DRC takes Rwanda to international court over eastern conflict

One year after the Washington peace accord, fighting continues in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Kinshasa has now turned to the International Court of Justice, accusing Rwanda of backing armed groups, particularly the AFC-M23 rebellion.

The Democratic Republic of Congo filed a case at the International Court of Justice against Rwanda on June 26, 2026, alleging Kigali’s support for militant factions operating in the country’s east. This legal move comes exactly one year after both nations signed a peace deal in Washington aimed at ending the conflict. Despite the agreement, clashes persist between the Congolese army and the AFC-M23 rebels, who are widely considered to be backed by Rwanda.

In a related development, the United States imposed sanctions on several Rwandan officials accused of involvement in the illegal trade of minerals extracted from rebel-controlled areas.

Peace on paper, war on the ground

Kinshasa and Kigali had pledged to cooperate in restoring stability to eastern DRC, where the AFC-M23 has occupied vast territories for over a year. However, tangible progress remains elusive.

“We expected that after the signing of this agreement, things would improve, banks would reopen, airports would reopen. Unfortunately, we are still living the same misery,” lamented a resident of Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province.

Another local questioned, “We wonder whether the credibility that the United States once had still holds today. Why can’t the policy applied in the US be applied to our neighbours who are attacking us here in DRC?” A third added, “Up to now, nothing works. When they meet, they show good intentions, but on the ground, the war continues.”

Kigali faces sanctions and legal pressure

The DRC accuses Rwanda of supporting armed groups responsible for grave human rights violations in its eastern region for roughly three decades. Kinshasa’s submission to the International Court of Justice demands reparations for victims and a formal recognition of Kigali’s responsibility.

The United States recently sanctioned the Rwandan refinery Gasabo Gold, its directors, and several mining companies accused of trafficking minerals from areas controlled by the AFC-M23 in eastern DRC. Washington claims this illicit trade fuels the rebellion. Yet some analysts doubt the effectiveness of these measures.

“The general perception is that these sanctions do not seem sufficient to alter the strategic calculations of the actors involved. As long as the cost of confrontation remains lower than the cost of concession, the parties will maintain a status quo that works in their favour,” said Yvon Muya, a conflict studies expert at Saint Paul University in Ottawa, Canada.

Signs of a new military escalation

Peace remains elusive, with gunfire exchanges occurring almost daily in several zones.

Professor Bob Kabamba from the University of Liège in Belgium believes both sides are preparing for a fresh confrontation. “During this time, each party is trying to reorganise, rearm, and prepare for what could be called the final battle—to see whether the government will manage to reclaim territories taken by the rebellion, or whether the rebels will advance toward Katanga and thus put pressure on the Kinshasa regime.”

For over a year, AFC-M23 rebels have held the cities of Goma and Bukavu, along with numerous other towns in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. Ongoing clashes in the region worsen the humanitarian crisis for thousands of displaced people.