Nobel laureate denis mukwege supports drc’s icj case against Rwanda
The esteemed Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former presidential candidate, Denis Mukwege, has publicly lauded the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) decision to initiate proceedings against Rwanda before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). In a statement issued on Sunday, June 28, 2026, Mukwege underscored that this legal maneuver marks a pivotal moment in the pursuit of truth and justice for the numerous victims of ongoing conflicts in the eastern regions of the DRC.
Dr. Mukwege extended his congratulations to the Congolese authorities for embarking on this significant judicial path, which aims to address the alleged violations of international law attributed to Rwanda.
“We commend the submission of the application to the International Court of Justice by the Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals of the DRC, which condemns the violations of international law and human rights committed by Rwanda, both directly and through armed groups under its control (AFDL, RCD, CNDP, M23/AFC), within the DRC from 1996 to the present day,” he stated, acknowledging the DRC government’s proactive step.
While offering robust support for this procedure before the United Nations’ highest judicial body for interstate disputes, Denis Mukwege stressed the imperative of activating additional legal mechanisms. These, he argued, are essential for establishing the individual criminal responsibility of those purportedly involved in international crimes.
“Complementing this process initiated at the ICJ, we persistently urge the International Criminal Court to advance its investigations and prosecutions to ascertain the individual criminal accountability of alleged perpetrators of crimes falling under the Rome Statute, with a particular focus on holding military and political command chains responsible,” Denis Mukwege advocated.
The former presidential contender further appealed to states worldwide to exercise the principle of universal jurisdiction, enabling them to prosecute individuals suspected of committing international crimes. Concurrently, he called upon the Congolese government to implement a comprehensive national strategy for transitional justice.
“Finally, we call upon states to apply the principle of universal jurisdiction and the Congolese government to implement a national transitional justice strategy, including the establishment of a Special Criminal Tribunal for Congo, as outlined in the United Nations Mapping Report,” the Nobel laureate continued.
For the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, the unwavering quest for justice remains a critical catalyst for preventing future conflicts and fostering lasting peace throughout the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“It is urgent to forge strong connections between conflict prevention, transitional justice, and the consolidation of peace,” he affirmed.
Guillaume Ngefa Atondoko Andali, the Minister of State for Justice and Keeper of the Seals, who officially lodged the application with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, expressed the DRC’s profound confidence in the court’s impartiality. He reiterated the nation’s steadfast determination to uphold the rule of law over force, secure redress for victims of atrocities committed on its soil, and tirelessly strive for the establishment of a just, enduring, and accountable peace.
In the wake of the renewed activity by the AFC/M23 and the intensified Rwandan aggression in the eastern DRC, Congolese authorities have consistently declared that their comprehensive response will not be confined to military and diplomatic avenues. President Félix Tshisekedi has repeatedly instructed his administration to bolster the international judicial front, aiming to obtain reparations for the damages sustained, prosecute individuals allegedly responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity, and systematically document the extensive plundering of the DRC’s natural resources.
