International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan has arrived in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on February 24 in the evening, as the country faces an intensifying conflict in its eastern region.
The visit was confirmed by his office on Tuesday. The DRC has seen a recent escalation in fighting, particularly with the M23 rebel group, which, supported by Rwanda, has seized control of two major cities in the east. Khan expressed deep concern over the developments, highlighting the grave situation in the region and stressing the need for armed groups and their allies to adhere to international humanitarian law.
Khan’s visit comes amid accusations that the M23 is backed by approximately 4,000 Rwandan soldiers, a claim supported by UN experts. The ongoing violence between the M23 and Congolese forces has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis in an area already suffering from decades of conflict. The prosecutor emphasised that no armed group or force should have impunity, underscoring that international law must be upheld equally for all parties involved in the conflict.
During his visit, Khan is set to meet with DRC President Felix Tshisekedi, government ministers, and representatives from the United Nations. He will also engage with victims of the conflict and members of civil society. The ICC’s involvement in the DRC dates back to its first investigation in 2002, and Khan’s office is currently investigating alleged crimes committed in North Kivu province since January 2022. The ICC has previously convicted three individuals for crimes committed in the DRC, and Khan’s visit underscores the court’s ongoing commitment to addressing atrocities in the country.