DRC Reviews International Legal Exposure Amid Justice Debate

Kinshasa, August 3, 2026 - Jurist Lilas Sansa welcomed the conviction in France of Roger Lumbala for complicity in crimes against humanity under universal jurisdiction, while criticizing what she called a two-speed justice system in the handling of wartime accountability cases linked to the DRC.

Sansa drew attention to Jean-Pierre Bemba, who has been associated with the same 'Effacer le tableau' operation. Bemba was previously convicted by the International Criminal Court before the ruling was overturned on appeal, and he later joined governments under President Félix Tshisekedi. Sansa said the situation showed a lack of political will to clarify chains of responsibility involving Congolese and foreign actors.

In a related government review, Justice Minister Guillaume Ngefa told the July 31 Council of Ministers that the DRC is facing 13 international disputes before bodies including the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes, the ICC International Court of Arbitration, the OHADA Common Court of Justice and Arbitration, and foreign state courts.

Ngefa described the caseload as a strategic governance issue requiring stronger judicial defense, risk prevention and protection of public assets. He said reforms are under way to reinforce institutional, financial and legal capacity, particularly after past controversies involving mining, investment and procurement awards.