DR Congo has taken Rwanda to the African Court over alleged human rights violations, accusing it of backing M23 rebels in the ongoing conflict in eastern DR Congo. The case, the court’s first interstate dispute, comes amid escalating violence, thousands of deaths, mass displacement, and the killing of peacekeepers. Rwanda denies the allegations.

The hearing of a historic case brought by the Democratic Republic of Congo against Rwanda over alleged human rights violations began on Wednesday. The case is unfolding amid the ongoing conflict in Kinshasa’s eastern North Kivu province.

The Democratic Republic of Congo filed the case at the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Tanzania in 2023, accusing Rwanda of human rights violations, including human trafficking, torture, and cruel or degrading treatment or punishment in eastern DR Congo, near the Rwandan border.

According to Kinshasa, the M23 rebel group and Rwandan forces have been engaged in armed conflict in the eastern Kivu region since 2021, leading to widespread destruction of infrastructure, the displacement of thousands, killings, and other serious human rights violations.

DR Congo has called on the court to order Rwanda to withdraw its forces, cease its alleged support for M23, and halt human rights violations. Additionally, Kinshasa is demanding that Rwanda provide reparations, that the court determine appropriate compensation for damages, and that Rwanda be held responsible for covering all legal costs related to the case.

The case is unprecedented, marking the first interstate dispute ever heard by the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Previously, the court has primarily handled cases filed by individuals or NGOs against states for alleged human rights violations.

The legal battle between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Rwanda is unfolding as the conflict continues to escalate following an M23 rebel offensive in eastern DR Congo.

M23 rebels now claim to have taken control of Goma and have gone as far as declaring their own administration in the city.

Since January 26, more than 3,000 people have been killed, 2,880 injured, and over 500,000 newly displaced. These figures add to the existing 6.4 million internally displaced people in DR Congo, according to the United Nations.

The ongoing violence has also resulted in the deaths of at least 20 peacekeepers, including 14 from South Africa, during clashes between M23 rebels and Congolese forces.

The remains of the South African soldiers are expected to be repatriated on Thursday.

Kinshasa continues to accuse Rwanda of backing M23 rebels and deploying its forces to eastern DR Congo. However, Rwanda has repeatedly denied these allegations, insisting that it does not support the rebel group.