Rwanda, Burundi challenge admissibility of ICJ case

Rwanda and Burundi are challenging the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in cases brought against them by the DRC. In complaints filed against Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda in June, the DRC charged the three countries with invading its territory and committing massive human rights violations. It called on the Court to order the three countries to withdraw their troops and pay compensation. According to an ICJ press release issued on Monday, Rwanda and Burundi on 19 October “indicated their intention to raise preliminary objections to the jurisdiction of the Court and the admissibility of the [DRC’s] application”. The Hague-based ICJ gave Rwanda and Burundi up to 21 April 2000 to submit written documents in connection with their jurisdiction challenge, the statement said.