UN court orders Uganda to pay Congo $325m war damages

Uganda has been ordered to pay $325 million to the Democratic Republic of Congo by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The payment was for damages inflicted in the resource-rich province of Ituri from 1998 to 2003, according to the United Nations (UN) organ, also known as the World Court.

Judges in The Hague ruled on Wednesday that Uganda must pay in five annual installments until 2026.

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Congo had asked for $11 billion in compensation. In the decided case, there is no way to appeal.

The court declared that Uganda broke international law with killings, sexual violence, recruitment of child soldiers and the displacement of people.

The country and Rwanda then occupied Ituri and backed armed militias in search for the remaining perpetrators of the genocide.

The ICJ set $225million for personal injuries; $40million for damage to infrastructure and buildings.

Uganda will also pay Congo $60million for looting of natural resources including gold, diamonds and ores.

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The court had directed the countries to negotiate the cost of reparations but Congo resumed the legal battle in 2015 after talks failed.