East African Court Investigates Rwanda-DRC Conflict

The East African Court of Justice has commenced proceedings on a case filed by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) against Rwanda, accusing it of violating DRC's sovereignty by sending troops to support the M23 rebel group in the eastern region. DRC claims that Rwandan forces, estimated by UN experts to number between 3,000 and 4,000, have been involved in aggression and war crimes, exacerbating instability among over 120 armed groups fighting for control of valuable resources. This legal action follows DRC President Felix Tshisekedi's call for sanctions against Rwanda at the UN General Assembly. The court, based in Arusha, Tanzania, was established under a 1999 treaty among East African nations and has been ratified by the UN. Rwanda has denied the allegations and raised objections regarding the court's jurisdiction, arguing that it does not handle criminal matters, while also citing procedural errors in DRC's filing. The lawsuit aims to hold Rwanda accountable for human rights violations and secure reparations for affected civilians.