Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has focused international attention on the crime of aggression. A range of States and former government officials have specifically called for creating a special aggression tribunal to prosecute Russian officials. Though there are disagreements regarding how such a court would function, the momentum to prosecute those responsible for the war is undeniable.

The crime of aggression – which describes one State’s unlawful use of force against another – emerged in the aftermath of the Second World War, but has proven notoriously difficult to prosecute since then. In fact, international bodies have not prosecuted aggression since the Nuremberg and Tokyo Tribunals. Efforts to try Russian officials for aggression could signal a greater global willingness to hold leaders accountable for one of the most serious international crimes – a crime that can also lead to war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.

But 3,000 miles south of the Russia-Ukraine border, another instance of potential aggression has received far less attention. Over the past year and a half, Rwandan troops have conducted military operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)  and engaged in direct combat with the Congolese military and armed groups. According to the United Nations Group of Experts (GoE) on the DRC, Human Rights Watch, and other organizations, Rwandan troops have intervened both unilaterally and in support of the March 23 Movement (M23), a Congolese armed group with historical ties to the Rwandan government. And while several governments have called for Rwanda to stop supporting the M23, States have generally avoided using the word “aggression” and have similarly avoided taking steps to hold Rwanda accountable for its actions, such as by publicly reducing security sector assistance.

The lack of accountability is stunning given the conflict’s devastating toll on Congolese civilians. Approximately 1 million people have been displaced since fighting began in the fall of 2021, many of whom live in horrific conditions and lack access to basic necessities, including clean water, food, and medicine. The M23 has also been accused of egregious violations of international law, including unlawful killings and rapes – and hundreds of cases of sexual violence have also been reported. Other armed groups aligned with the DRC government have also been accused of rape.

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