🇨🇩 Today, Kerstin Carlson shares in an opinion article her views on the role of international law in North Kivu, East of the *Democratic Republic of Congo* (DRC), at a time when Rwanda seems to have drawn the conclusion of a global context marked by major powers openly considering the expansion of their own territories. She reviews the conflict between the government and the M23, supported by Rwanda. The violence in North Kivu can be understood as part of a modern-day, state-funded gold rush. M23 is expanding its control of rare-mineral mines, and Rwanda is in the meantime benefiting from a 900 million euros mineral export treaty signed with the European Union (EU). In a break from practice and tradition, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Uganda to pay USD 325 million in reparations to DRC for violations of IHL committed between 1998 – 2003. But DRC cannot engage the ICJ in its claims against Rwanda, however, because Kigali has not accepted ICJ jurisdiction. In 2012, the EU cut aid to Rwanda in relation to atrocities committed at the time by M23. Calls have been mounting for the EU to do the same in response to the ongoing violence. But European countries have become more entwined with Rwanda. There is much debate about the decline of the liberal international order. US threats against Denmark over Greenland, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and global inaction on Gaza’s devastation, all signal this shift. If EU would benefit from resources taken by force in the DRC, it would be another sign. According to the author, the principle of non-recognition, a key norm against empire, remains crucial for protecting international peace—and today, states and institutions must simply reaffirm their commitment to it. 👉 https://www.justiceinfo.net/en/141061-modern-day-gold-rush-north-kivu-what-law-can-do.html See you on Thursday for a new post. In the meantime, you can support Justice Info by sharing our articles.