Hague court hears Congo-Uganda case

Kabila and Mugabe met in Zimbabwe over the weekend

The United Nations International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague has begun hearing a case filed a year ago by the Democratic Republic of Congo against Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.

The government of the Republic of Uganda must immediately cease any unlawful working of the natural resources of the Democratic Republic of Congo

DR Congo charge

The government of the DR Congo accuses the three countries of armed aggression and massive violations of human rights.

President Laurent Kabila's government is also asking the ICJ to order the Ugandan military to stop fighting within the borders of the DR Congo.

Fighting between Rwandan and Ugandan troops in Kisangani has claimed more than 600 lives

"The government of the republic of Uganda must immediately cease any unlawful working of the natural resources of the Democratic Republic of Congo and any unlawful transfer of assets, equipment or persons to its territory," the request added.

The Congolese charge further calls on Uganda to end its direct or indirect support to groups or individuals engaged in or planning to engage in military actions in the DR Congo.

Uganda's defence

Uganda is due to present its case on Wednesday.

The Ugandan Attorney General Bart Katurebee and Army Chief of Staff Brigadier James Kazini are already in the Hague to defend Uganda's military presence in the DR Congo.

We need our allied troops all the time when there is a threat in Congo

President Kabila

Brigadier Kazini is also the commander of Ugandan operations in the DR Congo.

Fierce fighting between his troops and Rwandan forces in the third largest Congolese city of Kisangani earlier this month resulted the deaths of more than 500 civilians and 120 soldiers.

Foreign troops

Mr Mugabe's troops are backing the Congolese president

Uganda and Rwanda - as well as, to a lesser extent, Burundi - have been supporting rival factions of Congolese rebels trying to topple President Kabila and his government in Kinshasa.

Mr Kabila has been receiving the help and support of Zimbabwe, Angola and Namibia in fighting what he has consistently described as "an invasion" of his country.

Mr Kabila said over the weekend that foreign troops loyal to his government would remain in the country as long as there was a military threat to his government.

His comments followed a three-hour summit with two of his military allies, Presidents Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe and President Sam Nujoma of Namibia.

"We need our allied troops all the time when there is a threat in Congo," he said.

"It depends on the aggressors," he added.