The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, based in Tanzania, has ruled that it is competent to hear a case brought by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) against Rwanda, opening the door to a landmark hearing on alleged human rights violations linked to the long-running conflict in eastern Congo.

The DRC accuses Rwanda of violating the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, citing its alleged support for the M23 rebel group, which Kinshasa says is responsible for mass killings, displacement, and destruction of infrastructure in North and South Kivu provinces.

Rwanda had argued that the case was premature, claiming that national and regional mechanisms had not been fully exhausted. However, the court’s eleven judges unanimously rejected this objection and invited Kigali to submit its written response on the merits within 90 days.

The ruling marks the first inter-state case ever accepted by the African Court, a move hailed by Congolese institutions as a “decisive step toward justice” and a potential turning point in the fight against impunity on the continent.

The decision comes just as the DRC and Rwanda prepare to sign a U.S.-brokered peace agreement in Washington. The deal includes provisions on territorial integrity, disarmament of non-state armed groups, and resource-sharing frameworks, particularly concerning critical minerals vital to global supply chains.

U.S. President Donald Trump praised the upcoming treaty as “a Great Day for Africa and…for the World,” underscoring Washington’s strategic interest in stabilizing the region and securing access to cobalt, coltan, and lithium reserves.

The humanitarian toll of the conflict remains staggering. The United Nations estimates that over 7 million people are displaced in the DRC, making it one of the worst humanitarian crises globally. The situation deteriorated further in early 2025 when M23 rebels, allegedly backed by Rwanda, seized Goma and Bukavu, two strategic cities in eastern Congo.

The Congolese National Human Rights Commission (CNDH-DRC) and civil society groups have welcomed the court’s ruling, praising President Félix Tshisekedi’s diplomatic efforts and calling for continued international pressure to ensure accountability.

The Congolese Association for Access to Justice (ACAJ) described the ruling as a “victory in the fight against impunity”, pledging to support victims and monitor the proceedings closely.

Rwanda has yet to issue a formal response to the court’s decision. However, analysts suggest Kigali may seek to use the upcoming peace treaty to defuse tensions and avoid further legal scrutiny.

The African Court is expected to deliver its final judgment within 90 days of deliberation, following submissions from both parties. The outcome could set a precedent for inter-state accountability under African human rights law.

As the region braces for the next phase of diplomacy and legal reckoning, the DRC-Rwanda case underscores the complex interplay between justice, geopolitics, and resource competition in one of Africa’s most volatile regions.

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