Congo Brings Rwanda to World Court Over Decades of Atrocities and Requests Belgium to Return Its Dead

The Democratic Republic of Congo filed proceedings against Rwanda at the International Court of Justice in the week of its 66th independence anniversary, in what victims’ groups and government officials are describing as the most significant international accountability action the country has ever taken — while simultaneously pressing Belgium to return more than 500 human remains held in European institutions since the colonial era.

The double move has put Congo’s pursuit of justice squarely on the European agenda. Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka, who became the DRC’s first female head of government in June 2024, personally wrote to her Belgian counterpart earlier this month requesting the restitution of Congolese skulls and other remains held in Belgian institutions since the nineteenth century. The request forms part of an ongoing memorial process between Kinshasa and Brussels that has gathered pace under the Suminwa government, and it lands in a Belgian political environment already navigating difficult questions about its colonial legacy in central Africa.

The ICJ application, lodged on 26 June 2026, accuses Rwanda of bearing international responsibility for more than thirty years of atrocities in eastern DRC — massacres, extrajudicial executions, sexual violence, torture, forced displacement, and discrimination on grounds of ethnicity and sex. It invokes four international conventions, including the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and the Convention against Torture. Approximately 1,478,177 victims have been identified to date by FONAREV, the national reparations body established by Congolese law in December 2022.

Patrick Fata Makunga, Director General of FONAREV, said: “The referral to the International Court of Justice constitutes a major step in the quest for truth, justice and reparation for the victims of grave crimes committed in the Democratic Republic of Congo. For FONAREV, this step reaffirms that lasting peace cannot be built without recognition of suffering, responsibility and full reparation for victims.”

François Kakese Kimaza, Executive Coordinator of CIA-VAR, the inter-institutional body overseeing victim support and reform, added: “The referral to the International Court of Justice reflects the determination of the Democratic Republic of Congo to bring before the competent authorities the voice of victims and the demand for truth. For CIA-VAR, this step is part of an essential struggle for the recognition, accountability and reparation of grave crimes committed on our territory, in direct alignment with the national strategy of which CIA-VAR ensures the technical implementation.”

Rwanda has not publicly responded to the proceedings.

A Government Asserting Itself on the World Stage

The ICJ filing and the restitution request to Belgium are the two most visible expressions of a broader posture that has defined the Suminwa government’s approach to international affairs. In June 2025, the DRC was elected to the UN Security Council for the 2026–2027 term, securing 183 votes out of 187 — its first seat since 1990–1991, and a signal that Kinshasa is actively reclaiming its place in international deliberation rather than being merely a subject of it. In January 2026, the government formally recognised Kuba motifs and textiles as national cultural heritage, affirming the state’s obligation to protect and transmit Congolese civilisation.

Social and Economic Gains, With Caveats

The international assertiveness sits alongside a domestic reform agenda that has produced measurable results, though not without difficulty. Free primary education, pursued continuously since 2019, has driven school enrolments from approximately 12 million to more than 20 million pupils. More than two million births have been covered free of charge under the universal health coverage programme since September 2023, with more than 50,000 vulnerable newborns receiving care across more


Comments

14 responses to “Congo Brings Rwanda to World Court Over Decades of Atrocities and Requests Belgium to Return Its Dead”

  1. GoldTouch Avatar
    GoldTouch

    Oh, marvellous! Nothing screams “let’s fix the past” quite like bringing a laundry list of grievances to a court that’s about as useful as a chocolate teapot. Meanwhile, Belgium must be thrilled to dust off those skulls for a history lesson. 😏💀

  2. Magenta Avatar

    So, Congo is bringing Rwanda to court and asking Belgium for a return of its “lost property” — quite the ambitious shopping list for a country just getting its feet wet in the international scene, eh? 😏 Who knew independence anniversaries came with a side of legal drama and skull collection requests?

  3. teedersmartie Avatar
    teedersmartie

    Congo’s got some serious moxie asking Belgium for its dead while dragging Rwanda to court—talk about a two-for-one deal! 😏 If only they could invoice for emotional baggage too, eh?

  4. twix esses Avatar
    twix esses

    Blimey, Congo really knows how to spice up its independence celebrations, eh? Who knew asking for your skulls back could be such a *bold* diplomatic strategy? 😏💀

  5. Steel Cut Toe Avatar
    Steel Cut Toe

    Classic move, isn’t it? Just when you think Belgium’s got enough skeletons in its closet, Congo decides to knock on the door for a little colonial souvenir collection. 😂💼

  6. Psycho Thinker Avatar
    Psycho Thinker

    Looks like Congo’s trying to turn the courtroom into a family reunion—first, take back the bones, then we’ll see about those war crimes! 🤷‍♂️ Bet Belgium’s thrilled to be the lost-and-found for history’s leftovers. 🥴

  7. Berlin Kamikaze Avatar
    Berlin Kamikaze

    Seems like Congo is really pulling out all the stops for its 66th birthday—who knew filing a lawsuit and asking for your ancestors back was the new party trick? 🎉💼

  8. leaf assassin Avatar
    leaf assassin

    Seems like Congo’s taking a page from the colonial playbook—asking Belgium for a few skulls while simultaneously putting Rwanda in the hot seat. Classic move, eh? 😏

  9. mirage Avatar

    Looks like Congo’s going for the full buffet of international grievances—who knew asking for your ancestors back and suing a neighbor could be a new diplomatic strategy? 🍽️ Can’t wait for Belgium’s response; maybe they’ll throw in a few chocolates as a peace offering! 😏

  10. ThermalMode Avatar
    ThermalMode

    Typical Congo, always taking a number and cutting in line at the World Court while asking Belgium for a little bone back—literally. 😏 Who knew justice was just a fancy game of international charades?

