Full Breakdown
Congo Forms Advisory Council to Advance War-Crimes Accountability
7/15/2026, 11:00:16 PM
New Council Aims to Bolster International Justice Efforts
The Democratic Republic of Congo announced the creation of the Council for the Examination of Atrocities in the DRC, an advisory body composed of senior war-crimes lawyers from the United States and Europe. The council will advise two Congolese state institutions as they seek formal recognition of atrocities committed in the east and pursue reparations for victims.
Historical Roots of the Eastern Conflict
Violence in eastern Congo traces back to the aftermath of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide, when many perpetrators crossed the border and joined local armed groups. Decades of competition for mineral resources have produced dozens of militias, resulting in an estimated death toll of millions. In the previous year, the rebel group AFC/M23 seized large territories, an advance the United Nations and several Western governments attribute to Rwandan support, a claim Kigali repeatedly rejects.
Key Figures on the Council
The council is co-chaired by Congolese human-rights activist Julienne Lusenge and British lawyer Howard Morrison, a former judge of the International Criminal Court and the UN tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. Additional members include Stephen Rapp, former U.S. ambassador-at-large for war-crimes issues who led the prosecution of former Liberian President Charles Taylor, and Pascal Turlan, a former senior ICC official who worked on DRC cases.
Official Statements & Responses
President Felix Tshisekedi has repeatedly described the situation as a “silent genocide” and urged the establishment of an international commission of inquiry to break a “cycle of impunity.” In November, Kinshasa filed a case before the International Court of Justice accusing Rwanda of violating conventions on genocide, racial discrimination and torture.
Verbatim Quotes
- “General Assembly last year, President Felix Tshisekedi called for recognition of what he described as a "silent genocide" in Congo and urged the creation of an international commission of inquiry to help break a "cycle of impunity".” — Felix Tshisekedi, President of the DRC
- “The new advisory council, known as the Council for the Examination of Atrocities in the DRC, will advise two Congolese state institutions as they seek recognition of crimes and push for reparations for victims.” — Reuters report
- “Fighting in eastern Congo intensified last year when the AFC/M23 rebel group, which the United Nations and Western governments say is backed by Rwanda, seized large swathes of eastern Congo.” — Reuters report
- “Kigali denies backing the rebels.” — Reuters report
