s 21st session and reiterated its cooperation with the Court.
The nation ratified the Rome Statute creating the ICC on July 17, 1998, and is a party to it.
“The Congolese government remains deeply concerned about the suffering experienced by the populations of the part of its territory concerned by the acts subject to this referral, the abuses committed against civilians, and the systematic looting of natural resources by the RDF and M23,” stated the Minister of Justice. The so-called allegations that Kigali calls lack of a “responsible governence” also wanting to share its issues with Rwanda.
It is unclear if the new referral would change the focus of the court’s ongoing inquiry into eastern DRC, which has been going on since 2004.
Since the ICC has been looking into eastern DRC since 2004, it is unclear if the fresh referral would change the court’s priorities.
Three distinct Congolese militia leaders have been found guilty by the International Criminal Court (ICC) of war crimes and crimes against humanity for their roles in atrocities committed in the eastern DRC.
From May 28 to May 31, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan is anticipated in Kinshasa and the rebel-affected districts of the Congo.
