from JEAN KASSONGO in Kinshasa, DRC
KINSHASA, (CAJ News) –THE International Court of Justice (ICJ) is to begin public hearings on the question of reparations concerning armed activities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
DRC lodged a case with the ICJ, against eastern neighbour, Uganda, in 1999.
It wants the East African country held liable for the armed activities in Congolese territory.
In its applications, the DRC contends that the invasion of Congolese territory by Rwandan troops in 1998 constitutes a “violation of [its] sovereignty and of [its] territorial integrity.”
DRC, then led by Laurent Désiré Kabila, argued this was a “threat to peace and security in central Africa in general and in the Great Lakes region in particular.”
Government argued Uganda, alongside Burundi and Rwanda, sought to assassinate Kabila, with the object of installing a Tutsi régime.
Kabila was later assassinated by his aide in 1999.
DRC also demands Uganda to be held accountable for violations including massacres, rapes, attempted kidnappings and murders.
The Congo is beset by terror perpetrated by armed groups.
ICJ, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, will hold hearings in April 20-30 in The Hague.
In view of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the hearings will be held in hybrid format.
– CAJ News