ICC: rebel groups must comply with international law

The International Criminal Court is appealing for armed groups in eastern Congo to abide by international law. It's after fighting has spread in the mineral-rich region as the M23 rebels continue to capture key cities, intensifying the conflict and humanitarian crisis.

Over 7,000 Dead as M23 Rebels Clash with Army in Eastern Congo

Fighting in eastern Congo has claimed the lives of more than 7,000 people since January, as the Congolese army and allied groups battle the M23 rebel faction.

International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan, who arrived in Kinshasa on Monday to meet with President Felix Tshisekedi and other officials, is calling for armed groups to comply with international law. Khan expressed concern, stating, "We are extremely worried about the situation, especially in the east, where hundreds are dead and thousands more are injured. The message is clear: no armed group or force can act with impunity. They must comply with international humanitarian law."

The ICC has been investigating war crimes and crimes against humanity in Congo since 2002, with three Congolese militia leaders already convicted for their roles in atrocities.

The ongoing M23 offensive is the most significant escalation in the region in over a decade. The roots of the conflict stretch back to the aftermath of Rwanda's 1994 genocide, further fueled by the struggle for control of Congo’s vast mineral resources.

The M23 rebels have captured key cities, including Goma and Bukavu, further escalating tensions.

Rwanda denies supporting the rebels, instead claiming it is defending itself from Hutu militias aligned with the Congolese army. The rapid advances of the M23 have raised alarm worldwide, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warning that the conflict could destabilize the entire region.

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