Represented by: i. Dr. Emmanuel UGIRASHEBUJA, Minister of Justice/Attorney-General; ii. Mr. Emile NTWALI, Lead Counsel; iii. Prof. Dapo AKANDE, Counsel; iv. Dr. Owiso OWISO, Counsel; v. Ms Lorraine ABOAGYE, Counsel; vi. Barrister Epimaque RUBANGO, Counsel; vii. Mr. Specioza KABIBI; viii. Mr. Michael BUTERA. After deliberation, Renders this Ruling: I. THE PARTIES 1. The Application was filed by the Democratic Republic of Congo (hereinafter referred to as “the DRC or “the Applicant State”). The Applicant State became a Party to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (hereinafter referred to as “the Charter”), on 20 July 1987, and to the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (hereinafter referred to as “the Protocol”) on 8 December 2020. The Applicant State alleges human rights violations committed in connection with an armed conflict between it and a coalition comprising the March 23 rebel group, known as the M23, and the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF). 2. The Application is filed against the Republic of Rwanda (hereinafter referred to as “Rwanda or the Respondent State”) which became a Party to the Charter on 21 October 1986, and to the Protocol on 25 January 2004. 2