Democratic Republic of Congo Sues Belgium Over Arrest Warrant

International Court of Justice Case

Case Summary

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has initiated legal proceedings against Belgium at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The case, known as Case Concerning the Arrest Warrant of 11 April 2000, stems from an international arrest warrant issued by a Belgian judge for the arrest of a Congolese national.

According to the DRC, the arrest warrant violates its sovereignty and international law. The warrant was issued for the arrest of a Congolese national accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the 1998-2003 conflict in the DRC.

The DRC argues that the Belgian judge lacked jurisdiction to issue the arrest warrant and that the warrant was issued without due process. The DRC also contends that the warrant is politically motivated and is intended to destabilize its government.