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The International Criminal Court (ICC) has reignited its investigation into alleged war crimes in East Congo, with a renewed focus on North Kivu province. This announcement was made by ICC prosecutor Karim Khan on Monday.
Eastern Congo has been a battleground for several armed groups vying for control over its rich resources, including gold and minerals. This scramble for wealth has fueled one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, leaving over 7 million people displaced, many without access to humanitarian aid.
The resurgence of violence in recent years, particularly in North Kivu, has deepened the suffering in the region, where mass killings, looting, and displacement have become grim hallmarks of daily life.
The ICC’s investigation in Congo is not new. The court first opened an inquiry into the country’s brutal conflicts in 2002, responding to widespread violence and atrocities committed by various armed groups. Last year, the Congolese government formally requested the ICC to investigate crimes committed in North Kivu by armed groups operating since January 1, 2022, as violence in the province escalated dramatically.
Prosecutor Khan emphasized that the renewed probe would take into account both recent and historical patterns of violence in the region. “I have determined that the latest episodes of violence in North Kivu since 2022 are interconnected with patterns of violence and hostilities that have plagued the region since at least 1 July 2002, the start of the Court’s jurisdiction in the DRC.” he said. According to Khan, the investigation would not be limited to specific groups or parties. Instead, it would aim to impartially assess the responsibility of all actors involved in the violence, ensuring that justice is pursued for all those affected.
In the past, the ICC has successfully convicted warlords involved in Congo’s eastern conflicts. Among them was Bosco Ntaganda, notoriously known as “The Terminator,” who was found guilty of numerous war crimes, including murder, rape, and sexual slavery. Ntaganda’s 30-year prison sentence was upheld by appeals judges in 2021, serving as a rare but important victory for victims of the ongoing violence.
Khan’s office is expected to work alongside local and international partners to gather evidence and hold accountable those responsible for crimes under the court’s jurisdiction.
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