DRC Accuses Rwanda of Rights Abuses at African Court

Hearings in a case brought by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) against Rwanda, alleging rights breaches of Congolese citizens in the eastern DRC, have begun at the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR). The DRC wants Rwandan forces to leave the country, accountability for alleged crimes, an end to backing for the M23 rebel organization, and compensation for victims and damages.

Under the direction of Court President Imani Daud Aboud, nine judges presided over the public hearings, which got underway on February 12, 2025. With a team of 17 attorneys, the DRC made its case that, in the midst of the ongoing violence, Rwanda has willfully infringed human rights, especially those of children.

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Furthermore, DRC lawyer Samuel Kabuya told the court that the decision to bring the case stemmed from the atrocities committed against civilians. He cited the displacement of over two million people, claiming that many have been killed, suffered from diseases, torture, rape, and abuse. He also alleged that children have been forced into armed groups, depriving them of basic rights.

“The cause of all this is Rwanda’s desire to plunder the natural resources of our country, particularly in North and South Kivu,” Kabuya stated, further claiming to possess photographic evidence of Rwanda supporting armed groups. He urged the court to compel Rwanda to compensate victims and expedite the decision to save lives.

Lawyers Representing Rwanda

Representing Rwanda, a team of eight lawyers led by Minister of Justice and Attorney-General Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, refuted the DRC’s claims as unfounded. Ugirashebuja requested the court to dismiss the case, citing Rwanda’s withdrawal from the protocol establishing the court and arguing that the DRC misunderstood the court’s jurisdiction, which deals with individual complaints, not political disputes arising from conflicts.

“We ask the court to dismiss this case and not be misled into engaging in matters outside its jurisdiction as that would exceed its geographical boundaries,” Ugirashebuja argued. subsequently, he asserted that “The DRC’s filing of this case is misleading because, at the time of filing, we had no dispute with them, and this case appears to be an attempt to drag the court into a conflict that is not within its jurisdiction.”

Source: The EastAfrican