ICJ opens hearings on claims of armed activities by Uganda on DR of Congo territory

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) today opened 18 days of hearings on the case filed in 1999 by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) against Uganda for “acts of armed aggression” and seeking “compensation from Uganda in respect of all acts of looting, destruction, removal of property and persons and other unlawful acts attributable to it.”

According to an ICJ news release, the DRC said the attacks violated the UN Charter and the Charter of the Organization for African Unity (OAU), which changed its name in 2002 to the African Union (AU).

In 2002 the DRC noted the resumption of fighting with Ugandan troops since 5 June of that year and said another foreign army had caused considerable damage to the DRC and its population, the Court said.

The Court has admitted for argument two claims by Uganda concerning alleged acts of aggression by DRC against it and “attacks on Ugandan diplomatic premises and personnel in Kinshasa and on Ugandan nationals for which the DRC was alleged to be responsible.”

In the first round of oral arguments the DRC was scheduled to present its case from 11 to 13 April and Uganda from 15 to 20 April, with the DRC giving its observations on 22 April. In the second round, the representatives of the DRC will speak on 25 April, those of Uganda on 27 April and the DRC will respond on 29 April.