The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced on Monday that he is renewing an investigation into allegations of crimes committed in Congo’s conflict-ridden North Kivu province since early 2022.
Eastern Congo has long been plagued by over 120 armed groups vying for control of the region’s gold and other resources, resulting in mass killings and one of the largest humanitarian crises globally, with over 7 million people displaced, many of whom are unreachable by aid.
The most prominent rebel group, M23, gained notoriety over a decade ago after seizing Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, which borders Rwanda. The group is named after a peace agreement from March 23, 2009, which it claims the Congolese government has failed to implement.
In August, clashes between M23 rebels and pro-government militias led to the deaths of 16 villagers, violating a cease-fire intended to aid millions who have been displaced.
The ICC first initiated an investigation in Congo 20 years ago, following years of armed conflict. Last year, the Congolese government requested the ICC to investigate alleged crimes in North Kivu committed by armed groups since January 1, 2022.
Prosecutor Karim Khan stated that the recent violence in North Kivu is “interconnected with patterns of violence and hostilities that have plagued the region” since mid-2002, indicating that these newer allegations will be included in the ongoing investigation.
Khan emphasized that the investigation in North Kivu “will not be limited to particular parties or members of specific groups” and that his office will examine the responsibility of all actors allegedly committing crimes within the court’s jurisdiction.
Previously, the ICC convicted three rebels for crimes in Congo’s eastern Ituri region, including notorious warlord Bosco Ntaganda, also known as “The Terminator,” who was found guilty of crimes such as murder, rape, and sexual slavery. His convictions and 30-year sentence were upheld by appeals judges in 2021.