The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, has stated that a special tribunal is needed to address the ongoing atrocities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as international courts have failed to end the violence plaguing the region for decades.
Speaking in Kinshasa, Khan expressed concern over the escalating violence, particularly from the M23 group, which, with support from Rwanda, has taken control of territories in North and South Kivu provinces.
While the ICC has convicted three individuals for crimes committed in eastern DRC and is investigating further atrocities, Khan emphasised that the international justice system has been ineffective in halting the cycles of violence.
He supported the DRC government’s proposal for a special tribunal, which will be discussed at an international conference in April.
Khan highlighted that such a tribunal is necessary to address the complex and ongoing conflicts in the region, which involve multiple armed groups across various parts of the country.
Khan also noted that a more comprehensive and well-resourced approach to justice is required, not only for specific cases but to prevent further atrocities and break the cycle of violence.
He mentioned that the tribunal could be a hybrid court with both international and local judges, similar to those established in Colombia and the Central African Republic.
The proposed tribunal would be based in the DRC and have local ownership to ensure it is both relevant and impactful.
As the ICC faces growing criticism, including recent sanctions from the United States over its investigations into US and Israeli actions, Khan stressed the importance of maintaining the credibility of international institutions and ensuring that justice is meaningful for the people of the DRC.
