KINSHASA — The Democratic Republic of Congo filed a case against Rwanda at the International Court of Justice on Friday, accusing its neighbour of responsibility for decades of violence in eastern Congo.
The Congolese government said in a statement that the filing alleges Rwanda breached international conventions, including those on genocide, racial discrimination, discrimination against women and torture.
Congo accused Rwanda of dispatching forces and backing or directing armed groups to carry out unlawful military operations on its territory, with alleged crimes against civilians including massacres, extrajudicial killings, torture, sexual violence, forced displacement and discrimination spanning more than three decades.
The conflict is rooted in the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, when remnants of forces associated with the genocide fled into eastern Congo, according to the filing.
Congo is seeking an order from the ICJ for Rwanda to cease the alleged violations and to award reparations to Congo and victims.
There was no immediate response from the Rwandan government. Rwanda has consistently denied allegations that it backs rebel groups operating in Congo.
U.N. experts and some Western governments have previously found Rwanda responsible for providing support to the M23 armed group, one of the major factions active in eastern Congo.
This is the third attempt by Congo to bring a case against Rwanda at the ICJ, the United Nations’ principal judicial organ for disputes between states. Previous applications were discontinued or dismissed on jurisdictional grounds.
The filing comes amid ongoing instability in eastern DRC, where armed groups have been active for years, contributing to widespread displacement and humanitarian challenges. Details on the precise scope of the new application remain under review at the court.
A spokesperson for the Congolese government said the move reflects Kinshasa’s commitment to seeking accountability through international legal mechanisms. “We are pursuing justice for the victims of these long-standing violations,” the official said, according to the government statement.
Rwanda has in the past rejected similar accusations, describing them as politically motivated and denying direct involvement in Congolese conflicts.
The ICJ has not yet confirmed receipt or scheduled any hearings on the matter. Proceedings at the court typically involve multiple stages, including potential challenges to jurisdiction.
The case highlights persistent tensions between the two neighbours over security in the mineral-rich eastern region of Congo.
