Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former presidential candidate Denis Mukwege has welcomed the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s decision to file a case against Rwanda at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). In a statement shared on X and obtained by this publication on June 28, 2026, Mukwege emphasizes that this legal move represents a crucial step toward uncovering truth and delivering justice for victims of decades-long conflicts in eastern DRC.

The renowned doctor commended Congolese authorities for initiating judicial proceedings to address alleged violations of international law attributed to Rwanda.

“We commend the submission of the claim to the International Court of Justice by the DRC’s Minister of Justice, exposing Rwanda’s violations of international law and human rights, both directly and through armed groups under its control (AFDL, RCD, CNDP, M23/AFC) in the DRC from 1996 to the present day,” Mukwege stated following the government’s decision.”

While endorsing the ICJ procedure as the UN’s highest judicial body for interstate disputes, Mukwege insists that complementary mechanisms must be activated to establish individual accountability for international crimes.

“In addition to this ICJ process, we continue to urge the International Criminal Court to pursue investigations and prosecutions to determine the individual criminal responsibility of those suspected of crimes falling under the Rome Statute, with a focus on holding military and political command chains accountable,” he pleaded.”

The former presidential candidate also called on states to apply universal jurisdiction to prosecute suspects of international crimes. He further urged the Congolese government to implement a national transitional justice strategy.

“Finally, we call on states to exercise universal jurisdiction and the Congolese government to implement a national transitional justice strategy, including the establishment of a Special Criminal Tribunal for Congo as proposed in the UN Mapping Report,” Mukwege continued.”

For the Nobel Peace Prize winner, the pursuit of justice remains an essential tool to prevent renewed conflicts and build lasting peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

“There is an urgent need to establish the strong links between conflict prevention, transitional justice, and peace consolidation,” he asserted.”

According to Guillaume Ngefa Atondoko Andali, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice, who filed the claim with the ICJ in The Hague, the DRC expresses full confidence in the court and reaffirms its determination to uphold the rule of law, seek justice for victims of crimes committed on its territory, and work toward a just, lasting peace founded on accountability.

Since the resurgence of the M23/AFC and the escalation of Rwandan aggression in eastern DRC, Congolese authorities have maintained that their response would extend beyond military and diplomatic measures. President Félix Tshisekedi has repeatedly called for strengthening international judicial efforts to obtain reparations for damages suffered, prosecute alleged perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity, and systematically document the plundering of DRC’s natural resources.