The prosecutor for the International Criminal Court has announced that he is reopening an investigation in Congo, concentrating on claims of crimes committed in the east of the central African country since early 2022 in the war-torn province of North Kivu.
The ICC prosecutor, Karim Khan stated that more than 120 armed factions have long occupied Eastern Congo, some of which commit mass murder in their quest for a piece of the region’s wealth, including gold.
As a result, almost 7 million people are displaced, many of whom are inaccessible to relief, making this one of the worst humanitarian catastrophes in history.
M23 has been the most active rebel group, rising to prominence more than a decade ago when its fighters seized Goma, eastern Congo’s major city on the Rwandan border.
It takes its name from a peace agreement signed on March 23, 2009, that it accuses the Congolese government of failing to fulfill.
In August, battles between rebels and pro-government militias killed 16 civilians, violating a cease-fire declared in August to assist millions of displaced people.
The ICC first opened an investigation in Congo 20 years ago following years of armed conflict.
Last year the Congolese government asked it to investigate alleged crimes in North Kivu by armed groups operating there since January 1st, 2022.
In a statement, prosecutor Karim Khan said recent violence in North Kivu is “interconnected with patterns of violence and hostilities that have plagued the region” since mid-2002.
As a result, the more recent allegations fall into the ongoing investigation.
Khan stated that his investigation in North Kivu “will not be restricted to particular parties or members of specific groups.” Rather, my office will conduct a comprehensive, objective, and impartial investigation into the accountability of all players” accused of committing crimes under the court’s jurisdiction.
The ICC had previously convicted three rebels of crimes in Congo’s eastern Ituri area, including legendary warlord Bosco Ntaganda, also known as “The Terminator,” who was found guilty of murder, rape, and sexual enslavement.
His convictions and 30-year sentence were upheld by appellate courts in 2021.
