by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – The International Criminal Court (ICC) announced Monday (October 14) that it is renewing its investigation into war crimes that have allegedly been committed in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) since 2022.
Historically exploited, impoverished, and destabilized by Western countries for its vast natural resources, DRC’s majority Christian population has also recently been wracked by sectarian violence including by the Islamic jihadist terrorist group Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and the militant M23 movement.
In a press release Monday, ICC Prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan KC said: “Today, I wish to announce that I have decided to renew our investigative efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (“DRC”). Priority focus of the investigation will be given to any alleged Rome Statute crimes occurring in North Kivu since January 2022.”
“I wish to recall that our investigations in North Kivu will not be limited to particular parties or members of specific groups,” Khan emphasized. “Rather, my Office will examine holistically, independently and impartially the responsibility of all actors allegedly committing Rome Statute crimes.”
“Our ultimate goal is a long-term, sustainable and viable transitional justice strategy in the DRC, which the ICC and the international community can both support and learn from,” Khan said.
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