Joseph Isangura
On February 12, 2025, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR) began hearing a high-stakes case filed by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) against Rwanda.
The case, numbered 007/2023, is focused on alleged human rights violations committed by rebel groups in the DRC’s eastern region, with DRC claiming these groups are being supported by Rwanda.
The hearing kicked off with a panel of nine judges, led by Justice Imani Daud Aboud of Tanzania. In their opening arguments, the legal team representing the DRC, composed of 17 lawyers, detailed accusations of widespread human rights abuses carried out by these rebel groups, which the DRC says are being actively backed by the Rwandan government. The DRC claims these violations include genocide, sexual violence, and the destruction of critical infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, and water supplies.
The DRC’s lawyers argued that the violence has led to the displacement of over two million people and the deaths of countless others. Many victims are now facing dire humanitarian conditions, including disease and lack of medical care. “The root of this suffering is Rwanda’s desire to take control of the resources in the North and South Kivu regions, including Goma, which has been devastated by this violence,” said Samuel Kabuya, one of the DRC’s lead lawyers. He presented evidence showing that Rwanda has been providing support to over 3,000 fighters in the M23 rebel group, who have captured key territories in the region.
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DRC Crisis
The ongoing conflict in eastern DRC, which began escalating in 2021, has seen the DRC’s armed forces clash with the M23 rebel group. The group, which has long been accused of receiving support from Rwanda, has taken control of several areas, creating an already volatile situation.
In defense, Rwanda’s legal team, led by Justice Minister Emmanuel Ugirashebuye, denied all the accusations and urged the Court to dismiss the case. Rwanda maintains that the claims made by the DRC are not true and has vehemently rejected any involvement in the support of the rebels.
The case is a pivotal moment in the long-standing tensions between the DRC and Rwanda, especially over the ongoing violence and alleged human rights violations in the eastern DRC. The outcome of this hearing could have far-reaching effects, not only on the two countries but also on the broader regional stability.
