DRC files ICJ case against Rwanda over rebel support

The Democratic Republic of Congo has formally taken the matter to the International Court of Justice, accusing Rwanda of backing armed groups, particularly the AFC-M23, in the eastern part of its territory.

This legal action comes exactly one year after both nations signed a peace accord in Washington aimed at ending hostilities in eastern DRC. Despite the agreement, clashes persist between the Congolese army and the AFC-M23 rebellion, which is supported by Rwanda.

The United States has also imposed sanctions on several Rwandan officials accused of involvement in the illicit trade of minerals coming from rebel-held areas.

Peace on paper, war on the ground

Kinshasa and Kigali had pledged to collaborate for the restoration of peace in eastern DRC, where AFC-M23 rebels have occupied large portions of Congolese territory for over a year. However, no meaningful progress has been observed on the ground.

“We expected that after the signing of this accord things would improve, that banks would reopen, that airports would reopen. Unfortunately, we see that we continue to live in the same misery,” lamented a resident of Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province.

“We wonder if the reputation that the United States once had still holds today. Why can’t the same policy applied in the United States be applied to our neighbours who are aggressing us here in DRC?” questioned another resident of the same city. Another recalled: “Until now, nothing works. When they meet, they show good intentions, but on the ground, it’s still war that continues.”

Sanctions and legal pressure mount on Kigali

The DRC accuses Rwanda of supporting armed groups responsible for serious human rights violations in its eastern region for nearly three decades.

Kinshasa has now lodged a complaint with the International Court of Justice, demanding reparations for victims and recognition of Kigali’s responsibility.

For its part, the United States has recently imposed sanctions on the Rwandan refinery Gasabo Gold, its leaders, and several mining companies accused of trafficking minerals from areas under AFC-M23 control in eastern DRC.

Washington says this trafficking funds the rebellion. However, some analysts believe the sanctions are not effective.

“The general perception is that these sanctions do not seem sufficient to alter the strategic calculus of the actors involved. As long as the cost of confrontation remains lower than the cost of concession, the actors maintain the status quo, which remains attractive to them,” said Yvon Muya, a conflict studies expert at Saint Paul University in Ottawa, Canada.

Toward a new military escalation

Peace remains distant, with exchanges of fire occurring almost daily in certain areas.

Professor Bob Kabamba, a lecturer at the University of Liège in Belgium, believes the belligerents are actually preparing for a new confrontation.

“During this time, each side tries to reorganize, rearm, and prepare for what could be called the final battle to determine whether the government side will succeed in recovering territories conquered by the rebellion, or whether the rebellion will advance toward Katanga and thus put pressure on the Kinshasa regime,” he said.

For over a year, AFC-M23 rebels have occupied the cities of Goma and Bukavu, along with several other towns in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. Fighting continues in the region, worsening the humanitarian situation for thousands of displaced people.