Congolese lawyers file ICC case against DRC government

On July 10, 2026, a group of Congolese lawyers, including those from the former Katanga region, filed a case at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands. The submission accuses the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) of committing 11 acts of crimes against humanity across different parts of the country.

The lawyers cited examples such as: Makala Prison massacre in 2024, where hundreds of inmates died during an escape attempt. Killings in Lubumbashi and Kolwezi in Katanga.

They argue that these atrocities were linked to the youth wing Force du Progrès, affiliated with the ruling UDPS party, and individuals from the Luba ethnic group associated with President Félix Tshisekedi.

Hervé Diakiese highlighted discriminatory rhetoric from officials claiming that the Luba people were not just part of government but “were the government.”

Bernard Maingain stressed that Congolese justice institutions have failed to act, making the ICC the only viable path. He noted that Article 15 of the Rome Statute was respected, meaning the case cannot be dismissed outright.

The case was also filed in Belgium, as some of those implicated hold Belgian nationality. The next step will be for the ICC to determine whether to open a formal investigation.