Amid escalating violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), calls for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to launch investigations into war crimes have intensified. Critics argue that if the ICC has no hidden agenda, investigating these crimes should be one of the easiest cases in its history, given the overwhelming evidence available.
Recent atrocities—including murders, looting, acts of cannibalism, and hate speech—have not only been committed with impunity but documented on video by the perpetrators themselves, often shared online as acts of heroism. Observers suggest this reflects state complicity, with the Kinshasa government turning a blind eye or even encouraging the violence.
Organizations such as @MaishaRdc and @ITURIAMANI have recorded thousands of these crimes, detailing the systematic targeting of civilians in Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu. Despite this, Kinshasa’s leadership, including President Félix Tshisekedi, continues to shield perpetrators, particularly FDLR-linked militias accused of ethnic massacres.
These concerns have only deepened following the recent visit of the ICC Prosecutor General to Kinshasa, where he met Tshisekedi. The meeting has raised questions about whether the ICC is genuinely committed to prosecuting war crimes or merely reinforcing political alliances. While the details of their discussions remain undisclosed, the timing has sparked suspicion that Kinshasa is attempting to deflect international scrutiny and manipulate the justice process.
With evidence mounting and international pressure growing, observers warn that failure to act will severely damage the ICC’s credibility. The world is watching to see if justice will be served or if impunity will once again prevail in the DRC’s long history of conflict and betrayal.