Kinshasa, June 24th, 2026 (CPA).- The effective prosecution of crimes falling under the Rome Statute was at the center of discussions in The Hague between the Minister in charge of Justice of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), according to the minister’s X account consulted by CPA on Wednesday.
“I was received on Tuesday, June 23rd, 2026, at the headquarters of the International Criminal Court by Judge Tomoko Akane, President of the ICC, in the presence of Judge Reine Alapini Gansou, Second Vice-President. Our discussions focused on strengthening cooperation between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Court, as well as the need for a more effective international judicial response to crimes under the Rome Statute committed in eastern DRC, particularly those attributed to the Rwandan occupying force and its proxies,” the statement read. According to the source, Mr. Ngefa reaffirmed the DRC’s commitment to international criminal justice while expressing the Government’s concern over persistent delays in the handling of certain cases, in a context marked by serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights on Congolese territory.
DRC determined to strengthen national justice
The minister also reaffirmed his country’s determination to strengthen the action of national courts so that all alleged perpetrators of crimes committed in the eastern part of the country are held accountable, during a meeting with Mame Mandiaye Niang, Deputy Prosecutor of the ICC. “I reaffirmed the DRC’s determination to strengthen national justice efforts so that all alleged perpetrators of these crimes answer for their actions before the competent courts, in accordance with international law. No impunity will be tolerated,” wrote Guillaume Ngefa, Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals of the DRC. According to the minister, the DRC remains fully committed to working alongside the International Criminal Court in the fight against impunity, the defense of international law and the protection of victims. This cooperation comes against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC, where several crimes falling within the jurisdiction of the ICC are being committed. The International Criminal Court is mandated to prosecute the most serious crimes of concern to the international community, namely genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression. These offenses are defined under the Rome Statute.