On Thursday, June 26, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR) announced that it has jurisdiction to hear the case filed by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) against Rwanda.
During its 77th ordinary session held in Arusha, Tanzania, the court ruled that the DRC’s complaint is admissible. The case accuses Rwanda of committing acts of violence and violating human rights in the eastern part of the DRC.
Kinshasa specifically accuses Kigali of border incursions and mass killings in North Kivu since 2022.
Rwanda’s legal team has rejected the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case.
The court also stated that an investigation into the matter will be carried out.
AfCHPR has given Rwanda 90 days to present its defense regarding the case. The DRC has 45 days to respond before the court delivers a ruling on the general grounds of the case.
