The East African Court of Justice opened proceedings on Thursday in a landmark case filed by the Democratic Republic of Congo against neighboring Rwanda, accusing it of violating Congo’s sovereignty and territorial integrity by allegedly supporting rebels in the country’s eastern region.
The case, heard in Arusha, Tanzania, brings to the forefront long-standing tensions between the two nations over the mineral-rich eastern Congo, where more than 120 armed groups vie for power, land, and resources.
Congo’s legal team, led by lawyer Elisha Ongoya, seeks to hold Rwanda accountable for alleged violations including atrocities against civilians and breaches of international law. The lawsuit also aims to secure reparations for victims of these purported crimes.
The proceedings come on the heels of Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi’s address to the UN General Assembly, where he called for sanctions against Rwanda for its alleged support of the M23 rebel group. A July report by UN experts estimated that between 3,000 and 4,000 Rwandan government forces are deployed in eastern Congo alongside M23 rebels, who have made significant territorial gains.
Rwanda’s legal representatives, led by Emile Ntwali, raised objections to the case, questioning the court’s jurisdiction over criminal matters and pointing out procedural issues, including Congo’s failure to translate court documents into English, the official language of the court.
The East African Court of Justice, established under a 1999 treaty and ratified by the United Nations, typically handles cases from Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania. Its involvement in this interstate dispute marks a significant moment in regional jurisprudence.
Presiding Judge Yohanne Masara announced that the court would review arguments from both sides before delivering a ruling on the objections at a later date.
