DRC urges International Criminal Court to investigate as priority crimes in eastern region

DRC’s Justice minister Rose Mutombo took part Tuesday (Dec. 6) in the 21st session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

During the meeting in the Hague, Netherlands, Mutombo called on the prosecutor of the ICC to investigate alleged massacres in Kishishe last week.

The Congolese government accuses M23 rebels to have raided the village located about 70 kilometers from Goma and killed over 200 people.

Government spokesman said Monday an official inquiry into what happened would be opened.

The M23 rose to prominence a decade ago when its fighters seized the largest city in in the Democratic Republic of Congo's eastern region, bordering Rwanda.

After a deal with the government, fighting with this rebel group stopped. Still, other active rebel groups in the region continued to terrorize the population.

The 23 rebels re-emerged just over a year ago, capturing key towns and forcing thousands to flee for their lives.