By Spy Uganda
The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights has declared itself competent to hear a landmark case brought by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) against Rwanda, dismissing preliminary objections raised by Kigali.
In a unanimous decision delivered Thursday by the Tanzania-based court, all eleven judges affirmed that the court holds full jurisdiction to proceed with the case, clearing the way for a substantive hearing into allegations of human rights violations tied to the conflict in eastern Congo.
“The court finds that it has jurisdiction to examine the case Democratic Republic of Congo vs Republic of Rwanda and hereby declares the application admissible,” the court ruled, citing relevant provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Rwanda has been given 90 days to file its written response to the accusations.
During initial hearings, Rwanda had argued that the case was inadmissible, claiming that many of Congo’s allegations were based on media reports, which it said undermined their legal credibility. However, the court rejected those claims.
The case, filed by the DRC in 2023, accuses Rwanda of aggression, supporting the M23 rebel group, and committing widespread human rights abuses in eastern Congo since 2022. Congo is asking the court to compel Rwanda to withdraw its forces, cease all support to M23, halt human rights violations, and pay reparations. It has also requested that the court determine the appropriate compensation and ensure Rwanda covers all related legal costs.
The backdrop of the case is a worsening humanitarian crisis. According to Congolese Prime Minister Judith Suminwa, the ongoing violence has resulted in over 7,000 deaths in 2025 alone. Meanwhile, the UN estimates that more than 7.8 million people have been displaced due to the conflict—one of the worst internal displacements globally.
This ruling marks a pivotal step in the legal battle and adds international judicial weight to Congo’s claims. A full hearing on the merits of the case is now expected to follow in the coming months, with potential implications for regional stability, accountability, and cross-border relations in the Great Lakes region.
