Part 2 The Post-Cold War Era (1990–2000), 46 The Great African War and the Intervention by Uganda and Rwanda in the Democratic Republic of Congo—1998–2003

Subject(s):

Countermeasures — Armed conflict — International organizations

This chapter considers the Great African War of 1998-2003. The first section sets out the factual context of the interventions of Uganda, Rwanda and (on a much lower scale) Burundi in the territory of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It also considers the counter-force employed by the DRC and other states acting in support of the DRC’s government. The second section considers the positions of the main state protagonists on both sides, as well as of international organisations and states not involved in the conflict. The third section analyses the legality of the actions of the various states involved, including – but not limited to – a consideration of the 2005 International Court of Justice merits decision in the Armed Activities (DRC v Uganda) case. The ad bellum implications of the conflict stretch beyond that decision, but the proceedings at the Court have become its primary legacy in this context.