The International Criminal Court (ICC) has initiated a preliminary investigation into alleged atrocities committed in the Democratic Republic of Congo's North Kivu province. This inquiry, launched at the request of the Congolese government, marks the second time the ICC has investigated crimes within the nation's borders. The previous investigation, commencing in 2004, resulted in the conviction of three rebel leaders.
Prosecutor Karim Khan stated that the Congolese government's request specifically targets certain armed factions and groups suspected of perpetrating crimes in North Kivu. This eastern province has been embroiled in conflict for decades, with over 120 armed groups vying for control of land and valuable mineral resources. Last month alone, at least 17 individuals were reportedly killed by the Allied Democratic Forces, a group with suspected links to the Islamic State.
The resurgence of the M23 rebel group in late 2021 further intensified the conflict. This group, linked to neighboring Rwanda, had been largely inactive for nearly a decade before re-emerging and seizing territory. M23 gained notoriety a decade prior when it captured Goma, a major city in eastern Congo bordering Rwanda. The group's name originates from a 2009 peace accord, which it accuses the Congolese government of failing to implement.
This prolonged conflict has had a devastating impact on civilians, with an estimated 5.5 million people internally displaced in eastern Congo, according to the United Nations. Prosecutor Khan emphasized that the preliminary assessment will encompass all crimes committed in the region, regardless of the perpetrators' affiliations or nationalities. The initial phase of the investigation will determine whether the current request can be integrated with prior investigations and cases.
