The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim A.A. Khan KC, has concluded a three-day mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), emphasizing the urgent need for effective justice to address the worsening crisis in the country’s eastern regions.
The visit, held from February 24 to 26, underscored Khan’s commitment to intensifying his office’s efforts to deliver accountability, particularly in response to the escalating violence plaguing the North and South Kivu provinces.
Khan’s trip came as the Rwanda-backed M23 militia continued to seize territory, displacing thousands and deepening a humanitarian crisis that has claimed over 7,000 lives since 2022, according to recent UN estimates.
Karim Khan’s visit
During his visit, Khan met with key figures, including President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, judicial officials, victims of sexual violence, and civil society representatives, to forge a path toward ending the DRC’s long-standing cycles of impunity.
“Effective justice must be at the heart of our response to this crisis,” Khan declared in a statement released today. “Any warlord, any militia leader in any part of the DRC should be on notice that we are looking at new ways to forge a stronger partnership with the DRC. Whether it is the special court that is to be established here, or whether it is the independent work of my Office, justice is a right for all.”
In a candid meeting with President Tshisekedi, Khan stressed the need for innovative approaches to accountability. The two leaders agreed on the importance of an international conference slated for April in Kinshasa, aimed at crafting a “holistic, sustainable, and comprehensive solution for justice in the DRC.” Khan noted, “We agreed that to deliver lasting accountability, we must find a new way of doing things,” signaling a potential shift in strategy to combat the impunity that has fueled decades of conflict.
The Prosecutor also engaged with judicial partners, including the Prosecutor of the Cassation Court and the Auditor General of the Armed Forces, to strengthen cooperation between the ICC and DRC authorities. “We must reinforce trust in the process to achieve an impact that will be felt by victims,” Khan said, highlighting the necessity of a robust national judicial framework alongside ICC investigations.
A poignant moment of the visit was Khan’s meeting with victims of sexual violence, whose stories reinforced the urgency of his mission. “Their testimonies underscored the urgent need for justice and reparations,” he said. In discussions with H.E. Irène Esambo, Minister of Persons with Disabilities and other Vulnerable Persons, Khan reaffirmed his office’s focus on gender-based crimes and violations affecting children, aligning with policies his office published in December 2023.
Khan praised the support of MONUSCO and its head, Bintou Keita, who provided critical insights into the situation. “This mission would not have been possible without their engagement,” he acknowledged. He also thanked Professor Taylor Lubanga and other DRC officials for their assistance.
As he departed, Khan issued a call to action: “We call upon all stakeholders—victims, witnesses, national and international organizations, civil society groups, and State authorities—to continue their cooperation and support in our collective pursuit of justice.” His visit reaffirmed a shared resolve to accelerate efforts toward a future where justice prevails in the DRC, amid hopes that the upcoming April conference will mark a turning point in the fight against impunity.