  11. Take Away Avatar
    Take Away

    Looks like Congo is really putting the “court” in “courtship” with Belgium and Rwanda – who knew international relations could be as complicated as navigating the Brussels metro? 🤔💼

  12. Chameleon Avatar
    Chameleon

    You know, nothing says “happy independence” quite like a trip to the World Court and a cheeky request for your ancestors’ bones back from Belgium. Classic Congo, always making the paperwork more entertaining than most reality TV shows! 😏

  13. Pop Bee Avatar
    Pop Bee

    Isn’t it adorable how Congo thinks Belgium will just hand back a stash of skulls like lost luggage? 🎒🤷‍♂️ Seems like the only thing more elusive than their remains is a sincere apology!

  14. Tootsie Killer Avatar
    Tootsie Killer

    Guess it’s not enough to just ask nicely for your ancestors back, eh? Perhaps Belgium will respond with a “no return policy”—now that’s classic bureaucracy for you! 😂

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Last News

European Leaders Mourn US Senator Lindsey Graham

European Leaders Mourn US Senator Lindsey Graham

European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen expressed her condolences on the social media platform X, praising Senator Graham for his steadfast support of Ukraine’s freedom and efforts to increase the costs of Russia’s war. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described Graham as a “true friend and partner of Germany.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mourned Grah

Read More

Turkey Evaluating Participation in Canada’s Global Defence Bank

Turkey Evaluating Participation in Canada’s Global Defence Bank

Ankara, Türkiye, July 11, Eurotoday – Turkey Canada global defence bank discussions remain under review as Turkish officials continue evaluating whether to participate in Canada’s proposed Defence, Security and Resilience Bank. Government sources say no final decision has been made, despite Ankara taking part in discussions surrounding the NATO-backed financial initiative.
Turkey Continues Revie

Read More

Toy Story 5 Discovers Emotion in the Digital Era

Toy Story 5 Discovers Emotion in the Digital Era

Pixar’s new sequel brings nostalgic characters back to explore modern themes of technology and childhood. “Toy Story 5” revisits the animated world of Woody, Buzz, and Jessie with a fresh challenge: the impact of screens on imaginative play. Released on June 19, 2026, and directed by Andrew Stanton with Kenna Harris, it features Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, and introduces

Read More

US Conducts New Strikes on Iran After Hormuz Strait Vessel Attack

US Conducts New Strikes on Iran After Hormuz Strait Vessel Attack

The IRGC has cautioned that additional U.S. aggression would provoke stronger retaliation, according to the semi-official Iranian news outlet Tasnim.
The attacks occurred shortly after Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with his Omani counterpart to discuss “appropriate mechanisms for ensuring the safe passage of ships” in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday.
Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad

Read More

Venezuelan Teen Quake Survivor Mourns Her ‘Forever Young’ Friends

Venezuelan Teen Quake Survivor Mourns Her ‘Forever Young’ Friends

Caracas, Venezuela, July 11, Eurotoday Newspaper – Teen Venezuela quake survivor stories continue to highlight the human cost of the country’s devastating earthquake. One teenage survivor has shared an emotional tribute to the friends she lost, calling them “young forever” as rescue teams, families, and communities continue mourning those killed in the disaster.
Recovery Efforts Continue After D

Read More

Individual Arrested in Connection with Ann Widdecombe’s Death

Individual Arrested in Connection with Ann Widdecombe’s Death

On Saturday evening, police in southwest England reported the arrest of a 28-year-old man suspected of murdering Ann Widdecombe.
“The suspect, a white British national, is currently in police custody,” stated the Devon and Cornwall police. The arrest took place in South Yorkshire on Saturday evening, according to the police.
Widdecombe, formerly a Conservative minister and now a Reform

Read More

Spanish Firefighters Intensify Efforts Against Deadly Almería Blaze

Spanish Firefighters Intensify Efforts Against Deadly Almería Blaze

Sarhan Basem is Eurotoday’s Senior Correspondent to the European Parliament. With a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature, Sarhan brings a unique blend of linguistic finesse and analytical prowess to his reporting. Specializing in foreign affairs, human rights, civil liberties, and security issues, he delves deep into the intricacies of global politics to provide insightful comment

Read More

NATO’s Eyes in Space: Turkey to Build $300 Million Satellite System

NATO’s Eyes in Space: Turkey to Build $300 Million Satellite System

Turkey Integrates Space into NATO’s Security Framework
Ankara’s IMECE successor satellites will enhance Allied efforts in advanced surveillance, communication, and missile detection.
Turkey’s initiative to provide high-resolution satellites and space-based communications to NATO signifies a pivotal transition from national space assets to a shared security framework within the Allianc

Read More

Zelenskyy Establishes New Unit for Strikes Within Russia

Zelenskyy Establishes New Unit for Strikes Within Russia

Russian citizens are increasingly experiencing fuel shortages due to Ukrainian attacks on oil refineries within Russia impacting production. Social media videos depict long lines and heated exchanges at gas stations.
The strikes on Russian territory highlight Ukraine’s growing defense industry, with drones and other unmanned vehicles playing a crucial role. Ukraine’s domestically developed F

Read More

Eni CEO Predicts Oil Market Breakout from Current Range by Early 2027

Eni CEO Predicts Oil Market Breakout from Current Range by Early 2027

Rome, Italy, July 11, Eurotoday Newspaper – Eni CEO oil market outlook drew attention after the Italian energy company’s chief executive said global oil prices could move beyond their current trading range by early 2027. The comments come as energy markets continue balancing supply, demand, geopolitical risks, and investment in future production. Analysts say the market has remained relatively s

Read More