International Criminal Court (ICC)

The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor announced on Monday the renewal of an investigation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, focusing on allegations of crimes committed in the conflict-ridden North Kivu province since early 2022. Eastern Congo has long been plagued by over 120 armed groups competing for control of the region’s gold and other resources, leading to mass killings and one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises, with more than 7 million people displaced and many lacking access to aid. The most prominent rebel group, M23, gained attention over a decade ago when it seized Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, near the Rwandan border. The group is named after a March 23, 2009, peace deal that it claims the Congolese government has failed to honor. In August, clashes between M23 and pro-government militias resulted in the deaths of 16 villagers, violating a cease-fire intended to aid the displaced population. The ICC initially opened its investigation in Congo 20 years ago amid ongoing armed conflict. Last year, the Congolese government requested an investigation into alleged crimes by armed groups in North Kivu since January 1, 2022. Prosecutor Karim Khan stated that the recent violence in North Kivu is linked to a long history of hostilities in the region since mid-2002, and therefore, these new allegations will be included in the ongoing investigation. Khan emphasized that the investigation will not focus on specific parties or groups, but will aim to independently and impartially assess the responsibility of all actors involved in crimes within the ICC’s jurisdiction. The ICC has previously convicted three rebels for crimes in the eastern Ituri region, including notorious warlord Bosco Ntaganda, known as “The Terminator,” who was found guilty of murder, rape, and sexual slavery. His 30-year sentence was upheld by appeals judges in 2021.